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This week: Edited by: darkin
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"The secret of good writing is to say an old thing in a new way or to say a new thing in an old way." -Richard Harding Davis
My name is Darkin and I'll be your guest host for this issue of For Authors.
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3 Tips for Making Your Editor a Happy Camper
Most writers write for one reason -- to get their stories and poems published. Editors read submissions for one reason -- to fill their magazines and book lines with writings. Sounds like a match made in heaven, doesn't it?
It would be if editors published every submission that crossed their desks. Sadly, this isn't the case. Editors have to be choosy in their acquisitions. They must select only the most entertaining and well written pieces for their publication.
Editors are always looking for original, creative stories and poems. But the thing that makes an editor smile more than incredible creativity is a submission that is free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. In other words, a piece written by someone who can write correctly.
Be that writer and your piece will move higher in the slush pile than anyone else's.
Spelling
Most word processors have spell check so use it. Running spell check on your first draft can catch the majority of spelling errors your piece will have. Now, that said, do not rely on spell check. It is great for catching true misspells, but it can't catch those misused words that sometimes occur during the writing process.
There/their/they're, here/hear, and to/too/two are examples of the words writers often misuse and still spell correctly. Spell check won't catch these, only a good edit will. Also, knowing how to use those words will go a long way to avoiding making a simple mistake. If you aren't sure, use the dictionary and look the word up. It's better to take the extra few moments to check than to have an editor use their red pen to tell you the words used wrong.
Grammar
Sentence structure is the meat and potatoes of a writer's creative work. Knowing how to put words together to form coherent sentence is required to get your story across to your reader. Most people learned grammar in school and use it throughout our education experience. If your skills are a bit rusty, consider taking a college course or purchasing a book on the subject. Your editor will thank you.
Punctuation
Yes, punctuation is necessary for any writer. Just as a sentence should start with a capital letter, it should end with a period, exclamation point, or question mark. Learn how to use commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, and quotation marks correctly. Don't forget the other punctuation marks. Knowing how to use them the right way will show your editor you are a professional writer.
Creating characters, plot, and setting is only half the writing battle. Using proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation is the other half. Put them together and your submission will rise higher in the editor's slush pile -- and closer to publication.
Thank you for taking the time to read. Happy Writing!
darkin
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Here are some items I've found while traveling the highways and byways of Writing.Com!
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Thank you for allowing me into your e-mail boxes for this week's issue. I had a wonderful time writing this issue and would love to hear what you think about it. Here is some feedback I received from my last newsletter.
darkin
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Submitted By: christi
Submitted Comment:
Thank you for your very relevant Newsletter. Your points were so true - it does depend totally on the individual as to what their needs are when writing. I am the owner/operator of a Cafe/Bookstore in Australia, and I have access to my WDC site both at work and at home. Both places are extremely noisy, and I'm often interrupted, but like they say "It's all I got". I find that regardless of all that I can still be totally immersed in what I'm doing in a very short time. Sometimes we just have to make the best of what we've got for the time being!
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Submitted By: StephBee - House Targaryen 
Submitted Comment:
Darkin, I loved your topic about your writing work space. I agree - it's so very important to have the write space. Two thumbs up!
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Submitted By: Molly Jean 
Submitted Comment:
This newsletter couldn't have come a better time. I'm getting ready to rearrange my office. We used to run our small business our of it but moved it to our new location. I have everything i need to make it to a writing room but just have to put the final touches on it. You gave me some wonderful ideas about what to consider and I believe I will get started on it now! Great Newsletter this week. Thanks so much!
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Submitted By: Dorianne 
Submitted Comment:
I did want to get a quick comment in before some event/activity came along. All of those suggestions are very 'right on' with regards to the writer and his space. I imagine that most writers are dedicated to the piece at hand. The only drawback is that if a young student is writing, most parents are advised to have the computer in the family room so that the work being done can be checked on. So unfortunately the younger author may be stuck with his/her computer in an area that may not be perfect for his/her best effort. That comes with time and trust. Otherwise thank you for the suggestions and the extra items that are definitely worth the time to look at and learn from.
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Submitted By: kiyasama
Submitted Comment:
Excellent tips, Darkin! I do about...*ticks off* only two of what you've mentioned on the list. I usually just begin writing if an idea hits me (anywhere at anytime and if I have something to write with - journals are a godsend!) Thanks for the informative and fun newsletter.
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Submitted By: heartofahawk
Submitted Comment:
Darkin,
Great topic this week. I personally love to write outdoors. My best writing has been done on a camping trip in a lounge chair with my laptop on my knees. Just gets my juices flowing.
Since I read "On Writing" by Stephen King and heard that he started in a kid's desk crammed between the washer and dryer in the laundry room, I realized the space outside your head is nowhere near as important as the space inside!
Hawk
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Submitted By: mawitty
Submitted Comment:
Ha! Had to laugh at myself when I read this. I was just talking to my fiancee about this last night. "We need a bigger house so that I can have my own writing studio," I said. He asked why I needed one, and I told him that he and the cats are just too distracting. He stares over my shoulder the whole time because he's "interested in what I'm doing," and the cats are always getting on top of the keyboard! Thanks for sharing this. Now I'm rethinking my space needs. Maybe I can just negotiate some "Don't bother me" time ...
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Submitted By: tailennion
Submitted Comment:
Thanks for the advice on writer workspace. Right now I just have a very creaky, spinning desk chair, and a folding tray-table big enough for my laptop and a couple pencils and a spoon or two. I've been thinking about making myself a better space, and now I know what things I need to consider!
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Submitted By: esprit
Submitted Comment:
Hi, Darkin. You gave some good tips in this newsletter, workspace is usually something we don't think about until it becomes a problem. 
Thanks for including my 'Lost Contest' article, I appreciate it very much.
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Submitted By: SHERRI GIBSON 
Submitted Comment:
Thank you for including my essay in your newsletter Darkin. Your newsletter is excellent. The "Workspace" you speak of are my havens. I relax with a cup of hot tea or latte, sit back and let my Muse take over once everything is quiet. What more could a writer ask for?
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Submitted By: Bernie Thomas
Submitted Comment:
I'm saving this newsletter in the event I actually achieve this "milestone." I'm told I'm a "very good writer," and since I've been doing it only three years, it's overwhelming to think of all the other "stuff" publishing entails. I just want to write and get rich (tongue in cheek). I figure if J.K. Rowlings can do it, someone in the next thousand years can too. It may as well be me.
Thanks for the insight, and the expectation of having to deal with the invisable.
Bernie
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For Authors: October 10, 2007 Issue [#1996]
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