jameswatkins.com on Halloween, witches . . .

Saturday (11.05.05)
how to break into a publisher's office

Here's what aspiring writers are up against: there are fewer publishers publishing fewer titles by fewer authors. But there are ways to get past the gate-keepers and get your manuscript in front of an editor:
- Click here

Friday (11.04.05)
your SUV just got 'googled'

The 90-billion-dollar Internet company is planning to launch its "Print Library Project." Google hopes to scan the entire contents of Stanford, Harvard and University libraries and make "snippets" of the works available online—for free. That's virtually the same as someone taking snippets of your SUV (hubcaps, stero, etc.) without permission or payment—and making billions more doing it!
- Click here [new]

Thursday (11.03)
ten most influential books

This being a special month for writers (see Tuesday), here are the top ten books which have most influenced my life: [new]

10. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

9. The Technique of Clear Writing by Robert Gunning

8. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

7. The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

6. True Spirituality by Francis Schaeffer

5. Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey

4. Ascent of Mount Carmel by St. John of the Cross

3. The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

2. Abba's Child by Brennan Manning

1. Reach Out: The Living New Testament by Ken Taylor
This 1967 paraphrase opened up the Bible to a KJV-challenged college student. Current favorite versions include Today's New International Version, The New Living Translation, and the paraphrased The Message.

- What I'm currently reading

Wednesday (11.02)
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Continuing with this week's writing theme (see Tuesday), here's our six-month-old granddaughter's very first article. (Hannah's writing is actually better than some I found in the "slush pile" while editorial director at Wesleyan Publishing House!)

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- Resources to improve your writing

Tuesday (11/01)
do you love to write?

If so, November is your month!

- National Novel Writing Month Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.

- Wesleyan Publishing House's Christian Writers' Workshop with Gloria Gaither (and moi) will be held in Noblesville, Indiana, November 11 and 12.

- I Love to Write Day is November 15 with over 15,000 schools all across the country holding special writing activities and events.

- Writers on Writing: Top Christian Authors Share Their Secrets for Getting Published is off the press and available at Wesleyan Publishing House online

Monday (10.31)
which witch is which?

Witches do exist, but they're not the "Wicked Witch of the West" stereotype or even broom-jockey Harry Potter and his Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. One may be sitting next to you in school or the office—right now!
- Burning stereotypes at the stake [new]
- Understanding why people turn to Wicca [new]
- Taking a look at Halloween and the supernatural

Last week (10.23- )
Halloween, Rice's power in the blood, our punkin . . .

. . . Rosa Parks' civil rights and Green Day's 'Jesus'
- Click here

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