Issue : August 2005

1. Newspaper Columns: an Opportunity For You?

2. Kenya Writers Present Training Conference

3. From the Mailbox

1. Newspaper Columns: an Opportunity For You?
Two ICW members who have written regular newspaper columns tell something of what is involved in such writing.

Bob Hansen:
Do you crave the exhilaration only a deadline can give? Do you yearn to feel the pressure to write something witty, informative or profound every seven days? Do you enjoy the feeling you get when you realize what you have written is no good, knowing that it will, nevertheless, be read by thousands of people?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, newspaper column writing may be for you.

I remember well the day of my appointment with the editor of our local newspaper. I recall how he laughed as he read my slice-of-life samples. Laughing is good, I told myself. The stories are supposed to be funny. I only hoped he wasn't laughing at my inept writing.
Fortunately, it wasn't but a few minutes later that he said he wanted to run my interpretations of life's peculiarities as a weekly humor column. At last I would be published.

I wrote my column, "Snippets of Life" for nearly five years. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. For me, these articles were a good way to break into writing, (a number of my columns were later adapted into book form). My impression is that newspaper editors are willing to give local people a chance because of the writer's connection to, and familiarity with, the community.
There are many advantages to this type of writing. I believe that writing my column caused me to look at life differently. Because I constantly needed material, my senses were tuned to watch for those "seeds" that could grow into a column. Thus, I caught things that would otherwise have slipped by unnoticed.

I found that, through this type of writing, anything bad that happened in life could be turned to good. Was I frustrated by companies whose phone systems run you around in circles? At least I could get a column out of it. My heart attack alone yielded four great columns.

There is the notoriety to contend with, of course. Often, a checkout person will stare at me. I can see the gears turning in their minds as they try to remember where they've seen me. To help them out, I say, "It's my picture in the paper, next to my column."

"I don't get the paper-but you do have something green stuck in your teeth."
I always thank God for responses like that. Keeps me humble.
My column wasn't a religious one. But I was glad for the chance to give my slant on the world. Though it was written with humor in mind, I pray that the attitudes that I showed toward issues, events, and family relationships, reflected the primary importance of God in our family's life.
Bob Hansen lives in Chehalis, Washington. He owns and operates a Christmas tree farm as well as wholesale and retail nurseries. For five years he wrote a weekly humor column for a newspaper with a circulation of 15,000. He has also been published in "Focus on the Family" magazine. His book, published by AMG Publications in Chattanooga, Tennessee is entitled, Why Can't Women Understand Men, We're So Simple. First published in Dec. 2002, it is now in second printing. Reach him at bhansen6@juno.com

Pamala J. Vincent:
Newspaper columns present an opportunity to be published on a regular basis with a steep learning curve. Column writing teaches (or forces) a writer to meet deadlines, specific word counts, and respect for readers. It teaches voice consistency, concise writing, and to educate while entertaining or informing. In my opinion the greatest personal benefit is the gift of awareness. Paying attention is mandatory to producing articles on a consistent basis. I find I pay closer attention to conversations, people dynamics, and life in general.

Newspapers, like magazines, must often project themes two to three months or more in advance. It may be necessary to think about Thanksgiving while soaking up the August sun. The privilege of having writer's block is non-existent. The paper goes to print--idea or not. Likewise you must be cognizant of word count: too long it must be cut and creates problems for the editor, too short and there will be too much white space. Column writing develops concise writing but also teaches you to add length without padding recklessly. Short articles also train you to develop the art of cutting without killing your topic. Monthly, weekly, or daily column writing teaches you to develop an audience and then to respect them enough not to write drivel.
Column writing also teaches you to create catchy 2-3 word titles. You learn to say more with fewer words. Although your short article should stand alone without the title, it is often the title that causes a reader to begin reading. Equally important is the closing line that wraps around to the beginning and restates or drives home the 'take away' value of the article.
There are several different kinds of newspaper columns:
Series articles or topic column writing:

These articles stay within a specific theme or focus though the writer comes at the topic from different angles. One of my columns is called: "Lessons From the Garden." These columns are self-sourced and it is not always necessary to look for someone to interview. As a late night person, I can write these articles in the privacy of my home at midnight. I may write several articles in advance and stack them for the paper. The tougher side of writing a series is coming up with new ideas consistently.

Event articles: These articles are more like reporting. You do not create the event, but you have to creatively tell the story. Your time must be scheduled in such a way as to attend the events. With a good sense of time management you can be involved on the inside track with many events. Be sure to get the background of the event, often that can be the best part of the story. For example a church bazaar may be raising money for a child's reconstructive surgery. Search for the "back story."

Interview articles: I love meeting all kinds of people from all walks of life. Again these articles take more planning because you must match your schedule to theirs. You may also need to take the time to share your article with them before it goes to print, assuring quality writing and accurate facts. This type of writing develops people-observation skills and could lead to an interesting compilation of articles for a book.

Newspaper writing offers you several things in return:
* Clippings: you will have a ready supply of clippings for those editors who won't look at you without them. It shows them that someone else was willing to take a chance on you and that you aren't a 'flash in the pan' writer.
* By-line: By-lines can earn you the reputation to move your writing forward.
* Bio: A bio is a short paragraph at the end of your writing that tells readers more about you and how to contact you. This is an excellent way to market yourself.
* Mission Field: The opportunity to inspire and encourage others is often more widespread in a newspaper readership than with a book. The newspaper I write for has a readership of 39,000 and a pass-on rate of 30%. Words are powerful, use them wisely and your writing could be your mission field.

Tips to getting started:
* Set a time to write daily and stick to it even if you have to sit with pen in hand or hands on the keyboard. Eventually you will train your brain to produce on cue.
* Signal your body you are going to write. I use a specific type of tea. I only drink it when I'm writing, so when I smell it I know it's time to write.
* Design your office for work. Limit distractions, and have items you might need within reaching distance.
* Let your answering machine do its job during your writing time.
* Collect articles or items that will give you information to write for future articles.
* Create first your 'take away' value, write it on a sticky note and put it in front of you. This will help you to stay on track.
* If possible, read your article to a family member or friend-this will help your first edit. Then let them read the resulting version and critique you.
Always, always, always write your best. You never know who will see it. Some of my subsequent jobs have been from editors who saw my article in the paper. Honor deadlines and write your article early enough to be able to walk away from it for a day or two and return to edit it. Missing deadlines is the number one reason columnists are let go.
Keep your praises, learn from your critiques and realize writing is an art form, which makes it subjective. Write for an audience of One and from an overflowing heart, then your writing will be true and touch others. If you lecture or dieplay arrogance, your readers will see through you and your credibility will be destroyed.

Breaking into newspaper writing requires knowledge of the paper and its tone and audience. If you are pitching a regular column come up with something no one else is doing that will serve that geographical audience. I would also suggest you have at least four articles in reserve before you start so you have a back-up in case the details of life keep you from making your deadline. Start small. Try your local newspaper, church, or organization. Don't be afraid to write for free, you'll still be building your clippings, by-lines and bio to introduce you to a local readership. Look at it as grassroots marketing.
Once you've established a rhythm, think syndication. Erma Bombeck got her start writing for a local paper in Southern Oregon and look where it took her. If you think you are ready for syndication, you can either market yourself one by one to papers or you can buy into a service that introduces you to over 1800 different papers. Newspapers often only pay $25 to $150 an article but if you can write it once and sell it to 100 papers a month--you do the math!
Everything in life becomes potential fodder for writing. I now notice much more than I ever use to. Paying attention has taught me how to strengthen my writing and strengthening my writing has taught me how to pay attention. Write on!

Pamala Vincent is a career teacher and monthly columnist for "The East County Gazette," writing two columns titled Lessons from the Garden, and Heroes Among Us. She lives in Eagle Creek, Oregon and can be reached at www.pamvincent.upcsites.com.

2. Kenya Writers Present Training Conference
Samuel Kahura Chege, Editor of "Today in Africa" magazine, Kenya, writes: I need your prayers because I am having a writer's workshop August 23 to 27.
Two "Today in Africa" former Managing Editors, Shel Arensen and Mwaura Njoroge, together with ICW member Simon K. Mureu and me will offer training sessions to build vision and sharpen techniques of participants. The aim is to awaken interest in writing for Christian magazines and books. I hope the end of the workshop will guide each participant to finish a certain article ready for publication.
The workshop will help "Today in Africa" editors to identify potential writers with certain writing gifts such as true stories, feature writing, and children's materials. The workshop will also help discover people with editing gifts.
In addition, during consulting sessions, the trainers will help African Christian Writers Association members to complete a book project. Both experienced and budding writers from a variety of occupations will attend the workshop. The total number of participants will be not more than 25.
The workshop will be held in a small town called Naivasha, 120 kms from Nairobi City.
During the workshop the following topics will be covered:
How to write personal experience articles
How to write feature articles
How to conduct interviews
How to edit your own work
Writing for children
Book writing;
Writing Bible studies, devotionals and sermons
Poetry
Please, pray with us for:
1) God's leading in all workshop preparations
2) God to use the workshop to strengthen Christian writers in Kenya for the
advance of His Kingdom in Africa.
Yours in Christ's Vineyard,
Samuel Kahura Chege: Editor, Author and Translator

3. FROM THE MAILBOX OF STANLEY BALDWIN
(These letters include news of recently published works, for which we say, "Congratulations to the authors." )
Charles Harrel writes:
Good news--one of my devotionals was finally accepted by The Upper Room. Your class (writing for the Upper Room) at the Seattle conference motivated me to start writing. That was 3 years ago. I now have 110 published works.
Just wanted to thank you.
PS: Our writers' critique group is doing fine.

Jeannie St.John Taylor writes:
Do you know about my book Who Did It? that I coauthored with Ron Mehl before he died. Then I illustrated it a year or so later when I had time to come up with a character and illustrate it. It came out in late January. All the royalties go to Compassion Ministries. Joyce Mehl and I signed books at Beaverton Foursquare for seven and a half hours with only two four-minute bathroom breaks. We were exhausted, but the book sold nearly 1,000 copies. All the profits went to missions so the church got at least $3,000 for missions from it. Very exciting to me.
Then Kregel gave away about 200 copies of that book to retailers at CBA in Denver.
Am I Making God Smile? came out a couple of months ago. I had a great signing for it at CBA. Allia Zoebel, an editor from "Readers Digest," tried to drop by ten minutes before signing time to grab a copy early. There was already a line all the way around the booth so she couldn't get one. And it was late Wednesday afternoon when many people had already left for home. I signed for two and a half hours there and I think the average wait time was about 40 minutes. God really blessed me with both those signings.
Does God have a Job? comes out soon. I'm not sure exactly when. I thought it was supposed to be by September.

Marilyn McAuley writes:
I agree with your comments regarding Christian bookstores. It's very discouraging. I haven't been in the market (as an author) for a few years but I have been disappointed with Christian Supply to the point that I rarely shop there. It used to be a store where you could rely on the books to be correct in doctrine and evangelical perspective. That's no longer the case.
They are selling books to appeal to every wind of doctrine. Another reason I've stopped shopping there.

Nanci Huyser writes:
Great article, Stan, on the 7 questions every writer should ask and answer.
I've stopped shopping at our local Lifeway stores. First of all, as you said, they sell anything but books. Secondly, they send out a sale brochure and then do not even have the books advertised in the brochure in stock! Our local (ABA) Books A Million store or on-line booksellers are much better sources.
I finished the manuscript for my friend, Margo, who started a therapeutic equestrian center. She's thrilled with it and is getting it printed for distribution at the center. It's her testimony and the story of how the center was started. Glad it's done and can't wait to see it printed.
The booklet has been long in the process, not just my part, but because she had three or four writers in the past who said they'd do it but never did.
Anyway, it's done, and she's happy. Our purpose with the booklet/brochure is not only sharing her story, but providing the gospel and reaching families for Christ.
I'm still working on my bull riding book. It's coming along.
Lenore Buth writes:

Bottom of Form
Thanks, Stan, for packing this edition with good advice. It's wonderful to hear your book has gone to second printing already! One would think that would guarantee every store would feature your book on its shelves.
Blessings on your ministry, my friend.
David Sanford writes:
Great article (7 Questions Every Writer Should Ask and Answer)! May I have permission to forward this to a few dozen book authors who are clients or friends? (Yes, with credit.)

Kim Sadler writes:
I can't believe your kind email accidentally got buried, and I've just now recovered it. I so appreciate your encouragement. You've always been faithful to cheer me on.
We are thrilled about my book's recent release. Who but God knew it was waiting in the wings? I didn't think I could do it but am now utterly convinced that He most certainly births His messages into the world through those who will but sit and wait for each required syllable to arrive. (It takes a bit more than sitting and waiting, Kim.)
Here is the information about my book in case you have room to mention it in one of ICW's communiqués:
"If God Is Everywhere, Why Can't I Find Him? (AMG Publishers, 2005) is a no-nonsense approach to finding God in the chaos, confusion, and clutter of life. A powerful must-read for weary hearts that long to feel His presence."
Genre: nonfiction (Religion/Inspirational). Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, 112 pp. Retail: $10.99
www.KimSadler.com

Linda Barr Batdorf writes:
Thanks so much for your friendship and your prayers.
Also, I read your wonderful book (A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to Old Age) and I love it! Actually, Stan, I think it's the best book you've ever done. So real, so honest, so true . . . . I loaned it to my mom when she was in the hospital last week.

Bob Hansen writes:
Read your book yesterday. Great job. You hit the balance of humor and thought-provoking substance. I liked the parts about premonitions and dreams. I've had similar experiences but have never seen anyone address the topics.
UNTIL next time, keep writing, and if you want to write to me do NOT just hit reply. Address me at scbaldwin@juno.com
Stanley Baldwin, Director
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Check us out on the web at icwriters.com
P.S. A special night to pray for the work of Christians in world media is set for August 28. International participants will gather at Annandale Community Anglican Church, Annandale, Australia.

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