Writer's Market

I bought my 2008 edition about a month ago.
This years edition has more helpful essays on
how to write a kick-ass query letter, how to
stay organized, how to approach newspaper
editor, etc.

With more publications listed then ever
including poems and play writes, it is the
ultimate source for the freelance writer.

Dialogue

Dialoguing with an editor via e-mail can be one of the best ways to get published. If you create a rapport with the editor of a section you would like to work in a door many open up in the future and they may ask you to step in. Some times all it takes is simply asking an editor what he needs for his section. If you make it clear that you are willing to write what the publication needs they may throw you a bone.

Organization

If you are trying to work freelance there is one thing that will help you stay on track: ORGANIZATION!It does not come natural to everyone, but the sooner you learn how to track your submissions in a detailed manner, the better chances you will have of getting published. Make a file for each publication you submit your writing to. Record what writing samples you send them and the date you sent your query letter. Look forward two weeks from the day you submitted and mark this day in your Blackberry so you can contact them to follow up.

Magazines

When trying to get your story published in a magazine you must first find out how to submit queries. Buying a copy of the Writer's Market, a reference guide to all publications, is the best place to start. Find out if they prefer e-mail or snail mail and who to contact. Personalize your query letter for that specific publication. Pitch your story idea or send a sample of your writing. Always personalize the greeting in the letter if possible.

Press Releases

Each company uses press releases to alert media of changes within the company. It could be a new product launch or the opening of a new branch. News outlets receive hundreds of press releases a day so it is vital to have catchy opening lines and headlines. Each company has its own requirements for length and font. Most prefer to keep the whole thing to one page as journalistic writing is very succinct. It should be written in AP style.

Be Professional

If you wish to work in the professional world you yourself must become a professional. The best way to come off like a pro is to know what your talking about by doing your research, check your writing and have another person proof it before you send it and be straightforward and clear about what you want.

Be Persistent

Being Persistent is vital. Your work will not be warmly welcomed the first time you pitch it to someone. Be ready to hear the word "NO" more often than you hear the word "yes."

Don't let the comments from you source deter you from sending it to another.

Be Relevant

When seeking to be published there are a few things to remember. One of them is to be relevant. When you are seeking a publisher for your work make sure you research the publisher thoroughly. Have they published similar work in the past? does your project fit with what they are used to? How will your writing benefit them?

BENNIES!

This would be a Bennie for me:

Explosive Power in the 1$ Bill

26.7 kilotons of Explosive Power

Media Down

Last night's storm made it impossible for some forms of advertising to be received by the public. This is the beauty of print media. There will always be a place for newspapers and such because times like last night make online/TV/radio inaccessible.

Mermaid sells Cleaner

Clorox Mermaid Commercial





This is one of the best commercials I have seen in a long time.

3 Act Structure

Just put 'em through hell.

With the 3 act structure that is just what you will do to your protagonist. They start out happily living their sweet little life, when all of a sudden... BOOM! BANG! BASH! You hit them with three major blows. Those three trials are the 3 acts. Each act becomes more dark than the last and just before the end of the story you rescue your character from complete annihilation.

Maslow's Hierarchy

When a writer, of any kind, sits down in front of the computer to type up some copy they should keep Maslow's Hierarchy in the back of their mind. Not only does a writer need to address her audience carefully, she also needs to remember the basic needs and desire of every human, no matter what the demographics may be.

Points vs. The Mighty Dollar

So your joyful day arrives - you have signed a deal that will finance a film you are working on. You now have the power of the mighty dollar behind your creativity.

But! There may be one small problem that could bring all your dreams crashing down around you. If you did not pay careful attention to how the funds will be allocated after the project ends you may end up getting screwed.

You see, profit can be distributed by a set dollar amount or by a set percentage of the total. But, it can also be divied out by points. Points are different in that they are a percentage of a dollar. For example, 1point could = 25% of a dollar, 0.25$. But it 1point could also be worth .o1% of a dollar, 0.01$.

So, remember, a point is NOT a set amount. It holds whatever amount they assign to it.

Remember your Audience

When creating a commercial of any kind, it is crucial to know who you are addressing. Demographics become your best friend - Age, Race, Income, Sex, Economic Level. Depending on who are talking to you will need to change the way you seduce your audience. What may grab the attention of a 67 year old retired gentleman will obviously not interest a teenage girl.

They will sign for the MONEY

When asking a company or individual

to finance a project of yours it is important

to emphasize what kind of return they

will receive from the deal. The profit

they can look forward to is the only real

reason they will sign with you.

CALL OUTS!

There are many tools available to a writer when he is trying to keep his reader's attention. One such tool is a call-out. They are most popular in magazines but newspapers use them as well.

Matti Mattila wrote a blog post titled Simple call-out box.
Here is his explanation for what a call-out box does and why it is important:

"When writing a very long article with lots of text and only few or no pictures to enlighten the story, the reader’s interest must be captured somehow to read the whole text. Sometimes the caption itself does not lure enough, so there must be something else to draw the reader’s attention. Placing a call-out box in the middle of the text, like the one below, usually captures the reader to find out the rest of the story. Creating such a call-out box with markup language is relatively easy and there are many techniques to get the desired effect. Some people use tables and others use background images."

Abstract

So if something is not concrete, what does that make it? And should we throw out all non-concrete language?

This web site

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/abstract.htm

offers a good explanation for the difference and value of abstract language.

"We must understand how imprecise their meanings are, how easily they can be differently understood, and how tiring and boring long chains of abstract terms can be. Abstract terms are useful and necessary when we want to name ideas (as we do in thesis statements and some paragraph topic sentences), but they're not likely to make points clear or interesting by themselves."

Concrete

It is important to pour a solid foundation for every story you write. Using concrete language is one way to guarantee clear communication.

Here is a good definition found at: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/abstract.htm

Concrete terms refer to objects or events that are available to the senses. [This is directly opposite to abstract terms, which name things that are not available to the senses.] Examples of concrete terms include spoon, table, velvet eye patch, nose ring, sinus mask, green, hot, walking. Because these terms refer to objects or events we can see or hear or feel or taste or smell, their meanings are pretty stable. If you ask me what I mean by the word spoon, I can pick up a spoon and show it to you. [I can't pick up a freedom and show it to you, or point to a small democracy crawling along a window sill. I can measure sand and oxygen by weight and volume, but I can't collect a pound of responsibility or a liter of moral outrage.]

Cliche

Often times we write the way we speak with friends, and the normal American uses many different cliches. Using cliches is a great way to ruin a story. After writing your rough draft go back through your story with a fine tooth comb and see how many you have used.

It's a zoo out there!

Rising tide

The calm before the storm

A cheshire-cat smile

A good Lead

In news journalism or in a press release the Who What When Where Why and How should all be in the lead. The first line of the lead should be a catcher; it should grab the reader's attention and make them want to continue reading the article or story.

Deck

Well, that's not exactly what I had in mind.
What I'm talking about is the part of a features story that goes below the headline. It provides more indepth information. The headline will grab the reader. The deck will explain the headline.

What does a good Headline do?

A headline is the attention grabber. The headline should express the most unique element of the story.

Andy Rooney said, "Newspaper men and women who write headlines have a hard job. They have to make sense of a long, complicated story in just eight or ten words."

For his complete commentary go to: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/21/60minutes/rooney/main3857661.shtml


Just for fun.
An example of a headline gone bad:

Deaf mute gets new hearing in killing

Metaphor

Explain a situation. Explain a feeling. Explain a sent.

Use a metaphor.

ironic by
ALANIS MORISSETTE
It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought... it figures

Business Letter refresher

Don't forget the all important WIIFM! This should be the unifying thread that runs through the whole letter. When reading your letter they should be continually be reminded about what they would benefit from working with you. If you don't entice them and flirt with their pride and desire for money, you will lose their attention.

Metaphor

Metaphor



My friend describes a part of the world by comparing it to another part of the world.



"I have to pee like a racehorse!"


She has always made me look at the world in a unique way.

Paint a Picture with Words

One of the best ways to spice up a feature story is to add description based on the senses. This transports the reader into the story and allows them to connect with what the characters are feeling.

A sent floating on a breeze. A crisp wind nipping the cheek. The creamy sweet taste of an ice cream cone. The dripping of water on a metal pan.

No, you can't die.

So, why can't you just knock off the lead character and end the story with a grand finally and tragic ending?

Because there has to be purpose. There has to be a redemption that results from the death. The sacrifice must not be in vain and the benefit must be for a worthy and justifiable reason.

Romeo and Juliet ended their story based on the sappy reason that life was not life without the other. The ultimate ending of a tragedy. But, Shakespeare wasn't exactly going for the Classic Hollywood Style.

The whole goal of the protagonist is to overcome the intense struggle against the antagonist. Using death as a last minute escape only relinquishes the power of the struggle over to the antagonist, and gives him the final upper hand.

What's In It For Me?

By nature humans are selfish beings. We are short on time, short on money and in search of comfort and pleasures.

So, as an advertising executive it is crucial to consistently deliver messages that quickly and concisely tell viewers/readers that you have something for them that they need/want.

AIDA

With the fast paced high tech business world pressing in all around us we have very short attention spans. This generation more than any other is learning how to process large amounts of information while continuing to be productive and make consumer choices.

When creating any form of communication it is important to keep this in mind. The copy must be concise and grabbing.

Using A.I.D.A., Attention, Interest, Desire, Action, keeps advertising focused and on target.

Within the first line the consumer's attention should be grabbed. They shouldn't want to change the channel or turn the page. Then, a personal interest should be created. If the target audience has been correctly evaluated this shouldn't be hard to miss. Once interested has be created, desire should be aroused. The consumer should feel as though they can't live without the product or service. Last, and most crucial, the individual should be driven to act. The ad or copy should explain how they should act based on the desire resulting ultimately in a sale and an increased bottom line.

The Fear Factor

With fear holding parts of our hearts in some unique way we are controlled by what we fears.
The root is a serious desire that each human can identify with. It is explained well by this quote from Dr. Erich Fromm:

"This is very apparent in all the deodorant ads; fear of body odor and all that.
But in a more subtle way, the general fear of not being loved
and then to be able, by some product, to be loved.
That's a subtle fear pervading most people, and the ads speculate on
that and show, in more or less drastic ways, here are the things which
will make you loved.
All that is sought to [play on] these unconscious fears."

Friday, April 4, 2008

The September 2007 issue of Vanity Fair displayed a joke of a headline, TERROR ALERT: JUDY GIULIANI.

The article explains his relationship with women and his current "princess"
bride of a wife. The way the title flipantly uses the word "terror" to describe an over-agressive and controlling wife is disrespectful to numerous families who have lost loved ones to acts of terror.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

There are few things as important to a writer as a peer critique. Having another set of eyes read over your work allows another world view to sift your thoughts.
No matter how open-mined a writer may think he is, he can never think with another person's mind. Each person approaches a story differently by filtering the characters and settings through their personal life experiences. Having more than one thoughtful critique is even better. The more individuals your storyline can be communicated to clearly the stronger its storyline is.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

CLASS CANCELED. CONTINUED WORK ON COMMERCIAL SCRIPT.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Girl #1 "That's like, totally, fabulous!"
Girl #2 "No hon, you've got to get it right, it's FAB..."

The difference between a product's features, attributes, and benefits need to be clearly understood before advertising creative start work on a project.

Features are the physical attributes of an item. The basic characteristics by which you would describe an item.

Attributes define the features as unique and separate the item from others similar to it.

Benefits are most important to a potential customer and they answer the question of how the product will help them or make their life better.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

FAB: Features, Attributes, Benefits

Features are the characteristics that can be used to describe an item or product.

Attributes are the unique qualities of those features that set the item apart from other similar products on the market.

Benefits show the possible customer "what's in it for them."

Monday, February 25, 2008

These commercials show the cycle of politics. Every generation wants the same things from their leaders and culture is the only thing that alters the form by which these persuasive messages are communicated.

Every commercial is based on the human desires and needs of Maslow's triangle. The lower down on the triangle the more basic the need and the greater the desire.

Friday, February 8, 2008

"Eat your vegetables!"

Whether through punishment or bribary the mother will prevail. No matter how long Johnny sits and pouts the mother will not give in.

Then! Suddenly!
The heavens open and a strong arm reaches down to deliver the answer to both of their misery!

*THE MIGHTY MAN VEGGIE BAG*
Voiceover: "The veggies go in and a fresh, crisp, kid-friendly dish comes out! The butter and spices infuse an orginial flavor that every kid is sure to love. No more struggling with the kids to take just one bite - you won't be able to stop them from eating everything you put on their plate!"

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

NO CLASS. SNOW DAY.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Advertising is a complicated and deeply psychological industry. How does a company construct, let's say, a TV spot that is entertaining, unique, and brand enforcing all in one? How is it possible for the consumer to step back after viewing the ad and recall not only the comedy, but also the product.
When does the entertainment overshadow the brand image?

How does the product take center stage yet not bore the audience?
Or, maybe it doesn't matter if the product is center stage..... as long as it is bought.

I was in Victoria's Secret today and started thinking about their branding. They are not selling products, they are selling the models. Women don't shop there because they know they are getting the best cherry lip gloss on the market. No.... ha! We shop there because the sign says that the VS super models wear this particular lip gloss. Who cares if it doesn't taste as good as the stuff at Wal-Mart; we are becoming super models with every coat we apply and that is what matters.

Up on the walls there are large poster-pictures of the timeless VS models we know all too well. Their signatures are under their photos. As you stand in the store and look up at the giants of the fashion world you realize that you are in the presence of beauty and feminine allurement. If only you could be just like them everything would be great. Every man on the street would want to wrap you up in his arms, and on the weekends every drink at the bar would be paid for.

This whole mind wrapping addiction happens within a few seconds of being in the store and you find yourself contemplating buying a set of sensually scented candles, that you wouldn't have looked twice at normally.
The branding is so strong. It sucks you in and you enjoy every minute of it.
Until.... your wallet is empty and your stuck with a couple of cheap candles that really just smell like vanilla.

How does a company create such powerful advertising?

I think it starts with knowing how to connect, (obviously) and tapping into desire and emotion. (little trickier)

With the VS example, they have zeroed in on the fact that every woman desperately wants to be desirable, just like the super models are. And she will pay $14.95 for two small candles to be told that she is.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

You poor soul

It must be hard sometimes, being a protagonist. Do you ever wake up in the morning and think, "I can't go through this anymore!"? I can't imagine the stress. Day in and day out you are thrown on a roller coaster and set on the same path of imminent destruction in Act I and II, but then at the last minute an amazing resolution displays itself. I guess a job is a job, but don't you think you could find something with more stability? (I bet your insurance isn't that great either!)

At least the antagonist knows what's coming. Everyday when he gets up and goes to work he knows he is going to blindside you and bring you to the end of yourself. He knows the drill. There is no element of surprise for him. However, by Act III he is always defeated and you find a way to overcome the fear he placed in you. So, I guess it evens out. You are pushed to the end of your rope, but he always looses in the end.

And TiVo has not helped your anxiety at all. Now you never know how many times you may have to ride the same roller coaster. Some dumb, California blonde named Kimberly may want to watch the same episode of "America's Next Top Model"(c) over and over and over and if you are the protagonist the producers picked for that episode you will have to go through the diva drama as many times as Kimberly wants.

You poor protagonist.

Yet, you are a celebrity. People all over the world cheer for you as you overcome obstacles when the odds are against you. For centuries families have been going to the movie theaters or gathering around the television to watch your epic struggle and rejoice as you defy the evil in your world.

So, thank you protagonist! Thank you for inspiring us to believe that the "Good Guy" does always win! Thank you for being willing to go through all that pain and stress just so our viewing expectations can be fulfilled!

We salute you!

Monday, January 28, 2008

What is good?

It is impossible to start answering this question without talking about absolutes. Something being good means it is exclusive and can never contain "bad". It is inherent in the nature of the definition.

The definition of what is good must come from a source apart from human creation. Humans are, in nature, biased and unable to create a pure law untainted by their flaws. Therefore it is necessary to address the exists of an all knowing all good higher power.

If this higher power does not exist humans must derive from their culture the scale for judging what is right and wrong. And by doing this they deviate from the true definition of good -something without fault that transcends culture and time.

Of course there are exceptions. There is a difference in moral law and culturally acceptable behavior. For example, in some areas of Europe it is acceptable for young children to watch risque television, but in the U.S. parents are usually much more sensitive to sexual content. This is just a difference in cultural flavor. It does not deal with a moral absolute. A moral absolute in the context of this discussion would be, "Is it ever right to steal?"

January 25, 2008

"The purpose of our existence is to pass on life to the next generation."

This is not a real purpose. No, not at all.

That is not a purpose, that is biology.
That is not spiritual, it is physical.

My deepest desires and fulfillment as a human is different from an animal's. Humans are unique in that we use language to communicate. That element is found nowhere else in nature and we are on a whole different level because of it. Humans also question. Animals live to the next day because their stomachs growl or their seasonal mating instincts kick in. They don't question their survival instincts. But, humans can have tons of sex, birth children, successfully raise their young, and yet still feel a deep sense of emptiness. There is a missing element from the physical act. We are meant to be fulfilled by a deep communion that goes beyond the physical sex drives. The physical is a representation of the spiritual. Each of us has a spiritual desire equally as strong as our sex drives. It may not be fed properly, and so we seek more of the physical to pacify our yearning. But until an individual realizes there is a multi-fold hunger within them they will never be able to satisfy who they are.



The purpose that drives each human is not based on procreation or fear.
This would make life on earth a painful community of selfish individuals constantly looking for a sexual partner.

This may be the state of our world but that does not mean it is our purpose. There is something greater the human soul/spirit was made for.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

"What a character!"

-words we hear when someone is describing an odd, yet intriguing person.

But, what is a character when it comes to writing fiction? Little did I know there is a soul within every individual... even the ones in print. And, this soul is the true character. NOT! what they look like or the social class they fit in. No, these are just characteristics of the person.
The very core identity of every person in a story is the true character - or as Jenkins said, "Who they are under pressure."

This leaves me completely exhausted as I think about writing fiction. How in the world can I manage the life of other souls when I can hardly wrestle with my own every day?

Journalism fits me much better. Just spit out what other people did that day in an organized and intriguing way and you have a golden story.

There is much to learn.