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 |  Useful information I think you will like to know, inspirations, comments, and more! |
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Welcome to my blog! I'm planning to use it for logging:  bits and pieces of stories: writing exercises that turned out well, story ideas, ... links to other items I recommend reading on writing.com, and why I like them short articles, notes, and information about specific topics results of polls and surveys I created my goals for the year more about who I am, my values, my interests links to authors I like and why I like them anecdotes anything else that I think may interest other authors, my family, and my friendsFeel free to give me your comments! I want this blog to be interactive as much as possible. Come visit often! |
| Following a suggestion from a writing friend, I visited http://flylady.net, which is a motivational tool for organizing both home and life. Fly Lady (Fly stands for Finally Love Yourself) guides you through developing good house cleaning and decluttering habits, one baby step at a time. I've been trying to conquer clutter for some time now, but it seems like clutter has been conquering me instead! The house is clean on Sunday, but by the time Saturday comes, I have school papers on a side table, bills to pay in a pile waiting for me, and tons of laundry to do. My dog taking out boxes from the recycling bin and shredding them doesn't help either... Needless to say, I find it hard to concentrate on writing in such a CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome)! And my Saturdays are spent straightening up. I signed up right away, for free! I've already started receiving e-mails with tips and encouragements. My first task was to shine my kitchen sink, which I did last night. I also started a journal to take notes and keep track of my progress. Fly Lady won't come and clean up my house, but I can certainly use a mentor. If I can become more efficient in maintaining a clean house, that means more time to write, a better quality of life, and a happier family! Do you have a method to stay organized? |
| I signed up for investopedia.com's term of the day e-mail. This morning's term is "voluntary simplicity" which I find very interesting. Here is the definition: "A lifestyle that minimizes consumption and the pursuit of wealth and material goods. Individuals choose voluntary simplicity in order to attain a simpler but more meaningful life. Voluntary simplicity is quite different from those who are forced to spend less and live a more simple life involuntarily, such as those who lose their job and cannot find work." Sounds like a good philosophy to me! ... Although my life is already simple enough, to my opinion. I chose that lifestyle long ago, without knowing it had a name.  What are your thoughts on that? |
| I feel 2009 will be an amazing year! I spent 2007 and 2008 learning about creative writing, reading classics, doing writing exercises, and now I'm ready to write and start submitting! Three ways I found to keep me writing almost every day: Participate in contests My favorite is the "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"  by Arakun the Twisted Raccoon  because the entries have to be 300 words or less. I can practically write an entry during my lunch hour! There is a daily prompt and an average of about five participants per day, so a good chance to win! If you need some tips on writing good flash fiction, read "How To Write Good Flash Fiction" by Hyperiongate  . I just posted my goals for 2009 in the "Dear Me: Official WDC Contest" by Writing.Com Support  . Hey, you never know!Take a class I am now a student of "Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor ! Taking a class is a good way to improve writing skills, meet new people, and write more.Have a blog I determined to write in my blog weekly in 2009. Another good incentive to write! What motivates you to write? What's your favorite contest? |
I have a total of ten writing goals, but the first three are my priority. Other goals include: write in my blog once a week - which I'm already doing! take a class or seminar - I enrolled in The Writer's Academy on this site  I can't wait to start! network more - I believe writing.com is a great place to start! I'm also planning to attend writer's group meetings in my area once in a while. keep reading classic novels - Last year I read about 20 novels. Reading is a great way to improve writing! I'm not planning to read as much this year (I will be busy writing!) but I want to continue reading the classics I haven't read yet.What are your writing goals this year? |
| My third goal for 2009 is to write one story per month through http://www.book-in-a-week.com. I found that website through the Children's Writers and Illustrators Market book. The challenge runs one week per month, usually the first complete week of the month. Each writer makes a goal of at least ten pages (250 words per page) and reports his/her word count periodically. At the end of the challenge, one name is randomly picked among all participants who reached their goals for a prize, such as a book or a gift card. Every participant can also post in forums, use the journal feature to answer the daily prompt, send e-mails, and write his/her own blog. My goal for December was ten pages, and I managed to write eleven! It was my first time participating, and I'm planning to do it again every month in 2009. I have in mind to try NaNoWriMo (http://www.nanowrimo.org) in November - write 50,000 words in one month! ... But I don't know if I'm ready for that yet. Did you ever participate in any writing challenge? What was it, and how did it go? |
| My second goal for 2009 is to submit one short story per month to a magazine. I started revising my current stories based on the reviews I received. Thanks to all of you who took the time to review my stories! Now I need to start submitting, and write new stories. I also need to buy a few sample children's magazines to see what kind of stories they publish and what they are looking for. What story should I submit first? ... I just read an article answering a lot of questions I had regarding submitting stories for publication:
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| My first goal for 2009 is to publish my chapter book. I researched possible publishers, and I need to narrow it down to three or four possibilities. I thought Front Street Publishing would be a good match, but when I looked further into it, I found out most of their books are either picture books with very little text, or middle grade books with 20,000 words or more. My chapter book has about 7,500 words, and was written for children 6 to 12 years old. I will also need all the support and help I can get, so networking is a must! ... But that's another of my goal. More on that later. If you happen to read this blog entry and you think you can help, drop me a message! |
| I'm having a hard time keeping track of contests I participated in. I keep going back to check when is the deadline, what story I posted, and when prizes will be announced. Hopefully this blog will help me keep everything together in a convenient location! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Adopt-a-Newbie Contest [On Hiatus]" by iKïyå§ama-House Targaryen  Newbie contest, any item from my portfolio Contest ends: 12/31/08; winner announced by the 20th My entry: "How Martin Lost his Two Front Teeth" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Beyond The Water's Edge - CLOSED" by Jeff  Short story (250-2000 words) December prompt: Story about any December holiday Contest ends: 12/31/08; winner announced by 1/10/09. My entry: "Invalid Item" Won honorable mention! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor Christmas story (3000 words or less, several prompts to choose from) or any Christmas poem Contest ends: 12/25/08 My entry: "Five Golden Rings" Won first place!!  Now I have my first Awardicon! Thank you, Hailey!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "THE DROP-OFF BOX " by Tammy~Catchin Up~  Newbie short story (10KB or less) or poem (40 lines or less) Contest ends: 12/31/08 (last day of each month) My entry: "Invalid Item" Didn't win.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor ... The title says it all! Contest ends: 12/31/08 My entry: "Invalid Item" Won first place! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "ACRO*BATICS [Round Over]" by Davy Kraken  Make up what an acronym stands for Contest ends: 12/20/08 My entry is posted directly on the contest forum Didn't win. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My very favorite, the one that keeps me writing: "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" by Arakun the Twisted Raccoon Short story (less than 300 words); different prompt every day Contest ends: Each day at noon My entries: "Visiting Santa at the Mall" Winner! "The Sea Mouse" Honorable Mention! "Secret Mission" Honorable Mention! "The Surprise Present" No prize |
| I determined myself to write every day, even if just one paragraph. Although I'm not into poetry, I came up with two limericks, late one evening: William Sydney Porter The best short story writer Was put in jail But sent by mail Stories we still remember Note: You may know this author better under the name of O. Henry. You don't know O. Henry? You're missing something! Read my article,
Here is my second limerick, written the same evening: It's too late to write tonight It's already past midnight I thought I might Stay up and write Limericks 'till bright daylight! Now your turn. Stop reading and go write something! |
| As a new Writing.Com member, I sometimes wondered what I need to do to get "promoted" to a yellow folder. I decided to post the information right here in my blog, to keep it handy. Complete details on what the portfolio colors mean can be viewed by clicking on "F.A.Q" in the list of items to read at the top of the screen. I know that only 10% of registered authors can have a yellow portfolio, and that these members get hand picked by Writing.Com staff, but I like to keep these criteria in mind regardless: positive involvement within Writing.Com and its community positive interaction with other members on Writing.Com quality of items in portfolio a minimum of 50 quality reviews reviews must be given to a mix of other members  must be 13 years of age or older at least 5 rateable items in portfolio quantity and quality of their item ratings accuracy of content ratings in authors portfolio number of ratings given out to other authors number of other authors who have been rated by member amount of time author has been a member - at least two (2) months variety of items in portfolio accuracy of personal and demographic account information technical understanding of Writing.Com's site featuresThese are good points to keep in mind. |
| A few hours after posting the first item in my portfolio, I received the following review: "A very nice story that kept my attention all the way through. Great imagery and a wonderful message. You write quite well. Magoo" I was so delighted to get a positive review so quickly, that I sent Magoo ten gift points. I only had a few GPs accumulated, but I wanted to give something back to my first reviewer. To my surprise, Magoo replied that I needed gift points more than he did, being new to this site. The e-mail was sent with 5,000 GPs! I almost fell off my chair. I was in a good mood the remainder of the day. Since then, I posted many other items, and I received many other reviews. In fact, I received more reviews in two weeks than I did in the last two years! However, this first review is still in my mind. I got curious and read some of Magoo's poems, even though I'm not much of a poet. I was pleasantly surprised. His poems read like mini-stories. They are whimsical, humorous, and easy to understand. Here is a link to his portfolio: Magoo  Since he won't accept my GPs, that's the least I can do. Thank you, Magoo! |
| When I was organizing my stories and notes recently, I came across a pile of writing exercises I did, story ideas, and other random writing pieces that don't fit anywhere else. They are too short to make a complete story, but I still want to keep them. This blog will help me organize them and preserve these ideas that may some day become a full story on their own. Your comments may help me decide if they are worth the effort... or not. I became a member of Writing.Com three weeks ago, and I already came across wonderful people and great stories. How do I keep track of all this? How do I recognize other outstanding authors on this site? I will insert a link to their portfolio or story right on this blog, and a note about why I'm recommending them. In the last few years, I've accumulated lots of notes about resources on the Internet, books about fiction writing, articles that provided me with useful information about the art of creative writing. I think some of this information may be useful to other writers as well. I am planning to create some surveys and polls on this site in a near future. This blog will give me the opportunity to record and share the results I received. That's all for now! Check again next week; there should be more entries. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
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