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20 “НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, СІЧЕНЬ 2011 Writing and Submitting Articles to Our Life A Wish List and Some Tips for Prospective Authors During the past year, we have received several letters from readers with comments and observations about articles and other materials published in Our Life . Interestingly, many of these communiqués have focused on what the writers would like to see featured in the magazine rather than reactions to what is actually published. And it is in such requests that we often see a disconnect between editors an d readers on the function of the editor(s). The truth of the matter is that while both editors write some of the material published in the magazine each month, we cannot and should not write everything that is published in the magazine. Our job is mostly c entered on inviting a wide spectrum of authors to send articles, which we edit and structure into layout and then publish. And thus, while many of the suggestions that we receive are excellent suggestions, they cannot be accommod - ated for one very simple r eason — we can’t publish what nobody sends us. My usual response to such letters is to pick up a phone, call the letter writer, and ask permission to publish the letter in the next available issue. Oddly enough, most of the letter writers I speak with do no t want their letters to appear in print; they explain that their letter was intended solely for the editor. This is a response I find somewhat fru - strating, because many of the ideas and suggestions are intere sting and publishing them might inspire other r eaders to write on the topics the letter writers want to see! It is during such telephone conversations that I also invite the letter writer to send me materials for publication. Here again, the same interesting disconnect emerges as the letter writer ask s, “Who me?” I am always amazed and amused by this question because it brings home once again the impression that many readers have about who fills all th ose blank pages every month . And so it seems logical (and even obli - gatory) to explain in this column that 90% or better of the pages we publish every month are written by volunteer, nonprofessional authors who are members of the UNWLA and who write about a great number of interesting things. So why not you? The second question the pops up during such co nversations is “What should I write about?” This question merits a more detailed response, and there seems to be no better time to offer these details than at the beginning of a new year. One of the things that prospective authors should do before sitting down and writing an article is to look at the magazine to see what is already there — i.e., what we usually publish. One of things you will find is that every issue has certain content that is a monthly standard (for example, the president’s monthly message , articles about in - dividual branches, obituaries, lists of donations, etc.) These features are generally UNWLA - focused. Other columns or articles submitted may also be related to the UNWLA, for example, profiles of individual members (deceased or living) . There are also articles on numerous themes that are written by UNWLA members but do not necessarily have anything to do with the UNWLA. Depending on the time of year, we publish seasonal material; depend - ing on planetary alignment or other reasons for goo d fortune, we also publish interesting articles for - warded to us by members of the editorial board and members of the UNWLA’s National Board. Guest authors, who write on various themes, round out the mix. After looking at what is already there, ask yoursel f whether you can write something on similar themes . . . something about your branch, a biographical sketch about some interesting woman in your branch or your hromada, a fun piece about some holiday or a somber piece about some tragic episode in Ukrainia n history (especially welcome are articles that focus on women’s involvement in such episodes). If none of the above appeals to you, go the road less traveled. First ask yourself what is missing from the magazine that you think should be there. (This is wh at I get from the letter writers described above, so don’t be bashful about it — we know there’s stuff missing too!) Once you have your list, review it critically and honestly. Which one of the items on your list do you like best? Why? And why will this be interesting to other OL readers? If you can answer this final question without blushing or laughing, you probably have a good idea for an article. A comment I frequently hear from people invited to submit articles is “I don’t write very well.” My answer to this (based on a quarter century Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
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