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Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Archives for Tamela Hancock Murray » Page 2

Tamela Hancock Murray

Should I Enter the Contest?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 21, 2022
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Lots of contests for both published and unpublished writers abound. Should a writer enter these contests?

The short answer? Yes!

  1. Goal: The contest sets a goal. For instance, a contest needing the first ten pages, fifty pages, or the first chapter and a summary all give the writer a deadline. The writer must prepare these materials to enter the contest.
  2. Statement: For the unpublished writer, the act of entering the contest makes a statement to yourself and to the world: “I am a writer.”
  3. Feedback: Some contests ask judges for specific feedback. When that happens, the author can use that advice. Comments from busy publishing professionals are otherwise hard to come by. Rarely does a rejection letter offer pointers.
  4. Connections: Regardless of the outcome, judges will see your work. Sometimes agents and editors ask to see more. This is an opportunity writers otherwise wouldn’t have.
  5. Recognition: When the author is a finalist or winner, that author’s name is posted for all to see. What great publicity!

The next time you see an opportunity to submit to a contest for your favorite genre, consider entering. You have very little to lose, but much to gain!

(The Christian Writers Market Guide has a section of contests to enter.)

 

 

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Category: Contests

Is the Biggest Publisher the Best Publisher for You?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 8, 2022
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I’ll respond to this question the same way Steve Laube responds to many publishing questions: “It depends.” Offers First of all, it depends on what offers you’re receiving. In choosing between several or even two offers, look at the overall offers to decide which course to take. This is where a savvy agent, who sees many authors, publishers, and contracts, can discuss your options. Situation The …

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Category: Career

Grammar Refresh

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 31, 2022
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By popular demand, here is another grammar refresh. Lie/Lay “Lay” means to place something, whereas “lie” means that the object of the sentence can lie on its own. I will lay my blanket on the bed before I lie down. A trick I use to distinguish between these quickly is to use the word “place” as a substitute. If you can say “place” then you can say lay. If not, then it’s lie. I will place my …

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Category: Grammar, Writing Craft

Ditch the Deadlines

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 18, 2022
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Writers want deadlines to keep us on track to: Submit a proposal Write a book Edit a book Approve the final version of the book Market the book. Rinse and repeat, we hope! Too many? Since we have so many deadlines in our writing lives, do we need more in our personal lives? Of course, we may encounter deadlines whether we want them or not. But I’ve found that taking a different, less goal-oriented …

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Category: The Writing LifeTag: Deadlines

God’s Unique Provision

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 10, 2022
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Years ago, when I wrote books as work-for-hire projects, I joked with my husband, “I got another contract. Wonder which appliance will break down now?” The comment wasn’t entirely in jest. Proceeds from book contracts did indeed replace most of our kitchen appliances. Writers usually think of God’s provision as receiving a new contract. But the Lord provides in other ways too. One example happened …

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Category: The Writing Life

The Power of Discernment

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 28, 2022
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Some years ago, I overheard a clerk in a religious bookstore say to a customer, “These ideas are dangerous!” While I appreciate efforts to guide readers to helpful books, I don’t believe we as readers should live in fear of ideas. For instance, if I were gullible enough to agree with everything I read and see, I might be: Ingesting pills that supposedly contain vegetables and …

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Category: The Writing Life

The Most Common Grammar Errors I See

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 20, 2022
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Dear Tamela: Thank you for sending this brilliant, life-changing manuscript! I laughed. I cried. I sent a copy to my mother.  But alas, on page 214, we found one misuse of plural possessive. Instead of parents’, the author wrote parent’s. So we decline to publish this novel. Sincerely, Laughing and Crying Editor Wrote No One Ever! I open with this fictitious letter to emphasize that minor errors …

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Category: Grammar

Art and Soul

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 7, 2022
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My uncle, Eldridge Bagley, has made a living as a professional artist since the 1970s. His oil paintings emphasize mid-20th century life in rural Virginia and often depict our family members. Through hard work and perseverance, he discovered his audience and secured representation from prestigious art galleries, as well as appearing at engagements in such museums as The Corcoran in Washington, …

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Category: Personal

Query, Proposal, or Complete?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 29, 2022
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When seeking agency representation, how much information should you offer? Should you wade in with one toe, send enough information to tease the agent, or go all in with a proposal accompanied by a complete manuscript?  First, a note: Before deciding on any form of communication, please refer to the agent’s posted guidelines. While my office will respond to a quick question, such as “Do you …

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Category: Book Proposals

Your After-Conference Checklist

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 16, 2022
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Since the conference season is in full swing, you may have just returned from a beautiful event of learning and fellowship. Or you may be planning to go to a conference soon. With that in mind, consider a checklist of what to do upon your return. 1.) Rest. Give yourself at least a day after travel to refresh and relax. I realize very few authors take this advice, but I offer it all the same. …

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Category: Conferences
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