The Fabulist Flash

Issue 20
ISSN: 1554-0804

Rainbow Glass Art Cards (Package of 6)

In This Issue:

1. This Week
2. Writer's Bookshelf
3. Featured Article
4. A Writer Tidbit
5. About The Fabulist Flash

1. This Week

Welcome to Issue 20 of The Fabulist Flash. Forward it to all your writing friends.

My big news this week is that I received my signed contract back from Career Press. While any book contract is exciting, this one's my first, so it's cause for celebration.

This week has been another busy week of research and writing. Most of my gay-friendly cities have been chosen. I've become a huge fan of the convention and visitor's bureaus (CVB) around the country. Collectively, they're friendly and helpful. I guess it's their job to sell their respective cities, but it's that they do it with such a good attitude. If you're in need of detailed information on a physical location be sure to do a search for the city's CVB. They offer a wealth of information and they're happy to share. My email and snail mail boxes have been overflowing with data and pamphlets. Plus, I'm earning a degree in organization.

What's your favorite research website? Send me a link at Editor@FabulistFlash.com.

Be sure to pause your scrolling and check out the first advertisement (it's after The Writer's Bookshelf). This one is more of a recommendation than an ad for the online literary magazine The Rose and Thorn Literary E-zine. Give yourself a break from your writing day and check them out.

This week's feature article, Nailing Jell-o to a Wall, comes from novelist and freelancer Kathleen Fuller. Kathy offers some great advice on focusing your writing career.

Don't forget Valentines Day. There's still time to take advantage of the cards and gifts coupon. You can save $5 off your Art Card and Gift purchase at http://gifts.kompes.com by using this coupon: VDAY50. Hurry, this sale ends 2/3/05.

While it remains sunny and warm in my part of the world, I hope all you Midwest and Northeast folks have shoveled out and are keeping warm and safe. Reading by a fire is an activity I miss now that I don't have snow as an excuse not to leave the house.

Until next week,

Gregory
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Gregory A. Kompes is a freelance writer and photographer. Learn more about Gregory and his work at http://www.Kompes.com
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2. Writer's Bookshelf

Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why (Second Edition) by Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman

A review by Gregory A. Kompes

Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why (Second Edition) by Jeff Herman and Deborah Levine Herman is a great reference/how-to book for those who want to write an effective book proposal.

The book was recommended to me by a literary agent and after reading through it and using it as an example I can understand why. It's just an excellent book proposal reference.

The first part of the book goes through the steps and elements necessary for a book proposal. The descriptions are straight-forward, easy to read and follow, and the "formulas" are easy to copy. The second section, as the subtitle says, contains 10 full book proposals, along with margin notes that explain why different elements of the included proposals are good examples to follow.

This was the third book proposal writing guide that I read when I was working on my own first book proposal. I liked this one because of the margin notes and the element descriptions. It's just well put together and follows a logical (to me) format. Plus, I sold my first proposal to Career Press, so I guess the advice from the Herman's works.

Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why, 2nd Edition

For this title and others of inspiration to writers visit The Writer's Bookshelf.

ADVERTISEMENT
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3. Featured Article

Nailing Jell-o To A Wall

by Kathy Fuller

Recently a writer colleague of mine used a great phrase to describe her lack of focus. She was having trouble deciding which publications she should target and which career path she should take. "It's like nailing jell-o to a wall!" she exclaimed, frustration oozing from her words. And while trying to attach squiggly food to plaster board may sound like a fun activity for toddlers and naughty children, it's a nightmarish feeling for a freelance writer.

One thing writers can't complain about is a lack of markets. There are so many writing opportunities available--from books to magazines to websites to white papers, and more. Should I try to pitch an article idea to that start up fitness magazine? Should I write that Great American Novel I've always dreamed about? Should I try to get a job as a copywriter on an entertainment website?

More often than not our choices are dictated not by our creative interests, but our monetary ones. Even then options aren't pared down enough. If we set our mind to it, we can write about almost everything. So how can a baffled, befuddled, and bewildered writer navigate such a complex sea of writing opportunities? By doing two things--1) taking a career inventory and 2) getting organized.

Career Inventory

Spend a day or two figuring out how much money you need to live comfortably. Then calculate how much money you're willing to accept for assignments. Only you can determine those factors--well, you and your accountant. Once you've decided on the money, then look at your interests. Are you interested in business and technology? Then resolve to write only about those issues and pursue only those markets. Enjoy business and technology and entertainment? Again, focus your queries and articles on those three areas. This not only allows you to weed out irrelevant markets, but you'll also enjoy your writing assignments, as opposed to seeing them as necessary evils that have to be completed.

Getting Organized

If you're like me, this is easier said than done. There are a variety of articles in print and on the web on how to organize your office and your life, so I won't list them here. But I will give you a few general guidelines.

1) Track your queries and responses. This is extremely important. Always know what you've sent out and what has come back in. There's nothing worse than resubmitting a query three months after it's been rejected because you forgot you had submitted it in the first place.

2) Keep good accounting records. No one wants the IRS knocking at the door and everyone wants to pay their rent on time. By keeping track of who paid you, how much they paid, and how much you have to pay to stay clothed, fed, and sheltered, you won't have the added worry about your finances. Worrying about the next writing assignment is stressful enough.

3) Keep and update a database. Keep potential markets (along with their contact information) in a computer database, backed up on disk. Update periodically, as the publishing business is continually changing. Publications have various needs, and unfortunately, varying life spans as well.

These are just a few suggestions on how to maintain your focus as a freelance writer. One terrific thing about our chosen career is its flexibility, so take these ideas and adapt them to suit own style and needs. And although at times we may feel like we're nailing jell-o to the wall, remember you can always get back on track.

About the Author
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Kathleen Fuller writes both fiction and non-fiction. Her latest novel is SANTA FE SUNRISE.

4. A Writer Tidbit

Like most people I start my day with a few routines. Like many writers, my routines have developed into a sort of ritual.

Since I work at home my commute is short. I stop in the kitchen for a morning beverage (diet soda, not coffee), head to the office ten steps down the hall, and turn on the computer. While it boots up, I get comfortable in my chair. After my brief welcome screen, I head straight to the internet.

My first stop online is to check the weather. It doesn't change much here in the desert, but I guess this need goes back to my New York City days. Next, I log into my email. I delete, delete, delete the junk mail, scan the remaining list, and head on to my horoscope. I get two of these delivered daily. That's right, I don't really believe it, but it's fun, right? Once I "know" what the stars have in store for my day I click on my favorite daily email, "On This Day" from the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

"On This Day" is a no-cost, daily newsletter with about a half-dozen events (births, deaths, signings, and important world occurrences) that happened on this day at some point in recorded world history. A lot of these get saved and filed in my inspiration file. Whether writing fiction or nonfiction, having a world event or famous birthday to tie in adds a nice level of depth and connection.

If you want to check out "On This Day" and add it to your daily routine head to https://safe.britannica.com/subscribe/mailinglist.jsp

5. About the Fabulist Flash

ISSN: 1554-0804

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

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Email
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Gregory A. Kompes, editor
The Fabulist Flash
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