Welcome, newbies!

[absolutewrite]

Hi there. Come on in and introduce yourself!

I'm Jenna, the editor-in-chief of AbsoluteWrite.com. I'm the author of eight books, and I have a birthmark shaped like a sideways heart on my elbow.

And that's me in a nutshell.

[seagreen418]

Hello,
My name is SeaGreen. I, like the rest of you, am on the exciting quest of writing my first novel.
I have written lyrics for local gospel, r/b, and country artists, but I"ve always felt that I have so much more to say. The stories that I carry scream from inside me. They wan't to be told.
Through my hard work, lots of prayer, and sheer determination, I will accomplish my goals.
I stumbled onto this site by mistake, but it will now be a staple on my computer. I would love to meet and network with some of you guys, so all responses are welcomed and appreciated(and needed!)
good luck to all who have a dream for we are the ones who walk the fine, frustratingly happy line of reality and fiction!!

[batyler65]

Welcome SeaGreen!

Interesting background! I've tried song lyrics, but never seem to get them finished. Good luck in your writing!

Barb

[jobythebay]

Hi, well I only found you because I am one of the stories in Jenna's latest book. I love to write and have a "book" that if nothing else will be a legacy to my kids! I'm glad I found this forum, though, because I would like to submit some articles to magazines, etc. and get paid! jo

[gia052505]

Do you have any info to offer on submitting song lyrics?

The 2nd post is a good example of how a simple comma can change the whole direction of a sentence, huh?
(I like all of you...)

And why is Jenna in a nutshell?

It's sad how so easily distracted I get.

[batyler65]

Gia, you think too much!

:rollin
Barb

[McInnes]

Gia does not think too much!!!!

OMG...she has the natural question asking asking skills that all great writers possess!!! :b

Why is the sky blue?
Why is Jenna in a nutshell...

[absolutewrite]

Jenna climbs out of her nutshell and into some warm P.J.s...

There, I feel much less constricted now!

[writebrain]

Hi. I am new to this board (obviously).

I just happened across it looking for some information on Kaplan LP greeting cards. It looks like you are a nice bunch of people with a wealth of information and knowledge to share, so I thought I would join and introduce myself.

My name is Kim and I am an advertising copywriter by trade. I took some time off to have a baby and be a full-time mom. Now I am trying to start doing some freelance work. I want to do advertising work as well as use my mommy experience to write other things as well -- like essays or articles or something. I'm not completely sure. I would also like to try my hand at greeting card writing, since it is sort of along the lines of my copywriting experience.

I just bought the 2003 writer's market book, the guide selling freelance writing for magazines without selling out (or somthing like that) Jenna's book (the more than anyone needs to know... one) and the guide to writing greeting cards and such.

But enough about me. What do you think about me?

[eraser]

lol.

I think you're all right write. You've made a terrific start. Now all you have to do is memorize all the stuff in those fine tomes.

Oh yeah.....and THEN write brilliant stuff and sell it.

:)

You'll be fine. Welcome to the club.

[batyler65]

Oh, Jenna, I'm so glad to see you climb out of your shell! :lol

Thanks for adding this forum!
Any ideas for culling the board to create a FAQ thread? I'd be happy to help in my spare time. (It might take a while)

Barb

[eraser]

Great idea Barb!

And an even BETTER one that you are nominating yourself to do it!

<eraser seconds the motion>

[batyler65]

Eraser,
I thought it was only fair, since I asked Jenna to add this forum. Besides, I thought it might save both of us some wear and tear since we seem to field a lot of questions.

Psst, you're welcome to help. ;)

Barb

[DesertScribe]

howdie all,
I posted the following question to the Journalism section a while back and no one replied.... so here goes again...

Can anyone tell me the best way (ie most professional form) to send "clips" that are required?
And any tips on this anyone has would be appreciated.

thanks.

[batyler65]

Ah, here comes a FAQ now...

I'm going to post an answer here, and stick copy it to the newly created and under construction FAQ section.

When sending clips you can do one of two things:

Make a good quality photo copy of the item. On the clip make a note of the date and publication in which it appeared.
Just be sure that the copy is clea and easy to read.

OR

Send a tearsheet from the actual publication with the same note.

No special packaging is required (Unless noted in the writer's guidelines). Send two or three of your best, most relevant clips in the appropriate sized envelope with your query.

[SnowReyvin]

Hi. I'm Kristin, but I like the name Griffon. My friend gave it to me. I'm almost 16, and my one true passion is writing. I've attended a writer's workshop on a scholarship. I was one of the top twelve student writers in the state.
I like writing fantasy, nonfiction, historical fiction, a little mystery, comedy, my life stories, parodies, and many other genres.
I know I'm kind of young, but I'm hoping to meet some people who can help me out.
--Griffon

[eraser]

Welcome Kristin/Griffon. I knew I was going to be a writer at 15 too.

I'm 51 now, and I was right!

[peacockgirl]

Hi Griffin,

I too am a young writer, having just turned 16 less than two months ago. Better to start early I'd say. I just found this forum and thought i'd introduce myself.

My name's Amy, and I'm a junior in high school. I do all kinds of writing, but i prefer fantasy and light science fiction. I'm currently working on a contemporary fantasy/sci-fi novel, but school keeps me from devoting much time to it. I also work for the teen section of the local newspaper, and have had a few poems published in a small poetry magazine.

That's pretty much it for now. I also raise peafowl, hence my username.

Hope to get to know some of you in the future,

~Amy

[lovetowrite]

I am a writer too--not just another writer. A good writer. I have written a romance novel "The Perfect Cowboy" and am working at getting it published, made into a movie, and of course, starting a sequel. I have
also written (in progress--adding more to it) a non-fiction book "Words Worth Remembering"--a positive
thinking, inspirational, success-motivating book--and
am writing various articles to start a newsletter to help
publish it online (also learning html and web page design)
on my soon to be published web site. I also am planning another web site with horse training articles (went to
horse training school in my younger days) to help sell my novel. I would like to ask writebrain what it's like to be an
advertising copywriter.

[pencilsharpener]

Hi there! I'm writing from the boonies but its beautiful here. A great place to write from. I started writing a non-fiction book for Christian women about a year ago. My research, thanks in part to websites like this one, has encouraged me to prepare myself for the publishing industry by breaking in with magazine articles. I've come up with endless ideas but finish the ones that come from the heart. I haven't sold one yet but have queried a few Christian woman's mags.. I was excited to get a positive response to a query letter; can't wait to get a favorable response to an article! :D

Just wondering how a nobody from nowhere can get a book editor to look at her; no connections, no Christian writers groups here. Any ideas?

[mammamaia]

go googling!... there are lots of christian e-zines and print mags out there and they all have websites... just put 'christian magazines' or whatever in the google search window and then surf the results, sending queries to all that seem appropriate for your work...

serious writers use 'writers market' as their marketing bible and you can now subscribe to their online version, but i'd strongly recommend getting the print version also, as you can mark yr pages, make notes, etc... plus it's easier to refer to while online...

if you need help with yr writings or queries, you can contact me at:
maia3maia@hotmail.com

i mentor writers of all kinds all over the world, for free...

love and hugs, maia

[RachelBuck]

Hi, my name is Rachel Buck, and I'm a professional freelance writer. My husband and I quit our day jobs in October (he's a film composer) so that we could both freelance from home.

You'll find my clips and credentials at www.rachelbuck.com

I'm working on three e-books and trying to figure out how to market them and make money. I've been researching the whole e-book phenomena and have been both disappointed and impressed with what I've read.

I write non-fiction articles for Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, and other assorted magazines.

Stay in touch,
Rachel

[dang13]

Hi All,

My name is Dan, I live in Italy after 4 years in Korea. I have one book to my credit, a history book for kids, and another series of six on the way. I am trying to find a few different markets and feeling a bit overwhelmed right now with options and choices, not to mention trying to find time to actually write.

I like to write non-fiction travel stories and am trying to find markets for that. I am also looking for "outsider/foreigner" markets here in Italy, as well as translation jobs.

Just wanted to pop in and say hi. thanks and good luck to all!

[LeeB16]

Hello Jenna,
Just found the site. What are the titles of your books?
I write Westerns and have one published.
Best to you
Lee

[TryThrice]

Hi All,

I've read most of the articles on several writer's sites, studied Writer's Market, several writing books, and dissected back issues of potential magazines.

Gardening magazines, for example, cover the same topics every year. Often an article will trigger a need for more information, or an idea for a different slant on the same general topic.

So, where is the boundary between treading on the writer's toes and the generation of a new idea?

Thanks,

TryThrice: Attempting a career change to mag writing, following IT & software marketing career meltdown, meanwhile spouse pushes self toward a job, any job...

[eraser]

Hi TryThrice and welcome.

You asked:"So, where is the boundary between treading on the writer's toes and the generation of a new idea?"

I think that's the editor's call. If something is too close to what they, or a competitor has recently run, they won't buy your piece, or pitch. So the onus is on you to come up with a truly fresh slant.

[TryThrice]

Eraser-
Thanks for the insight. Here is another one, answer maybe for the FAQ forum:

What is a usual ratio of queries to rejections to acceptance, for beginners, and time - weeks, months?

Based on other sales prospecting, I'd guess 250:5:1, but swinging wildly in a vacuum on this, and no clue on elapsed time.

TryThrice (Typing madly to avoid the sucking of the corporate employment vortex)

[eraser]

Uh-oh, math makes me dizzy.

:)

But if I understand your question correctly, there are WAYYYYY too many variables involved to come up with any kind of formula or ratio. The most basic unknown variable probably is : How good are you? That doesn't just apply to writing ability either, but also to the ability to generate ideas, research markets, craft queries etc.

Another is dependent on what aspect of the writing game you want to succeed at. I think the easiest to sell are nonfiction pieces aimed at a particular niche market. This is where the old adage about "write what you know" proves its worth. I know about fishing and my easiest sales are fishing articles. But I also love writing humourous essays which is a tougher market to break into. So my ratio of submissions/sales is vastly different for my humour stuff.

It seems from your previous posts that you've been doing your homework which puts you ahead of a lot of newbies. Believe me, I can sure understand the desire to be able to plot x amount of submissions over y amount of time and = a substantial living. But I just don't believe it can be done. (Despite some of the commercial writing ads I've seen.)

However, I think you can increase your chances of success by focusing on an area where you have a significant amount of expertise via education/career/hobby/life experience. I believe, especially if you're just starting out, that the narrower your focus the better. Once you've got a few clips you can start to expand your field. Many writers succeed because they're good at researching. They may not have a particular expertise in a given area but are quick studies and can become "experts" in very little time. If you have that ability, it, combined with a proven track record in being able to deliver good copy on time, will eventually have editors calling you.

[RachelBuck]

I don't have a mathematical formula (although this would be an interesting study to do!) for acceptances for new writers or writers in general. The sales formula I was given as a telemarketer was 1-10. However, that's a different market.

I think if you know your market, know your subject, and can present fresh slants that you will increase the odds of your sales. Also, if you target smaller magazines that pay less, you may also increase your sales (i.e. if they get fewer total queries, you'll have more of a chance to get a hit).

In addition, if you "limit" yourself by thinking along statistical lines, you'll probably hold yourself back. (It's the old "the average writer only makes $7500 a year" type of mantra that lead me to quit writing a few years ago.)

There are some good query ideas in this thread. :) Is anyone going to jump on them?

Rachel
www.rachelbuck.com

[Tiggerlily73316]

Hello, My Name is Jess and I think i'm pretty young to be here, hehe. I'm 16 soon to be 17. I write a lot since I have nothing but time these days. I think my writing is decent...I just love writing.

I have to say I'm very happy to be here. Adios. :rollin

[leftywrites]

I've skulked around various ezboards over the years, but this is my first post here. I suppose I'm one of the lucky few who actually makes a good living doing nothing but writing and editing, but it doesn't always feel like fortune smiled upon me.

I consider myself a corporate propagandist. I basically pedal the philospohy and culture of a major corporation to its more than 100,000 employees. I know, I know, but somebody has to do it.

Anyway, to those of you aspiring to publish your own thoughts and ideas, I can only urge you to never surrender. I've had great success in the "writing on contract" aspect of the business, and marginal results in the freelance area, but like most of you, I'd much rather be publishing my own stuff than the drivel I usually get paid to produce.

I look forward to gaining insights, and maybe a little more motivation from y'all.

[cmsdw24]

Hello all,

I am new to writing but, have a few ideas that would make at least a good start. The only writing I have done has been for college classes.

I want to write a book on financial planning, since that is what I am (financial planner). This looks like a good place to start.

My biggest question is how to start. Do you just start writing, or is an outline appropriate?

Anyway, this site looks like a good place to start.

[Sunanda]

Hi all. Can anyone here suggest a few good poetry sites that don't scam? I've been writing for the past two years and I think its time I started giving my poems out somewhere to get published. It is amazing to see such a wide variety of people on one board, brought together by a common passion. All the best to all the writers here!

[simbarel]

I'm another Rachel. Six weeks ago I took $4000 out of my savings and quit my day job. I've never been paid for a published piece of work and will be broke in a month.

How do I become a registered user?

[lbasie]

Rachel, at the top of the Water Cooler's main page is a link stating "Register Your Free Account" (or something similar). Click on it to register.

Now, about quitting your day job:

First, I applaud your gusto and initiative. Way to follow your dream!

Second, reality is harsh. Have you thought about what type of writing are you interested in pursuing? Do you know the average turn-around time from project completion to paycheck for this particular market? Do you have a plan for meeting your personal and business expenses between now and then?

If, for instance, you are interested in writing for magazines and get an article accepted for publication tomorrow, it could be a couple of months or more before you get paid for it. What will you do in the meantime?

[absolutewrite]

Hi all! Welcome to everybody! I'm so glad to see many new "faces" around here, and lefty, congratulations on coming out of lurk mode. :)

Lee, I've written or edited 8 books. Here they are:

“Exploration of the Moon” (Mason Crest Publishing, spring, 2001)
“Native American Festivals and Ceremonies” (Mason Crest Publishing, spring, 2002)
“Taking Down Syndrome to School” (JayJo Books, spring, 2002)
“Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders” (Hunter House, fall, 2002)
“Internet Freebies” (Publications International, spring, 2003)
“Outwitting Writer's Block and Other Problems of the Pen” (Lyons Press, fall, 2003)
“The Secret of the Fairies” (Avalanche Publishing, 2003)
“Words You Thought You Knew” (Adams Media, fall, 2003)

I'm taking a break from books for now (it was an exhausting run!) and going back to focusing on magazine articles. I've found that writing short forms is more my style. I have trouble sustaining an entire book. Though I won't discount it completely... I never say "never" when it comes to writing! :)

Take care,
Jenna

[SandySampson]

Hi Jenna and everyone else,

Just discovered this forum. It's great to find an active writer's forum. I haven't had a chance to catch up on all your posts, but will read them as I find the time.

A little about me: I've been self-employed since 1996, writing mostly about technology and business topics, but I'm also working on a novel.

I look forward to meeting you all and exchanging ideas about writing and freelancing!

Best wishes,

Sandy

[pageI]

Hi! I am new as weel and would like to know a little about freelance writing! I am a liberal arts major right now at a small community college, but I would like to go on to grad school to teach. As you know there is no money in teaching so I want to explore other options.:hat

[ms dragonfly]

Hi, I'm new too...well, sort of. OK, I posted a few times last year but haven't had much time to spare lately. This is a great site. I enjoy reading all the posts and I'm looking forward to adding some too. :rollin

jb

[sunnie28]

Hi, everyone!
I'm Jenifer, and right now I am based out of Ceiba Puerto Rico.
I don't have anything published yet, and I haven't written anything in ages. Right now, I'm just trying to relearn the basics and kickstart the writing engine again.
I just got the nerve to start taking writing seriously, and have been looking all over for a good, active writers forum. Looks like I might have finally found it. Good luck to all, and.... ;)

Crossing myself nightly,
Jenifer

[cherbear370]

Hello,
I am new to this board and new to writing. I have always had a great love of reading, and have always thought I could or should write someday.
My name is Sheree and I am a stay at home mom with 5 children. The oldest is almost 15, and the youngest is 10 months.
I am trying to do historical fiction. I have what I think is a good story idea. My biggest problem so far is research.
I'm just not sure how to get started. I have done some online research. I went to the library but did not know what to look for. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Cherbear

[eraser]

Clarifying what it is you're looking for would help cherbear. Is it historical details? Geographical? Social conventions/speech from a certain time period?

Librarians are whizzes at research and often very willing to help. Did you ask one for assistance while there?

Try to narrow down what it is you're after and you might find more help here, or at your library.

Good luck.

[cherbear370]

Thank you. I will definitely ask at the library. And really I need all the background info I can get about life in the 1880's, here and in England. Any suggestions on where to look on-line would be appreciated. Thanks again.
cherbear

[auntymapuana]

Hi!
My name is Mapuana. I am a writer, or at least that is what people keep telling me. I am brand new, like 5 minutes new even, and am looking for friends and people to correspond with who know how to use a dictionary and who know what a thesarus is!:lol

I write a newsletter, but I won't post the web address here...totally not cool. That would sort of be like walking into your new neighbor's house and looking in their refrigerator! So, if I am asked I will oblige, but until then please check out my website. And while you are there sign my guestbook- it's getting dusty!

Hoping that you are all laughing about something right now!

Mapuana
The Original Demented Housewife8)
www.mapuanasworld.com/ (http://www.mapuanasworld.com/)
1 Chronicles 4:10

[DJChronos]

Hello all, my name is Richard Henlet and I am 15 (almost 16) years old. Like most people here I should think, i want to be a writer! It has always, ALWAYS, (always) interested me, and I love to write. I hope that this forum can be of help when necessary, so goodbye for now!


DJ Chronos

Note: DJ Chronos is my other hobby. I make techno music and hope to either be a music artist or a writer. I have almost 30 songs!

Ciao!

[Rodion]

Um....Richard HENLEY. LEY. Not Let.


Wow, I'm off to a good start eh?

[DJChronos]

Um.....HenLEY, not HenLET.


Anywho, off to a rocky start but oh well.

:D

[absolutewrite]

LOL Richard! Hey, I've been known to misspell my last name sometimes, too. ;) Welcome to the boards! And aunty, please feel free to share your newsletter's url. And you can peek into my refrigerator, too. About the most exciting thing you'll find there is a pickle. (Only one left... I have to go shopping...)

[Dave Kuzminski]

To all the newcomers and the regulars at Absolute Write, you're visiting a site where the moderators have both integrity and knowledge about publishing.

Cordially,
Dave Kuzminski, Editor
Preditors & Editors (tm)

[MThomas2003]

Hello all,

I've been lurking here all weekend and like what I see. I've posted twice already. Once to announce an e-zine, (Writers Wanted, Nonpaying markets), and once to talk about humorous fantasy. I am definitely not new at the game. Been writing about 18 years. :p However, I do enjoy learning new things/meeting new writers. Pleased to meet you all.

M. Thomas
www.found-things.com
Oneline Resource for Fantasy Writers, Author Info

[doyougrok]

I'll jump on that bandwagon. I've been lurking for a couple of days myself and am pleased with what I see.
I suppose I could introduce myself. (Perhaps that would make me less techno stalker-ish. Don't you just love the word lurk?)
My name is Greta and I am a writer. It's been six months since my last story. Oh no, wait. This isn't the 12 step group, Writers Anonymous, is it? Just kidding. I have no desire to be saved from my writing. I have every intention of finally giving into the urge for good. I've saved myself long enough. I am a writer of the most dreadful variety. The sort that has been fueled by passion for the art from the youngest of ages and then cast it aside, albeit reluctantly, upon tackling the more domestic tasks of raising children and earning a living. At some point, I suppose I bought into that misconception that any creative venture was 'not real work.' I know, I know. I see you shake your heads sadly. But I believe that I have rid myself of that diseased thinking now. It has only been recently that it has occurred to me that perhaps my dreams and my reality could collide rather nicely. So, here I am standing unabashedly in the sun that is hope, praying to the gods that I am not smited for my audacious undertaking. Thanks for 'listening'.
~Greta

P.S. All mispellings should be assumed to be the intention of the writer for one of the following reasons: as a matter of creative license to add affectations of depth to her writing, she has one toddler climbing all over her, another child begging her to make a sad attempt at playing some odd technical creation called 'Halo', another child who would like to play cards, and two cats begging to be fed...again, and of course in all likelihood she probably has simply not found the spell check feature that she relies upon so heavily.
:D
My money is on a comination of the last two!

[daveysmom]

Hi there.

I wouldn't call myself a writer, but I have a strong drive to write about certain topics. Early on I was the kind of kid whose writing stood out at school, but that was definitely dependent upon the small-pond factor. There are a few subjects which really motivate me, and I can produce some pretty informative, succinct summaries of the issues at hand for either friends or inquirers (I'm a leader of the local chapter of an organization, so I get questions via e-mail once in a while.) Writing to an unknown, potentially large audience throws me off, though, and I have no interest in writing "for myself." I've read something about the INFJ personality as a writer which described the way I am almost exactly.

I've been fantasizing about submitting articles on my pet subjects to sort of niche market publications, but I know my writing could use some help. I do have a small amount of paid copywriting and proofreading experience, but I suffer a lack of patience and self-confidence in organization and editing my own work. I wanted to enroll in one of the Gotham Writers' Workshop classes, but we don't have the money right now for such a gamble. The AbsoluteWrite courses are much more affordable for us, but I think I'll poke around the board for a while before making any decisions.

[white tiger paws]

Hi! My name is Rebecca

I am turning 20 this year and I have been writing poetry for 4 years now. I have also had one of my poems published recently. I have plenty of time to write because I finished high school in 2001.

I found this place through a newsletter I get emailed from voicesnet.com.

Well about it from me :b

-Rebecca

[armyjim]

Might as well add myself to the list here, since I am new also. I'm Jim (armyjim to my board friends), a 37 year old late-blooming student. I wrote as a kid, but it was drivel, so I went to the military for a while. Now, as an aspiring college student, I rediscovered my love for it and have made it my major. I have a long way to go, but I will get there.:p

[stormdrac]

I am new to this forum stuff but I have been writing since the age of ten or twelve. Hopefully I have improved since then though. I have not had anything published, I haven't ever even finished a story. I do have a book in my head that has been rattling around in there for about four years or so and I have begun formulating it into cohesive sentences. Now I have to put it on paper. If I can convince myself not to buy the latest book on how to write and just do it, that is...
Love the sight
mls

[mammamaia]

if you want/need some free help gettin' off that dime, all ya gotta do is ask... it might save you some book-buying/reading!

love and hugs, maia
maia3maia@hotmail.com (maia3maia@hotmail.com)

[Flawed Creation]

I'm 14, and new both to this forum and writing.

i'm partway through my first novel, a fnatasy novel about the way poeple reject the roles assigned to them by society, and the both good and bad consequences of that.

apart form that, i'm eager to get through my first novel and become a published author.

i'm slightly nervous; normally i'm very self-confident; the problem here is that even though I feel that i have a really original book idea, have talent as a writer, and can get this done, i know that many, many young writers feel this way; comparatively few actually complete a good novel.

time will tell.

apart form that, i want to be a lawyer, i play D&D a lot and don't go to school, and i speak japanese, latin, spanish, and mandarin chinese (not fluently, though i'm getting pretty good at japanese)

i've read some threads and i really like this forum.

I'm on the cusp between Scorpio and Libra, an INTP ( i suspect many writers are), and i'm writing this book because i just *have* to. I'm not sure i can or want to make my entire libing as a writer. ( I want to be a lawyer), but i simple must tell this story i have in my head.

[Chronocider]

Hey everyone, i'm Chronocider (no i'm not here to kill time :b ) and i'm really set on writing my own fictional fantasy book someday. This board looks like it'll help me in my goals, and i will try my best to share my ideas and opinions.

- Chrono