Six Tips To Boost Self-confidence in Writing

No writer ever deals with self-doubt. Right? Wrong! It's one of the most common hazards we face as writers. It comes and goes like a breeze off the ocean. We face it; we think we have it conquered, and there it comes again. Even writers who are highly successful deal with self-doubt. They worry that the next book will not be as good as the one that just hit the Bestseller List.

There are ways to build your self-confidence in your writing world. They're not difficult but take time and some dedication on your part.

1. Learn as much as you can about reading. The more you know and understand, the easier it will be to continue writing. As you gain more knowledge of the intricacies of the craft, you'll be more comfortable. You'll feel more able to plunge into your writing with an assured feeling.
2. Read everything you can about the craft. This goes hand in hand with #1. There are huge numbers of books about writing at your bookstore, online, and in your library. Read them! They were written by successful writers who have important knowledge to pass on. Build your own reference library by purchasing the books you find most helpful. 
3. Practice writing in every spare minute you have. We know that practice increases skill. We know it, but we don't always do it Those writing exercises that I offer (and so do others) are meant to give you practice, to refine your skills, and to increase writing output. Also to help with inspiration and creativity. Wow! Look at all a writing exercise can do. It's a shame that so many writers skip right on by, don't give them a try. 
4. Be brave about showing your work to others. Letting others see our work means we are opening ourselves to criticism. That's perfectly alright. We learn from the critiques of others. What they tell us helps us refine our writing, revise and edit it with strength. 
5. Submit your work. Writing multiple stories and essays and then doing nothing with them doesn't help your writing journey. It keeps you stuck on that mile marker that is labeled 'Files.' You cannot be published if you do not submit your writing. Scary as it is, it's the best way to learn what works for you and what doesn't.
6. Consider your publishing successes. Each and every one should build up your confidence for your next writing project. 

If you do all of the above, your self-confidence will increase. Maybe not overnight. After all, the list above are things that need to be ongoing, not just for a month or two. Anyone who thinks the only part about writing that is important is the writing itself has a lot to learn. 

Ever have a mental chat with yourself about your self-confidence? Try it sometime. For every doubt you have, find an answer to boost yourself a rung higher. Ask yourself questions like 

• How great is my desire to write?
• Do I put enough effort into my writing?
• Am I willing to work harder than I do now?
• Can I show my work to others without over-worrying?
• Do I learn from rejections received?
• Do I ever use lack of self-confidence as an excuse for not writing? 

That list could grow longer and longer, but if you can put a positive spin on your answers, it will also boost your self-confidence. Answer to each one negatively, and you'll lose a lot of creativity, just as the poster quote today tells us.

Will you be able to erase self-doubt completely? Not really. You can certainly help make it better, but it's going to rear up and bite you off and on. The biggest hope is that it is temporary and that you will be able to stomp on it and move on. Once again, you are in control. I can read a story you wrote and tell you how much I like it, and that's a confidence booster, but it's mostly up to you, the writer. 

Submitting Your Writing--Changes and a Tip

Change can be confusing!

I was musing about the changes in submitting our writing for publication in the 25 or so years that I have been writing. There are quite a few differences, but the process itself is far easier now than back in the early to mid-nineties. 

When I first started submitting, I wrote a cover letter on a typewriter and enclosed it with the typed manuscript with a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope).  Then I had to go to the post office to make sure of the right amount of postage. Like today, the waiting game began. The acceptance, or rejection, arrived in the envelope I had provided in my US postal mailbox. 

In that cover letter, I provided the title and word count of my submission, why I was the person to write that story, my publications and any other information about myself that would be pertinent. 

Enter the world of the internet! Our submissions are so much easier now. We have access to the Guidelines of each publication in an instant. No more spending hours in the library with Publication Guides, poring over page after page trying to find one that fits what you hoped to submit. What a blessing! 

Submitting can still be different from various publications. Some ask the writer to send an email with an attached submission. Others forbid attachments; they instruct the writer to copy and paste the submission into an email. Some Guidelines ask for what once went into the cover letter while others don't care a bit whether you send any information about you, the writer. Your writing in that particular submission is your ticket to enter. 

In the past few years, many publications have gone to a Submittable form to be filled out by the writer. It usually includes your name, address, phone number, email address, fax address, the title of the story, word count, and a place to either upload or copy and paste your submission. There is nowhere that asks for your publication background or your expertise on the subject. That can be both a good and a bad thing. If you do not have a long history of being published, it's a good thing. If you do, and you feel like your background would be helpful in convincing an editor, then it's a bad thing.

I have come to appreciate and like the Submittable form. When I submit using an email message, I often include the information that was once used in the old cover letter. I figure it can't hurt, might help. 

The way we submit our writing has changed over the years, and no doubt, it will probably do so again in the near future. The important thing is that we go along with those changes, that we learn to use the new methods as they come along. 

One of the most important parts of submitting your writing is to read and study those Guidelines carefully. Every publication has its own set, and you'd better pay attention as each one asks for something different. Some are very limited in what they require while others (like Chicken Soup for the Soul) are very explicit. There are publications that offer no Guidelines whatsoever. I think they only hurt themselves by leaving things wide open as they are likely to receive myriad numbers of submissions that are not appropriate for their publication. 

Encouragement for Writers

How many years have you been writing? Are you the same writer today than you were the first time you created a piece of real writing? Have your feet been set in cement, or have you moved along the writing journey one step at a time, gathering the good bits and pieces as you go?

Every now and then, it's helpful to take a look back at that long road that has been your writing journey. Do you remember the first time you submitted your work to an editor? Was it scary? Is it more comfortable to do so now, or is it still unsettling each time you make a submission? I hope you have mastered the art of submitting, waiting, and then either rejoicing or handling rejection, whichever it may be. 

There is another saying that tells us not to bother to look back. It's Don't look back. That's not where you are going. Good advice in some respects, but doing what today's quote tells us is also good advice. It's quite beneficial for us to see the road between beginning and present to see what we have learned and what we have achieved. 

As for being proud of what you have achieved, I fully agree with that. We know better than anyone else how much it took to garner those achievements. They were not pebbles on a beach that we collected as we strolled along the sand. We worked hard to gather those rewards, the publications, the contest winners, the invitations to share our writing expertise with others. The one thing we don't ever want to be as a writer is 'stagnant.'

When you look back at your writing journey, you'll see the parts that shine and those that are riddled with bumps. It's only natural to have some of both. As you traveled across those bumps, you learned something, and you grew as a writer. 

If we do all we can to grow as writers, we're going to have more achievements. Our list of good things should grow longer and stronger as time moves on. That is if we do all we can to continue to grow in our writing life. We need to read about writing, go to conferences, join critique groups, and submit our work to editors. If all you do is sit at your computer and write one story after another but do nothing with those stories, you'll have few real achievements to list. Writing itself is our base, and from that base, we need to branch out and to learn.

Take a look back today at the writer you were in the very beginning, then the one you are today. Be proud and be ready to keep growing as a writer.

Writers Need to Keep Writing!

I love reading, and I think that most writers do, too. I went to our local library yesterday, headed straight to the New Book section, and began to peruse the titles. This section is quite large, and it occurred to me that we forget to be grateful for the continued publication of new books and magazines. 

Some people enjoy reading a book more than once. I generally do not. I want something new. I should thank my lucky stars that writers keep writing and publishers keep printing and selling their books, that editors publish myriad pieces in magazines. 

I do love reading, but I also am passionate about writing. I find great pleasure in putting words into sentences, then into paragraphs and on to a full-length piece of writing. Is it all like skipping across the Candyland game board? Most assuredly, not! Even if we enjoy what we do, we run into bumps along the way. 

Maybe that's a good thing, for it teaches us problem-solving in our craft. If we reach a snag, then figure out how to unravel the problem, the next time we encounter a similar snag, we'll have a better knowledge of how to approach it. 

Yesterday, I critiqued an article for someone in my online writing group. In her remarks before the sub, she said she needed to cut 200 words and that she didn't like the opening. A critiquing challenge! She was writing on assignment for a magazine so did have a definite word count to adhere to. I did what I could to cut by deleting and rearranging. But her concern about the opening stumped me. I read it several times, and each time, I felt like I wanted to know more. Seemed like a good opening paragraph to me, and I passed that along to her. One of the best parts of critiquing the work of another writer is that I see with fresh eyes, and I learn from doing the critique. Both writer and critiquer benefit. 

Do your part in keeping those library and book store shelves filled with new books and magazines. Keep writing. Continue to act on the ideas that pop into your head instead of letting them drift away. Keep writing your daily journal or Morning Pages. Whatever you do, keep writing!

Writing Personal Travel Essays

Travel

If you're a writer who travels and doesn't write travel essays, you're missing out on a possible new place to publish your work. I've written several travel essays that could be considered personal essays, as well. Some have been published, others have not. No different than any other kind of writing. 

One of my newsletters offered several places where you might submit travel essays. Find then here. I found one that I especially liked because reprints are acceptable. Traveler's Tales has both a website and a series of anthologies. Read their submission guidelines here. They're quite explicit, and the submission form is fairly long but easy to follow. I sent one of my already-published personal travel essays. 

There are travel writers who give detailed info on how to traverse a foreign city, hotels, restaurants, sights to see and more. They're professionals which is just fine. The type if travel essay I am suggesting is one that shows a place you visited and also has the human element. It need not be a chronological list of the places you visited, where you ate etc. That can end up to be boring. Instead, select one element that impressed you, a person you met that left a lasting impression, or a special event you attended. 

Editors of travel essays like to receive pieces that are humorous as well as ones that are heart-warming or inspirational. 

Do you have to travel to foreign cities to write a travel essay? While nice, that's not necessary. There are plenty of places to travel within your own country, even your own state or local area where you live. Pinpoint something unusual, not the norm, of historical interest. 

Focus on places you stayed while on a trip or the variety of restaurants you tired, or a particular sight you visited that impressed you. In other words, don't give me a daily list of what you did, where you ate and stayed. Save that for your daily journal. You want to look for that sweet kernel that would be of interest to readers. 

Years ago, when Ken and I went to Nova Scotia, several friends recommended we go to a village called Peggy's Cove. "It's a special place." So, we took their advice and set out one morning to visit this small fishing village. I ended up being so impressed that I wrote a travel essay about our visit. It came very close to being published in a magazines about oceans. I've added it below as an example. And yes, you'll notice that I do tell what we did bit by bit, but there is more added to it, more about the emotions we experienced while there. 

The next time you travel by car, plane, ship or train, give some thought to writing a personal travel essay.

A Morning in Peggy’s Cove

By Nancy Julien Kopp

Early morning traffic in Halifax, Nova Scotia is not difficult to maneuver with two of us in charge. My husband, Ken, drives, and I read maps and signs, acting as navigator on this sunless June day. We make our way easily through the Canadian coastal city and travel beyond to the road that will take us to Peggy’s Cove.

I’m eager to see this tiny fishing village which friends have recommended, and I check the map once again to gauge the distance.

“You must be sure to go to Peggy’s Cove,” said one friend upon hearing we were planning a driving trip to explore Nova Scotia, one of Canada’s easternmost provinces.

“Don’t miss Peggy’s Cove,” said another.

Thus, the village is high on our list of places to visit.

Road-signs mark the route clearly, and soon we turn off the main highway onto a secondary road. We wend our way along the curving stretch of road. I search the sky for an absent sun and silently wish it would make an appearance. More clouds roll in, some dark and seeming to threaten rain. It is the first such weather we experience on our trip. Prior to today, the sun has spread its gentle warmth and renders our daily excursions most pleasant.

I wonder, as the car makes each twist and turn in the road, what can be so beguiling about Peggy’s Cove. I know that it is the site of the 1998 Swissair jet crash, but surely more than that steals into the hearts of those who visit.

One more bend in the road and the fishing village appears. It is small and picturesque, the few homes and fewer businesses situated on hills near the water. The town seems to stand guard as the ocean slaps against flat-topped boulders that line its edge. Sea terns perch serenely on rooftops and dot the hillsides, while fishing boats line the harbor area.

We come to the end of the road, and Ken parks the car. We emerge into air that carries a chill and a fine mist, as well as that special scent of the sea. There is no doubt in my mind that I will traverse those huge boulders to the lighthouse standing near the water’s edge, but I wish I had worn sturdier shoes.

I pick my way carefully across the boulders to the whitewashed lighthouse, which sports a cheerful red top. A few other tourists step cautiously across the great boulders. Some sit silently on the rocks gazing out to sea, their thoughts known only to themselves. What a wonderful place to ruminate, I muse, as I study those who are seated, their thoughts sealed within themselves.

I reach the lighthouse and peer inside the open door. To my amazement, I find that it is now a government post office. I exchange greetings with the clerk, purchase postcards and Canadian stamps, then retrace my path a short distance. I can see the ocean waters on my left and on my right, even though I am facing the village. As though called, I turn and look out to what is now a calm and friendly-appearing sea. The mist has ceased, and the sky brightens a little.

I watch this piece of nature that sustains the village inhabitants who fish its waters daily. The sea calls to them like a siren of mythical tales. She promises a bountiful harvest, entices them into deep waters, and produces more fish than can be counted at times. But in the wink of an eye, she can become menacing and dangerous. Churning waves tossed upon the flat-topped boulders, angry and vengeful, have swept more than one person to a watery grave. Signs posted here warn of such a possibility. Hard to believe, as I gaze at the now peaceful scene before me.

Only the day before, I noted the detailed story of the tragic Swissair crash while reading a Halifax newspaper. The widow of the pilot, who guided the doomed flight, was featured in the article. She and her children have visited Peggy’s Cove more than once since the accident occurred. On their first visit, men from the village transported the Swiss woman and her two small children out to sea where the plane crashed. The family scattered flowers across the water, and the small son said he is glad his daddy is in such a beautiful place. The Sea, I think, must have smiled to hear his words.

I say a silent prayer for all who perished at Peggy’s Cove, then slowly make my way back across the unique path of boulders, passing close to an iron anchor embedded in the rocks. The air feels warmer as the clouds part, and a welcome sun emerges.

I meet Ken, and he holds out a hand and helps me travel the remainder of this precarious pathway. We meander slowly down the narrow road together to visit a small gift shop, take pictures of the fishing boats, and investigate a magnificent sculpture carved in stone which depicts the life of the fishermen who live here.

Finally, we visit the memorial site of the Swissair victims commenting softly to one another, as we stand shoulder to shoulder, reading the plaque. A few other tourists join us, but no conversations take place. Instead, each one focuses on the personal meaning of the site which tragedy visited. The entire village resembles a place of meditation rather than the usual tourist chatter and banter.

Walking back to our car, I inhale the scent of the sea once more, and I know that this small village and the sea around it are now etched in my memory and on my heart forever, yet another of life’s blessings. Quaint, picturesque, charming, even somber--it is all of these and more. I am now another who will urge travelers to be sure to see Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia. 

Writers Who Procrastinate

Procrastination! One word that carries heavy baggage. Is there anyone among us who has not practiced this great art at some time or another? If so, it would only be a handful. Putting things off seems to be a part of our human nature, but some of us suffer more from this trait than others. 

I find that if I do something as soon as I know it should be addressed, it gets done. If I tell myself I'll do it later, then later and later it goes. Jump on it! That's the best way to stop procrastinating.

And yes, we writers are masters of procrastination. We do it when:

• we are unsure of what we are writing
• are afraid what we've written is not very good
• we fear to put our work out in the world for others to see
• we aren't familiar with the submission process
• we don't want to finish a project; too hard to see it end
• we can't solve a problem with whatever we're writing
• we don't know how to end a story
• new projects call us away from an unfinished one
• we're afraid of rejection if we submit
• it's easier to do than to actually write
• need an excuse for not writing
• fear asking for a critique from other writers
• there are more interesting things to do instead of writing
• have little confidence in our writing ability

If you have put off finishing several writing projects, the only way to finish is to tackle them one at a time. If you complete one, you're certainly going to be encouraged to go on to another, aren't you? Don't pick the project that has given the most trouble to start. Begin with one that is more easily fixed. 

There are times when we don't finish a story or essay or poem because, even though we've edited, proofread, and revised myriad times, we still cannot see what the problem is. If we can't identify the problem area, there is no way we can fix it. Haven't you written something that just does not satisfy you? One that you know could be better but you don't know how to fix it? That's when you need to ask for other eyes to look at it. I find that, when I sub to my online critique group, the writers who offer a critique usually see the problem immediately. So why didn't I? Probably because I'm too immersed in the topic to find the best way to present it, and because I read my own work with subjective eyes while someone else can be completely objective. 

If you've got a folder filled with unfinished writing, spend some time going through it. Select one to work on. Ask another writer for help if it is overwhelming As the poster says, if you wait, all you'll get is 'older.' The easy way is to continue procrastinating, but if you want to be a published writer, you've got to find a way to overcome that disastrous practice.  Don't wait. Do it now!

Connect With Other Writers

The photo above has nothing to do with today's topic. In these cold, often dreary, January days, we can use something to cheer us a bit. Those delicate peach roses give me hope that spring will come once again. 

I've recently joined an online group for women writers. This one is different from my main critiquing group. It's more of a place for women in mid-life and older to connect with one another. It started with an invitation through a newsletter. Those who opted to sign on were asked to introduce themselves, give a short bio and tell the others what they wanted from the group. The big question was Why did you join this group?

When I read the answers, the keyword seemed to be connect. These women wanted someone in their own age group to link their writing lives, to chat, to commiserate, to ask for help when stuck on a project and more. Mid-life women responded but so did a few seniors like me. We were warmly welcomed.

Many nonwriters think of writing as a solitary pursuit. When we're at the computer, or with pad and pen, it is a one-person activity. We can spend hours per day all alone with our thoughts and words and getting them into a readable form. Maybe that's why it is also important for writers to unite with other writers. 

Isn't it nice to ask another writer for an opinion on what you/ve written, or how you plan to approach an editor or ways to promote your just-published book? Isn't it nice to cry on the shoulder of another writer when things are going every which way but right? That old cliche 'misery loves company' can apply in this case. 

There are some writers who say they'd like to connect with other writers, but they aren't very good in social situations. I hear things like I only listen when I'm in a group of writers. I don't feel like I have anything to offer other writers. I'm a shy person. We're not all chatty people. In an online group, it might be easier to offer an opinion. Even physically speaking, it is easier to participate in a group online rather than driving some distance to gather at a time convenient for all, perhaps to arrange for another parent to pick kids up from school and more. 

There has been a lot of activity in this new group, but I think that will slow down once everyone has introduced themself and given their reasons for joining. This week, we were given a prompt, and I noticed that only a handful responded to that. I'm fine with that, as I don't want my inbox overwhelmed with messages from one group

As time goes on, I can assess what I am receiving and what I'm offering. Many years ago, I was the moderator of a group of people who wanted to write for children. It started out fine, but it ended up that I was almost the only one bringing something to read to the group and helping them find places to learn more about writing for children. I never mind giving to others, but when I am getting nothing in return, it didn't sit well. The group dissolved which was too bad as there were people in it who had the potential to write publishable children's books, stories or articles.

I do urge you to connect with other writers in a face to face critique group, an online group, or a local, state or national organization for writers. If you feel you are not benefiting, it's quite easy to step aside. I do hope you won't because there are definite benefits to connecting with other writers.

Self-Promotion for Writers

Like a dazzling diamond, our writing world has many facets. Sparkle is one. We have to promote our writing wherever we go. We need to spread a bit of that pixie dust among the readers of the world.

Self-promotion is not an easy task for many writers. Most of us were brought up by parents who scolded if we bragged about our accomplishments, or if we tooted our own horn seeming to lord it over others. Promoting your writing is a different kind of  'bragging.' Truth be told, it's not bragging at all. It's a matter of making others aware of what you have written. It's a means for book authors to sell more books. 

So, how are you going to let others know about your writing? Offer to give a program at various organizations in your community, or the surrounding area. You can gear the topic to something that might be of interest to that particular group. A few months ago, I gave a program on writing family stories to a women's group. I read a few of my short pieces to use as examples. A subtle way of letting them know that I am a writer who has sold many short pieces. 

If you have a book published, go to your local bookstore(s) and library to request a time for a book signing. Place an ad in the newspaper to let people know when and where your appearance will be. Book signings don't get huge audiences unless you're a top name author, but remember this--if 15 people attend, more than half of them are probably going to mention you and your book to someone who did not come. Word of mouth works well.

In your own social group, mention any new publication. Your friends are going to be happy for you. They might even introduce to a new person giving your name and then saying that you are a writer. They'll do the 'promoting'  for you. I've had that happen many times. 

Join social media and spread your writing information on every one. We're fortunate to live in an age where social media allows us to reach many people, even internationally. If a writer says she/he doesn't want to bother with social media, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more, they're passing up a golden opportunity. I've met many writers this way, ones who have asked me if they can repost one of my blog posts. What a great way for me to let others know who I am and what I write. 

Join a writer's organization. You'll meet other writers. They'll get to know you and the kind of writer you are. They'll mention you to others. They might ask you to give a program, be on a panel, or offer a workshop at a meeting. It's one more way to let people know who you are and what you write. Rest assured, that, if you participate often enough, your name will be spread by others in the organization to people outside the group. 

Writers who live in small towns have another option. Go to the local newspaper and offer to write a column on a weekly, or monthly, basis that is about reading and writing. If they agree, you have a perfect spot to do some more writing and to promote yourself. The larger circulation the newspaper has, the harder it is going to be to convince the editor to give you a try. If you want to approach the editor, write several sample columns to show him/her. They certainly don't want to give you a job from nothing but your say-so. 

Leave a bit of sparkle wherever you go--'sparkle' equating to self-promotion. Be careful not to overdo it. The suggestions I've given above are going to work better than you constantly telling people about your writing. That can lead to a situation where people begin to avoid you, and that's not the result you're looking for. Be subtle and be friendly, and don't come on too strong. And remember that it's not 'bragging.' It's what you must do to help your writing journey. Leave a bit of sparkle wherever you go.

Use the Sense of Sight in Your Writing

What big eyes you have! All the better to see!

In the past several weeks, I've featured individual sensory details that help bring our writing to life. The final one today is the sense of sight. As stated before, adding sensory details brings your writing to life, it allows the reader to be part of the scene. He/she can relate to all those senses.

I think that using sight in your writing can be a bit confusing. You don't want to say I see a  building ahead. It's not necessary to use the verb forms--see, saw, have seen--at all. To use sight, you'll need to add colors, shapes, appearances, and sizes. You can use adjectives like tiny, hazy, shadowy, drab, murky, huge and more. The minute the reader processes those words, an image comes to mind. 

Look at that sentence above again. I see a building ahead. Pretty generic sentence, isn't it? You could make it more interesting and relatable by changing it to something like this:  The huge building ahead is dazzling as the sun directs its rays toward it. Your mind sees a much better picture than in the first sentence where all you are told is that there's a building ahead. In the second sentence, you see the size and also the way the building shines from the sun's rays. 

How about this sentence? Mary walked to the shoreline. We know Mary is at the beach and that she has walked to the edge of the water. We can help the reader see her better if we say something like this: Mary bent over and picked up a smooth rock, then continued to the shoreline swinging the shoes she held in her left hand. Here, you have a much better picture, don't you?

When you have written a first draft and are ready to edit, look for places where you can add sensory details. Consider using all five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) to bring your writing to life, to aid your reader in getting the full picture.  

I ran across an excellent article about using all five senses. It would be worth your time to read it. I thought it interesting that motion can be considered in this group, as well. 

NOTE:  If you enjoy a post at this blog, please consider sharing it with other writers. Since Facebook still will not allow me to post a link to my blog, I have fewer places to be able to share. Someone reported my blog as being abusive. Why is the big mystery, but an even greater one is why Facebook will not listen to my pleas to allow me to use my blog link? I can do anything else on Facebook except that. Some of my posts have been under review for more than 3 months now which tells me they are being ignored. Needless to say, it's been a frustrating situation. 

Write About the Weather

Have you ever read a novel or short story that has little or no description in it? Dialogue and action moving the characters may be present, but the author doesn't bring the reader into the story. Letting the reader know what kind of day it was is one way to help develop an image in his/her mind. 

If I read that Tom and Mary are driving through a snowstorm, but the author tells me nothing more than that tidbit, I'm not going to have feel for what they are experiencing. If I read that Bill and Bob, two little boys, are walking home from school in a thunderstorm, and that's all the author says, then I can't feel what they feel. I want to be able to connect with the girl who is frightened by lightning as she runs home. I want to be able to feel her fear, and the author can help me do that by describing the lightning and showing the girl's reaction. 

For a writing exercise today, go through the list below and write a descriptive sentence or paragraph for each one. All are weather-related. Some can be combined.

• snowstorm
• thunderstorm
• lightning
• sunny day
• ice storm
• sleet
• sprinkles
• very cold temps
• very hot temps
• high humidity
• blizzard

Doing the exercise now will help you when you're writing a story. You'll probably remember some of what you wrote for the exercise and can apply it.  Writing exercises are not 'busy work.' They are meant to help you learn and grow as a writer. Doing them is to your benefit. And sometimes, they can be fun!

Writers and Their Craft

What's the dictionary definition of the word apprentice? The one that applies to us writers is:
     

  apprentice: a learner; novice; tyro.

Below the definition, there was a section called Words Related To Apprentice. Under that was:

pupil, flunky, rook, tenderfoot, beginner, novitiate, neophyte, newcomer, heel, student, rookie, amateur, tyro, starter, greenhorn, probationer

Reading those related words made me smile and even grin a little. As our quote says, we are all apprentices or learners,, but many of the related words describe us at different stages of our writing journey quite well. My personal favorites are:  flunky, tenderfoot, rookie, and greenhorn. Which ones do you relate to?

What the poster quote says, and what I've written here, shows that we are never finished learning this craft. In one way or another, we will always be apprentices. Just as an apprentice carpenter moves from the simplest tasks to the fine art of creating wooden masterpieces, we start with the easiest types of writing. Then, as we gain experience, we increase our output, our ability to relate to the reader, and our more professional type of writing. We are rookies when we begin writing, but we raise our status as we increase the amount of writing we do as well as the kind of writing. 

Never be offended by considering yourself as an 'apprentice' writer. You may be at an advanced stage of apprenticeship but still learning. As for me, I hope that I never stop learning about my craft. No matter how much we've learned, there is always more knowledge to be gained. 

In the quote, the phrase where no one ever becomes a master may be slightly off. I do think that some writers are true masters of our craft, but their numbers are in the minority of writers. Even so, it's what we all strive for. 

Self-Doubt and Writing

Read the poster quote three times. Now, sit back and ponder on that for however long it takes you to agree with what author, Sylvia Plath said. 

As writers, we are creative people. Go ahead and pat yourself on the back for that achievement. Not everyone can do what we do. Creative people tend to be self-doubters, and that includes artists, writers, and performers. The big question is Why?

If I had the answer to that question, I would write a book that you all would buy. I would be rolling in money, and you would be rid of all self-doubt. In a perfect world, that is.

Those of you who read this blog regularly know that I am a person who tries to look at the positive side of almost everything. So, my first suggestion is to make a list of all the positive things about your writing and the writing path you walk day after day. Don't be humble. List everything that is positive about you, the writer.

Then, make a list of the things you would like to change in your writing world. Looking at it with objective eyes, which ones are possible to change? Which ones are never going to change? Which will change if you make the changes?

Try another list. Put down all your publishing successes, whether it be a national magazine or a church newsletter. If you have two or more, give yourself another pat on the back. We know that our writing journey is taken in small steps. We don't reach the gold ring with one hop, skip, and jump. It takes time and hard work. Be a bit of an egotist if it helps. Just don't be an irritant to other people.

The last point I want to make for today is one you've heard from me more than once. You are the one who can make the changes. You are the person in charge. You can give yourself a boost, or you can tear yourself down and increase the self-doubt.

Writers--Watch Out For These Five Traps

So tempting...

The following is an article I wrote a number of years ago that was published at a writing website. A few things in my writing world made me think it was worth posting here as a reminder. Writing is first and foremost on this journey to publication, but we get tempted to pause for a number of things, good things that can balloon into more than is healthy for us. 

Five traps to be aware of

Writers are urged to write often, write voraciously, to write, write, write. Even so, we know that to win the prize—publication—there are myriad things we must do besides putting words on paper or our computer screen.

Each of the following writer-related items is beneficial, but if we aren’t careful, they become traps. We can become caught in a spider web of good intentions which eat into our writing time. Let’s consider them, one by one.

1.  Reading About Writing:  We buy or borrow dozens of books that give us the keys to good writing. We immerse ourselves in one after another. We might become so busy learning that the application part is forgotten. Read books on the craft of writing but be selective and limit the number.

2.  Websites, Blogs, and Newsletters for Writers:  The editors of both offer articles to read and classes to take. They present markets and contests, writing prompts and exercises. Seldom satisfied with one, most writers subscribe to several, sometimes much more than several. They do have some excellent information but take precious time to read. Pick the ones you like best and unsubscribe from the others.

3.  Critique groups:  A face-to-face critique group offers constructive criticism and praise for our work, as well as an opportunity to network with other writers. We can profit greatly in a group like this. They also take time. Ask yourself if it’s worth the precious hours you might otherwise spend writing.

4.  Research:  This is a necessary part of writing for many as well as being pure joy for some writers. We can get so involved in the process that far more time is spent than is needed. With practice, a writer can determine the appropriate amount of time to give to the research end of a story or article.

5.  Organizations for Writers:  Joining a local, state or national group offers networking possibilities with other writers, leads on markets and publishers, and a way to keep up with the latest trends in your field. All of them require officers and committee chairs and members who will serve on the committees. Keep your membership in a select number of these groups and limit your participation in what you can handle.

All of the above are worthwhile endeavors. The key is to maintain a healthy balance. Review your writing activities occasionally to make sure you aren’t falling into a trap. When you produce fewer and fewer pages, it may be time to step back and assess the reasons.

Financial experts advise clients to take the savings out of the paycheck first. Writing is no different—those thousand words a day must take precedence over all the other writing-related aspects of your life. You know what the traps are, and by practicing self-discipline, you can avoid all of them. Your greatest benefit will be more time to write.

Receiving Critiques On Your Writing

Writers are often told to join a critique group or do a one on one critique session with another writer. It will help you, the writing gurus say. It's true that you'll benefit from having other eyes on your work, but there can be a bit of a hitch, too.

It's not an easy task to expose your writing to others who are going to point out all the places you need to improve. They're going to tell you what works and what doesn't, mostly what doesn't. You may end up feeling like they're tearing your beautiful prose to shreds. 

You have to make an attitude adjustment if you want to put your work out for critique. 

1. Remember that it is not YOU these people are criticizing; it's the piece of prose or poetry you offered for critique and they are doing it to help you, not to hurt.
2. Go into it with the idea that you are going to learn from what the critiquers tell you.
3. Be grateful that you find the problem areas before you submit the piece to an editor.

Keep in mind that the critique person is looking at your work with objective eyes. The writer is 100% subjective when reading his/her own work. 

Last week, I sent a story to my critique group. One that I wanted to submit for a new Chicken Soup for the Soul book. I thought it had turned out well. Seems other eyes saw a number of places that could be zipped up, words that weren't necessary and places where better words might have been used. I used many of the suggestions from the 5 critiquers to polish the story, then waited a day before sending it to the publishers of Chicken Soup. I felt very grateful that the women who had critiqued the story had helped me have a better chance of being accepted. A real plus was that they all liked the story and let me know what areas they especially enjoyed. 

When I offer a critique, I always try to give positive feedback along with the suggestion to change this or that. I think it's important for the writer to know the good spots as well as finding out the places that need work.

If you don't let others read and critique your work, your odds of being published are not going to be as high. Not always, of course. There are writers who never have others look at their writing and still get published. But, getting those objective opinions can be a great help, and I urge writers to do so. Maybe the good piece could become a great one if you let others critique it.

So grumble and groan if you must, but do everything in your power to make your writing publishable. Yes, you will have more work to do when you take the suggestions of those who critique your work. Nobody ever said writing would be easy. 

One last thing to remember. You do not have to take every suggestion you receive from others as ' you must change this' kind of help. Read the suggestions, ponder them a bit, then decide if you want to change it or keep as is. You are the one in charge. However, when two or more people point out the same trouble spot, sit up and listen. 

Writers--Try Something New

I learned yesterday that a friend of mine who is a fine poet has written a book for children. The story includes children of all ages, ethnicities, and abilities. I haven't read it yet, only the blurb at the website where it is being sold. 

The author of the book, Ronda Miller, has spent her writing journey in the wonderful world of poetry and has done a fine job, being published in many places and publishing her own books of poetry, as well. Stepping out of the writing world she knows so well and moving into a new kind of writing is what interested me. I applaud her for doing so.

Many writers find their niche, their strength, in the writing world and stay with it forevermore. Stepping into a new kind of writing brings a lot of things to the writer--excitement, a bit of fear, growth as a writer, and learning something new. Perhaps that 'bit of fear' keeps many writers from venturing into a whole different type of writing. 

Don't let that 'bit of fear' keep you from trying a new kind of writing. if you've only written fiction, there is no reason why you can't try creative non-fiction. It's merely a true story that is told using fiction techniques. That's not straying too far from what you already know. 

If you've always written prose, why not try writing a little poetry? Free verse is a good place to begin. No worries about meter and rhythm, and a correct number of syllables. It involves your thoughts from the heart put into words. You can choose to cap each line or not, to punctuate or not, to divide into verses or not. I call that Freedom!

In reverse, if you've always written poetry, there is no rule that says you cannot write prose. Just look at the choices you have. You can write fiction, non-fiction, creative non-fiction, memoir, inspirational and more. 

There are writers who have tried several genres, found the one in which they have achieved some success, and stay with it. That's alright. It's safe and comfortable. If you have a spirit of adventure, branch out and try something new. Nothing says you have to stay with it if you don't enjoy the kind of writing you try. You can always move right back into your comfort zone.

As for me, I enjoy trying different kinds of writing. In my bio, you'll see that I write short stories (fiction), personal essays, travel essays, fiction stories for children, poetry and articles on writing. To be honest, I would get bored writing in the same slot day after day. That's me and my personality. Yours may be entirely different. 

I do urge you to experiment with some new-to-you type of writing. After all, it's a new month, a new year, and a new decade. How about a new you?

One Little Thing Writers Can Do

Action

Have you ever been reading a book and a sentence or a phrase or a paragraph made you pause for a few seconds? The reason being that you noticed something interesting about the writing itself. As writers' I think we read with a writer's eye, not strictly that of someone picking up a book for sheer pleasure and nothing else. 

Last evening, I picked up the mystery I'm currently reading and skimmed along at a rapid pace until a very simple sentence stopped me. This is not the exact quote, but it went something like this: He put his finger in his book as he closed it and looked across the expanse of the lawn.  What do you think made me pause and reread that short bit? It was the part about the man putting his finger in his book as he closed it to mark his place. We've all done it at one time or another; we can all relate to it, and it shows us something more than just being told that he looked across the lawn. 

When I read He put his finger in his book as he closed it..., my mind sees an image of the man. I know he's sitting because he's reading a book. I know that something caught his attention because he stopped reading and put his finger in the book to mark the place. It's a bit of action added to the telling of what he did--looking across the lawn. 

What does that small piece of action do? It illuminates the scene. It lets the reader see the man better than just telling the reader that he looked across the lawn. 

When you write fiction or even creative non-fiction, sprinkling a little action throughout makes for a far more interesting read. That said, don't overdo it. Don't add an action to every sentence. That would be pure overkill. Like all things, moderation is key. 

Another example:  Suzanne cocked her head toward Henry. His words could change their lives. Her 'action' shows us that she's really wanting to hear what Henry has to say. A declaration of love perhaps? Or revealing a secret. The action doesn't have to be anything major. Something as simple as cocking ones' head or placing a finer in a book as you close it can add a great deal to your writing. 

Stories Needed For Anthology on Strong Women

Chicken Soup for the Soul has a call for stories for a new title in their series of anthologies. This is a change from the original title of the book which was You Go, Girl. They have changed titles before publication on a few other books, and it always makes me wonder why. Color me curious! 

Nevertheless, stories are needed in a short time frame for Be You. Deadline is January 31. The stories should illustrate the three things listed in the subtitle--Affirmation, Determination and Female Empowerment. In a nutshell, they are seeking tales about strong women who aren't afraid to make their mark in this world. 

The following is taken from their call for stories page: 

We are looking for your true stories on how you are living your best life, building quality relationships, and living well even while overcoming challenges, to be the best version of YOU. Your story will inspire and encourage women of all ages to be unapologetically themselves!

Note the words true and stories. They are two of the major guidelines. What you send must be true, and it must be a story with a beginning, middle, and end. A story that illustrates the theme. It cannot be a factual essay or a sermon. A story! Many who submit do not adhere to these two specific guidelines and their subs are tossed immediately. 

On the Possible Book Topics page, you'll see the call for the Be You book. There will be a list of possible topics to help trigger your memory. The list is quite lengthy, so spend some time studying it to see if you have something you might write about. 

Next, go to the Story Guidelines page and study the lengthy guidelines. Again, it will be to your benefit to know what the guidelines tell you. If you choose not to follow them, your sub will be discarded. A word about guidelines--you'll find publications, contests etc that give lengthy guidelines, a short bit of guidelines, or none at all. I prefer knowing exactly what a publication or contest wants. Note that root word 'guide' which is to help you find your way to success.

The lot of women has changed greatly over the years, and this is your opportunity to show how you became a modern, strong, determined woman. Go for it! But get those stories in by January 31st. 

Using The Sense of Touch in Your Writing

That feels good!

I've been posting about the senses that we use in our writing off and on the past few months. Today, let's look at the sense of touch and how we can use it in our stories and essays, even poems. 

Think of the many different feelings we get when we touch various things. Some are pleasant while others are abhorrent. The little cat in our photo looks pretty contented at the touch of his human, doesn't he? I imagine the human is also enjoying connecting with the cat's soft coat. 

Here's a list of things we might like to touch: 

• a satin coverlet
• a fleece shirt
• velvet
• a dog
• a cat
• a rabbit
• any animal with a fur coat, as long as it is tame
• smooth wood

Another list of things we might not enjoy touching: 

• a porcupine
• sandpaper
• a gooey spill
• mud
• prickly pear cactus
• hot stove
• a bed of nails
• an iceberg

For an exercise, write something descriptive about each of the above showing how you feel as you touch each one. You may think of others to use, as well.

For velvet, you might write something like Rose slipped the midnight blue dress over her head and zipped it up the back. She ran her hands over the fabric and smiled as she touched the soft cloth. 

Adding the last part shows you that she liked the dress, liked the feel of the velvet. It adds something more instead of just saying that she put the dress on and zipped it. 

Adding sensory details to your writing makes the story, or whatever it is, far more interesting to the reader. It allows them to connect better. After all, they've experienced those sensory items and can identify immediately. 

Writers: Pay Attention to Structure

Did you ever finish a first draft, put it aside for a few days, go back and read through it and think This is pretty boring? The next task is to figure out why you think what you wrote has no pizzazz, no life, no sparkle. 

There can be, of course, lots of different reasons, but one of them might be that you have no variety within the text. Writing all the same format of sentences and paragraphs quickly becomes boring for your reader (and maybe you, as well, when you start to proofread.)  What should you watch for and correct?

Vary the length of your paragraphs:  If you have a long paragraph, follow it with a short one. And no, you don't need to make a complete pattern of long-short-long-short. Just don't run twelve very long paragraphs in a row. Insert a shorter one here and there. When I have something I want the reader to take notice of, I use a shorter paragraph rather than bury that tidbit deep into a longer one. I might go one step farther and say that it's best not to use very long paragraphs at all. That is a personal feeling. 

Vary sentence structure:  If all your sentences are structured in the exact same way, you're headed straight into the land of Boredom for Readers. Ever written a paragraph where every sentence started with 'he' or 'she' and it bored even you? You can remedy this by using another descriptive word instead of the pronoun. 

If you're talking about a shoemaker, instead of using 'he' at the beginning of each sentence in the paragraph, try 'shoemaker' in some or 'craftsman' or 'the old man.' 

Try reversing the order of your sentence to make things more interesting. Instead of saying:

   Jim fell in the dirt chasing the ball. Try As he chased the ball, Jim fell facedown in the dirt.

Vary sentence length:  This is the shorter version of varying paragraphs lengths. Follow a long sentence with a shorter one. And, please, do not use sentences that end up longer than some paragraphs. When you proofread your work and see an exceedingly long sentence, chop it! What I mean is to divide it into two shorter sentences. Much easier for your reader, and certainly better for the one who reads it aloud. Another reason to read your drafts aloud. If you find yourself gasping for breath as you read, that sentence is too long.

Variety in your writing doesn't mean content alone; the structure of your text can move you from boring to interesting. Content is of great importance, but the way you present that content is also 

relevant.

The Writer Who Has A Way With Words

Letters and Words

Have you ever heard someone say She/He has a way with words? Maybe you've read that sentence in a book review. What do they mean by a way with words? To me, it says this writer is one to make us sit up and take notice. She/He doesn't give us information using only the basics, or the necessities to get the thought across.

Instead, they treat us to words and phrases that bring an image to mind, or allows us to hear, feel, touch and taste what the writer is showing us. They don't use a  passel of passive verbs. Those writers who have a way with words offer us poetic prose that we will remember much longer than the words the get it on the page and move on writer does. 

Simple word choices can make a difference. If you want to tell us someone was too serious, perhaps you could say that he was 'mirthless' which is far more interesting than 'too serious.' These writers use interesting words, not ones you've never heard of before, but ones you'll enjoy reading. Whether consciously or subconsciously does not matter. These writers work at increasing their vocabulary.

Those who have a way with words use similes and metaphors to illustrate rather than only basics to let the reader know a piece of information. They employ emotion in their writing which drifts right across the page to the reader.

The has a way with words writer works to pull the reader in and holds on until the final sentence of whatever he/she is writing. 

Do you want to be known as a basic writer or one that has a way with words?

An Appreciation For Our Libraries

She's been to the library!

Do Bloggers read other blogs? Of course, they do. I was up early this morning, and while waiting for the paper to be delivered, I skimmed through the emails that had come in overnight. One of the blogs I read is Brevity nonfiction. The title of today's post caught my eye, and I took the time to read it. The Library As Home by Victoria Buitron will give any reader/library user a new appreciation for the ability to pop into the library, check out as many books as you like, and head home for a reading fest. 

Ms. Buitron lived in America for the first fifteen years of her life, then moved back to Ecuador, her parents' home country. There were libraries, but books could not be checked out. The essay goes on to detail the library/book/reading situation in Ecuador. You can read it here. I would suggest that you do so. You'll most likely have a deeper appreciation for your local library. 

As I mentioned earlier, the title of the essay made me stop and read it. I had written a personal essay about reading and libraries several years ago which I titled "My Second Home."It was published in an anthology about reading. Libraries have played a big part in my life during my growing-up years and all the ones that came during adulthood. Because of the positive influence and experience I've had with libraries, I feel immediately 'at home' when I walk into my local library or any other. 

If you have not already read mypersonal essay on libraries, you can do so below. The next time you go to your library, you might say thank you silently as you walk through the door.

My Second Home

by Nancy Julien Kopp

In addition to my regular residence, I have a second home. My mother
introduced this special dwelling to me when I was only six years old.  She held my hand, and we walked several blocks in the warm autumn sunshine, stopping only when we approached a square brick building. Graced by trees and shrubs and a patio-like courtyard, it had a certain elegance and air of importance that I recognized, even at so young an age.

We entered the building and stepped into a cool, quiet atmosphere. The first thing to meet the eye was a large, wrap-around desk that extended across the entryway. A stout woman stood behind the desk, gray hair severely drawn back and caught in a small bun. No make-up adorned her face, and there wasn't a smile there either. I moved instinctively closer to my mother, my hand nestled in hers, until I looked up into the woman's eyes. What I saw made me smile at her. Blue eyes, the shade of cornflowers, sparkled with a smile of their own, softening her otherwise stern appearance. Soon, the smile in her eyes spread to her wide mouth.
 
"We've come to get a library card," my mother announced. The woman had the application card ready in a flash and passed it over to me to sign my name. I proudly printed it for her and slid the card back across the desk. Not only could I sign my name, but I could also read, as well. Dick and Jane and their dog, Spot had shown me the way.

"Alright, Nancy," the woman said as she read from the form, "come with me."

She came around the desk and offered her hand, saying, “I am Miss Maze.” I grasped the hand this corseted woman in the black dress offered. My expectations were great, and I was not to be disappointed, for this kind woman led me to the Children's Department and patiently showed me all the books that stood on shelves like soldiers at attention. She spoke with wonder and awe as she explained the kinds of books that rested before us, making me eager to read every one.

It was a land of enchantment, a ticket to exotic places.  My mother and Miss Maze introduced me that day to the fascinating world of books and libraries, and thus began a love affair that continues to this day. I became a voracious reader and still am.

I was the child whose nose was always in a book. When old enough, I walked to the library alone at least weekly, sometimes more than that. I strolled past the conservatory that was home to a tropical rainforest, then on by a city park, across the railroad tracks and down a cinder path that ran behind the train platform. By the time I reached that cinder path, my pace increased, even though I carried a stack of books. I was in a hurry to reach the riches awaiting me at the library.

The grade school I attended had a separate library, which we could use when we reached fourth grade. I visited it regularly but also continued going to the public library. I felt at home in both places and felt much the same when I moved on to the Oak Park High School library, then one on my college campus.  The libraries provided the necessary information for all the papers I wrote during those years, as well as hours and hours of entertainment, as I read book upon book. The building I had frequented near my home during my growing up years was renamed when my old friend, the librarian, died.  The South Branch became the Adele Maze Branch Library, and every time I saw the plaque bearing her name, I thought of those cornflower blue, smiling eyes, and her kindness to me and other children through the years.  How I wish I could thank her for what she gave to so many.

During the years since I left my home community, I have made a habit of making a visit to the library one of the top priorities whenever moving to a new place. Within the first week, I have fled the packing boxes and sought out what has become a second home to me. Over 54 years of marriage, we have lived in five different towns, and, in all of them, the library has been a sanctuary and a haven.

Now, when I open the big glass door to my local library and walk through the atrium to the book-lined shelves, I feel just like I did when Miss Maze took my hand and led me to the children's books. I am happy and contented, as though loving arms have surrounded me with a great big hug. Best of all, I still feel exciting anticipation of the unknown treasure waiting for me amongst the volumes that line the shelves in my second home.
I am so grateful that I had a mother who led me to one of the greatest treasures in my life, the public library. That same gratefulness includes Adele Maze, the librarian who helped form my love of books and the buildings that hold them.