How Editors Know You're An Amateur

Are you happy being an amateur writer? Do you want to stay in that happy state? Then just follow these tips in all your submissions.

Don't address the editor by name. After all, there may be many editorial staff at the publication just waiting to jump at the chance to read your work, and you don't want them to miss out do you?

Don't use double spacing. You never see articles or stories published in double space do you? So why should you bother double spacing your work, when someone is just going to have to convert it to single spacing later?

Don't bother checking your spelling or grammar. That's the editor's job isn't it?

Don't send return postage. Why should you assume they'll return your work? That's defeatism. If they want to publish it, they can write you a letter - surely they can afford that? And as you've paid to send it to them, surely they can pay to return it?

Don't put your name on the manuscript. They're bound to keep your manuscript and the cover letter together aren't they. No one would ever file correspondence and submissions in different places. Neither would they keep your letter, and send your submission to someone else to appraise it. That never happens.

Don't tell them how many words it is. Surely they can count?

Don't use a standard font. Everybody else does, and you want your manuscript to stand out from the crowd.

Don't use a new ribbon or cartridge. Why waste ink when the manuscript will get re-typed before publication anyway?

Don't tell them you've sent it to other editors. What they don't know can't hurt them. And you can always play one editor off against an other when they both offer you publication. Surely they'll understand that they can't expect an exclusive look at your work without a guarantee to publish it?

Don't read the publication's guidelines. Your work is so good that they'll have to publish it, even if it doesn't fit what they say they want. They just don't realise that they want it yet, that's all.

Just follow the tips above, and you're guaranteed to remain a happy amateur for ever.

By: williemeikle

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

I failed to follow my own advice and have seven novels published in the States. I am available for all freelance writing work. Contact me and read some free fiction at my web site www.williammeikle.com

Translation: How Much Talent Required?

People generally tend to believe that translation is merely the mechanical replacement of languages, and therefore anybody can be a translator if he/she happens to know a foreign language.

This is absolutely wrong! Knowledge of foreign languages is no guarantee that a translation will be rendered fairly well. The skill of translating is to make the right interpretation of the meaning in the target language. Therefore, a translator should understand the gist of the subject besides having good knowledge of a language, including grammar, syntax, and spelling rules.


So a good knowledge of the subject of a translation is part and parcel of the translation process. A skilled translator, however, has something else! It is his talent.

And now we are approaching the greatest challenge of a translation: how to find the proper balance between delivering the sense and beauty of the initial text and making the target translation «smooth». Only really gifted translators are capable of finding this balance.

This is particularly true when it comes to the translation of imaginative literature, especially the works of the finest classics, such as Leo Tolstoy, William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes or Dante Alighieri. The works of such giants can only be translated by those who have the taste for and profound knowledge of fine literature, being the very best and most talented translators who are in command of «translation aerobatics».

However, this level is unreachable for most translators. Being aware of that, Vladimir Nabokov, for instance, trusted no one for translating his literary work and did it himself. The works of contemporary authors, such as Frederick Forsyth or Isabel Alliende, Umberto Eco or Patric Zuskind, also require an in-depth understanding if they are to be rendered well. Likewise, technical translations require additional skills and knowledge.

Ghost Writers - Making Your Site Read Professionally

Weaving words together to not only make sense but create an impact is possible only by the few who have the talent and have acquired the required skills. For those who want to create a website, but are unable to write content that meets their expectations, it poses a major hurdle. The only way a website will sell is if there is appealing content, related to the company's objective and simple enough to be understood by all. The writers who are extremely talented will be able to land many projects and earn themselves a reputation in this field. And if they want to make it big, they might be approached by publishers to promote their works. When a person takes the assistance of a talented writer but sells it or makes it look like they did the writing on their own, the person who did the writing is called a Ghost writer.

At times, if a celebrity or famous person wants to write a book but are lost and have no clues where to start, they will hunt for professional writers to do the work. And if the writer has an agent, they might ask them to look for ghost writing opportunities. The drawback of this concept is the writer does not get any credit for the efforts and writing they have done. This is something similar to passing off someone else's work as your own, but in this case it is done with the knowledge of the original writer. To be able to market or promote a product or service, specified writing is required. And these writers possess the ability to write just what is required. Their services are also utilized to write articles, reports, reviews and books for political leaders, businessmen and celebrities. When a business manager has to present a report to his team but does not have the ability to put his thoughts in precise words, a ghost writer is called in to do the deed. The report will be drafted to give the impression that it was written by the manager. His style, mannerisms, words he might use will be inserted here and there to get the desired effect.


If a person is a good speaker, it doesn't mean that he has drafted what he orated, and this could be because of lack of time or are unable to pen well crafted words. This way he can concentrate more on developing his business and working out new strategies. And if the content written for his speech or website makes an impact, it would give his company an edge over others increasing business opportunities. In fact some college students are known to use the services of ghost writers to write essays for their college admission knowing the essay will turn out perfect. There are plenty of writers available who are willing to forego recognition to write such material and come to the rescue of others who have ideas but unable to express the same on paper.

By: JD Theis..

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

how to start to write

Bagaimana memulai sebuah tulisan? Pertanyaan itu sering kali muncul manakala kita akan menulis sebuah tulisan. Meskipun banyak materi yang hendak kita sampaikan namun bila kita enggan atau kita masih bingung mau mulai dari mana menuliskannya maka tidak akan terwujud tulisan itu.

• Sehingga kita perlu sedikit bereksperimen dan keberanian, dan jangan takut salah, karna takut salah sebelum kita berusaha akan menghambat kemajuan diri kita sendiri. Menurut pendapat saya, seorang yang hendak membuat sebuah tulisan maka :
  

• Dia mesti menguasai persoalan tsb.Semisal bila seorang akan menuls masalah perekonomian di suatu pedesaan maka dia sebaiknya tahu seluk-beluk daridesa tsb. sehingga tulisan tsb. dapat dipercaya dan dapat dibuktikan kebenarannya langsung dari sumbernya.
  

• Langkah pertama yaitu kita mesti tentukan dahulu apa yang akan kita bahas.Hal ini menyangkut minat dan bakat kita, atau ketertarikan kita terhadap sesuatu, tidak menutup kemungkinan justru karna adanya keinginan kita untuk mengetahui sesuatu itu justru mendorong kita untuk belajar kemudian sedikit-sedikit kita mulai menuliskannya.Bila kita minat terhadap sesuatu maka seorang yang jarang menulis tiba-tiba menjadi seorang penyair dengan kata-kata yang indah, atau syair-syair lagu yang bisa membuat seorang terpesona, bahkan menulis sebuah novel. Memang diperlukan bakat, namun saya kira itu hanya beberapa persen saja, sedang selebihnya adalah kerja keras dan usaha tanpa kenal putus asa. Sedangkan kebiasaan justru bisa jadi bakat yang ke-dua. Maka aturlah kebiasaan anda dengan kebiasaan yang baik. Dengan dibiasakan membaca maka kita akan tahu banyak hal, dengan dibiasakan menulis maka kita telah belajar menyampaiakan ide atau fikiran kita kepada orang lain.
  

• Langkah kedua kita mesti cari banyak referensi untuk tulisan kita itu. Mengenai hal ini sudah tudak ada kesulitan lagi sebab dengan mudah kita temukan di buku-buku atau di internet ini, bisa juga kita cari referensi berjalan alias kita tanya kepada orang yang ahli dalam bidang tsb.
  

• Setelah kita mendapatkan materi-materi itu maka kita perlu membuat kesimpulan-kesimpulan. Kita bisa menyajikan dengan cara yang baru sehingga menarik untuk dibaca. Banyak tulisan yang sebenarnya sudah banyak orang menuliskannya tapi karna disampaikan dengan cara yang lain maka bisa memberikan kesan seolah tulisan itu belum pernah ditulis.

• Mulailah dari hal yang paling mudah, misalnya tulis tentang diri anda, keluarga anda, teman anda, atau hal-hal yang dekat dengan diri anda, termasuk segala pengetahuan anda. Saya yakin anda akan menemukan mutiara-mutiara dalam diri anda.