the best laid plans

I started this week with very high hopes for my creative (fiction) writing.

When the SeriousWriters met on June 1, I had the grand idea of challenging my friend Katy to a little writing competition. She's starting a new story, I'm starting a new story, and figured we could both use a kick in the pants. I proposed a challenge, and we refined it to be a race to 5K. The first one there wins (we never did choose a reward and punishment..hmmm). We were to start Monday and write with wild abandon until one of us crossed that threshold.

I was mentally prepped to go. I'd spent most of last week brainstorming and outlining the first two scenes of chapter one, nailed down all types of details I need to know before starting (especially names, which have changed), and was practically salivating on Sunday afternoon, forcing myself to not touch my Alphasmart under threat of death. True, I had to attend an out-of-town funeral on Monday, but it was an hour away, and that'd give me ample time to light up the keys with the bar scene.

Alas, it wasn't meant to happen. Insomnia struck Sunday night for some reason (probably thinking I had school Monday...), and I woke up in time to walk the dog and get dressed. Took the alphasmart, but car rides always put me to sleep if I'm the least bit drowsy, so I woke up just in time for the church.

I did do a little more brainstorming on the way home, but not much.

Tuesday, I had a morning appointment then nothing...writing until early afternoon when we were to head south for a baseball game. I did manage to type the first few paragraphs, but nothing as I'd hoped.

Today was a vet's appointment, more cleaning...only to have the hub&son invite friends over to swim, which required a house cleaning. Cleaned the house, friends didn't show. I'm here....no creative writing done. I did manage to sit down and fully brainstorm two nonfiction articles due on the same day next week, however.

Tomorrow I have zero plans. Nothing, except for getting up to walk the dog around six am. Oh, and I'm meeting the SeriousWriters for coffee. Yikes. I just hope Katy's had some busy days at work so I don't look like a total timewaster...maybe I can crank out something in the morning....

I still have high hopes for the story and the challenge. Just might take more time than I'd planned (isn't that the way with writing?!)

Great ideas from another Beth!

Beth Morrissey is a fellow freelance author with a great, insightful post today on her blog listing ideas for making more money--go check it out!

Money Matters: Making More at Beth Morrissey's Hell or High Water blog.

If nothing there gets you excited...well, we can't help. I'm guessing you'll have a ton of ideas after reading her list!

Why I love writing freelance articles

I think my brain is being a little bit contrary lately. After my post last night, I went to bed, full of the questions, thoughts and tidbits of story for my fiction-in-progress. I fell asleep thinking about the hero/heroine bar scene and it really came to life for me in my mind. I went to sleep with the intention of waking early (fiction always compels me to get up early and write--like 5am or earlier early) and writing myself into the story.

Sometime during the night, maybe during one of the massive thunderstorms that rolled through town, my brain changed gears. Instead of waking to thoughts of Christopher, I woke up with the complete outline and most of the text of a freelance article I'd just barely brainstormed a few weeks ago with one of the Serious Writing girls. Every bit of the article is there, on the tip of the brain, screaming at me to write it down. Of course I'll comply--it's a cool article idea that I hope will help many writers during the summer months get more done with the kids at home. Never, ever overlook writing when it comes unprompted to the brain. (Beth's first law of writing).

I love that nonfiction writing forms itself in my brain with very little anguish to me. Unlike fiction, I don't usually have to write out, longhand, my freelance articles--it's straight to the computer, type that sucker up, and let it simmer a few days before editing & proofing. There are few wrong turns, unless an editor wants a rewrite or additional source. Nonfiction always flows. Fiction does too, but not as often.

Man, do I love freelancing...

Why I love writing romance fiction

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you've probably noticed that I have a love/like (never hate) relationship with writing fiction vs. freelancing. My fiction doesn't sell, my freelancing does. If you're a writer, a little gratification now & then (in terms of a paycheck and/or credit) is nice, hence why I've been doing more freelance lately.

Last week, in cleaning up some old files, I found the beginning of a story I started last year and realized that it's really not that bad. I love the premise (if you've read Mandi's Lucky Day, it's a little twisty like that) and the hero is just a flat-out hunk with a tortured soul. I've been reading over the old notes and finished pages (about 12), and have found the story creeping back into my mind at odd times of the day.

Last night, I took the fiction writing notebook (yes, I have a fiction and a freelance one...they look and feel different) to bed and instead of getting sleep, brainstormed on the first three chapters, intent on answering one major question:

Who falls first?

Romance writers know what I mean. In a romance, either the hero or heroine has to give in first and show their hand in the attraction game. Otherwise, you lose readers. (In case you didn't know, Mandi is the one--and only--since the story is from her pov). There has to be some type of awareness on the part of one character for the other or we just run around in circles waiting for someone to make a move.

However--this is one of my weaknesses. For the most part, I'm a pantser. I do a bit of broad, overarching plotting (I know the beginning, ending and first kiss scene), but I generally write the rest by the seat of my pants. In the case of showing their hand, I rarely know who goes first, and when writing as a pantser, find that it's difficult to nail down.

So when I sat last night with the notebook and freshly-loaded fountain pen, I was trying to save myself a little grief and know the attraction focus from the start. I'll be honest: I didn't have much faith that I'd figure it out. I was tempted to just start writing and see how far I got, but instead I asked a lot of questions of my characters. I actually learned that my heroine's ex didn't get caught with the secretary, he had some type of secret life (hence the "ex"). I discovered that the story takes place in mid-spring Chicago, not Louisiana. I realized that my heroine's original name of Lily is entirely too light and simple for such a complex girl (I can't write far into a story without the perfect name. Once I name a character, they almost NEVER change). I also found that Christopher (that hunky hero I mentioned above) likes drinking scotch (ick) in quiet, dark bars. I found that I didn't need the setup scene in chapter one: if I dive into the story, it makes much more of an impact to the plot and reader.

Oh, and I discovered that Chris falls for [Lily] first. She's the exact opposite of the type of woman he thought she'd be (a setup date for a friend), and he is totally enamoured with her when she sits beside him at the bar and chats up the bartender about the loser professor she's gotta date for her sister in law...which happens to be him.

That's why I love fiction writing. Unlike freelancing, which I can almost completely complete in my head, I have to write out the problems of fiction to discover the solutions. Must be the mystery that has me hooked. Or that hunky hero...

What the heck am I doing here telling you about it? Where's that fiction notebook?!

Shameless Self-Promo

A writing colleague sent along this blog link today, which mentions the very fabulous writer2writer.com ezine that I write for monthly (you ARE subscribed, aren't you? It's f...r...e...e.....) in general and my recent article in specific (along with the talented Judy Bagshaw):

http://lesbillgates.blogspot.com/2008/05/is-this-best-site-for-writers.html

I think it's one of the better articles I've put together in a while, and even better...it's only part 1 of 2. Check it out here:

4 Ways to Get Freelance Writing Jobs: Part 1: Online Jobs at writer2writer.com

hint: part 2 will focus on real-life jobs...coming in June!

Want to learn the basics of freelancing? Sign up now!

Beth's Freelance Writing Course, June 2-30, with the Carolina Romance Writers

I don't know why I kept forgetting to mention this, but if you're interested in learning the nuts & bolts (and all kinds of other good stuff) about freelancing, come sign up for my class with the Carolina Romance Writers.

The online class will be from June 2-30, and I guarantee you'll get more for your $20 than you imagined. The secret idea generator is worth that alone (I'm being serious). What we'll study over the 4 weeks:

--finding markets for your work
--coming up with myriad ideas on one topic or key word
--working with editors (and the seven universal elements that will help sell your query to every editor)
--creating the perfect query (my favorite thing, as you know...) (with a template...you gotta love that...)
--a submission plan for you to get your ideas out to editors and get you published

Just so you know, this is NOT a workshop for romance writers only. (don't let the title fool you!) It's for anyone interested in learning more about the freelancing world and what it can do for your writing career. I've had many positive comments from folks who've taken the course before, and have had several send me notes that they got published as a result of the course.

Come on, it's better than reading a book...and a lot more fun!

If you have questions, be sure to send me a note (blog@bethmorrow.com)

I'm pretty qualified to answer whatever you wanna know :)


Fiction to Freelance workshop with the Carolina Romance Writers, June 2-30

Friday's 2 Freelance Lessons

A day late but still worth it!

Yesterday I learned a kinda new freelance lesson, but not one I didn't somewhat already know. And the second lesson isn't really a lesson for me, since I've done it before with success, but it never hurts to remind you of yet another great way into an editor's fold.

Old Lesson, revisited:
In visiting with my summer camp director a few weeks ago in her office, I spied a copy of a summer camp trade magazine for program and director people, and browsed through the content. I liked what I saw--and wish I'd have seen it sooner. I figured there were topics covered in past issues that I, as a camp program director for like the last ten years, could have used at some point. Immediately, though, my first thought was, "I have perfect experience for this publication and I want to write for them." I noted the url and visited at home that evening. I sent off a nice note to the editor (fake doesn't work here, only the genuine thing) about how I wished I'd have seen it sooner, and how I'd like to write for them. I didn't pitch any ideas, just mentioned that if she needed writers at some point, I had experience. (If you're a longtime reader, you know that I did this with a diabetes magazine about a year ago. They bought the article but folded before it had its debut)

I got a note back the next day thanking me for my nice note, and with an attachment: the editorial calendar. She said she was filling the Sept/Oct and Nov/Dec. issue slots and invited me to pitch something based on those topics. At that time, I was pressed to finish an overdue piece assigned me the week before, so I told her I'd reply to her by the end of next (last) week, which she was fine with. And that leads me to yesterday's lesson....

New Lesson:
So, I spent about a week staring at this list of topics and scratching my head. These were tough ones--things I knew about but really didn't know enough about to appeal to an audience of over 10K subscribers. I felt the pressure around lunch yesterday (my self-appointed freelance time at work), and thought that if I can't give her an idea to blow her away, I'd twist a topic into something I knew about intimately--a topic we were facing or have recently dealt with in my camping experience. I chose two topics (mini-lesson: always send two ideas. You can send one with a detailed outline and just mention the second, or two detailed outlines, or two general ideas, but always send two. Even if the editor isn't interested in either, it shows that you can think broadly and not just have one great idea for the rest of your life), wrote a paragraph for each on how we were facing those and dealing with them, and sent it off. I truthfully didn't expect them to interest her. I'm not usually at a loss for great topic ideas for articles, but that one tested me.

Got back a note last night from her: she didn't like one of them--she liked BOTH of them! Crazy. She appreciated the thought I put into them (knowing how to deal with them on an intimate kind of basis was a good thing for both of us) and would like them both. Very cool. So now I've got two more assignments to add to the calendar, for a topic I love deeply. Go with what you know, and you can't go wrong.

And don't quit writing this weekend just because it's a holiday!

Today's Freelance Lesson(s)

Today was a first for me...my first face-to-face interview. I interviewed a wonderful doctor and longtime friend from the summer camp I've worked at for the last 15 years on his thoughts on diabetes pumps. His insight was just what I needed, and conducting my first f2f (I've done phone and email interviews before) with him eliminated a lot of worry on my part. However, I did learn a few lessons:

1) Always call to re-confirm.
I scheduled this interview over a week and a half ago with his secretary and didn't think about re-confirming between then and today. But when I called to make sure his office was in the building I thought it was in, his secretary informed me that he doesn't see patients on Thursday. I reminded her that I'm a camp colleague and interviewing for a magazine article. She was OK with that, but when I sat down with him, he mentioned that she'd forgotten to put it on his calendar, and, as a result, he had limited time with which to interview with me. No prob, as the questions were fairly simple, but I wished I'd have called last week to remind them.

2) Don't always press on your questions (but be sure you get the answers you need)
In the interviews I've conducted, I often find that once I start asking questions, my pre-planned questions aren't half as interesting as some of the stuff my interviewees come up with. I once interviewed an internet marketing guy and had five simple questions to ask. I asked one, and we talked for an hour and a half on some of the most fascinating facts of his work I had no idea existed. I got more than I needed, and even some extra for future fodder. (maybe I should post on that giant corkboard...lol). Plus, it gives a greater connection between the two of you if they can go deeper into their thoughts and responses without you badgering them with another question. I asked the right question from the start, and within that one response, he answered my first five questions. Cool.

3) Scout out your locale prior to the interview.
This is a no-brainer if you're going somewhere unfamiliar. I wasn't--listen, I spent six years as an undergrad at Ohio State, so I feel more than qualified to go anywhere on campus with ease...anywhere but the medical campus. Lucky for me, doc's office was on the corner across from student parking (believe me, they'll never know...) but the garage parking beside the office was staff and docs only. (I'm not a doctor but I play one on the internet...). Good thing I was on the corner. Further back in the med campus, there's only (limited) street parking (limited). Did I say limited? Next time, I'll be sure to make sure of parking in advance.

That's all for now. Had a grand time with Dr. Sam. Such a fun guy, and I learn something every time we talk. He also made me miss camp even more, if that's possible. (is it possible to miss something even more than you miss it when you obsess over it?)

Tomorrow I'm meeting with a non-profit client I volunteer for to discuss work on a project I haven't started. Guess I should get cracking on that...or I might have more lessons to share tomorrow!

and I forgot to mention...

Speaking of brilliant ideas (aren't they all? Well, except for the one that suggested we go to a playoff system in college football. But that's another rant for another post...), I've had one of the most massive ones I've had in a long time. (about three weeks, if you're counting).

I think I've mentioned that I've been working as a creativity coach with clients, and how much fun I'm having. Working with creative folks is such a pleasure and I truly learn so much about my own writing by working with theirs. One issue almost all of them face is writer's block, but I decided a long time ago that I don't believe in it, per se...however, I do believe we get creative challenges thrown our way and need to deal with them in order to create and write.

(that wasn't digression. It's where the idea came from!)

So, anywho, I've been trying to define, for myself and future reference, what I actually consider writing blocks, and I came up with the most amazing thoughts. Great stuff. Amazing stuff. Stuff I can't believe came out of this 8.1 pound folded organ (did I tell you I know all about the brain now after visiting the OSU Cadaver lab on Tuesday? Brains are cool). Stuff that has me so blessed excited, I'm working to figure out how to get it written up and into the hands of writers.

I have all kinds of ideas, and one theory on writer's block, and all of my thoughts have come from working with my clients. If you have a chance, drop me a line or leave me a reply to tell me about the times you couldn't write or have felt blocked (and what you did to alliviate it, if applicable). Especially if you're published, because deadlines have a way of making you find a way to write. I'd love your insight. If you don't want it public, send me an email at: blog@bethmorrow.com. I know writers are a superstitious lot, and we don't like mentioning a block for fear it will manifest, but one thing I've learned is that naming your fear helps in overcoming it.

Back to the idea. I'm so excited.....

Wednesday: Where do you get your ideas? Want mine?

I often swear the universe works in synergistic ways. The less-fancy*schmansy way to say that is that more and more frequently, I find that things I'm thinking of or dealing with are issues in the lives of others.

I won't give elaborate descriptions (not yet anyway...lol) but here's a simple one: I've spent the last several days, actually--most of the last week--thinking about the quandry I have with excessive ideas for articles, stories and novels. I hate wasting things. Maybe it comes from the creative thought that something I don't want can be used by someone else (I'm trying desperately to avoid the "one chick's trash is another chick's treasure" thing), or because, growing up, mom always lectured us on not wasting things. (She's a wise one, that mom of mine).

My problem is, and I suspect is the case with many other writers of all genres, once our brains are trained to think about our every day lives in terms of "how can I use this in an article?", we get ideas in spurts. Over the last month or so, I have literally filled my (newly wallpapered) walls with clips, thoughts, quotes, interviews, op-eds and insights that I know have article potential somewhere, but the real fact is that I won't get to 98% of these. And it's sad. I hate waste, when another author somewhere needs ideas and I'm hording them like my sister horded her Halloween candy (yes, Mush, I know--top left dresser drawer. You had to know I snitched it!)

Anyway, I digress.

I've been worried about wanting to share ideas with other writers, so when I read Beth's post (gotta love that name) today at her Hell or High Water blog, Inspiration is Perspiration, I couldn't help but remember my nagging problem. (Back to the synergy point I tried to make too many paragraphs ago).

What do you writers think about this topic of ideas? See, in my creative, no-limits brain, I see a giant online corkboard where folks can stop by and thumbtack those ideas they just know they won't use for others to stop by and swipe. And despite what the conspiracy-theorist writers say, even if two people pick the same topic, there'll write two different articles (the "p" word, plagiarism, excluded).

What do you think about a corkboard? Would you use it? Would it be helpful? I just hate all these great ideas going to waste. I know somewhere, someplace, there's a writer who has a need for an idea I don't have time for. Maybe it's you?!

Monday: Goals for a New Week

Last week was just a bang-up seven days. I managed to get one assignment (already turned in) with the promise of several more, another editor who sent me an editorial calendar and wants me to choose a topic for later in the year (yeah!), a copy writing job from my favorite charity (one of my select few free gigs), and just the general mojo of writing in the air.

This week's goals:
*follow up with editor #1 on the additional research articles he's interested in
*follow up with editor #2 on article ideas for her magazine later in the year (some tough topics. Might have to do a little homework on this one)
*write the rough draft of a brilliant new e-course I just outlined today
*send at least two queries or LOIs to new editors

and maybe, just maybe, work on that fiction story that keeps whispering to me ...maybe...

How about you? Gimme your goals. Or, if not, at least write 'em down. Make it a weekly habit to see just how much you get done. You might surprise yourself....

Desperately Seeking Your Advice On....Online Freelance Markets

Are you sensing a theme here? I'm full of questions! (mom says I'm full of something else, but that's another post for another day)

I'm working on my monthly article for Writer2Writer.com (fab site, go visit and read up!) and this one's dedicated to finding lots of freelance job markets online. I have tons of faves, but my question is for you:

Which online freelance markets (guideline databases, job boards or writing ezine/website listings) are your faves? Share the knowledge....

Desperately Seeking...Your Advice

Here's my problem: I hate taking phone calls from editors on my personal cellphone. Wait, let me clarify: I hate not answering professionally when editors call me. If I don't recognize the number and assume it's an editor, I answer with "Hello, this is Beth...". It works, they don't seem to mind, but I do.

I want a separate line to ring to my cellphone distinctively so I know it's from a business number, not my personal one (make sense?).

I've been researching this and have narrowed it down to what I need to do: sign up for a service where I get another phone number ("virtual" number) and it gets forwarded to my cell.

My question is this: do you have experience doing this? If so, what would you advise? Which service do you use, and are you happy with it? Is it worth the money, or should I just start answering every call professionally? (I can just hear my mother's sarcasm now...LOL).

I'd love your insight. If you don't have experience but know someone who does, by all means invite them. I'm sure more freelancers than just little old me deal with this.

Swiftly Running....Nowhere

Remember those old cartoons where Bugs thinks he's running but he's actually running in place? (or maybe that's Daffy or Wile E. Coyote).

I know the feeling.

One of the editors I spoke with last week liked my idea so much he wants the article ASAP (aka "NOW"). I managed to get the first draft done but am stalled awaiting the return calls of the endocrinologists for interviews. Grrr!! I don't have the interviews with the kids, either, but that's straightforward. I know the kids and the endos well--the kids will return my emailed interview questions, the endos more traditional and less likely to do the email gig, so I've gotta catch them in action with my trusty recorder (I'm buying a new one today and am excited! Getting a digital version....)

Hey, look on the bright side. At least I'm writing and at least someone wants WHAT I'm writing. Not a bad gig....

For you sports lovers in the crowd (...I digress...)

Only here for the writing posts? Be warned this one has nothing to do with writing and everything to do with shameless self-promo...

I'm always up for my 15 minutes of fame, and if you listen to ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike from 6-10am each morning, I got 15 seconds of it there this morning.

If you know me, I'm a sports addict and have an opinion on almost any and everything in the sports world, most notably the best looking athletes in professional sports. No sport is safe from my assessments. (Maybe bowling...). Anyway, the discussion this morning centered on the number of Derek Jeter's past girlfriends who've been named to the Maxim Hot 100 (6 total, if you're interested). Greeny didn't like the question posed by the Gnome--(this one was for guys):if you could trade places with Jeter, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, or Tom Brady, who would you trade with?

I didn't like it either. It didn't take into account the woman's perspective! I zipped off an email telling Greeny & Golic that from a woman's perspective, the question should instead be ...which athlete would a woman rather be with...and that since I was a Buckeye fan, I wouldn't be with Tom Brady, since I'm an Indians fan, I wouldn't be with Jeter, since I'm a Cavaliers fan, I couldn't be with Kobe, so that meant I'd have to take Tiger...who does handle a driver better than my hubby (very true..lol).

Greeny read it on the air and both of them got quite a laugh out of it. Greeny made the misassumption that I'm from Cleveland, so I had to contradict that with another email.

After they read the letter (and even my name), my son excitedly called me (he and the hub were on the way to school) and laughed his head off about how cool it was (he was listening in the car; I was on my way out the door to work). Just goes to show you that a bit of quick sarcasm can be quite fun!

Ah, well. Back to normalcy...(does that count as a query submission? LOL)

Desperately Seeking...Your Thoughts

I just got an email response to a query that left me scratching my head. As writers, I'd like your input on my evident misinterpretation of the guidelines.

Here's the guidelines:

WRITERS GUIDELINES
Articles accepted 'on spec' and available as reprints.
Queries considered if accompanied by writing samples.
Submissions accepted in Microsoft Word, SimpleText or in body of email.

Here's what I asked the assistant editor when I called:
"To whom do I mail my query letter and samples?"

Here's what she said
"xxxx@sssss.com" (obviously changed to protect the innocent--my point is that I deliberately asked about sending the query and the clips)

Here's what I sent:

A query letter for an article topic covered in the "Types of Articles" section plus two published clips.

Here's what I got:

Beth--
At this time we are in no position to assign articles (and pay 'kill' fees if they are not published.)

We accept article submitted on 'spec' and available as reprints.
For our writers guidelines, visit: ssss.com
thanks for your interest...

And here's me now:

Totally confused. I did exactly what they wanted and seemingly was slapped on the wrist for not knowing what I was doing...even though I explicitly followed their guidelines.

Or am I misinterpreting? (Or misremembering, a la Roger Clemens). I would definitely appreciate your interpretation.

I'm not losing sleep, however. The query is on its way tonight to another publication! 2000 words on spec? Are you crazy?

Oh, wait, I meant....

I meant that I sent two queries today. Not really queries, but responses to ads posted on a freelancer's email loop. You know, the kind where you have to send your writer's resume and clips? Man...that resume was a killer (I hate resume writing) but it's nice to have it in the hip pocket to shoot out there at a moment's notice.

I just finished sending out my first letters of interest. You know what those are, right? Where you basically write a self-sales letter to a publisher mentioned your interest in writing for them, include a resume (aha! it strikes again!) and a clip or two. I actually included a link to my online portfolio instead of attaching stuff. You never know if it'll get through or not...

Have you ever sent LOIs? I haven't. Heck, I hadn't heard of 'em til a few weeks ago, but thought it was worth a shot. My ultimate freelance dream is to have editors call me with article ideas they want me to write (and the other part of that dream is to have them offer me six figs for it LOL), so maybe this is a step in the right direction.

One more last question: I'm working on an article on how to write more descriptively and for all you fiction writers in the crowd, what kinds of questions do you have about writing more descriptively? What problems do you face? I have an idea of how I want to approach the content but it's always nice to have the ideas of others in mind. Post a reply here or zip me an email at: blog@bethmorrow.com and let me know.

Another day, another query

I've been on a roll this week. I think I made myself take myself seriously (if you followed that) and am now on a mission to query as much as possible.

Tuesday I sent out two queries. Nothing back.

Today I sent out one query. Obviously nothing back.

I still have 15 LOIs to send out by the end of this week as my personal challenge.

I did pick up a little something interesting. I volunteer at the local diabetes association and mentioned to the executive director some time back that if they ever wanted writing help to call me. One of the directors emailed yesterday and asked to help on some marketing materials, so I'm going in to talk about that on Friday. Very cool. I know some writers scream bloody murder about doing work for free, but this is my way of using my talent to help something I care passionately about.

Oh, and to make someone (a friend and regular blog reader) happy, I've promised to re-visit a comment from the other day: I am a real writer, no matter how cruddy I feel on any given day about the fact that I don't (yet) rule the writing world. I actually made the comment jokingly (you remember in Shrek--I forget which one--where Gingy turns into a boy and says "I'm a real boy!"--well, that's the tone of voice I typed "I'm a real writer" in, even if you couldn't hear it.) (so are you happy, T?)

Off to work out and do a little meditation, then back at the queries. Maybe I can get those LOIs off tonight....or at least make a dent in the list...

I love Mondays. Honest!

Since the new writing room is 98% done (just general clutter to clear), I've been pretending to be a real writer :)

First and foremost, getting those queries out has been my main objective. I've managed to send two more, another just needs a signature line, and I've got a few more floating in the back of my head. But I digress...

I read a fascinating diabetes-related story today on some research the FDA has been conducting on teenagers and insulin pumps. For those of you who know me, that's a near and dear subject to me...my baby brother (who will be 30 (!!!) in September) has been a Type 1 since the age of 18 months, my best friend has been a Type 1 since age two, and I've spent the last 15 years working at a summer camp with the most amazing diabetic teenagers you've ever met. Anyway--this research was a little fanatical and negative toward teenagers' use of insulin pumps, and frankly--it ticked me off. (also, for those who know me, some of my best writing comes when I'm mad...lol).

I wanted to refute the research and let parents (and others) know that the insulin pump has been nothing short of life-altering for many of the kids I work with, so I scratched out a query on my lunch break to a diabetes magazine I enjoy reading. In looking over submission guidelines, I had a hunch they wanted samples along with my query even though it didn't mention it explicitly (call it writer's intuition), so I called the assistant editor, left a message, and went back to work.

Just before I headed out for the day, the editor returned my call. He confirmed what they wanted, I zipped off my query, and promptly forgot about it on the drive home. After dinner, I happened to glance at my phone and noticed a call I'd missed--the head editor. He left me a great message: not only does he want to discuss my idea further (he really likes the idea), but also wants to discuss the possibility of me doing more writing for them. I can't wait to call him tomorrow. I probably won't even sleep. Just like Christmas! I love writing about diabetes with the intention to inform and help. Very cool!

Maybe it's just me pretending, or this great new striped purple wallpaper that inspires me...but I'm starting to feel like a real writer...lol.

All I can say now is...bring on Tuesday! What are your writing goals for the week?

hey freelancers...looking for a writing challenge?

Ok, I've been tossing around an idea in the old noggin for the last few days but am not sure I have thought it all the way through.

I'm having fun (yes, honestly) challenging myself by getting queries in the mail, and wondered if other freelancers might be interested in coming along for the ride. I just read an article in a previous The Writer magazine (forget the issue) where, in the column on how I broke in, the girl interviewed mentioned that she had no fewer than (I believe) 18-20 queries in the mail at a time. Once one was rejected, she reworked it and sent it off to another potential publisher.

So now I've been thinking...what if...a small group of freelancers interested in a fun little challenge all came together to try and get 20 (or another arbitrary number) queries into the mail (or email) in a certain period of time? Maybe even have a little prize for the winner?

Personally, given my competitive nature (so they say...lol) I think it'd be fun.

What about you? If you're a freelancer, would you be interested? Fiction writers...sorry about your luck, but this one wouldn't really apply. I hate to think you have twenty queries in the pipeline for one story...!!

Think about it, zip me a note or post a comment and let's see what we can come up with. Anything in the name of writing!

Two ideas, one assignment. Niiiiiiice.....

Two queries out, one assignment in.

I sent the initial query for the writing article and got the assignment the next day. The editor liked the second idea (there's why you send two at a time after you get to know the editor), so that'll be a fun summer project, out in October.

The first idea from that query letter is something she felt the magazine had done to death, but I like my spin on it, so I'm going to dust it off and send it to another writing magazine I think it fits well with. I'll do that tonight or tomorrow.

Reading one of my many market ezines yesterday, I found a new market I liked a lot (after visiting their web page) and had (I'm not lying here!) seven instant ideas for their niche. I went with the one that seemed most fun and unique. Scribbled out a query over lunch, sent it when I got home. Don't expect to hear back until next week sometime, but I am trying a new "thing" when I get rejections that I read from a prolific freelancer: after the editor sends a rejection, I'm going to have another idea/query to zip off to him. I didn't initially send two ideas in this first query letter because the magazine is a major one, and I've researched enough to know they like detailed queries..which is what I sent.

In reading the Saturday paper, I also found four more new story idea possibilities for trade magazines. Maybe I'll work on that tomorrow. Today is the day I get this office space settled once and for all....

I've got good news ...and...not so good news

Alright, let's start with the not-so-good (it doesn't qualify as "bad" because it could be worse, but it ain't peachy-keen):

Emailed an editor at a publication who'd accepted an article of mine (on a near and dear subject to my heart: diabetes summer camps) last summer. I did get paid (a plus, and I'm lucky--I've heard horror stories) a tidy little sum, but the article was being pushed from late autumn to mid-winter. No problem, but I just had a nagging sense that things weren't going well.

The editor informed me today that the magazine isn't currently being published (money woes) and that she's not with them anymore. Shame--it was a very good magazine. Different, fresh, dynamic. Ah well. Might see if I can get back the rights to sell it somewhere else (it's a damn good article, and features my brother and best friend. What's not to like?!)

So the good news is that the editor I mentioned in the previous post liked my second idea and wants to go with it for the October issue (August deadline). Woohoo! This idea is a cool one--one I came up with on a whim during spring break--and hoped to be able to work into an article. I'm excited. I'll have to do some research for it, but it's focused on genre-specific writing, so that'll be fun. Very cool, and it leaves the first idea free to be pitched elsewhere (I did say I'd do that tomorrow, right?)

I should have time in the morning. I've got a fun trip to the endodontist planned for 10:45 for a root canal. Did I say wooooo--hoo? You know, happy gas always gives me some good ideas too...got a great novel idea when getting a filling once. Maybe tomorrow is my lucky day (all over again!)

Oh, and I've come up with a fun little plan: for the next ten days, I'm going to send out a minimum of one query per day. Let's see how things shape up (and if I can actually *finish* my goal!)

Query Letters

I love query letters. No, I really mean that. Something about being forced to write short, tight and succinct really gets me going.

Since spring break I've been toying with two article ideas for writers. Well, one, to be honest, but the first rule of query writing is never send a query with just one idea (unless it's to the big-league magazines, who often like lengthier and more in-depth queries). So I spent a little time, thought about another article idea that's been lurking in the depths of my brain, and put together an outline to get my idea straight.

Just zipped off the query to an editor who is truly one of my favorites to work with. I sense her love of editing through her emails and that's something I really admired. She's also respectful of replying--no 'falling off the earth into the bowels of rejection' for her--if she doesn't think an idea suits her publication, she'll let you know.

Both of my ideas are good, and one in particular has the potential to be a workshop, report or online course. I love those most. If they don't suit her, I'll spiffy 'em up and send to another editor. We shall see...fingers crossed...(must be this new purple wallpaper inspiring my creativity...)

limes...

I really don't have any reason to entitle this post "limes" other than the fact that (bear with me): limes are the opposite of lemons, idiomatically speaking. Limes are less sour, a little more likeable than lemons, a sparkling shade of green, and, interestingly enough, the best garnish for a margarita (on the rocks, double salt, please)...which is the long way to say...things are looking up.

The wallpaper came last night, but that's not why I'm feeling better. The sun comes up earlier and stays out later, but that's not why I'm feeling better. Ate junkfood and ice cream with my mom and sister yesterday after shopping, but that's not why I'm feeling better.

I'm feeling better because I feel like writing. I feel those creative urges to get out paper and a pen and start scribbling. I have to temper my desire to start a new word document at work with ideas for articles with the fact that I have to finish some observations and school visits (so I compromise by writing article ideas on a post-it pad in my observation notebook). I *literally* get article ideas everywhere I look (a profile for a new store going in on the corner I drive by every day; a series of articles for parents on how to get cooking with your kids after a casual conversation with a friend).

If you're a writer, you know exactly what I'm talking about. There is truly nothing in life more exciting or consuming than being in the beginning stages of a new writing project. Now, if I could just get a pill to keep that excitement and motivation going...maybe I should flavor it with a little lime...

lemons...

I've been getting a lot of those, career-wise,lately. Not the writing career but the classroom one. Long story short, I'm headed back to the classroom.

What's fascinating is that, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, I never truly worried about getting something better. It was a shock to find out people (only a few)I have come to know, trust and love like family were really gossiping, spiteful, easily-deluded people (and this just in the last month of life), but if this had happened to me five years ago, it would have devastated and derailed me mentally for months.

Not this time. This time I took it all in stride and used it to springboard my thoughts and actions toward something I know will never let me down: writing. Winter in Ohio has a way of dropping doldrums all around and spring is always a refreshing change. This year, moreso than ever.

Not only am I purging old files, tossing old contracts and getting rid of research used for articles years ago, I'm completely renovating my office from top to bottom. The hubby helped by removing the most *hideous* cabinet from the ceiling of my room, I ordered new wallpaper and am remodeling the closet to be the desk center. Instead of the 1972 seafoam walls, I'll be retreating to a calm, relaxing lavender, purple and daisy-decorated haven guaranteed to inspire. The promise of something fresh is helping energize my writing as well. I'm fleshing out several different projects, from workshops to articles and creative coaching endeavors. I'm so excited I can hardly sit still.

There's nothing like new digs to breathe life into your life...in whatever area it may be. And there's nothing better to temper the sour taste of lemons with than the sweet smells of success.

I know I *should* be....

...writing, of course. (what else?!)

I'm just taking a quick break. This week I've tried something a little different with the writing time: I've created a schedule. Ok, not a rigid and staunch measure of my time, but rather a general goal-oriented list of 8 things I need to do this week to work toward my quarterly goals (April to June, remember?)

Here's what I'm working on:
1) Freelance work: send out six queries this week (I have about twelve good ideas)
2) Come up with a blog schedule to let you know when and what I'm going to post on a regular basis (five days are filled in...)
3) Flesh out two ideas for writing workshops I was asked to create (I have the ideas, just not the "flesh" part..lol)
4) Start an ebook idea list (I have tons of little post-its floating around with my ebook topic ideas)
5) Buy a big calendar from Staples to put on my wall to fill it up with all my workshops, meetings, etc.
6) Get the hub to help me take down this hideous "cabinet" on the ceiling of my writing office so I can repaint & remodel the room (I'd do it myself but it's immense and heavy, solid wood)
7)Clean out the closet in this office and put the organizer here in the hub's garage so I can get a small desk area to put there (and repaint it from the 70's seafoam green that it is now...ugh!!)
8)Update my website to create a page listing my creative/writing coaching service (having lots of fun with that aspect).

I'll check back in on Sunday and let you know where I stand. I will say having the list has helped my focus. If I could just get a seatbelt to help my productivity...!

How about you? What is your writing "to-do" list this week?

Back in the saddle...

Not that I ever *was* in the saddle, mind you. Or stayed there for long...but I digress...

Back from spring break. Been back, actually. Returned Saturday evening. That time lapse from out west to back east gets harder each time. I was up til 11 last night and barely slept a wink before the alarm jarred me again at 5. Ack!

How has your writing been coming? I find that with the transition from winter into spring, I come out with more energy and focus--and that ideas for articles spring forth like crocuses (crocusii??) from the cold ground to get me going again. I love it!

This spring is no different so far. Last night in my sleepless state, I had no less than eleven fabulous (aren't they always fabulous?!) magazine article ideas come to me. I scratched them down with the goal of sending out six queries this week. That's about one a day with a day off (or four in one day and two in another..lol). I'm a weird bird in that I *LOVE LOVE LOVE* to write queries. Go figure. They're sometimes more exciting than the article! (ok, maybe not). But they're where my ideas turn into something solid...I love the process.

What about you? Is spring putting the pep back in your writing step? I'd love to hear about it. How about we have a Comment Contest for April? For each (relevant, not just drive-by) comment you post, I'll put your name in a drawing for some fabulous writer's prize (I'm guessing a book). Use the commenting to your advantage--update us on your blog, your writing or your creative life, ask writing questions or share some writing insight. Writers love reading...give us something to check out!

On that note, I'm heading back to my query challenge. I also set quarterly goals (April-June) of having six new deadlines to add to my calendar between now and June, so I'd better get cracking...

Happy Writing--and commenting!

Beth

Almost off....

I'm half a day away from leaving on spring break. This year, I'm headed to a place in Arizona I fell in love with two years ago in the Sonoran desert.

None too soon, either. I haven't been posting much due to a plethora (I've never used that word before in conversation lol) of issues on the home, job and family fronts. I'm hoping this time away (with sunshine, lord knows we don't get enough of that in Ohio) brings me back refreshed. I've already got a headstart in having done some good fiction writing these last two days.

I promise more regular posts when I get back. In the meantime, check out a new blog or two in the sidebar or visit the archives for mighty good writing advice.

Happy writing!
Beth

sometimes....

....life interferes with the plans we've made.

Without getting into a huge post, let's just say that life's dealt me five interesting cards lately--and I don't remember how to play poker.

It's upsetting but not devastating. What's most upsetting is that it's interfered with my writing. Even though I have the bones of a fiction project I've been working on and they were coming together nicely, I'm struggling with the motivation to do anything further. Normally rife with ideas, my brain isn't cooperating, just slugging along. And the unending rain we've had here in Ohio this past week hasn't helped, either.

Today I feel a little better: I forgot about a deadline (tomorrow, I think) for an article on networking, so I sat down a few minutes ago without a solitary idea in my head and ended up with an outline that not only will guide my article but breathed a little life back into my creativity. You writers know what I mean: that little warm smile you feel inside when your words come to life on the page.

Even if I can't control the events unfolding around me, I can write. I will write. It will keep me sane...well, as close as we can expect, anyway.

I'll let you know when the article is done (hopefully tonight since it's due tomorrow...lol)

happy writing...

Beth

still here, just overwhelmed

I suppose the title says it all!

The day job has really kicked my butt lately. Going in at 6:30, getting home around five with no lunch basically wipes me out for anything creative...blogging, writing, anything. (Who said being a teacher was easy?!)

Luckily, the test that I'm in charge of administering is winding down. Last makeup tomorrow, so I hope to be back soon doing stuff I love (writing, not testing). In the meantime, check out some of the blogs to the right -----> or read some of the archives for a dose of inspiration.

happy back-to-writing-soon,
Beth

March 6: Best of: Writer's Calendar

Nothing better than something to help you get truly organized--check out this writer's calendar. Though the post is dated from 2006, Julie of OrganizedWriter.com has a great 2008 version for your pleasure...

Best of Fountain Pen, Inc.
Monday, December 4, 2006
OrganizedWriter.com's Writer's calendar

March 5: Best of: Blogging

One of the easiest and best ways to build an author's platform is through the use of a blog dedicated to your work or your book. Read more in this best of article at Writers Weekly.com

Best of Fountain Pen, Inc:
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Build an Audience for Your Book with a Blog

Ever-happy blogging,
Beth

March 4: Best of: Publicity

If you're looking for publicity ideas, or need to know what you should have ready when that contract comes in, read no further than this oldie-but-goodie:

Best of Fountain Pen, Inc.
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Publicity

Happy publicizing,
Beth

March 3: Best of: Characters. Again.

Since I'm just getting started on a new story (not "new" new: I began it back in 2006 for a contest, but am revamping it as a single title upon the advice of those wonderful Serious Writer girls), here's a good post on ways to create new characters that's bound to have something of interest for ya:

Best of Fountain Pen, Inc.
Sunday, May 13, 2007

Characters. Again.

Happy character creating,
Beth

The life of no time

Life has really monopolized my time lately, hence few (ok, no) postings.

I've got good stuff to post, too, but literally no time. I've had an extremely important "project" at work (I am the school coordinator for the Ohio Graduation Test, the biggest, baddest test in Ohio high schools) and luckily, it's finally taking place this week. I'm not worried about the test going well, it's the prep (7am-5 pm every day, no time for lunch, come home and collapse) that has done me in.

I'll still be cramped for time this week, so I'm relying on work I've done before to enlighten your writing selves. Some of you were regular readers of my Fountain Pen, Inc. blog (I love that name..lol) and what I'll be doing is sorta like "the best of" from FPI. I'll repost a post from there for your reading pleasure here.

I also have a few good writer stories and hope I'll have time to post them before I forget them (bad short term memory, ask anyone who knows me).

So..without further ado, let's go back....

Happy writing,

Beth

And now, a word from our friendly neighborhood politicians...

Anyone who knows me knows I don't get into politics much. I mean, I advocate for issues I feel strongly about, but as far as "rah rah" stuff--borrrring. I'd rather be writing.

But this is a fun & funky little quiz to see how closely what you believe/support aligns with the current presidential candidates (although some have come and gone). You can even do congressional race candidates from your state. All you do is choose how you feel/support certain issues and it spits out your most likely match.

My match was no shock to me...democrats all the way! (sorry, dad..and the rest of my conservative family...LOL). Waste a few minutes having some political fun (if that's not an oxymoron...!)

Votematch.com: Find Your Political Match here

Let's go Democrats....lol

Beth

February 25th: Creating an Environment Conducive to Writing by Gaelen Foley

If you're a regular reader of Writer In Progress, you know I really like Gaelen's articles for writers. I came across this one by accident, but think it's one of the best.

One of the biggest obstacles to the creative person's mind is the overwhelm of possibility. We're given this stretchy, funky brain that can take something as simple as two pennies, a sleeping dog and a gallon of milk and make a story from it. We just can't quit thinking, which in turn makes us excited, which in turn makes us scattered--focus is difficult to all but the trained & disciplined creative mind.

But focus is a pre-requisite to creating itself. While everyone's focus is different (I can only focus on writing one piece of fiction at a time but can do three or four nonfiction pieces simultaneously), it's still necessary. Gaelen's article is on how to clear a space--physically, emotionally, mentally, sensorily (is that a word?!) in order to use it to create. Some basic stuff in here but some very good food-for-thought:


Creating an Environment Conducive to Writing by Gaelen Foley

Go create some space...in which to create!

Beth

DONE...and almost done

It's official..the book is finished! All the worksheets, all the outlining, quoting, placing the interviews, doing the bibliography....preface and conclusion...

DONE!

The only thing I've left to do is write my author bio. Writing the bio is the absolute, positive last thing I do when finishing an article. Mostly a cut-and-paste deal, I'm gonna let it wait a bit while I crack open that bottle of wine I bought a few weeks ago in anticipation of this very moment.

Finishing an article is an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Weeks on one piece of writing done...refreshing in completion.

Finishing a book...has changed my perception of writing and myself as a writer for the better. More on that later..I have some wine glasses to find

February 21st: Seventh Sanctum's Shiny Brain Toys...Fun!

One of the best ways to beat a creative block is to make your mind let down all guard by playing a game. It's one of the oldest teacher tricks in the book for getting kids to learn, and I know it works for creative minds, too.

A creative mind can't pass up a chance to generate ideas, especially when they're random. We can't help but try to make some kind of connection, however illogical.

Head over to Seventh Sanctum's Shiny Brain Toys website and have FUN FUN FUN with their set of random generators. On the left side, you'll see the possibilities. Choose one and write a 100 word story on the prompt you get. Keep clicking until you get one you like. Go through the choices til you find one that matches your story.

Whatever floats your boat, go have a little brain fun today. Just don't let it take the place of actual WRITING on your project...lol...(said from experience)

Seventh Sanctum's Shiny Brain Toys

Happy, happy generating,

Beth

February 20th: Fighting Writer's Block by David Taylor

The link to this article is actually one of three good links (the rest of which are at the bottom of the article page) (there are four links but one is mis-linked to the same article) on getting through writer's block.

I especially identify with Taylor's belief that blocks aren't really blocks: a "block" is a generic term for any number of things affecting writers. By that, however, I do not mean that I devalue the sense of being creatively blocked in any manner--as one who's been blocked, through overwhelm, depression, inability to focus, etc., etc., etc., I'm all too aware that it really does exist..for lack of a more specific term.

Enough of that. Go read David's article: Fighting Writer's Block: Part 1: Causes and Cures by David Taylor

For you Sci-Fi, Fantasy and eBook Fans...

If you're a sci-fi or fantasy afficionado, TOR and Forge Books have a really cool deal for you: free ebooks.

 

Check out their page at: http://www.tor.com, enter your email address and name, and you'll be signed up for their newsletter as well as links to free ebooks as they offer them to the public.

 

I need more ebooks to read like I need another winter cold, so I'm passing on this chance, but check it out if you're interested. A free ebook or two is nothing to sneeze at...(unless...like me...you're getting another cold!)

 

Happy free-ebook-reading,

Beth

February 19th: 10 Tips for Beating Blogger's Block at Lifeclever.com

You say blogger, I say writer...one in the same, really.

Today's post is a short list article with a few good ideas that may resonate with you blocked folks. In addition to the ten tips, there are six additional sites at the bottom of the post to check out.

10 Tips for Beating Blogger's Block at Lifeclever.com

Happy unblocking...

Beth

February 18th: 13 Ways to Bust Through Writer's Block

I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I've been taking coursework toward becoming a creativity/writing/life coach. It's a lot of fun, a lot of work, and a lot of thinking.

In all that thinking and by interacting with my clients, I've come to realize one of, if not THE main reason we creative types become "blocked": overwhelm.

I don't want to get too deeply into this as I've just been invited to be a weekly guest-blogger on the creativity coaching topic and will address that issue in a post shortly--but suffice it to say that when you're creative, you have soooooo, soooooo, soooooo (did I mention SO) many ideas, thoughts, avenues, insights, etc. running around in your mind that the prospect of settling down with ONE to work with is a little (a lot) scary, intimidating and truthfully--makes it easier to just shut down and do NO work at all for a number of reasons? (fear...)

Anyway...I like Cynthia Morris's blog post on 13 Ways to Bust Through Writer's Block because it helps narrow and focus us on things, small steps, that we can do to get back into the groove and happiness of creating. With the creative mind, nothing is more important than focus, and Cynthia's list does that for us. Stop over if you've got a minute or are stuck. Break it down and get more done.

13 Ways to Bust Through Writer's Block by Cynthia Morris at her Original Impulse Blog


Happy Unblocking,
Beth

February 17th: How to Conquer Writer's Block

Guess who's back? Not 100% yet as I have five chapters to final edit and the interviews to add to the ms. Hopefully by Tuesday it'll be in the editor's hands. And Tuesday night I'll be cracking open a bottle of...something...to celebrate.

I've been talking and working with a couple of authors lately on issues that affect their writing and the overwhelming consensus is that the perception of being blocked is detrimentally affecting their work. It isn't the first time I've heard this, and I know it won't be the last, so to that end I'm dedicating this week's postings to ways of working with, dealing with, and --hopefully-- busting any type of block that stands in the way of creating.

Today's post is just phenomenal. Jon Morrow's Bestseller Interviews blog (no relation!) hosts a collection of writer's-block-breaking links on insightful ways other have dealt with it. Keep it as a favorite when you need incentive and ideas on how to get back to the page.

Bestseller Interviews blog: How to Conquer Writer's Block--The Ultimate Guide--by Jon Morrow

Happy breaking-writing-blocks,

Beth

WOOOHOOOO!

I'm two handouts, a final proofreading edit and ten interviews away from being done with the book.

The handout will be no problem and my favorite part of the writing process is proofing. I also really love reading interviews and formatting them to highlight something special about the person I interviewed, so that's gravy too.

The hard work is done! When I finished the handout a few minutes ago, I feel like the sun started shining again. Not that I haven't loved writing this book...I've learned more in the last three months about myself as a writer than I ever knew...but I've also put so much of my life on hold that I can't wait to get back to it.

Might not post til the weekend but the good news is that I'll be able to get back to the blog (good for me, maybe not you!)

Happy, happy writing (is there any other kind?!)

Beth

Last weekend of a deadline...and you know what that means...

For one, no posting this weekend (even though I'm here now).

It's crunch time for the book. THe book itself is done. I just have to go through the last 40K words and clean up the editorial comments and add my last 25K words, as far as the book book part.

I have to finish the worksheet section (my favorite thing, really) and add in the interviews. Not tedious, just time-consuming. Seeing it come together is just really cool. I'm crossing my fingers I don't have to ask for an extension, but I know without a doubt I can have it done by next Monday if it comes to that.

Ok, enough of that. I should be writing.

And for those of you who've asked, I am planning a February contest but might not get to it. Hoping to, after next week, but since February is so blessed short, it just might have to wait til March. In that case, I'll make it something worthwhile :)

Off to create worksheets (my love of making worksheets qualifies me as an official geek!)Hope to be back Monday.

In the meantime, catch up on your reading here or do a bit of writing yourself.

Beth

February 7th, 2008: It's My Blog and I'll Feng Shui....

...if I want to...

That may possibly be the worst blog title I've come up with in a long time. Maybe ever.

My dears, today we're taking a slightly off-the-writing-career path field trip (without a sack lunch or permission form) In celebration of the pending Chinese New Year (and the fact that I have been absolutely obsessed with reading feng shui books these last few weeks), today's resources are about the joy of feng-shui'ing your home, office and life.

I don't want to overwhelm you so we'll start small. A little definition then you can read more for yourself: Feng Shui is, simply, a way of arranging and rearranging the areas in your home, office, and life to bring you more happiness, bigger successes, better health and, of course, money. (Knew I'd get you with that).

Feng Shui, literally, means "wind-water", and, if you know anything about the Chinese, elements (wind, water, fire & the like) are very elemental to their cultural beliefs. Feng Shui (pronounced "fung shway") believes that placing certain items of certain compositions (metal, water, etc) in certain places (even if symbolically), you will energize the flow of positive energy (chi) in your life, then reap the benefits.

I have a little story that illustrates this but I'll save it for later. It's very cool, and the reason I think a little feng shui can do us all good.

Now, before you get gung-ho, you have to do a little studying. Check out this link at about.com (I know, their ads drive me crazy too but these articles are pretty good) and try just one change. Since we're writers, one good place to start is the main place in your home where you do most of your writing. Just an idea....

Feng Shui and the Chinese New Year at about.com.

Tell me what you think!

Happy Feng Shui'ing,
Beth

February 6th: Articles at FictionFactor.com

Because my brain is scattered this morning, so too will be the direction of my post.

I know, I wanted to focus everything on the romantic storyline this month, but here's a great conglomeration of writing articles on every imaginable topic:

Articles at FictionFactor.com

There's gotta be something there to get you going!

Happy writing,
Beth

January 5th: Character Motivation by Alicia Rasley

I had the pleasure of attending an Alicia Rasley workshop a few years ago and came away with one overriding impression: I would never, ever miss another chance to attend any of her workshops or presentations on any topic. She could talk about how to incorporate turtles into the hero's journey and I'd be there.

Alicia is gifted in that she understands story in a way that's deep, meaningful and beyond the page--yet she has the ability to translate that to all of us through interactive workshops, books and that treasure trove of articles I've read a million times on her site.

Today's little gem is advice on the details of character motivation in your story. If you haven't thought through the creation of your characters to know how and what motivates them, run over to her site and start reading immediately.

Character Motivation by Alicia Rasley.

No turtles, I promise. Only good, solid, insightful advice no romance writer should be without.

Happy turtle-free writing,
Beth

February 4th: Character Building Workshop

February is all that mushy lovey stuff and, despite already being on lace-heart-and-stuffed-animal overload, I'm dedicating the posts in February to creating melt-your-heart fictional characters.

Anyone who knows me knows I can't get enough of worksheets and interactive quizzes, so today's post makes me smile! It's calle the Character Building Workshop for a reason: three fun quizzes, archetype information and other character-building background info...what's not to love?

Character Building Workshop at Writers' Village University

Have fun discovering your characters....
Beth

OK, so I lied about posting....

Truthfully, I didn't intend to post a resource but this one is way too good and on a topic so near and dear to me that I can't resist.

I was just catching up at Martha Alderson's blog, Plot Whisperer for a bit of pre-typing inspiration. If you were a reader of Fountain Pen, Inc, you may recall my mentioning how much I liked her Blockbuster Plots, Pure and Simple book:




Her insight helped me realize that my own fiction writing style...a little plotter, a little pantser...is OK and not something I need to worry about "fixing".

Anyway...imagine my happiness to find she's added a quiz to her blog to help determine if you're a pantser or plotter! I think it's the teacher in me that loves, loves, loves worksheets and anything designed to get stuff out of my head and onto paper, so this is great stuff. Even though I know what I am (besides slightly crazy), I'm going to spend some time with the quiz in the near future (read: after this nonfiction book is done!).

Martha Alderson's Test: Are You a Character-Driven Writer or A Dramatic Action Driven Writer?

In the meantime, go check it out for yourself and let me know: what are you? A pantser? A plotter? A little from column a...a little from column b...? I'd love to find out! Add a comment and let's see how many pantsers and plotters we have among us.

Happy pantsing and/or plotting,

Beth

January's Contest Winner: Lewis Routh

Yeah, a few days late, but you should be used to that from me by now!

The 100 word contest was a fun one. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was suprised by the tone of most entries--much more serious than I'd anticipated.

Lewis Routh came away as the winner, and Eric Maisel's book will be on its way to him shortly. Congrats, Lewis! Great work!

If 100 words isn't your thing, stay tuend for the February contest, which I hope to have up by this evening. I know, I know...a day late and a dollar short...(or ...three days late...), but I'm still working on details.

It's doubtful I'll post any resources today. Three notebooks full of nonfiction to type...(that's why I'm here...!)

Happy writing & reading,
Beth

the last leg...or..

last chapter, as it is.

Yes, that's right: I'm smack-dab in the middle of writing the final chapter for the business book. (that's why I'm here blogging..of course!)

It's actually chapter five: all the fun financial, tax and money stuff for starting the business. I skipped it initially because my brain just couldn't wrap around all this stuff without lots more research. Through the course of writing all the rest of the book (12 chapters...some 240 odd pages), I finally found the pieces and parts of the financial stuff I needed to know (hey, cut me some slack--I'm an english teacher and creative type, not an accountant/math chick).

The chapter was outlined this AM and I've probably spent two solid hours writing. I have a bit to finish, but it isn't hard, just that same old BICHOK. Taking a quick break and will be back at it. Want to finish by three or four, take another yoga break and get going with creating all the handouts, samples and worksheets that go into the book. I'm so freaking excited I can't begin to tell you!

So, this post was my way of guiltily admitting that I don't have a daily resource yet to post. My theme from January was "getting started" and February will focus on the romance/character development part of fiction writing, but I've not quite gotten to map out *all* of my resources just yet. Bear with me!

Oh, yeah, and I do have a cool new contest to share (and January winners to announce). That will be my Sunday goal...among other things!

Ok, back to the writing. You & me both....

February 1st: Write That Novel by Becky Martinez & Sue Viders

Now that you've got a month of motivational posts behind you, let's take a gander at the basic steps of creating a novel (or story, same premise).

Write that Novel by Becky Martinez & Sue Viders is a six-part article series that will guide your thoughts in the write..erm...right...direction.

Happy, happy novel writing,

Beth

January 31st: Write Every Day by Karen Kelley

I like this short little article most for one simple line:

If I wrote every day how much better a writer would I be in...say, a year? How much more would I have learned?

Just spend a little time daydreaming about that one when you have a chance. In the meantime, check out the rest of Karen Kelley's article, Write Every Day.

My first release!

By the way, if you're looking for a short, sweet office romance to make you smile, Mandi's Lucky Day is out today at the Wild Rose Press! Stop by for a visit!

For less than the price of an...well, anything...at Starbucks, you could have a heartwarming little story!

Mandi's Lucky Day by me!

January 30th: Miscellany by Debbie Lee Wesselmann

Since it's my blog, I get the right to curse, but I do it sparingly.

Today's post, a smattering of wise advice for authors of all types, is damn good stuff. Do yourself a favor and read it before starting your next project.

Miscellany by Debbie Lee Wesselmann

January 29th: Tears in the Writer by Lorraine Heath

Getting emotion on the page is the key to engaging the reader from start to finish. Today, Lorraine shares a little about the how and why emotion makes a story come to life:

Tears in the Writer by Lorraine Heath

January 28 Bonus Post: What Writers Go Through by Isaac Asimov

Because one thoughtful reflection on the writer's life deserves a second!

What Writers Go Through by Isaac Asimov

You know this is true!

Beth

January 28: Getting to the Fire Within by Yvonne Lindsay

A solid, thoughtful and short reflection of the writer's life:

Getting to the Fire Within by Yvonne Lindsay

happy inciting,
Beth

What Tarot Card Are You?

Now, this is just downright fun.

Yeah, I know I'm supposed to be working on the book (started the next-to-the-last chapter today, am about halfway through it) but as I watch Titanic for like the (at least) 500th time (ask anyone who knows me...), I thought I'd play online.

Here's what I found: (I always knew I was royalty...somewhere in the world....lol)

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

January 27: Contest (yeah, again. Get over it!)

Yes, that's right. Another shameless plug for the contest. For those of you who keep putting it off, today's the day you're going to write that 100 word winner.

Having trouble getting started? Try these ideas:

1. Go pour a cup of coffee, a mug of tea or grab a bottle of something and find a quiet place to sit for brainstorming.

2. Set a timer for ten minutes and only write down possible topics and ideas. Make this as a list with numbers or bullet points. When the timer starts moving, start your pen or pencil (or typing) on the paper and do not stop. Even if you feel resistance, type "no idea..no idea" or something similar to fill up the time. Spend the entire ten minutes writing and thinking.

3. Put your list aside. Go take a walk, do a little yoga, clean the bathroom, fold a pile of laundry. Something that takes a bit of time but not too much.

4. Return to your list, and through process of elimination, cross off ideas and words that do not inspire you to create a story about your worst Christmas present. (I often find that the ideas that come later, after I've excavated the top portion of my brain where my conscious thought controls everything in tidy chunks, is when the good ideas start flowing)

5. When you've got one idea, create another list in the same manner as the first. Write down every single thing--idea, feeling, emotion, sensation, etc., that can bring that one idea to life.

6. Now you've got your story. Create a 100 word story and bring your Christmas gift to life. Let us see, feel and understand why it was so horrid.

7. If you're looking for a little insider secret, the entry I'm liking the most right now is not something material--no ugly sweaters or stinky perfumes--it's an event. Not that something funny and material can't top that, but think deep on this one.


Now that you have your assignment, what are you waiting for?! Get out there and write!

happy 100-wording,

Beth

decisions, decisions

the good part of this decision is that I win either way. The bad part is that I'm still procrastinating, and any writer will tell you we're capable of procrastinating for weeks, months...years...without remorse.

I'm two chapters from the end of the book. The last one is cleaning techniques, and I skipped the original chapters 5 & 7 and am combining them into one (financing, taxes...ick...). I've written the last approximately 10K words longhand in two notebooks and it's time to (soon) start typing.

However, tonight is a quiet night on the homefront. The hub is sick with the flu and the kid is in front of the PSP. I can write most of the next chapter (maybe even all of it) tonight, and type everything tomorrow, or type tonight and write tomorrow.

I know, I know. Give you a real problem, right? Or maybe, since I've been writing most of the day, I treat myself to some web surfing time (all writing related), or reading one of the new Buddhist philosophy books I got for Xmas.

Who said writing was easy?!!

Or, heck, I could even try working out the first chapter of that fiction story I've been mentally plotting...(bad beth...bad, bad, bad!)

January 25: Studio Friday by Tine

Just so you know, this isn't the original post I had in mind. I thought I'd set this one up at home but obviously...I didn't! And since the blog notebook is at home, here's what I found.

I must admit that I'm really loving what Tine has put together in her Studio Friday blog. Super unique and very creative! Each Monday, she posts a question or reflective topic, then asks you to search your studio (writing room, writing area, etc) to find what she's asking for. You don't have to take a picture--you can depict it in any artistic manner you're feeling (writing, sketching, quilting), then you'll finish it all off by uploading to your own blog and posting a link at Tine's place.

(here's a sample question and response)Studio Friday 3

As I said--very fun. I'm thinking of participating. That is, after I'm done with this deadline...

Here's Tine's Studio Friday welcome page: Studio Friday Welcome

And the Studio Friday Blog Directions:Studio Friday How-It-Works

Finally, the blog itself: Studio Friday blog

January 24: Writing Warmups: 12 Ways to Start Your Day by Shelly Meinhardt

We all have those days when getting started at the keyboard (or notebook) is a difficult venture. Shelly Meinhardt has thought about this enough to create a helpful article to guide us in getting started.

Writing Warmups: 12 Ways to Start Your Day by Shelly Meinhardt

January 23: Learning the Ropes From the Top by Cathy Maxwell

Good, solid author etiquette from Cathy Maxwell. While my friends and I joke about being divas, we won't stoop to diva-type behavior when interacting with editors, agents and other authors. Not a good move.

Learning the Ropes from the Top by Cathy Maxwell

Happy learning,

Beth

January 22:Writers Who Write

I'm a big advocate in a simple belief: the only thing that sets writers apart from everyone else is that writers write. We might complain, procrastinate, clean our bathrooms more than any other human known to mankind, but eventually we buckle down and write.

I get agitated (too easily, probably) with "writers" who complain about all the things that keep them from writing and, when all is said and done, they don't write. There's some excuse keeping them from it, perfectly plausible in their own mind. I know us writer writers go through phases where writing doesn't come easily but we do get back to it. I mean those who never write but only think about it.

To that end, today's article: Writers Who Dream of Writing and Writers Who Write at committment.com. A good kick in the pants if you need it....

happy writing...
Beth

January 21st, part 2: Developing Discipline by Dan Perez

In my blog calendar for the year, I wanted to get caught up on posts I'd planned to share, and this brings me up to date (are you happy now?!)

This, actually, is one of the best articles I've ever read on how to become a disciplined writer (or, as my friend Stephanie says..BICHOK..butt in chair, hands on keyboard).

Dan doesn't just TELL you how to be disciplined, he SHOWS you. For those of you (like me) who enjoy workbook-type activities and learning by doing, Dan's got some brilliant stuff here.

The only thing I'd add is that signing a contract to write a 65K word book in less than three months over the holidays is also a way to become a disciplined writer. With Dan's method, however, you'll have some hair left on your head when the process is in place :)

Developing Discipline by Dan Perez

Happy disciplining (hmmm...sounds like a title for one of my erotica-writing friends...lol),

Beth

PS: How about disciplining yourself right now to entering the January contest? Yeah, more self-serving advertising but you really want to win Eric's book! I promise!

January 21: The Premise by Jeff Kirvin

Short, sweet and a good reminder of the difference between premise and moral. No wonder writing fiction is so much harder than nonfiction...

The Premise by Jeff Kirvin

Happy premising,
Beth

PS: what's the premise of your contest entry for my January contest? Start writing now! It's not too late!

since I didn't post...

...yesterday, I'm feeling guilty today.

I did leave you with a lot to read and ponder from Eric's interview, and today IS a holiday...alright, so that doesn't cut it, I know.

I'm actually so busy writing that I've really not come up for air since yesterday morning. I'm on the last leg of this book (amen), and two (threeish) chapters from the end (or at least the appendices, which are easy-peasy to write). I can see the proverbial light in the tunnel and want to run at it full speed since deadline is less than a month away.

But I know I promised, so let me go dig up something for ya....

Back soon,

Beth

January 19th: Interview with Eric Maisel, Ph.D and Author

Welcome, everyone. I’m excited and pleased to host our very first (of many) author interview with Eric Maisel, Ph.D.

If you’ve not yet read any of Eric’s insightful books on the writing life, you truly are missing out. (Remember, you can win you own copy by entering my January contest...see details to the right) As creative-minded folks, we struggle with a variety of issues with making meaning that are often misunderstood by others.

Eric’s lessons come in many formats if you don’t have time to read (though you should…): check out his podcasts and MP3 files available for download.

Eric’s experience as a creativity coach and trainer of creativity coaches makes him a premier expert on what drives the creative mind. (I know firsthand—I just finished my first creativity coaching course with Eric and found it one of the most enlightening writing-related courses I’ve ever taken).

Today wraps up the end of the first week for Eric on his virtual book. You can view the entire tour schedule here. I’ll share here some thoughts I think you will find most helpful and insightful for your own writing career.

Interview: Eric Maisel, Ph.D., and author of “The Van Gogh Blues: The Creative Person’s Path Through Depression”.

Beth: Welcome, Eric, and thank you for your dedication to exploring the creative mind. In “The Van Gogh Blues”, you stress the importance of creating a life plan sentence/statement to guide writers and other creative minds toward achieving their purpose. Could you explain more about the importance of creating a life plan sentence/statement?

Eric: If you agree to commit to active meaning-making, you need to know where to make your meaning investments, both in the short-term sense of knowing what to do with the next hour and in the long-term sense of knowing which novel you are writing or which career you’re pursuing.

Having a life purpose statement or life plan statement in place serves as an ongoing reminder of the sorts of meaning investments that you intend to make, both short-term and long-term, and helps you make the right “meaning decision” about where to spend your capital and how to realize your potential.

Beth: (just another reminder to my readers about the importance of goals and planning, this month’s theme at Writer-In-Progress!)….(now back to the interview…)

Eric, your work doesn’t only center on the writer but the creative mind in whatever medium that particular mind feels most comfortable to creating meaning in (painters, musicians, graphic artists, etc.). While the examples of creatives in the book are great, they are primarily folks who have chosen mediums with long, drawn-out deadlines.

How would you advise the person who has a purpose with tight deadlines, such as being a news reporter or romance author on deadline to jumpstart themselves when they find themselves spiraling downward?

Eric: It depends in part whether what they are doing matters to them and feels meaningful. If it doesn’t feel meaningful, then the answer is that they either need to reinvest meaning in their choice or find other meaningful work—this is true whether we face daily deadlines or annual deadlines.

If it is meaningful work, then the trick is to remember to construct a parallel life in which you fashion and enjoy relationships, because one meaning container, even one we love (say, investigative reporting) does not meet all of our human needs.

To put this simply, you meet your deadline and then, instead of getting it into your head that you are already onto your next deadline, you say, “Time for love.” You change pace, make meaning in another way, and feel less like you are on a perpetual treadmill.

Beth: I often joke I have the cleanest bathroom on the block whenever I have an impending deadline—at those times, I’d rather be busy at anything other than writing—usually because I’m doubting my abilities as a competent writer. For that reason, I really related to chapter 14 on Taking Action.

In it, you discuss that even the smallest steps toward creating are valid. Can you give us an example of the self-talk an artist needs to engage in when she makes that transition from busyness to stepping boldly into action?

Eric: The first step is to completely stop—not to slow down but to completely stop. Learning how to do this (and it isn’t easy, especially in our culture that promotes speed, fracture, and a short attention span) makes all the difference in a creative person’s life, as internal busyness is completely eliminated if in fact you actually stop, quiet your mind, and allow yourself to calmly grow present.

The self-talk is exactly “I am completely stopping,” followed by the idea that you intend to calmly create without worrying about outcomes—that you are just intending to be present and to do your work. If a doubt or a worry intrudes, you dispute it by saying “I’m not interested in that doubt” or “I reject that worry,” return yourself to deep silence, and continue “just working.”

B: In that chapter (14), you deliniate between taking action vs. busywork, and give us the example of making soup. Do you think there's ever a time when busywork is actually helpful toward getting us to take action? If so, can you expand on that?

Eric: There is a sense in which doing anything is better than doing nothing, because doing nothing almost always leads to brooding, the sense of time passing and being wasted, and a small meaning crisis. Furthermore, many of the things that we find meaningful to do, for instance writing a novel or starting a business, require tons of steps that are tedious, uninteresting, and meaningless in their own right—and yet they are very important because they serve our meaning needs and without them we could not make meaning. So in these senses at least, opting to do something rather than nothing is almost always the right choice.

Beth: On the first page of chapter 14, you list things that are considered "actions". All of them are physical, require movement and effort to accomplish. However, one "action" is unlike the others--"thinking about your scientific theory". Thinking, then, is a non-physical action, but to many writers, it sometimes feels like we're wasting time. It's very hard to see "thinking" as a valid action when fingers are not typing or pens are not rolling across the page. Are there ways us writers who equate "action" with "physical" to train ourselves to view "thinking" as "physical" (thereby valid)?

Eric: Writing is thinking—it is not typing. The thinking may be conscious or it may occur out of conscious awareness, but if we are not thinking then we are doing something more reflexive and ultimately formulaic. It may SEEM like our best writing is automatic and instinctual but in fact it is a considered outcome of the work are neurons are doing thinking about these particular characters in this particular plot line or these particular principles in this particular work of nonfiction. Very often when a writer is “blocked” all that is happening is that he is feeling too anxious to think about his piece and see what it needs. If you want to write well, then think well. Whether or not thinking is precisely an action, it is definitely what’s required.



That's it for now....



I'd like to thank Eric for taking the time to stop by and enlighten us with his thoughts on how to help the creative mind flourish. You can read more from Eric on the rest of his whirlwind blog tour by visiting the sites listed.



In the meantime, start writing that 100 word story to win your very own copy of The Van Gogh Blues! Time's a wastin'! (check out the sidebar to the right for more details)



Beth

Books by Eric Maisel

Click on the books for more information!

The Van Gogh Blues


Coaching the Artist Within (one of the best books I've read in some time)


Ten Zen Seconds


Creativity For Life


Fearless Creating


Everyday Creative

January 18th: Unfolding a Story From the First Sentence by Bill Johnson

Bill uses a story to show us what we learn (but don't realize we're learning) from the first few lines of a story. Fascinating stuff you should consider--because in writing, every word makes a difference.

Unfolding a Story From the First Sentence by Bill Johnson

January 17th: Openings for Lunatics by Michelle Rasey

What can I say? Michelle not only tells us how to craft a fab story opening, she shows us. I challenge you to read the first line of her article and not read more. Love it!

Openings for Lunatics by Michelle Rasey

Happy Opening...

Beth...the writer with an attention span of a two-year old (ya gotta read the article to understand...or maybe I should have opened with that!)

Don't Forget....

Be sure to stop by on Saturday when we'll be hosting the sixth day of author Eric Maisel's virtual book tour featuring his new text, "The Van Gogh Blues: The Creative Person's Path Through Depression".

Don't have the book? Haven't read it? Check out the sidebar to the right =====> for a January contest to win your very own copy!

Back to the blog....

Beth

January 16th: Open Your Book With a Hook by Barbara Dawson

Not convinced hooks are important--one of the most important techniques to selling your story to editors and readers alike? You have two options...either keep believing that and wonder why no one requests a full after you send a partial, or go check out Barbara Dawson's article (last one of the week) on how & why to Open Your Book with a Hook

'nuff said.

Happy, happy hooking (readers and publishers),
Beth

January 15: Hooking the Reader Interview with Gail Martin

More hooking for you today...

Via interview with the Inspirational Romance Writer's Workshop, Gail Martin shares thoughts and advice on how and why a great hook is so important in fiction.

There's group interaction and techniques as well to get your creativity stimulated:

Hooking the Reader Interview with Gail Martin

Happy Hooking II, (you know I had to say it),
Beth

January 14: Hooked on Hooks by Jessica Morrell

I try to limit my posts to include a chunk of easily digestible writer's wisdom each day, but all I can say about Jessica's website--www.writing-life.com--is...WOW!

Get your butt over there and check out everything she has to offer for writers of all genres at all levels.

For the purposes of our January theme on beginnings, here's a good article that explains the importance of creating an effective hook for the reader from page one of your manuscript:

Hooked On Hooks by Jessica Morrell

Happy Hooking (I've been waiting to use that line!),
Beth

Contest....Contest....Contest.....

Um, really, do I need to say more than that?

While I work on updating with today's resource and whatever else I find to post, check out the requirements for my January contest



--------------------------->>> OVER THERE!

I've gotten a handful entries thus far--you all really blow me away with the quality of your 100-word stories. I've written sentences longer than 100 words so being able to say a lot in a little bit of time is a real talent I admire.

The book up for grabs--Eric Maisel's "The Van Gogh Blues" is a very insightful read. I somehow ended up with two copies and know every writer should check it out--here's your chance for free! (not to mention Eric will be visiting us here on Saturday on his Van Gogh Blues virtual book tour...)

Get in while the gettin' is good!

What are you waiting for? Start writing....

Sunday Update

Apologies for not posting a resource today. I've been knee-deep (maybe even elbow-deep) in writing as I'm slightly behind deadline (and have 30 new pages and a hand cramp to prove it).

However, I do have some *cool* news to share. This coming Saturday, I'll be hosting my first visitor to the WIP blog--and I'm very excited!

Eric Maisel, Ph.D., and author of the newly released "The Van Gogh Blues: The Creative Person's Path Through Depression" will be stopping by on Saturday, January 19th as part of his virtual book tour promoting his text. I've read the book (a MUST for ANY creative-minded person; I'll be reviewing the book in a few weeks) and have asked Eric a few questions about the text that I think apply to all writers. Saturday I'll post his responses on Saturday for your reading enjoyment.

I hope you'll visit us to hear Eric's insight. Valuable stuff.

Tomorrow I'll be posting a resource as you've come to expect. Back to writing!