Write Words

The highest compliment you can give is to recommend Dion Communications, LLC to a friend. I appreciate your referrals.

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Tags: prompts for September, prompts for writers, writer prompts
Posted in Internship, Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | No Comments »

How to analyze a magazine

August 26th, 2010

So you have a specific magazine you want to write for, what do you know about the market? This article will help you to analyze markets for your nonfiction articles. First, grab your favorite magazine or look it up online.

One thing you may notice is that the subjects are primarily the same. The slants may be different, but most magazines cover six types of articles almost exclusively. These are called hot topics or universal themes and they never grow old.

1. Family, children, parenting

2. Health, disease, medicine

3. Money, business, economy

4. Sports, hobbies, great outdoors

5. Sex, love, relationships

6. Psychological, spiritual, self-improvement

Look through your magazine. Do you see the 6 subjects mentioned above?

Now grab a piece of paper or go to your computer and type/write the name of the magazine on top of the page. You can create a chart or just answer these questions:

Consider the cover: What is the lead story? What other stories are featured? What kind of reader would pick this up? What does the cover art communicate?

Check advertisers: Advertisers pay a lot of money for magazine space and can tell you a lot about the readers of the magazine. Are the ads geared to a certain income level, education, age, gender?

Check out the table of contents: What departments is the magazine divided into? What types of titles do articles have? Which subject is most featured? Look at the bylines of articles and compare to the editor list (are there opportunities for freelancers?) Do they use fillers?

Read the letters to the editor: They tell you valuable information about the readers. Which articles are they writing about? Are they generally friendly and confrontational? Do they fit a specific demographic?

Look at art work: Do they use photos or illustrations? Are the pictures large or small? Is there more art than text? Do writers submit photos?

Read a few of the articles: How long are the cover articles (one magazine page is about 750 words)? Are they mainly staff-written? Do they use columns? Are the articles written in first, second or third person?

Look your magazine up in Writer’s Market available in most bookstores or http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?p=316. Writer’s Market is your bible of writing resources. It contains hundreds of magazine markets and is well worth the investment (costs about $30). Find the address, contact information, percent freelance written, year established, whether they take queries or complete manuscripts, editorial lead time, how much they pay and lots of other valuable information. Make sure the read the “Tips” section – this is usually where editors will give you extra tips so you can successfully publish in their market.

Last step, write that query letter or article and send it out! You will never get published if you don’t take this step. I promise you if you analyze the market and cater your query to it, you will have success. Keep submitting, keep studying the market, keep writing.

Editors are looking for writers like you – writers who take the time to research their market. Go for it! Let me know when you get published and you know I’ll do the happy dance with you! Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions about publishing in magazines.

Don’t forget, I’m looking for fall interns!

Dion Communications, LLC is accepting resumes for its editorial internship program. Interns work on a part-time, unpaid basis for three to five months and receive practical experience in writing, editing, research and the general workings of a freelance business. Interns will work closely with the owner on marketing and writing and can develop their own work for publication. I’m looking specifically for people who have writing, computer and customer service skills. Those interested in the program are invited to submit a resume and a 500 word nonfiction writing sample to angela@dioncommunications.com by September 15, 2010.

Happy writing,

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

The highest compliment you can give is to recommend Dion Communications, LLC to a friend. I appreciate your referrals.

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

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Tags: analyze magazine, write for magazines, write nonfiction magazine article
Posted in Articles, Get Published, Magazine articles | 1 Comment »

Looking for fall interns

August 19th, 2010

The highest compliment you can give is to recommend Dion Communications, LLC to a friend. I appreciate your referrals.

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

Find out about our coaching services. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?page_id=334

Workbooks and audio CDs for writers.

Prompts for writers

Happy writing,

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

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Tags: Internship, internship for writers, writing internship
Posted in Internship | 1 Comment »

Two Quick Links

August 12th, 2010

A lot has been happening around the Dion house and business lately so I thought I’d share a couple of quick links with you.

Local writers join us for the Local Authors Reception, Saturday, August 14, 10am – noon at the La Plata library. This event is free and it’ll be my birthday so please join us and bring your writer friends with you. Read about the event at link #1 http://www.somdnews.com/stories/08112010/indymor160119_32408.shtml

Second link, something funny titled, “Literally is Literally the Most Overused Word,” http://artofeloquence.com/blog/word-wed-literally/

Happy clicking,

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

The highest compliment you can give is to recommend Dion Communications, LLC to a friend. I appreciate your referrals.

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

Find out about our coaching services. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?page_id=334

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Tags: local authors, maryland writers, sites for writers, writer's reception
Posted in Success Stories, Writing Resources | No Comments »

Ten Prompt Thursday - August Edition

August 5th, 2010

August is Artist Appreciation Month. Look through a book of your favorite artist’s work or pick a particular piece of art (for me, that’s Monet’s Water Lilies) and write about the feelings that come up.
August 1^st was Friendship Day. Write your definition of a best friend.
Begin your free write, “Money, money, money, money…some people got to have it…” Sorry, that song was in my head this morning before I wrote this post.
August 14^th is my birthday, I don’t mind saying I’ll be 46 – I am loving the 40’s. Develop a character (or write from first person) and write about their favorite decade of life and why.
Sticking with the birthday theme, Google your birthday and write about an important event (besides your birth) that happened on that day.
Write the worse poem you can (18^th is Bad Poetry Day).
If you were an animal, what would you be and why? I sometimes stump my clients with this in my mock interviews.
Free write, “We kissed and made up, sort of…”
Back to school, bye to summer, what are your expectations for your life this fall? How will you finish the year?
Write about an incident that made you (or one of your characters) violent.
BONUS Daily Prompt: 31 days of Pondering. This month I’m going to be nosey and post a question for people to think about. It may be something silly like what side of the bed to you sleep on to something serious like what’s the biggest mistake you ever made. Look for my Facebook and Twitter pondering and join the fun. You can post your own pondering or repost mine. Should be interesting.
Okay, another bonus. I’m still looking for contributions for Let’s Talk about Race. Read the details here and send me your posts. http://dioncommunications.com/blog/?p=756

The highest compliment you can give is to recommend Dion Communications, LLC to a friend. I appreciate your referrals.

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

Find out about our coaching services. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?page_id=334

Workbooks and audio CDs for writers.

Prompts for writers

Happy writing,

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

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Tags: free writes, prompts, prompts for august
Posted in Ten Prompt Thursday, prompts | 1 Comment »

Get Started on Your Memoir - Today

July 29th, 2010

I’m one of those people who believes everyone should write a memoir. Every life matters. Your experiences, the good and the bad, shape who you are. Our lives can, and should benefit others. How do you formulate and share your life story? Whether your goal is a book to share at the family reunion or market to publishers, here are some beginning steps to guide you through the process.

First, keep a journal. Record the day, store memories, work through stuff, vent, express feelings, reflections, thoughts and opinions. If you already keep a journal, read through previous entries. See how you’ve changed over time.

Second, set goals for writing. Write something every day whether it’s a journal entry, a chapter or even a memory that comes to mind. Develop a reasonable writing schedule and follow it. Decide when you want to complete your memoir and work towards reaching that goal. Consider this, if you write one page a day beginning on August 1, you’ll have a 153 page memoir by the end of the year.

Third, write a timeline for your memoir. Are you going to cover your entire life, your teens or just this past year? Divide into increments (years or months). Add significant events to your timeline: when you fell in/out of love, trauma and crisis, births/deaths, significant events, profound experiences, etc.

Fourth, research the past and memories. Find the facts through property records, court records, library archives, internet searches, newspapers, etc. Also research your family history through photos, journals, letters, scrapbooks, interviews.

I hope these four steps help you start your memoir. I find the biggest challenge is not beginning, but completing the memoir. For most people a lack of motivation prevents them from following through. If you find this is your blockage, e-mail me. I’ll be happy to encourage you through the process.

You might also consider hiring a writing coach. Here are some questions I ask my new memoir coaching clients. Why do you want to write a memoir? How much time can you devote to writing and marketing? What is your writing experience? What obstacles do you expect and how can I help you to overcome them? How will you reward yourself for achieving your goals? Answering these simple questions and following these four steps will help you write your life story.

Happy writing,

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

The highest compliment you can give is to recommend Dion Communications, LLC to a friend. I appreciate your referrals.

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

Find out about our coaching services. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?page_id=334

Workbooks and audio CDs for writers. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=119

Prompts for writers http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=146

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Tags: how to write a memoir, memoir writing
Posted in Articles, Memoirs, Nonfiction Writing, Setting goals for writing success | No Comments »

Can an Author Write from the Perspective of a different race?

July 22nd, 2010

09-12-3-cover-well-considered So when might Write Words and Let’s talk about Race collide? How about when a white man writes a novel from a black man’s perspective? Richard Morris did just that in Well Considered. Here’s what he had to say about how and why he came to write the book. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

In writing Well Considered, how could I, a white man, hope to get into the mind and soul of a black man and describe how he thinks and feels? And how could I do the same with my other black characters? Isn’t that invasive and presumptuous?

Still, I had to try. My story revolves around a black man, Ron Watkins, and his neighbors, some of whom are white. I did not just want to just look at them from a distance—I wanted to see them from within.

Writing Well Considered was a challenge for me—a test to see if I really could understand the thoughts and feelings of people on the other side of the racial divide. In doing so, I had to pay close attention to what my African-American friends and acquaintances said, some of whom were friends in my small book discussion group. So I listened when they said, “Oh, we don’t do that,” referring to asking what someone does for a living as a means of getting acquainted. Their openers would revolve around, “where are you from?” “And we would never say…” this and that. Their comments were generalizations of course. People are individuals and cannot all be lumped together.

But there are cultural threads tying people together. My delving into the hearts and characters of black people had to be based on black history—slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, persecution by whites, powerlessness, and the endless distancing of whites from blacks through white flight and by simply turning each one into an “Invisible Man.”

In Well Considered, I also had to describe a mix of white characters with disparate beliefs—from white supremacist segregationists to liberal integrationists. I needed all of them to tell the story. And I could not shy away from my task. Literature should not be segregated into books for whites written by whites and books by blacks for blacks, and further subdivided into all the other races, nationalities, and religions. Can no writers see how people different from themselves think and act? Of course they can. Some do it better than others.

I did not know how well I could do. But I decided in writing Well Considered that I would just do the best I could and let readers judge for themselves the veracity of my characters. This week I was delighted to find that at least one reviewer, Robert Fleming from AALBC, an African-American literary website (http://aalbc.com/reviews/well_considered.html), found my effort successful. Fleming says, “Some critics have often said white authors cannot capture the soul and passion of African American characters, but that is not the case with Richard Morris’s aptly titled novel of race, hate, eugenics, and violence.”

Now it is time for you to judge it.

Cross posted with permission from Richard Morris: http://richardmorrisauthor.wordpress.com/2010/07/10/into-the-mind/

So, what do you think? Can a white man accurately depict the thoughts and feelings of a black man? Would you consider this perspective valid? Do you feel this is “invasive and presumptuous”? For my writer friends, share how you’ve written from perspectives different from your own. Let’s talk…

The highest compliment you can give is to recommend Dion Communications, LLC to a friend. I appreciate your referrals.

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

Find out about our coaching services. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?page_id=334

Workbooks and audio CDs for writers.

Prompts for writers

Happy writing,

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

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Tags: richard morris, talk about race, well considered, write about race
Posted in Articles, Fiction | No Comments »

Hook and Title

July 8th, 2010

Imagine you’re on an elevator. While waiting to reach your floor, you small talk with another rider. During the chat you discover she’s an editor at Simon & Schuster. You courageously announce to her that you’re writing a book. She says, “So, what is your book about?”

You have ten seconds, what will you say? I have written three books and if I were on that elevator…

Let’s Talk about Race is a how-to for anyone who wants to have safe, honest and productive small group conversations about race.

Dear Son: Letters from a Birth Mother is a memoir. It’s a collection of 20 years of letters I wrote to the son I placed for adoption in 1980.

Nine Steps to Successful Nonfiction Magazine Writing is a workbook for novice writers who want to make money writing for magazines.

Notice in each of these samples that I don’t use more than 30 words. I include only my title and book hook. A hook gives just enough information to entice a bite. My general rule is you should be able to fit the title and hook of your book on the back of your business card.

The book hook should be short and to the point. A nonfiction book title and subtitle should tell exactly what your book is about. Don’t waste an editor or reader’s time with your eloquent prose. Just tell them what the book is about and wait for them to probe you further. If they’re interested, they will ask you to share more.

Now it’s your turn. Grab your business card and write your book title and hook on the back. Not as easy at it sounds, I know. When you get this done, memorize it…you never know who might be standing next to you in the elevator.

Happy writing,

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

The highest compliment you can give is to recommend Dion Communications, LLC to a friend. I appreciate your referrals.

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

Find out about our coaching services. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?page_id=334

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Tags: book hook, book title, write a book hook
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Ten Prompt Thursday - July Edition

July 1st, 2010

It’s July. In Southern Maryland we’ve had a few HOT days – high 90’s and even a couple of days in the triple digits. I hope you’re enjoying your summer: vacationing, barbequing, tanning, WRITING! (Sorry for yelling.) Here’s another ten prompts to get you started for July. Enjoy.

1. My blog Let’s Talk about Race is seeking submissions. Send me your articles, book reviews, resources, opinion pieces, poetry, book excerpts, videos, etc. that will spark discussion about race. I don’t mind controversy, opinion, whimsy, just nothing profane please. Also, if you have a previously published book excerpt, blog or article about race, we take reprints.

Simply send your submission (try to keep it around 500 words) to angela@dioncommunications.com. End your piece with a few questions that will get people talking. Add your bio and photo (feel free to plug your blog, book, web site, products, etc.). I’ll contact you when/if I use your post.

2. We can’t have July writing prompts without including Independence Day. Write your definition of independence. Do you have independence? Why or why not?

3. Write an ode to the hot dog.

4. Find a post card of your home town and send it to a friend who lives far away. “I wish you were here…”

5. Apollo 11 lifted off on July 16, 1969. Imagine you are a fly on the wall – tell us about the trip. BTW – I don’t know if a fly would survive in space J

6. Your air conditioner broke. Make a list of ten ridiculous ways to cool off.

7. Try one of them (from number 6) and write about the experience.

8. “I was bored so I opened the closet and…” C.S. Lewis created an entire Narnia series with this premise; see what you can come up with.

9. Watch a movie you haven’t seen in over ten years. Write a review.

10. Six months left in 2010. Write about an adventure you have had or plan to have this year, can be fact or fiction.

11. BONUS daily writing challenge. This month I’m writing something I’m thankful for every day. I’m calling it 31 Days of Praises. To participate, post your praises on FB and/or Twitter each day.

Happy writing,

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

PS: A couple more success stories.

Claudia Tynes will speak at the PUSH Women’s Conference on October 30 at Crown Plaza http://uniquebooksbypam.com/News.aspx. Congrats Claudia, I know you’ll be awesome.

Louis Cecchini III released his music CD “Second Chronicles.” I didn’t get a chance to listen yet Louis, but kudos to you for pursuing your recording dreams.

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

Find out about our coaching services. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?page_id=334

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Tags: july writing prompts, Let's talk about race blog, writing prompts
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Success Stories Spring 2010

June 24th, 2010

From time to time I like to brag a little on the writers I know, teach and/or work with. Here are some of the awesome things happening. I’ve done a lot of happy dancing this month! I am so proud to be associated with such fine writers.

Dawn Sanders graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bethel Seminary last week!! Kudos to Dawn as she was the only student to graduate with that high honor. Dawn also had two queries accepted for articles and is scheduling many speaking engagements for the fall. www.acordofblue.net

Bermesola Dyer is working on the FINAL edit of her book. Look for The Beauty of Self Love: A 30 Day Devotional Guide to Higher Self Esteem to release this fall. Terrific Bermesola, I’m so excited for you.

Gerald Spence was featured in the Maryland Independent for his book The War. He’s our local celebrity writer now and has done several book signings. http://www.somdnews.com/stories/05142010/indymor155327_32194.shtml

Rev. Thomas D. Clay launched his web page www.cathedralquest.com. It is a beautifully presented display of photos and writing on cathedrals he’s visited throughout the world.

James Mascia had a query accepted at Writers Journal magazine – just one week after sending it in! Awesome James, here’s his web site www.islandofdren.com.

Yvonne Medley found an agent for her fiction book God in Wingtip Shoes. She also spoke at the Maryland Writer’s Conference in April.

Your name here. Do you have a writing-related success you’d like to share? Let me know and I’ll post it in a future issue.

Here’s what’s been happening with me:

Marc and I are speaking about No More Segregated Sunday at First Baptist Church of Accokeek on July 11^th at 11 am service. www.fbcoa.org

I started a part-time counseling job on June 1^st. It’s amazing how I’m finding time to do that and still run Dion Communications – I think that means I have the best clients in both worlds.

I did two radio interviews in the past month: one on Sky High Radio about church segregation and the other with Lake Enterprises about the film “Good Hair” http://www.blogtalkradio.com/deborahelake/2010/05/07/good-hair

My article “Act it Out” was accepted in Teaching Tolerance Magazine; it will appear this fall www.tolerance.org

I am currently completing an interview for EVERYTHING Interracial and Intercultural Group (EIRIC™) (www.everythingiric.com) which should post in the next month or so.

PG Gazette http://www.gazette.net/stories/05272010/entepri142358_32553.php

Maryland Independent Article http://www.somdnews.com/stories/01272010/indytop171706_32230.shtml

Happy writing and happy dancing,

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

P.S. The highest compliment you can give is to recommend Dion Communications, LLC to a friend. I appreciate your referrals.

Subscribe to our free e-newsletter and receive the free 9-page e-booklet “Write Killer Queries” http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe

Find out about our coaching services. http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?page_id=334

Workbooks and audio CDs for writers.

Prompts for writers