Slow and steady

I’d like to think that if I continue writing,  a book will magically publish itself within 365 days.  As I have lost 30 days already due to a family emergency, this might be harder than I thought.  The truth is, I read these blogs about writers that have already got something submitted and are waiting to hear back, and I think, I can do that.  Why haven’t I?  That is the age-old question of anyone who wants to publish something.

In this day and age you can publish your own book, do an e-book, or pretty much self-promote however you see fit.  I want to do things the old-fashioned way.  I want to send it to a real live publisher and have a real book I can hold in my hands.  How hard can it be?  First, I need to make a plan.  I’m sure good writers have a plan.  That’s got to be why this hasn’t worked out for me.  I have no plan whatsoever.  Second, I must commit to making this thing happen.  Third, I have to write and write and write some more.  I have several pieces written, so I need to go back and look at them as well.

I also found this very interesting website and it makes sense…so here you go.  I have a plan.  Pretty cool.  Now I have 100 days left.  I can do this if I put my mind to it.  The only thing I really want to do is actually submit something.  Once I have done that, the rest will be easy.  It’s getting that out-of-the-way that helps.

I especially like the advice on day 20 of my plan.  My voice is my voice.  My style is my style.  Since I am running two blogs, my friend once told me she loved reading my posts as she always heard my “voice”.  To me, that was one of the highest compliments.  I don’t even think she realized how good that made me feel.  Day 32 tells me to carry a notepad with me.  I love this line “Once you have written it down, you own it.”  Ha.  I own you.

Day 55 in the above link is particularly funny to me because as I am reading it, I am envisioning a scene from one of favorite childhood movies.  “Say your right words…” or something to that effect in Labyrinth.  I can see the Goblins peeking out with their huge eyeballs just waiting for Sarah to utter the words.  Now that the right word are written, I come to the part that scares me.  The “literary agent”.  I would have to be a good salesman.  I think the work should be able to sell itself, so hopefully that would be the case.  Apparently I can’t start out with something like “If Madonna can write a book, so can I.”  Hmm.  Need a better hook.

Well, there you have it.  My plan is ready, now all I have to do is activate it.

Look out…emerging writer ahead

I was trying to find some writing competitions a while back to help me get over my fear of actually submitting my work.  The problem with the competitions was that they sounded…well, fake.  You see, the word competition implies that there is a rivalry for some prize or honor.  Usually, you don’t think of a competition as something that costs you money.  So I searched for a while and find one I think is actually free.  I read the fine print and discover I have to agree to become a member of their website.  This would be so much easier if someone like ohhhh, I don’t know, say Laurell K. Hamilton or Diana Gabaldon hosted their own contests.  I don’t know if they do mind you, but it sounds like a good idea.  I’m sure they could work it out where they have a team of people helping them go through the serious entries, but can you imagine if the prize was to be mentored by them for a short period of time?  How cool would that be.

It is really frustrating out there when searching for contests that do not appear to be a waste of your time.  I’d like to think that there are some really nice folks out there like Jan Brett who would hold a summer camp for emerging children’s book writers…just a thought Jan.

Let me know if you have had any luck with a contest.

Writing prompt: snow memories

  Every time I hear the weather man say that there is snow in our forecast, I become giddy with excitement like an 8-year-old child.  We don’t get snow here as much as I would like, so the anticipation of a big snowfall causes quite a commotion.  Last year it snowed so much that I was able to do one of my favorite things.  Go for a walk in a snowy wood.

The silence of the world around me is wonderful.  Everything seems to feel fresh and clean with a layer of white.  The lake is beautiful and pristine.  The snow falls softly through the branches and coats the trees in glittery outfits.  Sigh.  Contentment fills my heart.  The first snow of the year has taken us all by surprise and tucked my street in a blanket of softness.  The only problem seems to be that my dogs do not have stilts.  They are not really a big fan of the cold, white ground and if they could talk I’m sure they would be saying many things I do not want to hear.

Better luck next time Mr. Weenie.

Day one…new ideas

A new blog means new challenges.  I have been thinking of doing two blogs for a while, but my primary blog is fun for me.  The Burned Hand practically writes itself…seriously.  I am now going to focus my thoughts and keep to topics, writing prompts, and perhaps a magazine article will come out of this.  I have been writing stories for as long as I can remember.  It started out as a poetry journal that I kept under my bed in high school.  In college, I wrote so many papers that the writing process took on a life of its own.  When blogging started, I did not jump on the bandwagon basically because I thought it would be too much work.  I was wrong.  I love it.  I love creating new words and seeing them appear on the page.  I love how my friends have encouraged me and strengthened my love of writing even more.  I love how my husband thinks I could publish a book before him even though I secretly think he is a better writer.

I am going to give this a new edge, and try to hold your interest.  Each day, I want to give you a challenge as well.  Please click like if you like what I have to say, and comment if you have ideas for writing prompts, websites to check out, or ways you got something published.  Let’s help each other stay focused.  And go.