Holiday Madness!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Is your writing desk piled high with stacks of gifts, bows, and wrapping paper? Is your work in progress taking a backseat to the mad dash of last-minute shopping? If so, then join the club.

Tonight I took a look across my room and noticed the typewriter peaking out from behind the packages. It seemed to be saying, "Hey, did you forget about me?" 

I guess I did. It's been over a week since I opened my laptop. It's been over a week since I could see the top of my desk. So I cleared it off and sat down to write this blog post. It's the least I can do to apologize to my muse.

This post is a nudge to all of my writer friends out there to throw down the scotch tape and ribbons. Do your best to find a few minutes in all of the holiday madness to jot a few words onto the page. Trust me, you'll feel really good about it. In fact, let the Holiday Spirit inspire you!

Keep Writing, Keep Smiling, and Keep Submitting.

 

  

 

Nice to have an extra hand with my novel in progress!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2019

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling

Encouragement for Writers at the Five Below Stores

Hello Writers,

 Yesterday, while visiting the Five Below Store, I was surprised to find a large selection of books for writers. They have books on writing prompts, journals, and a game. My curiosity was peaked. I bought the game. It included a book with very good writing information for the new author and a deck of cards with suggestions to encourage and stretch the imagination. I find this to be a testament to the ever-increasing popularity of writing.
I've always considered the Five Below stores to be a young person's shop. (In case you've never been to a Five Below store, everything inside cost five dollars or less. Games, toys, sports equipment, a small selection of clothes, phone accessories, novelty tee-shirts, room decor, books, candy, etc.)

It's a joy to learn more and more young people are interested in the arts and stretching their imaginations through storytelling. I shouldn't be surprised as my teen niece wrote her first short story and submitted it into a contest through school. She "placed" in the contest, winning an award and an interview for the newspaper.
My twelve-year-old granddaughter has also shown a new interest in writing. She's shared with me her opening paragraph of a work in progress for school last week. We also brain-stormed an idea she has for a fiction piece. I'm very proud and excited.

I'm sending a big SHOUT OUT to Five Below for adding books and games to encourage writing, to your stock sitting along-side books on music, painting, crafts, etc.
                           
I can't wait to read what's in the imaginations of our young people!

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!
 

Twitter Help for Writers

Authors need Social Media to be successful. It is not only helpful but it is a requirement. According to Agents, editors, and publishing houses you must have an online presence.

I haven't met any authors who would debate that fact.

During a writer's conference workshop, we were told an interested agent WILL look you up online to see if you are active on social media. The agent wants to know you are willing to promote yourself and your writing.

Young people are genius at social media. I'm still learning how to use social media effectively. I've picked up a bit of knowledge but definitely not enough. I'm working on it.

There are people out on social media who are willing to help. If you "follow" someone on Twitter, there's a good chance they will "follow" you back. If you engage with other people on Twitter, there's a good chance they will engage with you.
Read people's profile pages and tweets before "following" them. Make sure they are legitimate profile pages. If so, engage!
I have received great help this week on Twitter from @digitalbookgirl and want to take a moment to mention her name and hopefully return the kindness. She promoted my children's book, Meet Sandy Gull by posting the Amazon "buy" link on her social media sites and "liking" some photo posts I'd put on the Sandy Gull Facebook page. I appreciate that very much. Look her up on Twitter and make contact. Digitalbookgirl also has a blog page.

Most authors on Twitter have been very social and are willing to engage. Great conversations may be had both in simply enjoying conversation with like-minded people or asking questions and receiving helpful insights. Writing contests, pitch slams, writing tips, and humor are more of the fun social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook offer authors.

Other social media avenues writers enjoy participating in are writing communities on Facebook. Jump in with both feet and increase your online presence.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling

Dusting off a forgotten old manuscript is a real eye-opener!

Hi Writers 🙋

Do you have old writing projects saved on your computer or yellowing in a hanging file folder in a rusty metal filing cabinet? Many of us do. As a matter of fact, my current WIP is one of those old manuscripts.

I challenge you to dust off an old project. Pour yourself a strong cup of coffee or tea and find a comfortable place to relax. Thoughtfully, read through a manuscript you previously thought was unworthy of submission or one that failed in the submission process.
As you read, your first reaction will most likely be ... ugh! Don't fret! It's a good thing.
           You are realizing how much you've grown and how much you've improved.
If you've been studying the craft, joining writer's groups, attending conferences, and participating in online workshops/podcast; you've been learning and growing.

Today, I read a post from an author who found success by resurrecting an old project. She "changed it up a bit", then submitted the piece into a contest. She did not place in the contest. The story doesn't end there. The author tucked it aside again. She let it sit for a year or more. Recently, she resurrected the piece again. She corrected the grammar errors and tightened it up. She submitted it into another contest. This time she won first place including a monetary prize. The point is, her years of studying and experience paid off in a big way.

This challenge is also a great way to fight off writer's block. Never sit staring at a blank page. Take a break from the struggle and be productive. Pull out an old dusty project and work on it ruthlessly. Pat yourself on the back for seeing the mistakes and improving the piece. Submit your hard work to a magazine or contest. With your creative brain in high gear, you just may find you're ready to get back to your current work in progress with an excited mind. (Working on a short story contest is how I take a break from my novel in progress. It helps me to keep submitting during the long novel writing and editing process.)

Why not give it a try?!
Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!

A Change of scenery for The Writer's Circle

                                     Today my writer's group held our meeting at the beach.

         Could there be any better inspiration for a writer than looking out at the beautiful water?

           The pavilion gave us tables, shade, and, a sweet breeze to keep us comfortable. Not to mention we caught a family of dolphins checking out the swimmers. Maybe the next time we'll take advantage of that grill and get our burgers on!  A truly inspiring afternoon.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling!

  

Editing your Work In Progress?

Hello Writers! Are you working on edits for your current work-in-progress?
It seems time passes much faster than my mind can create these days. Maybe it's all of the pollen clogging my brain. It's been a tough allergy season. Yeah, that must be it! 😏

I set a goal. I gave myself a deadline for having this romance manuscript ready to query by April 30th. I hate it but I'm not going to meet that goal date.
I am experiencing a HUGE reality check as I read aloud my manuscript. I have not developed enough personality into my protagonist. Ugh!
My other issue is a dwindling word count. This romance has hit the low-end word count requirement. As I ruthlessly edit, the word count continues to fall.

I hope, as I give my protagonist more personality, I will increase my word count. *Remember, we can't add paragraphs just for the sake of increasing the word count. The sentences must add to the story and keep it moving along at a good pace.

As in the picture above, If I need to distance myself for a few days from this story to get a better perspective, I have another manuscript waiting in the sand pile for edits.

I'd love it if you'd share your woes, wows, and advice with me in the comment section below.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling!

Why Picture Prompts?

Hi Fellow Writers,

A picture prompt is a writing challenge inspired by an image. The image is meant to kick-start your imagination and get those creative juices flowing.

Pictures have been used to stimulate the imagination for as long as I can remember. When I was in school, my favorite weekend homework assignment was the picture prompt. The entire class were given the same image of the most random scene with instructions to write a short story sparked by that photo.
I am fascinated at the range of interpretations. That is a WOW moment for me. It's a true pleasure to read an entirely different story inspired by the same picture.

Why not give it a try, now with the picture above. (I took that photograph last year.)

Take 15 minutes to simply look at the picture. Notice the details.
What questions come to mind?

Where is this person?
Why is he there?
What is he looking for or at?
What is the weather like?
What is the time of day?
What feeling does the image emote in you?

Are scenarios forming in your head? If so, start writing. Let the image inspire you. It doesn't have to be literal to the photo. Free write and have fun with it.

I believe picture prompts just may recharge your battery if you've been suffering from writer's block.

Take advantage of picture prompt contests.  Writer's Digest Magazine runs picture prompt contests. In fact, WD's YOURSTORY contest #97 is open for submissions right now! The deadline is April 8, 2019.
Look for details in the Writer's Digest March/April 2019 issue in print, (page 51), or check out the online magazine.
I entered this contest last week and can't wait to read the winners stories to see their interpretation of the image provided and how it differs from mine.

If you decide to write a story sparked by the above photo, I'd love to read it. I hope you'll share it with us in the comment box below.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling!
 
 

Congratulations! Beach Fun wins award

Congratulations to Nancy Sakaduski of Cat & Mouse Press for placing 2nd with the anthology Beach Fun, entered in the 2019 Delaware Press Association Communications Contest in the category, Collection of Short Stories Published by Entrant/Multiple Authors

I'm very proud to have my story, Where's Miss Birdie, published in this book.
   Congratulations to all of the authors published in Beach Fun

Love my stocking stuffer

💖

My mother found this at a charity store. She put it away for me and slipped it into my Christmas stocking. I'm enjoying my new writing partner, every time I sit down at my desk.
The bottom of this piece states it is a piece from Barkley Crossing and is called "Barkley Biography"

Could she be any cuter?

Keep Smiling, Keep Writing, and Keep Submitting!

Update for the Serendipty Literary Agency, YA Discovery Contest - My Entry

Simply put ... I didn't place in this one.

Today I googled the website  www.serendipitylit.com

I read a blog entry dated Wednesday, 16, January 2019. The blog entry announced the top 10 author picks, along with their titles.
My name was not there.

Congratulations to the top 10, and I wish each author the very best of luck!

Keep Smiling, Keep Writing, and Keep Submitting!