Friday, March 15, 2024

Writers Who Do, Not Just Think


There's an ocean of difference between people who think about writing and those who actually do it. Myriad numbers of people have a desire to write, but the numbers dwindle when you count those who actually write a story, a poem, an essay or, unbelievably, a book! 

Many who want to be a writer start with that desire, but they aren't sure exactly how to begin. Maybe I'd better learn something about this craft, they think. And make no mistake, it IS a craft. So, they start reading books about writing. That's a great way to begin. One book leads to another, from books about general writing to ones that are specifically about one topic of writing, such as editing or dialogue, or using sensory details. 

Let's look at an imaginary wannabe writer, Her name is Olivia. She's always had the desire to write, but somehow never got around to it with her full time job, marriage and kids to juggle. One day, she thinks that maybe she could bring in a little extra money by writing and selling what she writes. She knows she can't start cold, she needs to learn a little more about the writing world.

Olivia goes to her local library and checks out a stack of books that will teach her all she needs to know about writing. She reads one after another. Then, she orders some newer books on the topic from her favorite online bookseller. She reads those and then finds articles about writing online that she reads. Wow! There's a lot of information about the writing world. 

One day Olivia notes a local writing workshop being presented in her community. She signs up and attends, eager to hear what the presenter has to say and to perhaps meet other writers. She knows that it's good to schmooze with other writers. She goes to the workshop and takes notes. But wait, she isn't a writer yet. Still a wannabe.

A month later, she hears of another writer's workshop in a town not too far way. She signs up and attends, notebook and pen in hand. 

A year goes by, and Olivia has not written one word. She tells herself time is a problem. That's why she can't get anything written. She convinces herself she needs to learn more about this writing world before she begins. What it all comes down to is that Olivia's desire is there, but she lacks the drive needed 'to put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and actually write'.

She's done everything she should except actually write something. She finds excuses--all legitimate in her estimation. Part of her reluctance to actually write is fear. It's Mr. Doubt who visits writers on a regular basis. He'll push back whenever and however he can. She should push him out of the way. Better yet, send him flying out the front door! Another reason Olivia doesn't do the actual writing is that she's become enamored of the idea of being a writer but is reluctant to do the heavy lifting it takes.

If you see yourself in any of the above, it's time to take a hard look at your hope to become a writer. Ask those tough questions of yourself. Am I willing to give up other things in order to write? Am I willing to do writing exercises? Am I willing to write and revise and rewrite? Am I willing to accept rejections and criticism? 

You'll never be a published writer if you don't sit down and write. Actually write something. Many somethings! Olivia's first efforts are sure to leave room for improvement. Practice makes perfect is a definite cliche, but believe me, there is merit to it. All I have to do to know that is to go through my files and read some of my earliest efforts. They make me cringe at times. But I know that my writing improved over time, over reading more about the craft, over attending workshops and conferences, and most of all, by writing as often as possible. 
 

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Writers Need Determination, Passion, and a Tough Hide


There are many writing groups a writer can join online. The ones I'm thinking of are not for submitting and critiquing but rather for schmoozing with other writers, for soaking up info about writing and also entering contests the group runs. 

Some are for prose writers, others strictly for those who pen poetry, and still others consider a little of each. 

They're fine for beginners and some intermediate kinds of writers. The contests don't give a great deal of competition mainly because of the fewer numbers of entries than a national contest would have, so winning is a better possibility than if the writer submitted to a poetry magazine or a literary magazine that has a low rate of acceptance. Is it wrong to try to win these group contests? Of course not. They give you the experience of entering, and perhaps placing, in a contest. I look at them as a preparation place. Somewhere to help you be ready to submit to magazines and journals and websites that are more competitive. 

Many of the groups I am talking about here are membership only groups which means you must pay an annual fee to belong and to be able to enter the contests they run on a regular basis. Some writers join more than one of these groups, and that's fine. It's a personal choice. 

The one thing that concerns me is that it becomes a safe place for submitting your writing, be it prose or poetry. Perhaps too safe. It can be scary to start submitting in the big pond of magazines, journals, contests, and writers' websites. You're more likely to get a rejection than an acceptance. You feel like such a little fish in that big sea of hopeful writers. 

Still, you'll never know if your work is good enough to be published by some of the better publications unless you try. You must try and try again. We know that many rejections are for reasons other than you sent a boring piece. Some places close for submissions on a temporary basis. The editors may have recently published something very close to what you sent. They take only a very small percent of the submissions received. There's also the possibility that your idea was good, but the mechanics of writing was poor. There are multiple reasons for receiving rejections. Getting rejections is all a part of this writing world.

One thing you need in submitting your work is determination. You shouldn't give up after a few rejections. You'll also need a passion for writing, as well as a tough hide

It's fine to start with smaller publications or to submit only to the groups you've joined, but you do need to climb to the next rung of the ladder now and then. 

Sunday, March 3, 2024

A Different Kind of Writing Exercise


 

Oh, look! There's a story here, but what are all these people saying or thinking? We can't tell according to the picture, but we might get a clue by looking at the way they are standing. I see four with their arms crossed. Is it with impatience? Anger? Or something else? 

I see two with hands folded in front of them. One with hands in his pockets. Three carrying some sort of bag. Two with arms at their sides. But, I still don't know what the story is or what they are saying. Maybe even what they are thinking. 

So, how about using this picture as a writing exercise. Do one, or more, of the following:

A. Write a few words that each person is saying or thinking that would go in the cloud above their head.

B. Create a situation to show why these people are standing together.

C. Address the group as though you were a teacher, a boss, or a Dorm Assistant.

D. Write a complete story showing why these people are standing in a group and what they are waiting for.

E. Using the picture, write using as many sensory details as possible. 

Take time to study the picture and the way each person is standing. That might give you some inspiration. 

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Rules For Writers


 I ran across today's poster this morning, and it made me stop and think about my writing life. And yours! Rules for Life can be applied to anyone, but today, let's consider them for writers. One by one.

See Failure As A Beginning, Not An End:  What about all those rejections you've received over the years? Have you considered leaving the writing world because of them? Ever beat yourself up by telling yourself you're not a very good writer? Easy enough to do. Instead, put all that behind you and move on. Make this day the beginning of your writing career. 

If You Don't Go After It, You Won't Have It:  I definitely agree with this. You can't merely sit at your desk and vegetate. You need to be proactive. Don't sit and wait for good things to happen in your writing life. Get out there and help those good things to happen. Go to a workshop. Attend a conference. Read and read some more about writing. And, spend some time writing every day. As little or as much as you can find.

Always Do More Than Is Expected Of You:  Remember teachers giving extra credit work? If you did that extra assignment, you got more points, upped your grade. The same goes for your writing. Don't do just enough to get by. Put in some extra effort. If you're taking a writing class, do the assignment but put a little more into than only trying to finish. It pays off in the long run.

Teach Others What You Know: If the opportunity comes up for you to teach a workshop or serve on a panel at a writing conference, don't shy away from it. Share what you've learned with others. If you're not asked, volunteer your services. Let someone in charge know you're willing to help. I've gained as much as I've given in leading workshops.

Assume Nothing And Question Everything:  Isn't this how we learn? If you're stuck on a writing project, there's no shame in asking another writer for some help. They can be more objective than you. 

Make Peace With The Past Or You'll Pay For It:  We've all had difficult times in our writing lives. Don't let it become that nasty little voice whispering in your ear about your failures. Move on, or dwelling on past problems will drag you down.

Stop Thinking So Much And Start Acting: What good advice this is! How often do you get a story idea and mull it over in your mind. And over, and over, and... Stop thinking about it and start on that first draft. 

Never Compare Yourself To Others:  This may be the last in the list but certainly not the least. I am me. Kristin Hannah is herself. John Grisham is himself. YOU must be yourself, not like any other writer. 

I like lists, and this is a great one for writers. 

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Writers and Discouragement

 


We love to post our successes on social media. It allows us to share with others and perhaps give them a link to reading our newest publication, be it a book, short story, personal essay or any other kind of writing. Letting others know about our successes is part of building a writer's platform. 

But what about the rejections we get and the frustrations we often face as writers? Do we want to share those on social media? I don't, and you don't either. That part of our writing life we generally keep private. Who wants to blow their horn about the twenty rejections received on one story? 

We often get discouraged when a writing project doesn't go well. We saw it in our mind so clearly. Knew what we wanted to accomplish. Then, the actual writing doesn't go as well. What do we do? Our choices run from scratching the project altogether to spending a great deal of time revising and editing until the piece becomes what we'd envisioned in the first place. 

If we want to find some success in our writing life, we need to keep working until we are satisfied enough to be ready to submit to a publisher. 

Years ago, I made a lot of my daughter's clothes. Every pattern comes with step-by-step directions. Occasionally, something didn't go right, and I knew I couldn't continue to the next step until I figured it out. I'd become frustrated. What to do? I found that if I walked away for a day or two, then came back, the answer was there, and I could move on with the project. We can do the same when our writing isn't working out to our satisfaction. Walk away for at least a day, maybe longer. What seemed so complex earlier might suddenly look easier.

That old adage 'If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.' comes into play when we get discouraged in our writing life. One other way you can try again is to visit with a writing friend. There's no shame in asking for help. Another person can see the problem what the writer cannot. They are objective, while we, as writers, are often not. 

Our poster today tells us that it is often the last key that opens the lock. We have to keep trying until we find the key that makes our writing projects ready for submission. 

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Read and Study the Writer Guidelines!

 



The writing, revising and editing are done. What a relief! Now, it's time to find a place to submit your latest story, essay, article, or poem for publication. More steps to take in the marketing process. Today, I'm going to concentrate on one of those steps. Guidelines! 

I can't stress enough how important it is to read and study the guidelines of whatever publication you plan to submit to. Note those two words--read and study.

Before you can do that, you must find the guidelines. You'll find a wide array of the way publications give guidelines. Some give none at all. They do themselves and you a disservice. They probably get many submissions that don't fit their template. You waste time and effort by submitting without knowing what the guidelines are. 

Some give a few requirements and others offer extensive guidelines for the writer. Those who do help the writer and themselves, as well. They aren't going to receive submissions that don't fit their publication. Oh, maybe a few from writers who don't pay attention to guidelines, but they won't be inundated by submissions that will get an automatic rejection because the writers did not 'read and study' very well. 

Two publications that I have found with the lengthiest and most detailed guidelines are Knowonder! magazine for children. I don't believe they are still publishing, but when they did, the writer knew exactly what they were looking for. They even gave writing examples to illustrate their requirements. 

The other publication that offers a long list of guidelines is Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies. When I want to submit to one of their books, I read the guidelines, even though I have had many stories published by them. I read them to refresh my mind and to check to see if my story fits within the parameters they set. These editors not only tell you what they want but also what they do not want. 

Sadly, many writers do not bother with reading the guidelines. Yes, it takes a little time but will help you decide whether to submit to that publication or move on. 

One thing I always look for is whether the publication takes reprints. It's great to be able to sell a piece more than once. Often, the pay is less, or even no pay, but it is one more publication for you. If they don't specify, it's probably not a good idea to submit an already published piece. Some will say 'no previously published work' while a few others will state 'reprints accepted'. 

Take the time to read and study those guidelines. It will be of great benefit for you to do so. 




Friday, February 16, 2024

Writing Brings Blessings


Today's poster tells us to look for the blessings of each day. We can relate that advice to our writing life, as well.

For some reason, we seem to allow the more difficult times of our writing world to take precedence over the good parts. Why do we want to drag ourselves down with wallowing in our problems? Perhaps it's one of the human failings we all must deal with. 

Wouldn't it be better to remind ourselves of the many pluses in our writing life? How about making a list of the blessings, or good things? I've made a list below. Check the ones that apply to you and add any others I may have missed. 

A. The many people my words have reached

B. The people I have met through my writing, both writers and readers

C. The knowledge I have gained through reading about writing

D. All I've gleaned from the workshops and conferences I've attended

E. The growth I've seen in my writing over the years

F.  The joy I feel when my writing is published

G. The satisfaction I get when a writing project is completed

Isn't it better to dwell on the components of this list rather than the late hours you've used to write, or the multiple rejections, or the problem of making a story work and so many more negative parts of our writing life. 

Today, dwell on the blessings in your writing life. Doing so might give you a lift, make you smile, and encourage you to write something new. 

Writers Who Do, Not Just Think

There's an ocean of difference between people who think about writing and those who actually do it. Myriad numbers of people have a desi...