1. What Is A Premise?

A premise is the point you have to prove in your novel. It is not a universal truth; it is true only for the particular situation of this novel. For example:

“a love of power leads to disgrace”

“a crime of passion destroys two lives”

“greed leads to loss of a great love”

In his “How to Write a Damn Good Novel”, James Frey says: “There is no formula for constructing premises, but according to Egri, every good premise should contain an element of CHARACTER which through CONFLICT leads to a CONCLUSION. A coward goes to war and becomes a hero. A brave man goes into battle and becomes a coward. A dramatic story is the transformation of character through crisis; the premise is a succinct statement of that transformation.”

2. How Do You Get The Copyright Symbol On Your Computer?

This depends on which word processor you use. In Microsoft Word, you can type a ‘c’ in brackets like this: (c) and it instantly transform into a copyright symbol.

Another way of doing it is to go to the ‘insert’ menu at the top of your screen, click on ’symbol’, and choose the copyright symbol from the selections that pop up. Click on ‘insert’ and you’re done.

3. How Do I Fasten My Manuscript When I Send It To A Publisher?

This depends on the thickness of the manuscript.

• If you have a very short book or a short story, use a paper clip. Make sure your pages are numbered, and that your surname or story title is on each page. (Do this using the ‘header’ function on your computer. If you’re not sure how to do that, click on ‘help’ and type in ‘header’. Follow the instructions.)

• If you have a thicker manuscript, use a hardier clip (like a clip with fold-down snaps) OR put a sheet of cardboard at the front and back of your manuscript and secure it with large rubber bands.

DO NOT bind the manuscript in any way. No ring binders, no plastic folders (an editor will surely want to behead you if you send each page enclosed in its own plastic sleeve a display folder) and no holes punched and threaded with ribbon.

4. How Much Will I Earn From My Book?

How long is a piece of string?

Your income will depend upon things like:

• your track record as a writer (do you think J. K. Rowling earns more than Ms. New Writer from Nowhere?)

• How many people buy your book (usually this is an unknown quantity)

• How well your book is promoted (YOU can have an influence on this by your own actions and ingenuity)

• What competition you have when your book is released

• Your level of talent

• The following you have from previous books… if any

• The size of the publishing company

…and, for all I know, what the editor had for breakfast that morning. It’s a bit of a lottery. Just concentrate on doing the best writing you can, and focus on continually improving your craft. Cream rises to the top.

NOTE: Some editors do tell you in advance what they’ll be offering for a certain type of book (this often happens with educational publishers). They’ll sometimes offer a FLAT FEE for your work: which means you won’t get any further income. Sometimes publishers will tell you what the upfront payment is (that is, the payment against royalties) and the percentage of royalties you can expect.

5. Can I Send My Work To More Than One Publisher At A Time?

The publishing world is changing (and not before time, most authors would say). In the past, the ‘rule’ was that you should send your precious novel to only one publisher at a time. Too bad if each one took 4-6 months to get back to you, so two years down the track you were only up to Publisher No. 6.

These days, many publishers acknowledge that it is not fair to expect authors to wait for such a long time for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. (Some still insist on being the solo submission – so leave them until last.) Send your work out to those who are OK with simultaneous submissions, and if you get rejected by all of those first, THEN send it to the one who insists on being the ‘only’.

If you send your work to more than one publisher at the same time, let them know that you are doing this, and assure them that you’ll let them know if you receive an offer from someone else.

The easiest route is to secure an agent, and let the agent worry about sending it out to all and sundry.

(c) Copyright Marg McAlister

Marg McAlister has published magazine articles, short stories, books for children, ezines, promotional material, sales letters and web content. She has written 5 distance education courses on writing, and her online help for writers is popular all over the world. Sign up for her regular writers’ tipsheet at http://www.writing4success.com/

I have been a member of a group called the Women in Business
Connection (WIBC for short) in Cambridge, MA for about four
years. We get together for lunch meetings once a month. Last
week at our December event several of the women commented to me
how much they liked my newsletter. It is always nice to hear
complimentary feedback but one woman went even farther – she
said it was like getting a “Zen moment” in her email. (Thanks
Cibeline!)

Her comment got me thinking. That is exactly what I want to
provide – Zen moments for my readers. I am in no way a Zen
expert but I do hope that reading my monthly messages might
offer you a moment to temporarily unhook from what I call the
Perpetual Progress Grid of life. My wish is to share with you a
moment of reflection, appreciation and calm.

So today, I will describe for you how I “unhook from the grid”
for brief moments of time and at random intervals. I believe it
is this short but consistent “unhooking” that keeps me
refreshed, creative and ultimately at peace. By sharing my
techniques with you, I invite you to borrow, create or identify
your own.

I “unhook” from the pressures, desires, thrills, and obligations
of the Perpetual Progress Grid when:

– I hear my dog pitter-patter up the stairs to join me in my
office and I stop what I am doing for a few minutes, pat her
belly and thank her for coming to visit me.

–I take a work break, drive into town and get coffee at my
favorite independent coffee shop with my husband.

–I turn off my phone, ignore email and descend into creative
bliss when writing.

– I take a moment to stare out a window and notice the way the
rain, snow or sunshine is reflecting off the glass at just that
moment.

–I attend a yoga class and gratefully stretch both my mind and
limbs to their full expression.

–I take a deep breath and feel it extend my abdomen.

–I drive slowly and in silence.

–I rhythmically clean my house, cook a meal, wrap a gift or wash
dishes (yes, I sometimes like the feel soapy hot water on my
hands).

–I sit anywhere and watch the world for a moment – the people,
the trees and the clouds…whatever is happening in front of me
from my vantage point.

–I sing (badly too, trust me).

When I do these things I am temporarily “free floating” and my
mind is at some level disengaged from the need to achieve. It is
a place where small moments of joy live.

Deirdre Maigread McEachern is a personal coach who helps her
clients experience more joy in their lives. You can contact
Deirdre for a complimentary consultation at 207-439-4280 or
join her free monthly newsletter at http://www.vip-coaching.com.

Name E-Mail

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Following Bank of England Governor Mervyn King’s announcement that the British economy is entering a recession, debt management company Gregory Pennington (www.gregorypennington.com) have warned that financial hardship is likely to be widespread in the coming months, adding that the public should aim to get their finances in order and tackle any debts as a matter of priority.

Speaking at a business conference on Tuesday, Mervyn King told business leaders that the economy faces a “sharp and prolonged slowdown”, perpetuated by smaller take-home salaries, soaring living costs and limited access to consumer credit.

“We now face a long, slow haul to restore lending to the real economy, and hence growth of our economy, to more normal conditions,” he also said.

On a more positive note, King said that some of the factors causing inflation had “shifted decisively”, putting less pressure on the Bank of England to actively control inflation and instead giving them time to address other factors, particularly the cost of consumer lending.

And addressing those concerned about many lenders’ reluctance to pass on the Bank of England’s recent base rate cut, King offered his assurance that the cuts would eventually have an effect, but said: “It will take time before the [bank bailout] leads to a resumption of normal levels of lending.”

A spokesperson for Gregory Pennington warned of the dangers that consumers face as a recession approaches. “One of the biggest dangers is unemployment. Since there will be less money flowing through the economy, businesses will suffer, and many will be forced to make job cuts as a result – which restarts the same cycle.

In the last century purchasing glorious leather Darwin chairs was, if not the province of the rich and famous, then at least to with plenty of wealth and the means to savor life’s luxuries. By good chance leather furniture in this day and age is easier to obtain and as beautiful a centrepiece for your living room as it ever was.

For many the most time honoured examples of this case is the leather chesterfield , which gives any abode a phenomenal, old world British look. A Chesterfield sofa made from refined leather and hand crafted by one of the country’s finest artisans is unfeignedly a thing of artistry, and will allow numerous years compensation and great service to the most home.

Concerns about the ease of upkeep of leather furniture are also a thing of the past, with a giant range of choices of deodorizing and now usable for any budget. Your settee and accessories can be preserved with a guarantee for a handful of dollars, and the protection will last, if not a lifetime then surely 24 months or further.

Best of all is that your leather chesterfield chair can also be situated in the most ultramodern places, with the traditional styling making a perfect accessory to those living rooms where stone, composites and glass would otherwise prevail. If you have an extremely modern-day room why not complement your intention with a little quality a leather chesterfield couch?

If you have writing skills and want to use your skills to earn some income for yourself and families, we offer a few tips here. You can get some good opportunities from your local area and from Internet.

Your novel sits unfinished, waiting for a burst of inspiration to send it out to be typewriter and right to the top of the best seller lists, right? You are not alone. Thousands of would-be writers are waiting as well. But a few successes under your belt will make the possibility of seeing your picture on the dust jacket in the bookstore window seem less remote. Freelance writing can replace self-doubt with self-confidence and put money in your pocket at the same time.

Just as all doctors are not neurosurgeons, all writers are not novelists. A look into the field yields categories you might never have imagined. Magazine articles, greeting cards, business writing, newspaper reporting-these are areas in which freelance can add do make money. Writing provides an opportunity to earn with very little expenditure. A typewriter with accompanying supplies, a flair for writing and the discipline to stick with a schedule and meet deadlines can start you on your way.

STRINGING

Many local and regional newspapers, unable to maintain enough full-time staff to adequately cover ever meeting or event of importance to the populace, will assign certain stories to stringers, or freelance reporters. Assignments may vary as widely as covering a church circle meeting for the weekly religion page to reporting on a town council meeting in a neighboring village. The editorial staff will tell you what they want, when they want it and what you can expect to be paid. Stringers are paid by the word, by the line or by the column inch, and while rate varies from one newspaper to another, it is a set fee which cannot be negotiated.

Building a good relationship with your editor through good writing, dependability and strict adherence to deadlines may enable you to successfully put forth your own ideas for feature stories and articles. You may be able to negotiate a higher rate of pay for these pieces. Don’t forget to ask for a by-line. Part of the thrill of freelance writing is seeing your name in print.

GREETING CARDS

Visit your local card shop. There are hundreds of cards, many expressing the same sentiments. Each one is different, and somebody earned money for each of them. The greeting card industry relies heavily on freelance submissions. Each company has its own style; it is futile to fire off ideas randomly hoping to hit pay dirt. Companies will send writer guidelines to those who accompany the request with a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE). This basic checklist will tell you the subject matter of preference (some companies may deal solely with inspirational messages while others want only adult humor studio cards), the correct method of presentation, length of time should wait for a response and the pay range for accepted ideas. You don’t have to be an artist. Greeting card companies want your ideas and captions, although suggestions for accompanying artwork will be appreciated. remember, what may be unsuited to one company’s needs could be deemed irresistible by another. Don’t throw away any ideas in discouragement after one rejection. Submit, submit and resubmit should be your credo.

MAGAZINE ARTICLES

Thousands of special interest and trade publications are sold every year. Each is filled with articles, many of them written by freelancers. The trick is to find the right magazine for your article, and tailor your article for that magazine.. If you’re a whiz at coupon redeeming, refunding and rebating, consider sharing your expertise with others in an article in Supermarket Shopper. No matter what your area of interest, there’s a publication waiting to let you tell it all.

Like greeting card companies, magazine publishers will send you guidelines including style and subject matter as well as pay scales. Don’t waste your time sending an article on the joys of a New England vacation to a publication specializing in recreation opportunities in the Ozarks. Guidelines firmly in mind, come up with an idea suitable for the particular publication and follow up with a query letter.

Many publications will not accept unsolicited manuscripts. even those that would rather read a well-written, creative letter outlining a proposed article than wade through a 2,000 word piece to find it acceptable. Your query letter can be open the door that might have been slammed in the face of your unreviewed work-especially if it is an example of proficient writing and piques the editor’s interest in your subject and the angle you’re planning to use.

While many magazines will not accept manuscripts currently being considered by another publication, you may wish to send query letters to several at the same time. If you are fortunate enough to have more than one acceptance, you can always write two articles with different slants from the same research.

The time it takes for your manuscript to be considered seems interminable. One way to avoid hovering over the mailbox with hope, dread and anxiety fighting for dominance is to keep the mailbox working for you. Don’t send off one article and wait for the verdict. Send query letters, greeting card ideas, filler items and articles out constantly, never waiting to hear from one before sending the next. If you receive a rejection, move along to the next prospective publisher for that item, dash off a new cover letter and shoot it out again. You can’t sell what’s sitting in a reject pile–only what’s making the rounds on the market.

Publishers guidelines will give you specific instructions for manuscript preparation. Regardless of the differences from one company to the next, remember that neatness counts. Use typing correction paper or fluid to repair typographical errors. Strike-overs and hand done corrections appear messy and unprofessional. Each page of your manuscript should have the title of the article and your name, as well as consecutive page numbers for all but the first page.

INDEPENDENT PROJECTS

Newspaper stringing, greeting cards and magazine articles are established fields for freelance writers. Your public library will have books and magazine listing companies seeking freelancers for everything from crossword puzzles to innovative messages for telephone answering machines. But you may wish to explore some areas on your own. Whether you live in a small town or a metropolitan area local organizations and businesses can provide fodder for an impressive client list.

Perhaps the local historical society would be interested in your offer to research and write a history of the area. for a fee. The high school alumni association may be looking for a class gift to the old alma mater. A school history, researched and written by a professional freelance writer, would be an handsome addition to the school library, and purchases by class members of yore would add a fund-raising feature. Is you local hospital preparing to celebrate a founding anniversary? a prepared history of the institution, from one-room dispensary/infirmary to today’s 200-bed unit would be a wonderful public relations tool for them an a terrific writing job for you.

Local businesses and organizations have varied writing needs. Grant proposals can be written for a flat fee or on a percentage basis. Customer relations pieces such as new service or product introductions and collection letters, annual reports, in house or consumer-aimed newsletters all provide grist for the enterprising freelancer’s mill. Even organizations with public relations or customer relations staffs sometimes farm out work on a periodic basis.

Unlike established fields, where prices are determined in advance, independent projects such as these require you to charge by the word, by the page, by the hour or on a completed project basis. No matter how you quote your fee, estimate your time as accurately as possible. Time spent in research, talking to and interviewing people and organizing material for writing is as important as time spent at the typewriter. remember to charge enough to cover expenses in addition to time. Typewriter ribbons, paper, postage and envelopes cost money-so does the gasoline you’ll use when research involves travel.

Serious freelancers also have to consider the cost of overhead (heat, water, electricity and a portion of rent or mortgage payments to maintain an in-home office), equipment depreciation and normal employee fringe benefits such as insurance and social security payments when pricing their services. After all, the boss is expected to pick up the tab for these extras. As a freelance writer, you are the boss. And that’s a fringe benefit nobody else can give you. More good news is that you can get more writing opportunities by visiting http://www.elance.com where a lot of Internet business owners are looking for writers to get their job done quickly.

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Julia Tang publishes Smart Online Business Tips, a fresh
and informative newsletter dedicated to supporting people
like you! To find out the best online business opportunities,
and to discover hundreds more proven and practical internet
marketing secrets, plus FREE internet marketing products
worth over $200, visit: http://www.best-internet-businesses.com
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