You may find that your search engine yields a gazillion online references from dictionaries to encyclopedias to maps. You don’t have to wade through all those, of course. Here’s a short list of online references that can help your web writing and research.
» via OnlineMediaBeat.com
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Handy References
The writer on a roll doesn't have to go rolling down the street just to get information that can be readily available and is literally at an arm's length. Get these handy references and save on time and energy:
Dictionary. I'm a huge fan of Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries so I personally recommend them. But I would say that Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary is just as good. You can choose to have both print and CD versions of your dictionary of choice as long as you can easily find the word that you're looking for.
Thesaurus. Remember that this is as indispensable as the dictionary. You can also get a print or a CD version of this. I personally recommend Roget's Thesaurus. Don't rely on your word processor's thesaurus -- it sometimes gives the wrong advice. ;o)
Dictionary of English Usage. Make sure that you're using the right word in the right context. When in doubt, consult a dictionary of English usage. I use Merriam-Webster's Concise Dictionary of English Usage. Other writers prefer Fowler's Modern English Usage. Take your pick.
Desk Encyclopedia. I recommend a desk edition of encyclopedia just for quick reference. You can always resell your copy a year later and get an updated edition. Of course, it's best if you can get a CD version of your favorite encyclopedia.
Grammar Book. It's good to refresh your knowledge of grammar once in a while, sans your scary grammar school teacher. I personally use grammmar books published by Oxford. But you can use any grammar reference which you're most comfortable with --even the one that you used during your freshman year at the university.
Style Guide. Every writer must have one. I personally recommend the Chicago Manual of Style for everything - books, newspapers, magazines, technical documentation, web writing, etc. If you're bent on technical writing, though, try the Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications.
Dictionary. I'm a huge fan of Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries so I personally recommend them. But I would say that Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary is just as good. You can choose to have both print and CD versions of your dictionary of choice as long as you can easily find the word that you're looking for.
Thesaurus. Remember that this is as indispensable as the dictionary. You can also get a print or a CD version of this. I personally recommend Roget's Thesaurus. Don't rely on your word processor's thesaurus -- it sometimes gives the wrong advice. ;o)
Dictionary of English Usage. Make sure that you're using the right word in the right context. When in doubt, consult a dictionary of English usage. I use Merriam-Webster's Concise Dictionary of English Usage. Other writers prefer Fowler's Modern English Usage. Take your pick.
Desk Encyclopedia. I recommend a desk edition of encyclopedia just for quick reference. You can always resell your copy a year later and get an updated edition. Of course, it's best if you can get a CD version of your favorite encyclopedia.
Grammar Book. It's good to refresh your knowledge of grammar once in a while, sans your scary grammar school teacher. I personally use grammmar books published by Oxford. But you can use any grammar reference which you're most comfortable with --even the one that you used during your freshman year at the university.
Style Guide. Every writer must have one. I personally recommend the Chicago Manual of Style for everything - books, newspapers, magazines, technical documentation, web writing, etc. If you're bent on technical writing, though, try the Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
March 1 - 7 is National Ghostwriters Week
[Press Release via NewsReleaseWire.com]
Give Your Book the Ghost of a Chance: March 1-7 is National Ghostwriters Week
Ridgeland, SC 29936
February 28 2006
Almost 50 percent of all books and countless articles in magazines and journals are written by ghostwriters—professionals who create long and short pieces for clients who don’t have the time or the skills to commit their ideas to paper. Though ghostwriters’ names don’t appear on the books and articles they write, they are true Renaissance men and women, whose wide array of clients typically makes them knowledgeable about a great many things, from real estate to pirate lore. In honor of these unsung heroes of the printed word, March 1-7 has been declared National Ghostwriters Week.
Many celebrities and even famous writers use “ghosts” for their books, but many more business professionals than you might imagine do, too. “No matter what your profession, a well-crafted book or article can do amazing things for your career,” says Dawn Josephson, founder and President of Cameo Publications, a company whose editorial services include ghostwriting for business professionals and speakers. “You’ll gain credibility, positioning, and profits, even if you’ve not yet developed the idea beyond the ‘scribbles on a cocktail napkin’ stage.”
Depending on the length of the work to be ghostwritten, ghostwriters interview clients for as little as an hour or as long as two days to determine the work’s target audience and purpose, and to structure an outline of key ideas. In the case of a book, clients receive constant communication with the ghostwriter, who sends chapters for approval as the work progresses. “You receive a completed manuscript in a matter of a few months,” says Gail Westerfield, an editorial specialist at Cameo. “And when you’ve been carrying the seed of a book around inside you for years, as most people have, it’s extraordinary to suddenly have it right in front of you, ready to show the world your great ideas.”
Because ghostwriters complete books in months, not years, and articles in days, not weeks, their clients’ ideas remain timely and relevant to the target audience. What’s more, with writing professionals to guide them through the writing process, clients find they can better organize their thoughts and formulate ideas more quickly. Ghostwriters know the publishing industry’s standards, too, so clients are more likely to receive favorable responses to their work.
Dawn Josephson, the Master Writing Coach™, is a professional speaker and internationally-acclaimed author who has ghostwritten 20 books and over 1,500 articles. She is the creator of The Ground Rules™ book series. Gail Westerfield has an extensive writing and editing background; she has ghosted dozens of articles and is currently at work on two books.
For more information, visit the Cameo Publications website at www.CameoPublications.com or contact David Josephson toll-free at 866-372-2636 or by email at david@cameopublications.com
Give Your Book the Ghost of a Chance: March 1-7 is National Ghostwriters Week
Ridgeland, SC 29936
February 28 2006
Almost 50 percent of all books and countless articles in magazines and journals are written by ghostwriters—professionals who create long and short pieces for clients who don’t have the time or the skills to commit their ideas to paper. Though ghostwriters’ names don’t appear on the books and articles they write, they are true Renaissance men and women, whose wide array of clients typically makes them knowledgeable about a great many things, from real estate to pirate lore. In honor of these unsung heroes of the printed word, March 1-7 has been declared National Ghostwriters Week.
Many celebrities and even famous writers use “ghosts” for their books, but many more business professionals than you might imagine do, too. “No matter what your profession, a well-crafted book or article can do amazing things for your career,” says Dawn Josephson, founder and President of Cameo Publications, a company whose editorial services include ghostwriting for business professionals and speakers. “You’ll gain credibility, positioning, and profits, even if you’ve not yet developed the idea beyond the ‘scribbles on a cocktail napkin’ stage.”
Depending on the length of the work to be ghostwritten, ghostwriters interview clients for as little as an hour or as long as two days to determine the work’s target audience and purpose, and to structure an outline of key ideas. In the case of a book, clients receive constant communication with the ghostwriter, who sends chapters for approval as the work progresses. “You receive a completed manuscript in a matter of a few months,” says Gail Westerfield, an editorial specialist at Cameo. “And when you’ve been carrying the seed of a book around inside you for years, as most people have, it’s extraordinary to suddenly have it right in front of you, ready to show the world your great ideas.”
Because ghostwriters complete books in months, not years, and articles in days, not weeks, their clients’ ideas remain timely and relevant to the target audience. What’s more, with writing professionals to guide them through the writing process, clients find they can better organize their thoughts and formulate ideas more quickly. Ghostwriters know the publishing industry’s standards, too, so clients are more likely to receive favorable responses to their work.
Dawn Josephson, the Master Writing Coach™, is a professional speaker and internationally-acclaimed author who has ghostwritten 20 books and over 1,500 articles. She is the creator of The Ground Rules™ book series. Gail Westerfield has an extensive writing and editing background; she has ghosted dozens of articles and is currently at work on two books.
For more information, visit the Cameo Publications website at www.CameoPublications.com or contact David Josephson toll-free at 866-372-2636 or by email at david@cameopublications.com
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