Keep Truckin', Writers!

 

Today's poster has some good advice for writers, and perhaps for others, as well. How often do writers have failures and doubts? Myriad times! 

There are groups of writers who give up when they are faced with another failure or doubt themselves as a writer. After all, it's much easier to quit than to carry on, isn't it? Easier yes, but if you have a passion for writing perhaps not the exit door you should select. 

What does it take to continue when the rejections pile in faster than the acceptances, and you begin to doubt your ability as a writer? Every writer has been in this situation at some point in their career. 

We have choices to make. Should we exit the writing world? Should we try to figure out the why and the wherefore of our situation? Should we persevere? A lot depends on serious you are about being a writer. Newbies can get discouraged rather easily, and those who have put in a great deal of time and effort need to give serious thought to the consequences of giving up. 

What if you do decide to give up? Will you always wonder what might have happened if you had continued like the fairy in our poster? She continued despite problems. You can, too.

Maybe you need to consider getting some help to improve your writing enough so that you'll have a few more acceptances. Sitting in your chair and hitting the keyboard all alone might not be the best way. There are scads of books about writing. Read some of them! There are many writing workshops and conferences, a lot on zoom so you can attend in your jammies. Sign up for one or two or three! There are successful writers that you probably know. Visit with them! 

We can't merely wallow in our worries about our writing world. It's up to us to do something about it. The fairy was unstoppable because she carried on despite her failures and doubts. Surely you and I can do the same if we truly want to continue being a part of the writing world. 

Inspiration to Write

 My online writing group does a Random Word exercise each week. The person responsible for a month sends a new word each week. She can close her eyes and point to a word in a book or make up the word or use a word that ends up being related to the others in that month. Yesterday, I sent the word for this week.

 

 One of the women wrote to me saying she would love to have a full writing prompt, because, she said, a word along does not inspire her. 

I got to thinking about what can inspire us to write, and I looked back in my files to see if I had ever addressed the topic previously. Surprisingly, I had written several posts on this topic. The following is one I liked and perhaps you will, too. 

 A Jack London website mentions that he wrote fifty books in a sixteen-year period. Many of his books were based on his own experiences on the sea and in the wilderness. He's famous for his quote on finding inspiration. He said, "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." His quote impressed me. He didn't sit inside a warm, toasty house waiting for inspiration to strike. He created his own inspiration, or so it seems.

Perhaps too many writers sit in front of the computer each morning and wait for inspiration to come floating by, then drop down into their lap. Oh, if only it could be that easy. Where do we find inspiration for our stories, poems, essays and other writing? It is rarely found in your desk chair in front of your laptop.

I once had a friend comment that she couldn't understand how I could be a writer. You're such a social person and writers are introverts and often recluses. That was her personal interpretation of a writer. She went on to say she thought I'd be lonely spending so much time alone writing. I never consider writing time as being lonely. After all, I'm with the people I'm writing about and thinking about the ones I'm writing for. I can't say I've ever felt lonesome while writing.

Yes, I truly am a social person. I like being where the action is--with my friends, at meetings or conferences, with family, at sporting events. Besides the joy of being with others, that is often when I find inspiration to write. Something I see or hear will trigger an idea. There have been times when I've grabbed a piece of paper and jotted down a few words to jog my memory later on.

I imagine Jack London spent time with others who, like him, led an adventurous life. They must certainly have been an inspiration to him and I'm guessing that many of his characters were based on people he'd actually met or observed somewhere.

People-watching in a coffeehouse, at a sporting event or in an airport can inspire a writer over and over. Think of all the people you see in situations like that, all the little slices of life you witness. Sitting in a pub listening to the tales others at the table are telling can be inspiring to a writer, too. We often rely on our own memories to help get us in the writing mode, but the memories of others can also be an inspiration.

If you want to write a baseball story, where is the best place to get inspired and find background? Needless to say, it's a ballpark. Looking to write a story about the life of a monk? Visit an abbey. Where are you going to find inspiration for an article on learning to be a chef? Maybe at a culinary school.

In other words, don't sit at home and research the topic on google. Get out there and find your inspiration. Nobody is going to come along and drop it into your lap. It's up to you.

NOTE: put inspiration to write in the search box at the top of this page, and other articles I've written on the topic will pop up. 

Writing Perspective

Which side of the writing line are you looking from? You're probably going to answer that you're a writer, so your view is as a writer. In many instances, that is true.

But what if you turned things around and looked at your own writing from the reader's view? After all, your readers are the ones you're hoping to reach, the ones you want to hook with that opening paragraph. 

One thing you might strive for is to bring emotion of some kind to your reader. Fine, but if you write with no emotion, your reader won't 'get it' either. We need to feel what we write. If you're writing a story about a hero who has multiple brick walls set up in front of him, you want your reader to be cheering him to go on. If you write a story with a sad ending, you hope your readers will finish with a lump in the throat or a tear in their eye. Write so that readers feel something as they read your words. 

What about writers who truly enjoy writing long descriptions? They might love them, but do their readers? Consider how the reader will feel if you spend one entire page describing a place where the characters are having a picnic.

How about writers who write in far too much detail? Readers get tired of reading about a woman making a sandwich, step by painful step. Writers sometimes create too many details instead of giving the reader the benefit of the doubt, that they know how to make a sandwich. 'Mary made herself a ham and cheese sandwich.' is enough. You don't want to bore your reader.

I would suggest that, as a part of your editing process, you try to look at what you've written from the readers' point of view. Do it after you've done your normal editing and revision that has left you satisfied. Then, try to step into the shoes of a reader as you go through the process again. 

I'm reading a book right now in which the author jumps around constantly from character to character within a chapter, and it's driving me crazy. To the point that I may give up on the book before I'm halfway through reading it. I don't think the author gave much thought to his readers. Even so, his book was published, but I think it could have been a better book if he'd given a bit more thought to his readers. 

As our poster for today says, 'Sometimes, all you need to do is look at things from a different perspective.'

 

Editing Polishes Your Writing

 

Look at these shelves of books. Every one of the authors who wrote them spent a good deal of time editing their manuscripts.  Rare as a red rose in the snow is the book that stands ready to be published on its first writing.

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. That part is proofreading. While all those things should be looked at, there are others to be added to the list to do actual editing.

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 tells 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.

Book Review: A Little Burglary in Bibury

Christina Hamlett's newest book in her series of Cozy Mysteries is titled 'A Little Burglary in Bibury'. It's number six and brings the reader, once again, into the lives of Rochelle (Rocky) Reid and her now-fiance, Jon Tapping.  

Cozy mysteries are not violent nor are they filled with explicit sex scenes or cursing. Nevertheless, they offer a good story for mystery lovers. 

In the earlier books, we have followed the romance of these two and their involvement in many a mystery. Rocky seems to be drawn to helping solve crimes, and Jon is her back-up and rescuer in many cases. 

The pair live in London, but the mysteries involved happen around the UK, in both England and Scotland. The reader is treated to a taste of armchair travel with each book in the series set in a different place. 

In 'A Little Burglary in Bibury', Rocky is deep into wedding plans but confused about many of the decisions she must make. Marrying the son of Lord and Lady Tapping requires a special wedding and reception. Her friend, Cybbie, suggests they make a weekend trip to a small village called Bibury. Cybbie's aunt is a master baker, she says, and would love to make the wedding cake. Despite misgivings, Rocky agrees, and her concern proves valid. 

Shortly after arriving, the local bakery, a rival of Cybbie's autnt, is burgled and the owner found dead. Of course, Rocky finds herself becoming involved in finding out who broke in, who killed the bakery owner, and why it happened. 

Soon after, Jon joins her in Bibury, to help her turn down Aunt Eugenie's offer to make the wedding cake. Before they can deliver the bad news to Cybbie's aunt, the mystery at the village bakery draws them in. 

Many new characters are involved, plus some of the ones the reader has met in the earlier books. Despite being number six in the series, the book can be read on its own with plenty of backstory to bring the reader into the tale being told. 

Besides local color of the village and its hotel and restaurants, the reader is treated to the description of culinary treats at Aunt Eugenie's home, the rival bakery, and a few appealing restaurants. 

Christina Hamlett is the author of 52 books, 276 stage plays, and 'squillions' of articles and interviews. She is also a gourmet chef, thus the inclusion of culinary treats in her books. She draws her readers in effortlessly with a good mystery story and a bit of humor. 

Buy this newest book about Rocky and Jon and their adventures at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other online sellers which you can find via a search engine. 

A List of the books in this series:

Book 1:  A Little Larceny in Lynmouth

Book 2:  A Little Scandal in St. Andrews

Book 3:  A Little Drama in Dunster

Book 4:  A Little Poison in Paisely

Book 5:  A Little Tumble in Tintagel

Book 6:  A Little Burglary in Bibury

Writers Should Be Readers, Too

I made a visit to my local library today. Whenever I enter, I feel a sense of peace and joy. In fact, the library feels like my second home and has since I learned to read all those years ago. 

When I started writing, I learned the importance of also being a reader. Yes, a writer should read many books about the craft, but it's also important to read what others have written. Novels. How-To books, History, Home Decor, Travel and more. With our writer's mind, we note more in the books we read than others might. 

Even if subconsciously, we take note of the way dialogue is presented, the method the author uses to bring a character to life, how the writer creates tension, the use of sensory details, the beauty of language and so much more. Perhaps, as writers, we are more aware of these kinds of things. If not, we should be. 

If you're a mystery writer, should you only read mystery books? Should a romance writer immerse herself in nothing but romantic books? Should a travel writer ignore books that bring history to life? Of course not! No matter the genre we write, we should be wide read, expanding our horizons. We'll still pick up bits and pieces about our craft as we read.

More than once, when I have read an especially lovely sentence of paragraph, I stop and read it again to savor those beautiful words. My admiration for the writer goes up a notch or two, and I wish I could write like that. 

Read not only books but newspapers and magazines, online newsletters. You learn, you enjoy, and you also pick up tips on how to write, even if that is not your original purpose. It's a very nice side-effect. 

As writers, I hope we don't fall into the trap of watching tv and movies but seldom pick up a book to read. Some of each is fine. Find a balance that works for you. Be a writer and be a reader. 
 

Writers and Achievement

Today's poster gives us food for thought. Consider the number of years you have been writing. Is it 5, 10, 15- 30? Are you the same writer today that you were when you were a newbie writer filled with dreams and desires to be the best writer ever? 

I hope you're a better writer now than when you started. No matter what we pursue, we should grow as our experience increases. Athletes are much the same. The more they pursue their sport, the better most become at it. Of course, they have coaches to help them make progress. Writers are on their own, although we do have workshops and conferences to attend to help us become better writers.

It's something we probably don't think about too often. How many times have you actually asked yourself "Am I a better writer now than when I started writing?' In your heart, you know the answer, but you don't give it a great deal of thought. 

An interesting exercise for you to consider is to go back through your files to some of your earliest writing efforts. Read through each one entirely. I did this recently when I was looking for something and ran across a folder with some of my very earliest writing. What a surprise it was. I realized immediately that I have made a lot of progress in my writing life since those early days. A few stories appeared to have potential, but I knew they needed to be rewritten using the knowledge I've gained over these many years. In fact, I'm quite enthused about one in particular. 

Take some time to consider what you have achieved in your writing life. You should be a better writer on this end of the spectrum. As our poster says, be proud of what you have achieved. 

 

Are You a Last-Minute Writer?

 Today's poster made me laugh. I think there are two groups of people. Those who plan way ahead and get things done early and those who wait until the last minute. If a poll was taken, I wonder which group would be the largest. 

There are things that are best done at the last minute, well, maybe not the very last but close. When company is coming, you don't want to dust and clean floors a week ahead. You'd only need to do it all over again the day before your company is due. If you're going to serve a cake on Sunday, don't make it the preceding Sunday. Not gonna taste very fresh.

My son was a last-minute kind of student. He always got it done but seldom ahead of time. There are people who work best under pressure. They might have to stay up late the night before an assignment is due, but that's their choice.

What about writers? Yes, there are two groups of these people, as well. One group notes a deadline to submit a piece of writing and has it ready way ahead of that date. Others wait until the last minute and get their submission written and sent. Pros and cons to both.

The writers who work well ahead of deadlines have one real benefit. There is more time for editing and revision, so they are going to be sending a polished piece of writing. They also don't have the Worry Pixie riding on their shoulder. Some contests take only X number of entries, so the early bird can rest assured that theirs will be among that number. Those who work ahead have peace of mind.

What about those last-minute writers? They run just the opposite of the other group. That Worry Pixie has a permanent spot on their shoulder. They probably get the piece ready by the deadline, but there is little time left for editing and revision, so they are probably not sending their best work. They could be the 1012th entry for a contest that accepts only 1000 entries. There are writers who find they do their best writing when under pressure. 

Each writer probably learns which way works best for them. If working ahead is best, he/she should stay with that method. If doing a slam-bang job at the last-minute produces results, then go for it. We're all different. Some of us like the peace of mind that working ahead allows, while others thrive on doing a bang-up job at the last minute. 

It's your choice as to which way you choose to work, which way produces the best results for you, which way brings satisfaction and good results. 

Writing About Love

 What better time to write about love than during Valentine celebration week. Look at all the choices you have. There's boy-girl romantic love, the love of family members, the love of certain foods, love of your country, and many others. 

There are even different kinds of love in each of those mentioned. The boy-girl/man-woman kind of love can produce sizzling, sexy stories, or the simple coming of age love stories. Or even the quiet love stories of those in a longtime marriage. 

Parents love their children and vice-versa. Siblings, even though bickering at times usually love one another. I didn't realize how much I loved my three younger brothers until two of them passed away. 

If you love specific foods, you can probably write a love story about whatever it happens to be. Or a poem--An Ode to ...! 

When we feel deeply about our country, we can surely write an essay about out patriotism. You might write an essay about the love and joy gardening gives you. Or quilting or writing or painting!

Your 'love stories' can be warm and fuzzy, or they might be funny, or deeply serious. As writers, we are in charge of what kind of story to write. On a Monday, you might feel like writing a serious love story, but on Wednesday, you might be in the mood for a funny tale. 

As I've said about so many things in our writing world, 'It's your choice.' Isn't that wonderful? You're not meant to heed rules and regulations about what you write. 

I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day. Give some thought about what you can write about this annual day of love, cupids, chocolates, and flowers. Or about some other kind of love as written above. Wear a big smile as you write about someone or something you love!

Finishing What You Write

 

Starting a new writing project is fun, inspiring, and even exhilarating. We've taken a bit of an idea and began enlarging on it, bringing it to a fuller thought than when that snippet came to us. Writers who write by the seat of their pants, often referred to as 'pantser's, enjoy seeing where the original thoughts will lead them. 

But what about finishing what you started? Most writers have a number of unfinished stories, essays, and poems in their files. Why? Isn't the idea of writing to start and then finish so we can then jump into the submission process? 

There are a few reasons that writers abandon a writing project. One is fear that, once completed, you're going to have to do something with what you've written, and maybe you're a bit worried about finding a place that will publish your work, concerned about the whole submission process. Another fear is that maybe your idea didn't turn out as well as you'd hoped. 

Another problem can be that you get stuck in the middle of what you're writing and don't know where to go next. In fiction, maybe you've set up a problem for the hero, but you have no idea how to get him out of it. So, it's easier to quit, telling yourself you can work on it later. If it's a personal essay, you start with an experience that you've had, but you don't know how to bring it to the point where you've learned something along the way. 

There's always the problem that you didn't have time to finish. With the busy lives we lead, time sometimes becomes our biggest enemy. Maybe you started writing a story but had to set it aside because of family or work obligations that seem to go on and on for way too long. There sits your unfinished story, not completed only because you haven't had time to work on it. 

Sometimes, you don't finish a writing project because you don't like the way it's turning out. More than once, I've thought to myself--'This is pure drivel.' and I either throw the partially written piece away or put it in a file. We shouldn't throw our work away; put it in a file and go back to it someday. Time away can give you new perspectives when you do look at it later, sometimes much later. 

Yes, there are myriad reasons we don't finish some of the writing projects we start. It's not a crime. Maybe this wasn't the right time to finish the story idea you had that at first seemed so great. It's alright to have unfinished writing in your files. The important thing is to go back now and then and look at them. Six months later, you might have a better idea how to finish what you had started. Pull out that poem that you stashed before ever doing any editing or revising. 

Finish what you start is good advice, but you don't have to finish in one fell swoop. 

Writers--Learn to Cut Your Precious Words

 

Today's post is a repeat regarding cutting words. Such a necessary but difficult thing for writers to do. 

Two posters suggest cutting words. ...cut it to the bone Stephen King tells us. The anonymous author of the second quote tells us we are going to have to delete much of our first draft. He/she says that is when we know we are a writer, but it might take us a long time to accept that.

Or maybe you don't agree with what these two quotes tell us. Maybe you are averse to cutting words or deleting entire sections of something to which you gave time and effort. You love some of the phrases or you are extremely proud of the way a certain section turned out. Cut? No way! 

I think this is when our ego and our talent as a writer get tangled. Those words we write are precious. We wouldn't take one of our children and toss them out, would we? That's how some writers feel about cutting parts of the story or deleting unnecessary words. They end up with wordy, dreary writing.

The cutting process will leave you with a much stronger piece of writing. If you edit with an objective eye--keyword here being objective--you can find areas that may be lovely prose but add nothing to the story itself. Or the essay or poem--whatever you are writing. 

In my first online writers' group, our moderator was a fine writer and a tough taskmaster. She was hard on all the members over one bad practice or another but she broke many of us of bad habits. One of those was being too wordy. She would cut huge chunks of a submission. That often hurt the writer but she always added a valid reason for what she suggested. Some people only needed unnecessary words cut but with others, it was entire paragraphs or even sections. I always read the critiques that this woman gave to other writers because I learned a great deal by doing so. As time went by, I could see that her suggestions on cutting were very beneficial. 

Here's a little problem with slashing our words. We're writers. We're word people. We love words and phrases and sentences. We don't want to get rid of any of it. Still, one of today's quotes suggest we are not real writers if we cannot make peace within as we slash, dice and slice some of what we've written. I know that, when I do this, I end up with a stronger piece of writing. 

Some of us tend to be redundant. We repeat the same idea with different words within the same paragraph. Part of the reason we tend to do that is to make sure the reader 'gets it.' Give your reader a little more credit for being able to 'get it' with only one try. When you edit your work, look for those areas where you have repeated yourself in some way and cut until you have made the point with one sentence. 

A fine poet in my online group frequently suggests cutting a lot out of a poem that has been subbed. That old less is more comes into play here. When she tells me to cut something, I pay close attention because I know she is a gifted poet and sees more than the average person. 

Don't be concerned with those many words you end up cutting. Put them away in your mental file box to use again someday. Those precious words aren't gone forever. 

Writers Can Find Story Ideas Everywhere

 Have you ever run out of story ideas, not just fiction but nonfiction, children's stories, articles, and poetry? You're not alone. This situation is not Writer's Block. It is something that happens to writers. They can write, but they need more ideas on what to write. Throughout this post, I will use 'story ideas' to mean all kinds of writing as stated earlier in this paragraph. 

Many things trigger story ideas, but it's up to the writer to act upon them. 

There were lots of family gatherings over the recent holidays. Lots of conversation, and many times people saying, "Do you remember when...?" Fuel for the writer's furnace!

Take a walk on a summer evening. You'll most likely pass others doing the same. Which ones intrigue you? Which yards have kids playing games? Who is walking a dog? Who is dressed in a weird get-up? These can all be triggers to help you find a topic for your next writing project.

Go to a concert and look around you. Or at church, a play, a board meeting, or a parade. These places are rife with story ideas. Airports or commuter trains or buses. Almost anywhere there are groups of people.

Are the stories going to jump up and holler "Here I am!" Of course not. Instead, work on training your writer's eye. Practice by asking yourself what that mother and child that are having an argument might mean for a story to write. How about the altercation between the bus driver and a homeless person who wants to ride for free? Or the group of dogs traveling together down the middle of the road. 

Work on thinking about story ideas wherever you are. In time, you'll do it automatically. Your writer's eye will be experienced and able to find story ideas wherever you go. 

Our poster today says: Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any.

Those writers who see five or six story ideas are the ones who have worked at training their writer's eye. The stories are there, and it's up to you and me to find them. 

Writers--Don't Give Up

 When we read books by prolific authors, or see the names of writers in anthologies numerous times, or recognize the name of an author when reading a book review, all we see is the result of their writing life, the part that makes them happy. 

What we don't take note of in the above is the many down times these writers and others have experienced. A fellow writer once cited a statistic that has stayed with me. He said, "The average acceptance rate is one out of every twelve submissions." That statement could make many a writer throw up their hands and swear they'll never write anything again.

I certainly hope very few will do that. As writers, we need to accept the fact that we will have more rejections than acceptances. At least, most of us will. I'm very proud of the number of stories I have had in the Chicken Soup for the Soul anthology books, but there were many more stories I submitted to them that never saw print. 

Is it terrible to become discouraged? Of course not! We're human and trying over and over to be published and not making it hurts. It hurts us, it angers us in some cases, and it helps us stop believing in ourselves at times. 

One trait a writer needs to develop is Determination. Maybe an attitude of 'I'll show them!' would help foster that trait. 

Our poster today says: 'Go over, under, around and through, but...never give up.' It's easy to say, but more difficult to put in practice. One thing that factors in here is how determined you are to become a published writer. 

Those rejections tend to knock you down for a bit, but the determined writer picks himself up and moves on. If one publication rejects you, move on to another. We've all heard stories about famous authors who received multiple rejections for a book that eventually became a best seller. Keep in mind that an editor is one person, or a reading committee is only a handful of people. If they say no, maybe somebody else will say yes. You'll never know that unless you keep submitting. 

Rejections come for a variety of reasons. Perhaps, the publication has already published something similar, or it doesn't fit their theme, or you send a horror story to a romance magazine, or the writing lacks something. This last is one you have control over. If you feel your writing is not up to standards editors expect, one of the best things to do is to join a writing critique group. But do it with an open mind. Expect that your work will be criticized but that those doing it are trying to help you become a published writer. The criticisms are to help you, not hurt you. A good attitude on your part is necessary if you are to gain something from a group like this.

The road writers move along can be a rocky one, but if the writer is determined and pledges to not give up, it can be rewarding. Keep today's poster advice in mind: 'Go over, under, around and through, but...never give up.'

5 Truths for Writers

 

It's time for us all to be true to ourselves as we pursue our writing journey. Do any of the following Truths fit you? Are there others that might be added to this list?

Truth #1:  Do you ever try to fool yourself into thinking you're a good enough writer without continuing to learn more about this business? When I started teaching, I was surprised when I had to attend in-service meetings on a regular basis to continue learning more about my chosen profession. A new college graduate often steps into the first job thinking they are well-trained after 4 years of college. I figured out pretty quickly that those college years gave me a base to build on, no more. It's no different with writers. Learn a little as a base and then keep adding knowledge as you move along. Are you ever finished? I don't think so. We can always learn something new.

Truth #2:  Do you have lots of valid excuses for not submitting your work for publication? Or are you not submitting because you're afraid of rejection? Afraid you might find out you aren't good enough to be a published writer? Or because you know you can do better if you put more effort into your writing? We often make up reasons to avoid doing something--like submitting--because it's easier than admitting to the truth.

Truth #3:  When you get a negative critique of your work, do you become defensive and ignore the suggestions given by the person who did the critique? If you want to succeed in your chosen field of writing, you will need to be open to suggestions from other writers. You don't have to agree with everything they tell you but give real consideration to what they point out. Especially if several people find the same trouble spot. Then you know you must work on that area.

Truth #4:  When there is a deadline to meet, do you procrastinate and then have to do a rush job? If you own up to this one, you are your own worst enemy. In many of my posts here, I urge writing more than one draft and I suggest that you let that first draft simmer a few days before you revise and edit to create another draft. Maybe even a third one. Guess what? That takes time, and if you wait too long, you write in a hurry and it's not going to be your best effort. As a beginning writer, I was always excited when I finished a story and wanted to send it out immediately. I hadn't learned the benefit of taking time and writing more than one draft. When I did, it proved to be beneficial.

Truth #5:  Do you avoid writing groups because they take up too much time? Or do you turn away from them for fear of being judged harshly? Or do you fear that your work might not measure up to others in the group? Maybe several in the group feel the same way you do. What everyone needs to do is to remember that the group purpose is to help one another. It's to continue learning this craft. No one likes to be judged unfairly but when it's done with the spirit of helping you become a better writer, how can you fault it? Take a deep breath and join a writing group. Someday, you'll be glad that you did.

I don't like to say that we lie to ourselves, but we do tend to avoid the truth sometimes. Be honest in evaluating your working habits. Make a list of places in your writing life where you could use some improvement. Keep it somewhere that is visible, so it serves as a regular reminder. It may be more comfortable to avoid the truth in your writing life but if you face it head-on, you'll reap the benefits as time goes on.

A Writer's Word For 2025

 There seems to be a new trend lately. You're to pick your 'word for the year' and keep it in mind as you navigate through the end of January and the next eleven months. Maybe a word is easier than making a list of resolutions that seem to take wing and fly off into the stratosphere. 

With that in mind, the word I'm proposing for writers to claim as their own in 2025 is ACTIVE. It's a word that can cover a good many bases in the writing world. Let's look at a few.

A. Write something every day. It doesn't matter if it is 25 words or 2500. Just write!

B. Get your writing files in order this month. 

C. Go through your files to see what pieces you might work on and submit for publication.

D. Give yourself regular pep talks. Do all you can to boost your confidence in your writing ability. 

E. Be ACTIVE in the writing groups you belong to. (If you don't belong to any, find one!)

F. Spend time with other writers. Nobody will understand you better than another writer.

G. Make a list of writing projects you would like to pursue during this year.

H. Spend time on a regular basis researching possible markets that fit your writing.

I'm sure there are other things you can do to be active in your writing life, but the ones in my list will be a good start. The important thing is to remember to be ACTIVE on a regular basis, not just now and then. 

Today's poster let us know that we shouldn't sit back and do nothing. We need to be ACTIVE to make progress in our writing world.

I am using ACTIVE as my word for 2025. Won't you join me and adopt ACTIVE as your word for this new year?

Writers Helping Writers

Today's poster is meant to bring a smile. Something that brings a smile to people is when we help one another. I've seen a lot of that during the week since our Kansas blizzard. Post after post on Facebook featuring people who need help and others who are offering to help those in need. Getting stuck in fifteen inches of snow is no picnic, and definitely a time when help from others is needed and ever so appreciated.

Seeing those posts made me think about how writers can help other writers. There are a number of ways we can do that. A list follows:

A. Blog about writing that gives tips and encouragement to writers. (That's the theme of this blog in case you had never noticed)

B.  When you're at a writing workshop, look for those people who seem to be alone. Start a conversation or draw them into a group conversation. 

C.  Offer your services to your local or state writing organization. Be an officer, give a program, offer to give a workshop at a conference, greet new members. Be a joiner, not a lurker. Those who join and do things in a group usually benefit the most.

D.  Write articles about writing that might be of interest or help to other writers.

E.  Join a writing critique group where you both give and receive critiques on your writing. There are great benefits in doing this. Writers helping writers.

F.  Befriend a new writer. A chat over coffee or lunch can be so helpful to those beginning writers who still have many questions. 

G.  If you're an experienced writer, write a book about the craft. You can help new writers this way and add another publication to your name, as well.

There are other ways to help your fellow writers. You'll see them when the opportunity arises. There are writers who don't want to get involved with other writers, so they pass up those chances to help others. That's their choice, but I've always found that by helping others, I also reap some benefits. 

Consider how much help you might have needed as a new writer. When I first began writing, I knew I needed all the help I could find. It's why I joined a local writers' group where I was living at the time. It was a group of around eight people. I learned so much from them, and as time went on, I was able to help some of the newer members by answering their questions and giving encouragement when the opportunity arose. When we moved to another community, one of the first things I did was to look for a local writing group. 

Writers helping writers! It can bring a smile to your face.

 

Write About the Weather

 We all talk about the weather. It affects a great many things in our lives. Brides live in fear of a rainy day when they are going to be married. Graduates hope for a sunny, not too windy day for outdoor graduations. Parents traveling two hours to an airport to pick up married children dread having to travel on snow-packed or icy roads. Campers want warm, dry weather. There are so very many ways weather plays a part in our lives. 

It's a perfect topic for writers to pursue. Think of the sensory details a writer might use--the sound of rain on a tin roof, seeing and hearing lightning and thunder, touching the cold snow, the way grass tickles your bare feet, the smell of coffee, the odor of a skunk who has released his nastiness nearby, petting a cat, and so many more, 

Sensory details bring a reader into a scene, and the ones used when writing about weather can be especially interesting. 

Writing about weather offers the writer an opportunity to practice descriptive phrases. As an exercise today, write descriptive phrases for the following weather topics: 

A. Blizzard

B.  Thunderstorm

C.  Blistering hot day

D.  Flood

E.  Ice storm

Writing about weather allows the writer to dive into the sea of adjectives to write memorable descriptions. Remember to use one or two at the most. More adjectives than that makes for overkill and detracts from what you're describing. 

What type of writing can you do with weather as your topic? A fiction story. A personal essay describing a weather event you experienced. An article explaining some weather event. A children's story that revolves around weather. A poem. 

You can see that weather plays a part in our writing and offers us many opportunities. 

January Cleaning Time for Writers

 

Today's post is a repeat from a few years ago and meant to remind you about cleaning up your writing world--the area where you write, your files, and more. 

Someone has to say it so I might as well be the one to tell you that it's time for the annual cleaning of your writing world. If you're like me, the area next to your computer tends to get a bit cluttered. Maybe more than a bit. It doesn't take too much time to sift through and see what can be discarded and what must be kept. I also have a small three-tiered shelf unit next to my computer desk. Things tend to pile up there. January is a good time to sort through the accumulated items and either toss or file in the proper place. 

What about your computer files related to your writing? I'm talking about your submission records, the unfinished writing projects, the first drafts that have been left to simmer. Anything related to your writing life. Even your email address book deserves a cleaning. I noticed the other day that mine had names I never use anymore. Time to delete them! 

What about your documents file? Do you have outdated pieces resting there, gathering dust? I noticed that there are many photos in my Documents file that are repeats of ones in my picture file. I don't need them in two places. Delete them in one place or the other. For me, the photos belong in the picture file, not my Documents. 

I try to make hard copies of everything I write, even though saved on my computer. January is a good time to skim through and find any that I have missed this year, then print and place in my large binder. It never hurts to have computer files and hard copies, as well. 

This month is also the time to total your earnings related to your writing life. Make sure you have some written proof such as the bottom section of the checks editors send. Tax time is upon us. Whether you are a part-time writer or write for a living, records to complete your tax returns are absolutely necessary. If you're not sure how much you need to earn before it's necessary to report your earnings, check with a reliable source. 

This time of year, I like to go through my files and see what stories, poems, essays etc are ones that still need more revision and editing before I can submit them somewhere. Gather them in one folder and attack one at a time.

I can promise you one thing. Once you have done your January cleaning, you'll feel good. You'll know you are ready to move on in your writing world during this new year.

Does anyone have other suggestions for January cleaning related to writing?