Dianne E. Butts...equipping you to make a difference in our nation.
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Dianne E. Butts...equipping you to make a difference in our nation. |
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Butts About It . com E-Zine
Dianne E. Butts equipping you to make a difference in our nation November, 2007
Equipping You to Make a Difference
How to Write Letters to the Editor (and increase your chances of seeing yours in print!)
According to the Amy Foundation, 60-80% pf newspaper readers read the letters to the editor. This creates a great opportunity for Christians to share biblical views on the issues of the day. The next time you're irritated by an issue and would like to speak out by writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper, here are ten tips to help you get it done and improve your chances of seeing your letter in the paper.
Even if your letter doesn't get printed, remember that someone--the editor and perhaps several others--has read it so your letter has reached an audience. Remember also that you now have your opinion in writing and you can look for other opportunities to send it out.
Making a Difference
More from Jan White, First Place winner of the 2006 Amy Writing Award:
Dianne: Have you experienced any challenges in working with a secular newspaper?
JW: I am grateful that the newspapers publishing my column give me the freedom to express my Christian worldview, using Scripture quotations. In larger cities, I've heard editors can be more difficult to deal with.
Dianne: Do you see other ways besides the written word for people to speak out and make a difference?
JW: Christians need to be salt and light in their community. Volunteer to serve in local civic clubs and caring organizations like the Red Cross. Get involved on the front lines of the culture war by volunteering and giving financially to ministries such as crisis pregnancy centers.
(Read the rest of this interview in the October 2007 posts of www.ButtsAboutIt.blogspot.com.)
Section 2:
Q & A:
Q: What if I have more to say than a 200-word letter to the editor? Can I write a longer piece and submit that somewhere? Dianne: Yes, write that up and send it as an opinion piece or essay to the Op-ed page. Many newspapers give directions for submitting. Some newspapers pay writers for op-eds, others don't treating them like a guest-columnist opportunity.
Q: How often can I send a letter to the editor? Dianne: You can send one as often as you like, however if one gets printed the editor will probably not use another one of yours for a while. Some newspapers might use the same author once a quarter, others might publish you only once every six months or once a year. That's okay, though. Just send your letter or opinion piece to another paper or magazine.
A Little Something Extra:
Remember that you do not have the "right" to have your letter published in the newspaper. Many people tell me, "You should have that published." It's not quite that easy. If you are paying for room in the paper, then you are purchasing an ad and you can pretty much say anything you want to (within reason). However if you are submitting a letter to the editor or an opinion piece for the Op-ed page, you are respectfully requesting that the editor consider using your material. He or she has no obligation to use your stuff. The editor will choose those letters and manuscripts he or she thinks will be most interesting, entertaining, and valuable to the subscribers and readers of the publication. You're in competition for that space. So write like it!
Definition: Op-ed: Short for "opposite the editorial page," these articles are longer than a letter to the editor, but still have a limit of probably around 600-700 words. Op-eds are written by readers, not the newspaper staff, and are usually opinion pieces or essays. The newspaper puts its staff-written opinions representing the newspaper's views on the opposite page--the editorial page.
No Buts About It:
This is your opportunity to speak out. Take it. What have you got to lose? Some of your time and effort? I'll tell you what...one of the reasons I am so passionate about us speaking out is because when I step into eternity, I do not want to think, "Gee, why wasn't I more gutsy? Why didn't I speak up when I saw wrong-doing or injustice or untruths or abuse of power?" I don't want to get there and wish I had. When I get there if nothing else I want to think, at least I tried. You can do it! No buts about it.
Section 3:
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Bio:
Dianne E. Butts has had more than 200 articles published in over 50 Christian magazine such as The Plain Truth, the Salvation Army's War Cry, The Lookout, Light and Life, and Focus on the Family magazine. She has contributed to fifteen books including Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul 2, What I Learned from God While Cooking, For Better, For Worse: Devotional Thoughts for Married Couples, Zondervan's New Women's Devotional Bible, and A Cup of Comfort Devotionals for Mothers and for Women. Her writing has been published in Great Britain, Bulgaria, Poland, Canada, and Korea. Dianne wrote her book, Dear America: A Letter of Comfort and Hope to a Grieving Nation (Ampelos Press, 2002), in response to September 11th to tell her own story, help others get through grief, and discuss topic like who the Muslims are, the story of the Bible, and Bible reading for beginners. When she's not writing, Dianne enjoys riding her motorcycle with her husband, Hal, and gardening with her cat, P.C.
Subtopic 1:
Quote:
"If you will not speak out, then who will? If not now, when?"
Dianne E. Butts, owner ButtsAboutIt.com
My Book:
Dear America, - A Letter of Comfort & Hope to a Grieving Nation
Subtopic 2:
Resources:
~ What's Happening on www.ButtsAboutIt.blogspot.com :
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Interested in writing for publication? Get your free subscription to Dianne E. Butts About Writing at www.DianneEButts.com . ~
Subtopic 3:
Coming next issue: Goals and Plans for the New Year
Recommended Books:
Religion of Peace?: Why Christianity Is and Islam Isn't
A Conservative Voice Equipping Conservative Voices
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