Category: Uncategorized

Formatting for Success

Gabrielle Aleman

By Gabrielle Aleman

Have you ever written something amazing, only for it to be ignored? It might not be your
writing—it might be your formatting. Proper formatting can elevate your work in different ways-
organization, readability, presentation, and more. You could have the best story ever written for a
magazine, but if it isn’t properly formatted it might as well have been written by the average high
schooler.

A common misconception about formatting is that it’s “simple” or “easy”, when in fact
there is a multitude of ways to format text and a multitude of ways to mess them up. When
editors are receiving countless submissions, the easiest way to become favorable is by submitting
a well-formatted document. By meeting industry standards, it shows professionalism and
attention to detail, prevents your work from being dismissed, and creates less work for the editor.
This discussion will focus on several key formatting elements to guide writers through the
submission-ready process.

Standard Formatting Guidelines

Most editors and publishers follow standard industry guidelines when reviewing submissions. Author Brian Klems discusses some of the guidelines followed when editing work. He pinpoints those rules from “Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript” by Chuck Sambuchino.
Here are some essential formatting elements to keep in mind:

Font style, size, and color

Try to stay with readable and professional font style. The font should stay one size throughout the work (unless necessary for headings) and should only be black. It’s best to keep the font uniform and simple to avoid any distractions, making it difficult to read. According to Klems, it’s most appropriate to use “a standard font, 12-point type. Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier is fine”.

Spacing and margins

To make passages easier to read it’s essential to avoid a condensed word and line spacing and instead use a more relaxed spacing. Double-spacing is most preferred, as this best allows a more
comfortable read and creates annotations within phrases. To add, Klems states the correct way to separate paragraphs is to “Indent five spaces”. The one-inch margin is also typical as it looks most professional and gives even more space for editors to jot down notes.

Body structure

Klem’s analysis of Chuck Sambuchino’s “Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript” mainly discusses the structure and how to organize paragraphs and chapters for submissions. Assuming the work being submitted is physical and not digitized, it’s emphasized that new chapters should begin on their own page, and the chapter number and title should be capitalized. The title should be 4-6 lines ahead of the beginning of the new chapter, which should start further down the page, typically one-third of the way down. This is to ensure organization and clarify the chapter’s beginning and place in the story.

Final Product

To keep the work looking as official and professional as possible, you should follow guidelines to format the page as well as the body. Keeping headers and page numbers on each page will add to the look and professionalism of the document. Page numbers should begin on page 2, and headers should have the title in all caps and the name of the author.

Time to Submit

Following the submission guidelines of whichever publisher you’re submitting work to and ensuring formatting is correct is going to improve the chances of your work being chosen for editing and publishing. Author and editor Brian Klems provides great information on keeping a clean, organized, well formatted submission – especially since he speaks from experience.

Work Cited : What Are the Guidelines for Formatting a Manuscript? – Writer’s Digest

Over Already

Ana Florez Garcia

The symphony of waves

Cascading against the shore at my feet consumes me.

The weight of my body prohibits movement

Of the grains of sand held fast by the pressure

Exerted upon its surface,

Yet my toes feel the tickle

Of the loose debris being washed away

With each pulse of the unrelenting waters.

In their wake a pillar is etched into the earth,

Where erosion was denied.

I’m left standing on an undeserved pedestal,

A delicate equilibrium.

The black fair night sky

Is separated only by the fixed

And seemingly unchanging points of light above,

In contrast to the constant movement

Of the moon’s reflection on the water’s surface.

The elegance of this design

is truly breathtaking,

And made all the more tranquil

As a gentle breeze wisps

unruly bits of hair across my cheek.

Facing the vastness

And the inviting incandescence sprawled before me,

I am tempted.

To stroll out and be embraced by the exquisite perfection,

Of the moment’s serenity.

Wrapped in the gentle peacefulness of it all.

Hesitation

By way of the fortitude of my own psyche,

Gives me pause to reconsider this precarious position.

Apprehensive of the ease

In which the coveted numb could be so simply attained.

I take a step back,

But not before a last appreciative glance

At the pristine backdrop.

With all of the ugly bits of the world

Temporarily cloaked by the dark of night.

Psych

Ana Florez Garcia

As if being forced to explain and justify herself to some shrink that she wasn’t completely crazy, just stressed to a breaking point (there was a difference after all), wasn’t bad enough.  Articulating fundamental truths about her inner most being was verging on some level of Hell, she was sure.  Talk about the weather, talk about school, talk about work, or sports even… anything but about herself and about her life especially.  It was no one’s business.  Hopefully this guy would be smart enough to keep any Freudian theory speculation to himself.

Brenda sat looking out a window at the spots of sunlight that had fought their way through the trees to illuminate the dead fallen leaves on the ground below, and she appreciated the beauty of it.  This fleeting moment was summarily ended with the approach of a tricked out SUV booming some racket masquerading as “music” at levels that caused the windows of the small office to shake.  The driver of the offending vehicle lingered at the stop sign, just in case anyone on the street had missed him.  That figures.  She’s willing the noise to eventually vibrate the rolling irritant to pieces. 

            “Tell me a little about why you’re here Brenda”. 

She resists the set up to ask Captain Obvious if he could have been bothered to read the chart before speaking.  “I was told that my eligibility depended on it.” 

“Fair enough, but specifically I’d like to hear why it is you feel that your being alive is a mistake.”

Brenda pauses to carefully consider where exactly to begin.  After gathering her thoughts she says “Life’s positives haven’t outweighed the negatives for longer than I care to recall, which quite frankly isn’t anything new.  I’ve contemplated my death since early childhood, somewhere around the ages of seven and nine, which is right about when the nightmares started.”                               The doctor leans forward, intrigued, and encourages Brenda, “go on.”

“In these dreams it was never clear how exactly it was that I died; the specific means by which that came to be were never defined.  The only common thread between them was that whatever happened did so after I turned 18 but before I could graduate high school.  I can only imagine that someone might easily assume that a kid would be terrified by such morbid thoughts… but not me.  In fact, to be perfectly honest, I looked forward to it.”

            He stares at Brenda momentarily in a state of stunned disbelief.  “I see here that the nightmares eventually stopped.  Tell me more about that.”

Publishing can be tricky, here are some tips and treats!

Kinsley Ellison

by: Kinsley Ellison

This time of year brings pumpkins, leaves, and fall galore. Every corner has a coffee shop with fall flavors. To be more financially savvy, and make these drinks at home, many turn to the internet with recipes and inspiration. Those who are curious to write and publish can even create a cookbook. 

(Acosta, Danilo. Unsplash Photos, 10 October 2023)

Many of us struggle to finish and write out our thoughts to create an organized layout. Since the process has already been stressful, why not make publishing easier? Let me give you some advice on how! 

The first step should be to check the longevity of the website. Legitimate companies have sustained their existence, while scam companies are short-lived. The following website is useful to determine how long a website has been active: https://who.is/

Even though you have secured a long-standing website, your work is not complete. A more thorough investigation of the website is the second step to avoid trickery. One tip you can use is a tool called the five-step CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose). This helps make sure the website is credible and worthy of using.

Now that you have examined the website, what can we do about publishing? This is a target area for scammers which is why I want to highlight a specific category called vanity publishers. Vanity publishers are those who exploit new authors and try to scam them. How does this happen? It can happen in many ways, with one being receiving a direct message involving recognition and curiosity. It is good to note that any legitimate agency is highly unlikely to ever send you an email or text message out of the blue to publish your work. Sadly, naive, yet new writers could see this message and think, “Wow what a great opportunity” and take it. Writers need to be aware, however, that many of these companies do not have your best interest in mind. 

While reading the blog of Anne R Allen, I was informed of another scam, this one involving the popular site: Facebook. New writers looking for publicity, make an account for their author page, and these scammers aim to take over. These scammers hack their accounts or make one identical, and send all your friends a new friend request. (In this scheme, your Facebook page is cloned so that others think you are trying to send them a new friend request on an alternate account). Your friends immediately accept and receive direct messages often asking for money or, most deadly, these scammers offer nonexistent free books that the author “published”. Your friends, or the general public, see this advertisement for free books, apply, and provide credit card information. Weeks later when no books arrive, the author gets flooded with hate and many people are without money. Go check out this link for yourself to learn more about these horrific schemes! https://annerallen.com/2021/09/warning-to-writers-new-publishing-scam/

(Eliason, Kenny. Unsplash Photos, 1 November 2017)

In the end, interestingly enough, these scam “artists” are learning from their mistakes and evolving after being caught. They are getting smarter and finding new ways to manipulate us. It is always good to remember that scammers are not only in the United States, and everyone needs to be user-aware. Besides, if the scammers are evolving then writers need to as well. Do not be the naive one and do your proper research.

Mastering the Art of Great Beginnings: How to Hook Your Readers from the First Line

Maria Ballesteros

By: Maria Ballesteros

The Importance of a Strong Beginning
Every writer knows the pressure of starting a piece with impact. How do you pull readers in from the very first line and make sure they keep reading? A compelling beginning can set the tone, create intrigue, and establish a connection between the reader and the text. Yet, many writers struggle with crafting those all-important opening sentences. If you lose the reader’s attention at the start, no matter how brilliant the rest of your work is, you might not get them back.

Creating Intrigue with a Strong Hook
So, how can you ensure that your beginning grabs the reader’s attention? One of the most effective ways to start is by creating intrigue. Your first line should make the reader curious about the story, the characters, or the problem you’re about to explore. A strong hook draws the reader in, urging them to keep reading to find out more. You can do this by starting with a question, presenting a bold statement or surprising fact, or beginning in the middle of action (in medias res). For example, “The rain poured harder as Sarah sprinted down the alley, clutching the envelope that could change everything” sets an immediate scene that makes readers want to know more.

Setting the Right Tone and Mood
Once you’ve hooked the reader, it’s essential to establish tone and mood early. The tone sets the reader’s expectations for what’s to come, and it should match the overall style and mood of your story. Is your piece dark and mysterious, light and humorous, or emotionally intense? The first few lines should give readers a hint about what they can expect, making them more invested in the journey you’re about to take them on.

Connecting with Relatable Emotions
Another powerful way to draw readers in is by introducing relatable emotions. Human emotions are universal, so beginning with a feeling or situation readers can relate to is an effective way to create a connection. Whether it’s fear, excitement, frustration, or joy, tapping into emotions helps bridge the gap between the reader and your story. For instance, “John’s heart raced as he stood in front of the crowd, wondering if he would remember the words he had rehearsed for hours” immediately brings the reader into a moment of tension and anxiety, something many can empathize with.

Practical Tips for Writing Strong Openings
As you develop your opening, here are a few practical tips to start strong. First, avoid clichés. Beginnings like “Once upon a time” or “It was a dark and stormy night” feel overused and tired, so aim for freshness in your writing. Second, keep it concise. Avoid overloading the first lines with too much backstory or description. A sharp and to-the-point beginning is more effective at holding the reader’s attention. Finally, revise your opening. Your first attempt at writing the beginning doesn’t have to be the final version. Once you’ve finished your draft, revisit your opening and consider if it needs to be stronger or more compelling.

Why a Strong Beginning Matters
A great story or blog post can only succeed if readers are engaged from the start. By focusing on intrigue, tone, and emotional relatability, you can ensure your openings are as compelling as the rest of your work. Don’t underestimate the power of a great beginning—it’s your first chance to make a lasting impression. By mastering the art of a strong start, you set your piece up for success from the very first line.

Fanfiction: From “Writer” to “Author”

Kaylee Alameda

By Kaylee Joy

From “The Mortal Instruments” series by Cassandra Clare, to the infamous “50 Shades of Gray” by E.L. James, more and more authors are getting their start in fanfiction. But how do you go from a run-of-the-mill fanfiction writer to a fully-fledged published author? As a digital producer, I’m here to teach you. And you’re already on the right track, because the first step is a desire to improve. 

Creating your own Protagonist  

Let’s be real here, fanfiction is probably one of the most fun things to write. You get to play with your favorite, fully developed characters without pressure to flesh them out. Plus, readers are already chomping at the bits for more content featuring these characters so it’s not as hard to find an audience. To break away from this crutch, you must practice developing your own protagonist. 

Now, creating a character entirely from scratch can be daunting. But you don’t need to know every detail right out of the gate/ To start, simply make a list of traits you find important to your character. For example, if your protagonist is an intellectual type, you may want to include what subjects they’re interested in (I.E. specific sciences, a historical time-period, classical literature). Be as specific as comes naturally to you, the little details can be discovered later. If you need some inspiration, I recommend using a Dungeons & Dragons character sheet. The website https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/builder gives you step-by-step instructions while filling it out. 

Envisioning a Setting 

Another challenge many writers who found their beginning in fanfiction may face is envisioning a setting. Most fanfiction is inspired by television shows, movies, or video games. All of which present a visible setting that writers can physically look at while creating their stories. So how do you detail an entirely imagined setting without an exact reference? My recommendation: Go explore! 

Start by looking up the type of setting you have in mind (for example, your story may be set in a forest or perhaps an 18th century town) and find a place nearby that emulates that setting. Physically exploring these places will give you the chance to soak in every detail and learn how to recreate them in your own way. Especially in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, there are loads of historical buildings, natural pheromones, and museums at the tip of your fingers. If there’s nothing nearby like your setting, there are an infinite number of virtual tours online for you to click through. There’s even a tour of the international space station if your story is set in the stars! Once you find what you’re looking for, it’s time to start writing. Try to describe the scene in as well as you can. Practicing observing and detailing your environment will help you understand how to create your own settings.   

Letting Go of Tropes 

Finally, it’s time to let go of the infamous fanfic tropes. Or at the very least, loosen your grip on them. Now, tropes in and of themselves aren’t necessarily a bad thing. But when you lean on those tropes for every beat of your story, your reader can get bored quickly as they already know what’s going to happen. 

There are some tropes – Especially “Alternate Universe” tropes – that are too graphic to ever make it past an official publisher. (If you know, you know. If you don’t, for your own sake do NOT try to find out.) But even some of the most highly regarded tropes, such as “Enemies-to-Lovers” or the classic “Only-One-Bed”, may be inhibiting your creativity.  

To begin to break away from these popular tropes, the best thing you can do is stop consuming them. Try taking a break from Ao3, Wattpad, and Quotev. Let your favorite characters breathe and give yourself the chance to fall in love with new characters by heading to the bookstore.  

Keep in mind, learning to create your own stories can be a long and grueling process. Take it slow and don’t discount the experience you’ve developed by writing fanfiction, just learn to grow from it. Writing anything is leagues better than writing nothing. However, as we are writers, it is important to cultivate our creativity so we can improve. All these tips will help you expand your ability as an author in the making.   

Oh Joy, a Beginning!

Camila Silvestre

By: Camila Silvestre

Beginnings are hard. The start of a new job, location, or friendship (to name a few) can bring great stress. I should know. I even struggled to come up with how to start this post! Let me let you in on a little secret though: they don’t have to be so complicated. Take a song for example. In regards to music, that one starting line can really hook the listener in and keep them engaged. How do you get started with that great line though? Read on for a few tips on how to make the beginnings of your songs the best they can be!

  1. Don’t Give Too Much Away

That’s what your chorus is for. A great opening line should set the scene, but not give so much away that your listener already gets the theme . What is the theme at hand? For example, let’s say it’s a negative change in a friendship. You’ve been wronged by someone, and you want to write a song to cope. An opening line could be: “You, an expert in keeping lies.” This draws the listener in. What sort of lies? What do you mean expert? Then, the chorus could expand on why this person is such a bad friend.

  1. Don’t Overcomplicate It

Writing a song, whether for the first time or as a seasoned professional, can be daunting. What can be said that hasn’t already been said? Will my song resonate with somebody? It’s important to keep the thought process simple: you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Writing a song should, from my experience, be fun and freeing. Don’t be afraid to mess up- if writing for the very first time! A great rough draft is better than no draft at all. 

  1. Learn from Others, but Don’t Remain Frozen

What better way to learn how to begin a song than to draw inspiration from others? Doing a bit of research into your favorite songs and how they start can be motivating. However, too often, it can be easy to feel insecure. How did they get there? Will I be able to write a song as good as theirs? To put it simply: comparison is the thief of joy. Observing can only get you so far. Getting your hands dirty (metaphorically- don’t go around playing in mud) and starting the song as best as you know how to is the best way to write a song.

Speak Up Or Speak Down

Alissa Kessler

By: Alissa Kessler

Hate something, love something? We want to hear it all! There is no right or wrong here, and every thought, opinion, and expression shared will be recognized and respected. 

The majority of people would love to speak up about something they love or hate, but due to their fear of being criticized and/or judged, they shy away from the idea. What makes one person’s opinion any more valuable than another’s? Exactly–nothing! One person’s opinion is just as important as the next person’s, and everyone has the chance to use their voice. 

People have the opportunity to speak freely, though only some people take advantage of this when they write. It is common that people will share what they think others want to hear or what they think will be most popular. However, we want to hear what people want to say. 

This is how we grow mindsets and learn from others. When we are told only what we want to hear, we have no chance of growing or seeing different perspectives. This is why it is crucial for people to share their views on ideas, situations, and environments: so that others can grow their knowledge. 

No one is held to one standard when it comes to their writing, and no one is bound to share just one opinion. Writing is the most beneficial when we use it to enhance different perspectives. While some may be nervous about this, we want to remind our authors that this is a safe space and a judgement-free writing platform. This is a professional environment, and as long as our authors are respectful and kind, we will let them speak their minds. 

Nothing is black and white, so why should we expect writing to be? We want you to use your thoughts and opinions freely and to share what you think needs to be said! 

Bitter to Bestselling: How to Turn Negative Reviews into a Positive Experience

Riley Boock

By Riley Boock

The following quote is a review written by Samuel Pepys:

“…The King’s Theatre, where we saw “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which I had never seen before, nor shall ever again, for it is the most insipid ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life.”

At one time or another, we’ve all gotten feedback that stung. Not even Shakespeare, the father of modern English literature, is exempt from criticism. Even with this in mind, it can be incredibly difficult to cope with rejection – but not impossible.

Here are some tips you can follow to make the best of a bad review:

Wallow (Within Reason)

I won’t sugarcoat it – rejection hurts. Your work, written or otherwise, is the result of a vulnerable and dedicated process; in a way, it becomes part of you. If you feel so inclined, treat yourself to some Ben & Jerry’s, rent a tearjerker, and make it an early night. Alternatively, you could get some fresh air, go for a walk, or journal your thoughts and feelings. It doesn’t matter which method of self-care you choose as long as it fills your cup!

Taking some time to recuperate after receiving disappointing feedback can make a huge difference in both your attitude and motivation. As humans, we have a tendency to take criticism very personally; unfortunately, as writers and creators, that’s a huge part of the process. Once you’ve channeled your initial feelings through an appropriate outlet, you can revisit your work with a fresh lens.

 Consider the Critiques

As you review your feedback, try to find the gems in the pile of rocks. Remember that most criticisms are well-meaning, even if they come across as cruel. However, some negative critiques are going to be unhelpful, plain and simple. Disregard those and keep looking for useful notes. For example:

  • This is the worst story I ever heard. – Anonymous User. (Unhelpful.)
  • This story has potential but isn’t ready for publication yet. The plot, though humorous, is underdeveloped and stale. – Editor McCritic. (Harsh, but can be helpful with some positive reframing.)

The key is to question if each review taught you something or introduced a new, informed perspective. The first example gives an opinion with no supplemental advice, but the second one points out a specific issue that can be addressed. This fundamental difference can completely change the way you view criticism.

Keep it Moving

It’s important to take corrections into consideration, but at the end of the day, don’t let it consume you. Different critics will have different insights; try to get a variety of sources to provide feedback, rather than lingering on the thoughts of just one.

Whatever you do, don’t let a negative review extinguish your spark. There is always something to improve upon, so let those critiques be nothing but an impetus. Keep working, growing, and prospering!