This is an email from A Word, Please, a newsletter by The Writing Prof.
Nov 8, 2021
Monthly Newsletter
A Word, Please, Issue #2 — The Monthly Newsletter of The Writing Prof
In which TWP surpasses 100 followers
Welcome to issue #2 of A Word, Please, the monthly newsletter of The Writing Prof.
This past month, we have reached a milestone: 100 followers. Holy hunnids, Batman! Hunnids hunnids hunnids! Okay, so just one hunnid. But it’s a GREAT start! As of this writing, we have 109 followers. That’s from word of mouth and good old-fashioned reaching out daily to those who may be interested.
If you are receiving this newsletter, please tell your friends about The Writing Prof. I am always looking for more writers and more submissions. Together, we can make The Writing Prof a publication worthy of your time to read and write about all things language and writing.
The Writing Prof is designed for writers of all experience levels, professional writers and novices alike. If a submission is not immediately publishable, I will work with you to help it become worthy of publication.
Some publications pride themselves on their extraordinarily difficult criteria for getting published, Without sacrificing quality, The Writing Prof values various experience levels as well as diversity of voice and inclusion. The Writing Prof will help today’s writers and bloggers with a helpful and friendly editorial hand.
A Little Something About Language
I’ve written an article about the word “ain’t.”
6 Myths vs. Facts about “Ain’t”: English’s Most Controversial Word
My article was inspired by the book, The Story of Ain’t: America, Its Language, and the Most Controversial Dictionary Ever, by David Skinner. It’s a fascinating look into the creation of Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of 1961. If you haven’t read this, or think you wouldn’t be interested in a book about a dictionary, and if you have even a passing interest in language, I strongly encourage you to give this book a look. It’s a fun romp through lexicographical controversy! (Say that three times fast, and I don’t mean “fun romp.”)
Quality Articles Published in October 2021
The Writing Prof started in early August 2021. October saw more high-quality publications and an increase of writers. Here is October’s selection:
Lee G. Hornbrook (Oct. 4) — The inaugural issue of “A Word, Please, the monthly newsletter of The Writing Prof.” You can find a detailed biography of your editor (me) in that edition.
Lee G. Hornbrook (Oct. 5) — The 6 Most Embarrassing Writing Errors and What To Do About Them
Lee G. Hornbrook (Oct. 6) — Write for The Writing Prof
Lee G. Hornbrook (Oct. 11 )— 50 Surefire Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block
Lee G. Hornbrook (Oct. 11) — Some Notes About Writer’s Block
Nathan J Bonassin (Oct. 14) — Stop Over-Editing
Noah Nelson (Oct. 15) — 3 Reasons You Should Keep an Idea Journa
Cathy Coombs (Oct. 16) — African-American Author James Baldwin
Lee G. Hornbrook (Oct. 22) — How I Learned to Write — Examining a Story Arc
Lee G. Hornbrook (Oct. 29)— Planning is an Essential Step for Any Writing Project
Thank you to all contributing writers for your outstanding submissions. Keep those submissions coming. Spread the word that The Writing Prof is accepting new writers and submissions.
About the Editor of The Writing Prof
Today, November 8, is my birthday. I have the day off from my bill-paying gig. Other than that, I have a nice tidy life of writing, play guitar, spending time with my partner and dachshund, watching movies, reading books, and exploring vegan foods.
For the past month, I’ve been working on the fifth and final part of my memoir, which I started on October 31, 2018. I once thought this would be a 6-month project, no more than a year. The project grew. It’s now pushing 650 double-spaced manuscript pages. I took two extended breaks and another mini-break. The final 50 pages spells the triumph for the story. The 100 pages before that, however, has proved a bear. I’ve refashioned the material 3 times. It’s better each time, but it’s still not quite right. Today, I spent some time retooling yet again, and I’m on the right track. Now all I have to do is match the vision in my head with what comes out on paper. Isn’t the way, though? Isn’t that what we do as writers? If it were as easy done as said.
I will seek a traditional publishing route for this work, which means finding an agent and a publisher. But I am looking forward to the time when this project is completed and I can move on to another project, including the expansion of The Writing Prof.
If you’d like to help expand The Writing Prof, please send me a message and we can discuss some the goals I have in mind. I’m looking for writers and editors.
I still dream of the sea and returning to a sailboat someday. Oh Atlanta….where are your blue-green shores and beautiful sandy beaches?
Until Next Time . . .
If you enjoy The Writing Prof, please pass this newsletter to others and encourage them to sign up. Thank you for your kind support, even in the changing world of Medium.
If you have questions about The Writing Prof, or you’d like to pitch an idea before you write, you can always reach me at lee_hornbrook@yahoo.com and at my website www.leehornbrook.com. Also, I have a FREE 5-day course on The Writing Process, a great place to get started in writing consistently and efficiently on Medium. It’s absolutely free with nothing to buy. If you’d like to be a beta-tester, I’d appreciate it. Let me know.
Until next time,
Be well, my friends.
Just keep writing!
Lee
