PAW PRINTS

INDEX

Greetings	1998 Officer List
Member News and Reminders	Program Notes by Elaine C. Wells
Contest News	Under the Hood: Active Verbs
Word of Mouth:  Fiat	Quote of the Month: Originality
Markets	In the Beginning: How to Energize Your Writing
On the Shelf: The Guide to Everyday Life in the 1800’s	Research Notes:  17th Century Amsterdam
Writing Craft: Making a Writing Journal	Return to Paw Prints' Index

    Well, guys, here I am again.  What a surprise to be back in the position of vice president/program chairman.  With the hours I'm working now, I hope I can do a good job for the club.  Please, if anyone can offer to present a program or arrange a speaker, contact me immediately.  I am spending two hours a day on the road and working between ten and fifteen hard hours a night, so I don't want to make any promises I can't keep, and I can use a lot of help.
    February is the month of love, so what better program than one about writing true confessions.   Of course, all of them are not about love, but I had to make a connection somehow, didn't I?   Linda Goodnight, our own confession writer   (and, more importantly, seller), and Dawn Prater,  (also writer and seller) will present this month's program so that we can all be making money just like they are.  Linda gave me a little advice that really helped me in writing my confession stories. Since I write mostly romance, she said write it like a romance novel, only short.   So, that's what I did, and it worked.   So, if you write mysteries, write it like a mystery novel, only short.   If you write men's adventure, do the same thing.  Those of you who attended Peggy's workshop on confession writing, remember, Linda and Dawn can give us their own slant on the confession market, so please don't think you have heard it all and don't need to attend.
    So please attend our meeting this month. We want to be able to wow everyone with Our member sales in the OWFI Reports.
See you there!

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ByLine Magazine  (complete listing for 1998 in January 1998 issue of Paw Prints)
NEW! Poetry Chapbook Competition Sponsored by Byline Magazine: 24 to 30 original poems, maximum 39 lines each including title and stanza breaks. Style and subject are open. We suggest (but do not require) that the poems be centered around a theme. Both the entry and the individual poems must be titled. Type poems single-spaced, one to a page, and the chapbook title on a page by itself. Author's name should not appear on any of the poems or on title page. On a typed cover sheet, list the following information: author's name, mailing address, telephone number, e-mail if available, title of chapbook manuscript, and a list of individual poem titles. If any poems in the entry have been published, include an acknowledgment page.
Place the cover sheet on top of entry and mail FLAT to ByLine Chapbook Competition, P0 Box 130596, Edmond, OK 73013-0001. If you wish, you may enclose a large SASE for return of entire manuscript after judging or a small (#10) envelope for winners' list only. Winners will be announced in the June 1998 issue of ByLine. Prize: 50 high-quality chapbooks for author's personal use, plus $100 cash award.  Deadline: March 1, 1998.  Entry fee: $12 per manuscript (not per poem). Judging: Manuscripts will be judged by well-published, professional.
    Contest Rules: All dates listed are postmark deadlines. Enter your own work only. Type your name, address, phone number and the contest category on the first page of the manuscript (no cover sheet).  Prepare in standard manuscript format. Entries will not be returned, so there's no need for SASE. You may send multiple entries to any contest, but each entry requires an entry fee. Entries should be unpublished when entered. A list of winners in each category will be printed in the issue of Byline dated three months after deadline.  Winning manuscripts are not published so that authors retain all rights. Mail entries to: Contests, ByLine Magazine P0 Box 130596 Edmond, OK 73013

February Deadline: SHORT ARTICLE Deadline February 20,1998. Any topic, any style, 1,500 words maximum. Entry fee $4. Prizes: $40, $25, $15. WINTER OR SNOW POEM - Deadline February 28, 1998. Any style or length. Entry fee $3. Prizes: $40, $25, $10.

March Deadline: FILLER  - Deadline March 5, 1998.  Any topic: original anecdotes, household hints, writing tips, etc. Maximum 500 words. Entry fee $3. Prizes: $35, $20, $10.  NEW-TALENT POETRY -' Deadline March 13, 1998. Any style, subject or length. Open to anyone who never has won a cash prize in a Byline poetry category. Entry fee $3. Prizes: $40, $30, $20, $10. CHARACTER SKETCH: Deadline March 25, 1998. Practice creating believable characters, in 500 words or fewer.  Show your character in a scene, doing something typical of him.  Entry fee $4.  Prizes: $40, $25, $15.  REASON TO RHYME! - Deadline March 31, 1998. Rhymed poems of any length, on any topic. Entry fee $3.  Prizes: $35, $20, $15.

Oklahoma Writers' Federation, Inc.: DEADLINE: February 17, 1998  (fees and entries).  Contest rules and categories are in the December Issue of the "OWFI Report."

fi·at (fê¹et, -àt´, -ät´, fì¹àt´, -et) noun
1. An arbitrary order or decree.  2. Authorization or sanction: government fiat.  [Medieval Latin, from Latin, let it be done, third person sing. present subjunctive of fierì, to become, to be done.]
Fiat is the power God used to create the world:  "Let there be light, and there was light." It is the power of the word to create.  As writers, we daily use the power of fiat.  We create worlds, people, situations... .in our own image or idea of what things should be.   Peggy Fielding often says in her workshops "We are god."   If we want pigs to fly, then pigs will fly.   Fiat can be a creative and destructive force.   Words can create and kill hope, ambition, love, hate, anger.  Don't take this power for granted.    The ability to create, to master the language instead of it mastering you, is a privilege.  Many cannot write a complete sentence, but we wield the word like Merlin's staff or Arthur's Excalibur.   Take pride in that accomplishment.

"Originality doesn't mean saying what no one has ever said before; it means saying exactly what you think yourself."  James Stephens

    One of the criticisms of genre fiction by the "literary elite" is that it is predictable.   In romance novels, we know that the hero and heroine are going to work their problems out and be together at the end.   In mysteries, we know the hero or heroine will solve the mystery and put the villain in jail.  That is a valid criticism.  Too many books published today are formulaic: they seem to merely plug in different names and locations from book to book.
    However, the truly outstanding genre fiction writers, though still following certain formulas, somehow transcend the predictability problem.  How? Well, talent and hard work have much to do with it, but I believe the biggest factor in making something new is as James Stephens says.  You must express your own individual perspective of the world through your characters.   No one sees the world exactly as you do; no one has the same experiences as you do.  These are the elements that take a formulaic plot and make it exciting, fresh, and unpredictable.
    From years of teaching English Composition in college, I have seen young writers with talent but no heart.   They don't take the time to explore their souls before writing.  They approach serious subjects with only cursory scrutiny of their beliefs.
In the seriously competitive world of genre fiction, we must write from our hearts, not from a formula.  Sure, breaking down our favorite author's novels and trying to copy that technique can be helpful when we are first trying to master the form, but we have to find our own voices - carve our own niche.  That's how we take the predictable and make it distinct, make it our own.

A 2ND HELPING OF CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE WOMAN'S SOUL.   A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul, P.O.  Box 1959, Fairfield, IA 52556.  p(515)472-4047.  F (515) 472-7288.  Marci Shimoff and Jennifer Hawthorne, co-authors. 100% freelance. To touch and inspire women by sharing stories of other women's stories of love, growth, and lessons learned.  Topics include love, marriage, aging, attitude and self-esteem, motherhood, living, dreaming, and overcoming obstacles. Welcomes new writers. Circ. 1M+. Publication date October 15, 1998. Pays on publication.  Buys one-time rights. Accepts reprints. Rejections delivered within 2 weeks; authors of accepted mss will be notified in October 1998.   Sample at library or bookstore. Review stories in other Chicken Soup books to see what makes Chicken Soup.  Guidelines by e-mail.   NEEDS Non-fiction, uplifting stories (no essays). Pays flat fee of $300/story.  Mss average 1,200 words.  Submit complete ms by mail with SASE, e-mail, or fax.
PHOTOS/ART: Not necessary.  No addtl.  Pay. HINTS:  "We're always looking for good Chicken Soup stories for future volumes. Send nonfiction stories or anecdotes that inspire, uplift, or provide touching, tender experiences of love and learning. They can make people cry or laugh."  (Source: The Write Markets Report) Email: chiksoup@lisco.com.

    Though many of us have gone beyond the basics of writing, we have several new writers who need some beginning advice and tips.  This column is devoted to those types of concerns.  This month, we'll be looking at ways to energize our writing when we hit a slump (which happens to us all).   I'm starting with this because I've had conversations with several members over the last few months, and this comes up: what do we do for ideas when the ink well has run dry?  Many of us do similar things, so here's some ideas to try.

1. Keep a notebook handy.  This may seem obvious to most writers reading this, but if you haven't tried this yet, do so now.   I finally got tired of frantically scrounging through my purse for an envelope or stray piece of paper I could write an idea or great line on. Inevitably, if I found a piece, it would molder in the bottom of my purse until I changed a purse - which sometimes doesn't happen for months.  And for our male writers, you have an even harder time.  So go buy a small notebook and keep it handy.   You never know when inspiration will strike or you get stuck in traffic, have to wait in an office, or wake up in the middle of the night with a great idea.  So keep one in the car, by the bed, in a purse/briefcase/backpack... .A variation on this is a mini-recorder.   I use one in the car so I can dictate while I'm driving.  The only trouble with this is that you'll have to get used to the sound of your voice. It never sounds the way you think it does!

2. Keep files.  Once I have ideas for lines, stories, locations, clothes, landscapes...  I need a place to store them.   Manila folders or envelopes are great places for this.  Some of my files are dress catalogs, maps, postcards, pages from magazines... When I need a great party dress for my heroine, I look in the latest Victoria's Secrets catalog.  Even though I can't fit into anything they offer, I get to vicariously shop for my heroines.  Try to find pictures of people who look like your characters. This will help you describe them more concretely.  The postcards and maps help me when I need to describe a setting.  But make sure if you're describing a well known place that it hasn't changed since that picture was taken.  When I visited the Louvre in Paris, the courtyard was a cobblestoned meeting place for sidewalk artists.  Now, there's a giant glass pyramid taking up most of its space.  All my postcards are out of date now.  Start clipping photos, headlines, and other stuff from magazines.  As a creative exercise, fill out a character sketch for a picture of a person.

3. Keep a journal.  This is different from the notebooks.  A journal is something you write in consistently.  It is a place to freewrite on your emotions.  Basically, it's a writing diary.  Some writers write in their journal before they start their regular writing - it gets them warmed up.  This is a place where mechanics and grammar don't matter, where you are free to express your true feelings and opinions, regardless of what others might think of them.  It is for your eyes only.  You might try keeping one in long hand if you use a computer for your other writing.  See "Writing crafts" to learn how to make your own journal.

4. Buy a book of names for babies.  I have had a copy of Name Your Baby for years.  Not only does it list names, but it gives a background of the name: ethnic origin, famous people with that name, variations of the name, etc.

5. Join a writing group.  Most people reading this are members of one already.  Hey, you've got one down, four to go!  Seriously, being a part of a dedicated writing group can be the best charge for your writing.  Getting helpful critiques, talking about the craft, attending programs, and just communing with others with the same ambitions can be uplifting.  Why do you think Weight Watchers and AA are so popular and successful?  Because group meetings give us confidence and spur us on.  And it doesn't have to be a group that meets physically.  I've belonged to writing groups via e-mail that had critique sessions, contests, and general discussion.  You can hook up with groups that are in your specific genre and interest as well.

Featured book: The Guide to Everyday Life in the 1800’s by Mark McCutcheon.
Do you know what a "Black Maria" is?  It isn't an exotic cocktail or racial slur.  It's a name for police wagons.  This and other wonderful tidbits of information are jam packed in this book.  From medical history to favorite swear words, from fashion to social rituals, McCutcheon gives a fascinating look at the 1800's.  Though there are a few things about England, this book focuses primarily on American life from the big city to the wild west.  It is organized as a dictionary and often uses quotes from people living in the 1800's. Definitions of terms are followed by quotes that use the word or phrase correctly and in context.  Though a must for historical novelists, it is also an enjoyable read for those of us curious about the past.  Check it out.

    Taking a break from my studies last week, I turned on PBS to watch one of the telecourse programs.  This show covers western civilization. That day, the host was lecturing on the 17th Century.  His particular focus was Amsterdam and Rome.  These two cities were the trading and financial centers of Europe.  They tolerated all religions, races, and classes.  I was particularly impressed with Amsterdam and realized that it would make a great location for a novel.  I want to share some of the tidbits about this city in the 17th Century that made me think so.

1. Religious toleration: In an era where Catholics and Protestants were struggling for religious and political power and wars were breaking out to facilitate these struggles, Amsterdam had laws that enforced toleration.  No wars or even minor squabbles broke out in this city.  Catholic, Protestant, Calvinist, and other sects lived in harmony side by side.

2. Ethnic toleration: Amsterdam didn't care what color or race you were, as long as you obeyed the laws.  Very few hate crimes or discrimination occurred.

3. Variety: Because of the toleration enforced in Amsterdam, she drew to her a variety of people making Amsterdam rich in culture and professions.

4. Entertainment: To keep the citizens happy, Amsterdam encouraged traveling performers to come to the city and perform.  This was counter to most attitudes in Europe concerning performers.

5. Beauty: Amsterdam built beautiful bridges and scenic parks to make the city more aesthetically pleasing to the population.

6. Cleanliness: Amsterdam banned the use of horses and carriages within the city limits to keep the city clean.  The city also maintained an army of cats to keep the mice population down.  This was a serious concern because ships that sailed into port brought with them all sorts of vermin that often carried disease.  The worst of these was the plague.  To prevent its outbreak, Amsterdam fed the city cats every night and then sent them hunting for mice.  The city also had a recycling system.  Garbage was collected and sold for a variety of uses (filler, fertilizer, etc.).

7. Social Conscience: Amsterdam established homes for widows and orphans.  These groups would work for the city and earn a living plus room and board.  The city had few homeless problems.  It also took care of its elderly.

8. Gender equality: Women had a more equal status in Amsterdam than in other parts of Europe.

9. Geography: Amsterdam is located on the Zuider Zee and near/on several rivers that connect it not only to Western Europe, but also to Russia.

10. Hanseatic League: This was a secret society of merchants.  They had very strict laws of secrecy and loyalty.  The punishment for betraying the League was severe - usually death after torture.  It had its fingers in many political pies, though in the 17th Century, it was in decline.

11. Education: From the time of the Reformation in the 16th century, the Netherlands has enjoyed a high level of basic education and comparatively high literacy rates.

    Though Amsterdam was not without its wars and disputes, it was an amazing oasis of toleration in a desert of hate and fear. The Netherlands was involved in wars with Spain (Philip II instituted oppressive laws enforcing Catholicism.  The Dutch revolted and eventually won), and Britain (trading wars over who would rule the seas.  The Dutch lost in the 18th Century).  But the mid-l7th Century is the Golden Age, the Dutch Renaissance, full of potential plots and intrigues for novels.  The relatively unexplored aspect of Amsterdam in novels makes this a great city to write about.

    My sister Sheri and I were trading craft ideas we'd seen on the television this month. She told me of a really fantastic project that is ideal for writers.  It's creating your own journal book.  If you're like me, you have several notebooks lying around the house and in the car, ready for any burst of inspiration.  These notebooks are plain and obvious.  They also look a little messy tossed on an end table.  Yet, buying the fancy notebooks costs more money than I am willing to spend.  This project solves those problems, plus it adds a special touch to our journals.

Materials:
1 hardback book    Ribbon or string
Writing paper (ruled or fancy) Ruler Hole punch
Scissors    Exo-knife

1. Remove the front and back cover from the book using the exo-knife to slice through the binding.  Remove the spine as well.

2. Measure where you want the binding holes to go on your covers and mark them on both front and back cover.  You will thread the ribbon through these to bind the book.

3. Using the awl, punch a hole where you've marked.

4. Cut your paper to fit the dimensions of the book.  Mark where the holes need to go and use the hole punch.

5. Line up the paper and book covers. Thread the ribbon or string through each hole, tying it off.

6. Optional: Cut 2 lengths of ribbon.  About 1 inch from the right edge half way down cover, hot glue one piece of ribbon on the outside of each cover.  Tie this in a bow to keep the journal closed.

    You can embellish these books however you want.  You can take a plain cover, and decoupage pictures, headlines, silk flowers, photos, fabric, etc. on the covers.  These can be as thick or thin as you want, and they can be in whatever size you like.  It all depends on the book.  I'll bring my first effort to Monday's meeting.