My Newest Chicken Soup for the Soul Book

Yesterday, Chicken Soup for the Soul, released a new book titled Messages from Heaven and Other Miracles. I have a story in the book about a message I received from my mother the night she passed away. The 101 stories in the book are uplifting and can be a help to the renewal of one's faith. 

A page near the end of the book mentions that the editors were overwhelmed by the thousands of stories submitted for this book. That little fact is certainly uplifting to the 101 writers whose stories were selected to be included. 

The Chicken Soup anthologies started 25 years ago. A passing fancy? Surprisingly, no. Readers enjoy being able to read a story or two, put the book down and return later for more stories. The editors select only the best submissions so that the result is a quality anthology. The themes chosen for the books are ones that appeal to readers. Some themes, such as mothers, angels, dogs, and cats, have had multiple books. There have books to honor teachers, getting in shape, teens, sports and more. To see a list of the 250 different books published, check here. Note that you can move from page to page at the bottom right of the first page. 

Many of the stories in these books can be considered short memoir pieces or family stories. The stories must be true and they need to be a full story with a beginning, middle and ending. Stories that are selected are usually ones that amuse or elicit emotion of some kind from the reader. The guidelines are explicit in what the editors are seeking. Follow them to the letter and your chances of getting accepted are greatly increased. 

If you're interested in submitting, read some of the books to get a feel for the type of story chosen for publication. So often, magazine guidelines state that the writer should read a copy or two of the magazine before submitting. It's worthwhile for a writer to follow that advice. It would also benefit you to check out the facts and figures and other parts of the anthology website.

It pleases me a great deal that I have been published in this anthology series 22 times. If I can do it, you can, too. Maybe the first, second or third story you submit won't make it, but be persistent and it might pay off. 

The book can be purchased at Amazon or found in bookstores.

January Cleaning For Writers

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 of 2019. 

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

Gourmet Touches--Titles and Quotes

This is an article I had published a few years ago. Sometimes we are so wrapped up in the main part of our manuscript that we skim past the small detailed things that are also important.

If you invite someone to dinner, you’re apt to add some special touches to the food and table décor. As a hostess, you try to make a dinner party special for your guests. Stories and articles deserve to be dressed up, too.

 Let’s take a look at two items that add gourmet touches to a story—titles and quotes.

 Titles

 The title of a story, article, or book draws the reader’s attention. It gives the reader a reason to read. Have you ever gone to the fiction section of the library or a bookstore and scanned titles? A few cause you to stop and pull the volume from the shelf. Something in the words on the books’ spine called out to you. Ever wonder why?

 When you meet someone new, they make an impression of some kind. Sometimes it’s positive, and other times not. The title of a book or story also makes a first impression, and it either creates further interest or moves us to pass on by. So, it’s important to find a title that is creative or catchy in some respect. That doesn’t necessarily mean it should be outlandish. Some writers think an outlandish title will catch an editor’s eye, and it may. It might also make the editor pass it by in a hurry.

 When Margaret Mitchell finished her epic Civil War novel, she played around with several titles. Among them were Tote The Weary Load, Milestones, and Not In Our Stars. Her final selection, Gone With The Wind, turned out to be perfect. In four little words, Ms. Mitchell let you know that her story dealt with loss and starting over.

 The title can be taken from the meaning of the story, a comment made within the text, or a strong image the story projects. A proper name can serve as a title, too. If the book or story is a success, the name will live forever. Don’t we all know and love a boy and a book named Huckleberry Finn? The unusual first name piques interest.

 A title should intrigue the reader, but it must also use the same tone as the story. After all, the title is an introduction or a preview of what is to come. If you write a story dealing with a tragic accident and death, you wouldn’t use a title laced with humor. On the other hand, when you write a humorous story, you want to reflect that, as well.

 Some writers add the title last, and others begin with a working title. After the story is complete, the writer plays around with titles until the most satisfying one emerges. It’s the frosting on the cake, the dressing on the salad. It finishes the story.

 Quotes

 Quotes are used within the text to support an argument or to illustrate a point being made. Articles that offer advice or are controversial will benefit from quotes. Showing the words of an expert in the field further enhances the argument being put forth.

 A quotation is a reference to an authority and should be used when accuracy is essential. That authority should be named. Quoting someone, without giving them credit, verges on stealing their words. Beginning writers sometimes are not aware of this.

 Quotes should be kept to a minimum. Quoting long, rambling paragraphs does not serve any real purpose other than adding to your word count.

 There are two types of quotations—direct and indirect. A direct quotation uses the exact words, and an indirect quotation paraphrases the thought expressed by someone. Both should make reference to the person who originally made the statement. Take a look at the example below which shows a statement made by mystery author, Agatha Christie.

 A.     Direct Quote:  Agatha Christie says, “The best time for planning a book is while
you’re doing the dishes.”

B.     Indirect Quote:  Agatha Christie thinks a writer can plan new books while doing
mundane tasks like doing the dishes.

When using a quote, set it off by placing quotation marks at the beginning and end of the statement quoted. The final punctuation mark, whether a period, question mark, or exclamation mark, is placed inside the final set of quotation marks. (See sample above)

 In closing, I would like to quote an English author, William Makepeace Thackery, who wrote: “There are thousands of thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up the pen and writes.” If you hope to pursue a succes

Three Photo Prompts For Writers

The weekend is upon us. The three photos below are meant to inspire and 'prompt' you to write whatever each brings to mind. Take a little time to study each photo; look for details as well as the main part of the picture. Then, start writing.

Use your imagination. Use sensory details. Use active verbs. Use emotion. Be creative. You could come up with the beginning of something bigger. Or you might find a finished piece that you can submit somewhere. Little golden nuggets often emerge from a writing exercise. Most of all, have fun!

Wise Words From Successful Writers

We learn a great deal from the experience of successful writers. It's up to us to pay attention and put their Wise Words to good use. I'm sharing a list of quotes by published writers whose names may be familiar to you. Use 3 steps to absorb the advice--read, ponder, apply.

“When I graduated from high school I couldn’t go to college, so I went to the library 3 days a week for 10 years.”
—Ray Bradbury

“The character that lasts is an ordinary guy with some extraordinary qualities.”
—Raymond Chandler

“Easy reading is damn hard writing.”
—Nathaniel Hawthorne

"We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect."
--Anaïs Nin

"Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very;' your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be."
--Mark Twain

"No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader."
--Robert Frost

"Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it's good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out of the window."
--William Faulkner

"Writing is its own reward."
--Henry Miller

"You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words on a page. Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write."

--Annie Proulx

There are hundreds of quotes on writing that you can find with a search engine. Look for them to motivate you, help you understand the process of writing, to be amused and to learn.

A New Year, A Blank Page--Go For It!

In this very new year, I have been thinking about how great beginnings are. When we begin something entirely new, we have carte blanche to do whatever comes to us--as long as it is legal and moral. There's something exciting about having a blank page of paper in front of you. The possibilities of what goes on that page are endless. Consider it one of the joys of writing.

Yes, I know the Negative Nellies will say that empty paper is terrifying. They have no idea what to write. Their mind is a total blank. I don't buy it. It depends on your attitude. Consider the white paper scary and it will be. Think of it as a golden opportunity and that it is exactly what you'll have.

What about having a brand new pencil with a spotlessly clean eraser when you were a school kid? It was fun, wasn't it? We liked opening a new jar of school paste, so smooth and white. Even now, we find pleasure in being the first one to step in new-fallen snow or to open to the first page of a new journal. I love turning to the first page of a book I will read.

Look at this new year as your chance to start fresh in your writing life. That blank page of paper is waiting for you. It doesn't matter if you start with a writing exercise or the first chapter of a novel or a poem. Maybe you've had an idea for an essay swirling in your head. Even if you write nothing more than a phrase or two sentences, go for it. Now is the time to begin!

If you've been in a funk over your writing lately, this new year is the time to climb out of it and start fresh. Let's face it. We all get discouraged or down about what's going on in our writing life now and then. Put all that behind you and move into this brand new year with gusto!

My Wishes For Writers

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I have other wishes for you at the beginning of this new year, too. 

I wish...

• that I could wave a magic wand and make each one of you a widely published, successful author
• that this will be your best writing year ever
• that the problems you had when writing in 2018 will be resolved
• that every submission you make receives an acceptance
• that you start getting fan letters from your readers
• that you never run out of ideas for new stories or poems
• that you have plenty of time to devote to writing
• that you never experience Writer's Block
• that your sentences are strong, snappy and scintillating
• that you try something new in your writing world
• that you become very organized
• that you continue to grow as a writer
• that you will help other writers in whatever way you can
• that you find inspiration on a regular basis
• that this is the year you will write your Family Storie

Yes, I do wish all the above for my readers and writing friends but we all know that a lot of my wishes for writers are going to require some hard work from you. No one has ever said writing is easy. We might enjoy writing but still have to work hard to achieve satisfaction when a piece is finished. 

Writers are no different than painters or architects or sculptors. We have the passion to create but we must also have the persistence and patience it takes to do so. We need to develop our own work ethic and use it. Besides all the above, we need to create some organization in our writing life, too.

Whatever regrets we experienced in 2018, we must put behind us and move forward. Let's think Bigger and Better in the 2019 section of our writing journey.