What's the Word--of the Year?

Linguists and lexicographers attending the annual meeting of the American Dialect Society, held in conjunction with the Linguistic Society of America, voted bailout as Word of the Year for 2008.

Bailout refers to the rescue by the government of companies on the brink of failure, including large players in the banking industry

“When you vote for bailout, I guess you’re really voting for ‘hope’ and ‘change,’ too, ” Grant Barrett, chair of the New Words Committee of the American Dialect Society said. “Though you’d think a room full of pointy-headed intellectuals could come up with something more exciting.”

This was the society's 19th annual words of the year vote. The words or phrases do not have to be brand-new, but they have to be newly prominent or
notable in the past year. Other nominees for Word of the Year included Barack Obama and the phrase "lipstick on a pig."

In other categories:
The Most Creative Word in 2008 was recombobulation area -- An area at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee in which
passengers that have just passed through security screening can get their clothes and belongings back
in order.

The Most Unnecessary Word of 2008 was moofing -- From “mobile out of office,” meaning working on the go with a laptop and cell
phone.

In a new category of election-related words, maverick was the top pick.

ACT ONE BRINGS HOLLYWOOD TO COLORADO SPRINGS

HOLLYWOOD | JANUARY 2009. Act One is bringing Hollywood to Colorado Springs, and the best minds Hollywood has to offer along with it.

With Act One's latest "Training for Hollywood Seminar" in Colorado Springs this January, we got the best trainer we could possibly find. World renowned screenplay consultant Dr. Linda Seger will be delivering the keynote address, "Spiritual Steps on the Road to Success."

Seger created and defined the job of script consultant in 1981 and has consulted on over 2,000 scripts since. She has worked on scripts for more than 40 produced films and 35 television projects, including works from TriStar Pictures and Ray Bradbury. Additionally, Seger has given scriptwriting seminars in more than 30 countries on six continents, and is the author of nine books. Her latest, And the Best Screenplay Award Goes To... Learning from the Winners will be published this February by Michael Wiese Productions.

Also slated to speak is Barbara Nicolosi, VP of Creative Development at Origin Entertainment and the founding Director of the Act One Program. Nicolosi is a sought after speaker and commentator on culture, and an accomplished writer, producer and director. She is currently writing the screenplay adaptation of Sheldon Vanauken's A Severe Mercy.

In addition to our slate of speakers, participants will study the Hollywood storytelling process, from story development to pitching, and the craft of producing spiritually engaging entertainment that is commercially appealing. Writing track participants will learn practical lessons on writing outlines and treatments, creating compelling characters and stories, as well as the basics of screenwriting format. Those choosing the business track will cover lessons on the marketplace, commercial creativity and how to option materials.

In addition to the "Training for Hollywood Seminar," Act One will be hosting a Hollywood Insider Panel and Discussion from 7-10pm on Friday, January 30. Open to the public, the event will feature a presentation on the activity of the church in Hollywood, Dr. Linda Seger's keynote address, and a Hollywood Insider Panel, a no-holds-barred Q&A about life and work in the world's most influential mission field.

Conference Details

Date: Friday, January 30, 1pm to 10pm and Saturday, January 31, 10am to 6pm

Location: Glen Eyrie Castle and Conference Center, 3820 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs, CO 80904

Cost: $285 - includes study materials, meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch & dinner) and Hollywood Insider Event

$435 - includes study materials, meals (Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch & dinner, Sunday breakfast), 2 nights stay (Friday & Saturday) and Hollywood Insider Event *LIMITED ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE, SIGN UP TODAY*

Speakers: Dr. Linda Seger (Author, Making a Good Script Great and Making a Good Writer Great) Barbara Nicolosi (Screenwriter, Editor, Behind the Screen, Act One Founder, VP Development at Origin Entertainment) Dr. Thom Parham (writer JAG, screenwriting professor, Azusa Pacific University) Monica Jimenez-Grillo, Executive Program Director, and Vicki Peterson, Writing Program Director, Act One, Inc.

To register and for more details, log on to Act One.

Act One, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that has trained Christians of all denominations for careers in mainstream film and television for the past ten years. Stressing artistry, excellence, professionalism, and Christian spirituality, Act One prepares students to pursue careers marked by personal integrity and professional excellence, in writers rooms, on sets, and in studio and network offices. The end goal is not to produce explicitly religious entertainment, but movie and TV projects that respect and serve the global audience, combining mastery of craft with great depth and meaning. Over ten years, Act One has amassed a vast alumni network of writers, producers, directors and entertainment executives who are dedicated to producing excellent work for a global audience.

 

Show, Don't Tell

If there’s one thing every writer hears, it’s “Show, don’t tell.”

Writer Nancy Kress says: "Tell me a story," is probably as old as the human race. But it would be more accurate to say, "Show me a story." That’s what readers want—and what you can deliver.

An author “shows” by writing in immediate scene so that the reader sees the events unfold as they happen to the point of view character. The scene includes characters, setting, and action. An author “tells” by relating the events secondhand so that the reader hears what happens rather than sees it.

Writer Dennis Jerz says, “Show smoke, and let the reader infer fire. An author who tries to show the fire (by presenting elaborate descriptions of the flames, the heat, the crackling sound, etc.) makes the fire itself the focal point, rather than the protagonist's discovery of the fire, the trauma faced by those trapped by the fire, etc.”

In Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Brown and King warn, “Be careful not to try to turn all your exposition into immediate scene. Switching between scenes and narrative summary creates a varying rhythm. Scene after scene can be exhausting to read. “

Nancy Kress says, “To show or tell isn’t a battle of good versus evil, but the skilled storyteller knows how to play each to maximum effect.”

Always show:
--your climax
--character’s emotions
EXAMPLE.
Telling—Sherry felt embarrassed.
Showing—Heat rushed through Sherry’s cheeks. She turned away and stammered, “I’m sorry.”

Always tell:
--explanation of a character’s past.
--explanation of events that occurred before the story opened.
--explanation of information necessary to understand the plot.

E.L. Doctorow: “Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader. Not the fact that it’s raining, but the feeling of being rained on.”

~Roxanne Sherwood

Devotional Writing for Publication Writing Workshops

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The unfolding of Your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. For You light my lamp; the LORD my God illumines my darkness. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.— Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:130; Psalm 18:28; Matthew 5:16, NASB

Renee Gray-Wilburn will be teaching a 4-part workshop on devotional writing for publication beginning January 29. Renee's devotionals have been featured in Quiet Hour, Devotions magazine, A Breath of Fresh Air, and A Cup of Comfort Devotionals for Mothers. Renee has over 100 published pieces in the inspirational and children's markets and works as an editor and proofreader for various Christian publishers and authors. In these workshops, you will...

• Inspire others in their walk with God by learning how to write heartfelt devotionals and get them published.
  
• Learn what a devotional really is, and more importantly, what it is not.
  
• Discover the keys to immediately capturing your reader's attention then drawing them into the application of your Bible text.
  
• Find out how to select devotional markets that fit your writing style and properly submit your work to editors
  

Dates: January 29, February 7, 12, and 19.

Time: 7:00-8:30 pm

Cost: $40 plus $5 supply fee

Location: Great Company Art Center

4747 N. Carefree (Corner of N Carefree and Oro Blanco in Carefree Shopping Center)

For details, call: 719-573-2850

Register online: www.greatcompany.org

The Word for 2009 & Information on Clarity of Night's Writing Contest

by Beth K. Vogt



My New Year's tradition continues in 2009.

In my first blog post in 2008, I shared how I don't do New Year's resolutions.

Why?

After too many years of making and breaking an annual list of wills and won'ts, I found something I like a lot better.

I focus on a word for the year.
I still remember my 2006 word: gratitude. My word for 2007 was simplify. Last year's word was content.

One word. Simple. Easy to remember and stay focused on for 365 days. Maybe it isn't that surprising that a writer like me--a wordsmith--likes focusing on a word for the year.

So, now it's 2009, and yes, I have a word. It's forgiveness. Truth be told, I think this is going to be a tough word to live out--but if I embrace the concept, I think 2009 will be a life-changing year.

If anybody else cares to crumple up their list of resolutions and pick a word for 2009 instead, consider this blog post an invitation to join me. I always found I lost my list by February anyway--but it's hard to forget a single word.

***
Clarity of Night is hosting another short fiction contest to start the year off!
Here's a brief description of the rules. Go to the website for complete information and to see what prizes you could win!

Using a photo provided on the blog for inspiration, compose a short fiction (or poetry) piece of no more than 250 words in any genre or style. Send your entry to me by email at jevanswriter at yahoo dot com before 11:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 14th (Eastern Time, United States). I'd prefer attachments formatted in Microsoft Word or Word Perfect (please see the format request below), but if you have something more exotic, you can paste the text into the body of an email. Each entry will be posted and indexed.

"Give Up Giving Up."

Did you reach your writing goals for 2008? Or did you ring in the New Year with regret? Did you use the Christmas break to sneak in extra writing time or did other commitments overwhelm you so day after day passed without adding to your story’s word count? Unfortunately, I fall into the second category.

Now, I'm at my desk with a deadline looming. If I had a mirror here, I might see that same frantic look on my face as my 10-year-old son wore trying to remember long division this morning. I hate trying to get back into the rhythm of writing. I want to make a solemn promise not to stop writing again--no matter what! That's why I'm a big fan of baby steps. When you can, write for hours. But when life gets in the way, take time for at least a step forward. A page. 100 words. Editing a scene.

My biggest challenge is time management. With seven children, I don’t have much time to call my own. When I finally have free time, my brain is exhausted. I’m currently trying to re-think my life. How can I make this work? I’m looking for places to insert those baby steps.

My lack of progress makes me want to resolve to do better. But my friend and writing buddy, Lisa J., is wiser. She didn't make any writing resolutions. Instead, this year, Lisa created solutions. Writing solutions are short-term goals that are measurable and achievable. Are you going to finish your book this year? Break up that goal into chapters, pages, or hours that you’re going to write each day or week. Become accountable to someone. When and where are you going to submit your manuscript? Make a deadline, then follow through.

Another friend, Cheryl, advised me to "Give up giving up." How many times have you resolved to do something only to quit halfway through? Cheryl tells me to simply stop giving up. Just keep doing what I'm supposed to without quitting. So this year, that's my motto and one of my new solutions. I've given up giving up.

Why don't you give up giving up too?

~Roxanne Sherwood~

The Writer’s Digest Guide to Query Letters

Today we have a Q & A with Wendy Burt-Thomas regarding her new book The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters. Wendy is a full-time freelance writer, editor and copywriter.

Q: Can you tell us about your book?
A: The book was a great fit for me because I'd been teaching "Breaking Into Freelance Writing" for about eight years. In the workshop, I covered a lot of what is in this book: writing query letters to get articles in magazines, to land an agent, or to get a book deal with a publisher. Since I'm a full-time freelance magazine writer and editor with two previous books, this was incredibly fun to write because it didn't require tons of research. I was lucky enough to receive lots of great sample query letters from writers and authors that I use as "good" examples in the book. I wrote all the "bad" examples myself because I didn't dare ask for contributions that I knew I'd be ripping apart!
In addition to the ins and outs of what makes a good query, the book covers things like why (or why not) to get an agent, where to find one and how to choose one; writing a synopsis or proposal; selling different rights to your work; other forms of correspondence; and what editors and agents look for in new writers.
It was really important to me that the book not be a dry, boring reference book, but rather an entertaining read (while still being chock full of information). I was thrilled that Writer's Digest let me keep all the humor.

Q: Why are query letters so important?
A: Breaking into the publishing world is hard enough right now. Unless you have a serious "in" of some kind, you really need a great query letter to impress an agent or acquisitions editor. Essentially, your query letter is your first impression. If they like your idea (and voice and writing style and background), they'll either request a proposal, sample chapters, or the entire manuscript. If they don't like your query letter, you've got to pitch it to another agency/publisher. Unlike a manuscript, which can be edited or reworked if an editor thinks it has promise, you only get one shot with your query. Make it count!
I see a lot of authors who spend months (or years) finishing their book, only to rush through the process of crafting a good, solid query letter. What a waste! If agents/editors turn you down based on a bad query letter, you've blown your chance of getting them to read your manuscript. It could be the next bestseller, but they'll never see it. My advice is to put as much effort into your query as you did your book. If it's not fabulous, don't send it until it is.

Q: You're also a magazine editor. What is your biggest gripe regarding queries?
A: Queries that show that the writer obviously hasn't read our publication. I'll admit that I did this when I was a new writer I submitted blindly to any publication whose name sounded even remotely related to my topic. One of the examples I use was when I submitted a parenting article to a magazine for senior citizens. Oops! A well-written query pitching an article that's not a match for the magazine isn't going to get you any further than a poorly written query.

Q: There's an entire chapter in the book about agents. Do you think all new writers should get agents?
A: Probably 99% of new writers should get an agent. There are lots of reasons, but my top three are: 1) Many of the larger publishing houses won't even look at unagented submissions now; 2) Agents can negotiate better rights and more money on your behalf; 3) Agents know the industry trends, changes and staff better than you ever could.

Q: You've been a mentor, coach or editor for many writers. What do you think is the most common reason that good writers don't get published?
A: Poor marketing skills. I see so many writers that are either too afraid, too uniformed, or frankly, too lazy, to market their work. They think their job is done when the write "the end" but writing is only half of the process. I've always told people who took my class that there are tons of great writers in the world who will never get published. I'd rather be a good writer who eats lobster than a great writer who eats hot dogs. I make a living as a writer because I spend as much time marketing as I do writing.

Q: What are some of the biggest misconceptions that writers have about getting a book deal?
A: That they'll be rich overnight, that they don't need to promote their book once it's published, that publishing houses will send them on world book tours, that people will recognize them at the airport. Still, you can make great money as an author if you're prepared to put in the effort. If it wasn't possible, there wouldn't be so many full-time writers.

Q: What must-read books do you recommend to new writers?
A: Christina Katz (author of "Writer Mama") has a new book out called "Get Known Before the Book Deal" - which is fabulous. Also, Stephen King's "On Writing" and David Morrel's "Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing." Anything by Anne Lamott or my Dad, Steve Burt.

Q: What's the biggest lesson you've learned as a full-time writer?
A: Seize every opportunity—especially when you first start writing. I remember telling someone about a really high-paying writing gig I got and he said, "Wow. You have the best luck!" I thought, "Luck has nothing to do with it! I've worked hard to get where I am." Later that week I read this great quote: "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." It's absolutely true. And writing queries is only about luck in this sense. If you're prepared with a good query and/or manuscript, when the opportunity comes along you'll be successful.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
A: Writing the "bad" query letters. I've read and written so many horrible ones over the years that it was a little too easy to craft them. But misery loves company and we ALL love to read really bad query letters, right?

Q: What do you want readers to learn from your book?
A: I want them to understand that while writing a good query letter is important, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. You can break it down into parts, learn from any first-round rejections, and read other good queries to help understand what works. I also want them to remember that writing is fun. Sometimes new writers get so caught up in the procedures that they lose their original voice in a query. Don't bury your style under formalities and to-the-letter formatting.

Order your copy of The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters.

To learn more about Wendy or her three books, visit her website.

If you have a writing-related question, post it at Ask Wendy's Weblog.