Input needs minimum words or sticks in Draft

My digest newsletter was going into Draft by default versus the Pending workflow. I discovered that it had to do with requiring a minimum number of words. I think the minimum number is 14.

Since I was in test mode, there was only one node link in the $input, and the message body was too short.

What would be the correct way to add some default text to the beginning of the $input?

1. Add a $variable to the simplenews_digest.module?
2. Generate a pre_process function for the theme's template.php.tpl?

Whichever is correct, do you know a tutorial that describes the process in easy to follow instructions?

I have been struggling with this issue for almost a year. What a relief to know the reason, even if I don't know the solution.

Ashford