Your February Writing Life

I am known to be a person who looks ahead, not behind. I'm one who wants a positive spin on most things in life. Why? I've learned that looking back and regretting what youdidn't  accomplish and putting a negative tone on life doesn't do me one bit of good. Why let myself be dragged down by the If only's of the past? 

That said, there are times when it is prudent and helpful to take a look at the recent past. Today is the final day of the shortest month of the calendar year. Before we look ahead to next month, take a few minutes to assess your writing life this past 28 days. 

• What good things happened as you moved along your writing journey? 
• What things dragged you down?
• Did you do anything to change or fix those things?
• Did you assess the how and why of the negatives of your writing?
• What was the happiest moment in your writing life in February?
• Did you meet any of your goals this month?
• How many submissions did you make? (Hopefully, 'zero' is not your number!)
• What did you do to improve your writing life?
• How can you improve that next month?
• How much reading did you do? (A biggie for writers--read, read, and read!)
• Did you help another writer?
• Did another writer help you? 
• Was time to write a big problem?
• Did you create time to write? 
• What was the most uplifting moment of your writing life this month?
• Did you attend a writer's meeting of any kind?

Once you've answered the questions above, you can easily set some goals for March. Next month has three more days in it than this one. A gift for you!

February is sliding away today. Gone are the hearts and flowers of Valentine's Day. No more President's Day recognition. Maybe no more big weather events. It's possible the winter bugs we all seem to pick up will flee.

When March arrives, I will look for crocuses and daffodils to start their journey above grouond, gladdening hearts and announcing that spring is not far away. It's the month we all become Irish for one day. It's the month that teases us with pleasant days only to blow an ice or snow storm our way even though Spring officially begins in the third week. The best part of March is that April is nearly here. 

Whatever the month, put writing in your To-Do List.

Are You The Queen of Unnecessary Words?

It's the simple things that can help you have a polished piece to submit to an editor. Using unnecessary words makes for 'clunky' writing. We have all done it without even thinking. From brain to fingers on keyboard, those unneeded words come tumbling through. We don't consciously think about them. They seem to happen quick as the flash on an old camera. 

I confess to being the Queen of Unnecessary Words in my early writing years. I am less guilty of adding these extra words today, but I admit that a few sneak into my writing once in awhile. Hey--nobody's perfect!

Some examples: (Unnecessary words are underlined) 

A. Right near the bike trail, I found five shiny new pennies. 

B.  Near the bike trail, I found five shiny pennies.

A.  The girls brought them to the circus with them. 

B.  The girls brought them to the circus.

A. Billy entered in the  calf roping contest.

B.  Billy entered the calf roping contest.

A.  I just don't want to eat my vegetables.

B.  I don't want to eat my vegetables.

A.  I sat down on the pink chair.

B.  I sat on the pink chair.

Some words that add nothing to a sentence: 

• really
• then
• and so
• even so
• just
• actually
• in order to 
• because of

These are only a few. Sometimes a sentence must be slightly restructured to eliminate the unnecessary word(s). Some words can be omitted without changing the sentence. Google more on this subject. It's so important that you'll find many articles addressing the problem.

Why is it important to edit all unnecessary words from your story, essay or article? The top reason is to make your sentences stronger which will increase the strength of the entire piece. It's true.

Many Dream Of Writing But...

Is your dream to be a writer?

Many people want to be writer and see their words published. Probably there are more who only dream of writing. They'll do it someday. That's what they tell themselves. I know because I was one of those people for far too many years. I let life get in the way, let other things take precedence over that desire to write about so many topics. 

That's only partially true. There was another reason that I never started on my writing journey until I was in my fifties. Fear that I couldn't do it well enough to be published or to be competitive with other writers kept me from dipping my toe in the writing waters. Fear of failure is real and something many who want to write must deal with. 

I finally got over that self-doubt. How? It was partly because I realized time was moving on and I knew if I didn't give it a try soon, I never would. Did I never doubt myself again? I most assuredly did. Many times. But I learned to look ahead rather than back to the beginning moments. I gave myself pep talks. Mentally, not out loud where others might wonder who the heck this woman talking to herself might be. 

We've all heard the quote that tells us Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Start now before there's not much left of a lifetime.

What if you have tried writing and want to do more but all you've done is write a few short stories, a smattering of personal essays and family stories? What if your dream is to write a full length novel? Do exactly what our poster says--take one step every day to achieve that dream. And that means that you'd better write something every day. If all you do is write the outline of the first three chapters, you've taken a step. The next day, do three more for your outline or write a first draft of chapter 1. Take some step toward your goal of writing that novel every day.  Even mentally working out a problem area in your novel is a positive step. 

Why take a step every day? If you miss Monday and Thursday some week, it's going to be easier to miss Tuesday, Thursday and Friday the next week. Before you know it, you're writing only one day a week, then once a month, and finally chuck it all. Your desire wasn't as great as you'd thought, after all.

If your dream is to be a published writer, don't try it unless you're willing to devote time and to work harder than you've worked on some other parts of your life. Make no mistake. Writing is not easy which is exactly why you need to write something every day. It's always easier to do something by bits and pieces than to bite off too much. 

If your dream is to be a poet, write a short poem every day or two verses of a longer poem. The point is that you need to make learning to write poetry and actually writing it a part of every day. It needn't be hours worth devoted to poetry. Any amount of time spent is worthwhile. 

Write or do something related to writing, like reading about it, taking a workshop, meeting with other writers for a critique session part of each day. Dreams do come true if you work at it.

Hitting A Problem Area When You Write

Have you ever run into a real snag when writing a story, a chapter, a scene? Or an essay, a poem or a how-to article? Of course you have. It's a part of our writing journey. We hit potholes more often than we'd like. 

The bigger question is this--What do you do when you run into a problem that appears to be a wall so high you think there is no way to climb over it? There are choices that need to be made when this situation occurs. You can do any of the following:

• sit down in the road and cry like a two year old who has been told NO or is too tired to go on
• give up writing 
• back up and think about the problem for a few minutes
• give up after that few minutes because the answer did not suddenly appear
• spend some real time thinking about the problem, make a list of possible ways out, then put it aside for a day or two 
• ask for help from another writer (they sometimes see more clearly than the writer)
• take a detour--eliminate the problem situation altogether
• use a large dose of perseverance and keep working until you've found a workable solution
• walk away from the problem; come back when you're not so frustrated

In my younger years, I enjoyed sewing and making clothes for my daughter. Reading and interpreting pattern directions sometimes brought problems. I'd try to do what it appeared to say but it didn't always work. With each successive try, I'd rip out the former stitches and do it again. I learned that it was better to walk away and come back later in the day, or even the next day. So often, what seemed so difficult suddenly appeared to be just a step by step process to success. It was a good lesson for me when I started writing. If it doesn't work at first, step away; come back later and the answer could be crystal clear. 

Giving up is easy and persevering can be tough. If you do persevere and work your way through a problem area in your writing, you'll come out the winner. Remember that perseverance and patience are buddies in your writing life. They walk the path with you, hand in hand. 

Twice The Joy

Our doorbell rang yesterday afternoon. Ken answered and found a box that had been left on our porch. "It's for you." he said. "What did you order?" I didn't remember ordering anything and then it dawned on me. The box was full of Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Sure enough, when we opened it, there were 20 copies of My Amazing Mom published by Chicken Soup for the Soul nestled together. I loved the pretty spring-like cover. Usually, authors of the stories in these anthologies receive 10 free copies and a check in payment. This is the first book in which I have two stories featured, counting them as #'s 19 and 20 for Chicken Soup books. It felt pretty exciting to have two stories accepted out of the huge numbers of submissions they receive, so color me Happy. 

The stories in this book honor both mothers and grandmothers. My story, A Bowl of Raspberries is about something that took place when I was 9 years old. My grandfather was dying of cancer and had asked to see me. He and Grandma had been separated for many years but she came to be his caregiver in those end weeks. All that happened and what I learned impressed me, even at that young age. My other story in the book is called Mirror Magic. This one's about me, my mom and a mirror. 

The book goes on sale March 20, 2018 but it can be pre-ordered for Kindle or Paperback readers now at Amazon.

I taught a workshop a few years ago titled Writing For Anthologies. Several in the class said they'd sent a story to Chicken Soup but never heard a thing. Strange as it may sound, the publisher and editors at this anthology do not send rejection letters because they don't want to be negative in any way. That sounds nice, but those of us who are waiting would rather get a rejection letter and know our status than never hear from them.I told the group that the best way to get your foot in the door at Chicken Soup is to keep submitting. Yes, I have been blessed to have 20 stories accepted but there were a whole lot more that didn't make it. The more stories you submit, the better your chances. 

Another point I made with these hopeful authors is very important. The anthology has very definite Guidelines to tell you what a story they want is and what it is not. I cannot emphasize enough how crucial it is to read those Guidelines every time you submit. Read your story again and do a checklist to see if it fits what this publisher wants. Here's the page that gives you the information. If you're looking for the page later, go to the website and scroll to the bottom of the Home Page. Click on Submit a Story and you'll find three sections to help you. One is the books they need stories for, then the Guidelines and finally, the Submission page.

Perception By Our Readers Is Not Always the Same

Hmmm, did the writer really mean that?

 I subbed an essay to my critique group a few days ago on the topic of aging. There was some intended humor in the piece, especially in one section. The first two people who critiqued it saw the humor while the third one did not. Instead, she was terribly concerned about the words I'd used to describe people in their 80's and 90's. I was quoting someone else in that part because I thought it was lighthearted and worth a grin and it illustrated a point.

I was quite surprised that she had not seen the humor. It's made me consider the fact that not all readers take what they read in the same way. Perhaps because the entire essay was not one of rollicking humor, she didn't find any of it amusing. Or just did not expect it. 

What if the essay does get published and half the readers are feeling sorry for me and the other half are smiling with me at the absurdity of part of the essay? As a writer, I have no real control over the way a reader sees what I've written. Should we put in parentheses (laugh here)? Of course not. That would be like the old vaudeville shows and early tv shows where signs were put up to alert the audience to applaud or laugh. Fakey! 

The only thing we, as writers, can do is to read the piece over before submitting it and try to see what we've written from different perceptions. Even then, we might not be able to do much about it, other than be aware that not everyone reads with the same background experience, morals, humor and more. And maybe to be ready for some criticism.

What about editors? It's quite possible that an editor who is a very serious person might miss intended humor. Another might catch it immediately. Again, it is the difference in people. You know which editor is more likely to accept the piece. 

Use Sensory Details In Writing Exercise

The Ice Storm

We heard thunder, lightning, rain and hail in the night. When I got up this morning, our street and driveway were covered in hailstones with ice underneath. Two days ago I went shopping in a light spring jacket. Welcome to Kansas in the winter! 

Those of us who live in the northern half of our country have probably all experienced an ice storm at one time or another. We had one several years ago in mid-December that left us without power for almost 5 days. Not fun!

For a writing exercise today, study the picture above and the one below. Think about the five senses--What do you see? What can you hear? Is there a smell? How about taste? How does it feel to touch the ice? Adding sensory details increases interest for the reader, brings them into the scene. 

Now, choose to write one of the following:

1.  a descriptive paragraph

2.  a poem

3.  a fiction story

4.  a free write using the word ice as your inspiration

5.  a true memory

Family Stories--Tell 'Em But Write 'Em, Too

This week's post on Kathy Pooler's blog--Memoir Writers Journey--is about using letters and journals when you write memoirs. It's worth a few minutes of your time to read it because it is pertinent information when writing your family stories, too. 

Anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis know that I frequently urge people to write their family stories. I don't mean only those of us who are 'real writers' as some would say, but also the non writer who wants to keep the stories in their extended family alive. That should include myriad numbers of you.

The clip art image we have today is a perfect example of the family who gathers around the table for a holiday or a family event like a christening or graduation celebration. People pass food, heap far too much on their plate, saving room for dessert and coffee. Conversation eventually turns to a "Remember when...?" topic. The family stories get told again and again. We learn so much about our parents, grandparents, great-aunts and cousins. It's wonderful! If you're at one of these dinners, don't just listen. Ask questions and get the full story. I'm guessing several family members will have things to add to the story.

But of course, there are times when those stories are of dark periods in a family history, when something sad or tragic happened. Even the stories that tell about a division in the family over a disagreement. How long was it before one side spoke to the other again? Or did they ever? 

It's not only the good and funny times we should record in our stories. The sad times need to be recorded, too. Tell them around the table but write the stories, as well. If someone in the family doesn't do it, they will get lost as one generation passes on and more are added. Your great-grandchildren deserve to know about their ancestors, living or gone. 

Many of us think about writing those stories but never quite get to the point of sitting down and actually putting word after word. A male friend told me multiple times that he was writing his family story. He knew I was a writer and asked each time if I'd edit it for him. I always replied in the affirmative. I never saw one word he'd written. He said he's written a little bit but before he could go on, he ended up in a nursing home, had a massive stroke months later and died. He had the desire to get those stories written but it didn't happen. A lesson for all of us. 

As for me, I've written so many stories that involve people in my family but I still have many to write. I have to thank Chicken Soup calls for submissions as many of the stories I've sent them were triggered by the book theme. One on forgiveness brought a family experience to mind that I wrote about which ended up being accepted. Even if it had not, I still had a full story for my Family Stories book. 

Don't only think about writing those stories. Set a goal to write one a week. That's reasonable, or even one a month. You're more likely to let it slide if it is monthly rather than weekly. Give it a try. Your family will thank you. If you're the senior in the family, talk to a younger member who you think might carry on the task of keeping the family stories. Make sure you're not the last one to write all the events of your family.

Write With Emotion

They may forget what you said and did, but they won't forget how you made them feel.

                                                                                                             --Maya Angelou

The quote above, attributed to renowned poet, Maya Angelou is one I've seen multiple times. It's a very good reminder to writers to write with emotion. Sounds good but how hard, or how easy, is it?

It begins with us. I think writers need to feel the emotion within before they can expect to reach readers and make them feel it, as well. If we write about a trauma in our life, and all we do is report it by stating the facts, the reader may feel a bit bad but they aren't going to have that lump in the throat, or tear in the eye, or pang in the heart that they might if the writer unleashes the emotion in him/herself. 

Sometimes, we writers build a wall around our emotional self, lock the gate and throw away the key. Or we tie ourself with the ropes of tell it but don't you dare feel it. Why? When we write with deep emotion, it can hurt. We've already been hurt so why would we want to do that all over again? Consider that reliving a traumatic situation can be a step in the healing process. No miracles, just a step. Crying can be a release and so can writing about a dark part of life.

Humor is not easy to write and make the reader giggle or smirk or smile broadly. Write it with the gleeful emotion you feel yourself and your reader will respond accordingly. How about fear? We may need to have experienced fear in some time of our life to be able to write with the true emotion. Think about how your body responded--heart racing, sweat on your brow, or unstoppable trembling. 

One part of writing with emotion is to show rather than tell. If you tell what happened, it's a report. Show it if you want your reader to feel it. So simple but so important!

I read an essay that was subbed in my online writing group the other day. By the time, I got halfway through, emotion rose in me and kept going til the end of the piece. The writer did a wonderful job in relaying her own feelings to me, the reader. And she did it without being sappy. Writing with too much emotion is just as bad as writing with none. There's a fine line between the two. 

There are whole books written on this topic. Google to find them so you can read about this topic in more depth. 

Selecting Titles For Your Writing

Yesterday, I made a trip to the library to find some new books to read. I spent a long time at the New Fiction  section and then went on to the stacks, scanning titles as I passed by. When a title sounded interesting, I pulled out the book and read the frontispiece. Sometimes I was disappointed as the title didn't seem to fit the summary of the story. Three times I tucked the book into my book bag to bring home. The title and the book summary both interested me.

Titles are of great importance whether you write fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. The title is a preview of coming attractions, far more concise than the ones we see for movies in the theater. They can be gloriously short or wondrously long. A title can indicate humor or tragedy or leave you puzzled. 

A book I reviewed a couple weeks ago had a title that made me curious enough to pull it off the library shelf to see what it was actually about. Wouldn't you wonder about a book titled The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry? It gives us an ordinary name of a man who does something out of the ordinary--namely a pilgrimage. My mind instantly wanted to know what kind of pilgrimage this ordinary named man would go on. The title drew me and the book did not disappoint.

We know that first impressions are important when we're dealing with other people. A book, or story, title is also a first impression. It's the authors first chance to draw a reader. so he/she had better not pull something out of the air and plunk it at the top of what he/she has spent weeks, months or more writing. Choosing a title should not be taken lightly. 

What are some ways authors/writers select a title? Some use part of a quote that fits the writing project. Some use the name of the protagonist. Others will ask a question or state something that indicates the story inside the book covers is a mystery or a romance or science fiction.

When Margaret Mitchell finished her epic Civil War novel, she played around with several titles. Among them was Tote The Weary Load. Another was Milestones and still one more was Not in Our Stars. She settled on Gone With the Wind which indicates loss and turned out to be the perfect choice. She might have called it Scarlett but that only tells us who the main character is. 

Some writers like to use alliteration in the title, or something sing-song catchy, or humor. There are titles that are truly far out, selected by the writer in hopes of catching the attention of an editor. It might or it might not. 

One big thing you should not do when picking a title is to give it little thought, to paste on the first thing that comes to mind. You could be sorry if you do that. The poster quote by Albert Einstein above gives us some advice in how to pick our titles. Think about it, try several and then go away and do something else--whether swimming or filling the dishwasher--then come back and see if your thinking is better. 

There are writers who choose a title first while more, I think, make it the final bit. You can choose a working title and change it later. One of the things asked quite often by those in my writing group that submit their work for critique is about the title. I don't like the title. Can you help me find another? 

The main thing is to give the selection of a title the importance it deserves. It can make or break what you've written.

A Childhood Valentine Memory

 This is the only Valentine story I've ever written. It has been published many times since it appeared in a Dads and Daughters Chicken Soup book, even translated into some foreign languages.  The picture of me below is one when I was about two years older than when this story took place. That's my dad in the other photo. You, too, can take a simple memory from long ago and write a story.

This quote from Cynthia Ozick writer fits my story perfectly:

What we remember from childhood we remember forever--

permanent ghosts, stamped, inked, imprinted, eternally seen.

Love In A Box

By Nancy Julien Kopp

When I was a little girl, I found love in a box all because of a class assignment. On a Friday night I made an announcement at the dinner table. The words bubbled out in a torrent of excitement I could no longer contain. "My teacher said we have to bring a box for our valentines on Monday. But it has to be a special box all decorated."

Mother said, "We'll see," and she continued eating.

I wilted faster than a flower with no water. What did "We'll see" mean? I had to have that box, or there would be no valentines for me. My second grade Valentine's Day would be a disaster. Maybe they didn't love me enough to help me with my project.

All day Saturday I waited, and I worried, but there was no mention of a valentine box. Sunday arrived, and my concern increased, but I knew an inquiry about the box might trigger anger and loud voices. I kept an anxious eye on both my parents all day. In 1947, children only asked once. More than that invited punitive measures; at least in my house it did.

Late Sunday afternoon, my father called me into the tiny kitchen of our apartment. The table was covered with an assortment of white crepe paper, red construction paper, and bits and pieces of lace and ribbon from my mother's sewing basket. An empty shoebox rested on top of the paper. Relief flooded through me when Daddy said, "Let's get started on your project."

In the next hour, my father transformed the empty shoebox into a valentine box I would never forget. Crepe paper covered the ugly cardboard. My father fashioned a ruffled piece of the pliable paper and glued it around the middle. He cut a slot in the lid and covered it with more of the white paper. Next came red hearts attached in what I considered all the right places. He hummed a tune while he worked, and I kneeled on my chair witnessing the magical conversion of the shoebox and handing him the glue when he needed it. When he finished, my father's eyes sparkled, and a smile stretched across his thin face. "What do you think of that?"

My answer was a hug and a "Thank you, Daddy."

But inside, joy danced all the way to my heart. It was the first time that my father devoted so much time to me. His world consisted of working hard to support his family, adoring my mother, disciplining my brother and me, and listening to every sports event broadcast on the radio. Suddenly, a new door opened in my life. My father loved me.

Monday morning, my mother found a brown grocery sack to protect the beautiful box while I carried it to school. I barely felt the bitter cold of the February day as I held the precious treasure close to me. I would let no harm come to my beautiful valentine box.

My teacher cleared a space on a long, wide windowsill where the decorated boxes would stay until Valentine's Day. I studied each one as it was placed on the sill, and none compared with mine. Every time I peeked at my valentine box, I felt my father's love. My pride knew no bounds. There were moments when the box actually glowed in a spotlight all its own. No doubt the only one who witnessed that glow was me.

Every day some of my classmates brought valentine cards to school and slipped them into the slots of the special boxes. The holiday party arrived, and we brought our boxes to our desks to open the valentines. Frosted heart cookies, red punch, valentines and giggles filled our classroom. Chaos reigned until dismissal time arrived.

I carried my valentine box home proudly. It wasn't hidden in a grocery sack but held out for the world to admire. I showed it to the policeman who guided us across a busy city street. He patted me on the head and exclaimed over the box. I made sure everyone along the way took note of my valentine box. My father had made it for me, and the love that filled the box meant more to me than all the valentines nestled inside.

From that time on, I never doubted my father's feelings for me. The valentine box became a symbol of his love that lasted through decades of other Valentine Days. He gave me other gifts through the years, but none ever compared with the tender love I felt within the confines of the old, empty shoebox.

Do Writers Ever Use Too Many Words?

This poster is in keeping with our Valentine theme the first part of this week. It made me smile a little to think about a kiss stopping our words. That might work for some people but will it for writers? 

Do words ever become superfluous for a writer? They do when we write rambling sentences. They do when we write repetitively. They do when we write a sentence that has nothing to do with the topic of the story or essay or poem. Do those things actually happen? You bet they do!

I once knew a writer who wrote the longest and most rambling sentences ever. It seems he could not help himself. People in the critique group we were in mentioned this problem over and over. He'd say thank you for pointing this out to me. Then, he'd write a new story and do exactly the same thing. For him, it was the only way he either could, or wanted, to write. The problem with this kind of sentence is that you might lose your reader smack dab in the middle of one of those lengthy sentences.

What about repeating the same thought in one paragraph but using different words? Why do writers do that? It's because they aren't sure of what to say next, so they repeat something they've already told us but think they can hide it by using different words. Or, it's because they are afraid the reader will not 'get it.' As writers, we sometimes do not give our readers enough credit. They'll 'get it' more often than not so it's not necessary to repeat.

What about inserting a sentence or paragraph that has nothing to do with the topic? There are things that trigger our thoughts to a different path. That doesn't mean we should include it in what we are writing. Those 'extra thoughts' are meant for us to ponder. Don't add them if they are off the track. It's another good way to lose your reader. 

Even on Valentine's Day, use your words carefully, and don't be afraid to let a kiss interrupt your words now and then. That kiss is bound to inspire some lovely words afterward. 

A Valentine Poem For Writers

It's almost Valentine's Day, so why not have a red heart and a poem to head my post today? We have all seen numerous poems that begin with these first two lines but the last two are ones I'd not read as the ending to this long-known childhood poem. 

There's a lot of truth to what it tells us. You and I should be writing. I'm guessing we should be writing more than we manage most of the time. We have established the fact that, the more you write, the better writer you will become. It's that old practice makes perfect adage. 

So, why don't we write more than we do? Life! Yep, it tends to get in our way all too often but it's usually because we allow it to happen. It's up to us to set priorities. If you're serious about writing, that subject should be either at the top, or close to. 

Why do we let life put up roadblocks on our writing path? Sometimes, it's a handy excuse. Sometimes, we don't write out of fear that we won't come up with a winner. Sometimes, it' s because it's not easy. And sometimes, it's because our passion for writing has diminished. Therefore, letting life piling up on us is a perfect excuse. 

No one ever said every piece you write will be a winner. Nobody ever told you that writing was easy. There hasn't been anyone who robbed you of your passion for writing. We can't blame others.

All of the excuses we make are of our own making. All of the hard work we put in is what we create, too. It's just that simple. We are the masters of our life. We can let it slide off a cliff into an abyss or we can hold the reins and guide it to the destination we have strived to reach in the past. One word can describe what we need--self-discipline.

Repeat the following a few times, then follow directions: 

Roses are red

Violets are blue

You should be writing

And I should be, too

The Lines A Writer Should Check Carefully

         





Are you wondering what in the world these images are all about? They're nothing but different kinds of lines. It was the best way I could think of to introduce today's topic which is Writer Guidelines.

I am reminded again and again how important they are and how easy it is to skip right over a very important part. That's especially true if the guidelines page is lengthy. We tend to read, or scan it, instead of reading slowly and carefully. I have some thoughts on both very short guidelines and very long ones.

Short Guidelines:  Writers who read these can absorb the information pretty well. The problem is that they seldom cover some of the questions the writer has about the publication. Things like: reprints, word count, theme, email in body of message or with an attachment, use of photos, use of side bars, and more.

Lengthy Guidelines:  The good thing is that there should be no question unanswered. The editors have spelled out exactly what they want and what they don't. But, writers get tired of reading paragraph upon paragraph and end up scanning much of what has been written. There can be so many guidelines that the writer misses some that are important. Writers sometimes decide the editors must be so picky that it isn't worth submitting to this publication.

If you have questions after reading those shorter guidelines, go ahead and email the editor and ask. I can't begin to count the number of times I've written to ask if they take reprints. To me, this should be spelled out in every guideline. It saves both writer and editor wasted time. In nearly every case, I have received a reply.

If the guidelines are book size (slight exaggeration!), read them, then go back and read paragraph by paragraph, jot down the main points that you must adhere to. This will help you decide if your submission is right for the publication or not.

There are writers who  ignore guidelines completely. If you are one, you do yourself nor the publication a favor. Again, this is time wasted for writer and editor.

I learned long ago to use a search engine like google or bing to find writer guidelines for a certain type of piece I'd written. And yes, it does take time to select several and read them. The benefit is that you are more likely to sub to a publication that is open to what you've written.

Will reading guidelines ensure your submission will be accepted? No, it will not. It will make the odds greater in your favor, however.

I've been using the word 'read' but when you have lengthy guidelines, you'll do better if you 'read' and then 'study' them.

One publication I've sold several stories to has the longest guidelines I've ever seen. They even include sample stories to illustrate what they want. I've also noted a few that limit the guidelines to Send us your best work. Isn't that a given?

Give some thought to perusing the guidelines carefully the next time you are ready to submit.

Being Grateful For Many Parts of My Writing Journey

It's not Thanksgiving, but today I do have a grateful heart. No, I didn't get good news from an editor nor did I finish writing a book. Even so, I am deeply grateful for all that my writing journey has brought.

I've been on this journey for about 25 years now. Consider this my 25th Writing Anniversary. No flowers or champagne. My celebration will all be inward as I think about what has happened in that quarter of a century.

• I have grown immensely as a writer
• I have learned terms I never knew before
• I learned how to market my writing through trial and error
• I obtained my writer's voice
• I have been published many times
• I have enjoyed writing workshops and conferences'
• I have led writing workshops
• I have done writing related public speaking
• I have appeared on a TV show regarding my Chicken Soup stories 
• I have won a few awards for my writing
• I have joined critique groups of various kinds
• I have been in one online critique group for over 15 years
• I have made countless friends because I started writing
• I have been helped by many of those friends
• I have helped many of them, too.
• I have written a blog 5 days a week for over 9 years
• I have learned to use my writer's eye when I read for pleasure
• I now see story ideas everywhere I go
• I started writing children's fiction but have branched into several other categories
• I have been rewarded in many other ways
• I am proud to be a writer

As for this blog, I appreciate every reader, everyone who leaves a comment and all who have signed up as a Follower. It gives me a thrill when I open the blog and note that one more person has signed on as a Follower. 

Take some time today to consider your own list of what has happened to you on your writing journey and what you are grateful for in your writing life. Keep the list to read again whenever you get discouraged about your writing journey. It happens to all of us now and then. The list can be a good boost. 

New Call For Submissions From Chicken Soup Publishers

 Chicken Soup for the Soul publishers have added some new titles. Right now, there are calls for submissions to 10 books. It amazes me that they keep coming up with new titles. Granted, some are new stories on themes used before. 

The book cover above is on the Mom theme and there have been several of those. You'll find another in the list they have posted. Other repeats are angel and miracle stories, always popular with readers. 

And of course, more books that need cat and dog stories. And of course, another Christmas themed book. 

A couple that are completely new had the wheels in my head turning in top speed. Maybe these two will trigger a memory for you that would make a good story to submit. 

A completely new title will be on the theme of Grandparents. The call says that when a grandchild is born, grandparents are born, too. They are looking for true stories from grandparents and also from grandchildren about their grandparents. They can be humorous or heart touching but must be true. I've repeated the 'true' requirement because it is so important. No fiction in a Chicken Soup story. Step-grandparents and honorary grandparent stories are also acceptable. 

Another book will be titled The Golden Years--Life After 60. For this one, they are looking for stories about new careers, volunteer opportunity stories, travels, new sports cars, and all the things you do now that you never had time for. 

The Best Advice I Ever Heard is a book that has a deadline date of February 28, 2018. That gives you three weeks to come up with a story about advice given to you or some that you gave to others.

Take some time to study the list of books that need stories. Note the deadlines. You'll find all this information on this page.

One important piece of information. I have noted numerous times that the editors from this anthology series say that the sooner you submit a story for a book, the better chance it has. If you wait until close to the deadline, they may have already found the 101 stories they need to fill the book. An old cliche, but maybe it's true that The early bird catches the worm. 

Last--for those who have never submitted to Chicken Soup, you will not receive a rejection. Why? The editors say they don't like to deal with negatives. If you have not heard from them by two months prior to the release date of the book, then your story did not make it. Considering they get up to 6,000 submissions and choose only 101, your chances of not making it are greater than being accepted. But, if I can do it, so can you. So give it a try. If your story is short-listed, you'll receive a notice but that doesn't mean you're in for sure. After that, they cut a few of the stories and publish the remaining ones. 

More On Memoir Writing

I had the pleasure and privilege of being a Guest Blogger on Kathy Pooler's memoir blog/website. The post went up yesterday and will be there all week. Kathy told me to pick the topic so I went with why we write and why we read memoir. You can read it here. Kathy did a  splendid job with the layout and my photo and a nice intro about me. She's a new friend and a lovely person. I recently read her memoir Ever Faithful To His Lead and enjoyed reading about how she triumphed, with the help of God, over more than one bad marriage.

Some of the comments I received on my post at Kathy's blog and facebook pages where I posted a link were quite interesting to me. It seems that a majority of people consider memoir writing to involve writing an entire book. I write short memoir pieces, focusing on one part of life in the past. It' might only be 1200 words but it's still a memoir piece.

I always encourage writers to start small and work up to writing a full length book, whether it be a novel, a memoir, a book of poems or a nonfiction how-to book. If you begin with a major project like a book, you could easily become discouraged. It's a whole lot easier to pick a snippet of a lifetime and write about it.

Consider writing the bits and pieces that would make up a full book one at a time. When you have a reasonable number, arrange them in the best order and you're well on your way to a full book. I've thought about doing it many times but have not gotten there yet.

Granted, a full memoir book is based on a particular theme--abusive behavior of a loved one, loss, poverty, triumph over travesty. So, you would want all the snippets you've written to be geared to that theme. Or it could just be a full book about growing up in Tanzania or New York City or on a Montana ranch. Nothing is set in concrete. It's your writing journey (as talked about here yesterday)

Ever been around a table at a family gathering or when old friends get together and heard the phrase Remember when....? We all have. Those conversations are the stuff memoir stories are made of.  You cannot, however, just talk about them, laughter or tears included, someone has to write them. Why not you?

Some people are still confused by the difference between a memoir and a biography. A good article that explains the difference can be read here. Note that the explanation can apply to full books or those short pieces I've talked about.

Writers--It's YOUR Journey

Writers are often asked questions that they'd rather avoid. Things like Have you published a book yet? Why haven't you published a book? Why do you bother to write; you seldom sell anything? Maybe you're wasting your time writing. It's been years and you haven't accomplished much--no bestseller.

It's the non-writers who ask questions like this. Their attitude is often one that shows they have little understanding of what the writing journey is all about. Some non-writers think we sit down, whip out a story or essay and send it to an editor and they whoop and holler about its greatness and send a check. Wouldn't that be nice? 

Non-writers don't have any idea of how many times a piece is written and rewritten before it is ever submitted. Nor are they aware of the number of times a writer submits the same story until it finally gets published or ends up gathering dust in the writer's files. 

Non-writers have no realization of what it's like to be rejected multiple times. Even when we have the joy of being published, we still have to deal with the things that never made it. Yes, we learn to deal with rejection but it is still hurtful, defeating and darned frustrating. 

Non-writers have no idea how long we mull over an idea for a story before we ever write the first line. A writer's mind is always working on a new writing project. I once wrote (mentally) an entire story while attending a symphony performance. I could see it in my head from start to finish. I did write it and the story has been published more than once. No one in that audience would have had any clue that I was writing a story in my head while enjoying the magnificent music. 

Non-writers have no idea how many books on writing we read, the number of conferences we attend to learn more about our field or the amount of time we spend critiquing the work of other writers. 

Non-writers cannot understand the passion we writers have for our chosen path. It's too hard to explain to anyone. It must be felt and only the writer can do that.

Family members of writers can sometimes be the harshest critics. Not all, of course. Some families are extremely proud of the writer in their midst. Those who are the critical ones can put a writer down in subtle ways or worse. That hurts.

As our poster today tells us, not everyone will understand the journey we are on. And that's alright. It's not their journey. It's ours. If you and I feel good about what we're doing, that's all that is necessary. Be your own cheerleader if you want to. If you are happy with being a writer, keep putting one foot in front of the other on that path. You're not writing for your family or your friends or the guy next door. You're doing it for yourself and for what you can offer to the world through the words you put together. Be proud of what you do. 

Predictions For Writers

Groundhog Day 2018

The groundhog saw his shadow this morning so we're in for six more weeks of winter.  At least, that's what legend tells us. Old Phil is the Predictor in Residence in Pennsylvania. I kind of figured we'd have another six weeks of winter no matter what he told us today. It's a safe bet if you live in the northern half of the USA. 

Would you like to have a Predictor in Residence in your writing world? A being of some sort who would whisper in your ear and predict what editor is going to accept your submission for publication. If only! How about a fairy who can scatter a bit of pixie dust over us that will make us the best writer we've ever been before or hope to be? 

Even the fairy tells us we need a bit more than her sparkly pixie dust. She says includes Faith and Trust. I'd go along with that. You need faith in yourself as a writer and you should learn to trust your instincts as to what you write and where you submit your work. So, our sweet fairy is a predictor, too. 

What if we could look in the crystal ball and know what our future as a writer will be. Would you really want to know? Would you work as hard if you already knew what the outcome would be? The crystal ball might tell you what the result of the next years will be but it isn't going to tell you how to get there. That's up to you, the writer. 

The real Predictor in Residence is you. Only you know how much effort you're willing to put into your writing journey. Do you want to move at a snail's pace or go by leaps and bounds like a jackrabbit? 

Have fun with all the imaginary predictions but be realistic about how you progress on your writing path. 

A Book To Read and Remember

 I picked up a book in the New Books section at the library recently. It caught my attention for two reasons--the title and that the cover showed it to be a national bestseller. Two good reasons to read the summary and pop the large paperback into my book bag. I thoroughly enjoyed the story as I read.

It's been several days since I finished the book but bits and pieces of the story keep popping into my mind. I have to say that the story and so many looks at life and what it brings us left an indelible impression on me. 

Harold Fry and his wife, Maureen, are pensioners who live in a small village in the south of England. Their marriage leaves much to be desired. Maureen harps at Harold for the smallest of transgressions and he quietly listens and ignores most of what she says. Then, one day, a letter arrives for Harold from a woman he had worked with at the local brewery. He was a sales rep and Queenie had been in the accounting division. They were thrown together when Queenie was assigned the job of checking pub accounts in the places where Harold called upon the owners. Thus, they spent many hours on the road together. 

The simple letter informed Harold that Queenie was in a hospice in the far north of England, dying of cancer. He writes a short note to her and sets out to post it. Before he can slip it in the letterbox, a chance meeting gives Harold an idea. One that takes hold of him with a strength that he cannot fight. He decides that he will walk the 600+ miles to the hospice to see Queenie in person. She'll stay among the living as long as he is walking. He calls the hospice, informs a nurse and asks her tell Queenie he is coming. 

He sets out in the yachting shoes and light jacket that he is wearing, never returning home to tell Maureen. The rest of the story is about Harold's walk, the people he meets, the difficulties he faces over and over again, and the determination he has to finish what he set out to do. When the entire country gets wind of Harold's journey, chaos ensues but he manages to endure and move on again alone. 

As he walks, thoughts about his entire life keep popping into his head. The sad childhood he had, the joy of meeting Maureen, the event that changed their life together for the past twenty years, and much more. 

O magazine said this about the book--"A gorgeously poignant novel of hope and transformation."

The New York Times review said:  "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is not just a book about lost love. It's about all the wonderful everyday things Harold discovers through the mere process of putting one foot in front of the other."

The reader gets to know both Harold and Maureen quite well as the book moves back and forth between the two--Harold's journey and her reaction. The book is beautifully written and filled with a look at life in general for all of us. Kindness is a theme we see often as so many strangers offer help to Harold as the journey progresses. 

Does Harold reach the hospice? Is Queenie still alive? Does he return to the same marriage he had? Was it a crazy idea to walk over 600 miles taking nothing but what you are wearing? So many questions that all get answered as you work your way through this wonderful story. An editorial review in the Minneapolis Star Tribune described the story as one of "...faith, fidelity and redemtion." I would heartily agree.