Welcome to My Worlds: A Bipolar Christian Tells All

Ugh. I keep my hands off dialogue, but when it comes to the rest, I’m tough, but for a reason. To help. Tellin’ you you have the next best thing to havin’ me rep ya, won’t help if it ain’t true. So what can up your chances? Show the agents and editors you know something most writers don’t. Here’s one of four tips (the others will appear Wed., Thurs., and Friday).

I don’t like it, and everyone does it. The dreaded reflexive pronoun use.

Definition: Only use pronouns ending in “self,” when the pronoun refers back to the subject. Don’t use “own” in conjunction with a pronoun when referring back to the subject.

Examples, please! Okay, okay. No worries.

Only use pronouns ending in “self,” when the pronoun refers back to the subject. Ex: “I hit myself.” A piece of cake, or pie, depending on what ya like. Right?

Here’s a format I see often: “His own brother hated him.” No, no,  no! This should read, “His brother hated him.” Why say ‘his own brother’? Like is brother isn’t his own? Clean up the little things. A lot of little things can add up to one big thing. Oops, thats, “a big thing…”

Finally! So, what is the Mortimer Literary Mentorship Award? It’s my attempt to complete my main mission in life: to help writers. I can’t help everyone, but I can help one.

The second week in January, I’ll begin by evaluating the recipient’s first chapter. From there, I’ll spend up to twelve months working with that writer, moving toward the goal of representation and the sale of the manuscript.

Here’s the deal, in advance, as the newsletter gang won’t see this until later. I’ll be accepting applications from October 1-31. Application includes contact info, the first full page (250 words in Courier New, 300 words in Times New Roman)  of your completed manuscript in any genre except erotica or Romantica, and a one-page essay on why I should chose you.

Oh, I can’t forget to mention this part. I can’t know who you are. I have lots of friends, and I’d like to keep it that way. Applications won’t go to me. I’m running this as I would a contest. I’ll want the genre and word count in the header, and the title of the manuscript. Sooo, it has to be a manuscript you’ve never submitted to me. I’ll take the first 100 applications that meet all the requirements. And if your submission comes in before midnight on Sept. 30th, we’ll disqualify you, so no jumpin’ the gun.

This program isn’t designed for the writer who has one foot in the publishing door, but for a writer who needs extra, time-consuming help, that I’ll give with a light and happy heart.

Now ya have the basics, so get ready!