Wow, you’re in for a treat today. Not only do I have an interview with Karina, but I also have a brand new trailer for this newest book of hers. So how about I start with the trailer. Enjoy, we’ll be back shortly.
Okay, we’re back. Welcome back Karina. I think we’ve kept our visitors waiting long enough so shall we proceed right into the interview?
GO: Karina, all good stories originate somewhere. How did this one get started?
KF: It really was a boy-meets-alien-girl/boy-turns-hero kind of story when I first wrote it, but that was too small an idea. When I looked at the manuscript a decade after I’d written it, I realized the main characters were wrong. No one suddenly gets psychic powers and goes on to have a normal, even cool, life. So I thought hard about what it would really be like to be telekinetic–and to have no filters. It was harrowing! That’s why the story became a trilogy. In Mind Over Mind, Deryl’s got to find his way back to sanity and some semblance of normality before he can even think of finding the alien girl, much less becoming a hero.
GO: You write about fantasy with unusual characters, has this ever caused you to have nightmares and if so what was your most frightening nightmare?
KF: I don’t usually dream about my characters or my books, that I remember, anyway. My nightmares are more mundane–arguing with my father, failing at something, or the car-is-out-of-control kind of dreams. (Incidentally, the worst that ever happens in the car dreams is that I get scared. No one ever gets hurt. I take that as a sign that God’s watching over me, and my subconscious knows it, too.)
I do have weird, storylike dreams at times. This week, I had a dream about a land-based race of people at war with the sea people. (I was on the land side.) The land people had a potion, but I was telling them not to use it. Even as I was talking, someone poured two drops into the sea, and it contaminated the entire sea, killing the sea people and everything else in it. I was so mad. I told the person she just hurt (and potentially killed) the land people in that area because she’d poisoned all the fish they would eat, too. I woke up as we were doing damage control.
GO: What do you enjoy the most, and the least about writing as a profession?
KF: The most, playing with ideas and characters. And I end up learning the most esoteric stuff, like how to move in zero gravity, the legend of Coyote who turned himself into a grandmother so he could dance with the girls, how exterminators in California get their licenses–stuff I’d never dream of looking up except I needed it for a story.
The worst is marketing. I don’t mind doing it, and even enjoy it sometimes–like doing book tours–but there’s not concrete way to measure my success, so I often feel like I’m shooting in the dark, and I really prefer to know what I do has an effect.
GO: What drives your stories?
KF: The characters, definitely. I love living out different lives, and having them take me along on their adventures.
GO: Can you share your next project with us?
KF: My next novel coming is Live and Let Fly, the long-awaited second book in the DragonEye, PI universe. Vern is a dragon working as a private detective in our world. Sister Grace, a Church mage, is his partner. In Live and Let Fly, they uncover a plot to create a second portal into the Faerie universe, this one specifically to bring the worst beings of Norse mythology into our world and usher in Armageddon. It comes out April 2012 from MuseItUp.
Writing-wise, I’m finishing the second in the Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator series, I Left My Brains in San Francisco. It’s 30 years in the future, and zombies are an international pest, not unlike rats. Neeta and her partner, Ted go to a zombie exterminators convention in San Francisco. It’s supposed to be a working vacation–until rabid environmentalist zombies come crawling out of the ocean. Some vacation!
GO: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a writer?
KF: You know, everyone asks that. Really, the best advice is write–don’t make excuses, don’t get intimidated. Write, then figure out what to do with the story later. The first draft of Mind Over Mind (then a single novel called The Miscria) was so shallow and trite, I laugh to think I ever thought it would get published. The result of much work later is an awesome trilogy I’m thrilled to see in print.
GO: What is your definition of success?
KF: Fulfilling your worth as a human being. For me, that means raising my children to be responsible adults, supporting my husband in his career, keeping a good home, and writing books that give people a few hours of escapist fun and/or help them in some way.
GO: How do you describe your style of writing?
KF: Ecclectic: I’ve written everything from comedic horror (Neeta Lyffe) to gripping fantasy (Mind Over Mind) to spiritual devotionals (Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life).
Bizarre: zombie extermination? Dragons as noir-style private eyes? Nuns in space? I love to put new twists on old ideas.
Spiritual: I believe faith is part of the human experience, so I don’t shy away from religion in my stories. I don’t preach, but if a character needs to pray or to define his morals as coming from God, I’m not stopping them from expressing that, either.
GO: What is your favorite self-marketing idea?
KF: Glad you said “favorite” and not most effective. My favorite is to make book trailer videos. I love playing with ideas and the combination of music and pictures.
GO: What is your writer life philosophy?
KF: Write what you love; love what you write. Don’t make excuses to not write.
Thanks for joining us today Karina, before we go can you tell my readers where they can purchase Mind Over Mind?
KF: My book is available at Amazon and Kindle. You can also order it from your favorite bookstores by giving the ISBN: 978-1897942369.
Well, thanks for joining us here today. Can’t wait till the next one is out next year. Come back and visit us then too.
Norma Jean’s Sun
Kris Courtney
Charleston, SC
Harvard Girl Word Services
First edition
2009
287 pages
$19.95
ISBN: 05780205099 or 978-0578020594
“It took every ounce of medical training and experience for
the doctor to summon the courage [to tell the parents] the
circumstances demanded.”
Norma had what anyone could call a normal birthing, but it
was far from being normal. She was frustrated that she
couldn’t see her child. Why? What was wrong with him? Why
wouldn’t they show him to her? It seems that the doctor required
time to contemplate the best way to relate all the medical issues
the infant presented with, not an easy thing for the doctor to do,
sometimes. In addition, he had to consider the parents, how
would they respond to what he tells them.
The doctor presented the following picture of the infant – “a
fetal congenital disfigurement of all external limbs and members
associated,” no extension or tendon in knee and ankle, no toes,
ninety degree inward curved foot, shifted organs, and would
need multiple corrective surgeries. How would you as a new
parent respond to news like this? I would probably have fallen
apart. Not Norma Jean, though, she put all her heart into caring
for her son.
A roller coaster life of surgeries, moves, his dad leaving and a
new dad coming into the picture, yet with all that, after all that
he’s gone through Kris emerged sane and even with a sense of
humor. After all what young lad who had to deal with what Kris
dealt with would set out to sell shoes? To Kris it was excitement
of an additional opportunity. To be able to find the positive in
all things is a virtue and one that Kris bears well.
Kris Courtney is a true artist who paints his world in words. He
wrote this book as a tribute to the grandmother and the mother he
loved. His picture is one of hardship and suffering that would make
many cringe, but amazingly Kris looks on the bright side of life and
the positive side in all things.
I’m honored to have met Kris through his book, and to have the
opportunity to review it. By purchasing his book you will not only
make him happy, but you’ll also be supporting research for
Parkinson’s Disease and Colon Cancer, the illnesses that killed his
grandmother and mother, as a percentage of the sales profit is going
toward these causes.
This week we have with us here at Gloria’s Corner
the author of Norma Jean’s Sun, Kris Courtney. I want
to welcome him here for his visit with us.
Today I will post an interview with Kris and tomorrow,
or at the latest by weeks end, I will post a book
review of his book Norma Jean’s Sun.
Kris, I’m so glad you could stop by my blog and visit.
GO: Kris, given your history of medical issues what motivated
you to become a writer?
KC: I have always known that the content of my life was
a path that I would document. I just never knew when or
what length. As the years continued, I found that my
health and the fast pace of each day gave me a sense
of limit. I wanted to complete this goal before I was not
physically able or mentally aware. Unlike Forrest, my
braces never fell off.
GO: What is your writing process?
KC: I wrote my first page when I was 13 or 14 years old.
I carried this package of paper with me through the
journey and every now and then would add more. By the
time of 2000 I had approximately 50 pages of random
accounts. I spent the next 4 to 5 years researching and
attempting to find my medical records, Doctors and what
Family history was left. Then in 2007 I consulted with a
University on what method to use. A page a day.
Since I am self supporting with limited to no funds, I self
published the artistic and un-edited release in April 2009
simply to inquire if the story had merit. Although critics
were loud about the grammar, I received strong reviews that
led me to work out an arrangement and hire Heidi Connolly at
www.harvardgirledits.com and release the Final Editors Edition
on December 15th, 2009. Her effort was exactly what the story
demanded and the content required.
GO: After so many medical challenges and overcoming them, with
your book and as a writer you face the challenge of marketing the
book for sales. What is your favorite self-marketing idea?
KC: I am apt to answer this question as a beginner. Although I
have a website host and pages that reflect my true passion of
artistic expression, my only real option is to use Blog, Facebook,
Twitter and other online media channels. A limited amount of
funds prevent my global reach at a Mass Media level to date. I’m
looking to change that very soon.
GO: What business challenges have you faced as a writer?
KC: Financial investment, without question. The expense to
research, study and prepare a polished presentable copy has been
an experience that I am grateful to have endured. The finished work
is my life, the greatest asset I will ever own. In addition, my ability
is limited by both location and knowledge. An agent would easily
offer a solution to much of this but I am yet to be in agreement with
a plan that protects my intent and future.
GO: When you’re not writing what do you do for fun?
KC: I am an Artist in both spirit and passion. The value of that
art is left to the viewer but my desire is that they are able to
pause long enough to enjoy the view. As recently as September
2010 my work has been featured on International Exhibit sites like
Coldplay, ArtofDay and Play Me I’m Yours. Although my body and
mobility is challenged, my mind is not. Although some may question
that as well, I think a little bit of eccentric attitude has been a
characteristic of mine from long ago. It is also a skill perhaps that
seems to serve me well. I heard a long time ago that “A sane man
will question his own sanity often”.
GO: What are your writing achievements and goals?
KC: I achieved my goal of being able to complete the book. When
the first sale and 4 star reviews became public without prompt or
solicitation, I had found wholeness in that effort. As for a Goal, I
would like to reach the thousands and perhaps millions of those
who suffer and survive similar to myself. It is a life of challenge
that many will say is self imposed. I agree that some is by choice,
right or wrong. But the content goes much deeper into areas our
Society has attempted to ignore. Incest, Addiction, Birth Defects
and Disabilities are real issues in my life and the history of what
takes place in American families throughout every day. Our media
wants to show only the heart tugging child and emotional reaction
to the early years of life. Then 75 years later, we look at the
Golden Years as a place of worship and despair. But in the years
between, we have scores of people who are either a victim of
imposed upon conditions or survive on a plane of life few dare to
look. I invite the conversation to engage with that part of our
lives and people who are not asking for a hand-out but simply
to be recognized for the parallel beauty. My life and family
history is testimony to the wreckage associated with that existence.
GO: Can you share some advice for new writers?
KC: Just Do It! Those words have served many well over the years
and so it was with me too. When I researched how, I was told to
simply start typing. I attempted to gain help with that effort for
obvious reasons but everyone wanted too much money upfront. I
am literally the true definition of a one finger typist. Once I started,
then the flow or order of days, weeks and years began to cloud.
That’s OK, you can arrange later. I was so hung up I think for
years on how to construct the story and in the end, Heidi was able
to polish the final release into a solid flow of information. There is
a lot of content simply because my life and history is full of events
and experiences. Be as detailed as possible, you can cut out areas
later. My original manuscript was 40 pages longer than this edition.
GO: Can you tell us anything about your next project?
KC: I have no immediate plans to write again but my curiosity is
peaked. Today, I have been blessed to enjoy the energy of
creating art, primarily original oil paintings. In that effort, I am
content and no longer seek to escape or hide from what others
would judge me to be. I am at peace with who I am and more
importantly, who I am not…
GO: Kris, if my readers wish to purchase your book, where
would they go? Do you have a Web site where they can learn
more or a blog they can follow?
KC: Absolutely, Norma Jean’s Sun is available on Amazon, Barnes
& Noble, Borders, LuLu, Google and you can order through you
local bookstore as well. I also am available for Limited Book Club
signings and private Author Parties and you can find all that
including my Portfolio of Artistic Expression at:
www.KrisCourtney.com Be sure to also Follow on Twitter & Facebook
www.twitter.com/normajeansun ~ www.twitter.com/kriscourtney
www.facebook.com/krisallencourtney
GO: Thanks Kris for joining me today, but before you go is there
anything else you’d like to share with my readers?
KC: I want to say thank you Gloria for this honor and I appreciate
your time as well. Your review and kindness in reading a difficult
and perhaps emotionally challenged book is welcomed. My life is
yet to be fully defined I feel and the content of what struggles
have carried me to this position is but a small part of who I am.
The benevolent gesture of a gentle spoken kind word and the
lasting effects of a harsh snap all have played a part in my life.
Today I am now alone and reflect many times on the question
of Why? Perhaps a better question would be why not? I pray
that the message my book offers to your readers is one of
triumph and finding comfort with yourself.
As I mentioned recently, “I fall down every week, but I get
up every Day!”
GO: Well, thanks Kris for sharing the information with my
readers. Remember the upcoming book review will be posted
shortly. Stay tuned. If you have any questions for Kris or
myself, please post them in the comments.
Today we have with us an author who has been here before, but this time Karina Fabian has her dad, Deacon Steven Lumbert join her. Glad you could join us here today and share a bit about your joint authorship of your book, Why G-d Matters. We will hear thoughts from both Karina and Steven in today’s interview.
GO: Karina to start us off here, tell us a bit about your book and how you came to write a book with your dad?
KF: Why God Matters tells of several experiences from my father’s and my lives that showed us God’s loving hand and that strengthened our faith. Along with the stories of those experiences (think Chicken Soup style), we offer some short lessons on increasing your own faith, plus quotes from Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
I was asked to write this book by Tribute Books to fill a hole in their production line. They already knew exactly what they wanted–right to the format. It was actually pretty easy, but I felt intimidated about the assignment because I felt I could only offer an overly feminine perspective, and the book really needed a balance. Then in church, it hit me–I have a deacon father! I called him up and invited him to collaborate and it was the best thing I could have done–for the book and for me.
GO: When two writers co-author a book there is a chance that their writing styles would clash. Deacon Lumbert, when Karina asked you to co-author this book were you concerned about the style issue? How did you work this out so that the finished product was consistent in style?
SL: I didn’t even consider that issue. As this is my first time writing a book, I was excited to work with Karina. She is an accomplished and published author. I had confidence in her. We agreed on a process for reviewing the writing, but I can tell you she is a tough critic.
GO: Karina, I believe this was the first time you’ve co-written a book with your dad. What were the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer during this experience?
KF: Actually, this was the first time I’ve co-written a book, period. I actually think it went easier because it was with my dad. I have to admit, though, I was a little nervous. I know my dad–he’s a dear, smart and funny, but he’s a TALKER, and it comes out in his writing. I know there’d be some serious editing and I wanted to be sure that I not only didn’t wreck his style, but that I didn’t get into arguments.
As it turned out, the biggest surprise was the best. I’d give a critique (one that would make a lot of writers cry, frankly) and Dad would come back with this work that was so improved! Then we’d tweak until they sang. Looking back, I think a lot of his stories are better done than mine, and I’m the one with 20 + year’s experience. I am so proud of my Daddy!
Other great surprises were personal–learning the full story of the Lumbert Trouble Boys. Realizing just how much we meant to each other in our faith journeys as well as our life journeys. God blessed us with the chance to write this book.
GO: Steven, have you written a book prior to this one? I know you’ve written many sermons, which are a different kind of writing, I’d think. What are your thoughts about the experience?
SL: This was the first time ever. As you mention, I have written many homilies/sermons, and many, many reports in my previous work. However, the style used in writing a book is totally different and I had to get used to it. With the experience, I think I will now be writing more effective homilies/sermons as I now realize a more effective way of writing.
GO: Karina, your book is slanted toward a specific religion, but lots of things you write about can be re-slanted towards other ones. E.g. I’m Jewish and also believe in G-d, but in a different way perhaps than you, your father or other religions do. Would you tell us how you could promote this type of book to a wider audience? What would it take?
KF: It’s true, this book is written for a Catholic audience. In fact, we decided to include quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church after Dad used a few as his introductory quotes and we realized how well the Catechism addresses all aspects of living–not just the religious side.
However, the experiences we share transcend religion: learning about generosity from your parents; seeing God’s hand in saving your life; understanding your relationship with God. I think those who are not put off by reading Catholic quotes can find inspiration they can apply to their own relationship with God. Consider it this way: could you read a story about a Buddhist that included quotes from Buddha without feeling threatened? Could you gain something from the experience?
I must admit, though, I’m comfortable focusing on the Catholic audience. My fiction is a different story–and a different interview.
GO: Steven, as an author, how do you want readers to view your book?
SL: As this book is about how God is always present with us, I hope and pray that the readers will begin to see how God is there, how He calls always to holiness of life, even in the everyday happenings.
GO: Karina, all good stories originate somewhere. How did this one get started?
KF: These stories started with a Navy man who fell in love with a Catholic woman while stationed in Puerto Rico. His father made him wait until he was 21 to get married, so June 24, 1966, two days after his birthday, Steven Lumbert married Socorro Vicenty. I was born April 19, 1967, and my sister, April 12, 1968. He and Mom raised us to love God and to love others, and by far, their example was the greatest teacher.
Our stories are examples from our lives. We hope they will teach as well.
GO: Steven, have you and Karina considered writing another book together? If so, is anything planned within the next few years? What would it be about?
SL: I have thought about it, but before any decisions are made, I think Karina and I both agree we need to see how this one goes.
KF: The manuscript wasn’t even finished and Dad was asking, “What shall we do next?” LOL. Right now, I have a backlog of obligations in the fiction realm. We’re going to revisit this question next year.
GO: Karina, has your relationship become better or worse having worked on this book with your dad? Would you recommend this to other writers?
KF: Oh, I can’t recommend one way or the other–it would totally depend on the father-daughter relationship. I’m not sure even we could have had such an easy time if we’d tried this ten years ago.
However, I do feel closer to Dad, and frankly, that was one of my ulterior motives behind asking him to collaborate. With my family moving around the country and Dad and Mom so busy with church, many of our phone calls devolve into reciting our To-Do lists! This gave Dad and me a focus for sharing more about ourselves.
We do recommend that families take time to share their faith stories. In fact, we suggest this at the end of the book. Further, we have a page on our website, www.whygodmatters.com, for folks to write in about little experiences that have enhanced their faith.
GO: Steven, what advice would you give to a writer considering teaming up with a parent to co-write a book?
SL: First thing to do is make sure that your relationship to each other is strong enough to withstand criticism, especially when the child is criticizing the parent. I think that if the relationship is strong enough to withstand that, then pursue it further.
Working with my daughter on this book has been a most enlightening experience. Even though I am the parent here, and supposed to “know it all,” I found that our relationship as father/daughter has become more profound as we both wrote of our experiences of God.
GO: Before we wrap up today, do either you or your dad have anything else to add? Can you tell my readers how they can purchase this book and where they can learn more about you online?
KF/SL: Why God Matters has the Catholic Writers’ Guild Seal of Approval, which testifies to its Catholicity. We hope to see it in Catholic book stores–so if you frequent a Christian or Catholic book store, please ask them about ordering it–and maybe getting some copies to share with their other customers.
You can get more information, see the book video and share your stories at www.whygodmatters.com. There’s also a link there for purchasing the book.
GO: Well thank you both for stopping by today. Hope you’ll be back soon
KF/SL: Thanks, Gloria! We really appreciate your hosting us.
Please leave any comments you wish or questions for Karina or Deacon Steven Lumbert.
If you have a nonfiction book just published, or due out soon and would like to be interviewed, post a comment.
Which nonfiction author(s) would you like to see interviewed here? Leave a comment.
I thought it would be interesting to share a bit
about the history of printing in North America
since most of my readers are both writers and
readers.
Printing began in 1676 in Boston by John Foster.
The first press in Philadelphia was set by William
Bradford whose first work issued was an almanac
in 1685. Bradford moved to New York and begun
printing there in 1693.
Among the early books published in America, a few
still retain readers’ interest because of their
attractive strangeness.
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston on January,
17,1706, and died in Philadelphia, on April 17, 1790.
He begun his apprenticeship as a printer in 1778,
and worked as a journey-man in Philadelphia in 1724.
He was a master printer in 1729. As an editor and a
publisher he made himself notable.
In 1732, Franklin issued the first issues of “Poor
Richards Almanac”, which was published every year,
for twenty-five years. “Poor Richard” made Franklin
famous. He was aware that in many homes this
almanac was the only book. He filled the space
between the important days in the calendar with
proverbs, showing industry and frugality as the
means of obtaining wealth and thus according to
Franklin’s belief securing virtue; he thought that the
way entertain people was to help them to be good.
The first printers had small wooden presses. Their
power was slight and they printed one page at a time.
The screw was of wood, and worked by a “bar,” much
the same as a modern napkin press. The chief thing was
to obtain an even surface on the “bed” upon which the
page of type rested; and an even surface for the “platen,”
which was lowered as the bar turned the screw, and thus
pressed the paper on the typeface. The evenness, as well
as the color, in many old books, shows that this was
accomplished with great success.
The first journal appeared in America on September 25,
1690, in Boston under the name of Public Occurrences.
The Boston News-Letter was started in 1704. The Boston
Gazette appeared on December 21, 1719, and The American
Weekly Mercury of Philadelphia a day later. The Pennsylvania
Gazette of Philadelphia was started in 1728 by Samuel Keimer,
but less than a year later was bought by Benjamin Franklin.
In 1821 it became The Saturday Evening Post; under this title
it is still issued, and is the oldest existing journal in America.
Writers who write for publication should know how
to proofread, so that he may be able to do this
work quickly and accurately. After all, you don’t
want to submit copy that is loaded with typos,
and other errors, do you?
Errors are most readily detected if a card is used
to cover all lines except the one that is being
corrected. The card is moved down from line to
line as each is read and corrected. By having only
one line in sight and by examining every word,
the writer or proofreader can more readily
catch any errors.
Always proofread the copy word by word. It’s easy
to miss errors when reading groups of words.
Headlines are the short lines of text that catches
our eyes and makes us want to read an article,
press release, etc. But how does one go about
creating effective headlines? In this short
introduction to headlines I’ll try to show you.
Functions of Headlines
Headlines developed from mere labels indicating
the kind of reading material in the article below
them, to bulletins giving the substance of the
articles to which they are attached. Headlines
present in large type the important facts of the
story which it precedes.
Headlines serve a double purpose:
(1) they enable rapid reading of the news
outlined in the head
(2) they advertise the news to attract the
reader.
Headlines Promote Rapid Reading
Headlines fulfill an important role in contemporary
American life. Busy men or women can get world
news updates by reading only the headlines.
Headlines act as advertisements for articles. Like
all good advertisements headlines should create
interest. By arousing the reader’s curiosity,
skillfully written headlines attract reader attention.
This influences them to read the story.
Headlines should present newsy facts in a clear
and concise manner. The statements should also
be concrete and specific. Because of space
limitations, headlines should include the maximum
number of important facts as possible.
Action in Headlines
Headlines should express the action related in the
article. Consider the following three points as
essential elements of headlines:
(1) Life and vividness of expression create interest.
(2) Freshness and originality of phrasing enhance
clarity.
(3) Short, crisp, and specific words that can be
grasped quickly, generally make the best headlines.
Headlines Should Be Based Lead Sentences
Since all important facts are given in the lead, the
headline should be based largely, if not entirely, on
the lead. The headline should prepare the reader
for what is to follow.
To create concise headlines the articles “a”, “an”,
and “the” are omitted. Helping verbs that aren’t
absolutely necessary are also omitted.
To create freshness and vividness to the headline,
the present tense verbs are usually used even
though the action might have taken place in the
past; for example, “Palin Speaks in Cleveland.”
Future action is expressed by the infinitive or by
the regular future form with “will”; for example,
“Palin to Speak in Cleveland,” or “Palin Will Speak
in Cleveland.”
In general, only common abbreviations, like “Dr.,”
“Prof.,” “Mrs.,” “Mr.,” “St.,” “Co.,” are used in
headlines. However, others that are convenient
and clear can be used. In Washington state, for
example, “UW”, pronounced as “u-dub”, used as
an abbreviation for “University of Washington,” is
common.
Short words are preferred, because in rapid
reading they’re easier to grasp than long ones.
This led to either the coining of new words or
the application of new functions to old ones.
For example, “investigation” became “probe” and
“to investigate” became “to quiz”. Other such
changes can be seen in the following:
criticize —-> hit
censure —-> rap
rebuke —-> score
arrest —-> nab
marry —-> wed
However, when it comes to slang, the best and
safest course is to avoid it.
Punctuation in headlines and sub-headlines
should follow the accepted rules. When
punctuation marks aren’t necessary for clarity,
they should be omitted.
That’s a bit of food for thought, isn’t it? What
difficulties have you experience when having to
come up with a headline?
The reading and editing of copy consists of any or
all of the following five tasks:
(1) Correcting all errors in word usage or in facts.
(2) Ensuring the story conforms to the “style” used by
the publication or publisher.
(3) Improving the story when needed.
(4) Catching and eliminating libelous matter.
(5) Writing or improving headlines and subheads, where
called for.
Good copy editors must be able to quickly catch and
correct errors of all kinds. Clean copy should be free
of spelling, grammar, and high-sounding language
errors. Though important, the correction of such
errors, however, is not the most important part of the
editors work. Editors must be able to spot and correct
errors of fact. Editors must be familiar with proper
names appearing in the news, such as names of
prominent persona and places the world over, the titles
of well-known books, plays, pictures, and musical
compositions, the names of railroads and important
corporations, and special trade-mark names.
Editors must accurately judge value of the written work.
If the real point of the story has been buried by the writer,
editors must give it the prominence that it deserves. The
ineffective lead must be rewritten, removing needless
details, and often rearranging parts of the story so that it
flows better making it easier for the reader to follow.
To improve the style, editors must carefully consider
paragraphs and sentence construction, and choice of
words and figures. Each paragraph should be given an
effective eye-catching lead. Sentences must tie in well
with paragraphs. Editors must transform into firm,
coherent statements. In short, the editor’s task is
constructive weak, rambling sentences as well as critical;
it is as important for him to rewrite and rearrange as to
cut out and boil down.
Some Common Errors
In reading copy rapidly editors should be on the lookout
for certain kinds of common errors in spelling, grammar,
and punctuation. The editor’s quick eye will catch the
frequently misspelled words without difficulty, but
uncommon proper names are more likely to cause trouble,
and in cases of doubt, books of reference should be
consulted. To prevent errors in grammar from slipping into
a story, the editor should note:
(1) the agreement of the verb with the subject, especially
when separated by words or phrases;
(2) the relation of pronouns to their preceding nouns;
(3) the position of participles in relation to the words they
modify;
(4) the use of coordinate conjunctions to connect elements
of the same kind;
(5) the position of correlative conjunctions with relation to
the elements that they connect.
Common errors in punctuation are:
(1) using a comma instead of a semicolon to separate
independent, grammatically unconnected statements;
(2) omitting apostrophes in the possessive case and in
contractions;
(3) omitting a period after abbreviations;
(4) using double instead of single quotation marks;
(5) failing to put quotation marks at the beginning of
each paragraph of a continuous quotation and at the
end of only the last paragraph.
Here are some suggestions for making it easier for all
who are involved in the process.
(1) Read every word of copy carefully.
(2) Make all corrections you can spot before
submitting your writing to an editor.
(3) Cut out all needless words and phrases. I
guarantee you that as much as you
clean out, the editor will find even more.
(4) Don’t think that your own way of expressing an
idea is the only good way. There’s always more than
one way and some are better than others. Consider
suggestions carefully as you make your decision.
(5) Make sure that all quoted matter is properly
enclosed in “quotes” and that each new speaker
begins a new line.
(6) Make sure you use single ” quotes” on
quotations within quotations.
(7) Verify names, initials, addresses, dates, and
facts generally. You know what you
want to say so help the editor out by doing some
fact checking prior to submission.
(8) Put a magnifying glass to your work as you look
for libelous matter, especially in
nonfiction writing.
Now you’ve heard enough. Get back to your writing but
don’t forget to come back. Next time I’ll be writing about
headlines.
I’d like to introduce you to an author who is also in
my critique group (and no, I had not critiqued this
project). Welcome, Mary, glad you could join me here
today. I’ve posted a book review of your book below,
but I thought it would be fun to also have my readers
get to know you a bit more. So let’s get going.
GO: Mary, why don’t you start by telling us a bit about
your book, and what inspired you to write such a story?
MJN: My book is titled Mom’s Story; A Child Learns About
MS. It tells the story of a young girl who sees her mother
with some frightening health problems and learns she has
MS but she will not die from it.
Amy fears the worst, which is common when one is
confronted by the unknown. Information is the key to
allaying much of her fear along with understanding from
adults, friends and an older sibling.
I wrote this story because I saw my children experience
many of the same fears as Amy before I was diagnosed.
During my various MS meetings, whether in self-help
groups or MS Society chapter meetings, I heard countless
moms and dads expressing concern for their children. Such
questions as “What can I tell my daughter?” or “Is there
something I can get for my child to read? I couldn’t find
anything for a 9 year old at the library on MS.” This book is
written to address these types of questions.
GO: How long did it take for you to write the book, from
start to final edit?
MJN: From start to finish, it took almost exactly 2 years.
In addition to the writing, I had the manuscript read by
several psychologists and a neurologist specializing in MS.
So, in effect, it was peer-reviewed.
GO: What book made you want to be a writer? What was
it in the book that called out to you?
MJN: I don’t think it was any particular book that made me
be a writer. I got into it via “the back door,” so to speak. I
majored in English in undergraduate then went to library
school. Even that wasn’t enough to make me want to write.
My first position was as a special librarian with the National
Water Quality Laboratory. The scientists were writing and I
filled the shoes of “authors’ editor.” I edited their manuscripts
before they sent them to the scientific journal publishers.
Later in my career, I began to write magazine articles for the
public in science.
My decision to write science for the public for children began
after I attended an Outdoor Writers Conference in Lake
Charles, LA. I attended a session led by Kathleen Kudlinski, a
well known children’s author. She provided much information
and encouragement. She inspired me. It was enough for me
to join Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
(SCBWI) and I was off and running!
GO: What was the first book you’ve ever read?
MJN: The first book read from cover to cover was The Boxcar
Children. I didn’t know it was a series at the time. This was
the early 1950’s, I found it in the school library and that was
the only one there.
GO: Yes, I remember reading that one,too. Great book. Mary,
where can readers learn more about you and your work?
MJN: My website contains pages that tell about me, my
background and lists of all of the articles I have written.
The website is:
www.marynickum.com.
GO: What were the best and worst bits of writing advice
you’ve ever been given? What advice would you give
newbie writers?
MJN: The best advice I’ve received so far is, “Write what
you know.” So I started with multiple sclerosis. I know
about that, I’ve had it for 30 years and I’ve read
extensively and attended many, many meetings on the
subject. I know lots of other stuff too, so I’m working on
those now. I enjoy writing picture books about animals.
I may have received some bad advice along the way, but,
frankly, I don’t remember it.
For newbies, I would, first of all, repeat “Write what you
know.” Everybody knows something better than just about
anybody else. No one has had exactly the same experiences
you’ve had. For instance, I’ve been in the desert for almost
three years, I’ve never seen a rattlesnake in the wild. You
may have watched a tarantula climb over a stone, I haven’t.
Next, join a critique group. Even if you can’t find one in your
town or you live far from a larger town. There are several
available online. Don’t be afraid of criticism. Criticism at the
early stages can be your best friend. Criticism coming from a
publisher, if they’ll take the time to give you any, will feel
harsher and be more embarrassing.
That said; don’t be afraid to submit to a publisher. But, most
importantly, do your homework. The book, Children’s Writers &
Illustrator’ Market comes out every year. Get the newest one.
It is important to know which publishers are accepting new
submissions and how they want to receive them. Every publisher
is different.
A final word, you won’t get published if you don’t submit!
GO: How true that last statement is. And I’d like to add that
there is nothing one can truly call impossible. Look at the
letters in that word. What do you see? What? You don’t see it.
Let me tell you, if we split the word into the prefix and word we
get im + possible. Now, you tell me what’s missing.
Yes, that’s right, the apostrophe is missing. So let’s see, we now
have I’m possible. Wow, I feel like I can do it and all of you can
too. BUT if you don’t submit, you will be back at impossible. I’ll
stick with I’m possible.
Thank you Mary for sharing a bit more about you and your book
this morning.
Have a great weekend.
