Monday, March 31, 2008
March 2008 archive
Not that I ever *was* in the saddle, mind you. Or stayed there for long…but I digress…
Back from spring break. Been back, actually. Returned Saturday evening. That time lapse from out west to back east gets harder each time. I was up til 11 last night and barely slept a wink before the alarm jarred me again at 5. Ack!
How has your writing been coming? I find that with the transition from winter into spring, I come out with more energy and focus–and that ideas for articles spring forth like crocuses (crocusii??) from the cold ground to get me going again. I love it!
This spring is no different so far. Last night in my sleepless state, I had no less than eleven fabulous (aren’t they always fabulous?!) magazine article ideas come to me. I scratched them down with the goal of sending out six queries this week. That’s about one a day with a day off (or four in one day and two in another..lol). I’m a weird bird in that I *LOVE LOVE LOVE* to write queries. Go figure. They’re sometimes more exciting than the article! (ok, maybe not). But they’re where my ideas turn into something solid…I love the process.
What about you? Is spring putting the pep back in your writing step? I’d love to hear about it. How about we have a Comment Contest for April? For each (relevant, not just drive-by) comment you post, I’ll put your name in a drawing for some fabulous writer’s prize (I’m guessing a book). Use the commenting to your advantage–update us on your blog, your writing or your creative life, ask writing questions or share some writing insight. Writers love reading…give us something to check out!
On that note, I’m heading back to my query challenge. I also set quarterly goals (April-June) of having six new deadlines to add to my calendar between now and June, so I’d better get cracking…
Happy Writing–and commenting!
Beth
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Almost off….
I’m half a day away from leaving on spring break. This year, I’m headed to a place in Arizona I fell in love with two years ago in the Sonoran desert.
None too soon, either. I haven’t been posting much due to a plethora (I’ve never used that word before in conversation lol) of issues on the home, job and family fronts. I’m hoping this time away (with sunshine, lord knows we don’t get enough of that in Ohio) brings me back refreshed. I’ve already got a headstart in having done some good fiction writing these last two days.
I promise more regular posts when I get back. In the meantime, check out a new blog or two in the sidebar or visit the archives for mighty good writing advice.
Happy writing!
Beth
Thursday, March 20, 2008
sometimes….
….life interferes with the plans we’ve made.
Without getting into a huge post, let’s just say that life’s dealt me five interesting cards lately–and I don’t remember how to play poker.
It’s upsetting but not devastating. What’s most upsetting is that it’s interfered with my writing. Even though I have the bones of a fiction project I’ve been working on and they were coming together nicely, I’m struggling with the motivation to do anything further. Normally rife with ideas, my brain isn’t cooperating, just slugging along. And the unending rain we’ve had here in Ohio this past week hasn’t helped, either.
Today I feel a little better: I forgot about a deadline (tomorrow, I think) for an article on networking, so I sat down a few minutes ago without a solitary idea in my head and ended up with an outline that not only will guide my article but breathed a little life back into my creativity. You writers know what I mean: that little warm smile you feel inside when your words come to life on the page.
Even if I can’t control the events unfolding around me, I can write. I will write. It will keep me sane…well, as close as we can expect, anyway.
I’ll let you know when the article is done (hopefully tonight since it’s due tomorrow…lol)
happy writing…
Beth
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
still here, just overwhelmed
I suppose the title says it all!
The day job has really kicked my butt lately. Going in at 6:30, getting home around five with no lunch basically wipes me out for anything creative…blogging, writing, anything. (Who said being a teacher was easy?!)
Luckily, the test that I’m in charge of administering is winding down. Last makeup tomorrow, so I hope to be back soon doing stuff I love (writing, not testing). In the meantime, check out some of the blogs to the right —–> or read some of the archives for a dose of inspiration.
happy back-to-writing-soon,
Beth
Monday, March 3, 2008
March 6: Best of: Writer’s Calendar
Nothing better than something to help you get truly organized–check out this writer’s calendar. Though the post is dated from 2006, Julie of OrganizedWriter.com has a great 2008 version for your pleasure…
Best of Fountain Pen, Inc.
Monday, December 4, 2006
OrganizedWriter.com’s Writer’s calendar
Monday, March 3, 2008
March 5: Best of: Blogging
One of the easiest and best ways to build an author’s platform is through the use of a blog dedicated to your work or your book. Read more in this best of article at Writers Weekly.com
Best of Fountain Pen, Inc:
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Build an Audience for Your Book with a Blog
Ever-happy blogging,
Beth
Monday, March 3, 2008
March 4: Best of: Publicity
If you’re looking for publicity ideas, or need to know what you should have ready when that contract comes in, read no further than this oldie-but-goodie:
Best of Fountain Pen, Inc.
Thursday, March 22nd, 2007
Publicity
Happy publicizing,
Beth
Monday, March 3, 2008
March 3: Best of: Characters. Again.
Since I’m just getting started on a new story (not “new” new: I began it back in 2006 for a contest, but am revamping it as a single title upon the advice of those wonderful Serious Writer girls), here’s a good post on ways to create new characters that’s bound to have something of interest for ya:
Best of Fountain Pen, Inc.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy character creating,
Beth
Monday, March 3, 2008
The life of no time
Life has really monopolized my time lately, hence few (ok, no) postings.
I’ve got good stuff to post, too, but literally no time. I’ve had an extremely important “project” at work (I am the school coordinator for the Ohio Graduation Test, the biggest, baddest test in Ohio high schools) and luckily, it’s finally taking place this week. I’m not worried about the test going well, it’s the prep (7am-5 pm every day, no time for lunch, come home and collapse) that has done me in.
I’ll still be cramped for time this week, so I’m relying on work I’ve done before to enlighten your writing selves. Some of you were regular readers of my Fountain Pen, Inc. blog (I love that name..lol) and what I’ll be doing is sorta like “the best of” from FPI. I’ll repost a post from there for your reading pleasure here.
I also have a few good writer stories and hope I’ll have time to post them before I forget them (bad short term memory, ask anyone who knows me).
So..without further ado, let’s go back….
Happy writing,
Beth
It's pretty simple, really. I'm a writer who loves writing about writing, and sharing all the tricks of the trade with other writers. And when I'm not writing, I'm thinking about writing. I have a hunch you know what I mean :)