Writers Need This Trait

Our quote today is by Octavia Butler, who is a science-fiction writer. She didn't sugarcoat her thoughts in this one. The reason I like the quote is that she highlights one of my two keywords for writers--persistence. 

When we start writing, our work doesn't look professional yet. It isn't usually an example of strong writing, poetic prose, or scintillating sentences. We shouldn't expect it to be any of those things when we begin our writing journey. 

If we're persistent and keep writing week after week, day after day, we can become a better, stronger writer. If a newbie writer writes something every other month, or even once a month, it's not enough. Cliche that it may be, the saying "Practice makes perfect" can be applied here. 

A sculptor starts out making simple pieces of art, and he/she learns along the way. With each new sculpture, the artist improves and most likely learns something, too. A carpenter who is just starting out cannot be classified as a master carpenter, but after years as an apprentice and then on his own, he perfects his trade. If you've ever read any of Julia Child's books about the art of cooking, especially French cuisine, you'll know that she was not a born chef. She learned from her many mistakes, but the most important thing was that she persisted. She was a very determined woman. 

Determined is what writers should also be. Persistence is what helps you continue with determination. Most poets don't write prize-winning poems with their first or second try. They pen scores of poems before they reach success in winning a prize or achieving publication. 

Persistence in writing means writing something every day. You needn't write an entire story daily, but do write a few paragraphs, a journal entry, or a writing exercise. Write a letter to a friend! But write each and every day. 

Persistence means not giving up when a writing project doesn't go well, or when rejections arrive. Keep going, keep learning.

Persistence means reading about the craft of writing. It means attending workshops and conferences to continue learning.

By now, you may have remembered, or guessed, my other keyword for writers. Patience. That persistence which I recommend takes patience. They go hand in hand, and each one can benefit new writers, intermediate writers, or the highly successful ones. 

Octavia Butler knew what she was talking about!

 

Determination and a Tough Hide for Writers

 

This is a repeat post, but one I think worth a second look.

Mr. Turtle in today's photo has some determination, something all writers should own, as well. They should also master developing a tough hide like his. Two good qualifications among others that would benefit writers. Let's look at each one.

Wishy-washy writer or one that is determined? Which one do you think will be more successful? Which one are you? Or are you a writer who bounces back and forth between the two? A lot of writers fall into this latter category.

If you try a new writing project and give up when it doesn't mesh together nicely, you're not going to move very far on your writing journey. You'll start myriad new writing projects and probably finish very few of them. 

I thought about my daughter when she was a toddler learning to dress herself. I'd let her try for just so long and then try to help. She'd immediately say "No!" Then, she'd try again (and again) until she was successful. Determination was an inborn trait with her. She ended up using that trait all through her growing up years and into her career. 

Not everyone is fortunate enough to be born with the trait of determination. Some have to work at it and develop the trait over many years. It's worth working to achieve that status if you want to be a successful writer. Giving up is easy. Pushing on and continuing isn't. A lot depends on how much you want your writing world to be fruitful. 

If your newest writing projects are filled with bumps and potholes, it's discouraging. We can all admit that. The important part is how you handle it. Do you dump the whole project with the first couple of bumps, or do you put it away for a short while, give it some thought, and then work on it again? I hope it is the latter choice for you. 

I've used an example many times about the story of The Little Engine That Could. We all know the story of that train engine who kept repeating "I think I can! I think I can!" until he was able to pull the big engine. I think I can might be a good mantra to use when things aren't going well. 

Like the turtle, writers also need to have a tough hide. They need to learn to let the rejections bounce off that hide, rather than pierce straight through to the heart. Learning to accept both criticism from other writers or readers or editors, along with full rejections from publishers, is not easy. The first thing we should do is to remember that the criticism is not a personal attack against YOU. Sadly, many writers take it that way. The criticism, or rejection, is about what you have written. Let's face it. Not every story, article, poem, or essay is going to be a masterpiece. Especially not with the first, or even second draft. There will be some fine parts and other areas that need work. 

When someone gives you the exact spots that bothered them, feel happy that you know where you have to do some revision. It's so much better than an overall criticism where you don't even know where to begin to revise. If you put your writing up for critique in a group, you'll benefit a great deal. When more than one person picks out the same area that needs work, believe it. Then do something about it. A simple rejection from an editor will not always be sent with a reason. I appreciate the ones that do give me an inkling of why the piece didn't work for them. 

Work on not taking criticism personally. Think of it as something to help you improve on your craft and become better at it. 

Make an attempt to develop Mr. Turtle's Try and Stop Me attitude. You'll accelerate your writing journey that way.

How to Cut Words From Your Writing

 

Slash! Cut! Snip! Ax! Clip!  All those words relate to our poster quote today. Stephen King's advice is always right on. We should heed his words since he has written so many successful novels and a wonderful reference book for writers titled "On Writing." 

I am in agreement with him about cutting the excess fat. Recently, I wrote a first draft of a story to submit to Chicken Soup for the Soul whose guidelines state no more than 1200 words. And they mean 1200 words. My draft was 1244, but I've done the cutting exercise so many times that I felt confident I could cut those 44 extra words, and maybe more. Doing so would most likely make my story stronger and more concise. 

Most writers don't like to cut words they have written. Every word we write is precious, but if your story can be made better by cutting, then go for it. It's not as difficult a task as some think. And, as I said earlier, the more often you do the slashing words exercise, the better you become. A master slasher! (The phrase 'as I said earlier' could be cut without losing meaning in the sentence. See how easy it can be!)

How do you cut words? Read through the entire draft first, then go back and look at it paragraph by paragraph. You might be surprised by the number of times you repeat a word that isn't necessary. Let's look at several ways you can cut words.

A. Word Repetition:  You might find a section like this:  Alice drove to the beach with tears streaming. She'd go to the beach to forget him. She loved the beach.  20 words. Rewrite it like this:  Tears streaming, Alice drove to her beloved beach to forget him. 11 words. 

B.  Idea Repetition: Some writers fear that readers will not 'get' a point they are making, so they repeat the same idea in the next paragraph. You don't need to do this. Say it once and be done. Readers are capable of 'getting it' the first time. Another possibility is the writer is not sure what to write next, so the easy way out is to repeat the same idea using different words. All it does is add to the word count.

C.  Unnecessary words: When we talk or write, we tend to toss in many unnecessary words. They are words that have no bearing on the meaning, words that, when cut, do nothing harmful to the sentence. Words like 'just, very, really, usually, that, rather, quite, and probably' can be eliminated without losing meaning in the sentence. Google 'unnecessary words in writing' to read more.

D.  Dump the word 'the' in some places: We tend to use 'the' in many places where it is not necessary. The following sentence can be shortened. We use the recipe books and the hand-written ones from our mothers. Rewrite as: We use recipe books and hand-written ones from our mothers. You've cut two words and left the meaning. When you edit, look for places where 'the' can be dropped.

E. Eliminate 'that' when possible: In this sentence, 'We know that Paul will be late and that he will laugh about it.' The word 'that' can be cut without losing any meaning. It would read: 'We know Paul will be late and he will laugh about it.' 

F.  Cut adverbs and adjectives:  These are modifiers and are not always needed. Some writers think if one adjective is good, use two or three. That's overkill. One is fine, and most adverbs can be cut, too. Adverbs lead you into the trap of telling rather than showing.

G.  Conjunctions:  You can eliminate the 'and, but, or' words when you are writing a lengthy sentence. Instead, cut the conjunction and create two separate sentences. Do it in many places, and the number of words cut adds up.

H.  Lengthy sentences: Some writers love long sentences. Not only can they be divided into two sentences but also lose some words. Read a very long sentence and note ways it can be trimmed.

If you can cut words without losing meaning, go ahead and ax them. The more you work on cutting words, the easier it becomes. You train your editing eye to look for places to cut. 

 

Last Minute Writers

Last minute writers often come in last! Ouch! 

I've been thinking about those who wait until close to a deadline to send in a contest entry. They are to be commended for entering, as many writers think about entering a writing contest and think and think until they miss the deadline. However...

Those who enter on the deadline day or close to it run the risk of sending a piece of writing that was done in a hurry. When that happens, there is little time for editing and revising. It ends up either being skipped or done in such a hurry that it hardly makes a dent in good writing. The editing and revision process takes time. Write a first draft, then let it sit untouched for a few days, or even longer. Go back and edit and then at least once again. 

Send in your first draft, and you're quite likely to miss placing or winning a prize, especially if you're competing against others who have taken time to create a truly finished piece of writing. 

Out poster today says: 'Nothing makes me more productive than the last minute.' There is some truth in that saying. We definitely must move fast if we wait until close to the deadline. But will it be of benefit to us? Probably not. 

Some writers are also procrastinators. It's habitual with them. By doing so, they aren't giving themselves a fair shake. Plan ahead and work on a piece of writing a little at a time, and it is probably going to be a better result. Plan ahead to get ahead.

When a high school English teacher grades an essay assignment, he/she can tell who spent time on the writing and who dashed it off the night before. It's usually quite clear. So can contest judges.

So, what should you do? Plan ahead. If you enter your state writing contest annually, you'll know the time when the entry dates begin and end. Don't wait. Decide what you might like to enter. Perhaps it is something you've already written, or maybe you'd like to write a new piece for a certain category. Get that first draft written or start editing and revising a piece you've already written way ahead of the deadline. 

If you are the habitual procrastinator, you can change. It might be difficult, but you can do it. Do it once, twice, and more, and you might make it a habit. 

Yes, last minute writers often come in last! 

 

Should I Join a Writer's Group?

Do you belong to a writer's group or association? If not, why not? I've heard excuses like 'I don't have time for that.' and 'They don't write like I do.' and 'I hate meetings.' 

Nothing is perfect, but I believe that writers' groups have enough benefits to give them a gold star. There are a variety of groups that offer different benefits. 

A. Online critique groups: I have belonged to one for many years, and I know that I am a better writer because of them. When others critique my work, they look objectively and point out things I never see, even when I am editing and revising. Besides improving my writing, the women in my group have become real friends. Where do you find a group like this? Go to your favorite SEO and use keywords like 'online critqiue groups' or 'online writing groups'. There are many different kinds. My group is for women only and open to International writers. It's relatively small, varying with 20-25 members. There are others that are quite large and can probably offern more because of size. Personally, I prefer the smaller size as it is more personal. 

B. Local in-person writing groups:  Many towns have groups like this. I found one many years ago through my local library. Way back then, a group of older ladies who liked to write met one Sunday afternoon a month. I learned a lot merely by listening to them chat and hearing them read pieces of their work. Now, our community has a few writers' groups that meet face-to-face. 

C. State organizations: Most states have a writers organization. I joined mine 26 years ago and have never been sorry. They offered me an opportunity to meet other writers, to attend workshops and an annual convention as well as monthly meetings. When Covid hit, we started having zoom meetings, and they were so well received that they continue to this day. My state is over 400 miles long from east to west border, so the zoom meetings allow everyone to hear guest speakers, attend meetings, and more. Once again, use a search engine to find your own state organization for writers.

D. Other online writing groups: There are other online groups that are not critique based. They offer information for writers, news about submissions, and more. 

By joining writing groups, I have connected with a great number of writers. I benefit from their understanding of the writing world, their successes, and their friendship. I have also found that the involved you become in a group, the more benefits you receive. 

One word of caution. There are writers who start joining writing groups in person and online to the point that they spend the bulk of their writing time with the groups, which leaves less time for actually writing. I encourage you to find and join a few groups, maybe even narrow it to one or two, but do remember to leave plenty of time to write. 
 

Aim for Strong Writing

Our photo today is of a man lifting a barbell, a strong man. He probably could not lift a barbell of great weight when he first started this exercise. He worked at it a little at a time, increasing the weight and his strength a little at a time. 

Like this man, we writers must work at being a strong writer. Strong writing doesn't merely happen.  

There are a number of things that will increase the strength of our writing. Here is a list of some of them:

A.  Getting rid of unnecessary words like very, usually, really. They clutter up our writing. Go through an old piece of writing and circle each unnecessary word, then delete it. These words don't help your writing. They become added clutter. We often use them in our everyday speaking but try to lose them when you write.

B.  Repetition of words and ideas can also give that cluttered look to your writing. When you edit, look for repetition of words close together and replace some of them. Also, watch for repetition of ideas. Sometimes, we writers think that the readers won't 'get it' unless we repeat. Don't do it.

C.  Overly long sentences can confuse a reader. They can often be cut into two separate sentences and become even stronger. 

D.  Be sure your verb tenses are consistent. If you are writing in past tense, make sure you stay in past tense. Or in present tense, keep it throughout. 

E.  Cutting words is a good way to be a stronger writer. Not only the unnecessary words mentioned above, but we can cut other words. We will often end with sentences that are more clear and stronger.

F.  As writers, we should work on increasing our vocabulary. By doing so and using the words we've learned, we will strengthen our writing. 

G.  Show don't tell. Every writing book you might read will emphasize this. A story in which a writer uses showing rather than telling will always be stronger and far more interesting.

H.  Use sensory details. When you show, rather than tell, you have a perfect platform for using sensory details like sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. 

I. Bring emotion to your writing. If the writer has emotion, so will his/her reader. 

J.  Writing exercises are not a waste of time as some writers contend. On the contrary, they help us as much as the weightlifter when he continues to increase the size of the bar bell he uses.  Daily writing exercises develop our writing muscles.

All the things listed above will aid us in becoming stronger, better writers. They take time. They require effort. In the long run, they will make you a stronger writer. 

 

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. 

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 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. 

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?

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?

Keep Your Passion for Writing Alive

 

A friend once had the poster above on her Facebook page. Definitely advice that is short and sweet but, oh so good. I'd like to have it blown up to poster size and tack it to the wall above my computer. Maybe I should get two and put one on the fridge as a reminder to get myself to the office to write. Or how about another in the laundry room? 

It's far too easy to allow life to get in the way of our writing, especially at holiday time. We have the best of intentions to spend X amount of time writing each day, but our world sometimes has other plans. Children need us, husbands require help in finding something. (What is it about men who have lived in the same place for years and years but still can't find numerous items?) The phone rings, or the doorbell. We're needed at a meeting or must run to the store to pick up milk and bread. The list could go on and on. 

We have responsibilities that must be met, and that's just fine. As long as we keep writing a primary task, we'll be alright. Just don't let it slip farther and farther down the to-do list. Once it hits near the bottom of the list, your writing world is going to become dimmer and dimmer. You run the risk of stopping altogether. I've seen people in my critique group quit. They say things like "I'm just not writing anymore." or "Right now, other things in my life are of more importance." Probably true but it makes me sad. I wonder if they will ever resume writing.

Most writers pursue their craft because they're passionate about writing. Make no mistake, it takes some doing to keep that passion lit. Like anything else, we sometimes have to truly work at it. We need some encouragement as well. And maybe we need some occasional success to keep the spark alive. 

For now, I'm going to let the poster of those four hunks keep me going. How about you? What will you do to keep your passion for writing alive?

A Writer's Christmas List

December has arrived, and we begin to think about Christmas lists. Lists of things to be done, lists of gifts we must find and purchase, lists of holiday goodies for the teas, lunches, dinners, and parties we might have. But how about adding a wish list of your own? A List of Things A Writer Would Like to Receive.

That list might not be one where your family can run to the nearest Costco or Macy's to find the gift. No. Some of things on that list are mere wishes or possibilities. Let's look at what you might put on a list like this.

A.  A published piece once a month in 2025

B.  The ability to get an idea in your head to be totally coherent in print

C.  Extra time to write

D.  A great critique group that will help you polish your work

E.  A List of Markets that your kind of writing publishes

F.  A few new reference books on the craft of writing, maybe even one

G.  Patience while waiting to hear the status of a submission

H.  A muse who will be positive and give help when needed

I.  To be able to show, not tell, a story

J.  To use sensory details automatically as you write

K.  To use as many active verbs as possible

What else would you add to this list? Think about your writing life and what it has been, what it is, and what you would like it to be. 

If I could put each of the items on the list in a silver box and tie it with a big red ribbon, and send it to you, I would. Your family probably would do so, as well, if possible. Many things on that list are ones only you can find and use. 

It's Christmas, so why not reward yourself? 

 

 

Writers and Patience

 

Many times, I have mentioned the two keywords in my writing life. One is patience and the other is perseverance. Today, let's concentrate on patience.

When did you first have the desire to become a writer? As a child? A college student? A young career person? After raising a family? Or maybe after you retired. Just because the desire takes root doesn't mean that is when you're going to give this craft a try. It may settle into your conscious or subconscious mind for a long time. For me, it was many, many years. 

Finally, you're ready to give writing a try. What's the first thing you do? Probably sit down and write a story that you've thought about a long time. You write it, then look at markets to decide where you'll send it. You find a magazine that seems to fit your kind of story, so off it goes. And then you wait. And wait. And wait. Finally, an email arrives telling you that the publication cannot use your submission. Suddenly, the realization comes that this business doesn't happen in a hurry. 

The person above probably made a lot of mistakes. After all, it's a first try. Here are just a few things this writer might have done wrong:

A. Wrote the story too fast

B.  Didn't edit the story before submitting

C.  Didn't let the story sit a few days before editing

D. Didn't study the markets well

E.  Expected to hear from the publication quickly

The writer was not patient. There are many steps in the writing process and they should be taken one by one. The list below gives a few suggestions for a new writer, and ones that seasoned writers should consider, as well: 

A.  Join a writing group 

B.  Take a class about writing and go to workshops at conferences

C.  Read, read, read about writing

D.  Join a critique group and take their advice to heart; learn that criticism is meant to help, not hurt

E.  Learn to accept rejection (not easy, but as time goes on, you can do it)

F.  Write on a regular basis, even if it is only 15 minutes a day

G.  The more you write, the better writer you can become

All the above requires patience. To be honest, I am not a patient person, but writing has helped me learn to be more patient than I have ever been. 

There is no magic number of months or years that will bring you success in writing. We're all unique people, all with different kinds of talents, all with hopes and dreams, but reaching the mountain top will take many roads and we will not all have to travel that road the same amount of time. Work on your patience while you also work on your writing skills. 

 

Wow Your Readers at the Beginning

 

Our quote for today tells us that 'The Beginning is the most important part of the work'. It's also one of the most difficult to get right! 

Consider what you must accomplish with the beginning of any works, be it fiction, flash fiction, essay, article, or poem. Your job here is to capture the attention and interest of the reader. 

Have you ever picked up a book and read pages before anything 'happened'? I find myself silently saying 'Get on with it.' Some who write novels choose to write many pages to set the scene. That may help the reader fix the place and time and more in their mind, but does it hold their interest? Are they wondering who the characters will be and what is happening to them? Quite possibly. It's alright to incorporate bits and pieces about the place, time etc as you move the story along. Once again, this is the writer's choice.

Starting out with a bang is going to make your reader want to turn the page to see what happens next. Make something happen in that first paragraph, something to pique the reader's interest.

When you begin a personal essay, you might pose a question, relate a vivid anecdote, introduce a character, or plant the seeds of an idea. But do it with gusto. 

That first paragraph or two, or first line of a poem, is your chance to hook your reader. Bore them then is to lose their interest quickly. 

Do a search for famous openings and see if you can find a common denominator. One we all know is the first sentence of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." The many children's stories that start with 'Once upon a time...' tells children this story happened long ago and there is a tale to be told. 

As an exercise for today, go through your files of stories and essays. Look at the beginnings or the opening lines. What do you think? Can you revise it to something better? Or do you like the way you started your story? 

A reference book I often recommend for fiction writers is Beginnings, Middles, and Ends by Nancy Kress. It was published in 2011, but her advice is still pertinent. 

Writers--Can You-Step Outside the Lines?

 Do you remember learning to color when you were a child? A coloring book and a box of crayons, and you were off and running.  The aim, we were told, was to stay inside the lines. With small children's muscle coordination, that was not always easy. Still, we persisted until we colored inside those lines every time. Success!

How does that relate to writing? We're given 'lines' to follow when we attend workshops, read reference books on writing, receive critiques from fellow writers, and writers' guidelines on market listings. It's how we learn about this game of writing. The more we stay within the lines, the better writer we will be. Right? 

Maybe yes, but perhaps no. I read a lot of market listings, and recently, I've noticed something that several publications state in the guidelines. They say things like: surprise us, step out of the box, we want to see something new and different, make us stand up and cheer for you, show us something unusual, be quirky. In other words, they want to see writing that doesn't necessarily fit into those lines we've had drawn for us in the past. 

Wow! Here's your chance to spread your wings and fly into the unknown. You'll need an adventurous spirit and perhaps a personality that doesn't fit within those provided lines. Some writers wouldn't dare try to be so different. Others would relish the opportunity. 

Ask yourself if you would be comfortable stepping outside the provided guidelines you've followed for many years. Do you prefer to be safe or adventurous? What would happen if you do try something new and different? The same thing that occurs when you submit anything you've written. It will be accepted or rejected. 

Take note of what the guidelines of a publication ask for. If they don't mention looking for something new and different, quirky or way out, then you'd be better off staying within the old guidelines. But there are plenty of publications that are looking for adventurous writers.

So go ahead and color outside the lines a time or two. Perhaps you'll find a whole new world of writing. Our quote for today says 'Be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons.' We all know that flame pink flamingo is going to stand out brilliantly.  Are you ready to try?

Write With Clarity

 

Look at the glass of water in the photo. You see right through it. Nothing obscures it. It's plain for all to see.

How nice it would be if our writing had the same kind of clarity. As writers, we know what we're attempting to convey, but the reader doesn't always get it because of the way we write.

In our head, it's perfectly clear, but once we write the words, it might be just plain cloudy.

If I'm writing about my great-aunt's farmhouse, I know exactly what it looks like. I've been there. I can see it in my mind's eye. To convey the picture of that house to you, the reader, I need to be quite explicit. To tell you about the time Aunt Jane killed a rattler by the cellar door, I need to let you know that the door was outside and only inches from the ground on a slant. Once opened, you needed to go down a flight of steps to reach the cellar itself. If I didn't explain, the reader might consider a door in her kitchen leading to the cellar. A strange place to kill a rattlesnake. I can see it, but my job is to make sure you, the reader visualizes it, as well.

Using too many pronouns leads to confusion, as well. It may not be clear which him, her, they the writer is referring to. One way to fix that is to use the person's name and the pronoun when writing in the same paragraph. It's boring to constantly use the actual name, and it's confusing and also repetitive to use the same pronoun over and over. Intersperse them and make sure your pronouns are clear in which noun they are replacing or referring to.

One of the problems with readers getting confused is that many writers tend to write overly long sentences. The reader is then left to sort it out. Sometimes they do, and other times, it's a muddle. A simple fix is to put the same information into two or three shorter ones. The reader's brain can absorb those three short sentences more easily than an exorbitantly long one.

I was recently critiquing a submission in my online writing group. The paragraph opened with two sentences both using the word 'man.' But t was not referring to the same man. I read it twice feeling confused, then realized what the writer was saying. A simple fix was to use 'artist' in the first sentence and 'man' in the second one which showed she was referring to two different men.

When you edit your drafts, ask yourself if you have made things clear to the reader. Or are you taking too much for granted that they know what you're talking about? If you have let your draft sit and rest for several days, then read through it, you are more likely to see places where clarity is a problem.

Clarity is every bit as important as grammar and description and sensory detail and all the other things that go into our writing. Yet, clarity is not an issue I see addressed very often. Be aware of it.   

An Exercise to Set Your Writer's Voice Free

 The members of my online writing group are offered a freewriting exercise each week. A word is chosen at random, sometimes by opening a book and pointing at a word on the page. Other times, someone selects a series of connecting words for the month, such as the four seasons. 

What do we do with 'the word'? The exercise calls for the writer to start writing without stopping. Anything that comes to mind for ten minutes. It can also be done using fifteen-or- twenty-minute time slots. The important thing is to keep writing, no stopping to think, just let the words flow as your fingers fly over the keyboard (or pencil on paper). Nothing has to connect, and sometimes it ends up mere drivel. Other times, we find a golden nugget.

Many of us have ended up with the bones of an essay or story through this exercise. It's a good way to warm-up before you begin whatever project you're working on. Today's poster tells us that a freewriting exercise will 'set your writer's voice free.'

There are many writers who shun writing exercises. The thinking is that they don't do anyone any good and waste good writing time. After reading so many of my fellow writers results of the freewriting exercise, I can see the benefit that can result. I also note it in the ones I have written. Our subconscious kicks in, and it's sometimes amazing what results. 

Give the exercise a try using the words listed below:

A. reminiscent

B. brother

C. school

D. storm

E. baby

F. train

G. circus

There are seven words listed above, one for each day of your week. As an alternative, you can open a book or magazine, close your eyes and point to a word. If the word is something like 'is or the' take the one before or after. 

One of the best essays I've written emerged from a freewriting exercise.