=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= WhatNots, Why not? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= News You Can Use: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Know someone who could use this information, pass it on: Braille Books and Computes for the Blind American Printing House for the Blind 1839 Frankfurt Ave., Louisville, KY 40206 Phone (502) 895-2405 APHB produces a variety of material for the blind, including books, textbooks, and music in Braille, large type and talking books, flexible records, and cassettes. They also have computer hardware and software and free catalogs both in print and Braille. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you need further information concerning Disabilities? Try this center: National Information System for Health Related Services Center for Developmental Disabilities, Benson Building, First Floor Columbia, SC 29208 Phone: (800) 992-9234 or in SC (800) 922-1107 The clearinghouse offers information and makes referrals for parents and professionals concerned with children ages 0-21 with development disabilities or special health care needs. It also can identify federal, state, and non-profit agencies in every state in the country. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want more information about your hearing, and the dangers of loud noise? Call 1-800-EAR-WELL, the hearing you save may be your own. =-=-=-=-=-=-=- Writer's STuFF =-=-=-=-==-=-= Good writers must, first, be better readers. In addition to a good dictionary and thesaurus, the following books are recommended for the beginning writer's library: _THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE_, by William Strunk Jr. and E.B.White, published by Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.: Quoting Professor Strunk..."Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subject only in outline, but that every word tell." _WRITER'S MARKET_, published by Writer's Digest Books: This one book is invaluable for targeting the most appropriate publishers for any article, short story, novel; etc.. In addition to listing hundreds of buyers for manuscripts, their requirements, and other pertinent information, Writer's Market offers timely instruction, explanation, and advice to authors, old and new. _FAMILIAR QUOTATIONS_, by John Bartlett, A timeless collection which can aid the author in setting stages, making introductions, and developing characters with color and substance. Also, the excerpts may serve as long sought-after dynamite for clearing away "writer's block". INSPIRATION "Fool!" said my muse to me, "look in thy heart, and write." From Sir Philip Sidney's, _Astrophel and Stella_. Whether your chosen medium be poetry or prose, this is sound advice. It has been said that writers like to express themselves; I would add that good writers prefer to do so *well*. * * * Before submitting any manuscript, to anyone, it is wise to read their publication(s) first; get a "feel" for the editing staff, the format, and style desired. Also -- prior to submitting -- it is advisable to request a copy of their current guidelines, include a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) with your request. Whatever the topic or theme of your work, thorough research will assist you in writing -- and save you from unnecessary rejections. Knowing your subject and market will make you both precise and interesting to the reader -- and most especially -- the editor. Be sure to prepare a record of your submissions: what, when, and who your work has been sent to. How it was submitted (hardcopy, disk, etc.), by what means (mail, modem, whatever), and do a follow-up recording the results -- accepted, rejected, re-write, lost, and so on. * * * Regardless of what you write, do so every day. Experiment with style, subject, character types, and other elements of writing. Your one-liners may be tomorrow's jokes on television; that first novel the next best seller to hit the racks. * * * Develop and keep a well organized filing system in manila envelopes, folders, or cabinets that will afford you the space and safety to protect your product. When using a personal computer or word processor, be sure to save multiple copies of your writing on separate disks as a back-up, and secure them in a safe place. Hard drives crash; and it is not *if*, but when. After working for years on your novel, saving to a defective diskette could be mildly frustrating. Write on. # # # =-=-=-=-=- More StuFf =-=-=-=-=- Concerned about AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), want to do something about it, or find correct information about AIDS: AIDS Prevention National Clearinghouse Poster, Publications, Databases, Videos National AIDS Information Clearinghouse P.O. Box 6003, Rockville MD 20850 Phone: (310) 762-5111 bulk orders (800) 458-5231 A Center for Disease Control service, this clearinghouse has publications, posters, and videos dealing with AIDS which are *FREE* of charge. The publications include a fact sheet, guidelines for the prevention of the spread of AIDS in schools and the workplace, and the Surgeon General's report on AIDS. They have two online databases; one dealing with organization, and the other lists unpublished educational materials. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Even More sTufF =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= YOU can save a tree -- read Electronically! ========================= # # # =================================== Do you have tips and hints that would be of service to others? Share THEM; send to: RUNE'S RAG, PO BOX 243, Greenville, PA 16125 or DATA (412) 588-7863 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- As always, seek competent advice from your legal advisor, doctor, lawyer, dentist, accountant, beautician, maid, bartender, neighbor, priest, pastor, social worker, contractor, engineer, Dr. Kvorkian, AA, AAA, AAAA, AAAAAA, military advisor, coroner, mechanic, mother or father or both for completely different answers, gardener, tax advisor, Harley dealer, travel agent, roofer, computer dealer (haha), insurance man, and don't forget the butcher, baker, and candlestick maker! Any and all information found in this magazine is taken entirely at the risk of the individual, and as always wear a condom for complete protection -- against misinformation -- and other things. Any and all similarity to real persons is purely fictional coincidence, especially the editor -- who is merely a figment of our collective consciousness. Remember -- keep on RAG'n! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------