"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
Dr. Seuss
My cousin just invited me to Good Reads which is a social kind of website that allows you to see what your friends are reading; you can also make book recommendations and read reviews. If you're one of those people who writes book recommendations on little slips of paper, notebooks, word documents and never can find them when you're looking for something good to read check it out.
Craft book wise, I've been perusing Everyday Creative Writing, Panning For Gold in the Kitchen Sink. I took this book out of the library so often that I finally broke down and bought a used copy. It's full of useful exercises that ask the writer to look no further than the ordinariness of every day life to find inspiration. One exercise asks the writer to notice warning signs on products around your house to write a poem, story or essay. Today, try it, it's amazing how many warnings are on everyday products that you might not normally notice. If for some reason you can't find any look here for some inspiration. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
30 Poems in 30 Days Project
A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language.
W. H. Auden
I'm a day late and a dollar short as they say so I missed the 30 Poems in 30 Days Project but the information at Poe War under the poetry tab is still good information for poets to look through and use. The rest of the website offers a lot of information for the beginning writer as well.
I was happy to receive notice of my poem Ice Cream Colors 2nd place win at one of my favorite websites, Artella.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
W. H. Auden
I'm a day late and a dollar short as they say so I missed the 30 Poems in 30 Days Project but the information at Poe War under the poetry tab is still good information for poets to look through and use. The rest of the website offers a lot of information for the beginning writer as well.
I was happy to receive notice of my poem Ice Cream Colors 2nd place win at one of my favorite websites, Artella.
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Monday, October 22, 2007
What Comes Along with Writing
A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.
Thomas Mann
When you don't call yourself a writer you just write. But the minute it is your profession there is a whole lot of stuff that goes along with it. Fear, doubt, insanity, procrastination, guilt, and worry...endless worry. Speaking for myself of course.I vacillate between "I suck, why am I wasting my time" and "Just keep it up, greatness is around the corner" weekly. Thankfully, I have my inner nag to keep me going. What keeps you going when you want to quit?
Today, write about a job that you quit that you didn't regret. And then write about a job you quit that you do regret. My former evil boss, who shall remain nameless for now...is still evil and verbally abusive. But I count on karma to set that straight.
Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
p.s. make the muffins below on Halloween morning for your little pumpkins or your favorite pumpkin.
Thomas Mann
When you don't call yourself a writer you just write. But the minute it is your profession there is a whole lot of stuff that goes along with it. Fear, doubt, insanity, procrastination, guilt, and worry...endless worry. Speaking for myself of course.I vacillate between "I suck, why am I wasting my time" and "Just keep it up, greatness is around the corner" weekly. Thankfully, I have my inner nag to keep me going. What keeps you going when you want to quit?
Today, write about a job that you quit that you didn't regret. And then write about a job you quit that you do regret. My former evil boss, who shall remain nameless for now...is still evil and verbally abusive. But I count on karma to set that straight.
Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
p.s. make the muffins below on Halloween morning for your little pumpkins or your favorite pumpkin.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Snow for Halloween
Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into, the mind.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
I've lived in Colorado for eight years and every year it seems we've had snow on Halloween, so it didn't surprise me too much to find it snowing this morning after a 80 degree high yesterday.I like the first snowfall because I have a good reason to stay home and work on my writing or another creative project.
Today write about being trapped in a snowstorm...are you alone? or with your family? Many horror writers have used a snowstorm as a character in their books. What other ways could a snowstorm play a character in your work. Could it bring your family closer together, could you solve a mystery or find a new love? So many possibilities...
Now get back to work!
Lovingly working in the middle of a snow globe,
The Writing Nag
Saturday, October 20, 2007
The Right Form of the Story
There are some books that refuse to be written. They stand their ground year after year and will not be persuaded. It isn't because the book is not there and worth being written -- it is only because the right form of the story does not present itself. There is only one right form for a story and if you fail to find that form the story will not tell itself. Mark Twain
I am searching for the right form of my story right now and struggling with it. When I pitched in at the writer's conference in April I knew exactly where it was going.Six months later it keeps changing...I suppose life has a lot to do with it. My goal is to have the completed manuscript done and ready to go in April 2008, just in time for the Pikes Peak Writers Conference.
The last time I was enrolled in college level creative writing classes, I also had this problem. I had the story. I couldn't figure out the form. My shorts read like novel chapters and my novel chapters like shorts. Many of them are unfinished because I don't know what to do with them. Some of them are creeping into this manuscript.This week I am behind in my submissions but I hope to do some catch up this weekend.
Today, take a look at your unfinished projects are they just in the wrong form? How could you give them life elsewhere? Try a new form of writing.
Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
I am searching for the right form of my story right now and struggling with it. When I pitched in at the writer's conference in April I knew exactly where it was going.Six months later it keeps changing...I suppose life has a lot to do with it. My goal is to have the completed manuscript done and ready to go in April 2008, just in time for the Pikes Peak Writers Conference.
The last time I was enrolled in college level creative writing classes, I also had this problem. I had the story. I couldn't figure out the form. My shorts read like novel chapters and my novel chapters like shorts. Many of them are unfinished because I don't know what to do with them. Some of them are creeping into this manuscript.This week I am behind in my submissions but I hope to do some catch up this weekend.
Today, take a look at your unfinished projects are they just in the wrong form? How could you give them life elsewhere? Try a new form of writing.
Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Friday, October 19, 2007
Winner of Best Gyros in Colorado Springs 5 Years Running
I almost forgot...You can check out the picture here. Scroll down to Gyros.
We also won Bronze in Best Middle Eastern restaurant and Bronze in Best Greek restaurant. Woo hoo!
Gyros
Mediterranean Café
118 E. Kiowa St., 633-0115
With some gyro meat, the less you know, the better. That's not the case at the Med Café, which serves a high-quality blend of beef and lamb, spiced to perfection. Add a fresh pita and the café's homemade tzatziki sauce, and you've got a recipe for bliss. No wonder the Med has dominated the gyro category since it was created five years ago. Puzzled about a name, or having pronunciation problems? Co-owner Michael Bergman says his workers always like to help with Greek-food education. — AL
So if you ever find yourselves in Colorado Springs, Colorado you know where to eat. Tell them the Writing Nag sent you.
We also won Bronze in Best Middle Eastern restaurant and Bronze in Best Greek restaurant. Woo hoo!
Gyros
Mediterranean Café
118 E. Kiowa St., 633-0115
With some gyro meat, the less you know, the better. That's not the case at the Med Café, which serves a high-quality blend of beef and lamb, spiced to perfection. Add a fresh pita and the café's homemade tzatziki sauce, and you've got a recipe for bliss. No wonder the Med has dominated the gyro category since it was created five years ago. Puzzled about a name, or having pronunciation problems? Co-owner Michael Bergman says his workers always like to help with Greek-food education. — AL
So if you ever find yourselves in Colorado Springs, Colorado you know where to eat. Tell them the Writing Nag sent you.
I found this on Jaye's blog and thought it was definitely worth another post. And they wonder why we struggle with self-esteem issues.
A Story in Your Fridge?
I've often entertained paranoid suspicions about my fridge and what it's been doing to my poetry when I'm not looking, but I never even considered that my fan was thinking about me.
George Murray
I just found Fridgewatcher which is a blog where readers contribute pictures of the inside and outside of their fridge. At first, I thought this was a little odd but the more posts I looked at the more I felt I could write about these people who just sent in a few pictures of the inside of their fridge.It is an interesting concept.
Today, visit Fridgewatcher and write a story about one of the posts maybe the three college students or the single guy from Rome.Or open your fridge and write a page about the person who owns that fridge.Have the same type of items been in your fridge for years or does the contents of your fridge change drastically month to month. Similiar to the medicine cabinet peekers, I do have friends that peek in fridges. What does your fridge say about you? Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag and Fridgey (yes I named my new fridge)
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Sweetest Thing
I just read that Amazon is gearing up to be a fierce competitor in Apple's MP3 download market. Here's my recent purchase.Sweetest Thing
Although this one was the same price as Apple, many of their downloads are only .89 versus Apple's standard .99, I wonder if Apple will now lower their prices.
Although this one was the same price as Apple, many of their downloads are only .89 versus Apple's standard .99, I wonder if Apple will now lower their prices.
Warning Hazard Ahead!
Writers are not just people who sit down and write. They hazard themselves. Every time you compose a book your composition of yourself is at stake. ~E.L. Doctorow
I think you have to get beyond "yourself" as a writer to be successful. I struggle with this when I'm working on my manuscript yet I am learning the freedom of not doing this as a poet. When you write poetry you wear your heart on your sleeve. I think poetry is intimate and you are inviting your readers into your very personal world. In a fiction manuscript you can say it's fiction...but I think that readers know that even in fiction a writer usually weaves in parts of themselves.
How much are you willing to give up to become a published author? Could you write intimate details about your life to sell a book? Or do you find yourself censoring parts of your manuscript because you know your family will read it? What do you think is ok to share?
Today, write about the location in your fiction manuscript. What about this location makes it the perfect background for your book. If you're not writing fiction, write a poem about your favorite place. Look for a market to submit it.Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
I think you have to get beyond "yourself" as a writer to be successful. I struggle with this when I'm working on my manuscript yet I am learning the freedom of not doing this as a poet. When you write poetry you wear your heart on your sleeve. I think poetry is intimate and you are inviting your readers into your very personal world. In a fiction manuscript you can say it's fiction...but I think that readers know that even in fiction a writer usually weaves in parts of themselves.
How much are you willing to give up to become a published author? Could you write intimate details about your life to sell a book? Or do you find yourself censoring parts of your manuscript because you know your family will read it? What do you think is ok to share?
Today, write about the location in your fiction manuscript. What about this location makes it the perfect background for your book. If you're not writing fiction, write a poem about your favorite place. Look for a market to submit it.Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Quick and Easy Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread
Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup low-fat milk, hot
3/4 cup cooked or canned pumpkin
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine oats and milk; allow to stand about 5 minutes. Stir in pumpkin, eggs and butter.
In a separate bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and spices. Gradually add dry ingredients to oatmeal mixture; stir in raisins and nuts and mix well.
Place in a 9 x 5- inch loaf pan. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until done. Cool on wire rack.
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup low-fat milk, hot
3/4 cup cooked or canned pumpkin
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine oats and milk; allow to stand about 5 minutes. Stir in pumpkin, eggs and butter.
In a separate bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and spices. Gradually add dry ingredients to oatmeal mixture; stir in raisins and nuts and mix well.
Place in a 9 x 5- inch loaf pan. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until done. Cool on wire rack.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Pumpkin Cookies
Pumpkin Cookies
Yield: 19-20 large cookies
2 cups flour
1 cup quick oats, uncooked
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup brown sugar; packed
1 cup granulated sugar
1egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup solid-pack pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside. Cream butter; gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix. Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each
addition. Stir in morsels.
For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup dough onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes, until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets; cool on racks.
Thanks to Rhonda for sending me her great pumpkin recipes. Not only is she is very talented photographer but also an amazing baker!
Yield: 19-20 large cookies
2 cups flour
1 cup quick oats, uncooked
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup brown sugar; packed
1 cup granulated sugar
1egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup solid-pack pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside. Cream butter; gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix. Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each
addition. Stir in morsels.
For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup dough onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes, until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets; cool on racks.
Thanks to Rhonda for sending me her great pumpkin recipes. Not only is she is very talented photographer but also an amazing baker!
The Neurotic's Notebook
An old racetrack joke reminds you that your program contains all the winners' names. I stare at my typewriter keys with the same thought. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960
I don't know what The neurotic's notebook
is but it sure sounds intriguing. I've been struggling with submitting this week, I forced myself to send in a submission late last night when I really just wanted to watch a bad television show.
Today, before you start writing make a to-do list of every market you'd like to submit to before the end of the month. And then follow through. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
I don't know what The neurotic's notebook
is but it sure sounds intriguing. I've been struggling with submitting this week, I forced myself to send in a submission late last night when I really just wanted to watch a bad television show.Today, before you start writing make a to-do list of every market you'd like to submit to before the end of the month. And then follow through. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Monday, October 15, 2007
Blog Action Day
For Blog Action Day, my environmental issue is simple and it's doable for anyone who eats out. In our restaurant we do our part for the environment, we recycle, compost, utilize product, shop local farmers markets, have changed our bulbs, and we re purpose when we can. For example, the four pack paper container we get glass bottles in we ask customers to use as drink carriers. And we encourage customers to bring in their own bag for carry-outs. I also water the plants with the water patrons leave in their glasses. Here's what I can't control. The wasting of food, drink and paper product.
I don't know which giant restaurant chain started the FREE refills that most restaurants now are forced to implement just to compete in the market. Some chains go even further with fries as much as you can eat or ribs as much as you can eat. Which, in my opinion leads to obesity and waste.
How does wasting food/drink and paper impact the environment? I took away the paper products from the front because customers would grab a huge handful and then stuff the unused ones in their drink cup.The more product that is thrown out, the more soda that is taken and not drank because it's FREE means more product needs to be made which means more manufacturing, more oil, more truck miles and more harm to the environment.
What can you do?
*Support local restaurants that buy local products.
*Dine at green restaurants if available. We're not there yet, but working on it.
*Share dinners if the restaurant is known for large portions.
*Order what you can eat.
*Only take what you can drink even if that means you paid for FREE refills but don't want anymore.
*If you're getting a take-out order for home, tell the restaurant you don't need the plastic ware, paper products and packets.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Obsessed by Making
"If a poet is anybody, he is somebody to whom things made matter very little — somebody who is obsessed by Making." E.E. Cummings
E.E. Cummings was born today in 1894. I just read that when he was lecturing at Harvard he would just sit down, instead of standing and lecturing, and read his poems to the students and explain what they meant to him. The students loved him, the other faculty members not so much.
I woke at 5:30 with just a line running through my head, it wouldn't stop even when I told it too and reminded it that it was Sunday morning and I wanted to sleep. I got up at 6:00 and wrote it down, turned it into a flash fiction piece and submitted it. I have to admit it was nice to have my submission done before 7 a.m. I haven't given much direction this month on the submitting process. As a writer every day it's up to you to decide to write, decide to submit, and decide to continue. If you have another job and you don't work for yourself, there is always someone that gives you direction, deadlines and feedback. As a writer you have to do all that for yourself and it can be challenging. How do you keep going everyday without that?
Today, write a poem or a page about the worst boss you ever had. I promise you this can be very cathartic. This is inspired by Boss's Day coming up on October 16th. After working for myself for the past eight years I don't think I could go back to working for someone else.
Read the winner of this year's BAD BOSS CONTEST.
Now get back to being your own boss and submit! submit! submit!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Voice of the Poet: e.e. cummings (Voice of the Poet)
E.E. Cummings was born today in 1894. I just read that when he was lecturing at Harvard he would just sit down, instead of standing and lecturing, and read his poems to the students and explain what they meant to him. The students loved him, the other faculty members not so much.
I woke at 5:30 with just a line running through my head, it wouldn't stop even when I told it too and reminded it that it was Sunday morning and I wanted to sleep. I got up at 6:00 and wrote it down, turned it into a flash fiction piece and submitted it. I have to admit it was nice to have my submission done before 7 a.m. I haven't given much direction this month on the submitting process. As a writer every day it's up to you to decide to write, decide to submit, and decide to continue. If you have another job and you don't work for yourself, there is always someone that gives you direction, deadlines and feedback. As a writer you have to do all that for yourself and it can be challenging. How do you keep going everyday without that?
Today, write a poem or a page about the worst boss you ever had. I promise you this can be very cathartic. This is inspired by Boss's Day coming up on October 16th. After working for myself for the past eight years I don't think I could go back to working for someone else.
Read the winner of this year's BAD BOSS CONTEST.
Now get back to being your own boss and submit! submit! submit!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Voice of the Poet: e.e. cummings (Voice of the Poet)
Saturday, October 13, 2007
MAKE US WANT TO BE YOU CONTEST!
FundsforWriters and the National Association of Baby Boomer Women announce the Annual FFW Essay Contest with the theme: Make Us Want to Be You! In 750 words or less, either send us a remarkable promotional plan for your writing project or tell us what you'd do with your writing career if you had a year to devote to your passion. As always with a FFW contest, you choose whether to pay a $5 entry fee or not. The first prize for the entry fee division is $200. The first prize for the non-entry fee division is $50. Deadline October 31, 2007. Winners announced December 1, 2007. Visit our sponsor at www.nabbw.com. www.fundsforwriters.com/annualcontest.htm
Entering Blog Contests
“Anarchism has but one infallible, unchangeable motto, 'Freedom.' Freedom to discover any truth, freedom to develop, to live naturally and fully.” Lucy Parsons
I just started entering blog contests because you never know I might just win something useful and last month I was very lucky. Winning an ad and winning the writing books. But what I like most about the contests is they usually open up new blogs which means different viewpoints that can help me with my writing/blogging. I was intrigued when I read about this contest.
The Anarchy Money Making Blog as he calls it is giving back $50 because of his recent wins. That also seems to be a common theme for bloggers, giving back to the blogging community. I've just started reading this blog but I know I'll be back. Philaahzophy posts about life, business, fatherhood, anarchy, and making money online. I haven't been very successful with the making money online but I love that other bloggers can share what has worked for them and what hasn't. Philaahzophy has some very good posts about his journey along the blogging byways. The anarchy part intrigues me so I may have to dig deeper into his posts.
I just started entering blog contests because you never know I might just win something useful and last month I was very lucky. Winning an ad and winning the writing books. But what I like most about the contests is they usually open up new blogs which means different viewpoints that can help me with my writing/blogging. I was intrigued when I read about this contest.
The Anarchy Money Making Blog as he calls it is giving back $50 because of his recent wins. That also seems to be a common theme for bloggers, giving back to the blogging community. I've just started reading this blog but I know I'll be back. Philaahzophy posts about life, business, fatherhood, anarchy, and making money online. I haven't been very successful with the making money online but I love that other bloggers can share what has worked for them and what hasn't. Philaahzophy has some very good posts about his journey along the blogging byways. The anarchy part intrigues me so I may have to dig deeper into his posts.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Drenched in Words
One must be drenched in words, literally soaked in them, to have the right ones form themselves into the proper patterns at the right moment.
Hart Crane, American Poet (1899-1932)
I love the idea of being drenched in words. I don't know any writer that doesn't adore words and poets especially are infatuated with finding and using the appropriate word. The poet Hart Crane had a short,tragic life and until today I had never heard of him. That's one of the reasons why I like doing this blog, finding out about writers and poets that I might never run across.
Today, read a few of his poems to remind yourself how important it is to immerse yourself in words, then write a short poem using three of your favorite words as a start.
Now get back to work! How's the submitting going?
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Hart Crane, American Poet (1899-1932)
I love the idea of being drenched in words. I don't know any writer that doesn't adore words and poets especially are infatuated with finding and using the appropriate word. The poet Hart Crane had a short,tragic life and until today I had never heard of him. That's one of the reasons why I like doing this blog, finding out about writers and poets that I might never run across.
Today, read a few of his poems to remind yourself how important it is to immerse yourself in words, then write a short poem using three of your favorite words as a start.
Now get back to work! How's the submitting going?
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Creating a world of images
We read five words on the first page of a really good novel and we begin to forget that we are reading printed words on a page; we begin to see images.
John Gardner
First, an apology for not posting yesterday. Did I write? Yes. Did I post. No. And I felt bad about it all day. This blogging habit has become as regular as coffee in the morning so when I got distracted yesterday I felt a little off all day.
Right now I am reading Invisible Lives
. It could be considered chick-lit but since I don't really like that term, I call it women's literature/romantic comedy.Ever since the first few pages I have been in author Anjali Banerjee's world. Her book revolves around an Indian woman working in her mothers sari shop and her ability to read other women's lives. When she describes the fabric of a particular sari, I can see it immediately and I am in the shop next to her.I've always loved this genre, I have read the "chick lit" genre started with Bridget Jones Diary but I think it started with Marian Keyes,Watermelon
If you haven't read Marian Keyes and you like to read funny, clever women's literature it is a must.
Thanks to David Airey for his blogger birthday contest where I won a favicon ad on Chris' blog, if you look on Chris' blog you'll see his icon ads on the left top . When I won I didn't even know what a favicon was. So thanks to Chris patiently explaining it to me my little blue Royal typewriter icon now sits in front of my blogger address and on his site.And it was relatively easy and painless even for a beginning blogger like myself .Thanks Chris and David, both of their blogs are also very worth subscribing to. Very good info for bloggers!I'll say it again, I always thought writers were so generous sharing their tips and do's and don't's; the blogging community has also been very generous.
Today, I picked 3 words randomly out of the dictionary. Start a poem or a page with these 3 words, arrogant,freedom, bevy. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
John Gardner
First, an apology for not posting yesterday. Did I write? Yes. Did I post. No. And I felt bad about it all day. This blogging habit has become as regular as coffee in the morning so when I got distracted yesterday I felt a little off all day.
Right now I am reading Invisible Lives
. It could be considered chick-lit but since I don't really like that term, I call it women's literature/romantic comedy.Ever since the first few pages I have been in author Anjali Banerjee's world. Her book revolves around an Indian woman working in her mothers sari shop and her ability to read other women's lives. When she describes the fabric of a particular sari, I can see it immediately and I am in the shop next to her.I've always loved this genre, I have read the "chick lit" genre started with Bridget Jones Diary but I think it started with Marian Keyes,Watermelon If you haven't read Marian Keyes and you like to read funny, clever women's literature it is a must.Thanks to David Airey for his blogger birthday contest where I won a favicon ad on Chris' blog, if you look on Chris' blog you'll see his icon ads on the left top . When I won I didn't even know what a favicon was. So thanks to Chris patiently explaining it to me my little blue Royal typewriter icon now sits in front of my blogger address and on his site.And it was relatively easy and painless even for a beginning blogger like myself .Thanks Chris and David, both of their blogs are also very worth subscribing to. Very good info for bloggers!I'll say it again, I always thought writers were so generous sharing their tips and do's and don't's; the blogging community has also been very generous.
Today, I picked 3 words randomly out of the dictionary. Start a poem or a page with these 3 words, arrogant,freedom, bevy. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Just a Quote today
The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well and doing well whatever you do.
~ Longfellow
~ Longfellow
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Why do sheep lice write so little?
We are a species that needs and wants to understand who we are. Sheep lice do not seem to share this longing, which is one reason why they write so little.
Anne Lamott
I am a huge fan of Anne Lamott. If you are a beginning writer and haven't read her work I urge you to click urgently on one of my book links and buy at least Bird by Bird, it's a classic and one I recommended here before. Or go to the library and pick up a copy.
One of the reasons I enjoy her writing so much is her ability to write honestly and funny about tough topics.
Today, write as honestly as you can about a topic that makes you uncomfortable, this may be very difficult. Write one page. And then read Anne Lamott's How to be a writer at the bottom of this post. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
How to be a writer.
Anne Lamott
I am a huge fan of Anne Lamott. If you are a beginning writer and haven't read her work I urge you to click urgently on one of my book links and buy at least Bird by Bird, it's a classic and one I recommended here before. Or go to the library and pick up a copy.
One of the reasons I enjoy her writing so much is her ability to write honestly and funny about tough topics.
Today, write as honestly as you can about a topic that makes you uncomfortable, this may be very difficult. Write one page. And then read Anne Lamott's How to be a writer at the bottom of this post. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
How to be a writer.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Can you live without writing?
Write only if you cannot live without writing. Write only what you alone can write.
Elie Wiesel
Could I live without writing? Well, yes I could but I would feel incomplete. I have tried over the years not to write, I don't have time, I could be doing other things...but still I write. I write now for publication and money. But for years I wrote for myself because I felt compelled to write. I like the quote "write only what you alone can write" this is an important statement when you feel like it's not worth it or you want to give up. Your background and life experiences add so much to your written word. No one has lived your life, write it.
Today, write about what makes your words unique. Write for thirty minutes about your unique background and life experience.
Now get back to work!...and submit, submit, submit. Submitting everyday is harder than I thought...
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Elie Wiesel
Could I live without writing? Well, yes I could but I would feel incomplete. I have tried over the years not to write, I don't have time, I could be doing other things...but still I write. I write now for publication and money. But for years I wrote for myself because I felt compelled to write. I like the quote "write only what you alone can write" this is an important statement when you feel like it's not worth it or you want to give up. Your background and life experiences add so much to your written word. No one has lived your life, write it.
Today, write about what makes your words unique. Write for thirty minutes about your unique background and life experience.
Now get back to work!...and submit, submit, submit. Submitting everyday is harder than I thought...
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
More Pumpkin Info
I just wrote a new post about storing pumpkins not writing related just good pumpkin info.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
The Poetry of Poe
I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the rhythmical creation of Beauty.
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe died today in 1849. His last words are purported to be "Lord help my poor soul". His death was as mysterious as the short stories and poems he wrote. Poe is considered to be the father of the modern mystery story and a master with his short stories and one of the leaders in the America Romantic movement but his first love was always poetry. He was also an editor and a literary critic.
In honor of Poe, read The Raven online and explore The Poe Museum site.
Or watch John Astin read the poem.
Today, if you've never written in the horror genre brainstorm...what would be the scariest thing to write about. Write a page a la Poe. Now get back to work!
Today,
Chillingly,
The Writing Nag
P.S.
I have a new poem online, Believe Me, it posted on Friday at Faulty Mind Bomb.
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe died today in 1849. His last words are purported to be "Lord help my poor soul". His death was as mysterious as the short stories and poems he wrote. Poe is considered to be the father of the modern mystery story and a master with his short stories and one of the leaders in the America Romantic movement but his first love was always poetry. He was also an editor and a literary critic.
In honor of Poe, read The Raven online and explore The Poe Museum site.
Or watch John Astin read the poem.
Today, if you've never written in the horror genre brainstorm...what would be the scariest thing to write about. Write a page a la Poe. Now get back to work!
Today,
Chillingly,
The Writing Nag
P.S.
I have a new poem online, Believe Me, it posted on Friday at Faulty Mind Bomb.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Do You Have The Guts for This?
Talent is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely necessary.
Jessamyn West
Jessamyn West
Read a few letters at Rotten Rejections to see some of the lines editors hurled at beginning writers. They didn't give up.
Today, write about your biggest writing related fear. What are you afraid of? Rejection by an editor, agent, family, friends?Or are you afraid of being a successful writer and everything that comes along with it.
Now get back to work! Submit, submit, submit!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Not for the faint hearted pumpkin lover
For more pumpkin stuff see my squidoo link. A Passion for Pumpkins and if you're so inclined please rate it. I will be adding pumpkin recipes this week. Thanks fellow pumpkin lovers. It's our favorite month!
Shorts and short-shorts...Writing Contests
The act of writing is an act of optimism. You would not take the trouble to do it if you felt it didn't matter.
Edward Albee
If you read my blog regularly you know I love short stories. Reading them and writing them. So when I found this site, an independent publisher that promotes and appreciates the form I had to let you know.
When I was editing the Pikes Peak Writers(PPW) Newsmagazine Fish Publishing graciously allowed us to reprint one of their articles for FREE which is a big deal because PPW is a non-profit.Anyhoo, they just released their 2007 anthology but more importantly they also run some fantastic short story contests.Check out their website, lots of good information for the short story writer and reader. And make sure you look at the prize payouts for winning.
Another short story contest that I just received in the mailbox is Writer's Digest short-short story contest.And this might be a new one for you but many winners have gone on to fame!! and more importantly publication after winning this contest.Look at the Paul Gillette contest at PPW. Because this is October Submissionathon month, I'll be posting more places to submit this month than I usually do. If you have any leads please let me know.
Today, plan out your week, find your markets and make a list. It can be overwhelming without a plan for submitting.Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Edward Albee
If you read my blog regularly you know I love short stories. Reading them and writing them. So when I found this site, an independent publisher that promotes and appreciates the form I had to let you know.
When I was editing the Pikes Peak Writers(PPW) Newsmagazine Fish Publishing graciously allowed us to reprint one of their articles for FREE which is a big deal because PPW is a non-profit.Anyhoo, they just released their 2007 anthology but more importantly they also run some fantastic short story contests.Check out their website, lots of good information for the short story writer and reader. And make sure you look at the prize payouts for winning.
Another short story contest that I just received in the mailbox is Writer's Digest short-short story contest.And this might be a new one for you but many winners have gone on to fame!! and more importantly publication after winning this contest.Look at the Paul Gillette contest at PPW. Because this is October Submissionathon month, I'll be posting more places to submit this month than I usually do. If you have any leads please let me know.
Today, plan out your week, find your markets and make a list. It can be overwhelming without a plan for submitting.Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
The Visual Writer
Let me walk through the fields of paper
touching with my wand
dry stems and stunted
butterflies....
~Denise Levertov, "A Walk through the Notebooks"
One of my favorite words is evocative. Words,stories and poems can be evocative, bringing the reader into your world and evoking memory, pictures, stories. That's why every reader gets something different from your work. They bring their own history to it. I may read someone's work and be brought to tears while another reader may feel nothing. But if you don't use any visuals in your work, your work will be flat. I have posted about flat writing before but I think it's worth another post. As a chef I was taught to layer ingredients so the final product is balanced yet subtle layers can be tasted. I think that's the trick with evocative writing. Is everything in the final product? Have you created word-pictures? Have you created a sense of place? Is there emotion behind the words? Or are your word choices flat. Nice words with no dimension.
Today, let's do some editing after your daily writing. Take a piece of writing you think needs work and rework it will word-pictures and layers in mind.
If you're committing to submitting. Submit. Now get back to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Monday, October 1, 2007
October Submissionathon
Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.
Reggie Leach
It's October, set yourself on fire. How to join the submissionathon? Just post in the comments that you are "committing to submitting" for the month. On Nov 1, we'll check back and see how everyone did.
The Rules
1. If you haven't done it yet, clean up your inbox. Set up folders for rejections and more importantly acceptances.
2. Set up a system to follow your work. I use an Excel spreadsheet. If it's a simultaneous submission let the editor know. (I've made this mistake before)
3. Know your market. Make sure what you're sending matches what the editor is looking for. Don't set yourself up for failure.
4. Submit at least one poem, essay, story, query, manuscript every day. Or at least seven every week. I'm choosing paying markets only. Your decision.
5. Be professional, write query letters and cover letters as requested.
6. Be positive, your work will find a place if it's your best work.
7. Don't overlook smaller paying markets, you may be able to sell a piece again and again as reprints.
8. Try at least one major market every week. It's good practice and you may just get your foot in the door.
You are taking important steps to becoming a published writer. Please share your successes here!
Now get to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
Reggie Leach
It's October, set yourself on fire. How to join the submissionathon? Just post in the comments that you are "committing to submitting" for the month. On Nov 1, we'll check back and see how everyone did.
The Rules
1. If you haven't done it yet, clean up your inbox. Set up folders for rejections and more importantly acceptances.
2. Set up a system to follow your work. I use an Excel spreadsheet. If it's a simultaneous submission let the editor know. (I've made this mistake before)
3. Know your market. Make sure what you're sending matches what the editor is looking for. Don't set yourself up for failure.
4. Submit at least one poem, essay, story, query, manuscript every day. Or at least seven every week. I'm choosing paying markets only. Your decision.
5. Be professional, write query letters and cover letters as requested.
6. Be positive, your work will find a place if it's your best work.
7. Don't overlook smaller paying markets, you may be able to sell a piece again and again as reprints.
8. Try at least one major market every week. It's good practice and you may just get your foot in the door.
You are taking important steps to becoming a published writer. Please share your successes here!
Now get to work!
Lovingly,
The Writing Nag
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