Write Time Inc.

November 16, 2010

Dr. Ethan Joella

English Department Head
College of Literature and Prose
New England College
Henniker, NH

Re: “So You Think You Can Write” Literary Journalism Internships

Dear Dr. Ethan Joella,

I enjoy great satisfaction each month as I send original works of creative non-fiction to several
periodical and web-based publishers. You may have seen the hand of Write Time Ink in
Harper’s, The New Yorker, Yankee and a host of New England based Op-eds and columns—but
you wouldn’t have known it. I have a singular arrangement with these sources that enables my
submissions to remain anonymous—or be credited to organizational “staff writer”, “contributing
editor”, etc. Professor, I have found incredible satisfaction in my little underground publishing
ring and I envy you. You are continuously in tune with the perpetually infinite flow of ideas from
young, hope-filled, aspiring writers.

Write Time Inc. is seeking to alter the pathway to publishment. Though I do employ an agent, he
knows that his is an entropic existence. Our mission is to streamline the submission of original
works of literary journalism—to recognized outlets—by way of anonymity. Consider the current,
arduous pathway to literary exposure: Beg, borrow, steal, and query one’s way to the first “shot”.
Once the foot is in the door a regular stream of material is often required—of which little makes
the final cut. Starvation is imminent.

We believe that this is an unhealthy avenue for new talent, and though we scrutinize as well, we
feel our approach—using a competitive forum—helps to reduce individual tension while lifting
fine literature to a clearer vantage point. After much campus inquiry, and not a few planted
auditors (you may recall a small spike of these in some classes last term). We have selected New
England College as our best hope for finding an array of new original work to forward to our
publishers.

By this writing, I ask you to permit Write Time Inc. to set up a round of “So You Think You Can
Write,” and pitch it to each of your four finest writing classes. We are hoping for sampling from
each academic year, as well as a few curious Master’s Degree candidates, who might amble by,
and by this means hope to launch the careers of not a few of your college’s finest contributors.

Out intrusion will be limited to a 20-minute multimedia presentation given to each class. During
this, students will be courted according to their confidence, competence and courage, and we
hope to see each group on the same day of classes—our distribution of submission packets will

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

1
 Write Time Inc.

occur on the same day after school hours. Your writers will be given a two-week period to
assemble their finest (or favorite) works and will be anxious to hear of their success.

Attached also, is a copy of the flyer that will circulate some days before the competition. Once
the works have been categorized and evaluated, a final after-hours social will be held for the
announcement of the winning contributors. The event will have the jazzed up feel of a talent
search and a staff member will expertly read excerpts from the winning works.

We urge you to consider that your students deserve any and every opportunity to pursue their
dreams. To publish and produce works of original insight, experience and vision which we know
are by a measure, representative of the excellent writing instruction which you orchestrate every
day.

Please be flattered, but also consider carefully the impact we design for your students. If you
sense that the preceding will in any way discourage, falsely propel or undermine your careful
investment, we will withdraw to another campus. We hold that such results are not to occur and
that our vision (carefully outlined in the following proposal) is quite clear—the path to
publishment must be re-blazed.

Won’t you consider scheduling a day for our presentation at your earliest convenience?

With utmost regard—and highest hope,

Max Quayle
President and Founder

Write Time Inc.

31 Union Street
Concord NH, 03301

Enclosed: Presentation and So, You Think You Can Write Flyer

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

2
 Write Time Inc.

So You Think You Can Write

Internship Competition

Prepare Your Indelible Mark

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

3
 Write Time Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Illustrations 5

Abstract 6

So You Think You Can Write Presentation 7-14

Roots and Beginnings 7

Starting a Movement 9

Write your Piece—Have Your Say 11

The Nitty Gritty 13

On Your Mark… 14

References Cited 15

Flyer 16

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

4
 Write Time Inc.

List of Illustrations

Header Logo 1 - 16

Title Page 3

Figure 1 Stephen Crane 7

Figure 2 Lincoln Steffens 8

Figure 3 Hemingway 8

Joan Didion 8

Figure 4 Ripple 9

Figure 5 Research 9

Figure 6 Graph 10

Figure 7 Free Press 10

John McPhee 10

Figure 8 Staff 11

Figure 9 Career 12

Figure 10 Race 14

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

5
 Write Time Inc.

ABSTRACT:

Creative Journalism is spotlighted in this twenty-minute oral production. Author seeks to

motivate students to step back from traditional journalism by enticing writers of higher ability to
consider alternative pathways to publishment. Organizational matter set forth: field history and
background, corporate structure and future directions. Article is interspersed with vivid graphic
matter which is crafted to appeal to college students in writing programs. The “So You Think
You Can Write” internship competition is proposed as system of selection/invitation to the Write
Time Inc Company. Persuasive discussion of the potential for fresh, creative writing as a vehicle
to industry recognition is posed. This work seeks to capture the energy and excitement of
writing for publishment. Competition flyer enclosed.

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

6
 Write Time Inc.

Roots and Beginnings

It feels good to be working. The dust hangs onto my

exposed skin like a brittle shell, falling off in small puffs
when I move. The marble feels smooth, cool and dry. As
the grinder tears through stone, I am engulfed in a smell
which reminds me of the sea; chalky, salty and fresh–like
tears.

With the smaller pieces in place it is time to glue them.

The stone glue has the strong smell of chemicals; solvent
and poison and contrast sharply with the dust. As I tilt
each piece up around the perimeter of the base I am
struck by the natural translucence of this particular type
of marble. I slowly affix the last piece, and step back to
view my creation. Inside the little stone casket, muted
sunlight embalms the air inside with a softness that eases
my mind. I have created a little Eden, cast in stone,
wrought of grief and skill: A bedroom for my son.
- Max Quayle

Words have the power to move us. In particular, well-documented stories of true events
may have the ability to move us most. There is a field somewhere, with a driftwood-dry arch
leading in which might be labeled “Creative Nonfiction” on some surveyor’s map. But in the
literary world, that field is not so easily defined.

In 1894, at a daily paper called the New York Press, Stephen Crane
was standing somewhere in that field when he purposefully wrote a simple
piece with the “inside view”. The short article related the events leading
up to and including a man falling unconscious in the street. The writing
was full, by standards of the day, and filled with more detail than was the
Figure 1 Crane
norm.
Meanwhile, across town, Commercial Advertiser editor Lincoln Steffens was falling in
love with Crane’s wide angle and had begun a campaign (without the least editor’s credentials)
among the advertiser’s writing staff to give their readers the ability to see. His words to a

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

7
 Write Time Inc.

reporter concerning a husband’s murder of his wife have been recorded in

this way: “That man loved that woman enough once to marry her and now
he has hated her enough to cut her all to pieces…find out what
happened…” Though his angle was never adopted by the paper, here and
there, stories were being published that got inside the news and began
Figure 2 Steffens

to have a narrative flair.

Immersion reporting has only expanded since these early days. Joan Didion, Virginia
Woolf and Ernest Hemingway have all left deep impressions
across the literary landscape with their perspective based,
narrative stories of real events. Lest we leave the impression
that anyone’s diary is literary journalism, let me qualify the
level to which writing in this field is held. A piece must
capture and relate a common humanism through a specific
event. When considered through the lens of human
Figure 3 Hemingway
commonality, any event will inspire a reader to relate, the difference is in revealing the emotions
by showing, not telling—the difference is in the details.

“Writing nonfiction is more like sculpture, a matter of

shaping the research into the finished thing.”
- Joan Didion

What is worthy of making the cut? Any cutting room floor contains the wreckage of a
marvelous tsunami of emotion. ‘Little darlings’ (overwritten excerpts) lay sprawled about in
heaps with no real impression of their own to leave. Cultivating the self-discipline to leave
certain overdrawn images there on the floor will save an editor having to do it for you. Have you
ever agonized over a paragraph—writing and re-writing it until it finally holds the gem you

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

8
 Write Time Inc.

originally should have cut? Consider the following excerpt written for a psychology magazine as
a humor piece about obsessive compulsive disorder:

“Then, there is the grocery store. Did you know

how difficult it is to derive the best bargain in paper
towels with ‘select a size’ sheet perforations? The
calculations swirl before me, each one getting me closer
but sucking time as I crunch and guess and don’t pick
any. The pressure builds; women pass by and simply grab
a pack of rolls, I want to warn them: “That one is
outrageous, Stop!” But I am mute, my mind a mime in
silence crunching, stalking–calculating.”
- Imaxstone

Is it on? Over the top? Short? Having an intimate

familiarity with this quote, I can tell you that it is worth each
word. Editors for time immemorial have streamlined work by
paring, carving and blocking much of the life right out of stories
in order to achieve the inverted pyramid utopia which most news
outlets crave. News reporting in mainstream America has been
Figure 4 Ripple
reduced to a dropped stone’s inner ripple. In many cases, only

the janitor will ever know how deeply personal, and far-reaching each story once was as he
sweeps away the clutter from the cutting room floor.

Starting a Movement
At Write Time Inc. we disagree. Though we have not been
granted access to the cutting rooms of major news sources we do
know from whence those cuttings come—from writers who cared
enough to peer a little deeper, poke a door ajar, and ask awkward
questions of both themselves and their subjects.
Figure 5 Peer deeper

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

9
 Write Time Inc.

"With nonfiction, you’ve got your material, and what you’re

trying to do is tell it as a story in a way that doesn’t violate fact,
but at the same time is structured and presented in a way that
makes it interesting to read."
- John McPhee

Currently a handful of excellent periodicals carry such immersion reported pieces, and
those add to the fabric of life. In addition, the Internet increasingly provides outlets—though
significantly less visible—for well-researched narrative non-fiction. Following last, by sales
volume, would be essay collections and the ‘real’
novel, wherein the news story is made book length. The
bottom line is nonfiction sales are down (Gallager).
This is not due to a lack in real events people and
places, but reflects the treatment broadcast and Internet
news is giving as insufficient to get and maintain the
Figure 6 Decline of Nonfiction public’s interest in the real stories. With such diversity

available to both writers and the hungry reader, a balance is easily struck which satisfies the
supply demand problem; but is it enough? We think not!

In order to define the literary voice of the 21st

Century, more than a movement is needed. Our mission is
to flood the literary marketplace with a new deluge of top
notch, craft-written journalism. We can’t expect to rival the
daily news outlets for reaction time, but our steady stream
will begin to flavor the minds of readers as they catch our
deeper news coverage by the tail of a familiar connection to
Figure 7 Needed Change
hasty stories read earlier each week month or year. First
there will be the news, and then the more meaningful reflections—which are the real story—will
permeate the marketplace. Think of the year in review, but not always at year’s end. Think more
understanding, think less hasty judgment.
Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services
10
 Write Time Inc.

As the President of Write Time Inc., my view of opportunity and obligation become
blurred; I see potential in many stories but am taxed to render that story its due. There are
enough hours in the day, I believe, to fascinate, endear and move the news reader—but there are
too few fingers currently dabbling in the deep end of the pool. Imagine, for a moment, preparing
a weekly, monthly or occasional submission with the voice you have cultivated over the course
of your writing life. That feeling—that satisfaction—is closer than you may have thought
possible. I think of Stephen Crane, of his vision and effort, and know the diverse stream of new
ideas is far from a dry gulch. As I am sure you all have guessed, this is not only your time, but it
is truly the Write Time to measure your talents and training.

Write Your Piece—Have Your Say

Not sure of voice but have a flair for the language? A perfect match to work with a
professional staff to help complete your research
—and while doing so logging a stream of
published submissions on freelance topics, and
areas of interest and study. Sound like a dream
job? It really is, and what is best? You really
think you can write—and we know you’re right.
There is nothing quite like coming home at the
end of a busy, productive day, and sitting Figure 8 Write Time Inc.
down to reflect on what drove the events of the day…the people I interviewed, their faces turn
across my mind and I can conjure images of their reactions, expressions and hear the echo of
their words. This is the experience of life. No two persons ever have the same day, therefore no
two reflections on a day—or event—will capture the same essence or spark. The trick is to keep
writing these experiences. As we do this the cream will naturally rise to the top and, in my line, it
is this top layer that gets daily consideration from outlets.

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

11
 Write Time Inc.

“Into a small cardboard box she placed the

essentials and nothing more; toothbrushes, paste, soap,
toilet paper and an old leather ditty bag which easily fit a
small bottle of shampoo, deodorant and a facecloth.
Before leaving, she paused, and walked over to the stack
of nice towels. Her mother had taught her that there must
always be a crisply folded set of towels for guests and
that no one else was to use. She realized it didn’t make
sense, at least, her guests rarely bathed, but it felt right.
Pausing, she reached between the second and third
towels and pulled out a small neat stack of folded bills:
Mostly twenties, with one fifty-dollar bill on top. She
slipped them into the hip pocket of her faded jeans and
hurried down the hall (Shift 19).

Sense is a marvelous faculty, and writing is key to developing and refining sense.
Timing, tact, instinct, urge, even a distraction—if carefully used—can lead to a fine sense of
writing. The candidates who succeed will stand with obvious external distinction next to each
other but within our minds we all share one true thread, which reminds us that each piece of
writing has a life unto itself. At Write Time Inc., we start new “lives” every day, often, every
hour.

Speaking of having a menu of news, a dark and

life, you do want freedom in distorted path may be what lies
your own, do you not? What between their best intentions
can today’s English majors and the job of their dreams. We
really expect from their efforts? really believe we can change
Proofing, fact checking, Obits, this by forging this mass of
Stock market? Some would talent into a spear point of
rather die! And for those diversity, flair and fact which
relative few who have decided can only be hurled by an
Figure 9 Life
to leave their flavor upon the organization who knows
where lies the heart of exposure. With our anonymous submissions approach to the mainstream,
we can deliver ‘newsworks’ that will get through.

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

12
 Write Time Inc.

Please understand, getting your work into print is our promise, but name recognition,
fame, and bylines aren’t our bag. If these are components to your writing goals we suggest they
be placed at middle to end and not on day one of your writing career. All questions of copyrights
are carefully outlined in the bylaws to the contest and we assure you that control of your work is
actually more in your hands than ours—we simply know the paths and back roads of the
publishing jungle.

The Nitty Gritty

So, you think you can write? Let me explain now how we know you can. The contest is
kept simple but rich. Each entrant has two weeks to polish up their finest two original works, or
to draft and hone a new piece in two of five categories:

Falling Into Love Feel the heart pound, touch the yearning, relive the experience that
keep humankind alive
Biographical Sketch We all know someone who is unforgettable, amazing or hilarious,
write them up.
A Place on Earth Share your natural awe, bring us along for the excursion
Early Reflections Childhood knows more surging emotions than any other time, take us
back.
Love’s Lost That jerk! Help us hate them, too!

These topics are chosen to level the field, we have all had these experiences, now make yours
stand up and be noticed.

We consider all submissions, but expect more successful pieces will be proffered by
those who have taken the time to develop a distinct literary voice and flair for the vernacular of
the real. As you see the subjects are common to the human experience and are chosen so that
submitters are faced with the intricate task of relating emotional material into a tangible form.
This is where gut-punch feelings and the finest wisps of the sensitive human experience meet.

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

13
 Write Time Inc.

This is the element that nods heads, scratches chins and re-humanizes frantic readers and shows
them they are neither alone nor forgettably unique.

An English degree must reflect somewhere in the resume, but applicants need not be
finished with undergrad—or post graduate work, they must simply be among the English
majors/minors and have correctly completed and turned in a submission. We mean to cause a stir
here on campus and will expect submitters, and those encouraging them, to gather in two weeks
for the final selection. Here there will be a meeting of the quiet, keyboard-hunched novelist and
the hip and ready, modern college student, under the lights where it will all be placed on the line.

On Your Mark…

Write Time Inc. is excited to read you, all of you. Within your submission we will find a
piece that needs to be published. As you leave the hall today please collect a submission packet
from the table by the door. The documents include two submission forms, a copy of this
presentation and a flyer announcing the finalist night. There is really only one thing between you
and the writing exposure that will launch you in the career of your life—Write Time Inc. stands
to help. Thank you very much.

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

14
 Write Time Inc.

References Cited

Images (in order of appearance):

Header Logo http://www.fotosearch.com/BDX129/bxp28357/
Title Page http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/for-your-next-novel-get-a-vintage-
typewriter-029193
Stephen Crane http://www.library.utoronto.ca/utel/graphics/cranes.jpg
Lincoln Steffens https://www.msu.edu/~elenbaa6/webquest/images/Lincoln
%20Steffens.jpg
Hemingway http://thewritingprocess2010.blogspot.com/2010/11/blue-flame-of-
genius.html
Joan Didion http://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/2000s#list

Ripple http://www.liquidmatrix.org/blog/2009/02/02/ripple-effect-canadian-tire-
reissuing-16000-cards/
Research http://www.flickr.com/photos/wili/242265276/

Graph http://michaelhyatt.com/why-religious-book-sales-are-down.html?isalt=0
Free Press http://www.freepress.net/media_issues/journalism

John McPheehttp://www.theparisreview.org/interviews

Staff http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/staff/bargaining/
Career http://missouriugrscholars.wordpress.com/page/2/
Race http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/image/101802939

Connery, Thomas B. “A Third Way to Tell the Story: American Literary Journalism at the Turn
of the Century.” Literary Journalism in the Twentieth Century. Ed. Norman Sims. New
York, Oxford UP, 1990. 3-20. Print.

Didion, Joan. “The Art of Nonfiction No. 1.” Interviewed by Hilton Als. The Paris Review.
2006. Web. 18 Nov. 2010.

Gallager, Victoria, Graeme Neill, and Philip Stone. “Non-fiction Slumps As Fiction Sales Soar
90%.” The Bookseller.com. 11 Aug. 2009. Web. 18 Nov. 2010.

McPhee, John. “The Art of Nonfiction No.3.” Interview by Peter Hessler. The Paris Review.
2010. Web. 18 Nov. 2010.

Quayle, Max. “A Little Near.” Scribd.com. Imaxstone. 29 July 2009. Web. 17 Nov. 2010.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/17647879/A-Little-Near

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

15
 Write Time Inc.

Quayle, Max. “The Little Shoe.” Scribd.com. Imaxstone. 29 July 2009. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/17781180/The-Little-Shoe

Quayle, Max. “Shift” Scribd.com. Imaxstone. 29 July 2009. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/17660472/ShifT- 19.

Professional Writing, Editing, Life and Ghost Writing Services

16