Issue 74
June 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
What's Hot and What's Not!
Secret Writing Technique
The Pilot System: A New Breakthrough in Language Translation
Closing the Gap between Male and Female Writers
Writing Terminologies
Word Trippers
Off the Wall Dates in June
Book Review on Boys in the Trees
Competitions, Literary Agents, Writing Jobs
Trivia Quiz
Points to Ponder
Connect with our CEO
A Word Fitly Spoken
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SHORT STORY CONTEST RUNS JULY 15 TO SEPTEMBER 15, 2016
Special announcement with all the details arriving soon!
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What's Hot and What's Not
by Kevin Keeney, Columnist
The Hemingway Editor, also known as the Hemingway App, has been around for a few years and is used by millions worldwide. In the past, the Hemingway Editor was marketed as a distraction-free editor to help writers write and proofread their work.
The catch phrase for the new version of the Hemingway Editor, Version Number 2, is “designed to make your writing bold and clear.” The look and feel of Version 2 remains familiar to established users, but includes several new enhancements.
In the right margin of the editor is a dual button in a friendly blue hue where you can select “Write” or “Edit.”
In the “Write” mode, the background is white and the text black, with a default font size of 14.2, which shows up quite clean (and large!) on the screen. The formatting buttons above the text area, which are new to Version 2, are also blue. Select-able options via the formatting buttons are:
- Bold
- Italic
- Bulleted List
- Numbered List
- Outdent
- Indent
- Hyperlink
- Paragraph Style
- Header 1
- Header 2
- Header 3
To begin, select the “Write” option in the right margin, then type or paste text into the app. When done with the ”Write” mode, select the “Edit” mode in the right margin, which will activate the proofreading functionality. Use different colors to highlight the text.
- Yellow highlights – point out long, complex sentences and common errors This highlighted area is labeled “Sentences that are hard to read.” Options are not available so it's up to you to “fix” the sentence.
- Red highlights – one step up from the yellow highlighting. This area is labeled, “Sentences that are very hard to read.” Again, it is up to the you to “fix” the sentence.
- Purple highlights – show where a simpler word could be used. Hovering the mouse over this area shows hints for word replacement.
- Blue highlights – point out adverbs – the suggestion is to “get rid of them and pick verbs with force instead.”
- Green highlights – show areas of passive voice so you can edit and eliminate them.
In the “Edit” mode, there is a Word Counter for paragraphs, sentences, words, characters, and letters – and also gives the time it would take to read what you have written. In addition, it will analyze it and show a reading grade level.
Version 2 of the Hemingway Editor is available for Windows and Mac. Both versions will function without an Internet connection. This feature puts this app above many other "distraction-free" editors that require an Internet connection. You can also import and export Word documents from the app.
There are several issues, however. The import and export in Word format is not clean. You have to clean up the resulting file before editing or printing. Using this app as a proofreader for Word would be a better option than originating a document in Hemingway and exporting it to Word. Also, the spellchecker in Hemingway is quite useless. Right-clicking on a word underlined in red either has no result or the new word chosen is inserted into the misspelled word, rather than replacing it.
Given the fact that you do not have to be online to use the app, the Hemingway Editor is a good way to check your writing for issues and it is a good buy at $10, but it is not a standalone editor. Due to the limited functionality, we give the Hemingway Editor a score of five stars out of a possible
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Secret Writing Techniques
Polysyndeton
by Deborah Owen, CEO
Last week we talked about asyndeton – a method of listing items without using a conjunction for the purpose of showing more by saying less – and the week before was onomotoepia.
Today we will study polysyndeton, which is diametrically opposed to asyndeton. Polysyndeton is the repeated use of conjunctions for the purpose of intensifying the scene, building the excitement and indicating (like asyndeton) an endless and innumerable list.
Our thanks to Word Magic for Writers by Cindy Rogers for this example. This quote comes from Charlotte’s Web where a rat is telling Wilbur the pig, in no uncertain terms, what he expects.
“Struggle if you must,” said Templeton, “but kindly remember that I’m hiding down here in this crate and I don’t want to be stepped on, or kicked in the face, or pummeled, or crushed in any way, or squashed, or buffeted about, or bruised, or lacerated or scarred, or biffed.”
Do you think Templeton made himself clear? And how did he do that? He drove the point home by using the repetitious ‘or.’ You will find a lot of this in children’s books. If you will listen to children talk, they use a lot of polysndeton when they talk:
“Mommy, I want ice cream, and chocolate, and nuts, and whipped cream.”
Do you see how these examples build the scene by intensifying repetition? This is a simple technique, but don't discount its importance.
P.S. Did you notice this example uses antiquated language? Writing styles are always morphing and wise is the writer who morphs with them. Today's writer would have written "Templeton said" instead of "said Templeton."
Assignment:
Write three sentences using ASYNDETON and three more sentences using POLYSYNDETON. Send them to DeborahOwen@CWinst.com. Memorize these words and know what they mean. _______________________________________________________________
The Pilot System
A New Breakthrough in Language Translation
by Andrea Cronrod, Columnist
Have you ever wanted to visit a foreign country but had neither the time nor inclination to study the language? As a writer, imagine this: someday you may have the ability to think a story that will automatically write itself as you think it. We already have voice activation technology that will type it for you... but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
This is a true story regarding the first scenario. An English-speaking man met a French woman and wanted to be able to communicate with her and thus created a “user friendly” gadget called The Pilot System. The Pilot uses in-ear translation technology that allows two people to speak different languages, yet still clearly understand each other. So, how does it work?
The speech you hear using The Pilot system decodes the brain wave matrix. First generation models work only when conversing to someone who has the other earpiece included in the package. In future versions, one can listen and understand EVERYTHING happening in the immediate area, including on a phone. This handy gadget will hit the market in September and the introductory cost of this state-of-the-art device from Waverly Labs will be $129.00. After pre-orders shut off, the price will go up to $149, and then to $179. Final retail could be $249- $299. A translation app for basic translation should be available this summer, though the earpieces require a lot more testing, manufacturing and production time until final distribution, hopefully by the end of the year.
The full package includes the Pilot, a secondary earpiece, one portable charger, and an accompanying app for downloading the languages. Beginning dialects available this summer will be English, Spanish, French, Italian and Latin; however East Asian, Hindi, Semitic, Arabic, Slavic and African will surface later.
If you want to get in on the bandwagon at the introductory low rate, sign up at: http://indiegogo.com/projects/meet-the-pilot-smart-earpiece-language-translator/coming soon. To keep up-to-date on questions, see http://www.waverlylabs.com/2016/05/all-your-questions-soon-answered/.
Conclusion: The Pilot sounds like fun and it’s a huge leap for technology, but our thoughts will continue to originate in our brains rather than via a robot or computer. Still, learning to use new technology is a must. Just be sure you retain the skill of writing as a viable and useful method of communication.
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Closing the Gap between Male and Female Writers
by LeeAnn Jackson Rhoden, Publisher
LRhoden@pilcrowdagger.com
Women once used pseudonyms to compete in a male world. Mary Ann Evans wrote as George Eliot, Charlotte Brontë was Currer Bell and her sister Emily Brontë wrote as Elis Bell. Jane Austen flew in the face of propriety and wrote semi-anonymously as A Lady. Even in recent times, women such as J.K. Rowling, E.L. James and P.L. Travers used initials to be more gender neutral.
Whether fair or unfair, male writers found publication more easily than female writers. Perhaps more men were literate, or their writing was taken more seriously.
VIDA Women Literary Arts tracks published men and women. You can find their results for 2015 here on the disparity, which seems to be narrowing. Yes, there are publications with more male bylines than female, but on the flip side, some editors are publishing more women's works now. A glance at the most recent NY Times Best Seller List that combines eBooks and paper books shows more of a 50-50 split, so the gender gap seems to be closing. Overall, it is roughly balanced with a slight edge to the men.
When it comes to mainstream commercials, it seems the males have a majority. Catherine Nichols wrote an article in Jezebel entitled Homme de Plume: What I Learned Sending My Novel Out Under a Male Name, in which she chronicled her experiences of sending queries under both male and female names. Her experience seems to back up the claim that more agents (mostly female, ironically) accept more works by men.
The Guardian lists 85% of the 100 Greatest Novels of all Time as being written by male authors, but that was long before women were considered for publication. Male writers make up 51% of the most popular titles on FicShelf traditionally published works, but female writers write 67% of the most popular self-published works.
So, what can you do? You may want to use your initials or a pen name or self-publish.
*Pilcrow & Dagger is a literary magazine that publishes eight editions per year. They accept poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction, essays, travel blogs and even recipes from around the globe. Check out www.pilcrowdagger.com for submission guidelines and themes and use their blog as a resource forading and writing.
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Writing Terminologies
Michelle Malsbury, Editor
Acrostic: The first letter or word of each line or paragraph spells out a message. An example would be – “Never Eat Salty Walnuts = North East South West.”
Autobiography: A writer’s life story.
Blank Verse: A poetic verse without rhyme.
Byline: The author’s name on a published article.
Characterization: An author’s expression of a character’s personality and traits via dialogue, thoughts or commentary.
Couplet: Two consecutive lines of poetry rhyming in the same meter.
Dead Metaphor: An overused metaphor without punch.
Didactic: Literature informing or instructing.
Elegy: A mournful or reflective lyric commemorating the dead.
Epigram: A short and punchy poem poking fun.
Figures of Speech: Rhetorical language deviating from its literal meaning to portend additional meanings.
Guidelines: Instructions for submitting published work.
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Word Trippers
By Barbara McNichol
Anxious vs. eager
“Eager” means exciting or enthusiastic; “anxious” means full of anxiety or worry.
Examples: “I’m eager to hear the details of your trip.” “I have been anxious to learn about your travels ever since I heard about the airline strike.”
Lose vs. loose
The verb “lose” is the opposite of the verb “win.” “Do you win or lose when you gamble?”
The adjective “loose” means not fastened tightly while the verb “loose” means to free something.
Examples: “This loose blouse looks comfortable.” “Loose (or loosen) your tie and relax!”
Confusion occurs because the pronunciation differs from what’s expected: “lose” with one “o” is pronounced “looz,” whereas “loose” with two “o”s is pronounced “loos.”
Visit http://barbaramcnichol.com/products/ for more Word Trippers.
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Off-the-Wall Dates in June
by William Battis
CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Battis as they celebrate
their 70th wedding anniversary this month. We wish you
could bottle that kind of success and sell it!
God bless from the CWI Staff.
The merry month of May has just given way! Now it is June and we're preparing for brides and weddings, summer and no school! But I want to present some other dates in June to consider.
June 6th Yo-Yo Day The Yo-Yo may have originated in China as early as 1000 B.C., but Greece may have had them at an even earlier date. Over the years, the Yo-Yo's popularity had its ups and downs. Donald Duncan started manufacturing them in America about 1900. A Duncan Yo-Yo was the elite and most sought by children. Three Presidents used Yo-Yos in the White House: Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon.The world’s largest yo-yo weighs 256 pounds. Folklore says it belonged to Paul Bunyan.
June 13th Sewing Machine Day Prior to the invention of the sewing machine (France, in the 1830’s), all garments, etc., were sewn by hand, one stitch at a time. Now everything can be machine-sewn, right down to medical appliances to insert in our bodies. The old saying “A stitch in time saves nine” was born from the sewing machine.
June 17th World Juggler’s Day Juggling is the art of keeping multiple items in the air. Some people can juggle ten balls around their body at one time, while others juggle plates, knives, axes and even running chain saws. Have you ever seen a one-armed chainsaw juggler? I'll bet there are some out there. Some people juggle projects, schedules, and even girlfriends/boyfriends. Juggling is mostly entertainment and dates back to very early civilizations. You might celebrate World Juggler's Day by trying to juggle two or three balls.
June 18th Go Fishing Day No one knows who founded this day. So many people practice it that an entire industry helps support it. Fishing can be hard work. Imagine telling the family you're going out into all types of weather conditions just to bring food home. Your wife may think you're only fishing for fun, which could lead to a “de-bait.” If that happens, tell her it is a very ancient tradition that dates way back, before the days of Christ.
Ahh... June is a lovely month and it seems to slow down for our use. Let's just drift along until the cool Fall appears on the horizon. Happy day!
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Book Review on Boys in the Trees
A Memoir, by Carly Simon
Reviewed by Karen Johnson
Boys in the Trees, a 376-page memoir published in 2015 by Carly Simon, depicts love, understanding, and forgiveness, portrayed through the miraculous power of life.
Carly Simon, a daughter of the Simon & Shuster publishing giant and opera singing mother, grew up quite privileged. Born in 1945, her father, Richard, and mother, Andrea, raised three children in Greenwich Village. Famous visitors frequented the Simon household as music filled the air.
Two of the Simon Sisters, Carly and Lucy, formed a folk duo. The singing sisters worked at the Gaslight in Greenwich Village. It was the 60’s and they performed as warm-up acts for rising stars like Dick Cavett, Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers and Judy Collins.
By 1970, Carly and Lucy stopped singing together and Lucy pursued a career in nursing. They had produced a successful record, ‘Winkin’, Blinkin’ and Nod, when Carly went solo. Actually, she hoped to write songs for other musicians and thus avoid the limelight as she suffered from crippling stage fright. Nevertheless, she became an international name through her self-titled debut album, ‘Carly Simon.’ A short time later, she rose to No.1 on the billboard charts with her third album, ‘No Secrets’ and became a worldwide artist.
All the pieces came together when she met James Taylor and became his wife. When life turned upside down, Carly revisited her childhood to find answers. She examined her dysfunctional upbringing and searched her own heart through Boys in the Trees. Read the book to find out how Carly pieced her life together. Definitely worth the read!
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Contests, Agents, and Jobs
by Michelle K. Malsbury, Editor
Contests
- L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. L. Ron Hubbard wrote the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. His foundation is holding a Writers of the Future Contest with quarterly deadlines of January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Winners per quarter can win $1,000, $750, $500 and a grand prize of $5000. New and amateur writers submit short stories or novelettes of science fiction or fantasy. No entry fee required. For more information, visit http://www.writersofthefuture.com/enter-writer-contest/.
- Graywolf Press Non-fiction Prize. Graywolf selects “the most promising and innovative literary nonfiction project by a writer not yet established in the genre.” The winner receives a $12,000 advance and publication by Graywolf Press. Entrants must have had one prior work published in the U.S.A. Judges prefer entries that “push the boundaries of traditional nonfiction.” Entry for the prize is held every other year, and the January 1 submission deadline for 2016 has closed. To learn more, visit http://www.graywolfpress.org/graywolf-press-nonfiction-prize.
- The Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Non-fiction. Twice each year the Woods family invites submissions of nonfiction essays under 5,000 words on any topic. Winners get $250 and are published in Lunch Ticket, the literary and arts journal published by the MFA community at Antioch University in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit http://lunchticket.org/contests/the-diana-woods-memorial-award/.
- Prose’s $100 Challenge of the Week. Creative juices flow freely in this weekly contest. Prose offers a weekly prompt to submit while offering a $100 per week prize. To enter or learn more about this fun filled contest, visit http://theprose.com/challenge/2651.
Agents
A literary agent (often synonymous with "publishing agent") represents writers and their written works to publishers, theatrical producers, film producers and studios. They also assist in sales and deal negotiation. Try these:
- Poets & Writers is one of the most reliable resources for finding an agent online agreeable to your genre. Each person listed has a link so you can easily peruse their websites to learn submission requirements. Visit http://www.pw.org/toolsforwriters.
- Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) mirrors your genre to locate an agent or publisher. You can learn a lot of things by being part of an organization supporting the arts. Visit http://www.sfwa.org/real/.
- The Jeff Herman Agency makes searching for an agent easy. Ask them questions or merely submit your work and they do the rest. Their website offers a variety of resources to find a good match for most writers. Visit http://www.jeffherman.com/.
Jobs
- As mentioned above, you can join a variety of writing organizations to create relationships within your genre. These organizations are valuable sounding boards for their members with job boards to search and easily apply for writing jobs. The good news about writing as a career is you can do it from most any place.
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June Trivia Quiz
by Julie Canfield, Columnist
In this month’s quiz, we honor all fathers by paying tribute to famous father characters. Unlike mother characters, father figures are even more difficult to find but we found plenty on TV. Good luck and we hope all of our dads had a Happy Father’s Day !
Note to writers: why don’t more books use dads as main characters?
Match the father to the book, TV show, or movie they are featured in. See answers below.
Character Featured In
1. Father Brown ____________________
2. Father Tim ____________________
3. Mufasa _____________________
4. Frank Gilbreath _____________________
5. Geppetto _____________________
6. Maurice _____________________
7. Atticus Finch _____________________
8. Charles Ingalls _____________________
9. Ricky Ricardo _____________________
10. Ward Cleaver _____________________
11. Darth Vader _____________________
12. Howard Cunningham _____________________
Answers
1. G.K. Chesterton Series
2. Mitford Series
3. Lion King
4. Cheaper by The Dozen
5. Pinocchio
6. Beauty and the Beast
7. To Kill a Mockingbird
8. Little House Series
9. I Love Lucy
10. Leave it to Beaver
11. Star Wars
12. Happy Days
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Points to Ponder
by Julie Canfield, Columnist
Then go in and shut the door behind you and your children, and start pouring into all
these vessels; when each is full, set it aside. So she left him and shut the door
behind her and her children; they kept bringing vessels to her, and she kept
pouring. When the vessels were full she said to her son, “Bring me another
vessel.” But he said to her, “There are no more.” Then the oil stopped
flowing. II Kings 4:4-6 (NRSV)
There are times when a writer can’t hear a voice, write a single word, nor find an idea for a story or poem. You sit in front of a blank screen, praying the muse will deliver a nugget of inspiration. Then there are times when ideas course through your blood and with each heartbeat, you write a new word. Those creative moments keep you going back for more.
Your writing life is no different than your regular life. Each has ups and downs, ebbs and flows, lush valleys and bland deserts. In each, there are struggles and elation. It is the satisfying joy that keeps you going back to a blank page, an obstacle, an alone time with God.
If words and ideas flowed every time you sat down, you would never enjoy the gift you have been given. If your spiritual walk had no rocks to trip on, you may not look to God for help. If your physical life never suffered a crisis, you may not need relationships with others. The empty times with elusive creativity makes you appreciate your talent and the Father who gave it to you.
Keep believing. Keep writing, Christ will let the words flow when needed, like He did the oil for the widow.
Blessings, fellow writers!
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Connect with our CEO, Deborah Owen
Have a suggestion for the newsletter?
A question?
Comment?
Write to our CEO at DeborahOwen@CWinst.com. She'd like to hear from you! Connect with Deborah at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeborahOwen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.owen.31
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/deborahowen1/
Blog: https://DeborahOwen.wordpress.com/
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A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Proverbs 25:10
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