A Halloween Confession

My Halloween Confession post is becoming a tradition, so here it is again on Halloween of 2022. It was published several years ago in The Best Times, a senior newspaper for the Kansas City area. 

I have a confession to make. I don’t like Halloween, and I never have. Even as a kid in the Chicago suburbs, it was not a big deal for me. It was a day to get through. Oh, I participated in the school parties, school parade and Trick or Treat time in the evening, but I never got excited over it like some kids did.

As I got older, I asked myself what was wrong with me. Give me Valentine’s Day or Thanksgiving or Christmas any day. But Halloween? During the forties, we didn’t go to Walmart or Target and buy a costume. First of all, those stores weren’t even born yet. Secondly, my family, like many others, didn’t spend money on things like costumes. No sireee. We raided our closets at home and came up with some kind of costume. We had to be creative.

I can’t tell you how many times I was a gypsy because it was easy to don a full skirt that twirled when I turned round and round, a peasant style blouse and many ropes of beads from my mother’s jewelry box. Sometimes, I added a colorful scarf over my hair before going out to Trick or Treat in our apartment building.  We climbed three flights of stairs in one vestibule after another. The building had 62 apartments, and my brothers and I hit nearly every one. We were getting beneficial exercise, but no one realized it..

When we got home, we dumped all our loot into a big blue mixing bowl that Mom had set out for us. No keeping your own candy, for it all went in together. We were never allowed to stuff ourselves with it either. Candy in our house was rationed, a little at a time. Mysteriously, the level of the bowl sank faster than might be expected. I feel pretty sure a couple of adult hands dipped into the bowl when we were asleep or away at school during the day.  

My brothers rigged up clown outfits or dressed as a bum, using things from our dad’s closet. Nobody cared if you wore the same costume year after year because we all did it. 

But one year, I wore something totally different. My Aunt Vivienne had made her daughter a Martha Washington costume, even including a white cottony wig. The dress was something any girl would have delighted in wearing. My cousin had outgrown it, so I inherited the special outfit. It was in my fifth grade year when I slipped into the dress and wig and set off for school on Halloween morning. I felt pretty nifty. No gypsy girl costume for me this year.  But my happiness turned into misery faster than you can say ‘black cat’ when the boys howled at my wig and the girls giggled and pointed. I felt totally humiliated and dreaded walking in the school Halloween parade. I looked different than anyone else, and I guess that was the problem. But at such a young age, I had a hard time dealing with it. 

At our school parties, we played the same games year in and year out. One of them was bobbing for apples. The only thing I hated more than Halloween itself was that silly game. The teacher produced a big tub of water and tossed apples into it. They bobbed merrily around. The object was to put your hands behind your back, lean over and grab an apple with your teeth. My face got wet, my long hair trailed in the water and I had a hard time grabbing the apple. I never won and I didn’t care. Even the year I wore the Martha Washington wig, it came up dripping after my unsuccessful try for the apple. 

Slide across the years to the time I had small children who needed costumes, marched in school parades and went Trick or Treating. I dreaded the end of October and getting them ready for Halloween. By then, we bought cheap costumes at the store. No more gypsy girl outfits made up at home or bum clothes put together from Daddy’s stuff. Some mothers were creative and made costumes from boxes and other things. Very clever ideas, but I must admit that I didn’t even attempt to come up with anything like that. 

Halloween was still a day to get through. And now, when it’s my grandchildren who are dressing up and Trick or Treating, I can enjoy seeing the pictures of them in their costumes. I don’t have to participate because they live in other towns. We don’t decorate the outside of our house for Halloween as so many do now, but I do answer the door many times during the evening of the 31st of October as does my husband. He is always hopeful we have some candy left over, and we usually do. It’s kind of fun to see the neighbor kids all dressed up, but somehow I’m relieved when it’s time to turn off the porch light and I know there are 365 days until Halloween comes again.

Last year, my daughter told me she really didn’t like Halloween and dreaded having to get her kids costumes and all the rest that goes with it. She said, “I didn’t really like it when I was a kid.” Do you suppose it’s genetic?

 

Act On Inspiration When You Write

This is a repeat post about inspiration--when it hits and when you should act on it. Origianlly posted December 2, 2016.

This morning, when I opened the blinds in our bedroom, I was startled to see dense fog and icy crystals on the grass. I continued opening the rest of the blinds and went into the living room to read the morning paper. Bad move!  I should have written a poem instead. The fog and the heavy dew were perfect subjects for a winter poem. Sometimes story ideas surround us but we are blind to them. In this case, I definitely did not use my writer's eye as I viewed the early morning scene. 

Jack London's quote says we sometimes have to go after inspiration with a club. In this case, someone should have used a club on me to awaken me to the great possibility spread out before me. Yes, I could work on the poem now, trying to bring back what I saw but I don't think it would be nearly as good as one that was written at the moment of inspiration. 

When inspiration hits, act on it as quickly as you can. Many writers do so. They're the ones who have lots of everyday chores left undone because they answered the call of their craft instead of cleaning fingermarks or doggie nose prints off the sliding glass doors. If you're serious about your writing life, that's quite alright. The fingerprints will be there waiting for you tomorrow but the inspiration may have flown out the window. Like all things, there's a fine line between what is alright and what is overkill so we do need to be wary of that. 

It seems when you are busiest, inspiration pops up out of nowhere. This holiday season is a perfect example. So many times during a Christmas concert or seeing a special window display or attending a children's program, I am inspired to write a story or a poem. It's when that notebook we should all keep with us comes in handy. If you can even write the bones during that inspirational moment, it's a big help. Wait until you get home to do it and the magic moment may be gone. The emotion you feel when true inspiration hits fades quickly when time intervenes. Yes, you can write it later but I don't think it will be quite the same unless you have the ability to recreate the scene in your mind with all details involved. 

I remember an old movie of long, long ago when a man in a cocktail lounge in New York City wrote the lyrics to a song on a paper napkin. The song became one of the greatest hits (of course!). What if he had waited a day or two to act on his idea? Might have been a more mediocre song that was soon forgotten. The act upon it now message was not lost on me. I don't remember the name of the movie or the person it was about but I do remember that scene vividly. 

You may have many instances where inspiration hits you instead of you chasing it with that big club. When it happens, grab it with both hands and start writing. Sometimes, inspiration finds writers, not the other way around.

 

Delve Into Your Family History

 

Today's quote is by one of my longtime favorite authors--Pearl S. Buck. I started reading her books when I was in high school. When I finished one, I'd search for another. She was a wonderful storyteller. Raised in China by American missionary parents, the majority of her books were set in China, about Chinese people of long ago. I learned a great deal about the culture of old China as I absorbed her stories. 

Back to the quote--'If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday.' For me, that is one reason history is taught in school. We need to look back to see what happened and how it influenced us today. There will be both positives and negatives to be studied. 

It's also a reason for writing our family stories and keeping a family history. All that happened to our ancestors affects us in some way today.  If your grandparents or great-grandparents were immigrants, they brought the customs and culture of their old country to the new one. As time went on, those customs mingled with new American ones. The children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and on down the line acquired some of them. Many kept them, but others wanted to change to all American culture. Again, there are both positives and negatives. 

My grandparents were children of immigrants. My maternal side were Irish farmers and coal miners. My paternal side grandfather, whose ancestors were French-Canadian, was part of the auto industry in its early days. Not an owner but a mechanic who made good money in a new field. My husband's parents were both children of immigrants. Mine were city people, while my husband's maternal grandparents were farmers and the other side lived in a small town. All of these things had a big influence on my own life. Knowing the background both my parents and grandparents came from helped me understand them--and admire them in many ways. 

All too often, we don't have any interest in looking back at the generations in our family until we are older. Suddenly, we want to know where they came from, what kind of work they did, What talents did they have and more. By then, it is often too late, as the people we should talk to are gone. I wish I knew what it takes to make younger people delve into their family history and family stories.

I was fortunate in that my parents were storytellers. As our family ate together, we heard a great many stories about our grandparents and great-grandparents. Not all people are storytellers. My husband's mother was a child of immigrants, and she grew up with 8 siblings on a farm in central Illinois. She rarely ever spoke of her growing-up years. I finally figuted out that she was not proud of her heritage. Fortunately, her younger sister was the family storyteller. It was one of the only ways we learned of my husband's family history. 

If you want to learn who you are and understand yourself, search into the yesterdays of your family. Then do write those family stories and keep a record of the family history. You do not need to be a professional writer to do this. Don't wait until it's too late.

Getting Out of the Writing Doldrums

 

Ever feel stuck in a writing rut? Do you feel like you're doing the same old, same old and not moving forward, or upward? Do you do anything about it, or do you continue to stay where you are and feel the same defeated feeeling? Deep in the doldrums.

Today's poster has some good advice. It says:  If you change nothing, nothing will change. Seven common words that could help you out of your writing rut. 

What if you feel like you are writing the same story (or essay or poem etc) over and over but in a slightly different way? You need something to spark your imagination, something to inspire you to do it a new and different way. What to do? 

You could read a new reference book on writing to see if you run across something new, or a new way to do something old.

You might attend a writers' conference or workshop.I find that nothing inspires me like listening to other writers present a topic. I also find inspiration in visiting with the other attendees at a conference. This past weekend my state writing group had their annual convention. For various reasons, I opted to watch on zoom instead of attending in a town 90 miles away. I got the benefit of listening to the people who presented the topics, but I sorely missed talking with longtime writer friends in person. 

You could take a short break from writing. Note that I said 'short.' Make it a lengthy break, and you might find it hard to get started again. 

You might do some things that help with story ideas and help you become inspired. Circus in town? Take some time and go there. A movie you've been wanting to see but hadn't taken time? Go now. A baseball game. A football game. A soccer match. A symphony performance. Give yourself a treat. 

You can make a list of the reasons you write. Reminding yourself of why you write can give you a boost.

You should take a good look at your submission process. Do you tend to send your work to the same publications over and over? Maybe searching the market lisitngs for new publications would be helpful. 

Try several small and positive steps. Work on your attitude. That won't happen overnight, but little by little. When you find yourself flinging out a negative thought, step back and rework it to the opposite side.

 

There is no one miraculous thing you can do to get yourself out of the writing doldrums. To step by step. At the end of each week, look back to see if you've made any progress in the way you feel. If you do, pat yourself on the back. If not, keep plowing ahead the following week. Do I dare use that old cliche--Rome wasn't built in a day? I just did because it still has some merit. And so do you. You're a writer. You do something many other people cannot. 

Triple Photo Exercise For Fall Writing

 

Today, we have three photos for you to use as a writing prompt exercise. All have to do with the autumn season we are experiencing in the northern hemisphere. The background of each is made up of fallen leaves and trees in one. 

Each photo also has a human touch. In one, we see the backs of a couple walking. In another, a young woman is stretched out among the leaves, and the third shows the wheels of two bicycles and the legs and shoes of two riders. 

Choose one or all three today to do this photo prompt exercise. Use description, sensory details, and emotion. Write a paragraph for each, or a full story. Perhaps you can come up with a Flash Fiction piece to submit to a magazine. Try writing a poem for each photo. Or an essay of some kind. Whatever comes to mind. 

Some writers turn their nose up at the thought of doing writing exercises. They shouldn't, as inspiration for writing a full story or poem comes from doing these exercises. Not every one, of course. But you will find some that give you good ideas for further writing. 

Meet Me At The (Book) Fair

 

Our Guest Blogger today is Christina Hamlett with loads of advice for book authors who participate in  Book Fairs. Read on...!

MEET ME AT THE (BOOK) FAIR

By Christina Hamlett

Who among us hasn’t scoped out garden, home or bridal shows held at convention centers?The basic structure of a “meet, greet, browse, purchase” forum is the same model used by bookfairs. Authors and readers, however, aren’t the only ones attending these events; publishers,agents, librarians, educators and vendors catering to the writing community are likely to be onthe premises, too, and looking to forge networking opportunities of their own.The question is: With so many writers under one roof, how do you distinguish yourself and attract potential buyers?

FINDING THE RIGHT VENUE

The first step is to find a book fair which fits your title(s), target audience and any ancillaryservices you provide (i.e., consulting, workshops, etc.). Do your homework before you plopdown a registration fee or waste an entire afternoon watching attendees pass you by.Start local. Check with your city librarian, bookstores, and Chamber of Commerce eventscalendars. Do you belong to a chapter of published writers such as Sisters in Crime, HorrorWriters Association or Novelists, Inc.? Consider organizing your own event and incorporatepanel discussions with participating authors.Looking to expand your visibility? The Combined Book Exhibit (https://www.combinedbook.com/) is a savvy resource which identifies squillions of book fairs worldwide. CBE membership is free and provides subscribers with a monthly newsletter, book fair event information, registration deadlines, fees, and types of books the organizers are seeking.

AMONG THE CHOSEN

Not every book pitched to a book fair by you or your publisher will result in an invitation toattend. It’s often a matter of first come/first served and finite space; specifically, only so manytables and booths to go around within a 1-3 day timeframe.Sponsors typically look at whether a book is compatible with other titles in the line-up as wellas whether it has won awards, sold a million copies, been translated to other languages, etc. In addition, entry distinctions are made for traditionally published works, self-published titles, and electronic formats including audio books and CDs. In advance of the event, ask the following questions:

A. How much display space will you have? While established authors are usually giventheir own table/booth, new kids are sometimes clumped together by genre.

B. Do you have a choice in slot selection? If possible, pick a spot on the main aisle, notone within a horseshoe or tucked into a far corner. Browsers typically eschew commitment; if they have to go off the beaten path, they’ll be wary to approach. And while a spot near the entrance means you’ll be the first author seen, it carries the risk of being mistaken for the visitor information booth.

C. Where should you park to unload your books?

D. How will cash/credit card transactions be handled?

E. Should you bring your own table coverings? Are there accessible electrical outlets? Can you hang anything on the walls?

PROMOTION AND PROPS

Use social media to publicize your upcoming appearance. Entice people to attend by offeringdiscount coupons, freebies and special raffles. Invite family and friends to be your onsite shills. When people see a small crowd gathering, curiosity compels them to amble over and make sure they’re not missing something. Design eye-catching brochures, postcards, business cards, bookmarks and logo pens. No one wants to feel as if they’re being pressured to spend money on the spot. They want to mull. They want to visit websites. They want to comparison shop. Book fair visitors approach booths withthe same mindset as diners at a buffet. If your freebies are within easy reach and no one is policing what they take, they’ll feel comfortable taking a little smidge of everything. They must also feel comfortable not having to take anything if it doesn’t appeal to them. You wouldn’t,after all, go chasing after someone at a restaurant buffet and demand to know why they passed up a perfectly lovely platter of diced beets. Create a professional-looking banner or poster which conveys your genre at a glance. Whileauthors often use artist easels for this purpose, it’s critical they not be placed anywhere thatpeople are going to trip over them. (Clattering sounds tend to frighten off buyers.) Affix “Autographed Copy” seals to books you sell. It’s a classy touch.

SHOWTIME!

Arrive early. This allows time to set up properly and get acquainted with fellow attendees.Bringing an assistant? Choose someone outgoing and enthusiastic who knows your book(s) aswell as you do. If you’re off in the bathroom when prospective customers ask a question about your work, they shouldn’t be met with a blank stare, a shrug, or “I dunno. I’m just sitting here to make sure nobody steals stuff.” Be engaging! Make eye contact, start a conversation, share anecdotes about your book(s)’ development. If practical, make an interactive demo part of your presentation. Seriously. Authors sitting behind stacks of books aren’t as exciting a draw as a booth where something fun is happening. Offer a free dance lesson, teach them how to make origami birds, do magic tricks, have your assistant read stories from a picture book for the younger set. Whatever the tie-in, a participatory component speaks volumes about memorability.

FINAL NOTE

The worst thing to do at a book fair is try too hard to sell books. Your priority should be to sell yourself as the best qualified expert to write that book. If visitors warm to your personality and are entertained/enlightened/educated in even the most brief exchange, yours is the name they’ll remember…and yours are the books they’ll want to add to their shelves.

Former actress and director Christina Hamlett is an award-winning author whose credits to date include 47 books, 266 stage plays and squillions of articles. She is also a script consultant for stage and screen and a professional ghostwriter www.authorhamlett.com

Painting With Words

 

I have little to no artisitc talent, but I greatly admire those who do. Instead, I paint with words, as do many others who are writers. There are a few who are talented in both crafts. Super Stars in my book.

Writers, painters, sculptors, potters--all are artists. I wrote a poem on this topic that placed in our Kansas Authors state contest several years ago. You can read it below.

Artists All

Painting with oils,

watercolors brushed across canvas,

clay molded by loving hands, 

marble chiseled to exquisite form

Artists ply their trade,

by the golden light of day

and velvet depths of night,

with passion and verve.

One more artist joins the rank.

The writer brushes words over paper,

molds a story bit by glittering bit,

chisels a novel to survive the ages.

The writer gathers life’s stories 

from country roads to city streets,

written from the depths of a heart

bursting with intensity and rapture.

Artists all, masters of creation,

be they painters, sculptors or writers,

leaving footprints on canvas, marble and paper--

heartfelt tributes embraced by mankind.

                              ...Nancy Julien Kopp (c)

If you're a writer, you're also an artist. You paint with words. You use words to sculpt, to mold, to sketch. The good writer paints those words so that they stand out for the reader with beautiful prose, vivid descriptions, and a definite sense of place. The good writer paints his/her words with emotion. 

Be proud of what you do as you brush words across paper rather than on a canvas. Be proud of what you give to the world. Be proud of what you have accomplished as a word artist. 

                  

Poets: Call For Submissions

Winter Day

I have a Call for Submissions for poets today. The Southern Arizona Press publishes poetry anthologies which each have a different theme. The theme for the current one is The Wonder of Winter. They are looking for submissions through November 15th.

Their submission page ( http://www.southernarizonapress.com/current-submissions ) gives the guidelines which are fairly simple. Note that they do not want holiday themed poetry for this issue--strictly winter poems. Publication date is early December. 

Besides your poem, you are asked to send a short (200 words max) bio and a photo. Note that they ask that you attach your poem. Probably a good idea to attach the photo, as well. I added the bio to my cover letter.

I had a poem in an earlier anthology put out by this Press with the theme of Dragonflies and Fairies. I've submitted one winter poem today. If you scroll down the Submissions page, you'll find the themes listed for the next few anthologies they plan to print. 

Scroll through your files to see if you have a poem you can submit for the winter themed book, or write a new one. You have over three weeks to the deadline. No already published poems.

Yesterday's topic was on finding markets for prose writers, but much of the information there is the same for poets. Use your favorite search engine, or more than one, to find markets for poetry. Use keywords like 'Submissons for Poetry' or "places to submit poetry.' 

A word of caution:  You may find Vanity publishers in the list. They are happy to publish any poem by any person, then create a book. Next, you are asked to purchase the book. They are out to make money first and foremost. They publish almost all poems, no matter the quality. Any poet who has submitted their work for publication is more than likely aware of this type of publishing, but some newer to the field are not. 

I think it is more difficult to find publishers for your poetry than for prose. Plus many pay either a very small amount or nothing. You won't get wealthy selling your poetry. It's a shame, as many readers enjoy poetry books or individual poems. Don't let it stop you from writing poetry. 

There are also contests for poets. Again, check via a search engine with keywords like 'contests for poets' or 'poetry contests.' Most of these have cash prizes, although a few offer only publication.

 

Submitting Your Writing for Publication

 

Finding Markets For Your Writing

Writing is what we do, but finding a home for what we write is a major part of our writing world. Years ago, before the onset of the internet, writers learned of markets by word of mouth and by studying market guides, printed on an annual basis. If you bought one, it became outdated within one year. They were expensive, so many writers made a trip to their local library to study the guides. A lot of time was needed, and you had to make a list of all the info you thought worthy of a try. Then snail mailed your submission, often with a SASE envelope included for the response.

Today, we have search engines to do the job for us. Go to your favorite and type in 'Call for Submissions' to have a world of choices at your fingertips. You do have to spend time sifting and sorting. You can narrow the search by being more specific. Type 'Essay Submissions' or 'Short Story Submissions' or 'Memoir Submissions,'

This morning as a test, I used 'Call for Submissions' as my keywords, and pages of choices popped up. You can narrow your search by reading the title of each entry to know if it is something you want to look at or pass by. Do check the date on each entry. If one was posted in 2015, it may not be what you're looking for today. 

Facebook has a page titled 'Call for Submissions' as well as other pages geared to writers with occasional Call for Submissions. 

If you know a publication well and they change their needs off and on, check it on a regular basis o see if there is something new. Chicken Soup for the Soul is one I check about once a month. 

You can also use a search engine with the keywords 'Contests for Writers' or 'Writing Contests' which gives you another opportunity to submit your work. Many contest winners are published in the publication that sponsors the contest. You have a double winner in that case.

Many newsletters for writers add submission news. They are usually quite up to date. I find it beneficial to subscribe to these newsletters on a limited basis. Start signing up for too many, and your inbox witll be overflowing, and you'll not have time to read all of them. They pile up until you end up deleting. So, sign up for the ones that appeal the most. 

Writers sometimes find markets by talking with another writer. Or reading about a publication on a writer's social media pages. 

You won't find places to submit your writing by sitting at your desk and waiting for notes from Heaven to drop into your lap. Finding markets is work. For each one, you must check the guidelines carefully and adhere to them if you want to up your chances of being accepted. 

If an editor has published your writing once, submit more work. You're already one step ahead of someone who has never had work accepted by that publication. The editor knows your work. 

Someone once told me that the writing is simple, selling it is not. It's all part of your writing journey. I think of submissions as being a Ferris Wheel. We keep adding one after another, and the wheel keeps turning. Never submit one piece and sit back and wait to hear from the editor. Submit on a regular basis.

What about simultaneous submissions? Should you send one essay to three editors? You can, but you'd better check the guidelines to see if they accept this type of submission. Plus, if one editor accepts your essay, then you are responsible for letting the others know your essay is no longer available. More work for you. I once sent the same personal essay to two publications, and they both accepted it within a day or two of one another. I felt bad about having to turn one down. Ever since, I have stayed with submitting to only one place at a time. 

Keep a record of your submissions. It can be simple or an elaborate chart. Your choice. The important thing is to keep track of where you sent what and when and the result. 

Writers Must Believe in Themselves

 

One of may aims in writing this blog Monday through Friday is to offer encouragement to writers, which is what today's topic is aimed at.

The quote for today is beautiful and also some wise advice. As writers, one of the most important things we can do is to believe in our ability to write so that others will want to read it, so that editors will want to publish our work. 

We do have to continue to improve our writing by reading about the craft, practicing writing on a regular basis, joining writing groups, and attending conferences and workshops. Even doing all that will still not allow some writers to believe in themselves. 

If you're a Negative Nellie, one who puts herself/himself down at every turn, you aren't going to make much progress. If you truly love to write and want to be published, why let yourself have those negative thoughts?

Look at Negative Nellie. She has a wonderful idea for a personal essay based on an experience she had. She learned something and thinks it important enough to share with others. She writes the first draft, tells herself it is a piece of junk. Even so, she revises and edits until she is more satisfied. Then, she looks for a place to submit her essay, all the while thinking to herself that no one is going to like this, no editor is going to publish it. It's not good; it won't sell, it.... On and on she goes with those miserable inner thoughts. She defeats herself before even trying to submit her essay. 

Across the street is another writer--Positive Polly. She works at becoming a better writer; she does writing exercises; she writes on a regular basis; she belongs to a writing group. She also believes she has something to contribute in the writing world. She writes a short story for a contest that fits the theme. The first draft pleases her, but she knows she should do a little revising and editing. After she does that, she submits her story to the contest. She knows she's up against some tough competition, but she likes her story. She believes in her abilities to write a good story. 

Polly may not win the contest, but she is also not going to be dragged down by that. She'll continue to write and submit her work. She'll send a positive cover letter with her submission promoting herself. 

Nellie sends a cover letter with her submission that continues in the negative vein in which she lives day to day. It's not going to impress an editor. Hopefully, her essay itself is good enough to do that. Nellie needs to build her confidence. One simple exercise to help is to stand before a mirror on a daily basis, or even more than once a day. Look at yourself and say "I am a good writer!" Repeat it. Keep doing this until you start believing yourself. Is it going to work a miracle? No, but it is one small way to start building your confidence.

Another way is to make a list of all the writing that you have had published. Whether it is one or twenty-two! Keep that list where you can see it frequently. The fact that you are published should help build confidence. 

What if you're a writer who keeps writing but has never been published? What miracle is there for you? If you love to write, and you're doing all you can to become a stronger writer, think positive thoughts. The more you do, the easier it becomes. Stop the defeatist, fatalistic thinking. All that does is drag you down into a pit of self-pity. 

If you don't believe in yourself, others won't either. Be like the Little Engine That Could and use the "I think I can, I think I can' approach. Building your confidence in your writing doesn't happen quickly. It's a step by step process. We accomplish a lot by doing a little, day by day.

Write About a Teacher

Oak Park-River Forest High School

Our school years spanned our earliest, and most formative years. Psychologists tell us that our personality was formed in our first five. Probably true, but I think those next 13-17 years of attending school had some bearing, as well. Thirteen if you went to Kindergarten and then through Grade 12. Seventeen if you added four years of undergraduate college. 

The photo today is a partial view of my high school in a Chicago suburb. My class was around 800, while my younger brothers all had closer to 1,000 in their respective classes. Some would think life would be pretty impersonal in such a big school, but it wasn't. All my grade school classmates were there, and I quickly met others and made friends. The Physical Education Department, including two indoor pools, was across the street. The doors to the school were locked all day, so we traveled to PE via an underground tunnel. Lots of stories about that tunnel!

During our school years, we were under the tutelage and care of a good many teachers. We liked some, tolerated others, and couldn't stand a few. They all had a part in creating the person we are today. 

My Kindergarten teacher was a striking, elegant woman named Lucille Horst. She had prematurely grey hair, dressed like a model, and wore bright red liptstick. She rarely rasied her voice, and she made me enjoy school. My three brothers also began their school years with Miss Horst. What a blessing!

My fifth-sixth grade teacher was Mr. Biddinger, the first male teacher in our K-8 school. What excitement  over that news when we arrived on our first day. He had been in the Navy during WWII, finished his education degree within in two years after the war, and we were his first class. He taught us all the information in our textbooks, but he also taught us many other things about life, about the way we treat other people, and much more. We all adored him!

Those two teachers both stand out in my memory with clarity, and I still love and respect them and what they did for me as a student. There were many others throughout my school years. I'm sure each one of you had teachers who still stand out in your memory for good, or for bad. 

For a writing exercise today, write a personal essay about any one of those teachers that did something good or bad for you, what life lesson you learned from them, and more. Remember that essays show a universal truth or something you learned from an experience. You'll need to include more than a mere descrption. 
 

Write Your Memories

 

Memoir is a popular genre, and has been for quite some time. The memoir writer is doing what Isabel Allende tells us today--Write what should not be forgotten. Memoirs highlight important areas of the writer's life. They write for themselves but also to share with others who read their work. 

Memoir readers often come away having a better understanding of a situation, even a change of opinion. Some can fully relate while others look from another plane, never having been in that particular situation. Even so, they learn something.

Memoir is not the only kind of writing that our quote today fits. Family Stories certainly qualify. The tales about our family and extended family are a part of who we are. We should not let those stories disappear as the elders in the family pass on. The only way to keep the stories, and thus the people, is to write them. Even little snippets, or a small slice of life, about a family member is worth jotting down. 

As an example, I think of my Great-Uncle Charlie, a farmer in southwest Minnesota. He listened to the noon Farm Report from a Chicago radio station every day. The announcer on the program often began with "It's a beautfiul day in Chicago!" My family lived in the Chicago area, so when we were visiting, Uncle Charlie often entered the kitchen from the barnyard shouting, "It's a beautiful day in Chicago." I can see him now in his farm overalls, a big man with a booming voice, and an infectious smile. That's not a full Family Story, but it tells something about this man, so it's worth writing about this small remembrance. 

Think about family members who made an impression of some sort or did something to boost your self-esteem or an act of kindness that you've never forgotten. Add these small pieces to your Family Stories book. 

Think back to school days. What stories or slices of life should you write about? We attended school for a lot of years, had a lot of teachers and classmates. Surely, there are many things you would like to remember and pass on to your children and grandchildren. 

Yesterday, I had a doctor's appointment, and for some reason, my doctor started talking about his family. He told me that he greatly regretted not asking his grandparents about their lives while they were still living. Now, he is curious and it's too late. He's not alone. Young people are often more interested in today than what occureed yesterday--the past. If you're lucky enough to still have grandparents, take some time to talk to them about what life was like for them when they were young. 

I know a lot about my grandparents, but there are so many more things I don't know and have questions about. I was blessed to have parents who were storytellers, which is how I learned about their parents and their grandparents. They 'told' the stories but did not write them. I have done that for them because I didn't want any of those people in my history to be forgotten. 

So, please do write what should not be forgotten. Your family will appreciate your effort.

Book Review: Down Riverton Road

 

Down Riverton Road is Betty J. Crow's second novel. I would list it under women's fiction. You'll find romance, mystery, and the supernatural in this story of Olivia Rustin, a divorced artist from St. Louis who seeks a new start. She moves to a small town outside of Austin, Texas in the scenic Hill Country.

A realtor guides her to a cottage to rent on the outskirts of a ranch. A perfect spot for Olivia to pursue her dream of selling her paintings. She meets Alex Carleton, who owns the ranch and her cottage. They have a strong attraction but Livvy doesn't want a relationship after her first bad marriage. Her home is broken into, and she is visited by a supernatural spirit. She learns that there is a mystery in this small community of Cypress, Texas. Alec's brother, Wade, and Ashlegih, a woman who was their friend have both disappeared. Wade's fiance, Blair, is left wondering and fearing what has happened.

The ghost leads Livvy to a journal that gives clues to the mystery. She is determined to solve it even though someone is watching and stalking her. Her attraction to Alec grows stronger as she settles in to life in her new home, paints, and meets others. 

Livvy's journey to find out what happened to Wade and Ashliegh takes many twists and turns, as does her romance with Alec. I don't want to give more of the plot for fear of telling too much, but I can tell you that Down Riverton Road will keep you interested.

I would give this novel five stars. It is well written and held my interest from start to finish. In fact, I found myself wanting to get back to the book soon after I had read one section, eager to start reading again. Definitely a sign of a good book. 

There is a fine sense of place, good descriptions, and realistic dialogue throughout. Some books drag a bit in spots. Down Riverton Road does not. It keeps a good pace from start to finish. The story is about love, family, and friends. 

You can find it at Amazon in Kindle and paperback form for $4.99 and $10.99. 

Betty J. Crow has published two novels and three books of short stories. She lives and writes in Oklahoma.

Done Before? Not By You!

 

There are only so many topics we can write about. Novels are written with the same basic plots with many contrasts. Some reference books will tell you there are only seven, another says twenty. No exact number, but it does show us that there are basic plots, and each author writers their own variation.

Our photo quote today has some good advice. Asha Dornfest says "I think new writers are too worried that it has all been said before. Sure it has, but not by you." That goes for more experienced writers, as well. We each put our own stamp on what we write.

When writing articles about health or travel or investments, we are bound to repeat information that others have already offered, but we can add something new, a different angle, another perspective on the subject. 

Consider poetry. "In Flanders Fields" is a well-known poem about WWI. That doesn't mean you can't write one, too. You can do so using your own observations, your own words, your own feelings. 

We put our own personal stamp on everything we write. Our voice comes through, and it is different from the voice of many others. We write with our own viewpoint on a topic, perhaps because of an experience we had. A person who has gone through a heart transplant can write a completely different kind of article on same as a reporter who is only interviewing and observing. 

Writers learn early on that we don't parrot other writers. We write our own thoughts and feelings. We tell our own stories, and we do it in a way that is personal to us. 

Don't hesitate to tackle a topic that has been 'done before.' Find some new way to approach the topic that will appeal to readers. Yes, it will take a great deal of thought and perhaps several drafts to find what you hope is a new perspective on an old topic. Consider it a challenge and start writing!

Becoming a Better Writer

 

Today's photo has nothing to do with the topic. It's just a nice auutmn photo. 

I'm in the process of reading a book by a writer friend. It's his/her second novel, and I'm very impressed by the growth I see in the writing. He/she writes tighter and stronger, gives a good sense of place, and has some lovely descriptions. The first novel was not a bad book, not by any means, but the second one is better. So, how did he/she accomplish this feat?

I can't be certain about this individual, but I do know what helps all writers to improve the way they write. 

A. Reading about writing. There's no "Well, I'm done with that." It's a continuous process. We don't stop learning. As we read more about our craft, we can't help but benefit. 

B. Read novels others have written. Writers read with a writer's eye. Seeing how others write can be helpful to us. Not that we want to copy the way another person writes. But, we do see some good techniques that we can apply to our own writing.

C. Joining a writers' group of some kind. Critique groups are most helpful. It's always good to have objective eyes on our work. If we don't bristle at criticism, and take it as a learning process, we can be helped a great deal. 

D. Write! Yes, writing on a regular basis helps us be better writers, The occasionl or sometime writer doesn't give themselves an opportunity to grow. 

E. Take a class on some aspect of writing. You can't help but absorb some good information when someone knowlegable in the field feeds it to you.

These are five simple steps to becoming a stronger writer. Some writers will say they don't have time for all those thngs, they want time to write. Taking time to work on the above will only help, not hinder your writing journey. 

Stringing Pearls as You Write

Today's post is a repeat, one that I wrote quite a few years ago but is still relevant today, especially when writing your family stories.

We do not remember days, we remember moments

I read the quote above at the bottom of a Happy New Year greeting I once received. It fit perfectly with the topic I'd selected for today's post. I wish that the person who wrote this quote had been named. Sadly, it is anonymous.

We do remember the special moments in our lives with a clarity that I find amazing. I've had special moments that have stayed with me for the many decades I've walked this earth, and it's been those moments that have created memoir stories that seem to be perfect for many anthologies.

Each one of those special moments is like a pearl, and as writers, we can string them together to create a memoir of our lives. The individual moments shine in our memory bank like the pearls on a necklace. They gleam and step forth clearly so we can write about them.

One of my favorite pearls is a story I wrote for a Chicken Soup Tea Lovers book. My grandmother and I had afternoon tea at the famous Walnut Room at Marshall Field's department store in Chicago when I was four years old. Only a young child, I still remember it as clearly as if it happened yesterday. Because the memory remained vividly in my mind, I found I could recreate the event well enough to have the story published.

Another is a story about a valentine box my dad made for me during my second-grade year. I believe I remember it so well because a revelation hit me while Dad and I spent time together making the box.

Yet a third special moment memory that produced a publishable story is about the first time I had surgery. I was four and staying in the hospital proved frightening until a beautiful and compassionate nurse eased the experience for me. She set me on a path of service to others for the rest of my life.

The events that impressed us the most are the ones we remember as though they happened only yesterday, not years ago. Those moments are the individual pearls that we string together.

When an event occurs in our life that has some importance in shaping our character or signifies love and family, the memory becomes more important than the mundane things in our days. The memories are stored until we pluck them out and add one more pearl to our life's necklace. All it takes is a little trigger to bring the memory forth. Once it's there, it's up to you to write the story.

  

Chicken Soup Is Looking for Stories

 Every now and then, I go to www.chickensoup.com to check on the possible book titles that are in the planning stages. These are the books for which the editors are seeking stories. Go to the bottom of the page and click on Submit your Story. You will find yourself on the Possible Book Topics page.

Keep in mind that they receive way more stories than they can use, so what you submit must shine, must elicit emotion from the reader, must be an awakening of some sort. Don't pick a topic and dash off a story about something that happened to you. Revise and edit until your story becomes stronger and better with each editing process. Only the best will make it. Don't let that discourage you. Instead, let it inspire you to climb to the mountain top. 

Don't forget that poems are also acceptable. You'll find only a few in the many Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Poems must follow the same guidelines as the stories. The poem must tell a true story with a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Not so easy, but poets should give it a try. 

The books and deadlines that are current are as follows:

A. Angels and Miracles  Deadline February 28, 2023 There are many small miracles and actions that can only be attributed to an angel's help. These stories don't have to detail major miracles, just the everyday ones. 

B. Funny Stories  Deadline October 15, 2022  Better hurry with this one. The deadline is only a week away. 

C. How Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone Changed Me  Deadline December 15, 2022  Self-confidence and determination might play a role in stories for this book. 

D. Miracles  Deadline February 28, 2023   I would think that the stories from the angel book could overlap here. Again, it doesn't have to be a monumental miracle; we have many small miracles in life, too.

E. The Power of Positive Thnking  Deadline December 15, 2022 

Note that there are only five books listed. Often there are seven or eight. There are still a variety of choices for your stories. 

Beneath each book title, you'll find a short paragraph letting you know what the editors are looking for. And also a list of possible topics. It will be to your advantage to read each part.

On the left hand top of the page, there is a menu, click on Guidelines and also Submissions FAQ. I cannot stress enough how important this step is. Without studying the guidelines and reading those FAQ lines, you decrease your chances of being selected. Note that I did not say to 'read' them. You need to study so that you can keep the guidelines in mind as you write. When your story is completed, go back to the guidelines and check to see if your story follows what the editors are asking. 

Finally, when everything is done to your satisfaction, clik on Submit Your Story and fill out the form given. Send your story on its way. This anthology series does not send rejection letters. Usually, you will hear from them about being short-listed about two months after the story deadline. If it goes much past that and you have not heard, you'll know your story was not selected. Time to move on.

Write Your Mother's Story

 

I like today's poster a lot. It's the perfect one to encourage you and me to write our family stories. 

Why not begin with your mother? As Mitch Albom, author, says '...hers (story) is where yours begins.' So, why not begin with your mother? 

Write about the place she was born and when. Urban or rural? 

Was she an only child, or one of several children? If so, where did she fall in age with her siblings? 

What kind of job did her father have? 

Did her mother work or stay at home with the children? 

Did her parents' political beliefs influence her?

What kind of personality did she have? Was she warm and loving, or rather distant? 

Was she a good cook, or just managed to put food on the table?

Did she make a big deal of holidays, or did she barely mark them?

What was her marital status through her life? Married, divorced, widowed? 

What did she teach you that you have remembered?

How did she dress? Simply, or with high fashion taste?

Did she do community work? 

Did she introduce you to religion?

What kind of punishment did she give you and siblings?

What were her hobbies?

Did you love her or merely tolerate her?

Answer the questions above, and you'll have plenty to write about your mother for your Family Stories Book. The questions I've given you will help to paint a character sketch. Next, you can write stories about her, one by one. 

Sometimes, we don't understand what pur mothers did during our childhood. Later, you can talk to her about the what and why. I come from a family of four children, and I'm the only girl and the oldest. My mother often seemed to favor one brother over the rest of us. As an adult, I asked her why she did so. Her simple answer told me a lot. She said, "Because he needed me the most." She was right, and his growing up years are another story to be written and added to the others.

Good Grammar is Essential

 

I haven't officially welcomed this tenth month of the year. It's Day 5, so I'd better get it done. October is a month of lovely sights, smells, and tastes. Pumpkins and leaves of various hues. Pumpkin desserts, coffee creamer, and candle aromas. Frosty nights and cooler days as the month moves on. 

Now that I've said hello to October, it's time to move on to what is on my mind today. Pronouns. No, not the banning of he or she for using only 'they.' That's not what I'm addressing, although it is a hot topic today.

Instead, I note more and more that he/she and him/her are used incorrectly. 

He/she are used as the subject of a sentence.

Him/her are used as the object of the sentence.

The subject is who or what is doing the action. The object is the one to whom the action is done. 

The other glaring grammar error is when someone says "Me and him are going to the ball game." Both me and him are objective. The correct way is "He and I are going to the ball game." Today's young people have adapted the 'me and him' form as an everyday usage. It's spilled over to those who are older, as well. One day, I heard an announcer on tv say something like "Me and Joe both have the same opinion." The correct use is "Joe and I..." I'm sure the young man didn't lose his job over his minor error. Yes, in reality, this is a minor error, but if you're working in the media world, you'd better learn the correct way. Repeating the error over and over could be a reason for losing your job.

No doubt there are people who would disagree with what I've said here. That's alright. We are all entitled to our opinion. 

Right or wrong, we are often judged by the way we speak, or write. If a young woman looking for a first job out of college uses incorrect grammar over and over in an interview, she's lessening her chances of getting hired. Perhaps it depends on what kind of job you're seeking. 

Some colleges offer an elective course in business manners. That's a great idea. Maybe they should also consider a course in proper language. 

There was a period when English teachers in high schools graded only on the content of a paper students had written. They did not count anything off for grammar and spelling errors. You cannot learn if you are not told what needs to be improved. If nothng else, I would have preferred that the teacher give two grades, one for content, and one for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

If a writer submits a story, essay, or poem that confuses subject and object in many of the sentences, do you think the editor will accept it? Unless it's a terrific piece otherwise and the editor is willing to rewrite parts, probably not.

Let's be honest here. Grammar is not a fascinating subject, but it is something to be learned just as little children learn their multiplication tables. Or the alphabet. Many master the proper way at school but slip into their old comfort ways when elsewhere.

My purpose today is not to criticize those who use pronouns improperly but to make them aware of the correct usage. Writers should set the example. If I sound like a teacher, it's because once upon a time, I was one. 

Good Writing Takes Practice

 

Today's photos speak to us of autumn, or fall, whichever word you prefer. Personally, I tend to autumn. It seems a much nicer word. Maybe I prefer it as fall has more than one meaning. Autumn is its own word. Say the two words aloud. Which one do you prefer?

The two autumn photos are perfect to inspire a freewrite exercise. They give you the opportunity to practice writing description. Each one can inspire a story or poem. Three possibilities.

When you describe the color in each photo, try not to use 'red' or 'yellow.' Instead, use words that bring the thought of red or yellow to mind but are more poetic, more descriptive. If you want your writing to sing, then you must use words that will help you write beautiful prose. 

When using photo prompts, consider the sensory details. What do you see, hear, smell, touch, or taste? Including some of those senses will bring the scene alive for your readers. 

Can a writing exercise evolve into a full story, essay, or poem? Absolutely! I've done it, and so have many of the members of my online writing group. You can, too.

Use either one or both of the photos to for a writing exercise today. Make one a freewrite where you write without thinking, without stopping, or simply as a prompt to write a descriptive paragraph, or even as inspiration to write a full story, essay, or poem. Your choice.

Good writing takes practice. So, go for it!

Editing Polishes Your Writing

This is a repeat post, written nearly nine years ago, but the information is still pertinent to today's writers. 

Look at this stairway of famed books for children. I counted 13. That means 13 authors wrote a first draft. Undoubtedly, 13 authors edited that first effort once, twice, and even more times. Rare as a red rose in the snow is the book manuscript that stands ready to be published on its first writing.

I've often made the comment that the writing is easy while marketing your book is the tough part. Well, that was said with several grains of truth, but let it never be said that writing is easy. Anyone who has tried it will attest to that. I'm a person who likes to get a project done and then move on to the next one. I could do that when making a quilt or sewing a dress for a little daughter but not so with my writing projects. Those must be revisited many times before I can call them finished. Don't forget to let the project simmer a few days or more before you do the editing. That's key to the process.

Newer writers might wonder if editing their work means only checking for typos, punctuation, misspelled words and proper capitalization. While all those things should be looked at, there are others to be added to the list.

A. repetition:  This is bigger than you think. When I critique in my online writers group, one of the things that jump out in someone else's story is repeating words or ideas. If you use the same word in two consecutive sentences or, gasp, even three, you risk boring your reader. It may sound foolish but it's true. Same with ideas that are repeated even though you may use different words. Most readers will pick up on the fact that you're telling them the same thing twice. Writing book authors will tell you not to do it, they'll say you must respect your reader's intelligence.

B. sentence length:  When you look at your first draft, pay attention to how long or short your sentences are. Too many lengthy ones make the reader wear out and maybe even give up reading. Alternate short sentences with long ones, and I don't mean exactly every other one. Do consider tossing in a short sentence between a couple of long ones. Occasionally, a writer will use several very short sentences together for emphasis, and that's fine. There are exceptions to every rule or method. Think about those many short sentences in early reading books. As an adult, they'd irritate you if all the sentences were only a few words each.

C. clarity: When I write a story, especially a memoir piece, I know exactly what the situation was, I know the backstory, I know the setting. Readers do not know these things so you must be certain you write in such a way that all those things are clear. As you journey through the editing process, ask yourself if things are as clear as they should be. This is one thing that having another person go through the manuscript is invaluable. Anything not clear will jump out at them immediately. A good case for editing on your own, then asking someone else to do another edit.

D. unnecessary words:  Once upon a time, I was dubbed the Queen of Unnecessary words. I awarded myself this honor (or dishonor) early in my writing world. In the first online critique group I belonged to, using too many unnecessary words was the item marked most by those who critted my work. The moderator of the group did not use the finesse others did when pointing it out. She acted like a mother who had been disobeyed and read me the riot act more than once. It was good for me as the importance of not using words like just, very, that is, why, who is, which was and others (depending on where they land in your sentence) appeared very clear. By getting rid of these redundant or superfluous words, your remaining sentence will be much stronger. We use a lot of those unnecessary words when we speak to one another, but in our writing we need to be more concise.

E. passive verbs: Watch carefully for overuse of passive verbs--those that show no action--words like was, is, are. They're used by a lazy writer. Make it a habit to find active verbs, words that show us what someone is doing. Jump, run, batted, smashed, darted are words that bring the reader an instant mental picture. They are also far more interesting. I once pointed out in a critique that the writer had used a passive verb in every sentence in a lengthy paragraph. Boring! Practice using active verbs and it becomes a habit.

These are only some of the things to look for when you do an edit. Plot changes deserve another special editing process. Doing the ones I've listed will strengthen your writing, will make it more interesting to the reader, and make it more likely to be published.  

Writing is a step by step process. If anyone ever told you it happens easily, don't believe them. Capture the publishing prize by working through the process until you deem the work ready to market.

By Nancy Julien Kopp - October 29, 2013 Original Post