Money The Write Way a free eMagazine for writers of integrity *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ November 3, 2004 Volume 2 Number 11 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ To join our more than 4000 subscribers, and receive the FREE eBook, "So You Want to be a Travel Writer," click on: http://www.moneythewriteway.com It's FREE! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ In this issue: 1.) Letter From The Publisher---On The Home Front 2.) Ask an Expert/Questions and Answers 3.) COMP-ortunity of the month 4.) Special Guest Article by Food and Travel Writer Rose Di Grazia 5.) The Business of Writing by Duane Newcomb 6.) Editor's Pick/Reviews by Victoria Beninga 7.) The Boast Post---Bragging Board of Writers Triumphs and Victories *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Money The Write Way eMagazine ISSN pending. Copyright 2004 Write Spirit Publishing. All rights reserved. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Start Comping today by purchasing our best selling eBook: "BEEN THERE---COMPED THAT!" Free Travel, Dining, and Entertainment, All for the Cost of Some Ink Available at: http://www.moneythewriteway.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ On The Home Front Carmel L. Mooney As the elections have just passed, I feel compelled to remind us all of how powerful our writing is and the huge responsibility that goes with that power. In these past elections, the media and writers were, as usual, using and abusing the power of their words to sway opinions, plant seeds of doubt, persuade, inform, educate, and even entertain the masses. And truly, using this power wisely, is our job as writers of almost any kind. Whether you write commercial advertising copy, articles on health and drug issues, reviews of resorts for travellers, or political speeches, enormous responsibility goes with the job. Yes, we have freedom of the press but we still have a duty as professionals even besides the obvious limits of slander and libel, to demonstrate honesty, and integrity while attempting to guard our human biases and prejudices that we all have to some extent or another. So as we begin to wrap up this busy year, let's remind ourselves what an awesome job we have as writers and what it really means to be writers of integrity. May your holidays be filled with the joys of writing and love, Carmel *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ This week's newest COMP-ortunity Ingleside Inn and Melvyn's Restaurant email/website: www.inglesideinn.com Address: 200 West Ramon Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264 Phone: 800-772-6655 Contact: Melvin Haber Description: This original "Boutique" hotel, has a guest list that reads like Who's Who of the World. Also featured twice on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, this secluded spanish style 2 acre resort, originally built in 1925, is an Official Historical Landmark. Coverage desired: Promote the fascinating history and thirty year-old world-famous Melvyn's Restaurant along with this unique historical resort. Prefers writers with any of the following: Professional travel writers with clips, or assignment. All travel writers are encouraged to contact. Possible comp: Possible comp visit but a complimentary video and press kit are always available upon request. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ "Ask a Pro" Publishing/Comping/Writing Q&A "Your Questions---You Always Wanted To Ask," answered by professional writing consultant/coach/author/instructor, Carmel L. Mooney To ask Carmel a writing, publishing, or comping question, email her at: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com. Questions may be edited for length or content if necessary. Question: I love to write but I'm afraid of rejection to the point that I sit paralyzed and don't even send out queries like I should? Any ideas? S. Bowning Phoenix, AZ Answer: I had a wonderful writing instructor, Bud Gardner who once said, “Feel the fear, but do it anyway.” Rejection of some form or another is part of doing any kind of business. And it’s actually part of life too. All successful writers including big names like Robert Frost, Alex Haley, and Mark Twain, suffered rejection. But apparently they never gave up. What a world it would be if they had. Remember when you send out queries, that every rejection is one step closer to an acceptance. Also, keep in mind, that just because an article/book idea is rejected does not mean anything more than that perhaps the timing was bad, it could have been presented a bit differently, or someone else has a differing opinion. Failure is not bad. Look at each rejection as being one step closer to an acceptance or assignment. Successful writers don't give up! Perisistence is definitely a huge part of my success. Question: Most writers groups I visit, I hear so many people complain that they just can't find the time they need to write. Truthfully, I feel the same way, like life keeps me so busy I cannot stay focused. How do you and other writers with regular jobs, families and challenges do it? My family is not very understanding of how important my writing is to me. R. L. Darden Fishkill, NY Answer: I don’t have a lot of sympathy for whiners. Maybe because I used to be one when it came to never having time or resources to do my writing. I’ve had just as many problems, challenges, and setbacks in the past as the next guy: illness, legal issues, moving, deaths, car trouble, computer problems, financial strain, and the list goes on. But I’ve learned that no matter what life throws my way, I have to get back on track and be even more determined to succeed at my passion: writing. Sure, I may get temporarily diverted with a serious issue that arises and takes all my energy. But I get back on course. I don’t give up my dreams or goals, and I find a way. I truly believe that with enough creativity---and writers tend to be creative---there is always a way. Try when life happens, as it will, to remain as positive as possible and not to beat yourself up about it. Be patient with interruptions and try to keep a sense of humor and a mood of cheerful acceptance. Instead of wasting valuable energy rebelling against the inevitable, get back to work when you can and keep plugging away. Above all, set goals and schedule time for your writing before anything else. This will help keep you disciplined, and as your writing takes off and you build successes, hopefully you'll gain more support and recognition from yor family. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ To ask Carmel a writing, publishing, or comping question, email her at: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com. Carmel Mooney is also available by phone and/or email for private consultation, editing, and coaching. Carmel has helped thousands of writers achieve writing and publishing success. Email her at: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com or call her at: 916-205-4763 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ Bogus Writing Job Interview Rose Di Grazia I went on a weird interview for a writing job recently. The job was supposed to be writing travel reviews from my home. I thought, " I can do that." So I called, and. I got the interview. I bothered to dress up for it. The first weird clue was that the interview was in what looked like a storage building. I pulled in to find very little parking available. My only clue that I was in the right place was the garage door had been left open, and I saw a map inside. This company made maps, I was told. No sign hung on the building. I pulled my big Chrysler into a small space next to a smaller car. I went inside to find a teenager girl at the desk. My second clue of weirdness was no A/C in the office. This is Texas, and it was hot. I shook the teenager's hand with the blond hair and tattoo on her arm. I sat down and started perspiring heavily. Next I was introduced to a neurotic 40 year-old woman. She asked me to move my car, so she could get out. I wondered why? Her car was tiny, and she had plenty room to back out. My car on the other hand is a boat. I backed out slower than a turtle. Suddenly I hit her bumper. She got out frantic. She explained this is not my car! It's a rental. Out came the teenager with the tattoo. I bent over to look for the tiny screw that fell off her bumper. I tried to screw it back in, but it wouldn't go in. By this time my makeup was melting off. She didn't want to exchange insurance info, but explained she would contact me if a problem arose. I thought 'great!' Next I went back into the sweaty office. I interviewed the teenager about the company. I asked the teenager if I would need to travel for this job. She said the owner did all the traveling when he promoted his maps. There went my idea of getting some comped travel. I asked her if she knew if he got free travel. She said she did not know. She told me all she did was collect the receipts because she was no good at math, and that is why she took this job. Then she told me how she and the neurotic woman hated it when he was back in the office. She told me she felt like she had to be busy every five seconds. What a bummer. He actually expected her to work. I was laughing inside. She made a few copies of my articles. Next I was given a homework assignment to write 4 pages of his advertisements as a test of my writing. She said they would be calling as soon as they received my free work. I left drenched and disgusted I had wasted an hour or more there. I was also disgusted because I might now have a insurance claim against me. It was after I got home I realized the owner of this company is probably getting his writing services for free. His trick is that he places an advertisement as if he is in need of writers. Next he has this teenager set up bogus interviews. She never asked me one question during that time. Then he has her request writing assignments as a test. He gets the free work, and he doesn't have to pay anyone for writing the free material. Beware of jobs like this! I should have known when I walked in, and there was no air conditioning and it was 100 degrees outside that this job interview was bogus. I threw his test in the trash. That is why I write for myself. I can have the A/C on full blast, not have to drive anywhere, and write in my underwear. For tips on travel and things to do in Texas go to: www.rosesravereviews.bizland.com For advertising info write me at rosedigrazia@yahoo.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ The Business Side of Writing Duane Newcomb Selling More Articles There is money to be made in the writing field and you, if you can write a letter other people can understand, can cash in on it. The basic key is your imagination. If you’ve already sold a few articles or are a constantly selling writer, you’re ready to start right now learning how to make money. If not, you need to learn the basics. In this column I will start you on your way. Over the years, teaching thousands of students, I’ve discovered there’s a vast difference between teaching someone to write and teaching him or her to sell what they write. In addition there is an even greater distance from a few sales to a consistently good writing income. The difference is approach. Today there are approximately 100,000 publications all buying from four to 30 articles a month from freelancers. Many are screaming for material. All you have to do to cash in on this bonanza is to write in a fairly logical manner on a subject they are looking for, in a way to please their readers. In my writing classes I’ve had many students whom I consider only fair writers, yet they sell time and time again. The secret to making money from writing lies primarily in training yourself to cash in on what skill you do have. For instance, one of my students who decided to be a full-time money-making writer discovered he liked the education field. He started out writing articles about dropouts, then did several in-depth pieces about every phase of students, schools and education personnel. The last I heard of him he was writing a book on student potential. Another specializing in business, consistently manages to turn his knowledge into good money. This particular writer, for instance, knows that business magazines buy articles on stores. He can easily make $300 to $400 by just walking through a shopping center doing articles on business operations. There’s money to be made everywhere for every magazine, it’s just a matter of using your imagination until you come up with ideas. You may find that you want to work only for major magazines, but there is a limited number of those. There are thousands of smaller magazines out there, however, that you can easily hit and earn a steady income from. What you need to realize is that learning to make money free-lance writing means more than learning to turn out a few articles. Today hundreds of thousands try to write, thousands sell, but only a handful make money. Why? Because the others just haven’t been able to master selling techniques. The first thing you need to do is to start sending for magazines using the Writer’s Market. Remember though there are many more out there than that. The second thing you need to do is study the magazines you like, thoroughly. In the beginning look over the articles and ask yourself. “Do I know anything or have I been doing anything this magazine might be interested in?” A good idea is to spend one hour every day looking over the magazines you like with an idea as to what they will take. Third, you must pick up basic writing techniques. A good writing book will teach you the basics. But that is just the start. A sold article conists of two parts, the writing itself and the magazine’s requirements. This means that a good, solid piece of writing may well be turned down simply because it isn’t handled in the manner the magazine wants it to be; it doesn’t meet the needs of readers and other reasons. We must start out thinking not primarily in terms of learning to write but learning to satisfy the requirements of a magazine and its readers. I’ve devised a number of steps, which if followed carefully, will result in many sales. Here they are. Find the idea. Look up possible markets by checking with the Writer’s Market. Query the editor asking if he’s interested. Hope for a letter back saying, “yes go ahead.” Look over the magazine you are most interested in and try to determine what approach works best. How do they put together similar pieces? Are there lots of statistics, quotes and examples and is it written in the second, first or third person? What kind of an angle do most articles use? Organize the article. Write it. Revise it. Check to make sure it reads like the other articles in the magazine and that it satisfies their readers’ needs. The secret here is not in just writing an article, but writing an article so it satisfies the needs and requirements of one particular magazine. Use the query to help you focus down and write it for one editor. Do this effectively and your article sales will expand rapidly. Duane Newcomb is a literary consultant with 36 non-fiction books to his credit, over 5000 articles and more than 150 client books in print. Subscribe to his free, monthly Professional Author Newsletter at: dnew@thegrid.com Join the Newcomb article program at www.bookforce.bizland.com/id57.html *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~ Editor's Pick Book, Magazine, Website, and e-Book Review Victoria Beninga, Editor This Month's Review: WRITING ON THE RUN.com If you have to squeeze your writing in between all the other things going on in your life, check out Allen and Linda Anderson's WRITING ON THE RUN. You can subscribe to "Writing on the Run Tip of the Week," read "101 Tips and Ideas for Writing on the Run," take "Practice Exercises to Overcome Writer's Block," learn how to start your own "Writing on the Run Writer's Group," enter a contest by submitting your "Writing on the Run Tips," and more, all for free. I subscribe to "Writing on the Run Tip of the Week" and look forward to receiving it. Each week, real people just like you and me submit their ideas for making time for writing. To get to WRITING ON THE RUN, go to http://www.writingontherun.com. Copyright 2004, Victoria Beninga Victoria Beninga Publisher/Editor/Columnist, GOLD COUNTRY FAMILIES, an Online Magazine and Newsletter of Sierra Nevada Gold Country family-friendly local activities and getaways, http://www.goldcountryfamilies.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~*~ The Boast Post Don't be modest-we applaud you! Whether it's an assignment victory, a publishing accomplishment, comp, or a writing goal achieved, we'd love to hear it from our faithful subscribers. Even constructive comments and criticism is welcome anytime! Please include your full name or initials, and your city and state. Send your boast in 100 words or less to: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com (may be edited for length or content) ~*~ Boast: Stacie Spielman, author of the true story Betrayed by Her Guardian Angel, now has a new website: www.articlesandbooks.com Stacie’s book Betrayed by Her Guardian Angel, available in paperback through her main site at www.staciespielman.com, is now also available as a free PDF download from both her main site and her companion site at www.angelandspiritguideinfo.com Stacie Spielman, N.CA ~*~ Boast Gold Country Author Rocky Warren has recently published a fascinating and well written article entitled, You Are Not Being Told the Truth About Iraq, As Printed in the Colfax Record, Wed. Oct. 6, 2004 - Colfax Calif. - Gold Country Media To read this great article go to: http://www.colfaxrecord.com/articles/2004/10/07/opinion/01editorial.txt Rocky Warren, CA ~*~ Boast Just wanted to drop you a note regarding my latest comp-quest. I recently returned from a vacation to Los Angeles and wrote an article on my family's LA "adventures." I sold the approximately 2,500 word article for $25.00 to a local free hometown newspaper. Yes, I know a penny a word doesn't sound like much, but...if you add in the $2,500 dollars in travel comps we received, it then translates into $1.01 per word. Thank you for your words of wisdom in "BEEN THERE---COMPED THAT." Pat W. Meadow Vista, CA *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Websites for Writers! ---Hazel Nieves, expert on Internet Marketing and Online business success, is owner of Web Development Company, Sierra Technology Solutions, Inc. She has 20 years experience in sales, marketing, and technology and is a committed crusader in helping take the confusion out of taking your business online. You can contact Hazel at 530-367-2915 or Customerservice@sierratechnologysolutions.com Special Offer! Writers Special E-biz Website Package Turnkey Package Includes: *5 Custom Pages *Shopping Cart (up to 10 products) *Secure Server *One year hosting service *Uses your own domain *Up to 15 Email accounts *Attractive Professional designs to choose from *Copyright Statement page Special Price: $ 600.00 complete Get started today with your Affordable Professional E-business website here: http://www.sierratechnologysolutions.com /writers/writers_special.htm Learn more from Hazel at: http://www.sierratechnologysolutions.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Do You Have an Article You’d Like to Contribute? Travel, Parenting, Pets, Gardening, and Numerous other types of articles needed! Stacie Spielman, author of the true story Betrayed by Her Guardian Angel, now has a new website: www.articlesandbooks.com On this site, Stacie publishes articles submitted by visitors to her site. If you have an article you’d like to contribute, please send it as a MS Word e-mail attachment to staciespielman@sbcglobal.net In the event your article is posted, Stacie will notify you by e-mail. Your byline will be included, as well as your photo and a brief author bio if you care to include them. This is a great place to break into print and get traffic to your site! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Now you can access invaluable writing information at: www.californiawritersacademy.com http://www.californiawritersacademy.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Receive a free copy of Marco Polo Magazine. This is a great magazine to read or write for. Call: 727-735-9455 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It's FREE ---List your inn, resort, restaurant, entertainment venue, business, or destination seeking written coverage---contact the publisher: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ www.travelingadventureswithchildren.com is looking for writers to submit travel stories. For more details write Kim Lopez at: marketing@carriagehousepublishing.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Money The Write Way eMagazine TO SUBSCRIBE: Simply go to: http://www.moneythewriteway.com/free_emagazine.htm and check the SUBSCRIBE BOX (You'll also get a free eBook gift as our way of saying thank you.) TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Simply go to: http://www.moneythewriteway.com/free_emagazine.htm and check the UNSUBSCRIBE box Changing email addresses? Simply go to: http://www.moneythewriteway.com/free_emagazine.htm and subscribe under your new address *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Have something you'd like to offer more than 4000 writers and authors? Place YOUR ad in Money the Write Way today! It's affordable and effective. Email for rates and details: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Write Spirit Publishing P.O. Box 3405 Auburn, CA 95604 Contact us at: Carmel@moneythewriteway.com We welcome your: comments/suggestions/requests/contributions Carmel L. Mooney, Publisher Victoria Beninga, Associate Editor http://www.moneythewriteway.com Should the links we provide not work, this may mean your E-mail program doesn't like our code. Simply go directly to our current online archived issue at: http://www.moneythewriteway.com You may freely distribute this eMag to friends, discussion lists, and writing groups as long as the issue is included in its entirety. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~