Read the New York Times story here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/books/05publ.html?_r=1&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Share This

Ali Turner, an ex-hippie-chick Viet Nam War protester who describes herself as a “recovered socialista/feminista,” tells of the personal transformation that led her to spend 3 years in Baghdad supporting the soldiers she once regarded as “baby killers.”

She also tells the amazing stories of the soldiers, Iraqis, and interpreters—tales of courage, compassion, and humor that you won’t hear from the mainstream media. No matter what you think of Operation Iraqi Freedom, these stories are larger than the politics and guaranteed to touch your heart.

You’ll read about a Sunni interpreter’s lifelong search for Jesus and her baptism as a new Christian . . . in Saddam’s swimming pool; an on-the-scene perspective of the elections in Iraq; the hilarious G.I. Joe Hostage Doll incident; what happened when the air conditioner in Saddam’s cell broke down; the surprising similarities between Terri Schiavo’s situation and terrorists’ treatment of hostages . . . and the impact her death had in Iraq; and much more.

You can get your copy of A Ballad for Baghdad here:
http://tinyurl.com/6l7kcr

Here’s what Lt. Col. Robert “Buzz” Patterson, USAF (Ret), New York Times bestselling author of War Crimes, Dereliction of Duty, and Reckless Disregard has to say about A Ballad for Baghdad:

“Want to know the real story of the war in Iraq? This is it! An intimate personal journey, well researched commentary, and a passionate, thoughtful, cogent set of stories-within-the story of Operation Iraqi Freedom recorded by someone who lived there in the formative years of ‘04 to ‘07. The fact that I, a retired Air Force officer and pilot am strongly endorsing the written work of a woman who once tried to shut down Wright Patterson Air Force base is a delicious irony. Ali’s perspectives on the war are the same as my own, and we could not have come from more disparate backgrounds. I love this book!”

Ali also wrote and recorded an unplugged, acoustical ballad that is your free bonus download when you buy the book. Don’t miss this book! Get your copy here today:
http://tinyurl.com/6l7kcr

Blessings,
Mary Jo Tate

P.S.  Several stores, groups, and media outlets in Ali’s hometown are sponsoring a community service project to get A Ballad for Baghdad shipped to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Qatar as a huge, corporate thank-you to our soldiers in time for the holidays. If you would like to participate, buy two copies–one for yourself and one (or more) for the soldiers at http://tinyurl.com/6l7kcr. Amazon will give you free shipping, and you can have one copy sent to Ali Turner, PO Box 428, Athens, AL 35612. She’ll sign it, put your name in as the donor, and send it on to “The Great Sandbox.” There are people there waiting to receive them who will make sure the soldiers get them as Hannukuh / Christmas presents. Thanks for your help!

Share This

Building my writing, editing, and coaching career at home is what has enabled me to remain at home with my four sons and continue homeschooling them even as a single mom. That’s why I’m so passionate about this subject! In addition to sharing my story and tips in the book, I’ve also contributed a bonus with my best tools and strategies for moving past the juggling act to balancing your family and career at home.

Share This

Here’s my reply:

Now, Jay, don’t throw me UNDER THE BUS just because someone else came up with this first. (Quite a clever PR gimmick for a little-known university, I might add.)

BACK IN THE DAY, you thought my work as a WORDSMITH was SWEET.

Now you’re DECIMATING my reputation by creating a PERFECT STORM about a list of banished words.

You’re so RANDOM, and it’s causing a pretty EMOTIONAL scene around here.

Maybe I should host a WEBINAR about how to AUTHOR a book. After all, AUTHORING IS THE NEW WORDSMITHING.

Including humorous trivia like this could really make it POP.

Just so you don’t think I’ve been sitting around twiddling my thumbs, I’ll have you know I’ve been busy editing a book about Iraq that talks about the troop SURGE in a POST 9/11 world. Oddly enough, it doesn’t address the issue of WATERBOARDING.

Don’t forget to start planning ahead for a BLACK FRIDAY sale on your curriculum this November. Can you find a way to market astronomy as an ORGANIC subject?

I just wanted to GIVE BACK by using every word and phrase on the Lake Superior State University 2008 List of Banished Words in a single e-mail.

Like it or not, IT IS WHAT IT IS.

I’m SO outta here!

Share This

Today while I was working out at the gym, this hazard was highlighted in an amusing way.

A woman I hadn’t met before was talking to the owner about her upcoming trip to Las Vegas and commented that her family was going there for her granddaughter’s first birthday.

I was shocked!  I’ve heard incredible stories about over-the-top birthday celebrations for very young children, but this really took the cake.  A trip to Vegas for your first birthday?

I didn’t want to be rude, but I just couldn’t stand it.

“Did you say ‘one-year-old’?” I asked, as politely as I could. “Yes,” she replied.

“And you’re taking her to Vegas for her first birthday???”

“She lives there!” the grandmother replied. “I guess you haven’t heard me talking about her before.”

We shared a good laugh over my misunderstanding and continued our workout.

On the way home, I reflected that this was a good example of someone assuming too much knowledge on the part of the audience . . . and it is.

But I was chastened when I realized it was also a good example of jumping to conclusions!

Not only did I automatically assume the worst, but it never occurred to me to think of Vegas as a place where people actually live. Of course I know they do, but I tend to think of it only as a tourist destination (if you’re into that kind of thing) and conference venue.

So I guess the last laugh is on me!

Share This

Sir, no man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money.

~ Samuel Johnson

Instead of marvelling with Johnson, how anything but profit should incite men to literary labour, I am rather surprised that mere emolument should induce them to labour so well.

~ Thomas Green

Almost anyone can be an author; the business is to collect money and fame from this state of being.

~ A. A. Milne

What are your motivations for writing? Please leave a comment!

Share This

Read over your compositions and, when you meet a passage which you think is particularly fine, strike it out.

~ Samuel Johnson

Share This

“If a book lacks excellent writing–if the writing is so poor that it causes the reader to miss the flow of thought or focus on the mistakes rather than the message–it will never become a great book.”

Very well put! Even a poorly written book can contain useful information . . . but poor writing and outright errors distract readers’ attention and keep them from getting the full benefit of the message.

Don’t let poor writing throw up a roadblock for your readers. Instead, make sure it’s smoothly paved, free of potholes, and clearly marked with useful road signs to help readers reach their destination.

Share This

Also, it should be noted that this leadership training is being done in conjunction with the implementation of the overall goals and objectives of the school district. Our initial concentration thus far has been on goal number one of the strategic plan: promote learning to the highest level for all of our students.

I wonder if that strategic plan includes teaching effective, concise communication?

Educators (and politicians) seem to be particularly prone to pretentious writing, often marked by long words and words ending in -ion (implementation, etc.)

A phrase like “it should be noted that” is superfluous. If it should be noted, just note it.

Long strings of prepositional phrases are always a red flag. There are four in the first sentence.

I’ve been trying to think of ways to rewrite these two sentences without all the mumbo jumbo . . . but I’m not sure he actually said anything at all.

I think he just means “We want students to learn as much as they can.”

Share This

The magazine publisher’s primary complaints are poor writing, lack of research, failure to follow submission guidelines, and absence of courtesy.

As a member of the editorial team of two national magazines several years ago, I encountered all of those problems with contributors myself, though there were also many stellar writers with whom it was a pleasure to work.

The article linked above focuses on freelance writing for periodicals, but I’ve heard the same complaints from publishers and agents about book authors.

Publishers and agents do care. They care about good writing. They care about authors following their guidelines. They even care about basic courtesy. (Of course they also care about the bottom line, but that’s a subject for another post.)

Remember—if you want to be published traditionally, there’s a lot of competition. Don’t throw up unnecessary obstacles to acceptance.

Share This