E D I T O R  N O T E S

        B L O G G I N G    F O R    W R I T E R S

This fellow makes money as a blogging journalist. His tale is very instructive and worth taking up some of the advice. Note that he has a day job as a visiting professor but still there is a persistent feeling that writers will be able to set up one- person publishing shops. It's worth the adrenaline if nothing else.

Within the past month I've been approached by two long-time subscribers to Sunoasis X, published writers, looking to create web sites and/or blogs to start promoting themselves. It makes sense to read the following sites and get a clear-cut idea of what this blogging thing is about.

A writer teaches how to set up a blog.
An introduction to reading and writing a weblog by Anton Zuiker. Well-made and attractive site on why and how to do blogs.
Amy Gahran describes seven different formats for blogs.
Wayne Hulbert contends blogging improves his writing.
If you are a teacher of writing here is an outline to get students involved in it.
The Art of Great Blog Writing sets out a list of criteria that can be helpful to conceptualize a blog.
ProBlogger is one of the best resources out there on how to become a great blogger.

>>>>>>>T h e   B l o g   O f   O r w e l l>>>>>>>>>>

George Orwell once described the pamphlet this way: "(It) is a one-man show. One has complete freedom of expression, including, if one chooses, the freedom to be scurrilous, abusive and seditious; or, on the other hand, to be more detailed, serious and 'highbrow' than is ever possible in a newspaper or in most kinds of periodicals ...

"Above all, the pamphlet does not have to follow any prescribed pattern. It can be in prose or in verse, it can consist largely of maps or statistics or quotations, it can take the form of a story, a fable, a letter, an essay, a dialogue or a piece of 'reportage'.

"All that is required of it is that it shall be topical, polemical and short."

Ok, we accept that as an excellent delimiter for the art. It is what you make it to be. Thank you George Orwell and thanks to Chris Locke who alerted me to this quote in an article I read recently.

Bloggers should re-read this part, "the pamphlet does not have to follow any prescribed pattern." As in most art it will the ones who step out of the box and execute their talent at the highest level who will make the models for the future.

Speaking of Orwell, the author of the above article says that writers have an obligation to counter-act the power of image that has swept the modern world into a massive propaganda mill. ""So long as we are able to consume information through words, are able to re-read, check exact quotation, pore over figures and statistics and carefully chosen descriptions then we, the public, will still have some purchase or grip, and therefore power."

I like TypePad for blogging. For a nominal monthly fee you can get as many blogs as possible up and running.

You want a nice, spiffy looking blog and learn the rudiments of keeping the thing going. Have a plan of action, make sure you get an entry up every few days, ask for links from people who are doing something similar. Read many blogs and the "how-to" links above.

>>>>>>A   F e w    S p l e n d i d    R e s o u r c e s<<<<<<<

Debbie's Blog: A blog managed by Debbie Well that contains great ideas and links to many other resources,
PR Opinions: A blog of thoughts and opinions on the public relations industry hosted by Tom Murphy.
InfOpinions: A blog about public relations and technology.
Blogging Pro: A collection of links to blogging resources.
Blog Business World: Blogs in business, marketing, PR, and search engine optimization,
CyberJournalist.net has the most comprehensive freelance and journalist blogs around.

>>>>>>S o m e   T h i n g s   T o   T h i n k   A b o u t>>>>>>>

It's relatively easy to get traffic but difficult to keep a steady audience around. Transience defines the Net as much as anything. In Taoist terms, "who is your reader today will not be your reader tomorrow; who is not your reader today, tomorrow will be your reader."

Professional editors are needed online as much as writers. One thing that distinguishes print from digital is the presence of good editors. They do a good deal of filtering that saves people time. And one advantage that print has is that it is "mature" and a typical reader can find what they want. The net is still a hairy beast roaming wild in the forest trying to find a way out. It stands to reason then that good writers take on the role of editors until the system gets mature.

One thing I've discovered on this thing: If one or two different audiences passes through your web presence without a sound, the third one will make thunder.

Everyone gets the feeling they are behind on the beast. You're not. Just keep rolling the ball up the hill. It will escape from you several times and roll to the bottom. Go down as quickly as you can and start rolling it up again.

You don't know what you'll run into. As I mentioned on The Digital Writer, I was threatened by nasty corporate lawyers in my third year and have run into some awful characters online. The majority of people are good and decent and supportive. Get bold and stay open to learning new things.

There are many bad blogs. But, there are very resourceful ones since the people doing them have taken the responsibility to help edit this beast. The problem I see is that there is too much standardization, not enough real creativity and it replicates the odd experience of hearing the Ambassador of Uruguay explain why the world is messed up on TV, with Millie from Kansas explaining why her kids are messed up. Or, an endless summation of blog conferences. And nasty political types who have never fought for their freedom or, even, thought about why they have the thoughts they have.

So, is blogging for you? If you are a writer and have some notes or writing idea or can write at a drop of a hat, then start one. Dig in your heels. Don't expect the Earth to move on your behalf but slowly and surely align your blog to others and to interests that would attract people involved in the same area of expertise. Blogs have shaken the journalism world to the root; they will shake the publishing world to the root because they are an attempt on the part of talent to be front and center. It is talented and intelligent minds getting outside the big boxes and kicking tail. I can hear Jefferson and Adams and Franklin, among others, whooping with delight. This is the way it was supposed to be and the world will be forever different.

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R E S O U R C E N O T E S
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The Blog Herald--News about blogging. Often links to information or to-dos that any blogger would need to know.
Radiant Marketing Group--Expertise on how blogs can be used by businesses.
Is it ethical for bloggers to accept paid vacations in a country in exchange for some ads and good publicity? It certainly defines those bloggers as PR types rather than journalists.
If print media and broadcasters don't produce news coverage a blogger can match, "they have no right to survive," writes Jack Shafer.

Writing Resources
Freelance Resources

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For Freelancers Only:
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StudentNow.com has a series of interviews with freelance writers that are extensive and worth moving through. The writers include Patricia Fry, Linda Radke, Kendall Hansen, Peter Bowerman, Tom and Marilyn Ross, and others. It's not just for students but anyone interested in the freelance writing game.
eHow's tips on becoming a freelance writer.
Julie Cohen shows writers how to think about the titles they give to their articles.
Seven mistakes to avoid as a freelance writer.

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B u s i n e s s o f W r i t i n g :
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Subscriber Sylvia Forbes has published a wonderful writer's calendar. I have it on my desk and use it all the time. There are some unique features to this calendar including a way to keep the office organized with little reminders like "back up computer files" and "update list of clips." There are also writers and their stories of what they do. Check out the site and think seriously of putting this calendar on your desk.

Tax filing time reminders for freelancers by Julian Block
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W r i t e r O r g a n i z a t i o n s :
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International Center for Journalists
Construction Writers Association
Organization of Black Screenwriters
International Science Writers Association
International Thriller Writers, Inc.

There are many more links to writing organizations here.

M A R K E T S  A N D  L E A D S

Don't hesitate to tell us what you are looking for.

Here is an index of writer guidelines.

JOBS

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Tax Analysts, a multimedia tax publisher, seeks an experienced copy editor. Responsibilities include editing news stories for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and consistency with established style guidelines. Must be able to work flexible hours, handle changing priorities, and meet strict daily deadlines.

We strive to stir up great tax policy debate -- and fuel it with the best news and commentary around. Because our publication has no advertising, no holds are barred in the aggressive pursuit of all angles of a given story -- an advantage that few other periodicals can offer.

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COMPETITION: #SO8637MD
POSITION TYPE: Tenure Track
DEPARTMENT: Centre for Communication Studies
COMPETITION CLOSES: February 14, 2006
DESCRIPTION:
The Centre for Communication Studies invites applications for a tenure track position in Electronic Publishing that will commence August 15, 2006. The College is seeking candidates with a focus on teaching and learning. It provides the opportunity for participation in course development, scholarly pursuits, and service.

The Electronic Publishing program is an applied degree that integrates classroom learning and practical experience. Students learn how to use the most recent editions of industry standard software and how to adapt to new challenges and advances in technology. The aim of the Electronic Publishing stream in the Bachelor of Applied Communications degree is to produce a communications generalist with extensive knowledge of the publishing industry, including both traditional and new media.

For Full Ad.

Position: Sr. Content Editor
Location: Downtown Minneapolis

Are you a successful qualitative researcher or consumer insights pro with exceptional writing/editing skills? Are you comfortable presenting your research and insights to internal and external audiences? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment with daily deadlines? Then read on....

Iconoculture, Inc., a 13-year-old Minneapolis-based company, the leader in consumer trend research and advisory services, is growing. We are looking for a Content Editor to produce and manage a variety of deliverables for the Research and Advisory teams.

For full ad.

Job Links for new leads!

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A T    C/ O A S I S

Aden and her Notebooks
By Kathryn Magnesia.
"Aden did not like people, dogs, cats, the sun, moon, and she especially did not like surprises. Aden just did not like. She kept her condominium clean, organized, and free of imagination. She distrusted self-reflection, so there were no mirrors in her six rooms, the counters were never shined, and fixtures were scrubbed to a matte finish..."

Strange Lands and Peoples, Chapter 7
by Martha Names Fried.
"It was our custom to listen to the news on the radio before we had breakfast. On the morning of November 24, 1963, Mort and I were in a hurry and could not spare the time..."

Three Poems by Lament Palmer
Reflections on Possible Waywardness
A Tilghman Island Tale
Picnic

Hey, we even have a new literary newsletter and you can get it free if you click here!

C O M M U N I T Y

Shaw Guide for Writing Conferences in February

A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S

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Thanks to Steven Evans for his generous contribution. Thanks Steven! He is an editor and has a splendid web site here: www.the-freelance-editor.com

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