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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Some Days….You Gotta Laugh

By Karen Ballon August 22, 2012
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Karen Ball

Some days…you just gotta let go of any hope of accomplishing what you want and laugh!

I’ve had a week and a half of days like that. I promise we’ll get back to catalyst next week, but today, let’s laugh together. I received the following from a writer friend, and all I can say is, “See why it’s so important to edit what you write??”

These sentences appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services…

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The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
———————————————————-
The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on the Water.’ The sermon tonight: ‘Searching for Jesus.’
————————— ——————————-
Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
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The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
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Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love.  Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn’t care much about you.
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Miss Charlene Mason sang ‘I Will Not Pass This Way Again,’ giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
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For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
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The Rev. Merriweather spoke briefly, much to the delight of the audience.
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The Rector will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing: ‘Break Forth Into Joy.’
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Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24th in the church.  So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What Is Hell?’  Come early and listen to our choir practice.
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During the absence of our pastor, we enjoyed the rare privilege of hearing a good sermon when J. F. Stubbs supplied our pulpit.
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Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled.  Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment, and gracious hostility.

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Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM – Prayer and medication to follow.
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Due to the Rector’s illness, Wednesday’s healing services will be discontinued until further notice.
———————————– —— —————–
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church.  Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
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Next Sunday is the family hayride and bonfire at the Fowlers. Bring your own hot dogs and guns. Friends are welcome! Everyone come for a fun time.
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The audience is asked to remain seated until the end of the recession.
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The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday : ‘I Upped My Pledge…Up Yours’

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Category: Humor, KarenTag: Humor, Laugh

News You Can Use – August 21, 2012

By Steve Laubeon August 21, 2012
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Thomas Nelson Publishers citing "loss of confidence" pulls a book about Thomas Jefferson from circulation - What a mess. People are taking sides and calling this an issue of free speech while others applaud the move and call it smart. More from World Magazine on the issue and a quote from the VP of editorial at the publisher can be found here. Bottom line? The book is no longer available from the …

Read moreNews You Can Use – August 21, 2012
Category: Get Published, News You Can Use, Steve

High Concept: Catching Readers One at a Time

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 16, 2012
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Not every fiction proposal needs something called a High Concept, but I like to see one. A High Concept shows that the author can hone in on the story and has thought about what it says and how it can be positioned in the marketplace. It helps the publisher know in a snap of the fingers the unique and compelling nature of your story. One popular way to create a High Concept is to compare your work …

Read moreHigh Concept: Catching Readers One at a Time
Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, TamelaTag: book proposals, High Concept

Have You Discovered Your Catalyst?

By Karen Ballon August 15, 2012
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I just spent 3 days or so with a wonderful group of women writers in a cabin in Tahoe. We explored the elements of powerful writing, and had a number of rousing discussions. But we really came alive when we explored this question:

“What is your emotional catalyst for writing this book?”

What, you may ask, is a catalyst? Well, if we were talking screenplays, the catalyst is that precise …

Read moreHave You Discovered Your Catalyst?
Category: Creativity, Get Published, Karen, Writing Craft

Get Attention with the Right Title

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 9, 2012
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 When an agent or her assistant tackles the email slush pile, she sees one subject line after another written by authors vying for attention. Some lines describe the book category, while others make a claim about the author himself. But most include the book's title. I tell authors not to get attached to titles because all too often, they are changed somewhere between the time the editor takes the …

Read moreGet Attention with the Right Title
Category: Book Proposals, Marketing, TamelaTag: book proposals, Titles

Kick Discouragement to the Curb

By Karen Ballon August 8, 2012
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I don't know about you, but I loved Steve's blog post on Monday, When the Outlook is Bleak. People out there are HURTING.

I was with a friend a few days ago, a best-selling author who was battling an especially difficult edit. Difficult because the edits weakened the book rather than strengthened it. She'd uttered a series of gut-deep sighs, read me changes that I agreed didn't make sense, and …

Read moreKick Discouragement to the Curb
Category: Encouragement, Get Published, Karen, Personal, Theology, Writing CraftTag: Discouragement, Encouragement

News You Can Use – August 7, 2012

By Steve Laubeon August 7, 2012
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Are Book Covers a Dying Art? - This article from NPR is frustrating. A book designer actually says that someone will not buy a book on the web because of the cover, unlike what happens in a brick and mortar store. I disagree. Covers, even the size of a postage stamp are still a key component to the sound bite of a book's content. Go to this link (please click here) to show anyone how amazing book …

Read moreNews You Can Use – August 7, 2012
Category: News You Can Use, Steve

The Writers Conference Decision

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 2, 2012
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The Right Conference?

As you pursue a writing career, one big question is how much time and money to devote to writers conferences. Conferences have many benefits, including the chance to meet face to face with editors and fellowship with writers. Some writers have plenty of time and money and love to attend conferences because the events get them out of the house and they enjoy meeting other …

Read moreThe Writers Conference Decision
Category: Conferences, Get Published, TamelaTag: Writers Conference, writers conferences

Give Yourself a Break

By Karen Ballon August 1, 2012
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Writing is a funny occupation. Seriously. It's funny and crazy and one HECK of a challenge. I've talked with authors in the last week or so who are thrilled to be writing, grateful to be writing, struggling with  writing, being driven CRAZY by writing (or more to the point, fast approaching deadlines). Many days, I'm immersed in the business of writing. Usually I love that. But every once in …

Read moreGive Yourself a Break
Category: Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Rest, vacation

News You Can Use – July 31, 2012

By Steve Laubeon July 31, 2012
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#1 Secret of Great Writers - Joseph Putnam reveals a secret that everyone should know.

Great Keynote Speech from RWA - Stephanie Laurie graciously posted her rousing keynote presentation on the business of writing. (Thank you Debby Mayne for the link!)

21 Links to Fonts for Self-Publishing - On of the biggest mistakes I see in self published books is the use of the wrong font. This …

Read moreNews You Can Use – July 31, 2012
Category: News You Can Use, SteveTag: E-Books, fonts, Research, RWA, Secrets, Self-Publishing, typesetting, Writing Craft
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