Thursday, September 30, 2021
Nature Triggers Inspiration to Write
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Writing Guidelines Are Given For a Reason
We're given guidelines all our life. It started when we were little children. Our parents had rules that they expected us to follow. When we didn't, there were consequences. Guidelines help us to have an orderly life. They aren't made to make our lives difficult. On the contrary. Rules and guidelines help us stay on a steady path.
As writers, we have guidelines to follow when submitting our work for publication. I like a publication that sets specific guidelines for me to follow. Their guidance helps the writers and the editors who much toss out many good pieces of writing merely because the writer did not heed the guidelines provided.
When researching markets for your work, you'll find a large variety. Some publications give none at all, while others give very general guidelines. There are some that offer very detailed guidelines. While they are truly helpful, a writer can also be overwhelmed by an overly long list.
If I had to choose between no guidelines at all and very long ones, I'd go with the latter every time. Why? For one thing, I can tell if my submission fits for that publication or not. If not, move on. Otherwise, it's a waste of my time and theirs.
I once worked with a children's magazine whose guidelines were of the extremely long variety. Not only did they let the writer know what they wanted, but they gave examples in stories already published. Deciding to submit to this children's magazine would take up quite a bit of time. On the other hand, I had no trouble deciding if my story would work for this publication.
The Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies offer explicit guidelines. They tell you what they want, and what they don't. What a story is and what it is not. Even so, in the thousands of submissions for each new title, they dismiss a great many because the writer either did not read the guidelines or did not heed them.
I look for word count limitations and whether the publication accepts previously published work. Following both gives you a better chance of moving to the head of the line. I check to see if there is a theme. If it is a genre my work fits. If it is geared to a certain age group. Information about payment or length of time before publication. If they want submissions sent via email or Submittable or snail mail. If they want the story in the body of an email or attached.
Do you remember your teachers in school telling you again and again to 'follow the directions?' Sometimes the teacher said it aloud and also wrote the same on top of a written paper. We should have learned that lesson well, but some of us still have trouble following directions. Even those on a recipe. How many cooking disasters occur because the cook didn't follow the directions? Quite a few, I think.
The guidelines publications provide are there to help you. It's your job to follow them. Before you hit SEND, go back to the guidelines and check them carefully to make sure you followed each one.
My suggestion to publications that give little to no guidelines is to take some time and make a list to help your writers and yourselves.
Friday, September 24, 2021
Writers--Take One Step at a Time
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Wannabe Writers Who Can't Begin
I have heard people say countless times--"I would love to write, but I can't seem to get started.' Or 'I plan to write my family stories, but I haven't got time to do it.' Or 'I am going to write my family stories someday." Or 'I've always wanted to be a writer, but I don't know how to begin.'
All of them aspire to write and have good intentions, but they never get to step one. Our poster today gives some good insight as to how you become a writer. Neil Gaiman says: This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it's done. It's that easy, and that hard."
I'm glad he added the bit at the end about it being easy and hard. That is so true.
One of the hard parts is taking that first giant step. Ask yourself some questions.
A. How serious am I about wanting to write?
B. Why do I keep making excuses?
C. Could I set aside 30-60 minutes a day, or every other day, to write?
D. Am I willing to read about writing to help me learn about the craft?
E. Can I ask for help from another write?
F. Do I have the discipline to start writing?
G. Is my desire to write strong enough?
H. Am I willing to do writing exercises to help me learn?
One reason many talk about wanting to write but never take the first step is fear. Fear of the unknown is real. We aren't sure we can do something even if the desire is there. What if we're a big flop? What if others laugh at our efforts? What if....? So many concerns for the new writer. Maybe one fear is that once you start, you'll feel compelled to continue.
The strength of your desire to write is key. If it's only a passing thought, it probably won't happen.
Those who want to write family stories have the same time constraints and concerns as the people who want to write for publication.
Get a small notebook. Jot down ideas for stories. If phrases come to you that you like, write them in the notebook for future use. Otherwise, those lovely words will float right out of your head into the blue skies above.
The only way to begin is to begin. Redundant? No. Important? Yes.
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Embrace Your Writer Friends
While chatting with a neighbor, I said something about 'one of my writer friends...' Later, I thought about that term 'writer friends' and had to smile. Why? Because over the years of writing, I have acquired a great many 'writer friends,' and they are an important part of my life.
I'm of the opinion that all writers should cultivate a large group of writer friends. Our poster today gives a definition of a friend. All the points made can apply to writer friends. I have had other writers give me encouragement, said a prayer or two for me, and given me hope when I needed it. They've lifted me up more than once.
My online writing group friends have done all of those stated and more. We know one another well and are supportive. It's not only about critiquing a submission, even though that is the main purpose of the group. When one member has an illness or difficult time or a family loss, the others are there for her.
I've made many writer friends through social media. Joining writing groups on Facebook has brought some, but others have come because one writer tells another and that one gravitates to my page. I have never met many of these people in person, but I consider them friends, nevertheless.
Another place I have made friends with writers is through my state authors' organization. Many have become close friends whom I treasure. We have a common bond and relate well to one another. We support and promote each other's work.
Writer friends are there for consultation. We can ask what they think about an idea we have, or ask them to read a short story and give some feedback. We can cry on their shoulders when we receive umpteen rejections for one submission. Who can understand that situation better than another writer? They also rejoice with us when something good happens on our writing journey. Once again, our success is understood better by them than from other everyday, non-writing friends.
If you don't have any, or only a few, writer friends, now is the time to find some. Reach out to help another writer, and you'll soon have a writer friend.
Embrace writer friends for they are special. Give them a hug in person or virtually, but let them know you care.
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Be a Standout Writer
Monday, September 20, 2021
Write Personal Travel Essays
Friday, September 17, 2021
Writers--Dump Those Passive Verbs
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Cutting Words in Your Writing
Slash! Cut! Snip! Ax! Clip! All those words relate to our poster quote today. Stephen King's advice is always right on. We should heed his words since he has written so many successful novels and a wonderful reference book for writers titled "On Writing."
I am in agreement with him about cutting the excess fat. Last night, I wrote a first draft of a story to submit to Chicken Soup for the Soul whose guidelines state no more than 1200 words. And they mean 1200 words. My draft was 1244, but I've done the cutting exercise so many times that I feel confident I can cut those 44 extra words, and maybe more, to make my story stronger and more concise.
Most writers don't like to cut words they have written. They are precious, but if your story can be made better by cutting, then go for it. It's not as difficult a task as some think. And, as I said earlier, the more often you do the slashing words exercise, the better you become. A master slasher! (That phrase 'as I said earlier' could be cut without losing meaning in the sentence.)
How do you cut words? Read through the entire draft first, then go back and look at it paragraph by paragraph. You might be surprised by the number of times you repeat a word that isn't necessary. Let's look at several ways you can cut words.
A. Word Repetition: You might find a section like this: Alice drove to the beach with tears streaming. She'd go to the beach to forget him. She loved the beach. 20 words. Rewrite it like this: Tears streaming, Alice drove to her beloved beach to forget him. 11 words.
B. Idea Repetition: Some writers fear that readers will not 'get' a point they are making, so they repeat the same idea in the next paragraph. You don't need to do this. Say it once and be done. Readers are capable of 'getting it' the first time. Another possibility is the writer is not sure what to write next, so the easy way out is to repeat the same idea using different words. All it does is add to the word count.
C. Unnecessary words: When we talk or write, we tend to toss in many unnecessary words. They are words that have no bearing on the meaning, words that, when cut, do nothing harmful to the sentence. Words like 'just, very, really, usually, that, rather, quite, and probably' can be eliminated without losing meaning in the sentence. Google 'unnecessary words in writing' to read more.
D. Dump the word 'the' in some places: We tend to use 'the' in many places where it is not necessary. The following sentence can be shortened. We use the recipe books and the hand-written ones from our mothers. Rewrite as: We use recipe books and hand-written ones from our mothers. You've cut two words and left the meaning. When you edit, look for places where 'the' can be dropped.
E. Eliminate 'that' when possible: In this sentence, We know that Paul will be late and that he will laugh about it. The word 'that' can be cut without losing any meaning. It would read: We know Paul will be late and he will laugh about it.
F. Cut adverbs and adjectives: These are modifiers and are not always needed. Some writers think if one adjective is good, use two or three. That's overkill. One is fine, and most adverbs can be cut, too. Adverbs lead you into the trap of telling rather than showing.
G. Conjunctions: You can eliminate the 'and, but, or' words when you are writing a lengthy sentence. Instead, cut the conjunction and create two separate sentences. Do it in many places, and the number of words cut adds up.
H. Lengthy sentences: Some writers love long sentences. Not only can they be divided into two sentences, but also lose some words. Read a very long sentence and note ways it can be trimmed.
If you can cut words without losing meaning, go ahead and ax them. The more you work on cutting words, the easier it becomes. You train your editing eye to look for places to cut.
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Endings in Your Stories
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Sorting Out Point of View
Does that mean we can't ever know what the other characters are thinking and more? The writer can let the reader see these things in the other characters by the way they act, through dialogue, and showing rather than telling. Let your protagonist 'see' what is happening by showing what another character is doing or saying.
There is a way to have more than one Point of View character, and that is to change that POV character chapter by chapter. One chapter could be all seen as Jennie sees what's happening. The next one might be Charlie's POV. It takes an experienced and talented writer to pull it off. Some even attempt to use three POV characters.
POV is a complicated issue. If you're at all confused, google a more detailed article or a book on the topic. Keep in mind that your Point of View is the way you see things. Just you. No one else.
Monday, September 13, 2021
Writers As Mountain Climbers
On our writing journey, we have one happy day after another. The sun always shines on our writing. We are gleeful day in and day out.
If only all the above were true! Instead, our writing journey is filled with potholes and other roadblocks. Our poster today tells us that everything is going to be alright. That's soothing. But then, the little girl says '...maybe not today but eventually' That's the hard part.
Our own common sense tells us that all those problems we run into when we write will be fixed or look better later, not necessarily today. What we must do is to remember that and not let what feels like an insurmountable problem knock us right off our writer's pedestal.
Writer's pedestal--you know that place we put ourselves when we're feeling good, when everything is going well, or when we've just received an acceptance, or published a book. And why not? When life is positive, we should enjoy whatever is happening. We know we'll slip right off the pedestal when the next trouble spot arises.
The writer's world is one of ups and downs. If you drew a graph showing same, it would look like a series of mountains. Isn't that what we do as we write? Climb one mountain after another until the problem is solved. The successful writer is the one who keeps climbing after she/he has slid down from one of the peaks. The writer who gives up sits at the bottom and stops trying to climb to the top of the next mountain.
We sometimes need an attitude adjustment when writing woes get us down. Once again, determination is key to solving our writing problems. That and knowing that it is up to us to get through whatever trouble spot we're in.
We also must keep in mind that eventually, everything's going to be alright.
Friday, September 10, 2021
Write about Sad Times, Too
Amongst all the enjoyable early fall activities this weekend, we mark the 20th anniversary of 9-11. Certainly the most somber part of our weekend and a tragedy we must never forget. Yet, today, I saw college students being interviewed saying they didn't want to hear the gruesome details nor did they want to be told who was responsible. Have the children today been so protected that they cannot stand to learn of tragic happenings in our history? If so, that's sad. All the tragedies America has experienced through the years have a bearing on what our life is like today. I feel strongly that children, at a proper age, need to learn what happened.
In that same respect, today[s post is centered on writing about the sad or tragic happenings in your life. Many memoirs center on sad lives and how certain experiences influenced the rest of a person's life. These memoirs sell. Readers seem drawn to reading about the difficult times in a person's life. Maybe because they can relate to it, or maybe to learn from what was written.
As my regular readers know, I am a big proponent of writing family stories. Many who take up this task write about the happy times, the laughing times, the warm family gatherings. That's great, but every family has sad happenings, too. Some are even tragic. We need to write about them, as well.
Maybe an uncle went to jail for theft. His situation affects the other people in the family. Some will be angry while others may be sympathetic. Some may want to cover it up, keep the incarceration a secret, which is pretty hard to accomplish. Some family members will be heartbroken, some will feel ashamed. It's a part of your family history so don't hesitate to write about it. Write about it, but don't judge.
Perhaps, a member of your family died in battle in the military. Definitely nothing to be ashamed of but not easy to write about either. Gold Star families take great pride in the service their loved one gave. Again, write about it and how it affected different family members.
There are many other tragic happenings in our lives--a jilted bride or groom, the loss of an infant or a small child, the loss of a teen, loss of a spouse, dealing with dementia.. Writing about these sad times can be one step in the healing process. Not a cure, but one step in healing. People who live with issues like this have so much hurt welled up inside. Writing about what happened or is still happening is a kind of release. Even a little of that can be helpful.
Chicken Soup for the Soul has a call for stories for a new book on grieving and how a person overcame it or found some peace. I am working on a story for that book. The deadline to submit is September 30th. Read the guidelines and tips here. You might have a story to write and submit for this book. Or you may write the story to include in your family stories. You can also write it only for yourself, and that is perfectly fine. We're all different people and have various feelings on this subject.
Mark the 9-11 anniversary in whatever way feels right to you--on your own or with your family. I wish those young people who didn't want to hear about the gruesome details or hear who did it will be willing to listen. Most of all, I'd like them to learn of the tremendous outpouring of love people gave to the families of the victims. I'd like them to know how our country pulled together. We were all Americans, not of one political party or the other, not of this religion or that one, nor of any specific racial group. We grieved together. That, too, is an important part of our history.
Thursday, September 9, 2021
Be An Adventurous Writer
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
7 Ways to Sell Yourself to Readers
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Book Review--Never Waste Dreams
Gloria Zachgo's newest book is a sequel to her award winning Never Waste Tears, historical fiction at its best. The sequel is titled Never Waste Dreams. It continues the story of the Carters and Taylors who homesteaded on the Kansas prairie in the 1870s.
Though a sequel, Never Waste Dreams can stand on its own as the author does a fine job in bringing in information from the story in the first book. Once you read the second book, you may be moved to backtrack and read the first one.
It is obvious that Ms Zachgo did a great deal of research to make her book authentic to the time period. Nathan and Sarah live in a sod hut, commonly called a 'soddy' quite close to Carl and Hannah. The women are twin sisters, alike in looks but not necessarily in temperament. Even so, there is a strong bond between them. When one or the other needs help, they bang on a washtub to alert the other sister.
The reader experiences the joys and the heartbreaks of each couple as they work to achieve their dreams of owning the land they farm, of building a real house, and of creating a good life in this place so different from their homes back east.
Nathan's brother, Will, and his wife, Martha, move to the area bringing Will and Nathan's mother with them. Unlike his brother, Will settles in Lincoln, the nearest town. Anna, his mother, makes her home with Will's family, but spends time with Nathan and Sarah, too. Happy to be with her sons and their family, she continues to worry about her husband back east who deserted her.
Carl and Hannah have no children, but Carl finds a young boy alone on the prairie, abandoned by his mother. Carl and his wife offer a home to the boy who is scarred, frightened and unable to speak. The marred child becomes a normal boy as he responds to family life with Carl and Hannah.
A horrific tragedy of nature affects everyone in the area, farmers and town folk alike. It left this reader impressed with the strength of humans who can pick up and go on with faith and strength, their dreams feeding on both.
One of the things I especially liked is that the author kept true to the dialect of the people in that era. I also admired the method in which Ms Zachgo told her story. We see the story unfold through each of the main character's point of view. There is a section headed Nathan or Sarah, Carl or Hannah, and Martha. Their names are in bold so you know who is continuing to tell the story. Each one adds to the story as they see it. It's a more unique way to relate a tale than to have an omniscient narrator 'tell' the story.
One of the things I enjoy about historical fiction is that I am learning history in such a pleasant way, and this book teaches a great deal about the area and the time frame in which the story takes place.
I highly recommend you read Never Waste Dreams, especially if you have read the first book. I'm hoping for a third one in the future.
Monday, September 6, 2021
Musing About September
Friday, September 3, 2021
A First Draft is Important
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Rainbows and Writers
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Your September Writing Life
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