Writing Op - Touched by the Hand of God

I recently got the email below. I don't know anything more about this site or this person but thought some of this blog's readers might want to check it out.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I’m writing to tell you about a Web site that you might be interested in: http://www.touchedbythehandofgod.com

This is a site where people share stories of how God has opened doors, hearts and minds for them in remarkable ways, at just the right time and place. These are firsthand reports from everyday people of God’s loving grace at work in our lives. You could even call them reality stories that give God the glory.

I started the site just about a year ago and continue to be awestruck by the powerful, inspiring examples of how God so perfectly leads and blesses us! (And, of course, the stories on the site represent the tiniest fraction of such examples.) Stories come from all over, some as far away as New Zealand. The Dallas Morning News selected it as Website of the Week last spring and other news publications have featured it, too.

I hope you’ll forward this message to the Group, as well as friends, family and church members, so they can surf around the site and be blessed by what they read. Moreover, I invite everyone to submit a story for publication on the site. Sharing a story doesn’t take very long to do, it can reach more hearts and souls than we can imagine, and its impact can be everlasting! (Guidelines can be found by clicking on the “Share a story” link located on the left-hand side of each page. Learn more about how the site came to be via the “Our story” link.)

I realize that some of you are published authors. BTW, I occasionally arrange with authors to feature on the site an appropriate excerpt from their previously published inspirational stories or essays — with proper © notices, permissions, credits, etc. and even the url for their own site. Coming up late this month is such a feature from Kali Schnieders’ “Truffles from Heaven.” This arrangement enables the author’s message to reach more hearts and minds. If interested, just let me know. But, of course, one does not have to be published elsewhere to share a story with TOUCHED BY THE HAND OF GOD.

Thank you so much for your consideration. May you all be uplifted and motivated by the stories of God’s grace.

In Christ,
Ms. Barrett Batson

Wanted: Recipes, stories and devotionals in regard to afternoon or high tea, to be published in a Christian gift book. If you have a good family recipe for sandwiches, cookies, sauces, snacks, scones, etc. please send to Christina Slike, cladachbooks@aol.com, by December 31, 2005. All contributors with published entries will receive a copy of the book.

Christina Slike. CLADACH Publishing, P.O. Box 336144 Greeley, CO 80633. http://www.cladach.com/

Quotable Quote

"The only reason for being a professional writer is that you can't help it."

-- Leo Rosten

GREAT WRITER's RESOURCE

The Word Smith Writer membership drive is now underway and its goal is to reach 1,000 subscribers by December 31, 2005. For each referal put in under my (Louise DuMont) name, the NJCWG gets one entry in a drawing. The person who gets the most subscribers between now and the end of the year wins a Gift Basket worth over $80. If the NJCWG wins, that basket will be shared with those who subscribed at the next meeting. The gift basket will include: the 2006 Christian Writer's Market Guide from Sally Stuart; a copy of Terry Whalin's "Book Proposals That Sell"; a copy of Carmen Leal's "You Can Market Your Book" plus a CD of "Pinches of Salt, Prisms of Light" - a beautiful selection of music; and some other delicious goodies to warm any writers heart. Peggy Phifer (Word Smith Writer owner and editor) is not finished collecting things for this basket so I have little doubt it is going to be an amazing gift. C'mon, folks...let's sign up for this newsletter!

By the way, the best part is not winning the basket -- its what you get in the newsletter! Word Smith Writer ezine is filled with marketing information, contests, writing hints and helps and so much more. Peggy does a grand job so check it out!

How do you subscribe? Click on the link below. Fill in the easy (only eight lines) form. When it asks how you heard about Word Smith Writer, use the drop down list to chose Referal/Friend. The next question asks who that friend is, write Louise DuMont - word.worker@verizon.net (you must put both my name and that email address or it won't count). Everything attributed to my name will go to the NJCWG. After that you simply click subscribe. Your email box will not be filled with hundreds of emails. You only get only one newsletter per month. This is a GREAT resource -- so what are you waiting for! Subscribe now!

For details go to

http://wordsmithshoppe.com/memberdrive.htm

Thanks,

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Bylines Writers' Calendar

Byline is collecting for their upcoming 2007 Writers' Calendar. This calendar features writers of all genres, both secular and Christian.
http://www.bylinescalendar.com/guidelines.php

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Attention Writers!
Contributors Wanted for Bylines 2007
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We are now accepting submissions for Bylines 2007 Writers Desk Calendar and we invite dedicated, serious writers who have been published and paid for their work to submit an entry. All genres and disciplines are welcome.

Submission Guidelines
We're looking for succinct personal stories about the writing life. The oh-wow success tales, the naked truth about what motivates you, the heartache of rejection, the toughest lessons, the joy and pain of freelancing. Humor is good, so is pathos. Please avoid routine, trite, ordinary stories. Read the many insightful submissions in the current Bylines and you'll see what we mean. We strongly urge you to read these entries so you understand what we're looking for. Click on the
links below for three examples of entries from previous Bylines.

Andrew Bill
Karuna Eberl
Nora Frances Horn

The best way to see what we're looking for is to obtain a copy of Bylines 2006. (Bylines 2006 will be available starting October 15th.) For order information, click on the "order Bylines" button at the left.

Writer's Bio
A few sentences about yourself. You're not dry and boring, so your bio shouldn't be either. Give us your accomplishments but round out your profile so our readers feel like they'd like to meet you for coffee. Or a beer.

Submission Length
The combined word count of your writing paragraph and bio should not exceed 300 words. We want room for your photo. However, don't send your photo yet. We'll let you know if your submission has been chosen and request your picture then.

Writer's Photo
If your submission is accepted, we will require a high resolution photograph. You may send a digital image as long as the resolution is 300 dpi or higher. If you do not have a high resolution digital image, please send us a quality snap shot that we may use. Please note, your photograph will not be returned. Do not send us your photo until you are notified that your submission has been accepted for the calendar.

Submission Method
Send your submission via email in text, RTF or Microsoft Word format to: info@bylinescalendar.com. Include your full name, address, phone number, email address and website in the body of your submission. Do not mail hard copies.

Deadline
Submissions must be received no later than February 1, 2006. Writers will be notified by April 15.

Fine Print
We reserve the right to edit submissions and bios chosen for Bylines but you will have the opportunity to approve any changes. Bylines has one-time use rights. Submissions and photographs will not be returned. We will accept previously published work; just let us know when and where it appeared. Writer agrees that pull quotes from their submission may be used on the Bylines web page, or in other marketing.

Writer Compensation
1. Exposure and promotion. Bylines is sold at bookstores nationwide and on the Internet. Your website and email address are listed in the calendar (with your permission), and we provide a link from our website to yours. If you're the outgoing type, we help arrange book signings at your local bookstore and/or interviews with your local media. We also send out hundreds of press releases.
2. You get one free calendar and discounts on additional purchases.
3. Money. It's only $5, but at least you can count us as a paying market. This is the first year we've been able to offer to pay writers anything. Remember, this is a labor of love, a tribute to writers and a break-even project.

Overcoming Fear & Worry

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Dr. MaryAnn Diorio will be speaking at the Women's Breakfast of the Calvary Chapel of Mercer County in Ewing, New Jersey, on Saturday, November 12, 2005, from 9-11 AM. Her topic will be Overcoming Fear and Worry. For further information, please contact the church office at(609)530-9524.

Dr. MaryAnn Diorio: Certified Christian Life and Business Coach, Certified Behavioral Consultant, Certified Biblical Counselor, and popular Bible teacher, author, and speaker on Life Management issues. For more information on Life or Business Coaching, call (856) 327-1231 or email MaryAnn at MaryAnn@CelebrationCoaching.com

Contest - Literary Loves Company

There is a writing contest called 'Literary Loves Company'. Entrants have an opportunity to submit their short stories, poetry and articles for a book anthology. To find out more information about this contest log onto: www.fountainpenn.com/WritingCompetition

Writing Op - Pathway Press

YOUTH AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION LEADERSHIP
Pathway Press
1080 Montgomery Ave.
P.O. Box 2250
Cleveland TN 37311
Phone: (800)553-8506
Fax: (800)546-7590
E-Mail: bill_george@pathwaypress.org
Website: www.pathwaypress.org
Contact: Bill George, editor

Quarterly magazine covering Christian education.
"Youth and Christian Education Leadership is written for teachers, youth pastors, children's pastors, and other local Christian education workers."
25% freelance written
Established: 1976
Circulation: 12,000
Pays on publication
Publishes manuscript 6 months after acceptance.
Buys first or one-time rights.
Editorial lead time 3 months.
Submit seasonal material 6 months in advance.
Accepts queries by: Mail & E-mail
Accepts simultaneous submissions
Responds in 3 months to manuscripts.

Sample copy for $1 and 9x12 SASE.
Writer's guidelines online or by e-mail.
Nonfiction Needs: How-To; Humor (in-class experience;
Inspirational; Interview/Profile; motivational,
seasonal short skits
Buys 16 manuscripts/year.
Submission method: Send complete ms; include SSN. Send SASE for return of ms.
Length: 400–1,200 words.
$25-50. Accepts previously published submissions.
Send typed, double-spaced ms with rights for sale noted and information about when and where the material previously appeared.
Pays 80% of amount paid for an original article.
Some columns open to freelancers, SEE SAMPLE edition OR SITE. 500-1,000 words.
Send complete ms with SASE.
Pays: $25–50 for columns.

Contest

First place:
$50 Gift Certificate
Good towards a Script Critique
Thanks to Green Chair Pictures

Second Place:
$29.95 Gift Certificate
Good for one Free entry to the 2006 ScriptBiz Short Script Competition (opens January/deadline April Fools Day) Thanks to ScriptBiz Screenwriting Seminar

500-600 ESSAY MUST START WITH THIS BLURB:
"There's beauty in movies; in the way they allow us to escape reality, to learn new things, and to dream new dreams. Yet, I can't help but wonder, shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't our lives reflect the movies we've watched?"

All entries must be received by: November 26, 2005 by 8 p.m. Eastern Time Zone.

To learn more: http://thedabblingmum.com/contests/essay.htm

NJCWG - Cancelled Meeting

Sorry. Due to a serious case of writers conference "overload" there will be NO NJCWG meeting on Monday, October 10, 2005 (tomorrow).

Please make note that our NEXT meeting WILL be Monday, October 24.

God Bless,

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

WOW

Well, our 2005 NJCWG - A Reason to Write Conference is over. Those who attended know that the event was a wonderful success. Compliment after compliment came to me regarding the speakers, our Sample Writing Book, the food, the handouts, the keychains, the literature tables, the "stress book"give-aways, the door prizes and, yes, the chocolate truffles (I say this with a broad grin that spreads across my chocolate coated face).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

WHAT COULD HAVE GONE BETTER

First: The Weather. It would have been nice to have a crisp fall day with clear blue skies, wouldn't it? But even the torrential rains did not keep Brandy Brow (seven months pregnant) and her mom from driving all the way from Vermont!

Second: The Luncheon. The food was fabulous but a serious oversight on my part nearly caused a lunchtime disaster. I can be so dense when it comes to this sort of thing. My dear husband took care of the bagels and pastries for breakfast, snacks & beverages for the breaks and a full meal for lunch. He planned a wonderful luncheon (lemon chicken, chicken marsala, penne w/vodka sauce, dinner rolls, a Caesar salad, a lovely chef salad and cheese cake & chocolate cake for dessert) and I just assumed he'd take care of everything -- after all he's a fabulous cook and often prepares similar dishes for large groups. What I did NOT think about was the fact that when he normally prepares those large meals he has substantial staff to assist him. I just left the poor man in the kitchen to do everything himself (Louise wipes a tear away from her eye at this point). Lunch time came around and John was running "a bit" behind (read -- nothing was ready and we only had 45 minutes to serve, eat and clear). I praise God for Nancy Baker, Karen Flores and a number of others who jumped right in to pull it all together! God is good. The meal did get on the table and we ended up running only five minutes into the next session.

WHAT WENT WELL

• A number of attendees were brought to understand the "industry" of writing as well as the skills required to write.
• Our speakers/teachers were generously inspired to say just the right thing to just the right individuals.
• Individuals left the conference excited about projects that they previously did not even consider.
  
• Our sample writing book (thanks to Clare Cartagena's efforts) inspired many people to consider joining our NJCWG. This will allow them to hone their budding skills for God's glory.
  
• Writers who lacked confidence, left understanding that God can do great things with willing hands.
• Even the speakers (who were able to sit in on other classes when they were not teaching) shared their excitement in having learned some new fact or a new approach to a problem.
• Many of our speakers shared with me their encounters with students who were excited and blessed by the lessons.
• We received numerous of gifts that were combined to create more than a dozen great door prize drawings.
  
• The literature Karen Flores & Ann Crediford requested prior to the conference needed to be crammed onto our oversized literature table. The generosity of the publishers was overwhelming and the efforts of Karen and Ann were greatly appreciated by those attending the conference.
  
• For many, this was a first-time conference experience. Each stated they never realized what they were missing and asked about future conferences.

In all, it was an amazing day. All praise to God and to Him be the glory.

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Director - NJCWG - A Reason to Write Conference 2005

A Reason To Write Conference

NJCWG - A REASON TO WRITE CONFERENCE

Saturday, October 8, 2005

8:00-5:00
Praise the Lord!

The 2006 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop will be held Thurs., March 23
to Sat., March 25, 2006 in Dayton, Ohio. Keynote speakers include
Dave Barry (Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist) and Susan Konig
(former New York Post columnist and author of Why Animals Sleep So
Close to the Road and Other Lies I Tell My Children). Breakout
session speakers include Craig Wilson (USA Today columnist), Carolyn
Howard-Johnson (author of The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What
Your Publisher Won't), Kristen Godsey (editor, Writer's Digest
magazine) and Bruce Cameron (author of 8 Simple Rules for Dating My
Teenage Daughter), among others. You can see the complete lineup at
http://www.humorwriters.org/2006SpeakerBios.html

The registration fee is $325 and includes all workshop sessions as
well as two continental breakfasts, two lunches and three dinners.
For more information, see http://www.HumorWriters.org

Tim Bete
Director, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
University of Dayton
937-229-4960
bete@udayton.edu
www.HumorWriters.org

Need Helpers

FOR NJCWG MEMBERS
October 8, 2005
A Reason to Write Conference

Friday evening I will be at the church sometime between 5:00-6:00 pm to start setting up speaker rooms, getting attendee packets ready, setting up literature tables, book signing tables, wrapping door prizes and attendance gifts, SO much to do.

If you are available to help, I would really appreciate your coming to the church on Friday evening. Please email me so I can get an idea of how much help I'll have: njcwg.dumont@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Louise Bergmann DuMont
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

Grace By The Cup

As the saying goes, "all good things must come to an end."

Yesterday I received notice that my first book, Grace By The Cup: A Break From the Daily Grind, is going out of print. I can't tell you how sad that made me. It feels like only a short time ago I was sharing with the NJCWG all the details of my first publishing adventure. Despite the temporary melancholy that accompanied the news, there is an upside. For the next month, I can "buy up" cases of the book at a steep discount. If I come into a sudden wind-fall of cash I may do just that (smile).

Jehovah-Meqaddeshkem (The Lord Makes Me Holy)

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Author & Speaker
www.louisedumont.com

Faith-Dipped Chocolate: Rich Encouragement to Sweeten Your Day
& Grace by the Cup: A Break From the Daily Grind

Writing Op - Kids' Ark

This was sent to me by the editor of Kids' Ark.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I hope this finds you all well and blessed. I am sending out another request for submissions for the Kids' Ark. We are at present in need of stories under the theme of Fear. The previous deadline of 9/26 has been extended to 10/5. If you have a good story that would minister to children ages 8-12 regarding fear, we would love to read it.

Also, we will need submissions for the following themes each month from October through January.

Patience - Due 10/24
Lies - Due 11/21
Perseverance - Due 12/19
Praise and Worship - Due 1/30

Please make sure when you send your submission that you include the theme in the subject line and send the story as a Word attachment. Anyone in need of guidelines or sample stories please e-mail me at writingwonder78@yahoo.com.

Thank you for your interest and may God bless you exceedingly, abundantly above all you can ask, think or imagine.

Sincerely,
Joy

Joy Mygrants
Senior Editor
The Kids' Ark

Writing Op - Self Publish News

SPNews (Self Publish News) is searching for writers to join their
staff and submit short stories, articles and poetry for their online
publication. Although this is a non-paying position (for now) this is
an excellent way to build your writing portfolio and to share your
writing talent with the world.

To get an idea of what we are looking for visit our staff of writers
at: www.selfpublishnews.com

We are accepting submissions from various categories:

Humor
Sci-Fi
How-to's
Mainstream/Literary Short Story
Inspirational: Christian
Success Stories
Romance (Not Erotica)
Poetry
Suspense
Mystery
Non-Fiction
History
Writing Instruction

Writers' Guidelines:

All writing samples must be typed double spaced, 12 point font
(Arial, Courier or Times New Roman) and must be aligned to the left
margin.

The maximum pages for poetry are 3 to 5 pages (2000 word maximum);
fiction 10 to 20 pages (8000 word maximum).

Address your submissions to the 'Editorial Department'.
Email your submissions to:
dan@selfpublishnews.com


Danielle-Kim Davis
VP/FountainPenn Enterprise
www.fountainpenn.com

WD Popular Fiction Awards Call for Entries

WD Popular Fiction Awards Call for Entries
_________________________________________________________

The WD Popular Fiction AwardsIt's a new short story competition from Writer's Digest! We want your best writing in five categories: Romance, Mystery/Crime, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller/Suspense and Horror. You can compete and win in every category--just make sure your entries are 4,000 words or fewer and we receive them by the November 1, 2005 deadline.

Visit http://www.writersdigest.com/specialoffers.asp?DMpopfiction093005 for more information!

Enter the contest and your fantastic fiction could bring home these big prizes:
GRAND PRIZE: $2,500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books, plus a manuscript critique and marketing advice from a Writer's Digest editor or advisory board member.
FIRST PRIZE: The First-Place Winner in each category receives $500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books, plus a manuscript critique and marketing advice from a Writer's Digest editor or advisory board member.
HONORABLE MENTION: All Honorable Mentions will receive promotion in Writer's Digest and the 2006 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.Don't wait--visit http://www.writersdigest.com/specialoffers.asp?DMpopfiction093005 for guidelines and to enter today!

Trends in Christian Writing

UP Trends in the CBA Marketplace
Nonfiction
"Creative" Nonfiction
How-To Articles
List Articles
Shorter Articles & Manuscripts
Easy to Read Language
Christian Living Articles
Inspirational Stories
Fiction
New Terminology -- Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Etc. is now "Speculative Fiction"
More open to new authors in Speculative Fiction
Romance with an "edge"
Brown Bag Books (difficult subject matter, approached via fiction)
Darwinism / Creationism
Old Testament
Children's Lit
Nonfiction Anything
Biographies of lesser known individuals
Ethnically Diverse Books

DOWN Trends in the CBA Marketplace
Nonfiction
Abuse Books
Anthologies (Chicken Soup types)
Fiction
Abortion, Rape, Drugs
End Times (unless your name is LaHay or Jenkins)
Books of Short Stories
Poetry
Formula books (unless you are a big draw author)
Children's Lit
Talking Animals
Talking Inanimate Objects
Personification of anything that isn't actually a person

The Road to Publication - Handout NJCWG 9/6/05

The Road to Publication
Presented by Louise Bergmann DuMont
At the NJCWG – 09/26/05

Are you an author who is just bursting to publish a book? What do you need to do before you earn the right to submit your manuscript to an agent or a publishing house? What creates the smoothest path and avoids unnecessary pitfalls and detours? The answer is found in your clips (clips: published articles which show evidence that other editors found your writing worthy of publication). You need to start small. Take-home papers and small press (often for no pay) publications offer the greatest opportunity to new writers.

Getting published (whether it's a book or an article) is as much the result of following the correct procedure as it is skill and talent. Both the Christian (CBA) and US (ABA) publishing industry, just like any other business, works on trends, contacts and sound business principles.

Chose a market. New authors often work backwards. They write a story or an article and then try to find a publisher who wants to publish their work. This wastes a great deal of time. Every publication has specific needs, wants, slants, formats and quirks. When you do find a suitable market for a piece you've already written, it is likely that you'll have to do a serious rewrite to accommodate the publication. A better way to go about your writing is to choose a market that is open to new writers and uses freelancers for least 80% or more of their publication.

Research your market. Know your target. This means understanding their audience, their editor and their advertising. Read at least five past issues. You can get these at the library or by writing to the publication and supplying the appropriate self-addressed stamped envelope for them to mail the publications to you. The world as a whole doesn't much what kind of scarf you wear this winter -- but if you are teenage girl you will want to know that short, "fuzzy" scarves made from "eyelash" yarn are all the rave. If you are targeting a publication with a large female, teenage audience, this information could be important.

Follow the Writers Guidelines. The second greatest reason that writers are rejected is because they don't follow the publisher's "instructions." If you don't have a copy of their writers' guidelines, you can usually find them online. If you can't find them there, you can always write and request a copy of their guidelines. Follow them to the letter!

Know what the current market and industry needs. What is hot - not just in regard to general trends, but for the genre you write and the industry as a whole. If there is a current glut on the market of "end of the world" scenario literature, a publisher is less likely to take a chance on a new author in this venue. Make your first piece something in the same genre but with a different slant. You also need to know the current writing trends. Learn what publishers want and fill their needs. That is the quickest way to publication.

Know how to approach editors and publishers. Does the editor you are targeting want a complete manuscript, a proposal or query letter? Do they accept email queries or only postal mail ones? Will they accept phone queries? Do they prefer a formal or informal approach? How can you know the answers to these questions? Study Sally Stuart's Market Guide. Talk with other authors. Join writing groups both local and online ones. Ask. If in doubt, make a phone call and ask the receptionist or editors administrative support person. They are often happy to tell you what you need to know. Do NOT ask to be treated special or for "inside" information. That will most certainly turn them off. DO act professional and treat every person you talk to with respect.

FREE Business Cards - Vista Print

Well, here they go again. Vista Print is again offering FREE business cards (you do need to pay shipping & handling). They are now offering 42 photo and graphic designs and you design your own text. Honestly, you can't beat this deal anywhere. To see your design choices go to:
http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/studio.aspx?icparts=yes&cfs=-1&pf_id=064&combo_id=3791&combo1=984.97.1.11177111771370&gallery_id=53&category_id=46660&phgp=1
Every serious author should have a business card. Why does Vista Print offer cards for free? Advertising. There is one small "catch" to their offer in that they print their website address in small letters on the back of your cards. This is such a small detail and it is worth its weight in business cards - literally. So what are you waiting for? Go get your cards!

Show Vs Tell Handout #3

Worthy Show/Tell Quotes

Sol Stein in Stein on Writing says:

"There are three areas in which the writer is particularly vulnerable to telling rather than showing: When he tells what happened before the story began; When he tells what a character looks like; And when he tells what a character senses, that is, what he sees, hears, smells, touches, and tastes.

Those are all places where the author's voice can intrude on the reader’s experience."

In Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne & King says:

"But telling your readers about your characters' emotions is not the best way to get your readers involved. Far better to show why your characters feel the way they do.”

It's easier to simply say, 'Erma was depressed' than to come up with some original bit of action that shows she's depressed. But if you have her take one bite of her favorite cake and push the rest away (or have her polish off the whole cake), you will have given your readers a far better feel for her depression than you could by simply describing it.

It is nearly always best to RESIST the URGE to EXPLAIN (or, as we so often write it in manuscript margins R.U.E.)."

Sol Stein in Stein on Writing says:

"He took a walk. Tells. He walked four blocks. Begins to show. He walked the four blocks slowly. Shows more clearly. He walked the four blocks as if it were the last mile. Shows more by giving the reader a sense of the character’s feelings, which the previous version did not. He walked as if against an unseen wind, hoping someone would stop him. Shows most of all because it gives the reader a sense of what the character desperately wants."

Show Vs Tell Handout #2

The Do’s and Don’ts of Show and Tell

Do not lead with exposition. New writers often start their manuscript by setting a scene or by giving background information which explains why the action will take place. Don’t. Start with action or important events. Then work the necessary information in using appropriate dialog between characters, or fill narrative section in later.

Simply naming the feelings that you experienced (telling your reader what you felt) is not enough to create interest in the reader. You must generate (in your reader) the same feelings that you experienced. You can't do this by changing the word "alone" to "very alone" or by changing "miserable" to "so miserable that I thought I would die."

Describing how you felt about a person, thing or situation in more detail is still telling. (Example: He looked at me in a way that wasn't exactly threatening, but still made me uncomfortable.) To show you must give the reader a vision of what happened. What did the man say and/or do that made you feel threatened. Describe those things and your reader will experience the event along with you.

If something is obvious, clear or without doubt, you will not need to use those words. When you say, "Clearly the facts indicate…" you are really saying, "I know I haven't shown you enough evidence to make my point but…" When you use the 'showing' technique, you will not need these words.

Match exposition to pace. The faster paced your story, the shorter your expository sections should be. Action must be shown not told. Take your reader on a journey, carry them into the scene -- don’t just tell them what happened. How many times have you heard someone tell a story that fell flat? When no one laughs, they respond with "I guess you had to be there." Your job as a writer is to take them there. Don’t let your writing fall flat.

Try to alternate shown scenes with told exposition. Too much of anything is not a good thing. Too much showing is like running consecutive marathons. Your reader may faint from the pace you are setting. If you give a rousing opening, your reader will be able to sit still for at least some exposition. The breather will make them eager for your next action filled section. Always follow narrative with one or more dramatic 'show' scenes.

Always *show* your climax. The climax is the place where the opposing forces in your story finally clash (there may be a number of small climaxes before the big finale at the end of your piece). This is true whether those opposing forces are two armies or two values inside a character's soul. The climax needs to be as vivid as you can make it, and that means – Tada (drum roll please) – DRAMA! Use every tool at your command: dialogue, action, description, thoughts and feelings. Put the reader right in the middle of the action.

Show Vs Tell Handout #1

SHOW YOUR ACTION

FICTION

TELLING

The following paragraph is not poorly written… but it could be better.
~~~~~
Joe entered the diner nervous about meeting Clara. This is it, he thought. I’ve got to do everything right this time or she’ll leave me for sure. He could see Clara sitting at a booth with her back to him. He knew it was her because she was wearing the hat he’d given her for her birthday. She’d been so happy when he gave her that hat! Was it a good sign that she was wearing it today? He thought it was.
~~~~~

SHOWING
Notice that following paragraph gives more details. It never actually says that Joe is nervous. Instead it shows us what Joe does when he is nervous. It also invites us into Joe's world and opens his heart to the reader. We "see" who Joe is by his actions and reactions.
~~~~~
The luncheon crowd packed the little diner like cows in a cattle run and Joe's fingers anxiously twisted the brim of the Stetson in his hands. This is it, he thought. I’ve got to do everything right this time or she’ll leave me for sure. He forced himself to ignore the over zealous and incredibly buxom, waitresses who vied for his attention. Finally he spied the back of Clara’s hat peaking over a booth seat. The sight of it forced his heart into a little dance that beat hard and fast against his ribs. Her laugh fill the room and memories flooded his brain. She laughed like that when I bought her that hat for her birthday, he thought. Its dainty blue flowers and the merry little bird sitting on its crown now fairly shouted to him. "You can do it", the small bird sang to his heart. Courage blossomed and Joe took his first conscious step toward fidelity.

MIDDLE-GROUND
Writing, particularly longer works, need both showing and telling. "Telling" allows the reader some down-time and lets them breathe between more intense "showing" scenes. The following middle-ground paragraph both shows and tells. It is acceptable under many circumstances. I've indicated the show areas with an (S) and the tell areas with a (T).
~~~~~
(T) Brian stared at the wreckage that two hours before had been his home. The tornado hurled debris for some two hundred yards and most of his possessions were now unrecognizable. (S) He bent to retrieve chunk of wood that was once a part of his dining room table. Farm worked fingers ever so gently ran across its still smooth surface, pausing only when they arrived at piece of straw now bizarrely embedded in its surface by the force of the storm. (T) The table had been carefully preserved by his family for over a hundred years -- and now it was gone. Brian could hold it no more. (S) The wood slipped from his fingers, and clattered to the ground, resting in the rubble scattered at his feet.
~~~~~

NON-FICTION

Although using direct narrative is more acceptable in nonfiction editors are still impressed with a writer’s ability to 'show' wherever possible. Do not discard this technique simply because you can get away with it when writing nonfiction.

Richmond Writers' Group

On Sunday, September 18 I was privileged to speak at the monthly meeting of the Richmond Association of Christians Who Write. Tom Lacy, their facilitator, was - as always - an extremely gracious host. The group was a mix of both accomplished and novice writers, each bringing something unique to the discussion. The topic was Showing, Rather Than Telling, a Story and the interest was high. I was able to renew acquaintance with a few friends who I met when I taught in Richmond a few years ago, and I was fortunate to get to know a number of new writers as well.
For the benefit of others, I will (in separate posts) provide some of the meeting's handouts.

Slogan Contest

Suite101's pro-life forum is running a contest seeking pro-life slogans, product ideas, bumper stickers, etc. The winning entry may be turned into an actual product. Winner receives Choose Life car ribbon magnets and static clings valued at about $25. The contest also offers 2nd and 3rd place prizes.
http://www.suite101.com/contest.cfm/pro_life/593
Have fun!

Quotable Quote - Frank Peretti, author of Monster

Frank Peretti, Author of Monster says, “Part of the creative process,” he explained, “is how you basically ‘chalk-up’ the characters that you want. But then there is that point where you cross a line of some kind. You go past a certain point and they do take on a life of their own. That’s part of ‘finding it.’ That’s a term I just came up with. You know, there’s writing, and then there’s really writing. It’s like the difference between sketching and painting. You can recount an incident that happened, or you can ‘be there’ -- and you can take your reader there.”

Polishing the PUGS: Puncuation, Usage, Grammar & Spelling

Chicago Manual of Style
For anyone who hates balancing the zillion pound Chicago Manual of Style on their knees, Kathy Ide has written Polishing the PUGS: Punctuation, Usage, Grammar, and Spelling. In it she shares some of the most common mechanical errors that she sees in the manuscripts she edits. Don't let "PUGS" errors decrease your chances of being accepted by a publisher!

Kathy's "PUGS" is a very condensed version of the most used rules of punctuation, usage and grammar. Quite handy to own and only $12.00 at www.kathyide.com. I noticed that she is also selling a CD version for $12.00, a combo of the book and CD for $20.00, an EXPANDED version of PUGS for $18.00, the EXPANDED CD for $18.00 and a combo of the expanded versions for $30.00.

PUGS is a very helpful little book and she seems to have something to fit everyone's budget.

About Kathy Ide
Kathy is a professional freelance author, editor, and speaker. She is a published author of books, magazine articles, play scripts, short stories, devotionals, and Sunday school curriculum since 1988.

NJCWG - Meeting

Next meeting of the NJCWG
Monday, September 26, 2005
6:15-7:00 - Chat Time
7:00-8:00 - Lesson
8:00-9:00 - Critiques

Lesson: Getting Started... How do you get your first 'clip'? Do you approach editors via email the same way you approach them via postal mail? How do you know who gets a query letter and who wants a complete manuscript? How do I know if I'm ready to submit to a "real" publication? And MORE...

Hope to see you Monday night!

Louise

Book Publisher - Zondervan

ZONDERVAN
Division of HarperCollins Publishers
5300 Patterson Ave. SE
Grand Rapids MI 49530-0002
Phone: (616)698-6900
Fax: (616)698-3454
E-Mail: zpub@zondervan.com
Website: www.zondervan.com
Executive VP: Scott Bolinder
"Our mission is to be the leading Christian communications company meeting the needs of people with resources that glorify Jesus Christ and promote Biblical principles."

Editor's Note: No longer accepts mailed submissions unless they are addressed to a specific individual. Instead, submissions may be faxed or submitted electronically to First Edition via the ECPA website (www.ecpa.org).

Established: 1931; Publishes hardcover and trade paperback originals and reprints. Publishes 120 titles/year; 10% of books from first time authors; 60% of books from unagented writers. Pays 14% royalty on net amount received on sales of cloth and softcover trade editions; 12% royalty on net amount received on sales of mass market paperbacks. Offers variable advance.

Responds in 2 months to queries.
Responds in 3 months to proposals.
Responds in 4 months to manuscripts.
Manuscript guidelines available at website.

Autobiography, Biography, Children's/Juvenile,Reference, Self-Help, and Textbook

Subjects include: History; Memoirs; Religion; Christian living, devotional, Bible study resources,preaching, counseling, college and seminary textbooks, discipleship, worship, and church renewal for pastors, professionals and lay leaders in ministry,
theological, and Biblical reference books.

Submission method: TOC, chapter outline, intended audience, cv (curriculum vitae/resume)

"Inklings-style" fiction of high literary quality. Christian relevance in all cases.
Will not consider collections of short stories. Needs some adult fiction (mainstream, Biblical).

Writing Op - Fitness Magazine

FITNESS MAGAZINE
Gruner & Jahr USA
Website: www.fitnessmagazine.com
Editor-in-Chief: Emily Listfield
Monthly magazine for women in their twenties and thirties who are interested in fitness and living a healthy life.
"Do not call."
First North American serial rights
Responds in 2 months to queries.
Writer's guidelines for #10 SASE.

"We need timely, well-written nonfiction articles on exercise and fitness, beauty, health, diet/nutrition, and psychology. We always include boxes and sidebars in our stories. Our pieces must get inside the mind of the reader and address her needs, hopes, fears and desires. Fitness acknowledges that getting and staying fit is difficult in an era when we are all time-pressured."

Buys 60-80 manuscripts/year.
Submission method: Query
Length: 1,500–2,500 words.
Pays $1,500-2,500 & expenses of writers on assignment.
Accepts previously published submissions.
Columns & Departments:
Length:600-1,200 words
Buys 30 columns/year.
Submission method: Query
Pays: $800–1,500 for columns.

Oct 8 Conference - A Reason to Write

It is right around the corner!

The writer's bargin of the century.

A full day of Christian writer's instruction, fellowship and networking

for ONLY $30.00!!!

October 8, 2005

NJCWG - A Reason To Write Conference

30 Carletondale Road

Ringwood, NJ 07456

Time's Running Out

Register TODAY!

For a brochure and registration form send your postal address to the conference director - Louise Bergmann DuMont, njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

For more information about the conference online, go to:

http://www.louisedumont.com/ARTW.html

Writing Op - Technologies for Worship Mag

TECHNOLOGIES FOR WORSHIP MAGAZINE

Inspiration Technology Companies, Inc.
3891 Holborn Rd.
Queensville ON L0G 1R0, Canada
Phone: (905)473-9822
Fax: (905)473-9928
E-Mail: inspiration@tfwm.com
Website: www.tfwm.com
Managing Editor: Kevin Rogers Cobus.

About TECHNOLOGIES FOR WORSHIP MAGAZINE: "A leading educational resource for advancing technology for churches and ministries."

Freelance Facts: 100% freelance
Established: 1992
Circulation: 25,000
Editorial lead time 40 days.

Accepts queries by: Mail, email, fax, phone
Accepts simultaneous submissions
Accepts previously published submissions
Sample copy free
Writer's guidelines available at website.

NONFICTION
Needs: How-To, Inspirational, New Product, Religious

Does Not Want: Does not want any religious article that does not relate to implementing technology into the church.

Submission method: Send complete manuscript
Length: 250–1,500 words.
No payment. Does not pay the expenses of writers on assignment.
Columns open to freelancers: Nostalgia (older equipment promos); Church Network News (newspaper clippings, etc.); ReFridgerator (tips to clip).
Tips: "Just send relevant industry material. All submissions are considered. No payments are ever made."

The dabblingmum is offering a free ebook on query letters! Excellent!!!

How do you get it? Sign up to get her writing newsletter -- then you can receive a free e-book on query letters. It has both the actual query letter that landed her a choice assignment and the article that followed, along with some editor "pet peeves" and "query letter tips."

There's also a section on query letters on her website at: http://thedabblingmum.com/writing/queries/index.htm

Writing Op - For TEEN Writers

TEENLIGHT - The Teen 2 Teen Christian Magazine is gearing up for it's next quarterly, print magazine. Their all-teen writing team is distirubed across the world so... they are changing their submission process just a bit.

Website: http://www.teenlight.org/4hwhelp.htm

If you'd like to submit a story, please send it to these two addresses, SIMULTANEOUSLY:

publisher@teenlight.org
teenlightstories@yahoo.com

One of their editing team will contact individuals who submit within a few weeks.

Payment for publication is two free magazines and a year's subscription.

Also available through Teenlight are a free writers support group and teen writer's classes.

There are only two writer requirement
1. Keep it short (under 500 words or so)
2. The writer/artist must not be older than 22 years old. We are TRULY teen 2 teen.

Looking for: poems, devotionals, songs, short "life lessons" (NONfiction only), etc...

Humor Writing

Here is a great website for any writer. It is filled with general writing information (writing tips, markets, etc.), but because Erma Bombeck was a great writer of humor, the focus of this site is on humor. Great for those who want to tickle the funny bone.
www.humorwriters.org

Bookmark it and visit often.

Agents - Great new booklet!

Sally Stuart

Sally Stuart's website lists a number of great, inexpensive booklets, books and pamphlets that you can purchase. One of the new ones was written by Cecil Murphey. If you are looking for an agent, this little booklet is a great resource.

Agents: What You Need to Know, by Cecil Murphey

Update

Sorry, no picutures available right now so you'll have to settle for text on the blog for a few messages.

I'm have a wonderful time in Virginia visiting my son & daughter-in-law. My mom flys back to Michigan tomorrow. We had a great visit with her for the last two weeks. Tomorrow I will be speaking at the Richmond Christian Writers Who Write group and teaching how to Show rather than Tell a story. Keep my in your prayers if you think of me. I will be back in no time.

Please continue to pray for our upcoming Oct 8th A Reason To Write conference. and continue to invite your friends and family to attend.

Hope to see you all there!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
njcwg.dumont@gmail.com

Theme List - The Kids Ark

Kids Ark Theme List

Below is an updated list of themes and deadlines.

Temptation - Due ASAP (deadline passed, but if you have a good story, they would still love to read it.)
Fear - Due 9/26
Patience - Due 10/24
Lies - Due 11/21
Perseverance - Due 12/19
Praise and Worship - Due 1/30

If you have any questions. please contact me. Joy Mygrants, Senior Editor, The Kids' Ark (writingwonder78@yahoo.com)

NJCWG

POETRY NEWS from Maude:
WALT WHITMAN POETRY FESTIVAL...OCEAN GROVE, NJ
Saturday, September 24:
Mark your calendar...the third annual Walt Whitman Poetry Festival will be held Saturday, September 24, 10am to 5pm, in Auditorium Square Park, adjacent to the Great Auditorium, and it's FREE! This year's festival will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Whitman's, "Leaves of Grass."

There's a great line-up of activities...Heritage poems; readings from "Poetic Reflections," an anthology of Monmouth County poems; Spiritual Poetry (I'll be one of the featured readers); War & Peace Poetry; Humorous Poetry; Whitman Poetry; "Voices Rising From the Grove," readings from this hot off the press anthology; open mic readings throughout the day. There will be a host of fine poets as well as workshops, tutorials, a panel discussion, a walking tour and a Walt Whitman display all day in the museum. Soooo, whether you write poetry, enjoy listening to it or if you would just like to visit a lovely Victorian beach town and are open to receiving a little culture, to boot...come join us!

Kevin Chambers, president of the Historical Society of Ocean Grove, and Gloria Rovder Healy, poet and author of, "Out of My Mind," and editor of two volumes of Monmouth County poetry, are co-chairmen. For additional information, go to: http://poetsonline.org/Whitman/

NJCWG - Meeting

North Jersey Christian Writers' Group
Next Meeting
Monday, September 12, 2005

Usual Meetings Run Like This
6:15-7:00 Chat Time
7:00-8:00 Lesson
8:00-9:00 Critiques

BUT
This Monday's Meeting... will be a bit different...
I will be "traveling" and might arrive just a few minutes late. I will certainly try to be there at 6:15, but please be patient if traffic hold me up a few minutes.

Our Lesson
will be talking about author's who find their writing "voice" and I would like each person attending the meeting to bring a paragraph that they wrote. If you don't have time, don't fret. You can write it when you get there.

God Bless

Louise Bergmann DuMont
Facilitator, NJCWG

Writing Ops - MANY

*****************************************

NICKELODEON
Viacom International Inc.
1633 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 654-7707
Fax: (212) 654-4840

Website: http://www.nick.com/all_nick/nick_mag/index.jhtml

Contact: Vanessa Johnson, Managing Editor

Contact's e-mail: vanessa.johnson@nick.com

Writers’ guidelines online: No

Pays: $1-2 per word

Rights: All rights

Description: This is a magazine for kids 6 to 14 years old.
Its mission is to "stimulate our readers' creativity and
curiosity, to answer their questions about the world, and
to make them think and laugh. Each month we invite readers
to immerse themselves in a single topic, which we integrate
into every element of an issue, from page borders to folio
to actual content. Nickelodeon magazine translates the
sensibility and energy of the network into print, so kids
can take Nickelodeon wherever they go."

Circulation: 1,050,00

*****************************************

OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Werner Publishing Corporation
12121 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90025-1175
Phone: (310) 820-1500
Fax: (310) 826-5008

Website: http://www.outdoorphotographer.com

E-queries: No

Contact: Christopher Robinson, Managing Editor

Contact's e-mail: editors@outdoorphotographer.com

Pays: 10-15 cents per word

Photos: Yes

Rights: One-time rights

Description: This magazine is published for enthusiasts
with a special passion for nature, travel and outdoor
sports. It "is written and presented to accomplish two
ends: to stimulate outdoor, sporting and nature enthusiasts
to enhance their recreational and travel enjoyment through
photography, and to satisfy the needs of amateur and
professional photographers with special interest in the
outdoors."

Circulation: 216,000

*****************************************

RENOVATION STYLE
Meredith Corporation
1716 Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309-3023
(515) 284-3000

Website: http://www.renovationstyle.com

E-queries: Contact the editor for assignments

Contact: LuAnn Brandsen, Editor

Description: This is a magazine about remodeling. It is
one of the Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest
Publications and has a before-and-after approach that helps
the reader to visualize the possibilities.

Circulation: 325,000

*****************************************

HERBS FOR HEALTH
Herb Companion Press
1503 SW 42nd Street
Topeka, KS 66609-1265
(785) 274-4300

Website: http://www.discoverherbs.com

E-queries: No

Contact: Amy Mayfield, Editor

Pays: 5-10 cents per word

Rights: All rights

Description: This is a natural remedy and healthy lifestyle
magazine. It publishes "scientifically sound, up-to-date
information about using plant-based medicines, natural
foods and alternative therapies." It "covers topics
ranging from recent scientific research to consumer guides,
medicinal recipes to legislative updates. We strive for a
balance between accessible language, a visually appealing
format, and a careful and accurate presentation of
well-researched information."

Circulation: 160,000

*****************************************

9-1-1 Magazine
http://www.9-1-1magazine.com/information/edGuides.asp

5280 Magazine
http://www.5280.com/about_guidelines.php

Metropolis Magazine
http://www.metropolismag.com/html/about/submit.html


=========================
WRITERS’ GUIDELINES
=========================

We’re always looking for new interviews, articles, essays,
and humor for this newsletter. We pay $5 or a 1-year
subscription to the Absolute Markets Premium Edition
(www.absolutemarkets.com – a $15 value). We’re happy to
check out reprints, and we take non-exclusive electronic
rights. Got some advice for your fellow writers? Check
out our guidelines here:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/site/submissions.htm

* Travel Writers Wanted!

There's great demand for an elite corps of highly skilled,
professional travel writers...a pool of travel writing
specialists that can be relied on to write vivid, lively
and interesting articles.

If you ever dreamed about the romantic life of a travel
writer, here's a very unusual opportunity to actually live
it!
http://www.absolutewrite.com/dt/t/travelawn.php

Writing Op - Praire Times

Writer's Guidelines
PO Box 880
Byers, CO 80103

Payment
1,500 plus words - $50
850 - 1,450 wrds - $30
600 - 800 wrds - $20
300 - 550 wrds - $10

Click here to download a PDF of our writer's guidelines.

One story per author per issue.
Do NOT want: Hunting stories, Poetry

DO Want: Funny, heartwarming, family stories.

Stories accepted six months in advance.

Christian Parenting Today
http://www.christianitytoday.com/parenting/features/info.html
#writers (Copy and paste both link lines into your browser)

465 Gundersen Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188-2489

Mailto: cpt@christianparenting.net

Published quarterly this magazine "provides parents information
that spans birth to 14 years of age in the following areas of
growth: spiritual, social, emotional, physical, academic."

Pays 12-20¢/word for pieces between 750-2,000 words. Buys FNASR and
reprint rights.

Does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Query via postal mail
only. Response time is 6-8 weeks. Does not accept simultaneous
submissions.

(When querying, make sure to remember this is a Christian
publication for parents--not a mainstream parenting mag.)

Writing Op - Atlantic Publishers & Distributors

ATLANTIC PUBLISHERS & DISTRIBUTORS
7/22 Ansari Rd.
Draya Ganj New Delhi 110002
India
Phone: (91)(11)3327-3880
Fax: (91)(11)2328-5873
E-Mail: info@atlanticbooks.com
Website: www.atlanticbooks.com

Freelance Facts:
Established: 1977

Needs:
General Nonfiction
Reference
Textbook

Subjects include:
Anthropology/Archeology
Art/Architecture
Business/Economics
Computers/Electronics
Cooking/Foods/Nutrition
Education
Health/Medicine
History
Language/Literature
Law
Military/War
Music/Dance
Nature
Philosophy
Psychology
Religion
Science
Sociology
Sports
mass media/journalism, math, film/theatre, political
science, tourism, textile

Chocolate Speaking Engagement

My mom is visiting me for the next two weeks. I will not be posting quite as often until after she leaves. Also note that I will be out visiting my son in VA next weekend so the posts will be less during that time as well. Thanks for your understanding as I take small sebbaticals to refresh before our October 8 conference. I appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement.

Also note that I will be speaking at the Upper Montclair Country Club tonight for Bromilows Chocolate Company. Please keep this engagement in your prayers. The topic? One of my favorites - CHOCOLATE of course!

Louise Bergmann DuMont
www.louisedumont.com
www.cafemochalight.blogspot.com

Writing Op - Gallant Greetings Corp.

GALLANT GREETINGS CORP. (formerly Gallant Greetings)
P.O. Box 308
Franklin Park IL 60131

E-Mail: joanlackouitz@gallantgreetings.com
Website: www.gallantgreetings.com
Contact: Joan Lackouitz, vice president product development.

About GALLANT GREETINGS CORP.: Gallant is a publisher of traditional, religious, and humorous greeting cards for all occasions and seasons. All card ideas are purchased from freelance writers. Payment is $45/card idea purchased.