Feb
Happiness is Grand
It seems like my internet has decided to die this time around. Just as well, I figured I’d spend more time writing since I would have less distractions but at the moment I can’t find a writing prompt I want to work on.That’s alright though. I have a ton of other writing projects I’ve started that I should delve into.
I’m starting to feel really good about my storm story. I haven’t picked a precise title yet and I’m loath to call it Magickal Storms just because that’s what I titled the smaller piece that inspired this. The two aren’t enough alike for me to do that. The boy in the story feels much more mature in the second version and the storm seems to have grown from an internal dance to a full blown dance of nature both within and with out.
I really want to do something with this piece and I know it’ll sting if this one gets rejected, all the same, I feel good enough about it that I’m certain I could pick myself back up and resubmit it. I do have a question for my fellow writers though, just a brief one. How do you keep track of your submissions? Ones your waiting to hear from, ones you have heard from, and all that jazz? I’m thinking of buying some sort of calendar or organizer to keep track of things. I forget so much and remember only the important things- well, important to me. I can remember the middle name of my imaginary friend that I wrote about when I was in fifth grade but can I remember that I have to call the health insurance place tomorrow? Ha! Yeah right.
Briefly I want to thank Just1More and Easy Writer for all there help in the editing process and with their suggestions and helpful notes. I’m so thankful for having writing friends even if the only writers I know are the ones online. I’ve become quite a bit more serious about the craft since I started talking to others who are into the creation of stories and know what I’m talking about when I say "Oh this character this and that character that." Or when I talk about plot issues. ‘Normal’ people don’t have a clue what I’m referring to on any of this let alone what I’m talking about when I go into the passion I feel at writing.
I’m also really thankful for being able to blog. It’s nice to be able to write something and then to let others see and comment on it. It helps me get over some of my fears and gives me a lot of insight into areas I need to work on and places where I’m doing really great. I’m just a very thankful person at the moment.
I showed my Hunny the storm story last night, not the most recent edit but close enough, and I was pleased to discover that he liked it. *jumps for joy* I also showed it to a friend of mine who’s not really into the whole reading this, at least not this kind of reading and she really enjoyed it too which made me really happy. I figure my Hunny will like anything I write though I know he wouldn’t hold back an honest opinion but to ‘see’ someone I know doesn’t like to read that sort of thing devour it in moments and then compliment me when usually they are being nasty- well, let’s just say I’m a very happy Spirit right now.
I’ve taken a break from a story I was making a lot of progress on, a chapter book, and I’m thinking about giving that a go tonight. It’s fast paced and witty and I just feel like I’m in the mood for that kind of thing right now. I also have another story, shorter but still a decent size, that I’m thinking about starting soon but it’s more or less for my own enjoyment than anything else.
Well, I really do have a lot more to say but not on this particular post. I need to go work on something really creative and fast right now before my brain deflates. I’ve gotten too comfy with these writing prompts. Need to spice it up a little.
Edit: Internet is back! Woot!
05Feb
i’ve posted a load of prompts at tsb over the last couple of years. you could join and always use any of those… or
http://www.3words.co.uk
;-)
for the daily prompt, or the first themeday. i’m thinking about adding a “prompt page”, maybe listing some i’ve posted at other sites… hmm…
as for remembering, i have notes everywhere. and i set reminders (for those i rememeber to do this for) on my email-based calendar.
re submissions, (when i used to submit) i would have a spreadsheet where i listed the title, word count, genre, pov, blurb, who subbed to, when subbed, when reply expected and if accepted… and would sort between these every so often (whenever was relevant, ie, when i was subbing lots i would sort first thing each day just to be sure, but later found once a week with a little note for upncomings sufficed).
it’s a strong story. even if it is rejected it doesn’t mean it’s bad, it simply means it wasn’t right for that person/publication at that time. it’s like cold-calling: it’s hard, but sometimes you just have to work through the numbers.
ha! so the non-writers are “normal people”? i always figured there was something not quite right about them… ;-p
05Feb
I track my submissions in a word document that was converted first from text an then to works. It is OLD in other words :)
I just list-Title/Where sent/Date sent/Accepted or Not. Usually I highlight the whole line in bold when something has been accepted and published also entering that on a separate sheet (that is much shorter!) called Published.
I keep thinking I should switch over to a spreadsheet so I could list more info. Might be good to start with a spreadsheet. :)
Good luck with it. Getting something accepted on the first time it is sent out is rare. If you can find it read Stephen Kings “on Writing” if I haven’t suggested it already.
Have a good week!
05Feb
not that it needs it, but i second the “On Writing” recommendation. i must have read that 4-5 times. tis easy on the eye and helpful to the fingers. :-)
05Feb
Dear Written Whispers,
Just because you do not have a published bestseller, or your name isn’t a household name, doesn’t mean you’re “not a writer.” Aspiring writers are only those who talk about doing something. The writers are actually the doers who would benefit from a boost in their self-esteem. A friendly reminder: if you desire to do anything, like become famous, earn lots of money or make a special contribution to the world, the only person who is stopping you is yourself. As you become aware your thoughts, attitudes and feelings undermine your intent, you can choose to change that.
05Feb
J1M: I need to get over to your sites more that much is for cetain. I’ve tried time and again to get writing prompts into my own forum and I know my members do them because we later email each other but it seems as though we are all too fearul to post in our small community. I supose it’s because we all know one another and fear rejection. I, for the most part, am just lazy and forgettful.
I’m thinking about buying a huge dry erase calander.
Why don’t you submit any more if I might ask? You’d certaintly make an excelent editor if you got it in your mind to take up a job as one. :D
Indeed, via the rejection. I know I have something good. I can feel it in my bones, it’s just a matter of finding the right place for it. Nonetheless I anticipate a sting should my rejection letters enclose comments as to why they won’t take it. ;)
LOL on the last bit. Sometimes I wonder though… we writer’s do seem to be the odd ducks in society.
QUACK!
05Feb
Jessie Carty: I was starting to worry you weren’t coming back. ;) Lol, jk.
I might have to do that for a time being but I do worry- I have a lot of things I keep track of via documents on the computer that sometimes in my effort to stay organized I lose track of the entire files instead of just a day or two.
I’m thinking about buying this ginormous dry erase calander with a side panel that I can write notes on. It even has magnent for it. *giggle*
I have that book and absolutely love it! Nearly finished reading it.
05Feb
J1M: Indeed it’s one of the best books I’ve come acrossed. I actually found it in the lost and found at work, well, my Hunny did but it had been there for so long… so, it’s mine now. I almost bought it at Borders once before but it was so expensive at the time. Lol, I guesse it was meant to find me one way or another.
05Feb
Liara: See the post “All Kinds of Stuff” for most of my reply to your comment. ;)
I supose I should change the top of my blog because since I’ve begun this journey I know I am no longer asipring but achieving and being.
05Feb
“You’d certaintly make an excelent editor if you got it in your mind to take up a job as one.”
really? i dunno. actually, i doubt it. i don’t know enough “technicalise”. i guess i could get training, but i dunno. i think i approach these (all?) things from too personal a view. thanks, though. :-)
tofuquack. ;-)
05Feb
J1M: I honestly think you would but that’s just my opinnion. I think you have to take it to heart to do it well, so that’s not that bi of a problem.
Tofu