My interview of Ocotber 8, 2009 on Blogtalk Radio

Linda Leon was kind enough to offer me a half hour spot on her Blogtalk Radio show where we discussed editing.

I believe the show was informative and also allowed me to offer some insights to listeners about some of the common errors seen in manuscripts.

The recording is posted on the right-hand side of this blog so that you may listen to the show. I hope you enjoy the recording as much as I did being the guest on Linda's show.

I am considering creating a station of my own to discuss writing, freelance writing, and editing on Blogtalk Radio. I just don not know how well it will do.

I found the experience on Linda's show to be time well spent and hope that there are many listeners, and they got something out of the program.

The things I took away from this guest appearance on Linda Leon's show about writing is a wonderful way to disseminate information about the subject of editing that was discussed with Linda, depending on the listeners at the time. The show was recorded and archived for those that could not make the show time. This also allowed me to promote my editing services, and my website.

I would like to make my show more of a Q&A then just me talking. I would also like to find the right guests to talk about writing.

Five Writing Tips for All Levels of Writers

First, is the fact that if the story is not believable to you, it will not be to the reader. It is fine to come up with plot, setting, characters, and such, but if it does not ring true, your audience will call you on it. If you are a new writer, you will most likely be rejected if you try to submit your manuscript.

Make sure you check your spelling, punctuation, and grammar. It cannot be stressed enough, DO NOT rely on spell check and grammar check in word processing programs. If you are weak in this area, find a class and learn how to punctuate and learn your grammar.

Second is dialogue. If your characters are of a certain age and they use language that does not fit the age, your characters are not believable and the reader will put down the story and most likely not pick up anything else you might right. If you are writing for yourself and never want to be published, wrong dialogue is probably ok, NOT! If you are going to write something, make it the best you can every time you put words on paper.

Third is, make sure you use the right word. As Mark Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” I could not agree more. Spend the money and get a good dictionary and thesaurus. Do not let them sit on the shelf collecting dust; USE THEM!

Ray Bradbury mentioned in a lecture before Southwest Manuscriptors the fourth and possibly the most important tip is; “READ!” Read the classics, read everything you can get your hands on; read, read, read. Only by reading published books, can you get some idea of what works and what does not. Especially if you have say, Mysteries in mind, read various authors in the genre.

Fifth, if you decide to edit your own work, set it aside for a minimum of a week. When you come back to it, come with a blue pencil. Take that blue pencil and take out the irrelevant junk. Make sure the meaning of what you want to say is clear. Does what you read while editing move the story along? Are your characters believable? Are they fully fleshed out? There is more, but you get the idea.

About Site Editors

Not all editors edit the same. This is not big news. Each editor brings their own experience to their editing. The main problem is when someone edits a How-To article on a subject they know nothing about. An example would be someone editing a How-To on electronics when they do not even know what a "schematic" is. To all editors, this is Electronics 101. If you have no idea what one is, how can you edit a How-To article?

Just in case you wish to know what a schematic is, it is.
The Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary definition is:
Main Entry: 1sche·mat·ic Pronunciation Guide
Pronunciation: ()sk|mad.]ik, skim-, -at], ]k
Function: adjective
Etymology: New Latin schematicus, from Latin schemat-, schema shape, figure, manner (from Greek schmat-, schma) + -icus -ic
: of, relating to, or constituting a scheme or schema : as a : corresponding to an established or formalized conception b : showing part for part in a model or diagram c : employing or constituting a scheme of conventional symbols

If an editor doesn't know this, the writer should try to at least inform the editor, or request another editor. Hopefully, someone at the site where you submit your How-To has some knowledge about electronics. If they don't, they should not be excepting articles on the subject.

As a freelance writer, editor, and book reviewer, this is just common sense, but not to some sites that request How-To articles from freelance writers. The same could be applied to freelance writers, it is always a good thing to try and expand your knowledge base,but make sure you do the proper research to know at least the rudimentary aspects of the subject you plan on writing about.

Is it easy? NO. Should it be done? A resounding YES. This is what being a freelance writer or editor is all about.

Do You Need a Degree to be a Freelance Writer?

This is an ongoing debate. The answer is YES, and NO. Some jobs require a degree, and some don’t. Some jobs require years of experience, and some don’t. The secret is, only apply for the jobs where you meet the qualifications.

Looking at job sites, degrees range from Bachelors to PhD, and ranging from English, Journalism, Communications, Computer Science, and Scientific disciplines. The years of experience can range from as low as 2 to 5, or as high as 7 to 10 years in one of the disciplines above. You can see that you will need to read the job requirements carefully and only applying for it if you have the matching requirements.

If you are willing to work for low pay, there are many bidding sites where you can find jobs. These are not for someone that values him or herself. There are bidding sites where a percentage is held out by the site, and others that cost you money buying credits or jobs lists. None of these requires a degree.

Some people say that not having a degree means that you are not a professional freelance writer. Disagreeing, with this premise, there are statistics that many graduates of universities and colleges unable to write a complete sentence, a degree is not the be-all-end-all to prove professionalism. There is also experience, and lifelong learning to be said for in the experience equation.

Yes, a degree is nice, and furthering your education is never a bad thing. You can be a freelancer without the requirement of a piece of paper. For some jobs, a degree is a requirement; those jobs will have to be left for those that have the required degree and years of experience.

When first starting out, it may be difficult to find work. All freelancers need to learn patience and perseverance if they want to become freelancers. Nothing happens overnight. If you give up easily, freelancing is not for you.

If you think you need a degree, find courses in a local college or university, or even take courses online if you can afford them. With the economy, many colleges and universities are raising their per semester costs. You will need to judge for yourself if getting a degree is what you want or need. Don’t let anyone dictate to you that you need this or that to freelance.

A must read - Jumpstart You Publishing Dreams by W. Terry Whalin

Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams is not just for book authors, it is a manual that gives the reader information and resources about the publishing industry, editors and wring for the freelance writer. In this book, you will find information and resources about writing for magazines, information on how to approach magazine editors with queries, and what you need to do to enhance your chances of becoming a published author.

Mr. Whalin has more than twenty years of experience writing magazine articles, books, and editing in the publishing industry. He has written 60 books, and published in more the 50 magazines. Having read some other book by Mr. Whalin, this book is the nuts-and-bolts of what every writer, storyteller, and freelance writer needs to know and take to heart.

Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams is loaded with information, resources, and links for more information. After visiting many of the links, this is a book that you will revisit often, also the websites, articles, and book to peruse when more time is available. There are some special offers that Mr. Whalin has for the writer. Do yourself a favor, take advantage of these special offers, you will not regret it.

If you aspire to publication, Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams is one book that should be in your writer’s library. It is a book with a high recommendation by this reviewer.

Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams:
ISBN-10: 1935085506
ISBN-13: 978-1935085508

Available at:
http://jumpstartdreams.com/Buy-Paperback.html
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Are you on social media sites?

Social media sites are inexpensive ways to get your marketing message out into the world. Social media doesn’t mean just Facebook and site like that. These days, social media is also blogs, websites, and anywhere where people visit. Social media sites are also good for networking and learning from others willing to share. There are forums for just about any subject. Do a search, and find a forum that meets your needs and join in the conversations.

Remember that if you do join a social network site, get involved; involved means be helpful if you can, talk with people, but don’t be a nuisance. Be a part of the community and get known as being helpful, you will more likely have others willing to help you in return. Learn the subtle are of networking.

Through networking and social media, you can let people know about what you have to offer and lead them to your website. This is a free way to get your message out from a marketing standpoint. With the way things are in the economy, not everyone has the bucks to mount a massive advertising campaign. The more ways to get your business out there for little or no cost and work on your business, the better of you will be.
Social media can be good for your business if used wisely. Visit sites and look around to see if they are something for you. Visit and be active in forums and all forms of social media that could pertain to your business.

Is Social Media Useful?

Can you find work as a freelance writer through social media sites? With sites like FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter and more, you can make contacts, but finding work still isn’t easy. Finding work depends on the individual writer, their education, their experience, and how proactive the person is.

Making contacts and being helpful whenever possible, is what anyone using social media needs to do. Social media also consists of blogs as well as sites like FaceBook and others. The blog is the best way for people to find you and learn something about you. This puts a person with the name. Your blog should contain the best writing and content you can do. If your blog is about a niche subject, make it entertaining and useful to whoever reads it.

Content is still king when creating posts to your blog. This will get you read. As people read and tell others, your traffic builds and you will have greater opportunities to find work.

Being proactive and asking people, or guest posting is one way to get known. Let’s face it, if no one knows you, they will not come to you. You need to make relevant posts to your subject, and to offer people something in return for reading your post(s).

At social media sites, you need to be interactive and helpful to others on the site. Post links to articles that are helpful, or to sites that are helpful. Retweet items that have relevance to others, include hashtags on Twitter to various groups that might be interested in a link to information you find, such as #writers, #editor, and more. Be a helpful member. You don’t need to hang out all day, but when you are at some social media site, be friendly and be a part of the community.

At any social media site, be sure to create a bio so people can read about you. Post a recent picture of yourself so that people can put a face to the name. People reading a post like to know that there is a real person posting to a blog, posting links, or information to a social media site.

Will all of this help you with your business or service? Maybe, it depends on what the other people at the site are looking for. Social media is another form of advertising.