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The TopNotch® Writer
Empowering Christian Writers for the Kingdom of God
Volume 1 ~ Issue 4 . . . . . . . . . . . June 2008
Published by TopNotch Communications Group, LLC
MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D., CLC, Principal
Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved.
From the Editor's Desk . . .
To paraphrase Charles Dickens, we live in the best of times and the worst of times. The worst in that the world is growing ever darker as it plunges further into deception and self-centeredness. The best in that the Kingdom of God is growing ever brighter as believers take their position of authority in Christ.
Jesus said we are the light of the world. The darker the background, the more brilliantly the light shines. As writers for Christ, we take His light into the world through our written words. Let me encourage you to remain faithful to your call to write. Souls are at stake.
So take up the Sword of the Spirit, God's Holy Word, and with it, take up your pen for the cause of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our June issue is full of great information and resources to help you become the writer God created you to be. We are living in what Scripture calls "perilous times" (2 Timothy 3:1). As the days grow darker, making it increasingly difficult to proclaim the Good News, we must work while it is yet day (John 9:4).
Our subscriber base is exploding, thanks to all of you who are telling your fellow Christian writers about The TopNotch® Writer. I deeply appreciate your sharing the good news about the e-zine dedicated to the purpose of empowering Christian writers for the building of the Kingdom of God. Keep spreading the word and the Word!
Blessings,
Dr. MaryAnn
In this issue . . .
- Be sure to read our outstanding feature article this month, Learning to Write "Beyond Me", by veteran writer Kathi Macias. Kathi's new book, Beyond Me: Living a "You First" Life in a "Me First" World, will be released in July.
- Attention, Techies! The Kindle is here.
- Ever wonder if your writing counts? Find out here.
ATTITUDE
Your Writing Makes a Difference!
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D.
The theory of evolution has resulted in a devaluation of human worth. If man came from a monkey, then he is only a step higher than an animal on the evolutionary scale. So what does this philosophy have to do with writing? Quite a bit.
It may come as a surprise that some writers procrastinate because they don't think they have anything worthwhile to say. As soon as I hear this excuse, I realize that the root problem is not procrastination; it's an identity crisis. The writer is not aware of who he really is.
I find this attitude especially disconcerting among Christian writers, those who should be the most excellent, the most confident, and the most daring. Unfortunately, Christian writers are often among those who demean themselves the most in the name of humility. How this must hurt the heart of God!
Christian psychologist Neil Anderson describes humility as "confidence properly placed". The humble writer knows that he is called and gifted to write, but he also realizes that God is the source of both his calling and his gifting.
Because of this attitude, the Christian writer understands that his writing makes a difference. And because he understands that his writing makes a difference, he takes seriously his call to write. He appreciates that only he can write his unique message in his own unique way. He knows that he cannot be replaced.
You may be only one person, but that's all you need to be. One is a whole number, and one in union with the Almighty One is more than enough.
BUSINESS
The Latest Tech Toy
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D.
If you've been following the latest trends in technology, you may have come across Amazon.com's newest gadget: the Kindle. A wireless reading device, the Kindle has been described by author Michael Lewis as "the future of book reading".
Priced at $399, the Kindle is about the size of a paperback and weighs only 10.3 ounces. It is used to read e-books (electronic books) and other material and holds over 200 titles at a time. It runs on batteries and uses the same high-speed data network (EDVO) as cell phones. The Kindle utilizes a proprietary format called the AZW format and downloads material via Amazon Whispernet. It can be used without a computer.
Kindle owners can subscribe to major newspapers, blogs, and bestselling books. To make things even easier, Kindlers can purchase their reading material directly through their Kindle.
The device was launched in the United States in November 2007 and sold out in only five and a half hours. It remained out of stock until late April of this year.
If you're "kindling" for a Kindle, you can buy one here.
But if, like me, you're wondering if the Kindle will ever replace the traditional book, I doubt it. The thought of curling up with a Kindle just doesn't seem to "kindle" any warmth.
CRAFT
Writing Simply
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D.
Less is more. How often I've heard that wonderful piece of writing advice! Yet I find I need to remind myself over and over of its wisdom.
Just as simplification enhances life, so does simplification enhance writing. But how does a writer simplify? Here are a few tips:
1) Replace a weak verb followed by an adverb with a strong verb that incorporates the meaning of the adverb. Then delete the adverb.
2) Eliminate as many adjectives as possible and replace them with strong nouns.
3) Summarize your article or story in a single sentence, and stay focused on that sentence as your write.
Streamlining your writing is a lot like streamlining your life. It takes a bit of effort, but the rewards are well worth it. For the writer, it may mean the difference between getting published or not.
FEATURE ARTICLE
Learning to Write "Beyond Me"
By Kathi Macias
We talk a lot about being "Christian writers," but what does that mean? What distinguishes us from any other writers? What makes us unique and readily recognizable to our readers?
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to write-and I did, winning writing contests and eventually moving on to newspaper work. Then, at the age of 26, I received Jesus as my Savior and decided "write books for God." Thankfully, God didn't allow me to get published at that immature season of my life. Instead, He gently spoke to my heart that I would be ready to write books for Him when I was ready to write books without my name on them.
I had no idea what that meant, but approximately one decade later, when I'd done at least a little bit of maturing, I was offered my first ghostwriting project. The publisher who told me about it said, "You'd actually be writing the book for someone else, but it won't have your name on it."
The light came on, and I realized what God had been telling me years earlier. I accepted the project and, through the ensuing years, have worked on approximately 100 books for other people-all without my name on them.
Do I also have books that include my name on the cover? Absolutely. However, before God allowed me to move into that realm of publishing, He had to strip away a lot of "me" and replace that with more of Him.
Moving "beyond me" in our writing-or any other aspect of our lives-is an ongoing process, yet a necessary one if we want to wear the title of "Christian writer" with integrity and humility.
EDITOR'S NOTE: I had the privilege of reading the manuscript of this outstanding book before publication. I predict it will be a classic in Christian literature, and I strongly urge you to purchase a copy when the book is released in July. To learn more about Kathi's forthcoming book, view the trailer to Beyond Me here.
_________________________________________________________
Kathi Macias, Angel-award winning author of twenty-one books, announces the release of her newest book, BEYOND ME: LIVING A YOU-FIRST LIFE IN A ME-FIRST WORLD, from New Hope Publishers. For ordering information and to watch/listen to the music trailer for the book, go to www.kathimacias.com.
BOOK REVIEW
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D.
(In this section, we will feature outstanding books on writing.)
 Writer to Writer
by Bodie Thoene
Best-selling novelist Bodie Thoene turns her pen to non-fiction in this inspiring book on the writing life. Tracing her career from a scriptwriter for John Wayne to a beloved writer of historical fiction, Ms. Thoene minces no words in offering a true picture of the ups and downs of the writing life.
The author collaborates with her husband in taking the reader on a journey through the vicissitudes faced by a writer on his way to publication. She freely admits that the life of the writer is not easy, but it is definitely worthwhile.
If you're looking for a compelling inside view of what it's like to be a writer, get yourself a copy of Writer to Writer.
To purchase books and products featured in earlier issues of
The TopNotch® Writer, click here.
To read back issues of The TopNotch® Writer, click here.
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ATTENTION
HOMESCHOOLERS!
If you're looking for outstanding literature books you can trust,
check out Dr. MaryAnn's
series on American authors.
A Student's Guide
to Nathaniel Hawthorne
A Student's Guide
to Herman Melville
A Student's Guide
to Mark Twain
All three books are available through
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WRITING COACHES
Are you feeling "stuck" in your writing? I've been there myself. Allow me to help you!
Andrea Boeshaar
Certified Christian Life Coach
& Published Author
www.andreaboeshaar.com
___________
TopNotch Life & Career Coaching
MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D., CLC
Are you tired of rejection slips?
If so, why not hire a writing coach?
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techniques for achieving the writing
success you long for. Give her a call at
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WRITING SERVICES
THE MOST VALUABLE 2-CENTS YOU’LL EVER FIND!
Clear – Concise – Compelling
Political Commentary That Will Turn
Your Readers into Returning Readers.
Gina Diorio cuts to the chase on today’s hottest issues in a style that's engaging, intellectual, and at times irreverent. Readers might get happy – they might get angry – but they will get thinking.
Contact Gina today to include her political commentary in your publication.
Gina L. Diorio, M.A., Principal
www.Liberty WritingSolutions.com
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
CHRISTIAN
Wesleyan Writers' Conference
June 15-20, 2008
Middletown, Connecticut
St. Davids Christian Writers' Conference
Grove City, Pennsylvania
June16-21, 2008
American Christian Writers Conference
June 20-21, 2008
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Kentucky Christian Writers' Conference
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
June 20-21, 2008
International Christian Retail Show
July 13-17, 2001
(formerly Christian Booksellers Assn.)
Orlando, Florida
Greater Philadelphia Christian
Writers' Conference
August 7-9, 2008
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
American Christian Fiction Writers
September 18-21, 2008
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Glorieta Christian Writers' Conference
October 22-26, 2008
Santa Fe, New Mexico
SECULAR
Santa Barbara Writers' Conference
June 21-26, 2008
Santa Barbara, California
New York City Writers' Conference
June 26-29, 2008
New York City, New York
Highlights Foundation
Writers' Workshop at Chautauqua
July 12-19, 2008
Chautauqua, New York
Travel Writers' & Photographers' Conference
August 14-17, 2008
Corte Madera, California
Maui Writers' Conference
August 29-September 1, 2008
Honolulu, Hawaii
Check out these conference resources:
www.ShawGuides.com
http://writersconf.org/
WRITING CONTESTS
This month we begin a new feature:
Writing Contests. Check these out
and enter a few. You may just win! :)
Christian
Christian Poetry Contest
Deadline: August 31, 2008
Operation First Novel
Deadline: October 1, 2008
Operation First Non-Fiction Book
Deadline: October 1, 2008
The AMY Foundation Writing Awards
January 31, 2009
Secular
Margaret Reid Poetry Contest
for Traditional Verse
Deadline: June 30, 2008
The Story Prize
Deadline: July 15, 2008
The Pearl Poetry Contest
Deadline: July 15, 2008
RESOURCES
Writers' Organizations
CHRISTIAN
Act One
Christian Writers' Fellowship International
Writers' Information Network
American Christian Fiction Writers
FaithWriters.com
Christian Writers'Group International
The Christian Writers' Guild
SECULAR
American Society of
Authors &Journalists
American Screenwriters Association
National Writers' Association
Academy of American Poets
Blogs/Ezines/Websites/Loops
Musings That Matter
Right-Writing.com
http://rosemccauley.blogspot.com/
The Writers' View
(by application only)
http://writersdigest.com/101BestSites/
FEATURED MARKET
The Christian Online Magazine
COURSES FOR WRITERS
Internet
Writers Online Workshops
Gotham Writers' Workshop
Correspondence
The Christian Writers' Guild
American Christian Writers (ACW)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!
Nov. 15, 2008
I LOVE TO WRITE DAY!
For more info, go to
http://www.ILovetoWriteDay.org
Supplies for Writers
The Writers' Store
The Writers' Life Gift Shop
Organized Times
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show
me the glint of light on broken glass."
~Anton Chekhov
THE TOPNOTCH WRITER is published monthly by TOPNOTCH COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, LLC, owned and operated by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. Articles in THE TOPNOTCH WRITER are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any way or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio.
To subscribe to THE TOPNOTCH WRITER, please send a blank email to
TopNotchWriter@aweber.com
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