tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62009635103873747552024-03-13T06:29:25.508-05:00Reba Kennedy.Lawyer.Writer.AV-rated 25+ yr Lawyer and 9+ yr Professional Writer. Blogging since 2006; first e-book published in 2007. Writing for web and print. Consulting with lawyers and writers on SEO and web-writing issues including indie publishing concerns, defamation (online reviews), and copyright infringement matters.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.comBlogger297125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-91336235656879906572017-12-01T18:56:00.001-06:002017-12-01T18:56:12.554-06:00How to Write an Op-Ed<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<h1>
</h1>
Op-eds are part of a longstanding tradition which has
survived the transition from print to screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most publications today welcome op-ed pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Succinct, timely, and well-written opinion articles are
published daily in print and online media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many publications have their own “Op-Ed Page” dedicated to sharing these
third-party views with readership.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-elDOwilCqXM/WiH4oOFQyfI/AAAAAAAADKY/oaemAcZjAco3F_9QkTqNW-TT7mKBys17wCLcBGAs/s1600/howtowriteoped.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-elDOwilCqXM/WiH4oOFQyfI/AAAAAAAADKY/oaemAcZjAco3F_9QkTqNW-TT7mKBys17wCLcBGAs/s320/howtowriteoped.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
Op-Ed is Not a Letter to the Editor</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Op-eds are more than the more informal “letter to the
editor.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Letters to the Editor deal with
content published by the publication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The letter may agree with something published recently, or it may provide
additional information that was not covered in the piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often, Letters to the Editor voice
displeasure or disagreement with something previously published by the newspaper,
magazine, or site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Letters to the Editor are short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They deal with recent stories (something
published days or a week or two beforehand).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s fine to write Letters to the Editor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re like comments to a noted blog like
Grits for Breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if you
have more than a paragraph or two, then you may want to consider submitting an
op-ed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span></div>
<h2>
Basics of an Op-Ed</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The term “op-ed” is short for “opposite the editorial page.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a bigger, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">more complex</b> piece than a letter to the editor. Unlike a letter to
the editor, the op-ed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">may or may not
come from a subscriber</b> or dedicated reader of the publication. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Op-eds are longer than letters to the editor, but they are
still <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">succinct.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An op-ed will run between 400 -1200 words,
depending upon the publication. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It will <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">deal with
recent news topics or current events</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These will be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">areas of concern to
the publication’s readership</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
beautifully written op-ed dealing with hurricane relief may not be published in
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chicago Tribune,</i> but it might be
most welcome at the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Miami Herald</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The author will have a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">level
of expertise on the subject matter</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s true that op-eds help to build the reputation
of the author as an “influencer” or “thought-leader,” but it’s also true that
most publications want op-eds from those who already have a level of expertise
in the subject matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lawyers practicing in criminal law may write about pending
cases dealing with issues before the Supreme Court like capital punishment or
search and seizure protections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doctors
practicing in rural areas may write on the impact of federal funding on health
care or how to fight the growing lack of physicians outside urban centers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get the idea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
. </div>
<h2>
Should You Write an Op-Ed?</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">An op-ed can be
powerful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s possible for your article
to reach millions of readers, influencing or educating their perspective on the
issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s tool for good.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It’s possible that
you will benefit from increased name recognition, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a public relations or marketing
consultant, then they probably love the idea of op-ed submissions to increase
your exposure and visibility in your area of expertise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span></span></div>
<h2>
Tips for Writing Op-Eds</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">If you decide to
write an opinion article, then consider the following tips:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. </span></div>
<h2>
1. Check the Guidelines</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Publications have requirements for op-ed articles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Follow them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here are some examples of publication guidelines for Op-Eds:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/info/help/opedsubmit.html">New
York Times</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/09/29/submission-guidelines-usatoday-opinion-column-oped-howto-letters-editor/89964600/">USA
Today</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/oped-guidelines-for-the-wall-street-journal-1384383173">Wall
Street Journal</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/submit-an-op-ed/">Washington Post</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.tribtalk.org/submit/">Texas Tribune</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/chi-opedguidelines-story-story.html">Chicago
Tribune</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article1929428.html">Miami
Herald</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
. </div>
<h2>
2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Focus on a Single Argument</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Limit your piece to
a single argument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There simply isn’t the
word count for more than one point to be made.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. </span></div>
<h2>
3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rule of Three</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Remember the sage
advice of your high school English teacher:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>tell them what you will say, say it, then tell them what you said. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The op-ed isn’t the place for beautiful
descriptions of a pleasant memory from your childhood to set the tone for the piece.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get to the argument from the
get-go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span></span></div>
<h2>
4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help the Reader </h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Consider your
reader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s here for them, do you have
solutions to the problem after you’ve identified it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t just argue your position; you need
to include recommendations on how to fix things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Examples are great. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. </span></div>
<h2>
5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Write to the Reading Level of the
Publication</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Consider the reading
level of the publication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use free
software like Hemingway if necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-85386850585736295772017-11-24T11:00:00.000-06:002017-11-25T13:06:56.820-06:00Cool Public Domain Image: Cloud to Ground Lightning in Las Cruces, New Mexico<br />
<br />
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALightning3.jpg" title="By U.S. Air Force photo by Edward Aspera Jr. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons"><img alt="Lightning3" height="338" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Lightning3.jpg/512px-Lightning3.jpg" width="400" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lightning3.jpg" target="_blank">From Wikimedia Commons</a>:<br />
<br />
This image or file is a work of a U.S. Air Force Airman or employee, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image or file is in the public domain in the United States.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-66061909620549692072017-11-22T17:19:00.001-06:002017-11-22T17:19:07.443-06:00NaNoWriMo and Thanksgiving: YikesTomorrow is Thanksgiving. It's also November 23rd, which marks the last seven days of National Novel Writing Month. With the <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo </a>challenge, you commit to writing 50,000 words in 30 days. A full novel in one month.<br />
<br />
As for why I'm dedicated to doing NaNoWriMo again this year, well .... right now, it's a very good question. Yikes, yikes, yikes.<br />
<br />
But I return to my reasons, as<a href="https://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/2017/10/why-nanowrimo-is-good-for-you.html" target="_blank"> I shared them with you this year, Dear Reader</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLpiEfjkBxU/WhYFFnsaXQI/AAAAAAAADJo/kdiDImalzx0c2z2ECJqbHexWeZUYk3uxQCLcBGAs/s1600/nanowrimo8.left.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nLpiEfjkBxU/WhYFFnsaXQI/AAAAAAAADJo/kdiDImalzx0c2z2ECJqbHexWeZUYk3uxQCLcBGAs/s320/nanowrimo8.left.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Seven Days Left: Will I Finish my 50K Word Count? </h3>
<br />
And, I'm okay on word count. I'm close to 38K and that means I'm <a href="http://nanocountdown.com/" target="_blank">on track</a> to win this thing as long as I don't slack off between now and November 30th.<br />
<br />
But, yes -- tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Yikes, yikes, yikes.<br />
<br />
If this were trial prep, I wouldn't fret one bit. I'd do it without thinking I might fail to meet the goal. If this was a client's project or a publishing deadline, I would not be concerned one iota. It would be done on time. <br />
<br />
<h3>
The Big Reward From This Year's NaNoWriMo</h3>
<br />
So, why am I pondering the possibility that I might not finish NaNoWriMo this year? Well, Dear Reader, this is one of the lessons that NaNoWriMo teaches me. <br />
<br />
As a writer, I need to be my first and best client. I shouldn't prioritize my stuff over my clientele, but I should not consider my work as less important just because I'm writing it for myself.<br />
<br />
I thought I had mastered this -- but nope. But I'm gonna. Maybe is the big reward that comes from this year's NaNoWriMo. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-35668632029174711082017-11-13T11:00:00.000-06:002017-11-25T12:59:56.022-06:00Cool Public Domain Image: Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ALouis_Armstrong_restored.jpg" title="By World-Telegram staff photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons"><img alt="Louis Armstrong restored" height="311" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Louis_Armstrong_restored.jpg/512px-Louis_Armstrong_restored.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Photo of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Armstrong" target="_blank">Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong,</a> Jazz Trumpeter<br />
<br />
This is an image uploaded to Wikipedia from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cph.3c27236.<br />
<br />
It is considered one of Wikipedia's "<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Featured_picture_candidates/File:Louis_Armstrong_restored.jpg" target="_blank">Featured Pictures</a>," as one of the finest images shared on the site.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Public Domain Image: Gift to the Library of Congress</h3>
<br />
From the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/00652636/" target="_blank">Library of Congress</a>:<br /><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.96px; margin: 0px; padding: 7px 10px 10px 0px; width: 500px;">
<li style="background: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.016px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2192px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 10px 3px 5px;">Title: <span style="color: #555555; font-size: 9.9144px; font-weight: normal;">[Louis Armstrong, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing left, playing trumpet]</span></li>
<li style="background: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.016px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2192px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 10px 3px 5px;">Date Created/Published: <span style="color: #555555; font-size: 9.9144px; font-weight: normal;">1953.</span></li>
<li style="background: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.016px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2192px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 10px 3px 5px;">Medium: <span style="color: #555555; font-size: 9.9144px; font-weight: normal;">1 photographic print : gelatin silver.</span></li>
<li style="background: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.016px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2192px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 10px 3px 5px;">Reproduction Number: <span style="color: #555555; font-size: 9.9144px; font-weight: normal;">LC-USZ62-127236 (b&w film copy neg.)</span></li>
<li style="background: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.016px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2192px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 10px 3px 5px;">Rights Advisory: <span style="color: #555555; font-size: 9.9144px; font-weight: normal;">No copyright restriction known. Staff photographer reproduction rights transferred to Library of Congress through Instrument of Gift.</span></li>
<li style="background: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.016px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2192px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 10px 3px 5px;">Call Number: <span style="color: #555555; font-size: 9.9144px; font-weight: normal;">NYWTS - BIOG--Armstrong, Louis "Satchmo"--Orchestra Leader [item] [P&P]</span></li>
<li style="background: transparent; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11.016px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13.2192px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px 10px 3px 5px;">Repository: <span style="color: #555555; font-size: 9.9144px; font-weight: normal;">Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print</span></li>
</ul>
.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-52037359203891302782017-11-11T13:05:00.000-06:002017-11-11T13:05:06.813-06:00Quotes and Copyright: When Is It Okay to Use a Quotation?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<h1>
</h1>
Quotes are great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love them; bet you do too, Dear Reader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thing
is: sometimes it’s fine to use a quote – but not always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even if a quotation only involves a few words, it can still
be protected by copyright law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ccips/file/891011/download">Sometimes by
trademark law, as well.</a>) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if it
is legally protected, then the author owns them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quote is his or her property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use it, and you are stealing that property
from a federal perspective.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjCXMgNxtIA/WgdHOzQpLWI/AAAAAAAADIU/M9vRsCKDRb0eMCLXJV2P1Kourv654rnHACLcBGAs/s1600/quotes%2Bcopyright.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjCXMgNxtIA/WgdHOzQpLWI/AAAAAAAADIU/M9vRsCKDRb0eMCLXJV2P1Kourv654rnHACLcBGAs/s320/quotes%2Bcopyright.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">So, when is it okay to
use a quotation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few tips and
things to consider:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i></div>
<h2>
Public Domain Is Your Best Resource</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Any written words that have past their copyright expiration
date are considered to be in the “public domain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The copyright has ended by the terms of the
federal copyright laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The author no
longer has property rights to the quotation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The key here is to
make sure that the quote is, indeed, free from copyright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How to do this?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, you can confirm via the age of the quotation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone who has been dead for at least 100
years, you are pretty darn safe to use their stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People like William Shakespeare, <a href="http://lewiscarrollsociety.org.uk/pages/eventspeopleplaces/LewisCarrollAndUKCopyright.pdf">Lewis
Carroll</a>, or Plato, for instance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But this isn’t always true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Take versions of the Holy Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not every translation is free to use and in the public domain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The King James Version:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/permissions/" target="_blank">The NIV: nope.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/permissions/" target="_blank"> </a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another example: Agatha Christie published her first novel in 1920 (<i>The Mysterious Affair at Styles</i>), and
the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/10283628/New-Poirot-book-to-be-published-with-permission-of-Agatha-Christies-family.html">Estate
of Agatha Christie is vigilant about protecting her legacy</a> – including quotes
from her books and plays and letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Plus, her work is protected by the copyright laws of the United Kingdom
as well as <a href="http://libanswers.walsh.edu/faq/167839">the United States</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span></div>
<h2>
Some Quotes Are Not Copyrighted</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not every quotation gets copyright protection under federal
law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slogans for example aren’t
copyright protected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some short phrases,
ditto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more on these exceptions to the rule, read:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<a href="https://fairuse.stanford.edu/2003/09/09/copyright_protection_for_short/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Copyright Protection for Short Phrases – Rich
Stim,”</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> by Mary Minow on the
Stanford University Copyright and Fair Use blog. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. </span></div>
<h2>
Fair Use of a Copyrighted Quotation</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fair use is an exception to the protection of copyright and
allows use of the copyrighted words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Under the fair use doctrine, you can use a small excerpt from a
published work without the author’s permission – if you are using it for
certain purposes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These include a review of the overall work (book, novel,
play, etc.); a parody of the work; or for an educational purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fair use is tricky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Each case must be determined on its own circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be careful here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span></div>
<h2>
It Doesn’t Matter if the Quotation Has Been Published or Not</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Copyright law does not apply only to works that have been
published and shared with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unpublished work is also protected by federal copyright laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span></div>
<h2>
What If You Want to Use a Quote that is Copyright-Protected?</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To use a copyrighted quote, just ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you will be pleasantly surprised and
the owner will be touched, even complimented, that you appreciate
their work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will they ask for money?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not always, but sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
to be negotiated between you and the author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You might pay a nominal sum, or you might be asked to fork a pretty
hefty chunk of case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All depends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This is called a “<i>licensing fee</i>.”)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To quote your mother (and mothers everywhere), it never
hurts to ask.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-80239276625566755722017-10-30T20:19:00.000-05:002017-10-30T20:19:45.201-05:00Why NaNoWriMo is Good for YouIn a matter of hours, National Novel Writing Month 2017 begins. Feel the pressure yet? The excitement? The judgment and criticism?<br />
. <br />
<h3>
After all, why bother? </h3>
. <br />
This is the holiday season. The clock strikes midnight on Halloween and the NaNoWriMo ticker starts ticking. In 23 days, it will be Thanksgiving. <br />
<br />
And it's year-end, business-wise. There are deadlines to meet. Procrastinating clients will call in a frantic need for something yesterday. Happens every year.<br />
<br />
<b><i>So, is it nuts to add the goal of writing 1700 words each day for 30 days into the mix? Am I crazy for doing this?</i></b><br />
<br />
Well, sure, maybe. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HX5VV5jfDV0/WffNtu-LHKI/AAAAAAAADHo/XaP956nUbroe1aeDYj1eQt2Jipce6jJWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Why%2BNaNoWriMo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HX5VV5jfDV0/WffNtu-LHKI/AAAAAAAADHo/XaP956nUbroe1aeDYj1eQt2Jipce6jJWQCLcBGAs/s320/Why%2BNaNoWriMo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
What I Get Out of NaNoWriMo </h3>
Here's the thing. I don't dedicate my Novembers to NaNoWriMo because I'm planning on writing the Great American Novel in one month's time. <br />
<br />
I'm doing it for several other reasons, ones that I think help me and may help you, too, Dear Reader should you decide to join in the fun. Things like:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It helps my self-discipline. I keep to a schedule during the holiday season. </li>
<li>It spurs my imagination. Each morning, there is a fun and safe invitation to dream and fantasize all sorts of things. Dogs that can talk; pink skies; mysterious passageways .... And I can put them into plots, not just leave them in my daydreams.</li>
<li>It helps me see how much and how fast I can write. As the chapters build, there is a sense of accomplishment. Of doing something just for me. Just. For. Me.</li>
<li>It helps me build a story without worrying about vocabulary, dialogue, setting. I fly though the day's word count getting the story down for that day. It's freeing. I'm a storyteller and I'm not sure what's going to happen the next day. </li>
<li>Finally, it keeps the Judgmental Bear away. Oh, how I love to criticize myself! Here, I know that I'm writing a bad novel. <i>It's supposed to be bad.</i> To make sure I keep this in mind, I do things like start each year's epic with the same sentence: "On a dark and stormy night ...."</li>
<li>It's creative. I draw maps of the village, I cut out photos of watches or cars or recipes or cats that fit with my storyline. I collect them with <a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/2016/11/disc-binding-for-nanowrimo-and-lots.html" target="_blank">disc-binding</a> into this fun, zany scrapbook slash art journal. They go alongside my words, which I hand-wrote last year and plan on doing again this year. This disc-bound book gets big. It's magical. I add washi tape and vintage postcards and lace. Done right, it needs a big fat ribbon to hold itself together. I love this.</li>
<li>Bottom line, it's fun. NaNoWriMo is fun. And I need all the fun I can get these days, don't you?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
For more, check out:<br />
<br />
"<a href="http://writershelpingwriters.net/2017/09/fast-draft-writing-for-nanowrimo-and-every-other-month/" target="_blank">Fast-Draft Writing for NaNoWriMo and Every Other Month</a>," posted on September 19, 2017 by Writing Coach;<br />
and all the NaNoWriMo online <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/pep-talks" target="_blank">Pep Talks</a> by writers like Dean Koontz, John Green, Sue Grafton, Tom Robbins, Meg Cabot and many more . <br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-57583118292893176322017-10-23T08:39:00.000-05:002017-11-25T13:02:44.383-06:00Cool Public Domain Image: Carnival RideThis photograph is from the <a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/mrg.09678/">Library of Congress</a>. It is found it the <a href="http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/res/723_marg.html">John Margolies Roadside America Photograph Archive</a> and has been <a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2017711764/" target="_blank">released into the public domain. </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Disco Star Ride at Seaside Heights, New Jersey</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/mrg/09600/09678r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="640" height="271" src="https://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/mrg/09600/09678r.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2 style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: 15.552px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 3px 5px 10px;">
</h2>
As for using this image, details from the LOC:<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<b>Publication and other forms of distribution:</b> John Margolies made the photographs in the John Margolies Roadside America Photograph Archive. The Library of Congress purchased the intellectual property rights for the photographs with the archive and, therefore, there are no known copyright restrictions on the photographs. Privacy and publicity rights may apply. Photographs of sculpture or other works of art may be restricted by the copyright of the sculptor or artist.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<b>Access:</b> Subject to P&P policy on serving originals. Digital images are used in preference to the original slides, which are kept in cold storage for preservation purposes.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<b>Reproduction (photocopying, hand-held camera copying, photoduplication and other forms of copying allowed by "fair use"):</b> Subject to P&P policy on copying, which prohibits photocopying of the original color photographs.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<b>Credit Line:</b> Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by John Margolies, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-MA05-1]</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
For more information, please read: <a href="http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/195_copr.html">Copyright and Other Restrictions That Apply to Publication/Distribution of Images: Assessing the Risk of Using a P&P Image</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-70475018946507374462017-10-19T19:12:00.002-05:002017-10-19T19:12:19.401-05:00Countdown to National Novel Writing Month<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYf2XOBnF3A/Wek-Q3qI4CI/AAAAAAAADGE/BEG66CcWf44vW5-iehOI5hJNVtcrgUpZgCLcBGAs/s1600/Nanowrimo2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYf2XOBnF3A/Wek-Q3qI4CI/AAAAAAAADGE/BEG66CcWf44vW5-iehOI5hJNVtcrgUpZgCLcBGAs/s400/Nanowrimo2017.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Less than two weeks until kickoff for another feisty November -- if you're planning on participating in National Novel Writing Month this year!<br />
<br />
Details at their <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">website </a>-- and I've written some posts on <a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/search/label/NaNoWriMo" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a>, too, if you're interested. <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-13705616460503365632017-10-16T10:00:00.000-05:002017-10-16T10:00:15.371-05:00Dictating with Free Google Docs Voice Recognition Software<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I hate to think how much money I've spent over
the years on various headphone sets and updated versions of <a href="https://www.nuance.com/dragon.html">Dragon Naturally Speaking</a>. </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I first purchased Dragon, I used the
ill-fitting headphones provided with the package because the documentation
explained this was best for accuracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was vital to keep the mike in a set position near to your mouth, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You had to remember your placement each time
you decided to dictate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's even more depressing to think about how
much time I spent reading speeches by John F. Kennedy and chapters from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alice in Wonderland</i> into Dragon in order
to increase the accuracy of my fancy personal voice recognition software.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nuance (the software maker) provided all sorts
of lengthy content for this purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was interesting enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also time
consuming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And periodically, I would
upgrade and have to go back to square one, re-reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alice</i> aloud once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">See, e.g.,</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> my
2009 post “<a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/2009/12/dragon-naturally-speaking-10-highly.html">Dragon
Naturally Speaking 10 - Highly Recommend It, 99% Accuracy</a>.”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Time and money</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. I spent a lot of time and money on Dragon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But no more!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCIvw4pzTS8/WdqudZ1OOHI/AAAAAAAAC7E/bUTuQ-bHVwgmyGd_zTtN2cg1wEQL2D42wCLcBGAs/s1600/Google%2Bvs%2BDragon-dictation%2Btools%2Bfor%2Bwriters.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCIvw4pzTS8/WdqudZ1OOHI/AAAAAAAAC7E/bUTuQ-bHVwgmyGd_zTtN2cg1wEQL2D42wCLcBGAs/s320/Google%2Bvs%2BDragon-dictation%2Btools%2Bfor%2Bwriters.png" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
.</div>
<h2>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I Adore Google Docs’
Voice Recognition Software</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Right now, I'm dictating this blog post using
<a href="https://www.google.com/docs/about/" target="_blank">Google Docs’ Voice-Typing tool.</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And I’m amazed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The accuracy is better than Dragon from the get-go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t had to dictate a single speech or
book chapter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even more wonderful, I’m dictating as I sit
comfortably in front of my laptop, the television chattering in the background
and the dog snoozing at my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
cords!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No headset!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No careful enunciation. Just chattering
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And the price is right!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s free!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Time and money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m saving so much time and money with Google
Docs.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sure, I Still Have
to Edit</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of course, I have to edit what I've dictated in
Google Docs. That’s partly my fault, though: I have a bad habit of saying “next
paragraph” instead of “new paragraph” for one thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Editing was a must with Dragon, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who doesn’t edit after they’ve dictated?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure having to edit the dictation is a
drawback here. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You May Love Google’s
Voice Recognition Alternative to Dragon, Too</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, Dear Reader, here’s the thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit I was a snoot about Dragon and
assumed it was superior to the freebie tool in Google Docs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I apologize, Google Docs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And I am so happy right now: not having to wear
a headset, as I'm speaking in a normal tone and my laptop's microphone is
catching everything I'm saying. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe you will, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></div>
<h2>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Will I Use It For NaNoWriMo
2017? Dunno.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As for a National Novel Writing Month, I still
plan on handwriting my novel again this year. I enjoy writing fast and sloppy with
a pen and paper; that is part of my NaNoWriMo fun. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Still, as November progresses and my word count
falls behind schedule, I may be tempted to dictate some of my stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I know the fact that I can dictate quickly into
Google Docs, just staring at my laptop screen, and get this level of
recognition and speed is something I'm going to remember. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-31110234950656874712017-10-09T10:00:00.000-05:002017-10-09T10:00:23.557-05:00Microsoft Word Add-In From Kindle: New Self-Publishing Software <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
Amazon is offering an <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Add-In
for Microsoft Word</b> (beginning with Word 2010).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From <a href="https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G202131100">Kindle Direct
Publishing, the Add-In</a> allows you to do the following:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Format
your manuscript by specifying styles like Chapter Title, Chapter Subtitle
and others.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Save
time by using pre-formatted sample pages like book title, copyright,
dedication to complete your book.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Preview
your book any time as it would look to customers reading on Tablets,
Phones and Kindle E-readers before publishing.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Work
in Microsoft Word and publish your .doc/.docx manuscript as an <span style="background-color: yellow;"><i>eBook or
paperback</i></span> with Kindle Direct Publishing. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-seiutxC85bc/WdqgqnAPAUI/AAAAAAAAC60/x5dwgB4ZmkUhySpANe5erpCUjkFigAoYACLcBGAs/s1600/Kindle%2BAddIn%2BWord.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-seiutxC85bc/WdqgqnAPAUI/AAAAAAAAC60/x5dwgB4ZmkUhySpANe5erpCUjkFigAoYACLcBGAs/s320/Kindle%2BAddIn%2BWord.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2>
Beta Testing for Both KDP Word Add-In and Kindle Create</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s new, and it’s offered in beta, which means some indie
publishers may nix using it right off the bat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beta can be scary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s because <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/38567/beta-version">“beta” by definition</a>
means not all the kinks are ironed out of the product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, if you are beta-brave, then you might like Kindle
Direct Publishing’s Microsoft Word Add-In.<br />
. </div>
<h3>
Kindle Create Still Available</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This does not replace KDP’s original <a href="https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G202131100">Kindle Create</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re free to choose between them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, Amazon explains that they are
separate tools, and that files cannot be moved between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">. </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The initial Kindle Create has been available for several
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to <a href="https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G202131100">Amazon</a>, Kindle
Create allows you to do the following:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">Quickly
apply a book theme to match your story.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">Detect
and style chapter titles automatically.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">Preview
your book any time as it would look to customers reading on Tablets,
Phones and Kindle E-readers before publishing.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">Works
with .doc and .docx files exported from applications like Microsoft Word,
Google Docs, Apple Pages, Scrivener and others.</li>
</ul>
<h2>
What They Offer the Writer - Publisher</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amazon explains that both these beta tools offer the writer-publisher
a way to compile content into an e-book or paperback format.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<ul>
<li>Each tool provides the writer – publisher with an opportunity
to apply “themes” to your content (KDP themes listed are Classic, Modern, Amour
and Cosmos). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </li>
<li>Both allow the writer “preview
functionality” for phones, tablets, and e-readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </li>
<li>Either version enables the writer to create a
table of contents using chapter titles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2>
Kindle for Self-Published E-books</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For many folk, getting your e-book published for Kindle e-readers
and sold via the e-book market on Amazon.com is enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/2016/01/publish-your-book-self-publishing-or.html" target="_blank"> </a></span><a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/2016/01/publish-your-book-self-publishing-or.html" target="_blank">It may not be the best option for maximizing your exposure and sales,</a> but focusing on
the Amazon marketplace isn’t a bad thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which means Amazon offering a new compilation tool provided
within Microsoft’s popular word processing software Word seems like a great
tool for lots of writers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I’ll try it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s on my task list, anyway.<br />
.</div>
<h2>
Word vs. Scrivener</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, my real interest here is how this enhances Word for
self-publishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s making it more
comparable to Scrivener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe the real news here isn’t the alternative in KDP
(Kindle Direct Publishing) compilation tools.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The big deal here may be
<span style="background-color: yellow;">the new power of Microsoft Word to compile content for publication.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some writers, will this be enough of a
temptation to return to Word after they’ve been using Scrivener?</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-49811135443284545632017-10-07T09:00:00.000-05:002017-11-25T13:02:44.371-06:00Free Public Domain Image: Earth From SpaceI'm hoping to start sharing public domain images here each week that are interesting and from a variety of sources. <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg" target="_blank">This image is one of the "featured pictures" from Wikimedia Commons.</a><br />
<br />
<h2>
The Earth Seen From Apollo 17</h2>
<br />
It's an example of a great photo that is available for free from Wikimedia Commons. You are free to use it because it is in the public domain, as explained on the site:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"This file is in the public domain in the United States because it was solely created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted....</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"This work is in the public domain because it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1977 and without a copyright notice. Unless its author has been dead for several years, it is copyrighted in jurisdictions that do not apply the rule of the shorter term for US works, such as Canada (50 p.m.a.), Mainland China (50 p.m.a., not Hong Kong or Macao), Germany (70 p.m.a.), Mexico (100 p.m.a.), Switzerland (70 p.m.a.), and other countries with individual treaties."</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AThe_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="By NASA/Apollo 17 crew; taken by either Harrison Schmitt or Ron Evans [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons"><img alt="The Earth seen from Apollo 17" height="400" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg/512px-The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-46927797729332001882017-09-07T20:38:00.000-05:002017-11-25T13:02:44.357-06:00E-Books and Electricity: Do You Really Have a Copy of That Book You Bought?<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of weeks before Hurricane Harvey hit Houston (and
Rockport and Corpus), a series of huge thunderstorms rumbled through Central
Texas filled with lightning bolts and high winds. Here in San Antonio, we can have storm winds gusting
40-50 mph, so this is serious business. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lights flickered at 7:15 and we lost power by 7:30. No biggie: we have candles and flashlights at
the ready for this sort of thing. And it
never lasts over an hour or two.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wrong. This time, we
went 14 hours without electricity. The
CPS website map of local outages looked like the entire county had been colored
in by some excited child with a new box of Crayons.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, sure: I picked up my Kindle Fire to read for a bit. And here’s where I discovered what I need to
share with you, Dear Reader.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could only access around seven books. And I have HUNDREDS in my Kindle
library. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whattha?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I learned that while I had downloaded lots of these
books onto my old Kindle, I had not bothered to do so with this newer
e-reader. And the old Kindle is
dead. No workie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4sul3ZwXO4/WbHzp5Z2-tI/AAAAAAAAC5M/gBWl5JaWqlEwWeUo6HZMivCe-lPrBGmVgCLcBGAs/s1600/ebooks%2Barent%2Bas%2Bgood.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4sul3ZwXO4/WbHzp5Z2-tI/AAAAAAAAC5M/gBWl5JaWqlEwWeUo6HZMivCe-lPrBGmVgCLcBGAs/s320/ebooks%2Barent%2Bas%2Bgood.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Electronic Publications Are Not the Same as Paper</h3>
<h2>
<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s just another lesson here in electronic publishing. There are several that I need to remember:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.</div>
<h3>
1. License Isn’t Ownership </h3>
<h2>
<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have a license to read these publications. That’s what I am buying really when I
purchase an e-book from Amazon. It’s
NOT the same as a paper book. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Melville House goes into lots of detail on licensing in a
piece written by Chad Felix, “”<a href="https://www.mhpbooks.com/ownership-and-other-e-book-fallacies/">Ownership”
and other e-book fallacies.”</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.</div>
<h3>
2. Download to Store on the Device</h3>
<h2>
<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have to download the publication onto my device in order
to have full access. If it’s in my “library”
it’s on the cloud. No Wi-Fi, no cloud.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Learn more on this from Carolyn Nicander Mohr’s discussion
entitled “<a href="https://www.wonderoftech.com/kindle-cloud-device/">How to
Delete Kindle Books from the Cloud vs. Your Device,</a>” in a post on The
Wonder of Tech. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.</div>
<h3>
3. Download Isn’t Permanent </h3>
<h2>
<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it gets trickier.
I borrow ebooks from the library via <a href="https://help.overdrive.com/customer/portal/articles/1481524-how-to-read-overdrive-read-ebooks-offline">OverDrive.
</a> This allows me to go to Amazon and
download a book. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But when the time allotted expires, my loan is over and so is
my ability to access that publication. I
did download it. But it’s not there
permanently. It’s a digital library book
where I never pay late fees. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more here, read the February 19, 2017, article “<a href="https://ebookfriendly.com/back-up-kindle-books-2-ways/">How to back up
Kindle books to a computer – step-by-step guides,</a>” by Piotr Kowalczyk at
EbookFriendly.com. He also explains how
Amazon keeps access to your downloads, too.
Maybe a publisher wants to change something, etc. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whew. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I still
love my e-reader. And I’m going to take
the time to download my beloved books onto the new e-reader. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But this makes me appreciate paper books all the more. And reaffirms my practice of buying the paper
book of anything I read and love as an e-book.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Because then it’s really MINE. </h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-53576995457379203882017-08-31T19:27:00.001-05:002017-08-31T19:27:49.246-05:00Preparing for NaNoWriMo 2017: We’ve Got 62 Days, PeopleI guess you probably know National Novel Writing Month is an
annual event that begins on the first of November. If not, you can read all the details here on its
<a href="http://nanowrimo.org/">official web site.</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I’m gonna do NaNoWriMo again this year. Yepper.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gsmibkJzU7M/WainLUKDO_I/AAAAAAAAC4g/ewFYb4JnW8sIR_590m4-554hsVC4qHY0QCLcBGAs/s1600/60%2BDAYS.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gsmibkJzU7M/WainLUKDO_I/AAAAAAAAC4g/ewFYb4JnW8sIR_590m4-554hsVC4qHY0QCLcBGAs/s320/60%2BDAYS.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
I’m Buying New Pens<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s just for fun. <a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/2016/09/nanowrimo-2016-getting-ready-tip-no-1.html">Last
year</a>, I wrote my stuff by hand and that was even more of a blast. I got to use all sorts of <i>pens</i>.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.gq.com/story/elmore-leonard-how-to-write" target="_blank">Elmore Leonard</a> and <a href="https://www.bookbrowse.com/author_interviews/full/index.cfm/author_number/228/nelson-demille" target="_blank">Nelson DeMille</a> are two of my favorite
writers. They handwrite their
stuff. I could say that I’m using pen
and paper because of their influence, but it would be a filthy lie. I like that they handwrite their stuff. I do. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I just love using pens and <a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/2011/01/writing-old-school-penmanship-and.html">writing
in cursive</a>. It makes me happy to
play around with different kinds of pens, even a fine tip Sharpie or two. And it’s an excuse to buy some more … I need
them for NaNoWriMo. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Must. Buy. Pens. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(I worry about how abnormal I sound to you right now….
Sorta.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, and I figured out <a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/2016/11/disc-binding-for-nanowrimo-and-lots.html">how
to bind everything together using those Happy Planner discs</a>. This is great. I can gather the pix I’ve torn out to remind
me of settings, or maps I’ve created, or just anything … and pile it all
together with the handwritten pages.
Which may well end up on all kinds of paper. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This disc binding system is a big deal for me. Really makes NaNoWriMo so much better. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plus the stuff I research.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last year, I learned a lot about tsunamis, because I had so
many subplots going that I just drowned a whole lot of them in one fell
swoop. Felt good. Felt REAL good.<o:p></o:p><br />
.</div>
<h2>
I’m Researching Tornadoes<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, this year I’m already researching tornadoes. Have you ever watched those storm chaser
videos of the El Reno tornado in Oklahoma?
Wow, that was one scary monster. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(And no, even after Hurricane Harvey I’m sticking with
tornadoes. Why? Tornadoes are sudden -- a
hurricane would give my characters too much warning. They might scream less. And more might
live. (I guess I have a dark side.))<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here, you watch that El Reno tornado for yourself. Wowzer. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="215" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KFlSmmHMw0o" width="460"></iframe>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
More later. I’m off
to Amazon to see what pens are on sale and to buy those extra big discs that
are the size of small dessert plates.
<a href="http://amzn.to/2vvjkOt" target="_blank">Maybe in pink</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-13215361524596650282016-12-25T09:00:00.000-06:002016-12-25T09:00:12.127-06:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lhs3uaMEq3E/WFrSxi0xL4I/AAAAAAAACtY/LYBu5kukU9o4tMWrO7Y8QJlE8hNpyddLwCLcB/s1600/MerryChristmas.Reba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lhs3uaMEq3E/WFrSxi0xL4I/AAAAAAAACtY/LYBu5kukU9o4tMWrO7Y8QJlE8hNpyddLwCLcB/s400/MerryChristmas.Reba.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-61643643308278470022016-12-16T22:14:00.001-06:002016-12-16T22:14:50.963-06:00Should You Care About Readability Tests?<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you use WordPress for blogging? Then you may recognize the “Flesch-Kincaid
Readability Score” in its critique of your content. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The platform gives both a percentage and a critique. Sometimes, it may find your content is “hard to read.” There may be suggestions, too: things like
too much use of passive voice, for instance.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1QPmsABt5CU/WFS6Whu-UnI/AAAAAAAACtA/alvMhvtFMNsf0S2fJQICukEewX-XnIZIwCLcB/s1600/ReadabilityTests.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1QPmsABt5CU/WFS6Whu-UnI/AAAAAAAACtA/alvMhvtFMNsf0S2fJQICukEewX-XnIZIwCLcB/s320/ReadabilityTests.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
Word Press Readability Critique<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, does your post content need more work? Maybe yes; maybe, no. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The WordPress critique also gives two thumbs up if your post
is a mere 300 words long. For many blogs
(especially those focusing on legal topics) 300 words is not enough to get the
job done. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>So my first point is to take the WordPress editor with a big
fat grain of salt. It’s not all one size
fits all out there. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The goal is to do what’s right for your reader. Be
smart. Be savvy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.</div>
<h2>
How Readability Tests Work<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is not to say that I don’t like the idea of a
readability test. After all, its purpose
is to help you connect with your readers by insuring your writing corresponds
to their reading level. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How? Like a magician,
the readability test throws several things into its top hat before pulling out
its white rabbit: things like how often you use passive voice, the complexity of
your sentences, the length of your paragraphs, and if you use adverbs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cut and paste your content into their tool (which
automatically happens in WordPress), and voila! You have a readability
score. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.thewriter.com/what-we-think/readability-checker/">The Writer
discusses readability tests</a> and reports that 65 is a good score on
Flesch-Kincaid for “<a href="http://www.thewriter.com/what-we-think/readability-checker/">business
writing</a>.” And it points out that the
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flesch%E2%80%93Kincaid_readability_tests">Flesch-Kincaid
Readability Test</a> is one tool; there are others, as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact, RavenTools has compiled a list on its blog
described as the “<a href="https://raventools.com/blog/ultimate-list-of-online-content-readability-tests/">ultimate
list of online content readability tests</a>.”
If you’re curious, then go check out their collection. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.</div>
<h2>
It’s All about Your Reader<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Here’s my second point.
It’s not about the readability score as much as it is about the writer
understanding his or her reader. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are writing a legal blog discussing new SCOTUS
opinions, where your readers are fellow lawyers and legal scholars, then your
writing will score differently than if you are writing a blog explaining a new
SCOTUS opinion to the general public. (Wow, look at that long
sentence!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You aren’t writing for yourself. You’re writing to
convey a message. If a readability test helps you to visualize and
understand your reader better, then that is the best reason to use it.
IMHO.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.</div>
<h2>
Have Some Fun with It<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, and one last thing. Have some fun with these
readability tests. Go grab some of your favorite writing and plug it
into the thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Say, throw some David Foster Wallace into your WordPress
blog platform. What pops up in the critique? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or try Ernest
Hemingway, Nora Ephron, Truman Capote, or James Baldwin. See how
they score (and think about their intended readers). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-79274542671773206152016-11-25T11:52:00.000-06:002016-11-25T11:52:13.496-06:00Disc Binding for NaNoWriMo (and Lots More Stuff)I am writing a very (VERY) bad thriller for National Novel Writing Month this year. It's horrible. It's <i>terrible.</i> It's a hoot, so much fun! I do not worry about intended readers, niches, clients, or editors because it's just for me. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm also excited to report I will succeed in meeting my NaNoWriMo goal this year. Which feels great.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Part of the fun has been handwriting parts of the book. Most of the early word count is in cursive, words in black ink as I tested out various pens. And paper. It's amazing how varied paper quality can be! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've also dictated sections of this tome as well as running to my keyboard for a good chunk of the word count. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Which means I've got a mess. Chapters all over the place, on all sorts of stuff. Add to that my maps, diagrams, flow charts -- things I want to keep with this thing when I go back to edit it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(Or at least read the whole thing from start to finish. I'm telling you, it's BAD. There's a tsunami, for one thing. It seemed like a good idea at the time. ) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJpemx0ngGQ/WDcq0pEkBUI/AAAAAAAACrw/aLOULVvK56gxnmi8WpClU8dZFtS_PLJJgCLcB/s1600/Disc%2BBinding%2BNaNoWriMo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJpemx0ngGQ/WDcq0pEkBUI/AAAAAAAACrw/aLOULVvK56gxnmi8WpClU8dZFtS_PLJJgCLcB/s320/Disc%2BBinding%2BNaNoWriMo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Organizing My NaNoWriMo Draft and Resources</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've got chapters in spiral notebooks; in cheap DollarTree composition books; on college ruled loose leaf paper. I've also got chunks of the book in printed pages from times I opted to dictate or sit there and type at the keyboard.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then there are all the research things. Maps, diagrams, flow charts, and more that I created to help me keep my various violent sub-plots organized. As well as pretty images stored in Padlet and Pinterest and Evernote.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Where to keep all this stuff? How to compile all my papers into a final first draft, in proper page order? </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My solution will not be an old-school three-ring binder. Thought about it, but nope.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
5 Reasons to Use Disc Binders</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I will be using a disc binding process. First, this be much more fun, especially creating my "book covers" and my fake accolades on the back (I'm imagining them now: Mark Twain couldn't put my book down, Ian Fleming reports that my thriller is so real, it's scary, ...).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bigger reason: I can insert and remove pages as easily, and probably faster, than a metal ring binder. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Best reason: with a disc binding system, all sorts of papers can be held together and if you choose to do so, you can flip them together like a spiral notebook, and lay the whole thing flat down on its side, there on the table. This cannot be done with a ring binder, as you know.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Maybe it's because I am left-handed, but it's a great advantage to me, the ability to have the draft lay flat on the table, and the ease with which I can flip it around. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Another plus, as SeaLemon points out in her great instructional video below, I can choose to put those discs at the top or on the side. My decision.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Uses for Disc Binders: More Than NaNoWriMo Drafts</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm sharing this not only because other NaNoWriMo folk might like the idea, but because I think disc binding has lots more uses. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm already thinking of all my recipe stuff that I've shoved into backs of cookbooks, index card boxes, etc. And then there are all those notes-to-self I make and need to gather: quotes and cool vocabulary in books that I'm reading, ideas for things, you know what I mean.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Am I the only one who finds stuff they have to KEEP in every Alexander McCall Smith book they read? I just finished <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=uq1nCwAAQBAJ&source=productsearch&utm_source=HA_Desktop_US&utm_medium=SEM&utm_campaign=PLA&pcampaignid=MKTAD0930BO1&gclid=CJHn7vX_wdACFU5wfgodfxwC-A&gclsrc=ds" target="_blank">the latest in the Precious Ramotse series (the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) </a>and there's so much wisdom in there. Wow. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You may find this a fun alternative to a ring binder, too. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
SeaLemon's Instructional Video on Disc Binding</h3>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tKTAG_wREvI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tKTAG_wREvI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-44835203414798689332016-10-15T11:00:00.000-05:002016-10-15T11:00:00.165-05:00NaNoWriMo: Getting Ready Tip No. 4It's getting closer. <a href="http://nanocountdown.com/" target="_blank">National Novel Writing Month starts in 16 days</a>. Yikes, yikes, <i>yikes.</i> <br />
<br />
There's more and more stuff online to help you NOW. Right now, as you get ready for NaNoWriMo.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss8l1siosiY/WAFKcz7PATI/AAAAAAAACqE/QtOHtYwWFVwl0-5NQlGUQOlrC9Jg_vkdACLcB/s1600/nanowrimo16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss8l1siosiY/WAFKcz7PATI/AAAAAAAACqE/QtOHtYwWFVwl0-5NQlGUQOlrC9Jg_vkdACLcB/s320/nanowrimo16.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
<br />NaNoWriMo Preparation</h3>
.<br />
Today's tip: <i>you are not an island</i>. Go out there and surf around for stuff that will help you get the deal done.<br />
<br />
Here's a few places to hit:<br />
<br />
<h4>
1. The Official National Novel Writing Month Resource Collection</h4>
<br />
NaNoWriMo has <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/nano-prep#resources" target="_blank">35 links on its resources page</a> as of today. Things like "3 Steps to Rev Up Your Writing Momentum," and "Slaying Your First Draft Dragons."<br />
<h4>
<br />2. Writers' Digest</h4>
<br />
Here are <a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/nanowrimo-prep-30-tips-resources-strategies-for-writing-a-book-in-30-days" target="_blank">30 tips in one long article</a>. You don't have to buy their "prep kit." <i>No, you don't.</i> Some of this stuff is something that you might want to read if you are getting skeered about NaNoWriMo, as opposed to planning your outline or debating the color of your heroine's hair.<br />
<br />
<h4>
3. Storist</h4>
<br />
This is <a href="http://storyist.com/support/howto/get-ready-for-nanowrimo/" target="_blank">another long article.</a> It's more about the task at hand than the psychological aspect of NaNoWriMo. Read this for things like "Finding Your Key Scenes" and "Write a Two Page Outline," as well as "Pack for Your Expedition."<br />
<br />
<h4>
4. Bustle</h4>
<br />
Here are your "<a href="https://www.bustle.com/articles/120673-10-last-minute-nanowrimo-prep-tips" target="_blank">10 Last-Minute NaNoWriMo Prep Tips</a>." Because you know that you want to read them, even if you are organized and prepared. <br />
<br />
<h4>
5. Surly Muse</h4>
<br />
What if you haven't even begun to get ready? Is it too late? No, no, no. Surly Muse is ready to help: go read "T<a href="http://surlymuse.com/the-hailstorm-approach-prep-for-nanowrimo-in-seven-days-or-less/" target="_blank">he Hailstorm Approach: Prep for NaNoWriMo in Seven Days or Less.</a>"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-91782628819351500942016-10-14T15:53:00.001-05:002016-10-14T15:53:58.532-05:00Passive Voice and the Zombie Rule<h3>
<i>For lawyers, writers, and researchers, passive voice can be the right choice. Or not.</i></h3>
<div>
<span style="color: white;">.</span></div>
<div>
Edits of my work do come back with notations that I've used the passive voice here and there. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am not ashamed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sometimes, it's okay. That's right, folks. Sometimes, passive voice gets to stay. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Finding The Passive Voice</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Before deciding when and if passive voice is acceptable, you need to find it. There's a fun grammar hack for ferreting out passive voice in your writing. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's called the "<b>zombie rule</b>."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not sure who invented this -- <a href="http://snarkygrammarguide.blogspot.com/2012/10/zombies-hot-new-grammar-secret-weapon.html" target="_blank">maybe rjohnson, USMC professor </a>--- but it's fun and it's fast. All you do is stick the phrase "by zombies" after the verb. If it works, then it's passive voice.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7x2Pr0yUWGI/WAE9ea2JrQI/AAAAAAAACp0/vpdjpRExds4ufQ04S7PX7u4nsmKrwJy7wCLcB/s1600/zombie%2Brule.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7x2Pr0yUWGI/WAE9ea2JrQI/AAAAAAAACp0/vpdjpRExds4ufQ04S7PX7u4nsmKrwJy7wCLcB/s400/zombie%2Brule.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Zombie Rule: Examples</h3>
<div>
.</div>
<div>
If the sentence makes sense with zombies, then YIKES you've got passive voice. Examples:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Those dishes have already been washed [by zombies]. (Yep.)</li>
<li>The court ruled the statute was [by zombies] unconstitutional. (Nope.)</li>
<li>The rumor didn't spread by itself - it was leaked [by zombies] in social media. (Yep.)</li>
<li>SCOTUS released [by zombies] its opinion today. (Nope.)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
For more on the Zombie Rule, check out <a href="http://snarkygrammarguide.blogspot.com/2012/10/zombies-hot-new-grammar-secret-weapon.html" target="_blank">Snarky Grammar Guide</a> and <a href="https://www.grammarly.com/blog/a-scary-easy-way-to-help-you-find-passive-voice/" target="_blank">Grammarly</a>. </div>
<div>
.</div>
<h3>
Passive Voice Has Its Place</h3>
<div>
.</div>
<div>
There are times to use passive voice. I'm not going to discuss them here. Suffice to say, it's acceptable if it's adding value to your writing. <i>You know this. </i> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The <a href="http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/CCS_activevoice.html" target="_blank">University of Wisconsin</a> finds passive voice works when you are:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>creating an authoritative tone; or</li>
<li>emphasizing the action rather than the actor.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<a href="https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/539/03/" target="_blank">Purdue</a> allows passive voice when it is "<a href="https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/539/04/" target="_blank">rhetorically effective</a>." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The American Bar Association has an article discussing <a href="http://www.americanbar.org/publications/law_practice_home/law_practice_archive/lpm_magazine_articles_v32_is6_an8.html" target="_blank">passive voice in legal writing</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Biomedical Editor approves <a href="http://www.biomedicaleditor.com/passive-voice.html" target="_blank">passive voice in medical and scientific writing.</a> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(Go to the above sites to read more detail and get more examples.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-25545570679005595562016-10-08T10:00:00.000-05:002017-11-25T13:02:44.342-06:00Free Public Domain Images: The New York Public Library Looking for free public domain images for your blog or ebook? I have a series of posts dedicated to that treasure hunt (<a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/search/label/public%20domain" target="_blank">check here</a>). <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbrmqkqEBYo/V_asaPzCx-I/AAAAAAAACpY/7K5-YGdxXnsdAGWr04-tGnQW7bboOCjuQCLcB/s1600/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47da-4ed6-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbrmqkqEBYo/V_asaPzCx-I/AAAAAAAACpY/7K5-YGdxXnsdAGWr04-tGnQW7bboOCjuQCLcB/s640/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47da-4ed6-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg" width="417" /></a></div>
<h3>
How to Find Free Public Domain Images at NYPL Site</h3>
<br />
Today, I'm sharing the resource provided by the New York Public Library at their website. Here's what you do:<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/" target="_blank">go to their site;</a><br />
2. enter your search into the white search box in the top right-hand corner -- but don't click it;<br />
3. click that little tab and you will get the option to search "<b>only public domain</b>." <br />
4. if you don't choose that option, never fear. You can also narrow your search to public domain images by clicking in the left sidebar of your search results.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Not For Everyone - But Great for Some</h3>
<br />
Now, <i>caveat:</i> these images aren't for everyone and every subject. If you're a lawyer writing a blog dedicated to death penalty issues (<a href="http://www.deathpenaltyblog.com/" target="_blank">like I co-author with Terry Lenamon</a>), then this isn't a great find.<br />
<br />
However, other niche blogs may find some great stuff.<br />
<br />
And ebook covers? There's some really interesting images here to consider. For those who might want to find public domain images for uploading into Canva, for instance. (<a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-covers-design-your-own-book-cover.html" target="_blank">See my post on using Canva for your covers here</a>.)<br />
.<br />
<h4>
<a href="http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-4ed6-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99" target="_blank">I found the above image in just a few seconds at the NYPL site</a>. I like it. Thurston was amazing, right? </h4>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-50555392222671021512016-10-06T13:56:00.001-05:002016-10-06T13:56:11.501-05:00Templates For WritersI found something interesting as I prepare for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Novel_Writing_Month" target="_blank">National Novel Writing Month</a>. Something that I think will help me in my work, writing all sorts of non-fiction things. It may help me in my research work, as well. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNHHWmdA828/V_adOFvr0uI/AAAAAAAACo4/mK9GIeDs7NImc8FtC81-UVSSFDWz5ucwACLcB/s1600/Templatesfor%2BWriting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNHHWmdA828/V_adOFvr0uI/AAAAAAAACo4/mK9GIeDs7NImc8FtC81-UVSSFDWz5ucwACLcB/s320/Templatesfor%2BWriting.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1739897065"></span><span id="goog_1739897066"></span><br />
<br />
I am collecting templates for thrillers. Formulas, outlines, what have you.<br />
<br />
Someone suggested these were wacky -- maybe not to be trusted or used. Thrillers aren't romance novels! Thrillers are complex; they don't follow a set pattern!<br />
<br />
Well, sorry. I like them. They help as I draft my outline. (Yes, I'm working with an outline this year for NaNoWriMo. No seat-of-the-pants approach this year. Nope.)<br />
<br />
Here's the thing: I'm pondering how formulas and templates apply to writing in all sorts of ways. From blog posts to speeches. From white papers to in-depth articles and internal company memoranda. <br />
<br />
They're everywhere. This is a good thing.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Formulas and Patterns in Writing: Legal Briefs</h3>
I realize writing templates or formulas are not new to me. Lawyers recognize them. They are very much respected in the World of Law. <br />
<br />
For instance, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit shares <a href="http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/documents/SampleBriefs.pdf" target="_blank">295 pages of sample briefs online</a> as well as its <a href="http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/clerk/docs/brchecklist.pdf" target="_blank">three page checklist.</a> <br />
<br />
The court's checklist includes:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1) CONTENTS OF BRIEFS (5TH CIR. R. 28.3 reproduced below gives the required contents of a brief.)</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">a) Certificate of interested persons required by 5TH CIR. R. 28.2.1;</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">b) Statement regarding oral argument required by 5TH CIR. R. 28.2.3 (see also FED. R. APP. P. 34(a)(1);</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">c) A table of contents, with page references (see FED. R. APP. P. 28 (a)(2));</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">d) A table of authorities (see FED. R. APP. P. 28(a)(3));</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">e) A jurisdictional statement as required by FED. R. APP. P. 28(a)(4)(A) through (D);</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">f) A statement of issues presented for review (see FED. R. APP. P. 28(a)(5));</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">g) A statement of the case (see FED. R. APP. P. 28(a)(6));</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">h) A summary of the argument (see FED. R. APP. P. 28(a)(7));</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">i) The argument, including the applicable standards of review (see FED. R. APP. P. 28(a)(8));</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">j) A short conclusion stating the precise relief sought (see FED. R. APP. P. 28(a)(9);</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">k) A signature of counsel or a party as required by FED. R. APP. P. 32(d);</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">l) A certificate of service in the form required by FED. R. APP. P. 25;</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">m) A certificate of compliance if required by FED. R. APP. P. 32(a)(7) and 5TH CIR. R. 32.3.</span></blockquote>
The Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure are filed with all sorts of requirements. The Clerk for the Fifth Circuit explains what is<a href="http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/clerk/docs/pracguide.pdf" target="_blank"> needed to meet FED. R. APP. P. 28(a)(8), the "argument" section of the brief:</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This must contain the party’s contentions with respect to the issues presented, and the reasons therefor, and must include citations to relevant authorities, statutes, and page numbers in the record on appeal. Although FED. R. APP. P. 28(a)(8)(B) allows discretion on where to place the standard of review in your brief, this court greatly prefers that your standard of review be “clearly identified in a separate heading before discussion of the issues.” If the issue is failure to admit or exclude evidence, refusal to give a particular jury instruction, or any other ruling for which a party must record an objection to preserve the right of appeal, your brief should identify where in the record on appeal counsel made proper objection and where it was ruled upon. (NOTE: an appellee does not need to state the standard of review unless he or she disagrees with the appellant’s standard);</blockquote>
<div>
I have no idea how many briefs, motions, memoranda, etc. I have written as a lawyer. Hundreds? Thousands? Dunno. It's what I did. Research, write, repeat. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You? Where have you found formulas or templates for writing? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Templates for Thrillers</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've think the following thriller templates are interesting. Helpful. Maybe you will, too:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://allindiewriters.com/scrivener-murder-mystery-novel-template/" target="_blank">The Free Murder Mystery Template - already set up for Scrivener - written by Jennifer Mattern.</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://thewisesloth.com/2009/11/17/4-simple-formula-plot-templates/" target="_blank">8 Formula Plot Templates by The Wise Sloth</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://writingvilla.blogspot.com/2012/08/sample-mystery-plot-outline.html" target="_blank">Writing Villa's "A Novel in 100 Days" Sample Mystery Plot Outline</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
.... And this one is just <b><i>fun</i></b> -- <a href="http://www.plot-generator.org.uk/create.php?type=2" target="_blank">The Crime Thriller Plot Generator.</a> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
P.S. NaNoWriMo: </h3>
<br />
Need some outlining encouragement? <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303734204577464681207430076" target="_blank">Go read this <i>Wall Street Journal</i> interview of Jeffrey Deaver, who starts out by explaining that he uses a detailed outline for his thrillers.</a> Takes him months to build them. Not that I've got months. It's NaNoWriMo. I've got days. Yikes!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-76484947894094925252016-10-01T17:02:00.000-05:002016-10-01T17:02:21.504-05:00NaNoWriMo 2016: Getting Ready Tip No. 3<br />
It's October 1, 2016 -- thirty days until the beginning of <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">National Novel Writing Month</a>. This year, I'm going to try and write the first draft of a 50,000 word thriller in 30 days. Zowie. <br />
<br />
It's not like the world stops for NaNoWriMo each year. Work still has to be done. The trash still has to be taken out. Plus, the holiday season is in full swing by mid-November. With it, one of my two favorite holidays of the year: Thanksgiving!<br />
<br />
To meet this deadline, 1666.67 words have to be on paper (or screen) each day. Every day. If you don't want to write on Thanksgiving Day, then you need to add those 1666.67 words to another day in the month. <br />
<br />
To help keep me on track, I'm working with an outline this year. I like it. I'm having fun with the planning and after all, fun is the point. <br />
<br />
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
NaNoWriMo Tip No. 3: You Are Going to Make a Big Mistake</h3>
<br />
<i>Thing I need to remember: I'm going to make mistakes. Maybe some big mistakes. And that cannot stop me because I'm under the gun here. </i><br />
<br />
If you are taking part in National Novel Writing Month, you are going to make mistakes, too. We've all got to remember that this is okay. We're aiming at a first draft.<br />
<br />
I love this quote from Teddy Roosevelt (see the image below). I have this attached to my outline to remind me not to feel like I have to stop if I realize mid-way through the process that I've forgotten my victim was already married back in Omaha or that the one-armed man was left-handed. <br />
<br />
And something that really helps me? <br />
<br />
Watching <i>The Big Sleep</i> with Bogie and Bacall, in a screenplay by William Faulkner, and reminding myself that <a href="http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-big-sleep-1946" target="_blank">no one knows who killed the chauffeur.</a> Mistakes are made. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zpGfvxjuxw/V9xwrDVRLuI/AAAAAAAACl0/kVvID338acUhEfxLvqx25uhjtnnoPEpkwCLcB/s1600/The%2Bonly%2Bman%2Bwho%2Bmakes%2Bno%2Bmistakes%2Bis%2Bthe%2Bman%2Bwho%2Bnever%2Bdoes%2Banything.%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4zpGfvxjuxw/V9xwrDVRLuI/AAAAAAAACl0/kVvID338acUhEfxLvqx25uhjtnnoPEpkwCLcB/s320/The%2Bonly%2Bman%2Bwho%2Bmakes%2Bno%2Bmistakes%2Bis%2Bthe%2Bman%2Bwho%2Bnever%2Bdoes%2Banything.%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">__________________</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">I created the above image using </span><a href="https://www.canva.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #333399; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Canva's</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"> free service and I release it into the public domain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">This file is in public domain, not copyrighted, no rights reserved, free for any use. You can use this picture for any use including commercial purposes without the prior written permission and without fee or obligation.</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-81041486369136413852016-09-24T10:30:00.000-05:002017-11-25T13:02:44.393-06:00NaNoWriMo 2016: Getting Ready Tip No. 2There are 38 days left before the launch of <a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">National Novel Writing Month 2016</a>. Once again, I'm gearing up for the challenge. <br />
<br />
Can I write a 50,000 novel in 30 days? Probably. Will I? The better question. <br />
<br />
This year, I'm trying my hand at a thriller. Even if I don't make the deadline, I'm going to have a lot of fun in November! <br />
<br />
There's no rule against planning in advance for NaNoWriMo. You just cannot start writing the content before 12:01 on the morning of November 1st. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gg-1rHKgNag/V9xwQ8NzfGI/AAAAAAAAClw/nWIwARx8qC8f83MVXo4j7ccMTMAEAUHBwCLcB/s1600/%25E2%2580%259CI%2Bpressed%2Bdown%2Bthe%2Bmental%2Baccelerator.%2BThe%2Bold%2Blemon%2Bthrobbed%2Bfiercely.%2BI%2Bgot%2Ban%2Bidea.%25E2%2580%259D%2B%25E2%2580%2595%2BP.G.%2BWodehouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gg-1rHKgNag/V9xwQ8NzfGI/AAAAAAAAClw/nWIwARx8qC8f83MVXo4j7ccMTMAEAUHBwCLcB/s320/%25E2%2580%259CI%2Bpressed%2Bdown%2Bthe%2Bmental%2Baccelerator.%2BThe%2Bold%2Blemon%2Bthrobbed%2Bfiercely.%2BI%2Bgot%2Ban%2Bidea.%25E2%2580%259D%2B%25E2%2580%2595%2BP.G.%2BWodehouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
NaNoWriMo Tip No. 2: Have Your Outline Ready to Go</h3>
<br />
Sure, you can write by the seat of your pants without a plan. Many authors prefer it. However, I want to complete 50,000 words in a four week period that includes the Thanksgiving holiday. <br />
<br />
I know from past years that the "seat of the pants" approach is more exciting for me -- but it has also caused me to buckle around two weeks into the campaign. I get distracted as it is, and there are more distractions now. The holidays are coming! The holidays are here!<br />
<br />
This year, I'm going to have a map to follow. An outline for my thriller. <br />
<br />
Having made this decision, I have to remind myself not to take this outline too seriously.<br />
<ul>
<li>Its purpose is to help me get back to work. </li>
<li>It will not be set in stone. It will be written in pencil, not waterproof ink. I don't want to feel controlled by the outline, (This can be very hard for me <i>not</i> to do.)</li>
<li>Things change as your story comes out of your head. Characters change, or maybe you just get to know them better as things progress. The outline has to be subservient to this evolution. </li>
</ul>
<div>
Just making the decision to work with an outline is a confidence booster. I feel braver when I think of 30 days divided by 50,000 words is <b><u><i>1666.67</i></u></b> words per day. <i>E</i><i>very day.</i> <b><i>Even Thanksgiving Day.</i></b> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
References for Outlining a Thriller</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are a few reference materials I'm using as I build my thriller outline:</div>
<div>
<br />
<ol>
<li>James Scott Bell's suggestions in his <i>Writer's Digest</i> article, "<i><a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-5-cs-of-writing-a-great-thriller-novel" target="_blank">The 5 C’s of Writing a Great Thriller Novel.</a></i>"</li>
<li>Another <i>Writer's Digest</i> article, "<i><a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/how-to-write-a-great-thriller-6-pieces-of-advice" target="_blank">How to Write A Great Thriller: 5 Pieces of Advice</a></i>," written by David Ellis</li>
<li>Every interview and article I can find dealing with Thrillerfest Grandmaster <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nelson-DeMille/e/B000AQ2RZ0" target="_blank">Nelson DeMille.</a> I <b>love</b> this guy. </li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
and I'm re-reading some of my favorites, including:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>James M. Cain, <i>The Postman Always Rings Twice;</i></li>
<li>Frederick Forsyth, <i>The Day of the Jackal</i>;</li>
<li>Daphne du Maurier, <i>Rebecca;</i> </li>
<li>Vera Caspary's <i>Laura; </i>and</li>
<li>Agatha Christie's <i>And Then There Were None.</i></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And, of course, this is an excuse to watch or re-watch lots of great movies that have been made out of great thrillers. <i> Fun, fun, <b>fun. </b></i> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Maybe all this will help you too, Dear Reader. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
___________________________</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><i>I created the above image using Canva's free service and I release it into the public domain.
This file is in public domain, not copyrighted, no rights reserved, free for any use. You can use this picture for any use including commercial purposes without the prior written permission and without fee or obligation.
</i></span></h3>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-27723222996823356292016-09-23T19:54:00.000-05:002016-09-27T14:47:17.811-05:00Google Keep Review: I'll Stick With Evernote, Scrivener, and Padlet But You Might Like It<br />
I'm a sucker for new productivity apps. Aren't you? Especially if they're free? Here's my <a href="https://www.google.com/keep/" target="_blank">Google Keep</a> experience. It started a few weeks ago. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yA0b5m-WBfA/V-XNyTJ-5bI/AAAAAAAACnU/syn255_EZZ4j_5JY2lNLhkgSlIyPxk-3ACEw/s1600/Google%2BKeepEvernote%252C%2BScrivener%252C%2BPadlet%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yA0b5m-WBfA/V-XNyTJ-5bI/AAAAAAAACnU/syn255_EZZ4j_5JY2lNLhkgSlIyPxk-3ACEw/s320/Google%2BKeepEvernote%252C%2BScrivener%252C%2BPadlet%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
.<br />
<h3>
DottoTech Questions Switching From Evernote to Google Keep</h3>
.<br />
First, the backstory. <br />
<br />
I subscribe to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/dottotech" target="_blank">DottoTech's YouTube Channel.</a> Over lunch, I like to watch stuff like Steve Dotto's channel on my ROKU-powered TV, having cut the cable several years back. (<a href="http://everydaysimplicity.blogspot.com/2014/11/roku-streaming-tv-how-great-can-it-can.html" target="_blank">Read more on that here</a>.) <br />
<br />
So, last month I was chomping away on a deli salad, drinking iced Rooibos tea, and watching YouTube. <br />
<br />
Sure enough, I learned something new. Steve Dotto was comparing Google Keep with <a href="https://evernote.com/" target="_blank">Evernote</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>Maybe</i> I had heard of Google Keep before, but it didn't stick with me. His question: should I switch to Google Keep? Whattha?<br />
<h3>
My Evernote Loyalty</h3>
<br />
Now, I'm a <i><b>huge</b></i> Evernote fan. I'm not abandoning Evernote. No way, no how. <br />
<br />
Still, I was interested to see what Google Keep could do, since it's got Google's awesome search function capability. And that's a big, big deal for me. <br />
<br />
Why? <a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-i-use-feedly-pocket-and-evernote-to.html" target="_blank">Evernote is my research database.</a> I store stuff there. My stuff; my clients' stuff; stuff I find online. <br />
<br />
Evernote's search function is critical to me finding all that stuff after I've tossed it in there.<br />
<br />
<i>The ability to search all around Evernote is one of the big reasons I prefer it to <a href="https://www.onenote.com/" target="_blank">OneNote</a>. But that's another story for another day. Back to Google Keep.</i><br />
<br />
<h3>
How Could Google Keep Help Me?</h3>
<br />
So, I decided to check out Google Keep. Give it a test run, see how it could help me be more efficient in my day. <br />
<br />
Since I'm getting ready for <b>National Novel Writing Month</b> (NaNoWriMo), I decided to use Google Keep as part of that preparation. <br />
<br />
That way, it wouldn't interfere with my standard procedures in my real work. The stuff that makes me money and pays for my dog's liver treats.<br />
<br />
I used Google Keep as a tool to help me prepare for writing an outline to my projected 50,000 word thriller. This afternoon, I've got some findings to report.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Google Keep Reminds Me of Scrivener's Corkboard and Padlet</h3>
.<br />
In using Google Keep, I wasn't reminded of Evernote as much as <a href="https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php" target="_blank">Scrivener</a> and <a href="https://padlet.com/" target="_blank">Padlet</a>.<br />
<br />
If you use Scrivener, then you know it has this <a href="https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php?show=features" target="_blank">nifty corkboard feature,</a> where you can move your chapters (or files) around as you like. <br />
<br />
Sorta like index cards on a tabletop. <i>Except Scrivener is allowing me to do this with a huge amount of word count following along behind it. </i><br />
<br />
No way that Google Keep compares to Scrivener in this function. <br />
<br />
And, if I want to do this rearranging outside of Scrivener, I'll use <a href="https://padlet.com/" target="_blank">Padlet</a>. It's easier. And I can keep all my stuff together on one topic there in a separate "padlet" for reference. <br />
<br />
I like Padlet. I use it. It's fun.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://padlet.com/gallery" target="_blank">Check out the Padlet Gallery </a>for examples of <a href="https://padlet.com/gallery/travel" target="_blank">how much fun</a> this tool can be (lots of teachers use it). <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I like Padlet better than Google Keep for brain dumps and brain storming. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<h3>
Bottom Line: Meh.</h3>
<br />
I didn't NOT like Google Keep. It was nice. It just doesn't serve me as well as the tools I already have in my tool belt. So, for me Keep is not a Keeper.<br />
<br />
Maybe it is for you, Dear Reader. It's fun to test drive, anyway ....<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-53672326831993011142016-09-21T11:00:00.000-05:002016-09-22T17:26:16.772-05:00Yelp Ordered to Take Down Negative Online Review After Law Firm Wins Defamation Case: Yelp Fighting Back (with Lotsa Big Gun Help)A <i>negative online review</i> is posted by unhappy client on Yelp.com. The negative Yelp review discusses services provided by a lawyer and law firm. So the law firm files a lawsuit, arguing that the online review is derogatory and has hurt business. Sound familiar? <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It should. It happened two years ago here in Texas. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For details, read "<a href="http://rebakennedy.blogspot.com/2014/08/texas-law-firm-sues-client-over.html" target="_blank">Texas Law Firm Sues Client Over Negative Online Review at Yelp.Com</a>." It includes a link to their original petition, as filed in the Travis County District Court. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
California Court Orders Yelp to Remove Negative Review Held to be Defamatory</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Different twist out on the West Coast, one that's getting <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-online-publishers-20160909-snap-story.html" target="_blank">lots of media coverage</a>. There, a California personal injury law firm filed suit seeking damages allegedly resulting from a negative online review. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Difference here between the two suits? The California case includes Yelp being ordered to take down the review. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_RYEnW57hI/V98bNKyCjkI/AAAAAAAACm4/H6FxrJEk_18jfuiQqpKwQu8WLC3j8-Z6gCLcB/s1600/Yelp%2BOrdered%2Bto%2BRemoveNegative%2BOnline%2BReview-Hassell%2Bv.%2BBirdCaliforniaPetition%2Bfor%2BReview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_RYEnW57hI/V98bNKyCjkI/AAAAAAAACm4/H6FxrJEk_18jfuiQqpKwQu8WLC3j8-Z6gCLcB/s320/Yelp%2BOrdered%2Bto%2BRemoveNegative%2BOnline%2BReview-Hassell%2Bv.%2BBirdCaliforniaPetition%2Bfor%2BReview.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Spearheaded by plaintiffs' lawyer Dawn Hassell, the California law firm won at both the trial and appellate levels (admittedly easily done as the author of the online reviews failed to show up and "defaulted.") </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hassell's victory? That's big news right there. But there's more. <br />
<br />
<h3>
California Appeals Court Agrees With Court Order to Remove Negative Review</h3>
</div>
<div>
The California judge ordered Yelp to remove the defamatory online review from its site. And the California appeals court affirmed his decision. </div>
<div>
<br />
Their reasoning? Read the appellate opinion: <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=17639079783834545670&q=Hassell+Bird+Yelp&hl=en&as_sdt=4,5" target="_blank">Hassell v. Bird, No. A143233 (Cal. Ct. App. June 7, 2016).</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yelp was not ordered to pay monetary damages to the law firm. (Doing so would arguably violate the California Communications Decency Act.) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Big deal here: Yelp was NOT a defendant in the California case. The law firm didn't sue Yelp. It came into the case after it was ordered to remove the review. Anyone else thinking about a possible due process problem? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2016/06/yelp-forced-to-remove-defamatory-reviews-hassell-v-bird.htm" target="_blank">Go into all the legal stuff with Eric Goldman on his blog.</a> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2266&context=historical" target="_blank">Read Yelp's Petition for Review to the California Supreme Court.</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
California Supreme Court Reviewing Case; Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft Write to the Court</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bigger news. The "friends of the court" that are entering the arena. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's reported that powerhouses including <b>Facebook, Twitter, and Microsoft</b> have <a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_YELP_DEFAMATION_LAWSUIT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-09-17-10-29-35" target="_blank">written to the California Supreme Court</a>. This is fine; it's called acting as a "friend of the court," or "amicus curaie." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Their letter warns Hassell's victory, if not reversed, will endanger free speech and otherwise do bad things. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
<i>Among others filing before the California Supreme Court wanting a reversal:</i></h4>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b>Public Citizen</b> - <a href="http://www.citizen.org/documents/PublicCitizenAmicusLetter.pdf" target="_blank">read their amicus curaie filing here</a>;</li>
<li><b>Reporters' Committee for Freedom of the Press </b>- <a href="https://www.rcfp.org/sites/default/files/2016-08-10-hassell-v-bird.pdf" target="_blank">read their amicus here</a>;</li>
<li><b>RStreet </b>- <a href="http://www.rstreet.org/outreach/letter-to-california-supreme-court-on-hassell-v-bird/" target="_blank">read their amicus filing here</a>; and</li>
<li><b>Bunch of Law Professors (letter by Professor Eugene Volokh)</b> - <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/08/19/court-orders-yelp-to-take-down-defendants-post-though-yelp-wasnt-even-a-party-to-the-lawsuit/" target="_blank">read their letter here</a>, as published by the <i>Washington Post</i> in Volokh's article dated August 19, 2016, that has some helpful background information. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Docket Information on Hassell v. Bird</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Interested in what happens? <a href="http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/dockets.cfm?dist=0&doc_id=2149404&doc_no=S235968" target="_blank">The California Supreme Court Docket for Case S235968, styled Hassell v. Bird,</a> <a href="http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/dockets.cfm?dist=0&doc_id=2149404&doc_no=S235968" target="_blank">is online and upon request, notices of new developments will be emailed to you.</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/supreme/actions/SL092116.PDF" target="_blank">On September 21, 2016, the California Supreme Court granted writ.</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6200963510387374755.post-84743566193950706982016-09-17T13:00:00.000-05:002016-09-17T15:56:55.075-05:00 NaNoWriMo 2016: Getting Ready Tip No. 1<a href="http://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">National Novel Writing Month</a> begins in 45 days. I'm going to <a href="http://rebeccakennedysblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/ready-set-go-i-signed-up-for-nanowrimo.html" target="_blank">participate again</a> this year. <br />
<br />
One of the hurdles I have failed to jump in past <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Novel_Writing_Month" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a> years has been the requirement that you <a href="https://nanowrimo.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/329176-how-and-when-do-i-validate-my-novel-to-win" target="_blank">cut and paste your writing</a> into their platform. <br />
<br />
This is how they track your progress, and how you confirm to their Powers That Be that you have written 50,000 words in 30 days' time.<br />
<br />
Scares me. I've had my online published work stolen on more than one occasion. Am I paranoid? Gun-shy? Whatever I am, it's been enough for me to <a href="http://rebeccakennedysblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/ready-set-go-i-signed-up-for-nanowrimo.html" target="_blank">keep track of my own word count</a> and forego inserting my work into the NaNoWriMo web site.<br />
<br />
And even if I get over that fear, there's another problem. I like to write with a pen and paper as much or more as with a keyboard. More on that on my blog <i>Everyday Simplicity</i>, "<a href="http://everydaysimplicity.blogspot.com/2016/09/cursive-handwriting-vs-typing-your-words.html" target="_blank">Cursive Handwriting vs Typing Your Words</a>." <br />
<br />
<i>So, how am I to insert handwritten content into their platform? Scan and OCR it? Re-type it? No way, Jose. </i><br />
<br />
Well, I have discovered how to get around that obstacle. As for my trepidation of putting 50,000 words into the NaNoWriMo site -- I'm working on that one. Fingers crossed. <br />
<br />
<h3>
NaNoWriMo Tip No. 1: Converting Handwritten Content for Daily Word Count</h3>
<br />
There is a <a href="http://lipsum.com/" target="_blank">wonderful site called Lorem Ipsum</a> which is a godsend for NaNoWriMo as far as I'm concerned. It provides a way to insert typed words that correspond to your handwritten word count.<br />
<br />
Now, you have to know your handwritten word count, that's a given. You must overcome any temptation to just stick stuff into the platform willy-nilly. (Lorem Ipsum is kinda fascinating with what it conjures up as text.)<br />
<br />
Using the <a href="http://lipsum.com/" target="_blank">Lorem Ipsum site</a> will allow my handwritten content to be counted in NaNoWriMo. I think this will work. It's making me more excited about November. And I feel less vulnerable to losing my stuff by uploading it onto their site. <br />
<br />
Maybe this will help you, too, Dear Reader. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMFR0w8gxg0/V9xxfsTAKlI/AAAAAAAACl8/bFZEN0zCOC0IrtjrY1eM7nZp2CxNZMvGQCLcB/s1600/The%2Breward%2Bof%2Ba%2Bthingwell%2Bdoneis%2Bto%2Bhave%2Bdone%2Bit..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMFR0w8gxg0/V9xxfsTAKlI/AAAAAAAACl8/bFZEN0zCOC0IrtjrY1eM7nZp2CxNZMvGQCLcB/s320/The%2Breward%2Bof%2Ba%2Bthingwell%2Bdoneis%2Bto%2Bhave%2Bdone%2Bit..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;">I created the above image using </span><a href="https://www.canva.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #333399; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Canva's</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;"> free service and I release it into the public domain.</span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;">This file is in public domain, not copyrighted, no rights reserved, free for any use. You can use this picture for any use including commercial purposes without the prior written permission and without fee or obligation.</span></span></i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12075252729188011233noreply@blogger.com0