Writing Info Sites

There are two writing sites that I really like that I'd like to recommend to people. WritersWeekly is one that I mentioned back in 2006. It is an on-line magazine in the best sense. It updates regularly, maintains its focus on helping writers learn to make more money, and pays writers for articles. Best part? The vast majority of the content is free. They also sponsor on-line classes that I have found beneficial. Those, obviously, are not free.

Another site I like is called MediaBistro. A lot of its content is free too, but my favorite parts of the site are not. To reach my favorite parts, you have to join AvantGuild. It has a reasonable yearly fee, which not only gives access to the proprietary sections, but also gives discounts on the classes that they sponsor. One of my favorite parts of the site is the "How to Pitch" section, where there are interviews with the editors of different magazines focusing on how to pitch to each of those mags.

Once more into the brink...

The new creative project is developing, though more slowly than I would like.

Well, that's such a cop-out line, isn't it?

I have total control over the new project. It's one of the reasons I've chosen to be a writer...no collaboration necessary, unless I request it. Especially these days, in the days of self-publishing.

I majored in theater in college, then worked in the film and television industry for fifteen years or so... Those art forms require so much collaboration (unless you are doing a one woman show, but even then, a performer can't be her own audience member).

But back to the new project--I have interviewed two very inspirational people as the basis of the first endeavor, and will soon be putting together a--- well, I don't really want to let the cat out of the bag. (Yes, this is a teaser...)

But it is a lot of fun to work on!

Timing!

So, I'm working on the creative project that I've mentioned before. I am getting awesome support from some of my creative friends.

However, I find it frustrating when THEIR time schedule conflicts with mine. I mean really, people. Don't you think MY goals and intentions are more important than YOURS? Can't you make time when I want?

Obviously, I'm kidding...sort of. I am so enthusiastic about my project that I want to move forward on it quickly, and other people have the things they need to take care of.

I ended up freaking out a friend whom I want to interview by sending her multiple messages through multiple channels. I'll try to calm down...sorry, Samantha. And thanks for agreeing to be interviewed!

Big step!

I took a big step forward on the journey of my new creative project yesterday, with the help of a supportive writer friend. It is always so good when friends are supportive of what you do.

Is there anything worse than someone you love and appreciate standing there and giving you the skeptical eye when you announce you are going to become a writer/painter/sculptor/dancer/musician? No. There is not!

I admit, however, that I have been guilty once or twice in my life of being the skeptic, when other people have announced their grand plans. Then, the skeptics looked at me, and I realized how bad that feels. I have learned a) not to talk too much about my plans unless they are well under way and b) to be loving and encouraging of others, even if I think that my friends' plans are too grandiose. Who knows what knowledge and reserves of strength really lurk in the hearts of men and women?

Hope all of your creative projects are going well!

Time to write

Sad news, at least sad to me.

My relationship with my boyfriend has been rocky over the past month. And last Friday, I think the final bell rang.

So, in attempt to look at the bright side...I now have lots more time to write, and nobody to make me feel guilty if I take time to write.

And that guy I saw at a party last March or so...? The one whom I might have like to go out with if I didn't have a boyfriend...? I saw him at church yesterday....

Wish me luck!

I have come up with a creative idea that I am very excited about. Please wish me luck in carrying it through.

Don't worry, I won't keep you in the dark forever, but this idea is in such a new stage that it's not ready to be talked about. You know how it is: women who are pregnant don't tell people about the baby until several months into the pregnancy. NO! I am not pregnant. This is just a metaphor. You know how it is...when you get a creative idea, it has to grow and develop a little before it can survive out in the big, bad world.

Recommended article

Angela Hoy, owner of Booklocker, a print on demand publisher, and Writersweekly.com, has written a great article on publicizing your books and writing. I think her site is one of the best on the web for writers and really recommend your bookmarking it.

Character Creation

When you write characters, even if--especially if--the characters are fictional, how much do you base them on people you know in real life? I like to borrow names from my friends, as an homage to them, but I don't base the character named after them on those particular friends. But am I still setting myself up to be sued? It's not something I'm going to worry about very much, but then again, I'm not published yet, so there IS nothing to worry about. But suppose a publisher wants me to change a character's name. Once I'm using a particular name, I have a real problem changing it in the middle of the manuscript. My brain latches onto details like that and won't let go.

How do you handle character name and inspirational real people?

Keeping in touch

One of the amazing things about blogging is the ability to connect with people. I have been contacted by an old friend...no, that's not right. She's not old....--a friend I lost touch with many years ago. I, one day, would very much like to be able to bring all my friends, many of whom I have lost touch with, together for a big party, the Willena's Friend's Bash. That would be fun. Poker player Jamie chatting up poet Debra, epidemiologist Lou debating with writer Tim, all under a great big circus tent. What a fabulous idea.

I'd like to invite all my favorite writers to the party too, whether they know me or not. Don't you feel like the books you read are all old friends when you re-read them? I do. Which is why I have such terrible trouble getting rid of books, even if I no longer have any bookshelf space. The folks from Designed to Sell would have a field day with my home, since I have bookcases blocking the top and bottom of my staircase. Several times I have moved and given away some of my books, an act that I have always regretted. Always. Does anybody know the name of a children's book, set in London, the main character is a lonely little girl who discovers she is a witch. There is a scene in which she ends up inadvertently shoplifting candy from a store and she gets in trouble... I loved that book when I was little, and I can not remember the name of it. It drives me crazy, because I really would like to re-read it, but I gave it away over twenty years ago....

Updating my life

It's been since the first of the year since I last blogged. I've been bogged down in obsessing about teaching--remedial English and speech at a local technical college. I also tutor in the learning center. Sometimes it's the most frustrating job in the world. It takes a lot of time. Have you ever tried to grade essays? It is paid poorly, especially when grading time is figured into the equation. But I love it. I like working with students, although it is frustrating to me that they have missed so much of the foundational work--basic grammar skills--to be able to successfully write essays. It's rarely that my students can't think. Many of my remedial students come to me with full-blown writing phobias and do have trouble translating their thoughts into written form. I work really hard on getting them over that problem. It's the same with speech class. It's true that many people have phobias about public speaking. And it's hard to work with 25 students for only 10 weeks. They are barely out of the dead-beginner stage when the quarter is over and just don't have enough time to really get good at speaking in front of others. So, the job is frustrating, and time consuming, and I don't know what to do, since I really do feel as though I am contributing something to the world. And except for the poverty level wages, I'd probably be very happy doing what I'm doing.

Happy New Year

May all your writing and creativity resolutions come to pass during 2008!