Hot Dogs, Detergents & Hair Care--Oh My!; Put those Jingles and Catch Phrases Repeating in Your Head to Work

Writing Prompt


Make a list of your favorite marketing jingles and catch phrases, for example "The stainlifter, that's all," "Don't just shampoo your hair. Infuse it..." or "Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Meyer weiner..." etc. Then make a list of the one's that you'd rather you'd never heard or wouldn't have to hear anymore. Can you string them together to make a short story or use one of them as a beginning line?

D.M.H.

Is it bad form to review your reviewers?

Every writer faces and wrestles with the specters of criticism and rejection. This truth remains even when the writer becomes published in the form of reviews. It's not unheard of for writers to respond to reviews. Read about how Michael deals with the apparent rejection of his hard work at Kirkus Shrugged on Salon.com.

D.M.H.

Have you considered adding interviews to your freelance work?

Visit Claire's post"Loosening Lips" at the MBToolbox blog.

How are you building your arsenal--of ideas?

Quote for the Week

“Books won't stay banned. They won't burn. Ideas won't go to jail. In the long run of history, the censor and the inquisitor have always lost. The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas.”
—Alfred Whitney Griswold, Essays on Education

Source: American Library Association; www.ala.org

Read any banned books lately?

Books are like television. A person's selections are based upon their individual preferences. This does not mean, however, that the available choices should be limited to those that suit only their tastes or the tastes of a particular group. In this spirit, the American Library Association sponsors Banned Books Week (September 23-September 30), now in its 25th year. Stretch your mind, read a banned book.

D.M.H.

Are you growing the possibilities for yourself or your cause?

More often than not, we see this word hyphenated, as in self-aggrandizement. Remember, as November approaches, to be discerning.

D.M.H.

Word for the Week

ag·gran·dize
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -dized; -diz·ing
Etymology: French agrandiss-, stem of agrandir, from a- (from Latin ad-) + grandir to increase, from Latin grandire, from grandis great
1 : to make great or greater : INCREASE, ENLARGE 2 : to make appear great or greater : praise highly3 : to enhance the power, wealth, position, or reputation of

Source: www.webster.com

Do you have a poem, an essay or a short story in your pocket?

Writing Prompt

Empty your wallet, pockets or purse. Select a three or four items and jot down the ideas, memories or emotions which come to mind when you look at them. Then use your notes to write a piece.

D.M.H.

Do you have a national security stories based on classified information to pitch?

You might want to read this article before you pitch your next story containing potentially "classified" information or dealing with matters of national security.
D.M.H.


Judgment Calls

How top editors decide whether to publish national security stories based on classified information

By Rachel Smolkin Rachel Smolkin (rsmolkin@ajr.umd.edu) is AJR's managing editor.

"In interviews with AJR, top editors at the newspapers involved in recent high-profile skirmishes, as well as other authorities on national security reporting, explained how stories based on classified information are reported and how editors decide whether to publish in the face of administration objections. (AJR also requested interviews with Cheney and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow; both declined.) "

Source: American Journalism Review--ajr.org

Everybody Has One: Bloggers and the Death of Opinion Journalism

Powered by What this writer is lamenting does not in my opinion signify the death of opinion journalism--existenial or otherwise. It does illustrate several other characteristics of the nature of journalism and politics in an era of spin, complacency and disillusionment which remain constant no matter what form of media is being analyzed: The quality of any discussion is equal to the capabilities and knowledge base of the participants. Just because the internet is new that doesn't mean that the way it has been applied as a mode of advertisement/communications/self-aggrandizement/mud slinging by people in politics will change. Its political users still want to beat their opponents by all means and the suppliers, bloggers and ezines (once mainstreamed), want to get paid--apparently at costs--moral, spiritual, philosophical...... Established politicians had a learning curve when it came to the internet--but Howard Dean fixed that. Every mode of communication has the possibility of being co-opted, writers and others need to decide for themselves whether or not they wish to participate. Brendan Nyhan decided not to participate. I return to my first point. If the participants, journalists, publishers and readers want a better or different quality of opinion journalism at profit, it's going to require a little ingenuity and a whole lot of fortitude. As for the business of non-partisian opinion journalism, all business models must adapt and from Brendan's article, I'd say it's time for non-partisian opinion publications to get a brand new bag. D.M.H. Click the following to access the sent link: Everybody Has One: Bloggers and the Death of Opinion Journalism* *This article can also be accessed if you copy and paste the entire address below into your web browser. http://time-blog.com/political_bite/2006/09/everybody_has_one_bloggers_and.html

Book Lovers Step Up And Vote for Your Winners

Tips & Take-Aways

The Quill Book Awards

"The Quills celebrates the best books of the year in 20 popular categories, ranging from romance to biography to graphic novels."*

You've been reading, discussing and critiquing your book choices all year. Now, dear readers, you have the opportunity to show your favorite authors and their publishers your appreciation with your vote. Click on the link in this post's heading to learn more.

D.M.H.


*Source: MSNBC.com

Are you living fearlessly?

Quote for the week

"It's all about loving oneself--but one's true self, not a facade of who we are. When you get in touch with your true self, that's when your inner beauty can reveal itself."

--Sue Smiley on fearlessness
from On Becoming Fearless in Love, Work & Life
by Arianna Huffington

Are you taking advantage of your gateway opportunities?

Word for the Week

Everyday, we stand at the gateway of new possibilities. Of course, we must continue to perform the tasks which sustain us, our families and the activities which will lead to the achievement of our goals, but do we take advantage of the "new" quality of each day? Do you awake to stand at the threshold of your bedroom or front door and step across with the perspective that today will be a day full of threshold moments, a day full of results and progress?

thresh·old
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English thresshold, from Old English threscwald; akin to Old Norse threskjoldr threshold, Old English threscan to thresh
1 : the plank, stone, or piece of timber that lies under a door : SILL2 a : GATE, DOOR b (1) : END, BOUNDARY; specifically : the end of a runway (2) : the place or point of entering or beginning : OUTSET 3 a : the point at which a physiological or psychological effect begins to be produced b : a level, point, or value above which something is true or will take place and below which it is not or will not

Lists Are A Great Tool for Those in Search of Inspiration

Writing Prompt

Make a list of 50 words that you find particularly appealing. A few of my favorites are serendipity, ephemeral, audacious and pernicious. Use the list to write a short story or poem. If you find that your list has a theme, it could be an opportunity to write an essay.

The Best Writers Continue Educating Themselves After Graduation

Tips and Take Aways

Check out these short useful articles at Worldwide Freelance Writer. If you want to be a great writer and make a living, you have to stay current on the creative and business trends of writing. On the creative side that means reading about your craft, reading other writers and writing yourself. On the business end, it means researching markets, knowing what publishers are wanting to publish and submitting your work. Writing 101 is a good place to start.

A quote from Friedrich Nietzsche which speaks to the state of current affairs

Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)

Je me souviens.~ I remember.

Word for the Week

As we commemorate the 5th anniverary of the destruction of the World Trade Center and the deaths caused, the motto of Quebec, "I remember," scrolls across my mind. Those whose friends and family members died on this day will not forget, because the absence of those they knew and loved is a constant reminder. The general public cannot forget, because the magnitude of 9/11 has changed the way we live, our laws, the way we travel and our national outlook. We remember, because to forget seems to invite the occurence of a similar man-made disaster, and thus we guard against it. A war on terror....I don't know about that...I do believe that more than anything, we are participants in the neverending struggle to recognize and encourage the best of human nature and curb its worst.

Peace to the souls of all who died at "ground-zero" on 9/11 and peace to you.

Latin Proverb: Cave ab homine unius libri

Writing Prompt

Cave ab homine unius libri

Translation: "Beware the man of one book."

Miss Snark's Crapometer could save your query letter or book proposal

I revisited Miss Snark's blog today and read her critiques of several queries and book proposals. She recently took Crapometer submissions and is currently reviewing them and posting her responses. She points to several basics that those submitting to agents should keep in mind:

• Address the agent/editor by name--do your research!
• Use your spelling and grammar check before sending the submission!
• Have a hook--if you didn't know how the story ends, would you keep reading it?
• If what you've written screams cliche, throw it back!

Take a look. You might find something helpful. Reading the submission critiques might make you feel better or terrify you, but as long as you have a sense of humor, you will laugh.

D.M.H.

Katie Couric's Make-over as a lesson in evolution

Tips and Take Aways

I've been relatively uninterested in the recent coverage of Katie Couric's emerging news anchor persona--mainly, because I don't watch CBS nightly news. I prefer ABC or NBC. However, the lengths to which Katie and CBS Nightly News have gone to revamp their image speaks to the importance of knowing one's medium, audience and message when embracing change in the communications business.

This whole transition also speaks to the ability to recognize when a change or evolution in presentation, content and style are necessary. Take an hour today and look over your writing, marketing approach and pending projects. Can your website use a little streamlining? Are your business cards current? Think about what you can do today to show that you take your writing and other professional efforts seriously, while projecting an aura of confidence and authority. I may not watch Katie tonight, but I will learn from her example.

How do you define progress?

Unquestionably, there is progress. The average American now pays out twice as much in taxes as he formerly got in wages.
H. L. Mencken


Sen. Lillian DeHaven: If a cannibal used a knife and fork, would you call that progress?
Movie~G.I. Jane


Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and ... when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress.'
Letter from Birmingham Jail' in Why We Can't Wait 1963
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.


Source: http://www.quotegeek.com/

Word for the Week: What's sacrosanct in your life?

sac‧ro‧sanct
–adjective
1.extremely sacred or inviolable: a sacrosanct chamber in the temple.
2.not to be entered or trespassed upon: She considered her home office sacrosanct.
3.above or beyond criticism, change, or interference: a manuscript deemed sacrosanct.
[Origin: 1595–1605; sacred, saint] —Related forms sac‧ro‧sanc‧ti‧ty, sac‧ro‧sanct‧ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Bonsais, minimarshmallows and Lilliput

Writing Prompt

Why are we fascinated with things in miniature? Some things are made smaller to make them playthings or more accessible to children. Take for example dollhouses and toddler furniture. On other occasions we make smaller versions of things, because we can, as in the cases of breeding miniature ponies and crafting porcelain china sets. In the case of bonsai trees, I belive the art of minituarizing large plants was perfected in order to bring a reminder of the vast potential of nature and the need for its care into human spaces. In movies and books, we miniaturize people as in Gulliver's Travels and Alice and Wonderland. Do these fictions symbolize our desire/fear to make our experiences more manageable or be managed ourselves?

What would you create in miniature if you could and why?
What miniature items do you use or simply enjoy displaying and why?