Inspiring quote
EzineArticles.com sent out a list of quotes to tweet. I rather liked this one:
“When’s the best time to write? ‘Write” now!’ If you wait for inspiration to write you’re not a writer, you’re a waiter.” – Dan Poynter
Cryptomnesia? Read about it in the September TypeRider!
Could you be guilty of cryptomnesia? You’d be in famous company – George Harrison and Helen Keller. Brenda Warneka explains just what it is and how to avoid being accused of it in the September, 2013 TypeRider. This is another information-packed newsletter edited by Lynda Exley.
Read about the success of the first Rim District’s writers’ retreat and see photos. Pam Stevenson has a report on the national convention. Patricia Myers writes about her annual working vacations in Paris. Lucky woman! There are also resources by Loretta Hall shared from the national convention. You won’t want to miss it!
Rim Country Writer’s Retreat a success!
Sixteen overnight APW members, spouses, and and including four non-member writers, plus three others who came during the day, attended the writer’s retreat at the Merritt Center just north of Payson, under the Mogollon Rim.
Tucked away in tall ponderosa pines, the secluded mountain lodge provided time to relax, a choice of activities and good food. A number of activities such as creating a vision board, journaling, taking creative photos, and writing exercises were offered. Many did their own thing. Hammocks invited relaxation, nearby woods begged to be explored. Several walked the native stone labyrinth. One spouse painted, another explored nearby attractions.
Betty Merritt, owner and founder, gave us a history of the lodge and shared her mission of helping veterans. We also gathered at mealtimes and got to know each other better. The food was delicious with plenty of snacks in between.
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Saturday night we were fortunate to have entertainment. Gail Hearne gave a presentation on Leo the MGM Lion when he spent unexpected time in the wilderness in Rim Country. After that Kathleen Kelly & Jim West entertained us in the patio with a variety of music.
Sunday morning Betty Merritt led those who wanted to go on a short hike up to a sacred Native American site and invited us to participate in a ceremony.
After the hike and breakfast, some participated in writing exercises.
We wrapped up with a delicious lunch and group photo. Pam Stevenson presented Betty with a copy of Skirting Traditions, signed by the authors who were there. It was a relaxing but refreshing experience. Everyone came away with something valuable.
Photos by Carol Osman Brown, Bill Stevenson, Jaimie Bruzenak, Barbara Lacy and Gail Hearne.
August 2013 TypeRider
This is another packed issue of TypeRider. Click on the link to read: August_2013_APW_NEWSLETTER
Inside, read all about the upcoming NFPW Conference to be held Aug. 21 through 24 at the Marriott City Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The tentative agenda of speakers is listed – it’s quite a line up. Brenda Warenka gives us the lowdown on the Apple conspiracy to fix eBook prices in her “Writing and the Law” column. Brenda also tells us more about APW member Arlene Sadev Uslander, a very prolific writer. You won’t want to miss all the writing events coming up. There is a smorgasbord to choose from. And see what members Patricia Myers and Jaimie Hall Bruzenak have been up to.
The deadline for the September issue is August 21. Send submissions, photos and art to Lynda Exley at exlent@aol.com.
Have tools will travel – AP Stylebook on your smartphone
AP Stylebook available in print, for computers and smartphones
If you are on the go and need to look up something in the AP Stylebook, here are three options to save you time:
- AP Stylebook 2012 for iOS (iPhone & iPad) $24.99.
- AP Stylebook Mobile for Blackberry 2012. $19.00
- Online subscription for website or optimized for mobile site on your smartphone. $26
If you have any questions, go to theAP Stylebook Facebook page. If the answer isn’t there, you can post a question and someone will get back to you.
Test your knowledge
At the SeeKnows Living page Sarah Brooks lists 17 phrases that people frequently misuse. Do you misuse them in your writing? I did not know the correct phrasing for two of the 17. Yikes!
Test your knowledge by going to this page. Leave a comment on the number you got correct. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
100 Words Every Expert Author Should Know
As I looked at this list of words in this EzineArticles.com blog post, I was taken aback. I doubt I have used a fraction of the words on this list in my writing, words like amalgamate, obfuscate, ostentatious or supercilious. The audience I typically write for could not relate. I’d lose them. As a former junior high school teacher, we were conscious of the grade level of the writing of texts and articles we gave to our students. For general audiences, the reading level is pretty low, even for high school graduates. My readers would not get beyond paragraph one.
Take a look at this list. Do you use many of these words in your writing? This blog got a lot of comments. So many, in fact, that it spurred a part 2, explaining that they did not mean you should use all of these in your writing. You do need to know your audience, but knowledge of these words and their meaning could improve your writing. See Part II here.
Any comments? Do you have to “dumb down” your writing? From teaching, I think I have dumb-downed my vocabulary overall! Jaimie
Reminder – deadline for writers’ retreat coming up
The time to take advantage of discounted registration fees for the writers’ retreat up in the cool pines of Payson will end on June 26. Join us on July 27 and 28 in a 
lovely setting. Kick start your creativity, write, paint, hike or relax. The $95 fee is a real steal; it includes a room plus four meals, water and snacks. The retreat is sponsored by the Rim Country District. Read the recent blog entry for more information.
Should you give away your eBook free?
Dan Janal, author of Internet Marketing Confidential, writes about a marketing strategy some authors use , that of giving your eBook away for free. This should generate enough interest that Amazon puts your eBook on the “Hot New FREE Books” list so even more people find out about it. Janal explains this strategy and why it is NOT a good idea in “What They “Forgot” to Tell You about “Give Away Your eBook Free.”
His first point is:
1. You’ve blown all your initial launch goodwill not making money. You’ve given the book away to people who hear you speak and to your true fans on your ezine and blog. Those people are the MOST likely buyers because they know, like and trust you.
He goes on in the article to give additional reasons, but bottom line, this strategy is probably not in your best interest.
A little about Dan Janal: He is considered one of the founding fathers of internet marketing. He has written more than 6 books that have been translated into over 6 languages and has spoken all over the world about internet marketing. His website, prleads.com, can help authors get more interviews and more publicity for their books or eBooks.
APW Writers’ Retreat near Payson- July 27-28
Arizona Professional Writers 