Often writers believe that when they’ve finished writing their story, it’s ready to be sent out. That could not be any further from the truth. Writing the story is just the beginning. There are many important items that need to be done before an agent, publisher or magazine will even think about looking at your work. Years ago, a writer could send there work as is, and a story editor or line editor would be waiting on the side-lines with red pen in hand. But no longer. Structure, style, formatting, and most importantly grammatical perfection are now the name of the game.
Below is a short bullet proof list of steps to take in regards to sending out your work:
Appearance
When submitting a manuscript for possible publication, you can increase its chances of making a favorable impression by adhering to some fairly standard matters of physical format. Most standards formats are based on common sense, but some formats need to be followed depending on the editor’s taste (Writer’s Market 2007.)
Format for Text Pages
Always double-space your manuscript and use standard paragraph indentations of five spaces. Margins should be about 1 1/2 inches on all sides of each full page of manuscript.
Title Page
Center the title in capital letters one-third of the way down the page. Set your word document to double-space. Type “by” and your name centered one double-space beneath that. After the title and byline, drop down two double-spaces, paragraph indent and begin the body of your manuscript. If you are submitting novel chapters, leave the top one-third of the first page of each chapter blank before typing the chapter title
Headers and Footers
On every page after the first, type your last name, a dash and the page number in either the upper left or right corner. The title of your manuscript may, but need not, be typed on this line or beneath it. Page number two would read: Brooks—2. “Title of Book”
Blessings and happy writing!
SMB
Friday, August 31, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
How To Trust That Your Manuscript Is Finished
While blogging on Craigslist I came across a person who asked the question "Do you ever feel that your writing is not good enough?" I wanted to scream, "Yes of course!". I can't imagine that even the most established writer doesn't sometimes go through those feelings. But when we come across this problem, we have to break through it because if we don't, we may end up with years of half written stories with no endings.
Below are a few suggestions that I hope will get you over that writing hump:
1. Read your manuscript out loud. Recording yourself, or reading to some of your trusted friends (friends that will give you valuable feedback) is very helpful.
2. Get together a group of writers and readers, invite guests to a tea or brunch and have your reader/writer friends act out or read their favorite chapters.
3. Let someone edit your work (story editor). However, hiring a professional to edit your work can be expensive. If you have a writing mentor like a English teacher, ask if he/she will be willing to work with you or if you have the money, then by all means hire one.
4. Surround yourself with other writers or join a writer's group.
5. Find out what other writers are saying about their writing experiences.
Hope these help!
Below is a list of writer's group in the Southern California area.
Los Angeles Writer's Group
Los Angeles Playwriters
Alameda Writer's Group
The Writer's Life
Happy Writing,
SMB
Below are a few suggestions that I hope will get you over that writing hump:
1. Read your manuscript out loud. Recording yourself, or reading to some of your trusted friends (friends that will give you valuable feedback) is very helpful.
2. Get together a group of writers and readers, invite guests to a tea or brunch and have your reader/writer friends act out or read their favorite chapters.
3. Let someone edit your work (story editor). However, hiring a professional to edit your work can be expensive. If you have a writing mentor like a English teacher, ask if he/she will be willing to work with you or if you have the money, then by all means hire one.
4. Surround yourself with other writers or join a writer's group.
5. Find out what other writers are saying about their writing experiences.
Hope these help!
Below is a list of writer's group in the Southern California area.
Los Angeles Writer's Group
Los Angeles Playwriters
Alameda Writer's Group
The Writer's Life
Happy Writing,
SMB
Saturday, August 18, 2007
So You Want to be Considered a Serious Writer
I personally believe everyone has a story to write, but not everyone decides to put pen to paper or in this day and age, fingers to the computer keyboard. When I decided I wanted to be not just a writer, but a successful one, I realized I had the creativity, but not the technical know how.
How to make my dream as a writer come into fruition was a big question and I also wondered how and where I'd begin? If you are just writing for the love of it, then there is no special way. However, if you want to have a career as a writer, and what I mean by that is to become published either in a magazine or write the next great novel, no matter what the genre; mystery, suspense, horror, science fiction/fantasy, romance or a particular style; short story, novella, it is important that you learn the most fundamental skills.
The library and the Internet are full of books and facts for any beginning writer to find information. But because there are so many sources, it can become a drag trying to sift through everything. For a creative person, it can also be overwhelming when all you want to do is get your story out to the reading public.
Below is a list of sources I use for information on agents, publishers, workshops and writer's networks. I hope this helps you.
Your Pen Pal,
SMB
To find out more information on fiction writing
To find out more information about literay agents
To find out more information on creative writing
To find out more about writing jobs
How to make my dream as a writer come into fruition was a big question and I also wondered how and where I'd begin? If you are just writing for the love of it, then there is no special way. However, if you want to have a career as a writer, and what I mean by that is to become published either in a magazine or write the next great novel, no matter what the genre; mystery, suspense, horror, science fiction/fantasy, romance or a particular style; short story, novella, it is important that you learn the most fundamental skills.
The library and the Internet are full of books and facts for any beginning writer to find information. But because there are so many sources, it can become a drag trying to sift through everything. For a creative person, it can also be overwhelming when all you want to do is get your story out to the reading public.
Below is a list of sources I use for information on agents, publishers, workshops and writer's networks. I hope this helps you.
Your Pen Pal,
SMB
To find out more information on fiction writing
To find out more information about literay agents
To find out more information on creative writing
To find out more about writing jobs
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Never Limit Yourself as a Writer
I remember a few years back watching the Queen of Soul on televisionAretha Franklin standing in for Pavarotti who was ill. I knew that Aretha could sing anything from gospel to pop, disco to jazz, but watching and hearing her perform opera (an Italian opera) was quite a surprise.
Of course she knocked it out of the ball park and received a standing ovation. But what else did I expect. I mean it is the Queen of Soul.
I recently thought about this when someone approached me about writing a proposal for a reality television series.
Immediately I said to myself, I can't. After all, I'm not a big watcher of the genre. Sure, I've watched a little of American Idol, The Apprentice and FAME, only because I'm a big fan of Debbie Allen and I've taken a class or two on the subject, but my experience is writing for film and television.
I didn't tell the person I wouldn't do it, but said I needed time to think about it. After a few weeks of deliberating, I decided yes. But I was gripped by fear. How was I going to write something I've never written before?
But then I thought that I would handle this like any other assignment. I would do my research. So I scanned the Internet and libraries and even spoke to a few writers. Unfortunately, I came up empty. I could not find anything on writing for Reality Television. That's why it's called Reality. They don't want their audience to think that it is anything but reality.
Then a week later while I'm still getting over the fact that I made a promise that I might not be able to keep, another person approached me about writing for the same genre. Two weeks later I received a call from someone else.
Even though I believe that when you're shown something 3 times, you should act on it, I still believed I couldn't do it.
It took someone talking to me about suggesting to one of the persons who approached me to find someone with more skills and the crazy thing was I was agreeing with them.
But then I had to stop and say wait a minute. I'm a writer. That definitely does not mean that I can write any and everything, but I sure can try before I tell myself or let anyone else say that I can't.
Seven years ago, I started out just having a passion for writing. In less that 3, I was published as a freelance writer and writing press releases. Five years later, I was hired as a ghost writer for a celebrity for a non-fiction book and 6 years later, I co-wrote a film with two established writers.
When you are approached by someone who is interested in hiring you as a writer, be honest about your limitations, but be very clear about the skills you do have.
I discovered that writing a reality treatment, outline or proposal is the same as writing one for television. You need to understand your key elements; target audience, premise, format, the end result, outcome and/or rewards.
So never limit yourself or let anyone else limit your abilities. Before we could walk, we had to crawl. Before we... well you get the picture.
Of course she knocked it out of the ball park and received a standing ovation. But what else did I expect. I mean it is the Queen of Soul.
I recently thought about this when someone approached me about writing a proposal for a reality television series.
Immediately I said to myself, I can't. After all, I'm not a big watcher of the genre. Sure, I've watched a little of American Idol, The Apprentice and FAME, only because I'm a big fan of Debbie Allen and I've taken a class or two on the subject, but my experience is writing for film and television.
I didn't tell the person I wouldn't do it, but said I needed time to think about it. After a few weeks of deliberating, I decided yes. But I was gripped by fear. How was I going to write something I've never written before?
But then I thought that I would handle this like any other assignment. I would do my research. So I scanned the Internet and libraries and even spoke to a few writers. Unfortunately, I came up empty. I could not find anything on writing for Reality Television. That's why it's called Reality. They don't want their audience to think that it is anything but reality.
Then a week later while I'm still getting over the fact that I made a promise that I might not be able to keep, another person approached me about writing for the same genre. Two weeks later I received a call from someone else.
Even though I believe that when you're shown something 3 times, you should act on it, I still believed I couldn't do it.
It took someone talking to me about suggesting to one of the persons who approached me to find someone with more skills and the crazy thing was I was agreeing with them.
But then I had to stop and say wait a minute. I'm a writer. That definitely does not mean that I can write any and everything, but I sure can try before I tell myself or let anyone else say that I can't.
Seven years ago, I started out just having a passion for writing. In less that 3, I was published as a freelance writer and writing press releases. Five years later, I was hired as a ghost writer for a celebrity for a non-fiction book and 6 years later, I co-wrote a film with two established writers.
When you are approached by someone who is interested in hiring you as a writer, be honest about your limitations, but be very clear about the skills you do have.
I discovered that writing a reality treatment, outline or proposal is the same as writing one for television. You need to understand your key elements; target audience, premise, format, the end result, outcome and/or rewards.
So never limit yourself or let anyone else limit your abilities. Before we could walk, we had to crawl. Before we... well you get the picture.
Monday, August 13, 2007
How To Get That First Writing Gig
When I first moved from New York to Los Angeles, I wasn't sure how to network when it came to writing. First of all my background was singing and in New York, it's very easy to put yourself out there as a singer. There are so many venues to showcase your talents like, open-mics and clubs where you can put on shows as long as you bring in enough people and they're willing to pay the cover charge.
But since I was new to the whole writing scene having only written song lyrics, when I moved out here I wasn't sure where to start.
Thank goodness for the Internet. I didn't think I had enough writing experience yet to apply for a typical writing job, so I did the next best thing. I interned. I started out working once a week for an award winning PR firm and although the experience in terms of management was, to say the least, undesirable, I could not have asked for a better teaching ground. At the PR firm, I was taught to write celebrity and profile pieces, press releases and to write articles quickly while still keeping your audience interested.
It also helped me to network and I got my first freelance job that paid me $3.00 an article. Sounds small, but I was so excited having only lived in California for a few months. I was proud to see my name in print.
From there, I looked for other writing opportunities. For one, my church was starting a paper and needed a few writers. With just a little experience, I volunteered and in only a few months became co-editor for the paper. Although I wasn't making any money, I was able to work on perfecting my writing craft.
By then my experience as a writer grew to where I had enough articles in my portfolio to start looking for freelance work and get paid a fair amount.
And when freelancing wasn't creative enough for me, I decided to go back to school where I took English and creative writing classes and networked with other writers.
So when considering where to get experience as a writer, don't discount interning. Although it can be for little or no money, you can still gain valuable experience.
Much love,
SMB
But since I was new to the whole writing scene having only written song lyrics, when I moved out here I wasn't sure where to start.
Thank goodness for the Internet. I didn't think I had enough writing experience yet to apply for a typical writing job, so I did the next best thing. I interned. I started out working once a week for an award winning PR firm and although the experience in terms of management was, to say the least, undesirable, I could not have asked for a better teaching ground. At the PR firm, I was taught to write celebrity and profile pieces, press releases and to write articles quickly while still keeping your audience interested.
It also helped me to network and I got my first freelance job that paid me $3.00 an article. Sounds small, but I was so excited having only lived in California for a few months. I was proud to see my name in print.
From there, I looked for other writing opportunities. For one, my church was starting a paper and needed a few writers. With just a little experience, I volunteered and in only a few months became co-editor for the paper. Although I wasn't making any money, I was able to work on perfecting my writing craft.
By then my experience as a writer grew to where I had enough articles in my portfolio to start looking for freelance work and get paid a fair amount.
And when freelancing wasn't creative enough for me, I decided to go back to school where I took English and creative writing classes and networked with other writers.
So when considering where to get experience as a writer, don't discount interning. Although it can be for little or no money, you can still gain valuable experience.
Much love,
SMB
How To Get That First Writing Gig
When I first moved from New York to Los Angeles, I wasn't sure how to network when it came to writing. First of all my background was singing and in New York, it's very easy to put yourself out there as a singer. There are so many venues to showcase your talents like, open-mics and clubs where you can put on shows as long as you bring in enough people and they're willing to pay the cover charge.
But since I was new to the whole writing scene having only written song lyrics, when I moved out here I wasn't sure where to start.
Thank goodness for the Internet. I didn't think I had enough writing experience yet to apply for a typical writing job, so I did the next best thing. I interned. I started out working once a week for an award winning PR firm and although the experience in terms of management was, to say the least, undesirable, I could not have asked for a better teaching ground. At the PR firm, I was taught to write celebrity and profile pieces, press releases and to write articles quickly while still keeping your audience interested.
It also helped me to network and I got my first freelance job that paid me $3.00 an article. Sounds small, but I was so excited having only lived in California for a few months. I was proud to see my name in print.
From there, I looked for other writing opportunities. For one, my church was starting a paper and needed a few writers. With just a little experience, I volunteered and in only a few months became co-editor for the paper. Even though at the beginning I wasn't making any money, I was able to work on perfecting my writing craft.
By then my experience as a writer grew to where I had enough articles in my portfolio to start looking for freelance work and get paid a fair amount.
And when freelancing wasn't creative enough for me, I decided to go back to school where I took English and creative writing classes and networked with other writers.
So when considering where to get experience as a writer, don't discount interning. Although it can be for little or no money, you can still gain valuable experience.
Much love,
SMB
But since I was new to the whole writing scene having only written song lyrics, when I moved out here I wasn't sure where to start.
Thank goodness for the Internet. I didn't think I had enough writing experience yet to apply for a typical writing job, so I did the next best thing. I interned. I started out working once a week for an award winning PR firm and although the experience in terms of management was, to say the least, undesirable, I could not have asked for a better teaching ground. At the PR firm, I was taught to write celebrity and profile pieces, press releases and to write articles quickly while still keeping your audience interested.
It also helped me to network and I got my first freelance job that paid me $3.00 an article. Sounds small, but I was so excited having only lived in California for a few months. I was proud to see my name in print.
From there, I looked for other writing opportunities. For one, my church was starting a paper and needed a few writers. With just a little experience, I volunteered and in only a few months became co-editor for the paper. Even though at the beginning I wasn't making any money, I was able to work on perfecting my writing craft.
By then my experience as a writer grew to where I had enough articles in my portfolio to start looking for freelance work and get paid a fair amount.
And when freelancing wasn't creative enough for me, I decided to go back to school where I took English and creative writing classes and networked with other writers.
So when considering where to get experience as a writer, don't discount interning. Although it can be for little or no money, you can still gain valuable experience.
Much love,
SMB
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Is Collaborating With Other Writers Always A Good Idea
I've always been the independent type when it comes to working. I'm not sure if it's because I just like working alone or I have that "only child syndrome". I'm sure it's the latter.
When you go on interviews, most often the interviewer ask the question, "Are you a team player?" Of course my answer is always yes. After all, I do have to pay the bills. But in the back of my mind, I'm saying I'd rather work independently.
This brings me to writing. As a creative writer, I like writing by myself. I enjoy the solitude and the peace. Besides, I have so many other voices in my head, it often gets a little to crowded.
But awhile back I had the opportunity to collaborate with two other writers--Keta Brown and Camille Tucker on a short fiction film entitled SPIN. Having worked with their mother, Martha Tucker, author of "The Mayor's Wife Wore Sapphires" and co-editor with me for our church paper, New Dimension a publication of Faithful Central Bible Church http://www.faithfulcentral.com/ I was honored. Both had already established themselves as screenwriters in the Hollywood community.
I have to admit that it was challenging for a couple of reasons. One, not only do you have too respect each other's input, but two, you also have to respect each other's writing process.
My process was/is very different. I'm not a note taker. In most of my English courses in college I hardly ever took notes and I was never crazy about creating outlines, treatments and synopsis. I believe writing is more of a visual/mental process. However, I had to change this since I was not just dealing with my ideas, but two others.
Also we prayed before every meeting. Asking for peace, respect, harmony and God's will were very instrumental.
This collaboration became a great lesson for me. It helped me with patience which is a great asset when working on other people's projects or as a ghost writer. It also taught me that creating an outline or treatment can make you a better writer and help structure your idea into a great story.
Writing on my own individual projects is still my number one priority but working on SPIN has allowed me many open doors. So be open to work with others, but make sure they respect your input and your creativity.
For more about SPIN, please feel free to visit the website athttp://www.pneumaentertainment.com/
For more information on "The Mayor's Wife Wore Sapphires, please visit http://http://www.urbanclassicbooks.com/
Congratulations to Tamika Lamison, Director and Screenwriters, Camille Tucker, Keta Brown and Sheilah Brooks for SPIN-- winner's of The Global Art Film Festival Hollywood 2007 Awards http://http://www.gaffers.org/winners.html
When you go on interviews, most often the interviewer ask the question, "Are you a team player?" Of course my answer is always yes. After all, I do have to pay the bills. But in the back of my mind, I'm saying I'd rather work independently.
This brings me to writing. As a creative writer, I like writing by myself. I enjoy the solitude and the peace. Besides, I have so many other voices in my head, it often gets a little to crowded.
But awhile back I had the opportunity to collaborate with two other writers--Keta Brown and Camille Tucker on a short fiction film entitled SPIN. Having worked with their mother, Martha Tucker, author of "The Mayor's Wife Wore Sapphires" and co-editor with me for our church paper, New Dimension a publication of Faithful Central Bible Church http://www.faithfulcentral.com/ I was honored. Both had already established themselves as screenwriters in the Hollywood community.
I have to admit that it was challenging for a couple of reasons. One, not only do you have too respect each other's input, but two, you also have to respect each other's writing process.
My process was/is very different. I'm not a note taker. In most of my English courses in college I hardly ever took notes and I was never crazy about creating outlines, treatments and synopsis. I believe writing is more of a visual/mental process. However, I had to change this since I was not just dealing with my ideas, but two others.
Also we prayed before every meeting. Asking for peace, respect, harmony and God's will were very instrumental.
This collaboration became a great lesson for me. It helped me with patience which is a great asset when working on other people's projects or as a ghost writer. It also taught me that creating an outline or treatment can make you a better writer and help structure your idea into a great story.
Writing on my own individual projects is still my number one priority but working on SPIN has allowed me many open doors. So be open to work with others, but make sure they respect your input and your creativity.
For more about SPIN, please feel free to visit the website athttp://www.pneumaentertainment.com/
For more information on "The Mayor's Wife Wore Sapphires, please visit http://http://www.urbanclassicbooks.com/
Congratulations to Tamika Lamison, Director and Screenwriters, Camille Tucker, Keta Brown and Sheilah Brooks for SPIN-- winner's of The Global Art Film Festival Hollywood 2007 Awards http://http://www.gaffers.org/winners.html
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Screenwriters
A few years back, I sent out more than a few query letters hoping to see if I would get any nibbles on my first novel. After a few rejections, I received a positive letter from a reputable agent in NYC asking for a synopsis, then the first 3 chapters, and finally the whole book.
I was so happy about receiving a positive response, but went into panic mode when I realized that my book was not near completion. So I rushed the last 10 chapters for fear that they would move on to the next person and sent my manuscript out only to receive a letter a few short weeks later that stated my novel was not word count worthy.
This sent me into a head spin and I put the novel away for two years. I felt rejected, but most of all I feared that if I added to my novel, it would ruin the story. Although I continued to write short stories and scripts, I was afraid to touch my novel, but most of all afraid to send out any more queries or even consider entering any contests.
Now after two years I am again sending out my writings and working on lengthening my novel. A few months ago, I finished my first screenplay and decided to send it out to various contests. After a few months, I received a reject letter and realized that I had not even placed among the top 200. (ouch!)
As a freelance writer I've been published in several local magazines and papers in the Los Angeles area, but have yet had any of my creative writings published or accepted.
I say all this because I still refuse to give up. Unlike my 2 year shutdown, I got right back on the writing horse and started sending out stories once again.
As I think about what is different in me now, I have to give props to my increased faith and trust. Faith in believing in the unknown and trust that one day the seeds that I have sown will eventually come into fruition.
If you have a similar experience, be a Pen Pal and share your story.
Spiritually yours,
SMB
I was so happy about receiving a positive response, but went into panic mode when I realized that my book was not near completion. So I rushed the last 10 chapters for fear that they would move on to the next person and sent my manuscript out only to receive a letter a few short weeks later that stated my novel was not word count worthy.
This sent me into a head spin and I put the novel away for two years. I felt rejected, but most of all I feared that if I added to my novel, it would ruin the story. Although I continued to write short stories and scripts, I was afraid to touch my novel, but most of all afraid to send out any more queries or even consider entering any contests.
Now after two years I am again sending out my writings and working on lengthening my novel. A few months ago, I finished my first screenplay and decided to send it out to various contests. After a few months, I received a reject letter and realized that I had not even placed among the top 200. (ouch!)
As a freelance writer I've been published in several local magazines and papers in the Los Angeles area, but have yet had any of my creative writings published or accepted.
I say all this because I still refuse to give up. Unlike my 2 year shutdown, I got right back on the writing horse and started sending out stories once again.
As I think about what is different in me now, I have to give props to my increased faith and trust. Faith in believing in the unknown and trust that one day the seeds that I have sown will eventually come into fruition.
If you have a similar experience, be a Pen Pal and share your story.
Spiritually yours,
SMB
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