Top 10 tips for submitting photos, long or short stories to the Ballantrae Newsletter Whether you are submitting a photo, a short paragraph or a lenghy article, the same tips apply: Let's all speak the same (computer) language Please write your story, long or short in an email and sent it to newsletter@ballantraehoa.com.  If you use a word processor program (Word, Word Perfect, etc) to write your story, please do not send is the article in that format.  We may not have the software or version necessary to open it.  Instead, copy and paste the entire article or photo information into an email.  Then send the email to newsletter@ballantraehoa.com. We want to publish your photos Have a photo of a community event of some subject you think residents might find interesting or newsworthy? Email is to us! We want to publish and give you credit for your clear, digital photos saved at 300 dpi or jpeg format. Write your caption information in an email to newsletter@ballantraehoa.com  to accompany the photo(s). Check and re-check for accuracy: Re-check names (always provide first and last), dates, meeting/event times and other facts. "Just the facts, ma'am" Make sure everything you write is factually accurate, and not just someone's opinion.  Opinion goes inside of quotes and tell's who opinion it is. Always be fair! Our goal is to present all sides accurately, fairly and honestly. Include the 5 W's They are the key to all reporting. Make sure you include: WHO: is the subject of the story/photo your club, organization of some other group? List the full name. WHAT: Are you writing about an event? A meeting? A report on activities? WHEN: On what date did the event occur? WHERE: Always be clear about where your story did or will occur. WHY: What is the story important? To whom? What should readers care about it? Write simply and clearly Try to provide us with all the information you think we need to tell the story.  We'll help by editing! Formatting made easy Use one font (preferable 10 or 12 point) and don't change it.  No underlining, bold face or italics. Don't use repeating exclamation points like this!!! Or question marks??? One is enough. Do not CAPITALIZE WORDS LIKE THIS in your story.  Make all paragraphs flush left.  Do not use tabs to indent them. Timeliness is important The sooner you send us your article, the more likely it will appear in the newsletter.  The longer you wait to send it, the less chance we will have the time or the room left to publish it. Contact information is a must We must have the full name, phone number, email and street address of everyone who sends us information or photos that they want to see published.  We will not publish all that information. But we will never publish stories or photos unless we have that contact information.