Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Archive of ‘Writer’s Life’ category
Alright, let’s start with the not-so-good (it doesn’t qualify as “bad” because it could be worse, but it ain’t peachy-keen):
Emailed an editor at a publication who’d accepted an article of mine (on a near and dear subject to my heart: diabetes summer camps) last summer. I did get paid (a plus, and I’m lucky–I’ve heard horror stories) a tidy little sum, but the article was being pushed from late autumn to mid-winter. No problem, but I just had a nagging sense that things weren’t going well.
The editor informed me today that the magazine isn’t currently being published (money woes) and that she’s not with them anymore. Shame–it was a very good magazine. Different, fresh, dynamic. Ah well. Might see if I can get back the rights to sell it somewhere else (it’s a damn good article, and features my brother and best friend. What’s not to like?!)
So the good news is that the editor I mentioned in the previous post liked my second idea and wants to go with it for the October issue (August deadline). Woohoo! This idea is a cool one–one I came up with on a whim during spring break–and hoped to be able to work into an article. I’m excited. I’ll have to do some research for it, but it’s focused on genre-specific writing, so that’ll be fun. Very cool, and it leaves the first idea free to be pitched elsewhere (I did say I’d do that tomorrow, right?)
I should have time in the morning. I’ve got a fun trip to the endodontist planned for 10:45 for a root canal. Did I say wooooo–hoo? You know, happy gas always gives me some good ideas too…got a great novel idea when getting a filling once. Maybe tomorrow is my lucky day (all over again!)
Oh, and I’ve come up with a fun little plan: for the next ten days, I’m going to send out a minimum of one query per day. Let’s see how things shape up (and if I can actually *finish* my goal!)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
limes…
I really don’t have any reason to entitle this post “limes” other than the fact that (bear with me): limes are the opposite of lemons, idiomatically speaking. Limes are less sour, a little more likeable than lemons, a sparkling shade of green, and, interestingly enough, the best garnish for a margarita (on the rocks, double salt, please)…which is the long way to say…things are looking up.
The wallpaper came last night, but that’s not why I’m feeling better. The sun comes up earlier and stays out later, but that’s not why I’m feeling better. Ate junkfood and ice cream with my mom and sister yesterday after shopping, but that’s not why I’m feeling better.
I’m feeling better because I feel like writing. I feel those creative urges to get out paper and a pen and start scribbling. I have to temper my desire to start a new word document at work with ideas for articles with the fact that I have to finish some observations and school visits (so I compromise by writing article ideas on a post-it pad in my observation notebook). I *literally* get article ideas everywhere I look (a profile for a new store going in on the corner I drive by every day; a series of articles for parents on how to get cooking with your kids after a casual conversation with a friend).
If you’re a writer, you know exactly what I’m talking about. There is truly nothing in life more exciting or consuming than being in the beginning stages of a new writing project. Now, if I could just get a pill to keep that excitement and motivation going…maybe I should flavor it with a little lime…
Thursday, April 3, 2008
I know I *should* be….
…writing, of course. (what else?!)
I’m just taking a quick break. This week I’ve tried something a little different with the writing time: I’ve created a schedule. Ok, not a rigid and staunch measure of my time, but rather a general goal-oriented list of 8 things I need to do this week to work toward my quarterly goals (April to June, remember?)
Here’s what I’m working on:
1) Freelance work: send out six queries this week (I have about twelve good ideas)
2) Come up with a blog schedule to let you know when and what I’m going to post on a regular basis (five days are filled in…)
3) Flesh out two ideas for writing workshops I was asked to create (I have the ideas, just not the “flesh” part..lol)
4) Start an ebook idea list (I have tons of little post-its floating around with my ebook topic ideas)
5) Buy a big calendar from Staples to put on my wall to fill it up with all my workshops, meetings, etc.
6) Get the hub to help me take down this hideous “cabinet” on the ceiling of my writing office so I can repaint & remodel the room (I’d do it myself but it’s immense and heavy, solid wood)
7)Clean out the closet in this office and put the organizer here in the hub’s garage so I can get a small desk area to put there (and repaint it from the 70′s seafoam green that it is now…ugh!!)
8)Update my website to create a page listing my creative/writing coaching service (having lots of fun with that aspect).
I’ll check back in on Sunday and let you know where I stand. I will say having the list has helped my focus. If I could just get a seatbelt to help my productivity…!
How about you? What is your writing “to-do” list this week?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Back in the saddle…
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, January 21, 2008
since I didn’t post…
…yesterday, I’m feeling guilty today.
I did leave you with a lot to read and ponder from Eric’s interview, and today IS a holiday…alright, so that doesn’t cut it, I know.
I’m actually so busy writing that I’ve really not come up for air since yesterday morning. I’m on the last leg of this book (amen), and two (threeish) chapters from the end (or at least the appendices, which are easy-peasy to write). I can see the proverbial light in the tunnel and want to run at it full speed since deadline is less than a month away.
But I know I promised, so let me go dig up something for ya….
Back soon,
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 :)