Volume 1 ~ Issue 5 . . . . . . . . . . . July 2008

Published by TopNotch Communications Group, LLC
MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D., CLC, Principal
Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved.

From the Editor's Desk . . .

With summer in full swing, we may be tempted to leave the writing desk behind for other more appealing ventures. But the disciplined writer remains so throughout his writing career. This doesn't mean that we don't take breaks. Vacations--even mini ones--are essential to our well-being and to our creativity. A well that is not refilled quickly runs dry.

As you take advantage of beautiful summer days, remember that the times of refreshment are meant to strengthen us for the work of the Lord that lies ahead. Use those times to renew your writing vision and to drink from the Creator from Whom all of our writing flows.

Thanks to all of you who continue to spread the word about THE TOPNOTCH® WRITER. Our subscription base is exploding as God moves among us. Praise His Holy Name!

Blessings,

Dr. MaryAnn

In this issue . . .

• Do you need help getting organized? If so, check out professional organizer Debbie Williams' guest article on the "Three T's" for organizing your writing life.

• Without hope, faith has nothing to work with. Read Hope:The Blueprint of Faith to learn how to develop faith that gets you writing results.
  
  
• Your writing life doesn't have to be either/or. It can be both/and. Check out Ministry or Money: Why Not Both?
  
  
• What's in a premise? Read Promising Premisesand find out.
  
  
• Creativity as a calling. What does this mean? To learn more, read this month's book review.
  
  
• Would you like help to start a writing business? Or any other kind of business? Author Toinette Neube has written a great resource called Women with a Mind to Build. You don't have to be a woman to check out this book.

ATTITUDE

Hope: the Blueprint of Faith
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D.

Scripture tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). This means that before we can have faith, we must have hope. Well, what is hope? Hope is the expectation that what God says will come to pass when we apply our faith to what God says. In other words, when we believe what God says, we will experience what He says in our lives.

Another way of looking at hope is to describe it as the inner blueprint of what we are believing for. When my husband and I decided to build our home, we acquired a blueprint of the house. Then, when family and friends came over to visit, we showed them the blueprint and said, "This is our house." Now, it wasn't really our house; it was only the blueprint, or image, of the house that was yet to be built. Yet we knew for certain that as we applied our faith to the ability of the construction workers to build our house, we would eventually see it in real life, standing on our property and providing a place to live for our family.

Just as we needed a blueprint for our house so the builders would know how to construct it, so too do we need a blueprint for our writing. What is the hope (the blueprint) you have for your writing? If you have none, then your faith will have nothing to which to give substance.

Take time today to get alone with God and ask Him for His blueprint for your writing. Perhaps He wants to build a hotel in your writing life, or perhaps a cozy cabin on a lake. Whatever He desires to build through your writing, yield to it. In the long run, His dream for you is the only dream that really matters, and the only dream that will bear eternal fruit.

BUSINESS

Ministry or Money? - Why Not Both?
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D.

Years ago, I heard a wise gentleman say, "Life doesn't have to be either/or. It can be both/and." Throughout the years, his statement stuck with me, especially when I faced decisions that I thought had to be either/or. As I considered the decision from several angles, I often realized that I could "have my cake and eat it too." After all, why have cake at all if you can't eat it? :)

The both/and principle, as I like to call it, applies to writing for ministry vs. writing for money. In my humble opinion, one does not preclude the other. It seems we Christians have gotten the idea that ministry is only one department of our lives, while everything else we do falls into other departments. I beg to differ. I believe that all of our life is one big department called Ministry. Everything we do--whether it's writing an article, praising God, sweeping the floor, or caring for an elderly parent--we do to glorify God and to help our fellow man. Even our eating and our drinking are ministry because we are taking care of our body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and in so doing, we are staying strong to take care of others. The Bible commands us to do everything in such a way as to bring glory to God (I Corinthians 10:31).

So our writing, then, falls under the banner of "ministry" whether we write for money or not. Yet some Christian writers believe that if a writer gets paid for his work, it's not ministry, while if he doesn't get paid, it is. From this false premise, it follows that a writer who expects payment for his writing for a Christian publication is being mercenary and is not writing with a pure motive.

But what about the Scripture verse that says, "The workman is worthy of his wages" (Luke 10:7)? As I read that verse, I understand that one who works has the right to be paid for his work. Now, granted, there are times when we may relinquish the right to be paid for our work, but we shouldn't be expected to relinquish that right just because we are Christians or just because we are writing for a Christian publication. Unfortunately, the worst culprits in this area are fellow Christians.

By the same token, those same Christians who expect writers--or others--to work for free wouldn't dare think of going to their jobs every day and working for free. So somewhere, there is a major disconnect.

Deciding whether or not to write for free should be the writer's decision not the publication's expectation of the writer. If the publication doesn't pay, the writer should decide whether or not he wants to write for that publication. Most writers I know need the money that comes from writing. Writing for them is a legitimate job, whether full-time or part-time, and a means of putting bread on the table.

But it all boils down to attitude--mainly the writer's. As you land writing assignments, ask God what you should do regarding payment. There will be times, as there have been for me, when God has asked me to submit an article for free. But most of the time, He expects me to be paid for my work because writing is one of the chief ways I earn my living.

That said, please hold your tomatoes. :) On second thought, I'm Italian and could use them for spaghetti gravy - especially if I choose to write without pay. Then I'll definitely need those tomatoes. :)

CRAFT

Promising Premises
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D

Good writing starts with a premise. What is a premise? Simply put, a premise is a statement that tells the reader what the piece of writing is about or what it intends to prove.

Why is a premise important to good writing? A premise is like a compass that helps you keep your writing on track. If you don't have a premise, you may not like where your writing ends up.

So how do you develop a premise? My favorite source for premises is the Word of God. Here, for example, is a premise: "You shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32).

Often a writer may not be aware of his premise until after he has finished writing his story or article. This occurs most often in fiction writing where a premise emerges as the story develops. A premise is organic and grows from the inside out. It is not something that can be tacked on to your writing but that lies at its core.

While a premise should usually not be overtly expressed to the reader, if it is solid and sure it will be discovered by the astute reader.

If you're having trouble establishing a premise, make a list of the truths you believe. Any premise grounded in God's Word is a premise that will provide a solid and sure foundation for your writing.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Use the Three T’s to Get Organized for Writing
by Debbie Williams

Sometimes just thinking about writing a report, newsletter, or news release gives us the jitters. You don’t have to be a professional writer to write professional copy. Use the 3 T’s to organize your writing time so you can spend quality time with friends, family, and building your career.

Organize your writing project using my 3 T’S:

• Organize Your Thoughts
• Organize Your Tools
• Organize Your Tasks

ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS. Limit interruptions, keep appointments brief, and eliminate visual clutter.

• To limit phone interruptions: Screen phone calls with voicemail or your answering machine. Set the timer to let you know when your allotted time is up. Make outgoing phone calls when you know the other party is unavailable (lunch, evenings, etc). You can save a lot of time by leaving messages. Be precise when leaving voicemail messages for research or interviews – give a best time to be reached, and ask callers to do the same for you. Schedule phone conferences as you would a meeting; make an appointment, limited length, and agenda.

• Appointments can be streamlined using the following time management tips: Keep them brief (10-15 minutes each). Screen your appointments by having a scheduled available time (Mondays for staff meetings, Wednesday night family meetings, etc). Don’t have an open door policy – at home or in the office. Conduct meetings outside your office so you can leave when you’re done. Remove extra seating from your office at work and home; this eliminates unwanted guests from visiting when you’re in the midst of a project or research.

• Visual clutter can be eliminated by removing unnecessary items from your workspace, leaving only items used daily on your desktop. Move your phone, printer, fax machine, family photos, and reference materials to a credenza or bookshelf. Create an overflow area around your primary workspace for special projects, but leave your desk-top free for writing.

• Learn to say no and weigh quality vs. quantity: Don’t accept so many writing assignments that you cannot possibly do your best on each of them. It’s okay to respond with “No, not now but I can write that article in X weeks or months.” New and experienced writers alike know that hearing NO from an editor may just mean NOT NOW – use the same ambiguous language in your own work. Stay on Track: Say NO to projects that take you “off task” from something that is a high priority to your writing goals. For example, don’t write articles for your church newsletter this month if you have a fierce deadline for a magazine article.

• Cut the Cord: Each of us finally reaches that point when it’s time to
  decline writing for "byline only". It's a wonderful way to get published, build your clipping file, and draw traffic to your website or seminar, but eventually will start to pull you from your goals. Once you make the decision to write professionally rather than casually, as a career versus a hobby, don't look back. You'll be so glad you stuck to your guns when those checks come in.

• Create a Routine. Write every day, Begin by journaling as a warm-up exercise, Utilize your “peak energy levels” and use that time to write, write, write! – If you are not a morning person, don’t sit down at 7 am to get a project out of the way only to find that your foggy brain will not cooperate. Write in the afternoon or evening if that’s when you are most inspired and creative. Take short breaks, re-energize with snacks and drinks, and keep that energy level up for continued inspiration.

• Be Prepared. Keep paper and pen by your bedside to capture those middle-of-the-night thoughts. Carry a pad of paper and pen with you in your car, briefcase, or planner to capture research tidbits, creative thoughts, and when brainstorming during a power lunch. Have a business card with you at all times – you never know when a networking opportunity will arise for a freelance assignment or interview opportunity.

ORGANIZE YOUR TOOLS.

• Email – Utilize folders/subfolders as you would in a paper environment. Create a system and stick with it, purging on a routine basis and reducing document clutter. Use autoresponders and filters, rules and wizards, and other whistles or bells provided by your email software.

• Tracking Log for Article/Manuscript Submissions and Publications. Create a spreadsheet or form to document when you submitted an article, contact information, and date of followup if any. If you aren’t experienced in creating spreadsheets, then make a hand-written list on a piece of paper. Keep it near your desktop on a clipboard for easy documentation.

• Follow Up System – Utilize a tracking log, calendar, planner, file box, or electronic reminder so assignments won’t fall through the cracks.

• Virtual Desktop Folders – Organize your computer files into folders and subfolders as you would in a paper file cabinet. If you need to keep “hot files” easily accessible, create a shortcut on your computer desktop so that you can refer to them on a regular basis. Others can be filed into folders and even archived once they are complete. Be sure to clean your files out on a regular basis. Computer clutter is distracting.

• Book-Marked Websites for research and leads. While surfing the internet, be sure and bookmark favorite sites, articles, resources, and products to help you in your writing. Use the favorites feature of your browser, or send a reminder to yourself by emailing the internet address (URL) to yourself. This is a great way to cross-reference your research.

• Subscriptions to Newsgroups and Ezine Services – Let the information come to you. You don’t have to spend a lot of hours researching an article or report if you utilize internet ezine services such as Suite 101, Briefme, ThemeStream, and newsgroups. Others do all the work for you, reading and analyzing the website’s content and writing a review. Use that information to begin your own search, rather than starting from scratch. This is one of my favorite time-savers for writing newsletters.

• Virtual Assistant – A good rule in time management is to delegate tasks that you cannot do or are so mundane that they keep you from doing higher priority tasks. Filing, organizing research, typing articles or manuscripts, proofing, editing --- all can be delegated. Don’t be afraid to admit that the details of the writing business (and it is a business) are not your strengths.

• Idea Box – Fill a box or folder with articles, brochures, book jackets, pictures, or anything that triggers an idea for a writing project. Go through this stack periodically for inspiration on a new project, or to keep you focused on an old one. If you’re a visual learner and out-of-sight is out-of-mind, then hang a bulletin board on your wall exclusively for this purpose.

• Reading List – Maintain a reading list where you can jot down new titles, or old ones that have been recommended to you by friends and colleagues. Utilize the online bookstores, writer and publisher sites, and other avenues for sharing and collaborating. This saves a lot of time when you’re ready to do some research or need to refuel your think tank.

CONSOLIDATE YOUR TASKS.

• Write more when you’re in a creative mood.
• Return your phone calls all at once or several at a time.
• Conduct your research in big blocks of time or on certain days of the week: Internet, Telephone, Email, and Letters.

In summary, write when the mood strikes you, using your energy levels as motivation. Writing exercises your mind, spirit, and body all at the same time. Exercise those writing muscles every day to keep them in shape and ready for action. And the next time you need to write a press release, write copy for a web page, or produce the corporate newsletter, you’ll be ready to go the distance.

___________________________________________________________

Copyright 2000. All rights reserved. Debbie Williams is an organizing strategist who offers tools and training to help you put your business life in order. She is the author of the ebooks A Space of Your Own and How to Control Chaos at Work. Learn more at http://www.organizedtimes.com

 

BOOK REVIEW
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D.

(In this section, we will feature outstanding books on writing.)

The Creative Call: An Artist's Response to the Way of the Spirit
by Janice Elsheimer

Based on the premise that "our creativity was meant to be used", The Creative Call speaks to the many ways the writer/artist can produce fruit for Christ through the process of creation. Ms. Elsheimer offers readers, especially those who may have left their creative gifts by the wayside, to unlock once again the God-given gift of creativity buried deep within each human soul.

Covering topics such as wondering, listening, awakening, and forgiving, Ms. Elsheimer frankly discusses her own artistic reawakening and the fear that threatened to prevent it. She encourages the reader to look at the creative gift as a way of drawing closer to God.

If you want to learn more about the creative process, or if you need encouragement to keep writing, this is the book to read. Purchase your copy here: The Creative Call

FEATURED MINISTRY

Toinette Rose-Neube is a hidden jewel in the Body of Christ. Founder and president of Nurture Thyself, Inc., she has a heart for God's people, especially His women. To that end, Toinette hosts seminars around the country. Her next seminar, based on her latest book, Women with a Mind to Build, will be held on July 26, 2008, in North Charleston, South Carolina. For details, contact Toinette at nurturethyself@juno.com.

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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Daily Devotions for Writers

Compiled and edited by Patricia Lorenz,
well-known Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor, this book will make a great
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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

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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

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

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

The Story Prize
Deadline: July 15, 2008

The Pearl Poetry Contest
Deadline: July 15, 2008

Flash Fiction Contest
Deadline: July 21, 2008

RESOURCES

Writers Magazines

Christian

Advanced Christian Writer

Cross & Quill

The Christian Communicator


Secular

Byline

Poetry Magazine

Poets & Writers

The Writer

Writers' Digest

Writers' Organizations

Christian

Act One

American Christian Writers

American Christian Fiction Writers

Christian E-Authors

ChristianPoetry.org

ChristianWriters.com

Christian Writers' Fellowship International

Christian Writers' Group International

Christian Writers' Guild

FaithWriters.com

Fellowship of Christian Writers

Inscribe Christian Writers' Fellowship

International Christian Writers

Literary Christian

Suite 101 for Christian Writers

Utmost Christian Writers

Writers' Information Network

Secular

Academy of American Poets

American Screenwriters Association

American Society of
Authors &Journalists

American Society of Food Journalists

Freelance Writing Organization Int'l

International Association of
Business Communicators

National Association of Science Writers

National Education Writers Association

National Press Club

National Writers' Association

Society of American Travel Writers

Society of Professional Journalists

Teachers and Writers Online

Writers Guild of America

Blogs/Ezines/Websites/Loops

Christian

Right-Writing.com

http://rosemccauley.blogspot.com/

Sally Stuart's Christian Writers' Marketplace

The Writers' View
(by application only)

Secular

Fiction Factor

The Wooden Horse

The Writers' Bag

http://writersdigest.com/101BestSites/

FEATURED MARKET

New Man 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

Writing-Related Resources

Get Organized Now!

Christian Book Distributors

Amazon.com

Oil Painting Techniques

Virtual Sheet Music

Current Cards

AWeber.com

The Christian Writer's Power Source
(The Baptism in the Holy Spirit)

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more
powerful in the mature than in the young."

~ W. Somerset Maugham

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.

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