Tuesday...

#Freelance Daily Post:


#Daily Writing Tip :
------------------------

Writing Tip: If Only Writers Put the Word “Only” Only Where It Should Go
by: Lisa Silverman

"Susan only submitted her manuscript to three literary agencies."

"Susan submitted her manuscript to only three literary agencies."

Ever hear of a “misplaced modifier”? Don’t worry, I’ll get into those in another article. Today I’m going to briefly explain one example, a pet peeve of mine and of copyeditors everywhere: the use and misuse of the word “only.” This is one of those grammatical rules that most people (including yours truly) don’t follow in speech or in informal writing, and therefore needs editing in every single manuscript that comes across my desk, even those by the most experienced authors. “Too picky,” you might say--but remember: book writing isn’t speech. Being “picky” means being a professional.

The sentences above, if you spoke them out loud, might have the same meaning to your ear. But a closer look on the page reveals that their meanings are different. The most important thing to keep in mind when writing—after, you know, stuff like spelling words correctly--is to never to confuse a reader. This doesn’t mean never intentionally mislead the reader of your mystery novel or leave ambiguous the ending of your thriller. It means that the meaning you are trying to convey is never in question, not in any single sentence. If it is, readers become distracted, and you’ve lost them.

The first sentence in my example does not convey its intended meaning. Why? Because “only” is next to “submitted,” which is not the word it is modifying. As written, the sentence tells us that Susan did nothing but submit her manuscript to three literary agencies. She didn’t submit it to publishers. She didn’t enter it into writing contests. She didn’t have it bound and engraved. (Don’t do that, by the way, if you’re planning to send it to anyone.) In fact, if we’re being really strict, she didn’t do anything else at all. She didn’t even get out of bed and brush her teeth this morning. She “only submitted.”

Now look at the second sentence. Aha! Now you get it. Susan submitted to “only three” literary agencies. This construction leaves no room for doubt. And it emphasizes more strongly the sentence’s significance: that she didn’t submit her manuscript to very many agencies. This simple rearrangement of words eliminates ambiguity and improves clarity and specificity--so why not go through your manuscript right now, do a global search for the word “only,” and make sure it’s used properly?

The proper placement of the word is not always this clear-cut, and there may be instances where moving it makes your sentence read awkwardly. As always, use your judgment and tailor this tip to your own work. But if you ever see that clarity is in doubt, this is an easy way to eliminate that doubt and make your writing that much more professional.

About The Author
Lisa Silverman is a freelance book editor and works in the copyediting department at one of New York's most prestigious literary publishing houses. She has also worked as a ghostwriter and a literary agent representing both book authors and screenwriters. She founded http://www.BeYourOwnEditor.com in order to provide writers with free advice on both writing and the publishing business.

==============================

#Freelance Writing jobs :
------------------------------

*Reporter Positions US

Description:
Multiple Positions Available

Los Angeles Downtown News is growing, and it has immediate openings for reporters, full- and part-time, as well as freelance. The 49,000-circulation weekly covers the people and issues of downtown Los Angeles. It currently has a full-time editorial staff of five, plus freelancers with specific expertise. We are looking for GA reporters, as well as those with specialties that match the Downtown readership. Think "arts, culture, business and politics." Check out downtownnews.com to see if there is a good match.

We offer excellent benefits to full-time employees, currently including health, health club, profit-sharing pension, 401K, extra disability, 10 days vacation, 5 days sick leave, bonuses, a new service called "professional advice" (think attorneys, etc.), plus several unannounced full- staff “mental health days off” during the year.

We close the office for at least nine calendar days, sometimes eleven, depending on when national holidays fall, surrounding the week between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Also, we allow you to accumulate your sick leave in case you face a significant illness, and we pay you for your accumulated sick leave should you choose to move on.

We expect hard work, good spirits, a basic knowledge and appreciation of city life, and the ability to work well both as an individual and a team.

Two years experience required, as is the ability to think creatively and generate story ideas. Mac environment. Must be based within Los Angeles area.

Please follow directions carefully: Email your resume, your three favorite published writing samples, and a cover letter that includes the job for which you are applying (Full-time? Part-time? Freelance exertise?), as well as realistic salary range, to Editor and Publisher Sue Laris at *********. Please use the subject line: Reporter Jobs 2006.

To apply view the job in Journalism Jobs

================================

*Copywriter Madison, WI

Copywriter Freelance Area credit union looking for freelance copywriters for project work including brochures, presentations, speeches, direct mail offers, newsletter articles, annual reports, etc. Send cover letter explaining qualifications, hourly rate, and any time constraints. Include at least three writing samples with resume to: R2432, c/o Capital Newspapers, PO Box 8056, Madison, WI 53708

To apply view the job in Madison .

==============================

*Technical writing needed (Anywhere)

Hello,

We are looking for writers with technical writing experience. Please send me the following information ;

- Samples of your previous work
- Your paypal email address (or if you feel uncomfortable sending me this straight away just let me know you can accept payment via paypal)
- What city and country you are from
- How many articles you can write per week

Please don't email me unless you are sending this information.

You can apply for this position by emailing me at this address

Thank You
Stephen Weir BSc

To apply view the job in online_writing

======================================

*A Writer Needed (LA)

I need a writer who is around LA area to work on a short term project. Writer should be experienced. If you are interested, please send your desired rate of per 500 words for content writing to me.

Thank you,
Richie

To apply view the job in online-writing

==================================

*Editor/writer (GamingWorld.tv - London )

Young and fresh publishers seeking individuals who want to grow with our company.

Looking for an experienced editor and/or writer with good experience in the sport industry (particularly football magazines) and all forms of online gambling - poker, casino, lottery/bingo, sports betting and skill games.

Good existing database of contacts would be useful.

The project is based in two parts. One part is the bi-monthly magazine that will be sold on the newsstand and the other is the online web portal.

To apply, please send your CV with examples of work and references.

Apply to:

Mr Greg Smith

Managing Director

GamingWorld.tv

Focus Media Communications Ltd

Web site: http://www.focusmediacom.com

Email: greg.smith@focusmediacom.com

To apply view the job in Journalism .co.uk

=============================

*Writers Needed (Associated Content Online, Telecommute )

Associated Content is looking for a wide range of content, including local reviews, product reviews, articles, editorials, satire, tips and tutorials and more.

We offer small compensation per piece submitted. This is an extremely flexible way to make money while creating an online portfolio.

(AC Content producers have been quoted in major media publications and have gotten additional writing work by including their AC profile on their resumes.)

Get started, visit www.associatedcontent.com

To apply view the job in Journalism Jobs

========================================

*Jobs From W.G.N.L.

Subscribe in W.G.N.L.

------------------------

Listen Magazine
PAY: $50 - $150

A magazine primarily aimed at teenagers, but some younger and many older readers are subscribers as well. It encourages development of good habits and high ideals of physical, social, and mental health. It bases its editorial philosophy of primary drug prevention on total abstinence from tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Because it is used extensively in public high school classes, it does not accept articles and stories with overt religious emphasis.
http://www.listenmagazine.org/listwinner/var_pages/guidelines.asp

===================================

HORROR GARAGE
PAY: Minimum $25

This magazine is a hot skillet, but the original dark fiction found therein is the bloody steak. Truth is, you probably KNOW deep down that your vampire story sucks, and your two friends that read it are just too embarrassed to tell you something you already know. DON'T send THAT one! In general, we don’t find zombies, getting lost in the woods, or freakazoid sex very scary, either. Horror exists in too many forms to fit into any one category. Find it.
http://www.horrorgarage.com/gls2.html

================================

Living Light News
PAY: $.05 - $.10/word

An award-winning, non-profit evangelical Christian newspaper published on a bi-monthly basis, plus a special Christmas issue. We have been publishing since 1995. Our mission is to glorify God and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in a positive, and non-threatening way. While our readers include Christians, they are primarily those who have yet to make a commitment to Christ. We print positive and uplifting stories that glorify God and help readers see the fruits of a personal relationship with Christ, as opposed to organized religion. We don't write anything that is negative, divisive or controversial, and we aim to have all stories be of interest to non-Christians.
http://www.livinglightnews.org/writing.htm

============================

Healthcare Writer Wanted

Writer who understands how hospitals work and the clinical issues facing today's hospitals. Send recent three samples. It would be helpful if you've written about supply chain management issues in health, and clnical process improvement. Rates range from 55 cents to 85 cents/word, depnding on experience in the field. Interested writers should contact Allen Victor at avictor@vha.com.

===========================

Caribbean Hotel PR Writer needed

Sirena Hotel, on the beautiful Island of Anguilla requires the services of an experienced travel and leisure writer to spearhead the marketing and PR campaigns for the Hotel. Experience in the industry, and a understanding of the needs of the press and Web news is essential. Send full details of experience to ianmalpass@comcast.net, and visit the hotel on line http://www.sirenaresort.com/

==========================

Biz Plan Writing Assistant

I work for a firm that helps companies raise investment capital. I'm in charge of putting together business plans and other investment package documents. As the primary client interface for the work, I gather written information from clients, generate MP3 files of phone interviews, and write some of the copy. Everything ultimately goes into a standard template document in Word. In essence, I will gather all the needed info, provide it to the writer in the formats described above, and the writer will digest, organize, and format all the info in the necessary documents, which I will edit and approve before sending them to the client. I need someone who is very detail oriented, has a business writing background, who can capture the essence of a lengthy written paragraph or audio interview question/answer in several sentences, and is prompt and professional. Must have high speed Internet connection (for large files), and lots of experience with editing and formatting Word documents. Pay range is $20-$25 per hour, based on experience. If interested, please email your resume to: mstevemortensen@adelphia.net
(no phone calls, please). Business is booming, and this could be a great opportunity for steady work for the right person.

===============================

Looking for talented, experienced freelance writer from Orlando

Talented and experienced freelance writer from Orlando, Florida, needed ASAP to write eight chapters for four-color coffee-table publication on this remarkable city. Must have a thorough knowledge of the city and access to the key movers and shakers who can recount the city's history and heritage and reveal its vision for the future. Interview skills and magazine/book writing experience essential. Please forward your resume and three samples of your published work to mailto:mcandacetb@destinationmediagroupllc.com. All chapters must be completed on or around March 1, 2007. Pay rate is $750.00 per chapter.

================================

Experienced Copyeditor

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review seeks a copy editor with strong word skills and the ability to write compelling headlines. Candidates must have five years' copy desk experience on a daily newspaper with a circulation of at least 50,000. Ability to paginate is required. The Trib, based in one of the few American cities with competing privately owned newspapers, has a circulation of more than 200,000. Send work samples and resume to: Mark Gruetze, Administrative Editor, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 503 Martindale St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. E-Mail: mgruetze@tribweb.com

=============================================
For more Freelance or Full time leads please go to The Jobrolls and Craigslist Today
=============================================