Get your writing on! (even on the cover of a card)

I've been down-for-the-count with a cold I caught from

my youngest son. The irony of this all is that I assumed I would

get even more writing done now that he's in school, having just begun all day

kindergarden. While I do have uninteruppted time, being sick is not

condusive to writing, especially when all I want to do is lie down.

So, yes, it's an excuse. But hey, it's legitimate.

Now, something for you: Have you heard about Hallmark's card contest?

They have one or two contests every month devoted to great pictures

-- and most importantly, well placed and perfect writing to go with it --

by people like us, and NOT their in-house writers.

Here is an example, as I won one of their contests last year.

If you're like me, you have a ton of pictures on the computer that are

going to waste. And if you're a writer,

 then this is the perfect contest for you.

Go to Hallmark today and find out the latest contest. Enter it

and you never know ... the whole world may see your writing!

The Gift of Goals

So, here I am, turning 35 today. Haven't accomplished what I thought I would accomplish, and have already accomplished what I never thought I wanted. Life is sort of like that.

Now that the hill approacheth --that yucky-ish one with the big 40 on the top of it-- I've begun thinking about what I want for the next milestone year-- what it is that I want to have done, or helped, or begun. Here's a small list.

1. Trip to Holy Lands: Okay, so I know this is sort of a really vulnerable area right now, but it doesn't change the fact that I want to go. I've wanted to visit for the past five years, and figure I have another five to get there. It is rather difficult trying to scrape the cash to get there with children's private school tuition, a college education savings fund, and pay cuts, but I'm not giving up. Mark Twain wrote fondly of Israel. And if the witty and cyncial author loved it, no doubt I will too. Someday, I will get to Jerusalem.

2. Book: So, I'm going to be really vague here, but I want to have a book published. That is to say, one of my own. Yes, I sort have been published already. And that's super cool. But, I want a book that I'm not only proud of (with my name in small letters), but one that says something great. Again, I'm being vague. And I'm sorry. Let's just say, that as the years have passed with the desire to be published, all I can really think about now is making sure that what is published is worthy, helpful ... and semi-coherent. I really don't care if it doesn't makes a dime, as long as someone gets something valuable from it. Having said that, I wonder if any publisher would ever take me on with that kind of goal? Sort of "not their type of client," I'm thinking.

3. To be Happy: Wow, this is a broad goal, isn't it? But it's true. We all want to be happy in our work, in our family and in our living. This is extremely possible, and all the time too - despite the bad economy, despite the miserable mess I feel our America is turning into, and despite the fact that the very people we should protect are being targeted by others all over the world. To be happy means that I give up what I think I want for what I actually need (or what God wants to give to me.) And right now, I have everything in the world that I need: husband and kids. Don't need that published book or the trip to the Holy Lands to be happy. (But, it sure would be nice.)

Getting older does make one think more ... at least it should. And listing out goals, as I've mentioned in a previous post, means we want to do something meaningful with our lives- even if it's, say, losing five pounds. I only hope that my thinking --and goals--will eventually help others and myself, every day. And this is a perfect gift for me, today.

New Road for Writers

Authonomy

I found this crazy cool website, called Authonomy. It's not a website I've ever seen before. Not only does this site allow you the opportunity to submit your work -- work that other writers, bloggers and professional editors will read and possibly critique -- but you gain feedback from all of these groups, thereby increasing your chances of being published.

Oh, and did I mention that this site is a part of the HarperCollins company? Wow! This site reminds me of Amazon's Breakout Novel Award competition, only much more hands-on and ... friendly. It reminds me of submitting manuscripts to an agent, (which it is!) only this site is much more hands-on and ... friendly. You see where I'm going with this? And who can't use this?

Though I haven't actually created an account or submitted a chapter or two, it might be just want we need to get that book published. Check it out! http://www.authonomy.com/

Boundaries

So, I was talking to a writer friend of mine this week, and she mentioned that she was having a problem getting everything done that she needed to do. This included work, home, marriage and kids; everything she wanted to do, and everything everyone else wanted her to do.

I sympathized with her because I, like most people, find myself in this situation frequently.

But for once, I felt like I could actually give her some sound advice. Just that week, I had turned down two rather important offers-- one dealing with my kids' school, and another with more editing-- and I actually felt fine about it.

There are times to say yes, and moments when we have to do more in 24 hours than should be legally allowed. But because writing is important to me, I've learned to say no in order to focus on just that. I understand we are here to love, give and serve. I get that. But, we’re also to do what’s in front of us to the best of our abilities. If we’re overburdened, how then does this really work?

This is all so easy to write and not actually do though. Believe me, I've been there... and being a people pleaser, for me saying no can be hard. However, it does get easier. When someone asks something of us, we have to ask ourselves, “To whom does it benefit?”

If it is to help people, well sure, I'm all for that. Yet, realistically, one person can only do so much! And if it in turn burns out the very person whom everyone is so intently relying on, that does absolutely no one no good.

My answer to my writer-friend was to learn to say no. Not because she has to, but because she needs to in order to feel like her head is above water! If writing is my passion, or being published a goal, then my thoughts and actions should focus on that.

Of course, life is full of things we have to do that have nothing to do with our immediate goal. But to get to that destination, there are times when we need to be selfish; where we need to say no for our own good.

Boundaries are there to serve us. But it's up to us to implement them. Your blog, article or book will thank you. And you’ll thank yourself too.

What would Jessica Fletcher Do?

Sometimes, just saying this question outloud -- "What would Jessica Fletcher do?" --can be the absolute best way to work through a scene, or maybe in the extreme case, your entire novel.

I know, it totally sounds hokey ... at best. But, it's true!

If you've never watched an episode of Murder She Wrote, or really an episode of almost any crime/drama, then you need to. It can help to focus in on what it is you're trying to explain, reveal, hide or introduce in your story.

In reality, detectives -- or in her case, unofficial detectives -- rarely solve a murder case within the time frame that these shows take place in. However, that's because the show is limited to an hour or two. If it isn't short and quick, our attention wanes, we get up for a snack, or we will change the channel. In our writings, even if things don't move quite this quickly, we too need to move the plot along. Otherwise, no one will want to read our words either!

Watching J. B. Fletcher go through the murder, find the suspect, pick up clues, and of course, exonerate the wrongly accused, is sort of like watching a ball go from point A to point B. We know, as writers, that we want our "ball" to sail through the air from point A, and make it to point B.

However, it is easy to get hung up on back stories, unnecessary chit-chat, or excessive characterization. And our "ball" ends up dropping very short of the goal, hole, or basket. By cluing in (excuse the pun) on what we need to focus on (moving the plot to the climax, or revealing more necessary aspects to the sub-plots), watching a crime/drama unfold, play its part, and close within about 52 minutes, can really exemplify what we should be doing in our stories as well.

Think about how every episode opens up with a problem, how characters flaws and attributes appear in all the suspects, and how at least two subplots appear in the story as well. Watch how the protagonist learns from her mistakes, uses her knowledge and small-town cuteness to keep us entertained and charmed - along with the other characters whom we like just as much.

This, in turn, keeps us watching the show, wanting more (I think), and amazingly enough, thoroughly satisfies us with the quaint and perfect wrap up. We even anticipate the mandatory smile at the end.

Yes, Jessica Fletcher's role, and detective work, remind me how to keep those literary loose ends at bay, and keep the story moving. While the gooey-perfection of the show doesn't have to show up in our work, just thinking about the story aspect to it while watching it on television, can remind us to keep that "ball" moving for our benefit, and the reader.

It also makes me wonder how in the world we live without pantsuits, blue eye shadow, and feathered hair today. Okay ... not really.

The Awesomeness of AgentQuery

I don't know if any of you are looking to be published, or need a great agent, but if you've tried to find the right agent, it can be grueling. All those requirements, or quirky specifics, and every agent is different. Some are big-timers, and some are small-town folks.

And if you're like me, and you don't feel like shelling out 30 bucks for an agent book -- the kind that list all the agents all of America, along with their info, in really small print -- then you have to check out AgentQuery. They are a database of agents, and yes, I'm warning you, it's overwhelming!  But, really, AgentQuery is like finding a gold mine.

Oh, and did I mention that most of it's free? Jackpot!

I've been casually going to their website for a couple of years now. The agents' info --all thousands and thousands of them --stay relatively current, you can specify to the city what you are looking for in an agent, or an find agent by genre or category; those who specialize in what you want to have published.
They also list whether the agent prefers online queries to snail mail queries.

AgentQuery is a wealth of information and all-around amazing. If you haven't checked them out, then you need to. It could be the difference between wanting to be published or actually being published. And AgentQuery has made it all too easy not to find the agent of your dreams.

Go there today, peruse, shop around. Then, make sure your manuscript is top notch, your query is perfect, and get busy finding an agent!

Grand Grammar

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I'm always forgetting correct grammar rules. I mean, always. And did I mention my punctuation is pathetic? Well, it is.

There's a really cool website that I just found, and it's called "Grammar Girl." Well, actually it's really called "Quick and Dirty Tips," and I'm certain I am not italicizing and parathentizing correctly here. But, if I really want to know the right way to write, this lady has the answers. There are a bazillion tips for careers, work, lifetstyle, pets, etc. Hence the name "Quick and Dirty Tips."

But, it's the grammar section that really spoke to me. This section is filled with quick tips, written in a way that will make me always remember a particular rule the next time I need to use it. Like, How to Speak English like the Irish, or How to Write Grammatically Correct Photo Captions, or Commas with Adjectives. Useful, funny and insightful ... all at the same time. Way cool!

There's always a quick tip, or a point I needed to remember in my editing and writing. And this little website has it all. Check it out and bookmark it.  Because a wealth of information -- especially grammar information -- should never be hidden.

New Life in Non-fiction

Whenever the writing bug isn't as pesky as it should be -- bugging me until I write something long --sometimes I go for little bits - like short story little bits.

Chicken Soup for the Soul

If writing novels or long stories is your thing, then writing a short story is going to be difficult. Having to think about dialogue, background, imagery and plot in 1500 words or less, is a challenge that many people have a hard time with -- me included.

However, this is where you have a chance to work at your skills. By writing in a few words, what would normally take a paragraph or two, we learn to activate our passive writing, condense our wordiness, and perfect our action scenes to precision.

Of course, what I'm talking about mainly has to do with fiction. And going from long fiction to short fiction is tough; it's almost like using a completely different side of our brain.

But, let me throw a wrench into this mix: what if you wrote a short piece of non-fiction?

If the thought terrifies you, it shouldn't! Now's the time to expand your repertoire of writing genres. Non-fiction -- something I'm working on more often -- is fun. It's real, it's now, and it's a world of fantasy I don't have to create ... because it's already here.

A great way to get your feet wet, and a fantastic way to gain writing prompts, is to visit the Chicken Soup for the Soul website and check out their submissions page, or their "Possible Books" page. This tells you what they are looking for, what they want to read, and what they want to print in their next books.

There are usually at least 5 different subjects one can write on. Not all of them will be something you know about, but probably one or two. Use this to your ability and write something good.

Try one of their topics today. Use it as a prompt to dole out 1200 words, edit it, and take a good look at it. If you like it, and it seems publish-worthy, why not send it in after a day or two? If you think you need to master your non-fiction craft a bit more, set it aside, and write something else.

The point is to write something that you're not used to writing, in a style you're not used to writing in. This will stretch you, teach you and make you learn more about writing well than ever before.

Editing and Your Teeth

That title seems horribly incongruous. Yet, I mean every word of it. Let me start this post by asking you a question: Can editing really be your friend?

Let me ask a second question: Is editing really necessary?

Well, here's another question to think about while you ponder the veracity of the first two: Does the sun rise every morning?

The answer to the third question is the answer to the other two as well. Yes.

You must edit. You must go back and get rid of the excess. You must face the daunting task of wiping away scores of words from your computer -- the very words that fill your heart with joy. You MUST do this because those superfluous words do nothing for the story. As in, they are only there because it sounds good.

Sounding good is really not good, in the literary world. Because most of the time when you think you sound good, you sound like a prolific seal, barking up a storm over nothing. And that, my friends, is no good. Good writing comes from knowing how to edit your words. Plain and simple.

Editing is like brushing your teeth. Really. You have to take care of your teeth to keep them healthy and shiny. That means brushing, flossing, rinsing and more. If you don't, you've got one heck of an ugly mess that needs massive amounts of fixing just to see the start of original, pretty teeth.

Your manuscript is your teeth. No one wants to look at ugly teeth or be near bad breath. It's the same with your writing. Your first draft -- and sometimes second and third with insufficient editing -- are your teeth with gingivitis. No good.

Instead, you have to clean them, polish them and make them shine. And when you do, your writing will be like that magnificent, white smile that gleams from the fake television commercials like fresh snow.

Yes, you have to edit if you want to be a writer. Yes, the sun rises. And yes, you should brush your teeth. Talk about incongruous, and yet, I think you understand my point, right?

Get out there and brush, or rather, edit your stuff. Make editing your best friend.

You'll thank that "best friend editor within" when you get that book deal, or writing gig, and someone needs a headshot or interview and you'll have an awesome batch of shiny, sparkling material to go with your batch of shiny, sparkling teeth.

My Cup Runneth Over

Somehow, in one way or another, I end up writing (even if in brief) about coffee in my blogs.

This is a habit (not just the writing, but drinking) for a lot of writers, because it really may be the only thing keeping us in our chair -- trying to do what we were called to do -- but suffering horribly at times because of that enormous wall called “writer’s block.”

But this post isn’t about walls, and blocks and such. It’s again, about the coffee. Did you know that Swedes (as in the folks of Sweden) are the highest coffee drinkers per capita in the world?

My maiden name is Swedish, even though I’m a mix of all things European. And a whopping ¼ of me is Finnish. Though Finland isn’t Sweden, it IS next door to it. And I think that counts as a good explanation as to why I love the black gold so much.

This picture is of my most favorite coffee mug in the world. My blog friends Erica and Christy are having a blogfest about coffee cups today. Each blogger is supposed to post their favorite cup and why it is their favorite. That's pretty darn unique and clever of them -- not at all like my cup.

My mug is simple, a lot like me. There are no frills or fluff. Not that I’d mind a frill or two. But, you know what I really love about this cup? The size. It’s not 8 ounce or 10 ounce or 20 million ounces. It’s only 6. It holds just the right amount of coffee and I can drink it in the right amount of time before it gets cold. A little half and half, and I’m really doing great.

The thickness of the cup is key too. Not too thin, not too thick, just right. I think the coffee is actually better from this cup than any other in my kitchen. No really. It truly tastes better.

This cup is from the 1950’s as well, so we’re talking vintage here. Called Fire King, and made by the Anchor Hocking glassware company, this is not just a mug -- but a treasure. And I’m taking care of it. I’d like to believe this cup is taking care of me too.

The third resolution from my New Year's post is for all of us to have our writing “be just what the editor was looking for.” With this cup in one hand, and my other on the keyboard, I’m bound to keep writing -- and rewriting-- to where this (an editor fawning over my words) is an actuality. I may have to put the cup down for a bit to work both my hands. But hey, that’s good too.

Blood, sweat and coffee (or maybe for you, it's tea or something else.) This is what writing is all about! And when I am in the midst of my work, I really do feel like my cup runneth over. Running over with coffee, ideas and blessings.

Music and Me

So, this post is about music. Why? Because author extraordinaire Alex J. Cavanaugh is doing a music blogfest. For those who chose to sign up and write about this subject, like me, we get the opportunity to muse about the top ten songs that have inspired us the most over our life.

This is a rather subjective and varied blog idea, because sometimes the strangest music can inspire us, or move us, or allow us to remember a time or place or moment or person ... for the rest of our lives!

And that is also why it is such a grand idea to make a list of the most inspirational songs: to remember, to pontificate, and think about such like: Wow, that song was awful, but I sure loved it!

Warning: This list is going to be majorly filled with eighties music. Why? Again, for the reasons listed above. I was age "ten and up" in the mid-eighties. Talk about an inspirational and impressionable time of anyone's life!

Because of that, I feel the eighties were good to me. And I don't mean in the leg-warmer, semi-permed-hair or poufy-prom-dress-sleeves kind of way. I was all of those things, by the way. But the music, like literature, transcends decades or time (though, those keyboards are nowhere to be found) -- even today.

Here's that list:

1. Take on Me: A-Ha -- This reminds me of skating rink parties and that cute boy who didn't give a darn about me. Still love this song today (but, not the boy).

2. Sign Your Name: Terence Trent D'Arby -- Woah. Haven't heard that name in a while. Why this song? Because it was cool ... and it was tied to another big crush of mine. Moving on.

3. Thriller: Michael Jackson --You'd have to have lived under a rock if you can't agree. Yes, it's super-eighties. So what. I loved it. Still do.

4. Lead me On: Amy Grant -- She had a big thing going in the eighties. Still has a following today, and I love her stuff, but this song ROCKED!

5. Who's that Girl: Madonna -- I know, I know. I don't really like her either. But, this song was so incredible when it came out. It still gives me those eighties chills when I hear it today.

6. You give Love a Bad Name: Bon Jovi -- Yes, I still love this song, and yes Bon Jovi is still cute.

7. Man in the Mirror: Michael Jackson -- Not only an amazing, heart-felt song, but a life changing one as well. Who didn't hear this song and think about what they could change about themselves?

8. Tonight: Genesis -- Wow, such a techno cool song.

9. The Final Countdown: Europe -- I had completely forgotten about how great this song was, until I heard it on a commercial. This has to be a part of my musical youth.

10. Billie Jean : Michael Jackson -- I would be remiss not to include it. With that amazing bass line, it haunts me everywhere I go.  Never done before, never done since. A great song.

There you have it. Me in an eighties bottle. And I wouldn't change it a bit.

Now, where did I put my jelly shoes?

Carpel Tunnel Be Gone

Okay, so as my second resolution stated from the January 1st post, I don't wish anyone to acquire carpel tunnel from writing. That's not only painful, but really sad.

However, if you did happen to get sore wrists, say without the Carpel Tunnel, then that may be a good thing for this year.

Why? Because it means you are spending a whole lot of time doing what you told yourself you should do: write!

The literal act of writing is probably one of the hardest things anyone will ever do--even for "authors" too (crazy people who want to make a living through writing.)

But, take your plumber, or your firefighter, or your teacher and make them sit down to write a book, and really, they're not going to want to do it either. Writing, creating a world, visualizing dialogue and characters, scenery and hidden plots, well that's practically like coming up with an organized way to take over the world. It's that complicated.

Yet, it isn't impossible (the writing, that is). It's all about working those wrists, even if it potentially begins Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. See, writing is a discipline that even writers don't want to work on. Yes, they may want the book written. Yes, they may have great content. They may even be one of the best, florid and prolific writers of this century, but if the clickety-clack of the keyboard keys aren't clickety-clackying, then the reality of you churning a book out of thin air just isn’t going to happen.

Making myself write is hard, and sore wrists may potentially be a side effect, but if that's all that's stopping me, then I’m the only one stopping myself!

Here's what to do to overcome your block or that little voice that says you having nothing good to say, or that you can't write worth a hill of beans.

1. Sit down.

2. Open your online document -- your blank piece of paper (or your spiral notebook.)

3. Write. Anything, everything, characters, a list of feelings, your outline, or dialogue. Start with something, then later get an outline, and begin your work of art!

Who knows, if you ease into this writing thing -- like start with a few hundred words a day, then work up to a few thousand-- you won't get carpel Tunnel at all! You really do want to take care of your wrists so that when you are an author, you have your precious wrists to write even greater things ... or if you're like me, good wrists to wring out laundry, take the dog for a walk, or weed the garden.

Whatever it is -- wringing, walking, weeding or writing -- get busy doing the writing and be happy that you are fulfilling a goal.

Changing the World with Your Writing

Remember how my last post listed "resolution" type blessings on your writing life? Well, I want to get into those blessings with a little more detail.

This week, it's the "May your minds be full of creative, change-the-world-with-your-story- ideas" aspect.

I know. You may think I'm kidding, or that I wrote that one as a joke. But as far-fetched as it sounds, it isn't a joke.

Realistically, a change-the-world story is a crazy concept. We don't necessarily know what and how to change the world; or if what we write will make a difference to anybody. Can we change the world? Should we try to change the world?

Well, if you are passionate about what you write, then (and this is the kicker) it doesn't matter. What you have to do-- as a writer wanting to write something worth ... something -- is make sure that your words are as truthful, honest, heart-felt and real to what you feel and believe as possible.

If you are happy with this, if you are true to your beliefs, if you are writing to the best of your abilities, then who is to say or know that your work couldn't change the world? I'd like to think that if you work hard, keep a creative mind and an open heart to writing something that will help people-- even if it is small, or barely noticeable-- then you already have changed the world.

You are doing your good deeds; you are carrying your cross. You are trying to make a difference.

If you aren't doing this, perhaps you should. Maybe this small move will improve your chances of success (i.e. publication, whether online or in print). And if you already are doing this, then keep at it. Believe in your words, remain dedicated to your stories, and whether you become the next best seller, or influence only ten people with your story or article, you will be successful.

Success, to me, is simply helping or making one person happy, even if this takes years to accomplish.

And even if that one person is you.