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My thoughts on writing and other random things as they come up. |
| This is a blog where I keep my thoughts and daily comments about writing and WDC. |
Gosh darn it, "Invalid Item"  got rejected - Twice! The last one was really nice though. I guess you can't win them all!Any ideas on how I can make it "grab" more (see below for rejections comments)? Thank you for sending us "In Which A Zombie Wife Has Had Enough". We appreciated the chance to read it. Unfortunately, the piece is not for us. As zombie pieces go, this one isn't bad, especially good for flash fiction. It has a cute and unexpected, but it just didn't have enough of a grab factor for us. We're very particular when it comes to flash fiction and look for exceptional pieces there. This one didn't quite make it. The writing is good, though, and we'd love to see more of your work. Thanks again. Best of luck with this. Sincerely, Rick Taubold Fabula Argentea Magazine |
So - I'm working on a writer's retreat for next summer. My idea is to provide an 'away' space for writers at a very low cost, where they can go and *WRITE* for 3-5 days. Because cost is a BIG factor - I will have limited options on meals and activities. I thought I would provide an optional one hour evening seminar on creativity, just to help get the juices going, and maybe an optional yoga session, or a group walk after breakfast. If YOU were going to a writer's retreat - what would you like to see offered? And at what point would the additional offerings get in the way of the writing? Let me know what you think! Sil |
Kind of cool way to announce poetry contest winners - check this out. I like how the judges talked about the entries, and what makes a good entry. Poetry Superhighway Contest Winners .I'll have to follow blog talk radio for Poetry Superhighway more often. Sil |
| I visited this port mr_blue73 ) today and and there was an interesting post on the blog on the port - what are you writing and more importantly - WHY. Why are you writing? Do you hope to publish? Or is there a more personal reason? |
| Stag's leap and Night left a footprint are both up at Muddy River Poetry Journal. Here's the main link to the Journal . I recommend submitting there - they are super.And, I have to say - I almost can't believe it. Just a couple short years ago - I hadn't written much of anything, and never really thought I could be *gasp* published. I don't know that I would have ever had the courage to try without all the great folks at Writing.com. And I KNOW it's made me a much better writer. Thank you to EVERYONE who made this possible, especially northernwrites asymmetrical mystic_dreams & Rivermama   You guys ROCK.Happy Friday! Sil |
Yeah! Reclaimed got a bit more play! Ocean Writing Contest .Fun times! |
| Rivermama Shared this link about What Makes A Good Short Story with me. I have shamelessly stolen it and shared it with you. Share on! :) |
| If you missed it last time - there will be a free E-book from William Bernhardt on Story Structure (Free Thur & Friday of this week): "RED SNEAKER ALERT!!! Attention fellow writers: Because Thursday wasn't quite a big enough day yet, the first of my Red Sneaker Writer books, Story Structure, will be available from Amazon as a free download both Thursday and Friday. Here's your chance to get started with this series of nonfiction books at no cost whatsoever:" The Author will also be on Jeopardy on Thursday. Story Structure Download |
It has been bothering me for a while that I have 99 items in my portfolio. So I've been considering what on earth I would add as #100. I still haven't come up with anything. Sometimes I wish I had understood more about port organization BEFORE I started my port. Maybe a "Building your portfolio best practices" tip sheet would have been helpful. Maybe that's what I need as item #100... |
| I sent 12 poems into the poetry superhighway contest. Will be interesting to see how that goes. I also started working on a new story. OH MY. I'm not sure how - since my life is in such chaos, but it is one way to escape things temporarily. Hope all is well with everyone!!! Best, Sil |
I know you guys have been sharing my "Just Fiction" journey via this blog. It's been a lot of fun! I don't usually promote much here, but I thought this was too good to pass up. My boss has set aside 10 webinar seats for the upcoming Just Fiction II: Dialogue class. It meets this coming Saturday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM CST. There is a break for lunch from 11:45-1:15. Ten seats are available for a limited time for $59.00. To learn more about the program, please visit Just Fiction. . To learn more about attending webinar, please visit Webinar Info. .To register, visit the Registration Link .We tested the program last month, and we've improved it with a new microphone and camera set up. In addition, the session will be recorded, so in the event you can't attend the entire session live, you can view it a later date during the same month. Let me know if you are interested, or just pop on and register! Best wishes! Sil |
Sorry I have been neglecting this blog. Family crisis after family crisis has kept me pretty busy. (Both Mother-in-law and youngest daughter have been in and out of the hospital, both are fine now though MIL is in for an extended stay). I'll try not to go on and on about it because it doesn't really make for interesting reading, just sad. I've been thankful for several things this week. First, God. Next, support from family and friends. No big surprise, my next support has come from a book: Population 485, (which makes me laugh in spite of myself) and finally - poetry. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, so the stories in 485, which consist of 'slices of life' resonated with me. Although, it's not necessary to be from WI to enjoy it. The book has helped me because it makes me forget about my problems for just a few minutes, and focus on other things. At the same time, it visits the core of what is important in life, so it keeps me close. I am very interested in reading all of Michael Perry's books. Poetry has saved me because when I have a few minutes, I'm trying to face what I am dealing with by writing. At least the aspects that I have the strength to examine now. I'm afraid that if I don't they will slip away. And I'll have my less than reliable memory as my only resource. Tomorrow's the first anniversary of the school shooting at the Junior High. Please keep the kids in your prayers. Dear Readers - I hope things are good in your world! Thank you God for today, and every day. Best wishes, Sil |
| One of my fellow students in Just Fiction, John T. Biggs, had his book come out recently. It's called Owl Dreams . It was a very interesting book. I've never read anything exactly like it. It's kind of southern gothic with a Native American twist. Several cultural mythologies are woven within the storyline (including voodoo). John did a great job on the character development, and the plot. I never get bored, and the characters are well drawn, rich and interesting. I think he's done a great job with this story. If you're looking for something different to read, check out Owl Dreams! I'll post a copy of this review in the Amazon Reviews on site. Congrats John! Best, Sil |
| For those of us submitting - I thought this was cute. A humorous spin on dealing with rejection: Dealing with Rejection. . |
| I am hording the strangest lines. They seem almost like, little popcorn kernels waiting for a little heat. Story fodder. I feel like they are threads waiting to be pulled, parts of stories waiting to be born - if I can just remember them long enough to get them down and flesh them out. I used to think that they were all 'birthing' their own stories. But now I wonder if they are supposed to be threaded together in one story. I don't know. Some of them come from bits and pieces of real life conversations. Like these: "You've melted my crayons." (overheard in my office...I know, ...what?) "My dad got the lady that works for him pregnant." (NOT overheard at my office!) Seen on a plastic banner outside the graveyard: "Pot Luck Dinner July 19th." (Really!!!). (Cemetery site owners dinner. I guess they want to get to know who they are going to be buried next to or something...I almost crashed reading that one). What great lines are you hording? |
Whew! Just fiction I is DONE! I can't remember ever being as nervous as I was on Saturday. I think I was so nervous just because it was so important to me that everyone have a good time, and the reception be nice, and everyone feel good when they left. I hope they all did. Working to make Just Fiction II classes. I would like to improve and offer more each time. We hope to offer a webinar functionality possibly as early as the October 8th class. Still working on improving the technology, and purchasing equipment. Appreciated the help I had from a writing.com friend testing out the connections for the September class! Here's a photo of the table centerpiece Stacy and I did. Well, we had the flowers delivered, but we put together the books and the ribbon. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I hope everyone has a great week! |
| Two pieces accepted for the Fall Issue: Muddy River Poetry Review . Stag's Leap & Night Left a Footprint on my shoulder. Night has been submitted many times, and revised, and revised, and revised. I'm so happy it finally found a home! Thank you everyone that helped me with it! (I might have a thing going with Rivers, Red River and Muddy River both accepted pieces of mine recently..hehe). Best, Sil |
There sure is a lot of hub bub lately about the TV Show Breaking Bad. I haven't seen a single episode. Has anyone seen it? Is it recommended or not? I enjoyed this Article about the script writing process. Lots of truism there!I'd never really heard of 'breaking' though as a writing term. Very interesting. Best, Sil |
| Well, it's been a busy few weeks! Softball is in full swing . My baby girl (Freshman) is playing on both Varsity & JV. I'm trying to do all the team mom things I can manage, and attend all the games I can. Just Fiction I is wrapping up with a novel writing contest, so I've been making copies for the judges, communicating with the authors, and getting anxious! I'm so excited for everyone! I wish everyone could win the publications opportunity. And of course, Just Fiction II starts in October, so I'm working on all the promotional material for that class. This series of classes has been a lot of work, but I have really learned a lot. I hope that the students have enjoyed it. I'm very proud of what we have done. I'm hopeful we can continue on with a variety of classes and instructors, and build a true writer's community for our area. So that has kept me busy - Not to mention, school starts Monday! I did get some good news this week. The print anthology of "Sun and Sand" is available on Amazon. I ordered my copy, and it felt really good to hold it in my hand. I read through all the other author bios and felt really intimidated. Mine was one sad little line *laugh.* I could have listed my other publications, but I don't have an MFA ro graduate degree in English, so...nothing there! The Ebook of the same anthology is available for free here.AJ has several upcoming anthologies - and is great to work with. I heartily recommend submitting!I also received an announcement regarding my poem for Red River Review (August 2013) . That one is up too! So all and all a good week.Hope things are well with you! Sil |
| I have barely had time to come up for air lately, let alone write or review. My youngest is starting her high school softball career, and for some reason that equates to a lot of extra busy times for mom & dad! I've been trying to take on writing related duties/promotional options for softball, but so far I have that PLUS! It's fun, and keeps me busy, but... I'm probably going to have start running again to keep my sanity (that is what I did when my older daughter played). That helps with the stress but does NOT help with the writing time. Add to it work is crazy - eek! Hope all is good with everyone else, and I apologize if I've been neglectful. Best, Sil |
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