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Are you a writer?: Editor's Notes #206
March 15, 2016
Hello,

"If you don't allow yourself the possibility of writing something very, very bad,
it would be hard to write something very good."

--Steven Galloway


In this issue:

1. Are you a writer?
2. Tickled my funnybone
3. Interesting Web site
4. Writing prompt
5. Letter to the editor

1. Are you a writer?
Recently a friend who regularly sells her photography was taken aback because I introduced her as a photographer. Her reaction took me by surprise. She's a good photographer, and others pay for her work.

Then I recalled how I felt when I first began to think of writing as something more than just a way to please myself and my friends and began to work hard to improve with an eye to some day publishing. Even though I was working seriously to hone my skills, I didn't dare call myself a writer even in my own mind, let alone out loud where someone might hear me. In my case, publishing came unexpectedly quickly, and I was forced into accepting that I was a writer.

Timidly, I tried on the mantle. Although it felt a little heavy at first, it definitely fit, and over time it became lighter. Now it's like a second skin.

What about you? Published or not, if you are serious about improving your use of written language to communicate ideas, you are a writer. You don't even have to have a complete manuscript. You can always add the word "published" after someone else pays you for your work, but if you write, you are a writer.

If you subscribe to this newsletter -- and especially if you actually read it -- you care about writing, most likely your own. That alone makes you a writer.

You probably already know about the Web site https://www.writershelper.com/. That's me offering you help as a writer. You don't have to sneak onto the site. Go boldly and soak up whatever is there. It's for you because you are a writer.

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2.Tickled my funnybone
From a church bulletin: At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.

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3. Interesting Web site
Check out what Troon Harrison does with her writing Facebook page. You will probably notice things about horses because Troon not only writes about them in her novels, but also lives with her own horse, which means she doesn't just sit around messing with social media. When she does post things, they are worthwhile, and I can see her readers lapping up the information. I can also see them poised and waiting for her next book.
https://www.facebook.com/troonharrisonbooks/?fref=nf

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4. Writing prompt
Write a portrait of yourself as a writer.

If you want an audience, know that I'd love to read what you write about yourself as a writer.

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5. Letter to the editor
Re: Don't be fooled Editor's Note #205 https://www.writershelper.com/Editors_Notes-205.html

Another thing you might want to look at is the return address.  I received a very passable imitation of an email from LinkedIn the other day.  It even said it was from "LinkedIn Support".  But this is just the human readable version of the email address which the spammers can make say anything they want.  The actual return address (sometimes you can get this by hovering over the displayed name, check your email app documentation if that doesn't work for you) was "glover@baylights.com"  which I am pretty sure is not the actual address for LinkedIn Support.  I would imagine that would at least have the word "LinkedIn" in there somewhere.

Stephen Peel

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Link on LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/audreyowen (Email me first so I know how you know me.)

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