| The Big IdeaOkay. So youve figured out that you | | | | school newspaper. Just a quick list of relevant writing |
| would like to write for magazines, newspapers, and | | | | background. See below for info about clips.)I can |
| e-zines. Unfortunately, so have about eight gazillion | | | | provide documentation and interview notes for easy |
| other people on this planet. Therefore, you have to | | | | fact-checking, and could submit the completed article |
| stand out from the crowd. You have to sparkle. How | | | | within two weeks.(Optional. Some people like to |
| do you do this? Simple. It all starts with The Big Idea. | | | | suggest a time frame, others let the editor do it. In |
| The first secret you must learn in this funny business is | | | | general, the editor will tell you when the article is due, |
| that you dont actually have to write the whole article | | | | regardless of your preferences. Its a nice touch to |
| to get a job. In fact, only bright green novices attempt | | | | mention how you will research your article. Mine was |
| to write the whole thing before selling it. What you do | | | | primarily dependent on interviews, but you may wish to |
| need, however, is the IDEA for the great story. You | | | | include the names of journals/experts you plan to |
| will use this great idea to convince editors to pay you | | | | quote or use for information.)I look forward to your |
| exorbitant amounts of money via a proposal letter | | | | response.(Obligatory polite ending. Use any variation |
| (called a query letter. But youll learn about that in a | | | | you wish. No pleading. If you dare type, I promise to |
| minute).So, where will you find this Big Idea? Well, | | | | write a reallllly, realllly good article! Please hire me!, you |
| youve heard that wise adage write what you know. | | | | will incur my wrath. I will hunt you down and yell at you. |
| Thats a wonderful mantra for finding your jumping-off | | | | A lot. Just a simple, dignified ending requesting a |
| point. You dont need to stick to what you know for | | | | response.)Regards,Jenna Glatzer(Oh. Substitute your |
| the specific focus of your story, but tap into your | | | | name and preferred signature ending. Unless you feel |
| already huge vat of knowledge to find the storys | | | | like sending your paycheck to me, in which case, you |
| basis. This is how you will become an expert. Experts | | | | can feel free to use my name. Grin.)Finally, clips! If |
| are in demand. People with stories arent. What you | | | | youve had anything publishedor even if you havent, but |
| have to do is sneak your stories into your areas of | | | | you have a few good writing samples appropriate for |
| expertise. Example: lets say your hobbies and interests | | | | this type of marketinclude them. These samples are |
| include fishing, watching talk shows, and traveling. | | | | called clips, and they are used to show the editor that |
| Good! You are a potential expert in those areas. Jot | | | | you are an intelligent, insightful, funny, clever, and/or |
| these things down. Now comes the fun part: | | | | excellent writer. Photocopy your articles straight from |
| brainstorming.The biggest mistake you can make in | | | | the publication. Just 2-3 clips.When you're sending |
| pitching your story is being too general. Never, ever | | | | queries by e-mail, you can paste the text of your clips |
| send a letter to the editor suggesting an article about | | | | into the body of the e-mail (never as an attachment!), |
| fishing. Not even an article about fishing in Florida. This | | | | or you can direct the editor to one or two website |
| vagueness is not appropriate for short writing. In | | | | URLs where she can view your articles.Interviews and |
| general, you will be expected to write somewhere | | | | ProfilesI know, you feel weird about this one, right? |
| between 800 and 2000 words on your topic. You | | | | Youre uncomfortable calling someone or visiting a |
| couldnt possibly tell us all about fishing in 2000 words. | | | | business to ask a professional to take precious time |
| What you could do, however, is give us a comparison | | | | out of their day to help you research your article.Well, |
| of twelve different lures used to catch sailfish. Or the | | | | buck up, little camper, because most professionals |
| pros and cons of joining a fishing club. Or even how | | | | absolutely love to be interviewed. They jump at the |
| the moon can tell you if itll be a good fishing day.So | | | | chance, for a few reasons. These are the reasons to |
| heres your first assignment. Get out your trusty | | | | keep in mind when you feel small and silly for asking:It |
| notebook. (If you dont have one, stop reading and get | | | | shows you respect their opinion and/or job.It gives |
| one. Right now.) On the first page, write down a list of | | | | them opportunities for publicity of their business.It gives |
| any and all topics that interest you. Its okay to be | | | | them the chance to brag to friends that they are |
| general here. Need some ideas to get you | | | | quoted in a magazine.It gives them something to frame |
| started?Think through your whole day. Dont neglect | | | | and show clients.Finally, someone is recognizing their |
| anything. What do you do from the moment you wake | | | | genius and taking an interest in their work.Theyre |
| up until the moment you fall asleep? You turn off your | | | | usually wannabe writers, anyway, and they will be just |
| alarm clock. (An article about alarm clocks disrupting | | | | as happy to pick your brain to find out how you got |
| valuable sleep stages! Or waking up to music versus | | | | the job.Before you approach experts:Make sure you |
| waking up to that annoying beeping sound. Or the | | | | already have your questions mapped out, at least |
| optimal number of times to press the snooze button.) | | | | briefly. What exactly do you need to know from this |
| You brush your teeth. (Article: What all those touted | | | | person? What could this person tell you that no one |
| ingredientsfluoride, peroxide, baking sodareally do for | | | | else can? Avoid yes or no questions. Ask open-ended |
| your teeth.) You take a shower. Maybe with your | | | | questions that could lead to lengthy responses chock |
| significant other. Lucky you. (Romantic showers for | | | | full of great quotes. Also, have a synopsis of your |
| two.)Moving on. You go to work. This is the most | | | | planned article ready, so you can tell your expert what |
| obvious area of expertise. Lets say youre a secretary. | | | | youre writing and how they can supplement your |
| How ergonomic office equipment can save you from | | | | knowledge.How to approach experts:Get on the |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, an achy back, and a stiff | | | | phone. Have your idea condensed into 2-3 sentences, |
| neck. How to avoid screaming at your boss when hes | | | | so you can quickly explain yourself to whomever |
| a total idiot. Five couples (or ex-couples) share their | | | | answers the phone.Hello. My name is Jenna, and Im |
| wisdom about dating in the office. Think about what | | | | writing an article about the rise in vegetarianism among |
| cover story would entice you to pay three dollars for | | | | young women in Nevada for Youth In Nevada |
| a magazine. You dont have to have the knowledge to | | | | Magazine. I know Dr. Spuds is a well-respected |
| actually write the article yet. You just have to know | | | | nutritionist, and Im hoping she would be willing to |
| you can get this information later.Next, you come | | | | answer a few questions on this subject.At this point, |
| home. What happens? Do you have kids? Great! A | | | | the secretary will say, Hold, and make you listen to |
| wealth of article ideas. You could write about childcare | | | | elevator musak while she summons the boss. Or shell |
| agencies, potty training, decoding teenage slang, | | | | take down your number and have Dr. Spuds call you |
| teaching table manners youre getting the idea now, | | | | back. Or it will be Dr. Spuds herself, and shell say, |
| right? Run with it!Write at least one page of general | | | | What do you want to know?Your options at this point |
| topics that interest you, then weed out the most | | | | are (1) Ask questions over the phone, right then and |
| interesting ones. Narrow it down to three or four. Then | | | | there. Make sure you check to make sure your expert |
| write those three or four topics on top of brand new | | | | is not pressed for time before you begin. (2) Set up a |
| pages. Now fill up those pages with specific article | | | | phone date to conduct the interview. (3) Ask if you |
| angles. Just write. Dont edit yourself. Dont judge. Just | | | | can meet in person. This is goodalmost necessaryif |
| write whatever pops into your head. If you need | | | | the person will be the focus of your article. If the |
| motivation, play it like a game of Scattergories. Set a | | | | person is being used just to add a few quotes, you |
| timer for ten minutes. See how many ideas you can | | | | dont have to meet in person, because its unlikely youll |
| jot down before the timer sounds.Keep in mind that | | | | ever need to write, Dr. Spuds wrinkled her brow and |
| there are markets for almost any conceivable topic. | | | | stared into her pea soup as she explained that young |
| Dont limit yourself to the headlines youd read in Vogue | | | | women are becoming more health-conscious. (4) |
| and Good Housekeeping. Between newspapers, | | | | Trade e-mail addresses and send over a list of |
| consumer magazines, trade magazines, e-zines, | | | | questions. This approach isnt usually the best, because |
| tabloids, literary journals, and more, youre bound to find | | | | it doesnt allow you to react to, and build from, |
| an appropriate publication for your Big Idea.You want | | | | information you gain in answers to previous questions. |
| to know more about these markets? Read | | | | However, if the publication will not reimburse you for |
| on!Researching the MarketsFirst, youll need a few | | | | long distance phone calls, and you have to conduct a |
| definitions:Consumer Magazines: These typically pay | | | | lengthy interview, e-mail exchanges are acceptable. |
| the best. These are the types of magazines you might | | | | Just make ! sure you specify a due date for the |
| find in a grocery store check-out line, convenience | | | | responses. Be reasonabletry to give the expert a |
| store, in your airplane seat pocket, or your doctors | | | | week to answer all your questions.The SalesOkay, |
| office. Types of consumer mags: mens, womens, | | | | you sent out your killer query, and you got a phone call |
| special interest, inflight, teens, school/career, travel, | | | | from an editor with the big news: you got the |
| health, ethnic/minority, political, entertainment, romance, | | | | assignment! Congratulations, you! Go on and do a little |
| religious, etc. This is the area most writers try to break | | | | dance of joy, then crash back to reality with your new |
| into.Literary Magazines: These dont pay much, if at all. | | | | mantra: GET IT IN WRITING. Make sure the editor tells |
| However, what they lack in moolah, they make up for | | | | you that a written contract is forthcoming in the near |
| in prestige. If youre looking to jump-start your career | | | | future.If youve researched your market, you probably |
| as a fiction writer or poet, your best chance at | | | | already have an idea of the pay rate, but be sure to |
| recognition may come in the form of one of these | | | | cover this ground in that initial phone call if the editor |
| small publications. Often published by colleges and | | | | fails to mention it. Important things to remember:On |
| universities, their circulation is usually regional and low. | | | | Publication vs. On AcceptanceYou not only need to |
| They generally seek scholarly essays, intellectually | | | | know how much youll be paid, but also, when youll be |
| challenging prose, poetry, and book reviews. Publishers | | | | paid. Many markets want to pay you on publication. |
| will be impressed if you succeed in placing your work | | | | This can be a problem, because many magazines and |
| in one of the more prominent journals (Cimarron | | | | journals have long lead times. (Translation: a long time |
| Review, Ploughshares, and Story, for example).Trade | | | | between when they assign you the article and when it |
| Journals: Pay varies greatly. Any publication that | | | | actually ends up in print.) If you write an article in |
| focuses on a particular occupation/industry falls into | | | | January, and it doesnt get published until November, |
| this category. This is where your expertise can shine. | | | | you probably wont see a check until December. Do |
| There are trade journals for almost every line of work, | | | | you want to wait a year to get paid? Can you wait |
| from art dealers to truck drivers. In general, your | | | | that long? This is a point you absolutely can negotiate. |
| written eloquence is not as important as your research | | | | Ask for payment on acceptance. If this is refused, it |
| and timely knowledge for these publications.E-Zines: | | | | gives you a little leverage to work with on the other |
| Pay varies greatly. Simply put, e-zines are simply | | | | issues, which areKill FeesIf you get the assignment, |
| magazines on the Internet. The only major difference | | | | and, for whatever reason, an editor decides not to print |
| is that articles for e-zines can usually run longer than | | | | your article, you can negotiate for a kill fee. This is a |
| print magazines. (No printing costs, so space isnt as | | | | percentage of the sale price. If you are offered $200 |
| important an issue for e-zine editors.) Most e-zines | | | | to write an article, you may get a $50 kill fee. Its a well |
| dont pay (except by means of a byline) but this trend | | | | known fact that big publications kill articles all the time. |
| is changing. The most popular sites and Wired, for | | | | Some editors admit to assigning 10-20% more than |
| example) pay quite well. Topics stretch as wide as | | | | they could ever fit in the magazine. They do this so |
| your imagination.Now that you know, learn how to | | | | they can pick and choose from the final products, or |
| contact them!There are tons of ways to find markets | | | | so they can see how things fit once the layout is |
| that are open to freelancers. If you were paying | | | | complete. Some articles will be pushed back to other |
| attention, you might notice that this very website is | | | | issues, and some will just be trashed.BiosWe like them. |
| looking for writers! Finding places to submit your work | | | | Those are the little blurbs that often follow an article, |
| is easy if you know where to look.First, the most | | | | giving short biographical information about the writer, |
| important tool in a freelancers toolbox is The Writers | | | | and sometimes an e-mail address or phone number. |
| Market. Available at any major bookstore, this is an | | | | Ask for one if you can.Sidebars and PhotosThose are |
| annual compilation of more than 2,000 magazines, 1,000 | | | | the little factoids or columns that rest next to the main |
| book publishers, and even specialized markets like | | | | article. For example, in an article about exercise, youll |
| greeting cards, script writing, and syndicates.The next | | | | often see a little chart on the side that tells how many |
| best tools are online. Lucky you! Theyre free. Absolute | | | | calories are burned by doing specific exercises (riding |
| Markets is a weekly e-zine filled with market guidelines, | | | | a bike, climbing a hill, etc.). If you can suggest sidebars, |
| contest listings, and marketing tips. Freelancing4Money | | | | you can often get extra pay. Same goes for photos. If |
| puts out a jam-packed e-zine filled with freelance | | | | youve got a decent camera and a good eye, offer |
| opportunities. Writer's Digest has a great, searchable | | | | photos for a few extra bucks.To Spec or Not To |
| database of markets. Writing For Dollars has a | | | | SpecEspecially as a novice writer, youll sometimes get |
| biweekly newsletter with market guidelines, and a | | | | asked to write an article on speculation. This means |
| searchable database on the website. And Writers | | | | that youll have to write the whole article and submit it |
| Weekly lists calls for writers and market guidelines | | | | without a contract, or any promise of payment. Its a |
| each week.You can even run a search for freelance | | | | bone of contention among professional writers, |
| writers on any major search engine, and youre likely to | | | | because almost no other field works this way. Its |
| come up with tons of listings. Try specifying if possible; | | | | never do the job, and then Ill decide if I feel like paying |
| add words that fit your needs. (Example: paying | | | | you. Only in this crazy business. Harrumph.That said, I |
| markets, romance, teen magazines.)So, your next | | | | advise you to take spec assignments in the beginning. |
| assignment is this: go back to your trusty notebook | | | | Once youre established, you shouldnt need to do this, |
| and pick out your very favorite idea. That will now be | | | | but in order to build up your resume and your clips, you |
| known as your Big Idea. Pick the markets that best fit | | | | need to get published. So go ahead and submit on |
| your idea. Choose several. Find out if you can get a | | | | spec, and go ahead and do a few free/nearly free |
| free or discounted sample copy. (Writers often can, if | | | | pieces for the experience.Before submitting anything, |
| you specify that you would like to query them in the | | | | though, make sure you know in advance what the |
| future.) Request writers guidelines if available. Its | | | | terms will be if the editor does use your piece. How |
| considered poor form to query publications that youve | | | | much will you be paid? What rights will they buy?Even |
| never read, or know nothing about. Do your best to | | | | many of the big markets have adopted the practice of |
| read at least one copy of whatever magazine or | | | | requesting pieces on spec. They do this because they |
| journal you plan to query. Check your library for copies | | | | can get away with it. Because there are thousands of |
| if you prefer not to go broke researching.Got it now? | | | | wannabe writers out there who will beg, borrow, and |
| You have your idea, and youve found places to submit | | | | steal for the chance to be published. So, if you want to |
| it? Great! Then you'll need to learn proper protocol for | | | | compete, sometimes youll have to suck it up and |
| writing and submitting the Killer Query.The Killer | | | | accept this. Once the publication accepts one of your |
| QueryThe job of the query letter is to entice an editor | | | | spec pieces, youll be a much more likely candidate for |
| to say, Hey! Id be interested in learning more about | | | | an outright assignment next time.Rights to WriteThere |
| that. Therefore, you dont want to spill all your secrets | | | | are several kinds of rights a publication may buy:First |
| and research yet. You want to tease and tantalize. | | | | North American Serial RightsThe newspaper or |
| Now that youve got your fabulous Big Idea, your job is | | | | magazine has the right to publish this piece for the first |
| to condense (or expand) that idea into two to three | | | | time in any periodical. All other rights belong to the |
| paragraphs.To illustrate the components of a killer | | | | writer.One-Time RightsThe publication buys the |
| query, here is an example of one of mine (using | | | | nonexclusive right to publish the piece once. The writer |
| fictitious contact infosorry!) that landed me the | | | | can sell the same article to other publications |
| assignment:Jenna Glatzer(Always use proper formal | | | | simultaneously.Second Serial Rights (or Reprint |
| letter format) | | | | Rights)Also nonexclusive. Gives the publication the right |
| 123 My Address | | | | to reprint an article that has appeared |
| My City, State, Zip Code | | | | elsewhere.Electronic RightsCovers CD-ROMs, e-zines, |
| (555) 555-5555Mr. Joe Shmoe | | | | website content, games, etc. Get in writing which |
| (Make SURE to get a name of the appropriate | | | | electronic rights are specified-- First Electronic Rights, |
| department College Life 101 | | | | archiving rights, etc. Most publications ask for the right |
| editor. Never address a letter to editor or | | | | to archive "indefinitely." You can try to negotiate for a |
| submissions.) | | | | fixed term (i.e., archiving rights for six months).All |
| 123 Their Address | | | | RightsPretty self-explanatory. You can never sell this |
| Their City, State, Zip CodeTodays Date, 2003Dear | | | | piece to anyone else again. Try to avoid this one. Most |
| Mr. Shmoe: | | | | publications ask for First Serial Rights.Work-For-Hire |
| (Colons are used in formal letters. Commas are used | | | | Rights-- The publication has come up with the idea and |
| in friendly letters.)Think company cars, expense | | | | assigned it to you, and they will own it, lock, stock, and |
| accounts, and a spacious office with bay windows. | | | | barrel. They own the copyright and don't even have to |
| Who do you picture running a business this | | | | give you credit. It may be sliced, diced, repackaged, |
| successful?(Start the letter with a zinger that captures | | | | re-sold, etc., and you won't have any claim to it beyond |
| the essence of your proposed article/story. Raise a | | | | what you were originally paid.TV/Motion Picture |
| question that will cause the reader to think, or give a | | | | RightsAlso self-explanatory. Almost always |
| visual image anything that will make him/her want to | | | | exclusive.Recycling Your Big IdeasThis is the bread |
| read on and find out what youre talking about.)Think | | | | and butter of freelance writing. Its also called |
| again. This company was the brainchild of three | | | | re-slanting. Once youve got the Big Idea, dont waste it |
| Boston University sophomores whose ambitions led | | | | by only using it once. Use the information youve |
| them to thriving careers before they had diplomas to | | | | gathered and come up with off-shoot ideas. Slant it to |
| hang on the wall.(The rest of the first paragraph should | | | | appeal to different markets.Youre afraid because of |
| give a concise description of the focus of your | | | | the issue of rights that we just discussed, right? (No |
| proposed article. Remember to tell why its appropriate | | | | pun intended.) Well, you have nothing to fear, provided |
| to the publication youre querying. In this case, I was | | | | the new article is sufficiently different in content and |
| targeting a college magazine, so I made sure to | | | | intended audience. If youve managed to sell your |
| emphasize the relevance to their subject matter early | | | | article to a major national magazine, it is considered |
| in the letter.)Charles Strader, Richard Skelton, and | | | | poor form to try to sell a re-slanted version to another |
| Pablo Mondal run Net One, an Internet Service | | | | national magazine.However, if youre dealing with |
| Provider. The three met in the freshmen dorms, then | | | | regional, specialized, or small publications, there should |
| moved into an apartment together. Opportunity | | | | be very little overlap of intended audience. Therefore, |
| knocked when Strader, who worked for the | | | | an editor from Alabama Aristocrats would probably |
| universitys computer center, took a phone call from | | | | never know if you sold a re-slanted version of your |
| the owner of a hair salon. She sought help designing a | | | | piece to Guitarists Today. Even if they did know, they |
| website; Strader volunteered, and Net One was | | | | almost certainly would not care.It is standard and |
| born.(Again, concisely, get a little deeper into the | | | | accepted practice, for the simple reason that it is darn |
| content of the article. What is special about your | | | | difficult to make a living as a writer. If you have the |
| story? In this case, I wanted to emphasize that these | | | | choice between making $100 for selling your piece to |
| guys were college buddies who started a booming | | | | one small publication, or making $1000 by selling altered |
| business by branching out from their humble | | | | versions to eight different small publications, which |
| beginning.)Working closely with friends to build | | | | would you choose?Re-slanting an article is easy, since |
| something we believe in is Mondals favorite perk. | | | | youve already done the bulk of the research. |
| Skelton agrees. We have great trust in each other, | | | | Scrounge up a few new quotes, and use the |
| and feel that were all in this together.(Quotations arent | | | | information you left out of the first article. Focus it on |
| necessary in a query, but its nice to give something | | | | the new desired market.For example, I could sell an |
| specific to show that you have done some research | | | | article about the health benefits of meditation to a |
| into your topic, and that you have access to resources | | | | fitness magazine. A few alterations, and that same |
| that will enable you to write the article well. I wanted to | | | | article becomes Religions Encouraging Meditation for |
| show that I had already spoken to these guysthey | | | | my local newspapers Society pages. Then it becomes |
| happen to be friends of mineand that they would be | | | | Meditation Makes You Smarter for the college market. |
| upbeat and inspirational people to interview. You can | | | | Then, Meditate Your Stress Away for a working |
| accomplish the same effect by including a few quirky | | | | womans magazine. And I didnt even mention all those |
| facts or survey results youve found out about your | | | | new age/holistic publications. What a field day!With just |
| topic.)Considering that their only capital was a | | | | a few more questions posed to your trusted experts, |
| computer and a small loan from Straders father, the | | | | youve got a whole new article. And, look! Youre |
| guys feel very successful. Were not millionaires, but | | | | becoming an expert yourself. This is how you begin to |
| we have goals, and were following them, says Skelton. | | | | find your nichea few specific subjects that you feel |
| I think thats true success. By any definition, Net Ones | | | | comfortable writing about. Ah, soon those journalists |
| roster of more than 50 clients ranging from colleges to | | | | will be coming to YOU with their questions."The |
| Fortune 500 companies attests to their hard work and | | | | Extras"Once youve gotten a few assignments, and |
| talent.(Look, editor. These guys are big up-and-comers! | | | | feel that youve really embarked on this as a potential |
| Notice I mentioned Fortune 500 companies. This lets | | | | career (or just a part-time income-booster), youll want |
| the editor know quickly that these college guys arent | | | | to think about the little extras.A nice touch: get yourself |
| small potatoes. It neatly ties up the opening sentence, | | | | some nice letterhead. Splurge a little with your second |
| which promised an article about guys who have a | | | | or third paycheck and invest in professionally printed |
| spacious office, expense accounts, and company car. | | | | letterhead. Presentation does count when submitting |
| Now the editor has a reason to believe that these | | | | your correspondence to an editor. Avoid cutesy clip |
| guys actually are that successful.)I propose a 1,000 | | | | art of quill pens and inkwells.Also, an invoice. You |
| word profile for your Students At Work | | | | should always include an invoice with your completed |
| section.(Shows Ive researched their magazine. I know | | | | article. Often, the person you submit the story to is not |
| which section this should fit, and Ive read their | | | | the same person in charge of sending you a |
| guidelines to determine an appropriate word count.)I am | | | | paycheck. By including an invoice, you can be |
| a full-time freelance writer, and my works have been | | | | reasonably assured that the billing department will have |
| recently featured in such publications as 201 Magazine, | | | | a record of what terms were agreed upon, and when |
| College Bound(Notice I mention the most relevant | | | | they are supposed to pay you.Receipts: Hold onto |
| magazines first. Anything youve had published that | | | | your postage receipts and your writing-related supplies. |
| might relate to the content, tone, or audience of the | | | | If writing is your profession, then these can be tax |
| proposed publication belongs here.)Bliss!, Working | | | | write-offs. Also, if you are able to negotiate it, editors |
| Women, and Video Librarian. Clips are enclosed.(If | | | | will often reimburse you for any expenses you incur |
| youve never had anything published, dont distress. Just | | | | while on assignment once you are an established |
| shut up about it. Do NOT tell anyone, Though Ive never | | | | writer. Submit your phone bill (with the reimbursable call |
| been published yet, Im a real go-getter. Less is more. If | | | | s circled), your book receipts, your travel expense |
| you keep quiet, they may not even think about the | | | | receipts, etc. along with your invoice. Make sure these |
| fact that you didnt mention your credits. Also, do not | | | | terms are specified in your contract.Youre ready? |
| get into a diatribe describing how you edited your high | | | | Good! Get out there and get 'em, slugger. Good luck! |