Tag Archives: publishing

by Jilanne Hoffmann | May 30, 2014 · 11:27 am

Write on Mamas – New Anthology

Hello Dogpatchers! I just read this blog post by an editor/writer from a group called Write on Mamas. They are professional writers (and those just beginning their writing journey) in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. I think the post contains some valuable insights about “beautiful writing” and what the editor learned while shepherding the group’s first anthology into publication.

So often, a piece can be beautifully written (crafted) but feel lacking. A loooooo-n-g time ago, I took a poetry workshop and spent a great portion of the time discussing whether certain poems had “duende.” Here’s Wikipedia’s definition of the word:

Duende or tener duende (“having duende”) loosely means having soul, a heightened state of emotion, expression and authenticity, often connected with flamenco. ^[1] The artistic and especially musical term was derived from the duende, a fairy or goblin-like creature in Spanish mythology.

I think this is sometimes the missing element in what would otherwise be called “beautiful writing.” So here’s hoping you are all out there inviting that little fairy goblin into your work.

Link to the blog post:

http://writeonmamas.com/tips-on-editing/

Write on Mamas’ new anthology:

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Tagged as anthologies, being a writer, children, craft, duende, editing, kids, mothers writing, parenting, publishing, Write on Mamas, writing craft

by Jilanne Hoffmann | February 8, 2013 · 2:42 pm

The Grapes of Mocking

I had to re-blog this from 101books.net. It is just too hilarious. Thank you, Robert!

Steinbeck Mocks the Publishing Process

Four of Everything!

I love the idea of four! Four elements in nature, the four humors of old, four score and seven years ago, my doggie has four legs.When developing a piece of writing, a writer might consider four aspects that come into play, at the onset or eventually.

Audience – Who is the audience for the material?
Concept – What is the vision of the piece, its message?
Form – How is the message of the piece presented? As a poem, in novel form? Furthermore, within the larger categories of form, what specific genre and styles are used?
Format – If published or presented, what is the packaging? Hard-cover printed book, e-book, online post, etc.

from http://www.particleadventure.org
/fundamental.html

A writer may decide the first aspect to which she relates is concept, asking herself what is the truth she’s seeking and message she’s delivering in creating a piece. For an editor, or from a publisher’s standpoint, the paramount question is, practically, about audience. Who’s going to buy the thing so we can all get paid? Continue reading →