As you'll remember (we're hoping), "Midnight Musings" has been in touch with several Wisconsin-based editors, asking what they would say to potential contributors if we were sipping coffee in a local restaurant and chatting about this calling we feel so intensely.

Our goal: Insights and guidance from those who might authorize checks for our written work. Musings started with Scott Peterson, Editor-in-Chief of the Hartland-based Lake Country and Living on the Lake magazines. Now we offer insights from two other Wisconsin editorial decision-makers.

Wayne Turnquist is Publisher of Wisconsin West, a bimonthly-published in Eau Claire-that covers western Wisconsin. The magazine has been serving its slice of the Badger state for 20 years. Here's what Wayne hopes free-lance contributors know, and will do:

"Writers should be able to summarize their entire article-the point of their entire story-in one simple sentence. If writers can't do that, they don't have a handle on the subject matter. They're just arranging quotations, anecdotes and facts in some sort of order, hoping readers will stay with them."

In other words, the magazine doesn't just want to HOPE readers will follow along. It wants its material to be so compelling that readers find it irresistible.

His second suggestion?

"Have a message and keep that crisply worded message in front of you as you write. [Don't just keep it in your mind. Write it out and post it at your computer.] Then, allow the subject's/subjects' actions and words to provide that message to the reader. Also, select the information that helps convey your message as colorfully as possible so that readers are not even aware they are engaged in reading. Let them feel as though they are being CARRIED ALONG by the text, so they get the message effortlessly."

His concluding tip.

"Understand the subject. Write a good lead. Show, don't tell."

Thanks, Wayne. As you suggest, before beginning their project, contributors would be wise to write out the point of their written work in one concise sentence. That should keep them on track as they assemble their manuscript.

Wisconsin West's address is 2905 Seymour Rd., Eau Claire, WI 54703. Phone: 715-835-3800. The bimonthly has a circulation of 5,000 and its nonfiction needs include: famous people of western Wisconsin, history, short humor, weekend leisure activities and getaways, and restaurants. Check out its Web site for further information: www.wisconsinwestmagazine.com.

Harriet Brown serves as Editorial Director of Wisconsin Trails magazine, which the Chicago Tribune named to its 2006 "Best Magazines" list. Here are several concepts she hopes writers will keep in mind:

"A place is not a story idea. A story idea has a hook, an angle, a concept behind it. After 46 years, we've covered just about every place in the state-but there are plenty of fresh stories for us to cover."

FRESH is the key word. A new development. A new slant or focus. A new perspective or understanding. As Harriet reminds: "Please don't keep querying us over and over with the same ideas."

And she offers this perspective on editing. "Expect editing, and be gracious about it. If you don't like anyone editing what you write, self-publishing is the way to go. Don't waste my time arguing about your favorite words or paragraph. Your writing may be beautiful, but above all. it must serve the readers."

And Harriet's concluding offering: "Don't expect feedback in a week or two. Understand that we are overworked and doing the best we can."

Thanks, Harriet.

Earlier this year, Wisconsin Trails—flagship of the Trails Media Group Inc.—was sold to Journal Sentinel Inc. A bimonthly, Trails has a circulation of 50,000. Its Web site says: "The who, what, where, when, why and WOW! of Wisconsin." It's based in Black Earth, near Madison, and focuses on Wisconsin people, history, nature, travel and culture. Its address: P.O. Box 317, 1131 Mills St., Black Earth, WI 53515. Phone: 608-767-8000. And the Web site: www.wistrails.com.

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So, Musings hopes to leave recreational writers with this insight: Make a point to get to know editors and publishers, particularly of state and regional publications. National ones, too-if you can figure out a way to do it unobtrusively. It helps you gain a better sense of their likes and dislikes, and serves you well in creating a sense of trust so important to editors and publishers. You want to become more than just a name. You want editorial decision-makers to look upon you as a person, a friend, a writing talent who can add luster to their publication.