Monthly Archives: November 2015

Nanowrimo

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Nanowrimo

by Adam Huddleston

 

Well folks, Nanowrimo is in full swing. And like the last few years, I have already bowed out. I say this not as a discouragement, but rather in the spirit of frankness. On the contrary, I highly encourage others to attempt the monumental feat known as “Nanowrimo.”

“What is it?” you may ask. The month of November has been designated as National Novel Writing month. The website www.nanowrimo.com contains a competition where contests may submit a fifty-thousand word novella. The catch is every single word must be written between November 1 and November 30. It sounds daunting, and for most it is. A writer must average 1,667 words a day.

If you are one of the fortunate ones whose life commitments allow you to attempt this task, I would give these bits of advice:

  1. Begin plotting your story before November 1. Although this may not help now, it will if you participate in the future. Having a plot before you start will allow you to focus on the actual writing.
  2. Use software to track your progress. Being able to see how many words you’ve written each day will keep you focused.
  3. Ask friends, family members, and/or other writers to keep you motivated. Believe me, it is very easy to get burned-out and quit before it’s over.
  4. Don’t worry about editing. Just get those words down as quickly as possible. December is for fixing your work.
  5. Have fun!

How’s Your Penmanship?

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Outtakes 221

How’s Your Penmanship?

By Cait Collins

It’s getting closer to the holidays and I’m starting to put my to-do list together. One of my big things is my Christmas card list. I like keeping in touch with family and old friends. I’m very particular about the cards I send. I can spend an hour or more going through the card displays at my favorite Hallmark store. I buy special pens and nice envelope seals.

I hand-address and sign every card. Some have short hand-written notes. Instead of a computer generated letter, I write my letters individually and gear them to the recipient. Do not misunderstand, I enjoy reading the annual newsletters I receive, and if I had a huge list, I would probably do a computer letter. But my list is relatively small, so I write the letters.

So what goes into my letters? It depends on the person, but I try to recall good memories, update friends and family on important events during the year, inquire on goings on with their families, and end with good wishes for the holiday. Each letter is personal.

My mom taught me the importance of the Christmas card tradition. Being in the military, we were often separated from family and friends during the holidays. Cards and notes were Mom’s way of being part of the extended family when we were not able to be home for Christmas. Her list grew with each transfer as she added new friends. Sadly, she would receive notes letting her know of the passing of a special friend. Her address book was filled with pages with names lined through. It was her way of saying “Gone, but not forgotten.” When she became too ill to write her cards, I took on the task. Sometimes I would have to ask her about the person so I could target the letter. I always made sure to get the letters completed early so she could sign them.

As we become more technology oriented, we tend to neglect the old ways. We lose touch with folks who were parts of our lives. We forget there are ties that keep us together, and memories that had impact on us. This holiday season why not reach out to those who hold special places in our hearts. Write a letter. Tuck it inside of a holiday card. The rewards are priceless.

Basics to Entering a Writing Contest

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Basics to Entering a Writing Contest

Rory C Keel

 Writing contests can offer great benefits to a writer, however they can also be intimidating. To help you wade through the process, let’s look at some of the basics of entering a Writing Contest.

1. Choose the right contest – Do the research to find the best contest for your writing. Contest entry fees can vary greatly from free to extremely high. The rewards can be just as varied from a simple recognition and critique of your writing, to rewards of money prizes and publication. Beware of contests that require you to purchase the published work of your “Winning” writing. More information can be found in my article Writing Contest Benefits.

2. Choose the correct Genre – To avoid poor critiques or placement, choose the correct genre for your work. While some pieces may cross over into another classification, you will have better results if you focus your writing to one specific genre.

3. Follow Submission Guidelines – When entering a contest pay close attention to the submission guidelines. These rules may vary greatly with different organizations and contests. Be diligent to have the correct word count while using the proper page format, font, and cover page identification requirements. Don’t expect contest officials to overlook the rules just for you, it’s their contest and it’s their rules.

4. Pay attention to Postage – If you are sending an entry by mail it will require the correct postage, so does the return of your entry. Read carefully any instructions regarding postage and the return mailing requirements of your entry or prizes. If you are using metered mail, postage from a meter or computer, understand that it expires on the date stamped. If you stamp the return envelope with the current date, and the contest results are not given for several months, postage may be expired and could result in your entry not being returned.

By following these few steps, entering a writing contest can be fun and successful!

Rory C. Keel

THE WORLD OF BOOKS

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THE WORLD OF BOOKS

The World of Books
Is the most Remarkable Creation of Man
Nothing else that he builds ever lasts
Monuments fall
Nations perish
Civilizations Grow Old and Die Out
And After an era of darkness
New Races build others
But in the WORLD OF BOOKS are volumes
That have seen this happen again and again
And yet Live On
Still Young
Still as fresh as the day they were written
Still telling men’s harts
Of the Hearts of Men centuries Dead.
– CLARENCE DAY

Injecting Perfection

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POST CARDS FROM THE MUSE

Injecting Perfection

By Nandy Ekle

 

The twisted little body lies on the slab. So far that’s all it is, just a lifeless rag. I’ve put a suture here and there to string pieces together in an effort to make the body whole. There are a few loose ends, but those will heal once the life begins.

I have a whole ward of these lifeless little things. Some of them could be beautiful; some of them could be powerful. But all of them are mine. The only thing missing from each one is a beginning sentence.

These special little wads of bodies are ideas that I’ve had for stories. They pop in my head at random times, sometimes uncanny in their ability to find the most inappropriate moments to show up. I can be in the middle of a sentence during a conversation with a complete stranger when one of these ideas knocks on the door and says, “Guess what!” Or I can be deeply immersed in reading a work with strong hands that keep my attention, except for the split second when I hear, “Sort of like what happened to me.” Music brings them, pictures bring them, people walking down the street bring them. One time an idea spoke so loud I woke up from sleep in the middle of the night to listen.

I take the idea and lay it on a slab, gluing it down with my ink and a promise saying, “Don’t go anywhere, I’ll be right back,” and usually I do come back and fiddle with it a little more. Occasionally, though, they get tired of waiting on me and go on to find someone else with more time – but for the most part, they wait patiently.

So I look at this one particular idea and see the marks of where I have tried to find the right sequence of words to inject into its veins that will open its eyes. I see a lot of needle marks, but still the eyes have not opened. I do remember a flutter, though. This poor little waif is in two parts, and the second part is set. The first sentence of that scene caused the eyeballs underneath the lids to roll in a curious REM fashion, but they did not open. The first part is not there yet.

From all the words that exist in language today, there has got to be a combination that works to open these eyes. And so I will continue to look for the perfect fit, that special key that will give life to this story. Then I can move on to the next.

Congratulations. You have just received a post card from the muse.

Foul Language in Writing

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Foul Language in Writing

by Adam Huddleston

 

Last week, I posted a blog defining a few of the terms we generally refer to as swearing or cursing. I hinted that a future post may concern the appropriate/inappropriate use of foul language in writing. I realize that this topic is very wide and that there are many on both sides who feel strongly about it. Let’s just take a few moments to analyze this subject.

First of all, let me state that I am proud to proclaim myself as a Christian. As such, I believe that the use of foul language in speech is displeasing to God. I base this on verses such as Ephesians 4:29 and 5:4. In a world where the common use of foul language has become the norm rather than the exception, my family and I have chosen not to use it in our everyday speech. As it relates to my writing, I honestly have not come across many instances where the character’s dialogue would necessitate cursing. If I do, I’ll deal with it on a case-by-case basis.

At this point, someone usually argues that swearing in your speech is not necessarily the same as having your characters swear. I understand the point and if it is possible to have your reader understand that the words spoken by your characters do not always reflect those of the author, I would agree with it.

Another point to consider is if swearing is appropriate for the specific character. The stereotypical sailor or gang member may use foul language, but I would guard against falling into the trap of assuming that every “rough/uneducated” type of person speaks that way. If it is appropriate, use it, but don’t overdo it. I’ve read many novels containing excessive foul language where the extra words simply did not add anything to the story. Instead, it detracted from it.

The last point to remember is you should write to your genre. If you are writing a book of children’s stories, you probably don’t want to be dropping f-bombs every other sentence. Not only is it inappropriate for the genre, but more importantly, you will NEVER…GET…PUBLISHED. Save foul language for the adult readers.

I hope these arguments will help you in your writing!

Peanuts

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Outtakes 220

Peanuts

By Cait Collins

I grew up with a group of kids: Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroder, Sally, Woodstock, Peppermint Patty, Marcy, and a dog named Snoopy My friends are the wonderful children, and dog, created by Charles Schulz. I can’t really say why the Peanuts gang has meant so much to me. Basically they are such a diverse group of personalities, it’s a wonder they get along at all. Maybe it’s because they are all a part of my personality.

Snoopy is so many characters: the World War I flying ace; Joe Cool, a scout master; a writer, an ice skating coach, and a loyal dog. He’s an actor playing all these parts. He appeals to my actor side.

Lucy, Miss Know-It-All, always ready to dish out advice and a knuckle sandwich. Okay, I don’t dole out advice and knuckle sandwiches. I just dream about doing it. She’s opinionated and pushy, but she’ll stand by her friends.

Linus is a philosopher with a security blanket. Yes, sometimes I do spout my beliefs and hopes, and dreams, and I do have my own security items. Not a blanket mind you, but a silver cross, my husband’s gold wings, photographs, and books.

Schroder and Peppermint Patty are lost in their own worlds. Schroder has his music and Peppermint Patty is into sports. Neither of them see much beyond their own interests. Don’t we all have our self-centered moments? I know I do.

Sally, sweet Sally is so much in love with her Sweet Baboo. Wasn’t first love so wonderful? But Sally is no pushover. Deprive her of “tricks or treats” and she can be a she-devil.

Woodstock never gives up. His flying skills aren’t quite there, but he keeps trying.

Marcy is practical. She sees the world and people for exactly what they are. But does she see herself with unbiased eyes.

And finally, we have our hero, Charlie Brown. I like to think of him as the eternal optimist. No matter how many times Lucy pulls the football away, or how many kites he loses to the Kite Eating Tree, or how many rocks land in his tricks or treats bag, he hopes next time things will be better. Next time he’ll get to kick that football. Next time his kite will fly high, and next year, he’ll get goodies in his bag. And maybe if he’s very lucky, he’ll get up the nerve to ask the little red-haired girl to have lunch with him and she’ll say yes.

The more I think about it, the more I realize the appeal of Peanuts is that we see ourselves in these characters. We dream, hope, mouth off, fight, and make up, and we go on. As the years passed, nothing changed. Snoopy still flies off to fight the Red Baron. Schroder sits at his piano playing Beethoven. Lucy’s psychiatrist booth is open; 5 cents please. And Charlie Brown still has eyes for the little red-haired girl. And best of all, they never grew up. They will forever be young.

Charles Schulz’s masterpiece of wit and wisdom debuted on October 2, 1950. Happy 65th Birthday, Peanuts, and thanks for the years of reading and viewing pleasure.

 

Tracking Your Progress

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Tracking Your Progress

by Natalie Bright

Some people are more visual than others. Actually ‘seeing’ the results of your work may inspire you to keep writing. I’ve asked several writer friends about how they track their progress and how they keep themselves motivated.

Visualizing

An author of 30 novels uses dry eraser boards to track deadlines and list goals for each month. Her novel in progress is posted on another board with character traits, pictures of houses where her characters live, and a timeline. All there readily available while she’s writing. Authors are utilizing Pinterest in much the same way. Whatever might inspire you about that work in progress is close at hand as you write.

I adapted this idea for my freelancing. A dry eraser board lists my WIP article ideas and titles along with contest deadline dates and possible markets for each article.

I hung a second board for my middle grade novel listing main plot line notes for four novels featuring the same character. If anything comes to mind concerning this character, I scribble a note on the board. As I dig deeper and deeper into the development of my characters, I discovered a sense of having a bigger picture of their world. As I develop and learn more about their history, the people they interact with, the time period, and the setting, my mind is constantly thinking about possible scenes and adventures. I don’t want to forget anything that might become a story element.

Now I’m working on two more novel ideas, both in completely different time periods so I’m wondering if I should have a separate board for each one or one gigantic board covering an entire wall.  I’ll let you know how that works.

The Year at a Glance

Another friend uses a yearly wall calendar to mark productivity. Different colored markers can be used for specific things. For example, a red pen for submissions would be title, name of publication, and editor on the date submitted.  Follow-up is noted in blue. If published, I highlight the entry in yellow.  Rejections are noted next to the submission with the response date. I usually write a “No” with an X over the entry. Daily words counts are listed in bright neon pink.

One of my critique group members suggested I turn the letter O in every “no”  into a smiley face.  Seeing lots of colored entries gives me a visual that I’m moving forward. Even the smileys makes me feel productive. At lease I’m getting my work out there.

Social Media Tracking

For another friend, the wall calendar seemed cumbersome to her.  She tracks her word count, submissions, and responses on a spreadsheet, which she keeps in a brightly colored folder.

The spreadsheet idea was just what I needed to track social media posts. When I switched gears from WIP to blogs, I could never remember which ones were polished and ready, which ones were to be posted on my own website as an article, or which ones I’d forwarded to the WordsmithSix blog administrator. Plus I needed to tweet and Facebook links to the articles and I didn’t want to bombard followers with the same information over and over. A spreadsheet seemed to be the answer.

For consistency, our group assigned specific days to each member of the WordsmithSix writers. I blog every Monday, and I decided to post articles on my website on Fridays. My spreadsheet is printed on legal paper and covers about three months of Mondays and Fridays.

Date

Twitter

Author Page

Facebook

Nat’s Site

WordsmithSix

To Admin
Fri Jan. 4    “title”
Mon Jan 7         “Title”       12/20

The twitter and facebook columns are for recording the dates and times of links that have been tweeted. I like using Hootsuite which allows me to pre-schedule and cover all of the social media outlets I’m participating in. Based on the interests of my followers, I can choose whichever groups to link to. For example, an article about writing would probably not be of interest to my cousins and friends on my personal Facebook. Target markets are important to keep in mind.

Word Count

It’s all about the word count. If you keep cranking out those words, then you know you’re making progress. Even if that piece holds a future rejection, you’re still learning about story craft while you write.

How do you stay organized?

There are so many ways to stay organized. I hope this article inspires you to take control. Happy writing!

www.nataliebright.com