The Fabulist Flash

Number 2

Venice Taxis Postcards (Package of 8)

In This Issue:

1. This Week
2. The Writer's Bookshelf
3. Going On A Word Diet
4. Tip of the Week
5. About The Fabulist Flash

1. This Week

The workmen have finished our parking lot. It looks so nice, that rich, black asphalt and those neatly painted bright-white parking space lines. The outside rejuvenation has had a positive effect on me. I'm seeing the world as fresh again.

Unfortunately, my fresh outlook didn't help me overcome a fear I spent some time with this week. Here's the story:

I had an assignment to write a profile piece on an artist for Nevada Magazine. To write this profile I had to find a neon artist and conduct an interview. Sounds simple, right? Getting the interview was. A single phone call got me an appointment at a local neon sign company.

Sadly, every time I have to conduct an interview I'm overcome with fear. I don't really know where my fears come from. I've read several good books on conducting interviews and always over prepare. Every time I conduct an interview I end up having fun. By the time I'm done with my list of questions I feel like I've developed a good relationship with the person I'm interviewing. I feel this natural high come over me. And, finally, after the interview is completed and I'm back in my own space, a great sense of relief occurs in connection with the successful completion. I always think to myself "what was I so afraid of?" But, these thoughts don't alleviate my fear the next time I have an interview to conduct.

What is there to be afraid of anyway? I've spoken with several well-traveled writers about my problem. What did they have to say? Many of them, prolific writers all, said they feel the same thing, interview fear. The key is not letting that fear keep you from preparing and going after the interview. Those quotes will liven up your writing and give you a deeper understanding of your subject.

Here's something I've discovered. Knowledgeable people usually love to talk about themselves and their work. They're flattered that you're interested in them and they want you to succeed, because it will make them look good.

Does any of this help with the fear? No, it still comes before and during every interview. But, those interviews make for better articles that sell. My advice: acknowledge your fears, prepare your questions, and do your interviews. You'll be glad you did and so will your editor.



--------------------

Gregory A. Kompes is a freelance writer and photographer. Learn more about Gregory and his work at www.Kompes.com

Want to share how you write through your fears? Email it to Aha@FabulistFlash.com

2. The Writer's Bookshelf

Dictionaries

Good dictionaries are essential to any writer. The king of dictionaries is the OED (Oxford English Dictionary). Sadly, the OED is incredibly expensive both in hard copy and CD. But, if you love words, their meanings, and their origins there's no single source that's better than the OED.

There are some free online resources that I use all the time and my favorite is www.bartelby.com. Bartelby has a useful collection of dictionaries and other reference sources that are easily searched. Just type in one word and all the reference books can be searched by pressing the "go" button. You can also search individual reference books by selecting them from the list.

One of the significant things about Bartelby is that it not only looks up the word, but gives you context usage, too through the other searchable sources. This often leads me to further search and discovery. All of which adds depth to my writing.

Of course, having a good dictionary at your fingertips, with pages to turn, is important, too. I just upgraded to The New Oxford American Dictionary. It's huge, heavy, and wonderful.

My absolute favorite dictionary though is Barbara Ann Kipfer's Flip Dictionary. There isn't a single reference book that's used more frequently in my office. If you find yourself using the same word, look it up and find alternatives. Look up the alternatives and find more. It's like a thesaurus, but easier and in my opinion, better. Talk about fun with words. Your writing will flourish with help from the Flip Dictionary.

Click the Link below to find the recommended dictionaries and other great books for freelance writers.

Link: http://writersbookshelf.kompes.com

3. Going On A Word Diet

by Catherine Franz

There are three ways to write a first draft. One is to ink whatever surfaces, in whatever order without regard to grammar, spelling or staying on topic. After the free write, the points, and message extracted for notes or an outline. Time is its adversary and clarity chisels its way forward slowly.

Or start with a plan that minimally includes a purpose, description, chosen structure, word count, objective, points, message, and possibly a mind map or outline. Patience is its adversary and clarity the benefit.

Third, you hold the pen, connect with your higher power, and allow the recording session to begin. You become an aqueduct for a message, usually to humanity or yourself. Dr. Wayne Dwyer, on his PBS show with the same name of his latest book, says, "I connected with God and the book [Power of Intention] seemed to write itself. I didn't know what was going to appear nor did I do any planning." He continues to explain how a very lose but clear outline

visually formed right before each writing session. It became clearer while he created an outline. The water just gushed afterwards and he could hardly keep up. Control is its adversary and clarity and enlightenment forms after the writing.

We frequently read that writing requires organization, clarity, focus, and the discipline to write tight. Yet, seldom provided are methods on how to leave out the lard "before" the ink scratches the page--saving editing time.

Organization also contributes to lard remove. Some writers believe that organization stifles creativity while others take an opposite viewpoint. There is a compromise -- organization with a twinge of discipline. High

productivity, a requirement of freelancers, requires organization.

Here are four strategies on how you can eliminate excess words and increase productivity before they hit the page:

1. Build massive creative steam before starting to write -- see and taste the words before you begin. Robert Fritz, an expert and author on creativity, expands on this process with progressive clarity through each of his three books. Fritz explains how important it is to push the idea, generating creative tension, until the last part of the first stage of creativity. He continues to explain how important it is to carry this first energy through to the second stage, which doesn't carry its own energy. He also

discusses how each of the three stages requires a separate set of skills for writers. And why the two top reasons why writers lose interest or drop projects--lost creative tension and didn't have the skills for the second stage, becomes frustrating, and gives up.

2. Dr. Stephen Covey says, "Begin with the end in mind" when managing time. That same philosophy works just as well for writing projects. First, fully define the project, including purpose and goals, and your reader. "A 150-page personal development self-help book for coaches on..." is an example. Minimally include the word, page, and chapter counts, publishing plans, and description paragraph. Experts at the annual Maui writer's conference, highly recommend writing a 25-word description before you begin the project.

3. Choose a structure that matches your writing style and results desired. Just like articles has six basic writing structures, so does fiction, science fiction, how-to, and other genres. As a new writer, you might want to master one structure at a time.

4. Outline and match to word count desired. The actual way you outline does not matter. Be it a napkin or toilet paper, mind map or clustering, computer or crayon. An outline reduces lard and helps minimize tangents. Write your project description at the top of the page, then, sketch out the outline, keeping in mind the word count and the reader. Next, reduce the number of items or branches to match your defined result.

Getting the lard out of our writing before it indents a page is like getting the lead out to exercise. Both require conscious commitment and continuous dedication. Yet, just like the pounds, both will get lighter.

Catherine Franz is a writing coach. Additional articles and e-zines on writing, marketing and attraction can be found on her web site and blog: www.abundancecenter.com
blog: abundance.blogs.com


Article Source: EzineArticles.com/

4. Tip of the Week

Want to get more out of your interviews? Here's a paraphrased tip from Ken Metzler's "Creative Interviewing:"

Get the most out of your interviews by listening. Ask fewer questions, listen more intensely, and respond to what you hear.

5. About The Fabulist Flash

ISSN: 1554-0804

The Fabulist Flash is dedicated to helping freelance writers find resources and inspiration.

When you forward The Fabulist Flash to your friends please do so in its entirety.

If someone forwarded you this copy and you'd like to begin receiving The Fabulist Flash in your own inbox go to www.FabulistFlash.com to join the mailing list.

We’re open to ideas and suggestions for future issues. Let us know if there’s something you’d like to see or learn about, what you’ve enjoyed and would like to see more of, or just want us to know you think The Fabulist Flash is fabulous. Send your comments and ideas to editor@fabulistflash.com.

-------------------------------

Interested in being a guest columnist? Published Guest Columnists receive $25 for their 500-600 word article, plus a byline credit. Visit The Fabulist Flash Writer Guidelines for more information.

-------------------------------

The Fabulist Flash mailing list is maintained through Café Press. You're receiving this newsletter because you signed up for The Fabulist Flash through a click box. If you no longer wish to receive The Fabulist Flash see the instructions at the end of your newsletter for removing your name from our mailing list. You can also contact Café Press customer service at: 1515 Aurora Drive / San Leandro, CA 94577 1-877-809-1659

The Fabulist Flash NEVER lends, sells, or distributes its email subscriber list to anyone.

Contact The Fabulist Flash:

Email
Editor@FabulistFlash.com

Snail Mail
Gregory A. Kompes, editor
The Fabulist Flash
PO Box 570368
Las Vegas, NV 89157

Best Sellers
=================================================================
This Week's New York Times Best Sellers