A MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF WRITING
LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT . . .
FINALLY . . . A Sample of Excellence
"I appreciate that you guys don't climb on a soapbox. Always, I feel as though you are beside me--not above me, looking down."
- Jo Ann Sizemore
"Hooray for an ezine with a sense of humor! I was beginning to think writers had lost that somewhere along the way. Keep it up!"
- John Myrick
"The Verb is becoming my favorite ezine."
- Bill Jelen
"I must say your love of history adds an extraordinary element to the issues. Such sparks of gold remind me what an honorable profession I have chosen to join."
- William Landau
"Fantastic newsletter. I applaud your insight."
- Malcolm Foster
"You bring out the little things I never think about. Keep going! I can't stop reading!"
- Irene Clarke
"Thanks for your help! I'm having one of those "V-8" moments (hit temple with the palm of hand). Of course! Of course! That's how it's done!"
- Jenny Caldwell
"Hey, just got my first VERB and enjoyed it very much. You're the best kept secret on the Internet!"
- John Haydren
"You forced me to give up my online card game, and write!"
- Kurt Monahan
"Wow! Your ezine makes me feel ashamed for giving up. I can write! And I can get published! Thank you for reminding me that I am, first and foremost, a writer!"
- Karen Hayes
"Sometimes I'm overwhelmed to see so many newsletters in my mailbox. But I take a deep breath, and open yours first."
- Paula Hempstead
"This is a newsletter that always remembers its point. I like that!"
- Jack Hosmer
"I want to thank you for simplifying this craft. I have a tendency to over-intellectualize every little thing. You've shown me how to relax and follow the story."
- Eve Santani
"I haven't written anything in a while. I've been avoiding my writing ezines and magazines. Things have been at a dead stop. Today, however, I forced myself to read your ezine and had a terrific time. What a great diversion. What a terrific kick in the pants. You are to be commended for consistently putting together something so helpful and professional."
"I just love your ezine. It's easy to read and highly motivating."
- Carole Henderson
"I really enjoyed reading The VERB this morning. Maybe it was because Ray Charles had his songs wrapped around you as you wrote it. Maybe it's because I have finally finished the last rewrite of my novel and am ready to take the next step in the process of writing: submitting to an editor. Thank you. When the weather is gray and oppressive, The VERB is a spot of sunshine."
- Melody Kincade
"I love your newsletter, different than all the others I get. It is wonderful. Always refreshing, among a flood of writer sites, to find one that is truly unique."
- Albert Melshenker
"You got something special here. Don't let the dogs have it!"
- Howard Dietz
"Today, I read The Verb. Then I wrote for an hour. May not sound like much, but I have twins. Thanks for the encouragement!"
- Amy Barnes
"Ice Noodle reminds me of an old English professor: waggishly grumpy."
- Trevor Griggs
"Thank you for the writing tips. You guys are doing a good thing."
- Missy Nevins
"Your newsletter, it gave me a boost when I wanted to slam my head in the wall. Appreciate it."
- Anthony Zanaboni
"I appreciate the precise brevity of The Verb. You're passing along excellent tips while at the same time respecting the value of my time."
- William Hosmer
"Thank you for illustrating, time and time again, the beauty of pausing before submitting."
- Melissa Korman
"I just wanted to let
you know that your
e-mag is awesome! Great work!"
"Thanks for helping me to approach my scenes in a whole new way."
- Stephen Love
"I enjoy all the good writing advice you put into The Verb, and I appreciate the time editors like yourself take to create such publications that are helpful to so many."
- Terry Weide'
"Mush Pump and Ice Noodle are nuts. Can I borrow them for a while?"
- Cathy Sinclair
"I enjoy The Verb immensely because your attitude is so uplifting and your articles so useful (read: written in plain, clear English about things that matter to writers or ought to)."
- Helen Losse
"I've always felt like I was a poor proofreader, but after reading a few issues of The VERB, I've found a lot of my own mistakes. Thanks!"
- Violet Wade
"Thank you for an intelligent, interesting and informative newsletter. I also like the format, which is clean and easy to read. This is definitely one I'll pass on to my weekly writers' group."
- Maria Murad
"Thanks so much for a fine publication... always worth the read. I look forward to future issues."
"The Verb is the best Writing newsletter that I receive. It is clear, concise and doesn't have a lot of unnecessary information. Also, it is very readable. Some of the newsletters that I subscribe to started off okay, but have deteriorated considerably. Keep it up!"
- Audrey Danielson
"I don't know you, but I know you put together an informative and classy 'zine. Keep it up!"
- Arley MacDonald
\
"I'm an Australian based writer, have just subscribed and am thrilled with your site, it's just what I need while editing the last in a saga of three novels I've written over the last four years."
- Loraine Anderson
"What a great publication! It's so varied and interesting!"
"A friend just forwarded your latest issue. Very impressive!"
Volume 3,
Issue 13
August 29, 2005
|
R e a d i n g W r i t e r
s
|
|
Welcome to The VERB! I've recently had the privilege to correspond with several highly successful writers. And I'm happy to report we'll have surprises to go along with the winner's $100 Grand Prize in future contests. I'm also happy to report that the majority of these famous authors were very nice folk, as warm and humble as a newborn baby. But there was one grand poobah (and isn't there always?) who gave a whole new meaning to the word rude. I won't publish the name because I don't want you to suffer the same dilemma I now suffer, which is this: How on earth will I ever be able to read this person's books again without thinking ... ugh! How does one separate the ill-mannered person from the well-versed storyteller? Hmmm ... The hardworking owner of Compulsive Reader has written a book! Magdalena Ball says The Art of Assessment was originally designed to teach her own reviewers how to assess more thoroughly and consistently. While doing her research, she found that there weren't any other books on the market that covered this relatively hot topic in detail, so The Art of Assessment became a full fledged commercial offering. Magdalena (don't you love that name?) is giving away a free How to Become a Reviewer e-course which covers many of the fundamentals within the book. If you've ever considered reviewing (and if you love books and other freebies, you really ought to), visit her website to sign up. With Labor Day just around the bend, query letter Opinions will be sent out earlier than previously announced. So if you entered the past contest, look for yours within the next few days. ~~~ FOR
YOUR RESEARCH -
Medical Fiction Before you give that character an illness, check the symptoms at WebMD. An invaluable medical resource. Learn the procedure of a routine autopsy here. Finally, your temporary Freedom from Toil is here. Run the maze. Eat the pills. Avoid the listeria. OR, for a more challenging break, do an ECG on grumpy Mr. Blue. Now, without further ado ... let the action begin!
|
|
|
|
| TESS GERRITSEN
I have a stack of blank typing paper to write on. I don't like to work on lined paper because I hate being constrained to lines when I write. I have a plain old boring Bic ballpoint pen. A large ceramic desk lamp. A tiny clock to remind me of how much time I've wasted daydreaming. A photo of my younger son as an 8-year-old. A crystal bowl with paper clips. A city map of Boston, where my books take place. A dictionary and a Roget's Thesaurus. A "Name your Baby" book. A textbook on forensic pathology. The latest issue of Journal of Forensic Sciences. My reading glasses. A stack of galleys sent to me by various editors, hoping for quotes (and which I'll probably not have time to read, much as I want to!) A pocket calculator. A reference file on Catholic mass. A pile of student manuscripts (about 600 pages worth!) that I have to read before I teach at Maui Writers Conference. A tube of hand lotion. Digging even deeper (my goodness, but I'm discovering things under all this mess) some photographs that are about 5 years old which I'd completely forgotten about. A plastic bag of metal screws, and I have no idea what they're for. A US road atlas which I thought I'd lost! A stack of correspondence which I haven't gotten around to answering, some of it (I'm embarrassed to admit) months old. And finally, my manuscript in progress. Oh, by the way, did I tell you I'm only describing ONE of my desks? There's another one here in my office, where I keep my computer. And you should see the mess on THAT one!
Tess
is a retired physician and "the reigning champion of the
medical thriller." She gained nationwide acclaim for her
first novel, the New York Times bestseller HARVEST. She is also
the author of the bestsellers GRAVITY, BLOODSTREAM, LIFE SUPPORT
as well as THE SURGEON, THE APPRENTICE, THE SINNER and
BODY DOUBLE. Her current novel VANISH was released August 23,
2005. Visit her website.
|
|
|
SAY WHAT? Commonly Misused Words
|
Prescribe means
to order the use of a medicine or other treatment. Proscribe means to
prohibit or condemn. |
A MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF WRITING
In 1888 London, the months of August, September and November became known
as the Autumn
of Terror. During this time, a serial killer stalked the dark streets, murdering and
mutilating prostitutes.
The police were stumped. The only clue came from the surgeons who examined the bodies. Most believed the killer had to have some degree of medical knowledge to do what he did. In one case, he removed a kidney from the front rather than the side without damaging any surrounding organs. In another case, he removed the sexual organs with one clean stroke of the knife. These were extraordinary feats, they decided, considering that the crimes were committed outside, in almost total darkness and under the constant threat of being seen. Then a letter arrived. Addressed to the Central News Agency in London, and forwarded to the Metropolitan Police, the letter began with the salutation, Dear Boss. The author claimed to be the killer and promised to "clip off the lady's ear" when he committed his next murder. Believing it to be a hoax (what murderer in his right mind would write to the authorities?), the police ignored it. Three days later, two more prostitutes were murdered and, sure enough, one of them had a large portion of her earlobe removed. The police had no choice but to take another look at the letter. They had it published in every major newspaper hoping someone would recognize the handwriting. Instead the police and press were inundated with over 600 letters from people claiming to be the killer. Several individuals, including two women, were arrested and charged for writing such hoaxes. After an exhaustive investigation, police officials stated emphatically the letter that started it all--by this time, termed the “Dear Boss” letter--was a hoax written by an overzealous newspaper reporter. To this day, no one knows for sure whether any of the letters that reached the authorities during that autumn were from the actual killer. But one thing's for sure--the first letter was responsible for bestowing upon the killer his now infamous name. It was signed, Jack the Ripper.
|
|
|
When
a person experiences severe trauma,
the nervous system goes into shock, creating a pain-free window that lasts
from thirty minutes up to an hour. After that, look out! The
excruciating pain can send the victim into cardiovascular shock.LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT . . .
|
FRANK
G. SLAUGHTER Born: February
25, 1908
"It was the moment of truth every surgeon faced, a time when rigid control on his part was the patient's sole chance of survival."
~ Frank Gill Slaughter was born in Washington, D.C. ~ At the age of five, he and his family moved to a farm in North Carolina. They grew tobacco and corn. ~ After graduating from Oxford High School, Frank studied at Duke University in Durham. In 1930, he received his medical degree from John Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore. ~ In 1933 he married Jane Mundy, a nurse. The following year they moved to Jacksonville, Florida and began a family. Frank worked as a staff surgeon at Herman Kiefer Hospital, but during this time he began to write. ~ Frank served in the US Medical Corps during World War II. In 1944 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. ~ Frank's first novel, That None Should Die, was partly autobiographical and finally published in 1941, after five rewrites. ~ When the war ended, Frank devoted himself entirely to writing, usually producing one novel a year. Several of his books were made into films, including Sangaree, The Story of Ruth and Doctors' Wives. ~ Frank's novels drew on his own experience as a physician and reflected his interest in history and the Biblical world. He introduced readers to exciting findings in medical research and new inventions in medical technology. ~ Frank's last book, The Transplant, was published in 1987, but he continued to write to the end of his life. Bedridden, he dictated passages into a tape recorder. ~ At the age of 93, he died in Jacksonville, where he had lived for nearly five decades. ~ Frank Slaughter's books have sold more than 60 million copies.
|
|
Dangling participles are those naughty little phrases that can't seem to keep track of the subject. They start out fine, but they lose their way just past the comma. Unless you wish to elicit chuckles from your readers, make sure the idea or person you've described in the modifying phrase is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE:
CLEANED UP:
EXAMPLE: CLEANED UP:
EXAMPLE: CLEANED UP:
Uncertain
of a piece of your writing? |
|
|
Make
'em smile! Don't be afraid to show your sense of humor. Even business
sites can have a lighthearted tone.|
Where do you get the medical facts in your story? |
|
PREVIOUS SURVEY
I want to see
my work in print.
- 83%
"To one day hold my book in my hands--that is what I live to see." - Angela King "I'm handicapped. Writing this email is a challenge. Still, my loftiest ambition is to see my story in print and to have other people read my words." - Robert Wasserman "Is not the main reason for writing to share your imagination with others? If I'm never published, I would feel like a failure." - Diane Scott-Gilstrap "I want to write a bestseller that's made into a movie. Actually, I have already written it. I co-wrote a paranormal novel with two friends. We are searching for a publisher, turned one down so far (can you believe it, we actually turned one DOWN???!!!) who believes as much as we do that this is a great novel for a movie. I am way beyond just wanting to see my work in print as I have been writing for a local newspaper for five years, have stories in 15 anthologies and have three books of my own. I would like to write the screenplay to my novel, but have so much to do (have to work a "normal" job to pay my bills...) that I am afraid to tackle that." - Heide Kaminski |
|
Subject:
CHALKBOARD submission
A DIVIDED HEART "As my eyes drifted past the rose bushes, I spied a golden flash. A match crept up to a man's face, illuminating his handsome features in a soft glow. A Yankee, lighting his pipe, stared directly at me."
I tossed and turned, listening to horses gallop up and down the road. Men called out to other men in an authoritative tone. Lieutenant Baker, where are your men? Captain Wainright, the general wishes to see you. Was the entire Yankee army vampires in uniform? Why couldn't they go to sleep with the rest of Atlanta, or at least respect those who had? I crawled out of my cold bed and moved to the window. Glowing fires dotted the darkness--some on Mrs. Ledbetter's property, some in Mr. Robertson's field and three in my very own yard. As my eyes drifted past the rose bushes, I spied a golden flash. A match crept up to a man's face, illuminating his handsome features in a soft glow. A Yankee, lighting his pipe, stared directly at me. Why, I realized, it was the same colonel I had dealt with earlier. The one who refused me an interview with General Sherman. Doyle. Colonel Franklin Doyle. What on earth was he doing here? I stepped back, my heart racing. Could it be Emily had been right? Did Sherman have the nerve to send his men at this hour and yank us from our very beds? Nonsense. Colonel Doyle was simply out enjoying the night air. He had ridden down Butler Street and rested his horse beside our rose bushes and stared up at my window because ... because ... I wrapped my shawl tighter around me. "If you intend to take me in my sleep, Colonel, you'll do it while I'm awake."
© 2005 Marty Wilbanks |
Here's a chance to show off your
writing! |
WHAT DO YOU SEEK? Take the quiz below to find the cause, and treatment, of your persistent ache.
1. Now that you're determined to pursue a writing career. How do you get started?
a) Announce you'll teach Stephen King a thing or two.
2. You run across a beginners writing class that is taking place a mile from your home. How do you react?
a) "I prefer to teach
myself."
3. Your project isn't coming together as you envisioned, and you don't know how to fix it. What do you do?
a) Whine and moan to all who will listen.
4. Writing contests are all over the Internet. What criteria do you use to enter one?
a) "I enter only free contests
with huge money prizes."
5. You've slowly come to the realization that a serious writer needs a website. What do you do?
a) Wait for your future agent to handle that.
If you chose the A answers, you're suffering from a bit of "prima-donna-itis." You seek the glory. Getting down and dirty with the mechanics of the craft, however, is beneath you. Take two spoonfuls of humility and learn to ask for help. If you chose the B answers, you're suffering from a case of "stingy-roids." You seek maximum return with zero investment. Heard the saying, You get what you give? If you adamantly insist on giving nothing to your craft, that's exactly what you're going to get. Take two shots of generosity and learn to invest in yourself. If you chose the C answers, you're suffering from a touch of "common-sense-oma." You seek a writing career. And you realize that a successful one demands a mixture of blood, sweat, tears, time, thought and money. May you never recover.
© 2005 Elizabeth Guy |
|
Details here. |
FINALLY . . . A Sample of Excellence
|
"He had the habit of soaring up into the sunset and sitting around in a large pink cloud like a kid bouncing on a feather bed. Then, one day, he soared higher and farther than he knew, having, perhaps, grown careless through over-confidence.... At the end of that period Giddy, together with a tangle of wire, silk, wood, and something that had been the mechanic, lay inside the German lines, and you would hardly have thought him worth disentangling. They did disentangle him, though, and even patched him up pretty expertly, but not so expertly, perhaps, as they might have, being enemy surgeons and rather busy with the patching of their own injured. The bone, for example, in the lower right arm knitted promptly and properly, being a young and healthy bone, but they rather overlooked the matter of arm nerves and muscles, so that later, though it looked a perfectly proper arm, it couldn't lift three pounds. His head had emerged slowly, month by month, from swathings of gauze. What had been quite a crevasse in his skull became only a scarlet scar that his hair pretty well hid when he brushed it over the bad place. But the surgeon, perhaps being overly busy, or having no real way of knowing that Giddy's nose had been a distinguished and aristocratically hooked Gory nose, had remolded that wrecked feature into a pure Greek line.... "Look here!" he protested to the surgeon, months too late. "Look here, this isn't my nose." "Be glad," replied the practical Prussian person, "that you have any."
-
EDNA FERBER
|
|
© 2005 ReadingWriters. All rights reserved. This ezine is a labor of love, and may not be reproduced without permission. All correspondence should be sent to Elizabeth Guy. |