The word at work: From A to Z: A handbook for writers and editors

by Marion Van Horne

Originally published as:   Van Horne, Marion. 1993. "The word at work: From A to Z: A handbook for writers and editors." . Elgin, Ill., USA : David C. Cook Foundation. © 1993 David C. Cook Foundation. Used by permission.

Complete Table of Contents

Summary

This book is a compilation of information and hints for writers. It presents practical help in a format that addresses every aspect of writing from Awareness to Zeal, and includes information on all forms of written communication. It was written to inspire and inform those who want to communicate effectively in writing.

Front Matter

Preface

Alphabet for Writers

A is for awareness.

B is for belief in yourself.

C is for creativity.

D is for discipline.

E is for experiences.

F is for faith.

G is for grammar.

H is for habits.

I is for ideas.

J is for joy.

K is for knowing yourself.

L is for language.

M is for marketing manuscripts.

N is for notebooks.

O is for obligation.

P is for practice.

Q is for quiet.

R is for rewriting.

S is for style.

T is for tools of the trade.

U is for understanding.

V is for viewpoint.

W is for wisdom.

X is for X-ing out.

Y is for you.

Z is for zest.

Article Writing

Article checklist

Ideas for articles

Article worksheet

Articles you can write

Leads launch your article

Bookshelf for Writers

Tools of the trade

A writer's best friend

Children's Books, Creativity

Why children's books?

Children's books--for children

Creativity--chore or challenge?

Discipline in Writing

Discipline to survive

Fear of trying

Cut, cut, cut

Editors, Editing, Editorials

Who can be an editor?

Editors, love your writers

Editors--many heads, many hats

Editing--no easy task

What do editors look for?

How to write an editorial

Editorials--voice of the people

Fiction

Fiction--a three act drama

Fiction--look around you

Plots--what happens next?

Fiction's five W's

Characters for your story

Names for your characters

Dialogue

Short story analysis

Short story checklist

Moral of the story

Good writing--15 rules of thumb

Hints for writers

Maintain good habits

Write with emotion

Keep it simple

Say it clearly

Ideas, Inspiration, Interviews

Ideas--where do they come from?

Inspiration--or perspiration?

Inspirational writing

How to conduct interviews

An interview checklist

Journals--a writer's storehouse

Key words

Letters to the editor

Magazines

Magazine danger signals

Magazines do things for readers

Magazines--why we love to read them

News

The ABC's of news

News and the five W's

News elements

Newsletters for the church

Missionary newsletters

Do's and don't's of newswriting

Twelve rules of newswriting

Observe, Organize, Outline

Open your eyes!

Organize your writing

A few thoughts on outlines

Proofreading, Punctuation

Why proofread?

Punctuation signposts

Questions to ask your readers

How Does Your Magazine Rate?

Readers, Research, Rewriting

Four classes of readers

Readers--who are they?

Research what you write

Advice on rewriting

A rewriting checklist

Rewrite your writing

Subjects, Sentences, Style

Select subjects from experience

Sentences that march

Develop your own style

Training, Titles

Training writers

Titles that attract attention

Understand what you write

Vocabulary

Words, Workshops, Writers, Writing

Word watching

Words are tools

Workshops and writers

Should you attend a writers' workshop?

Write to publish?

Writers--how to find and train them

Writers never give up

Writing--a definition

Writing and swimming

Writing as plain talk

Writing the beautiful

X-tras

"And Have Not Love"

Writing the 3H method way

Two prayers for writers

You as a Christian writer

Zest