Endless Summer Creations

By Girdi (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons These days spelling and grammar often seem to fall by the wayside.  Oftentimes we're aware of the grammatical lapses but let them slide in the name of convenience - as with texting lingo, voice dictation, crazy auto prompts, and so on.  But when your job relies on the craft of writing, grammar is still king. How likely do you think a publisher, editor or writing agent is to take your submissions seriously when they are peppered with grammatical and spelling mistakes?  Of course, we're all human and bound to make mistakes.  But to put your best writing foot forward, you need to proof your work and make sure it's as error-free as possible.  If you have someone who can serve as a fresh pair of eyes and give your work a second or even third read-through, that's even better.  We often become blind to mistakes in our own work, despite how much time we spend poring over it. Is English you...

This is the query letter that got me a book deal with the American Bar Association.  All it takes is one yes.  Never give up! July 7, 2010 ___________________ Director of Book Publishing American Bar Association Publishing 321 N. Clark Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 Re: Proposal to Publish Foreclosure Defense Articles and Guides Dear Ms. _________ : I am a Florida attorney and have been practicing law for almost six years. Most recently I worked with one of the largest foreclosure firms in Florida, representing lenders and servicers. However, in May I left this firm to begin my own private practice focusing instead on foreclosure defense. I have been posting a number of instructional guides on Avvo.com, explaining to foreclosure defendants in plain English various defenses to foreclosure they may have. I have posted eleven articles in the last month alone. The foreclosure crisis in Florida is so severe that I have been willing to put my work ou...

People will tell you where they've gone They'll tell you where to go But till you get there yourself you never really know – Joni Mitchell, “Amelia” Long before the unemployment and economy crisis began, I never saw job security as a sure thing.  Maybe that’s because I began my legal career as a temp.  I grew accustomed to floating around, constantly experiencing different personalities and environments.  I somehow never entered a job envisioning it as my home for the next twenty or thirty years.  As a result of my rather nomadic career-style, I have had the benefit of learning from many different people.  My working life began when I was about eleven.  I would mow our huge lawn and my dad would then give me $30.00 for an hour of riding lessons.  I also worked down at the local food Co-op to earn “work credit” to earn discounts off grocery purchases, as any customer could do.  The work credit could then be sold to others and this p...

Or an A-ha! moment as Oprah would say.  And I have my beautiful son to thank for it.  I have been stuck on a project that's very close to my heart but nothing seemed to coming out the way I wanted to say it.  But my son has now, through the strength of his love, given me a breakthrough idea.  I cannot wait to take it for a ride!