BY KATHI KAMEN GOLDMARK AND SAM BARRY

The Author Enablers are here to answer your questions about writing and publishing. Together, Kathi and Sam have more than 25 years of experience in book publishing. Kathi is an author, radio producer and former publicist; Sam is a marketing manager at a major publishing company and a freelance editor. They are also proud members of the Rock Bottom Remainders, the all-author rock band founded by Kathi in 1992.

Resolutions for good writing

As Shakespeare said, "It's good to write good." That's Irving Shakespeare, the school crossing guard on our street corner, but he does have a point. We here at Author Enablers World Headquarters have noticed that some (but by no means all) of the aspiring authors who send us questions seem to think that good writing doesn't matter when sending an e-mail or note. We would like to suggest that all your writing matters, and that it's worth taking a moment to read everything aloud before sending it—checking for sense, punctuation and spelling. Let's every one of us, even the president of the United States, make a New Year's Resolution to be more careful about our written communications.

Dear Author Enablers,

Before I start writing I see clear and beautiful pictures in front of my eyes. But, as I'm writing, the words just do not capture the essence, despite my endless efforts. Is there anything I can do to solve this problem?

—Teresa M.

Writing is something we do one word at a time, one sentence at a time. Park your rear end in a chair (or if you have Hemingway fantasies, stand up), and put those words on paper. Then read your pages out loud, and start rewriting. Some people need to complete a rough draft of the whole piece first; others work one sentence at a time. Whatever you do, keep revising until you're satisfied. Then show your work to someone you can trust to give you straightforward feedback. If you feel stuck or have trouble working alone, find a class or workshop, or form a writing group. Most community colleges have evening classes where you'll turn work in every week and get critiqued. The bottom line: keep writing. And when you're not writing, read good books. The more time you spend around the written word, the sooner you'll turn your great ideas into great writing.

Dear Author Enablers,

I've no formal education beyond high school, and for 25 years have made a career in commercial design. My husband passed away last year and I've written a memoir about my experience with him. I'm struggling with my bio because I have no formal writing experience or education, yet I believe I have marketable writing ability. What is the best way to craft a bio that will entice potential agents, publishers and, ultimately, the public?

—Terry P.

Most of us are too humble. We think of famous authors as being different from us, almost as though they are another species. Some of them are, of course, but most accomplished writers are human beings just like the rest of us. Use those writing skills to describe your life in a new way. For instance, "mother and housewife" really means, "I was responsible for several human beings as a tutor, life coach, language specialist, financial planner, driver, logistics coordinator, interior decorator, personal chef . . . " You get the idea. You've worked in a field that lends itself to broader description. Examine your life more fully—do you have a hobby? Have you ever done anything a little crazy? Maybe you could include that summer you hitchhiked across the country, or volunteered for the Ferret Rescue Association. You're not applying for a normal job here, so this résumé is fair game for some of the more risqué aspects of your life. Above all, don't sell yourself short. Your experience is valuable, and readers identify with someone who has lived a real life.

Dear Author Enablers,

In the book I'm writing, I reference lyrics to a couple of songs. Do I need copyright permission?

—Kelley G.

If you plan to work song lyrics into your manuscript, you need to clear the rights—it's kind of like renting a little piece of someone else's work. This is easy to do these days (start your online search at www.bmi.com and www.ascap.com) but it can be expensive. A typical usage fee might be in the $250-$300 range for several lines of a song in a 10,000-unit print run. Keep in mind that you can't copyright (and don't have to pay for) titles or short phrases. Most publishers expect authors to obtain and pay for their own usage rights and will not do this for you, so don't overdo this practice. Sometimes we use favorite lyrics for sentimental reasons, when perhaps we should write something fresh and original instead.

Happy New Year! Should auld acquaintance be forgot . . .

Thanks for writing,
THE AUTHOR ENABLERS