The Writer. September 2007.

Some ideas on teaching English from The Writer (Wrt.), September 2007.

Scale of the value of each idea to me, RayS.
*Not much interest
** I will think about it.
***Very much interested.

What is the purpose of the first draft?
"All first drafts are experimental, chaotic, messy, and all take time, energy, patience and persistence. You won't get it right the first time, and that's as it should be. The purpose of the first draft is not to get it right, but to get it written." J Dufresne. Wrt. (Sept. 07), 23. *** [I have constantly preached: brainstorm, thesis sentence and first draft from the thesis sentence to the final, summary paragraph. The purpose of the first draft is to get it all down in one sitting, if possible. RayS.]

How does one prepare to write for a particular magazine?
In order to write for a magazine, you have to read it to try to understand its guidelines, its audience, the kinds of topics in which the editor and the audience are interested. S McDonnell. Wrt (Sept. 07), 75-76. **

How can you help yourself become a better travel writer?
If you're going to be a travel writer, try new experiences. Ride that roller coaster. Take that hike. Do the things you are going to write about. S. McLachlan. Wrt. (Sept. 07), 42-43. **

What are some unusual magazines for which to write?
Magazine gives the first line of a short story. Writers then compete to complete short stories beginning with that first line, with a prize to the best. E Dreifus. Wrt (Sept. 07), 46. **

Other topics: copyright problems and the new technologies; creating vivid scenes and characters; writing for comic books; an online writer's conference; emotions in writing love scenes; landing an agent; writing and life's rhythms; writing narrative history; most common mistakes in writing fiction; what it's like to be a real CSI (crime scene investigator); putting emotion into fiction; 10 ways to evoke emotion in prose; how to get a byline; writing sports reports for a local newspaper; successful free-lancers; how to be your own editor. Note: These topics might sound interesting, but the advice has been often repeated or is "pie-in-the-sky." RayS.