By Jill Burgoyne
I was talking to a lady at a subway restaurant and told her that I was a writer. She told me that she had "tons of really good ideas" but she just didn't know where to go from there. "How do you become a writer?" Well, I believe that the distinction between a writer and a non-writer is that: writers write. We put priority on it and we practice it, and we perfect it.
As a young mother of 2 with one due in 4.5 weeks, I am definitely facing some priority collisions. It already takes a tremendous effort for me to get 20 minutes of straight, quiet, writing, but when baby comes, I KNOW that I'll have to be creative. I make myself write 15 minutes a day. My days are just happier when I do. When baby comes, 15 minutes might dwindle to 10 minutes or even just a few sentences- in the words of a fellow writer "One page a day adds up".
When I wanted to complete a manuscript, I made a goal of 2,000 words a day. I finished the manuscript in 3 weeks. It was great! And I was a little sleepy at the end of it. But I accomplished my goal. When we write, we are practicing and perfecting our craft.
Writers write. That's what we do.
Wherein Marsha Ward (the founder of American Night Writers Association) and a few of her friends blogged about Life, the Universe, and their place in the World of Writing and Publishing. This blog is now dormant.
Mar 6, 2013
Mar 4, 2013
By Tracy Astle
There are lots of advantages about getting older. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
For example, I've been big into goal setting since my early college days. In my twenties and thirties I would set a good , focused goal and head out full steam ahead. Let nothing get in my way!
Except something always did.
Maybe I wasn't so good at being realistic about my goals. Just maybe. Maybe I was a little better at getting discouraged or frustrated by my inability to reach my goals as quickly as I thought I should.
Right now my writing goals are also appropriately specific, but here's the difference - I'm wiser. I've been working for five years on a writing project which at the start I figured might take a year or two. And at this point in my life I'm okay with that. Before? Not so much.
So, the bottom line here is that while goals are very important for continuing our progress, so is maintaining our sanity. Relaxing and recognizing the forward movement we're making, even if it's waaaaaay slower than we hoped or expected, is not only okay, but wise. If we're doing what God asks of us, we're good. His timetable is often different than ours, whether slower or faster. Our Father loves us all along the way and appreciates our efforts. Shouldn't we, too?
There are lots of advantages about getting older. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
For example, I've been big into goal setting since my early college days. In my twenties and thirties I would set a good , focused goal and head out full steam ahead. Let nothing get in my way!
Except something always did.
Maybe I wasn't so good at being realistic about my goals. Just maybe. Maybe I was a little better at getting discouraged or frustrated by my inability to reach my goals as quickly as I thought I should.
Right now my writing goals are also appropriately specific, but here's the difference - I'm wiser. I've been working for five years on a writing project which at the start I figured might take a year or two. And at this point in my life I'm okay with that. Before? Not so much.
So, the bottom line here is that while goals are very important for continuing our progress, so is maintaining our sanity. Relaxing and recognizing the forward movement we're making, even if it's waaaaaay slower than we hoped or expected, is not only okay, but wise. If we're doing what God asks of us, we're good. His timetable is often different than ours, whether slower or faster. Our Father loves us all along the way and appreciates our efforts. Shouldn't we, too?
Mar 2, 2013
Mother's Advice
by Cindy R. Williams
I'm finally old enough to realize how wise my own mother is. It only took me thirty-plus years to figure this out.
Mom stopped by today for our weekly lunch. She left a paper on my roll top desk without saying a word. You see, she learned long ago, that I listen to her counsel better when she gives it in a more back door, you discover it yourself, fashion.
Here is what the paper said:
WARNING TO US ALL!!! DON'T WASH YOUR HAIR IN THE SHOWER!
IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN THE SHAMPOO RUNS DOWN YOUR BODY
AS YOU RINSE YOUR HAIR OUT!
I don't know why I didn't figure this out sooner. I use shampoo in the shower. When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body, and printed very clearly on the shampoo label is this warning, "FOR EXTRA BODY AND VOLUME."
No wonder I have been gaining weight! Well, I have now gotten rid of that shampoo and I'm going to start showering with Dawn dish soap instead. It's label reads, "DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE."
Problem solved!
If I don't answer the phone, I'll be in the shower.
My mother is full of good advice!
I'm finally old enough to realize how wise my own mother is. It only took me thirty-plus years to figure this out.
Mom stopped by today for our weekly lunch. She left a paper on my roll top desk without saying a word. You see, she learned long ago, that I listen to her counsel better when she gives it in a more back door, you discover it yourself, fashion.
Here is what the paper said:
WARNING TO US ALL!!! DON'T WASH YOUR HAIR IN THE SHOWER!
IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN THE SHAMPOO RUNS DOWN YOUR BODY
AS YOU RINSE YOUR HAIR OUT!
I don't know why I didn't figure this out sooner. I use shampoo in the shower. When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body, and printed very clearly on the shampoo label is this warning, "FOR EXTRA BODY AND VOLUME."
No wonder I have been gaining weight! Well, I have now gotten rid of that shampoo and I'm going to start showering with Dawn dish soap instead. It's label reads, "DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE."
Problem solved!
If I don't answer the phone, I'll be in the shower.
My mother is full of good advice!
Mar 1, 2013
ANWA Conference Top 10
by Beckie Carlson
I attended the ANWA conference last week and came away with ten things I learned. I would like to share them with you all here. These are in no particular order, just how they happened upon my mind.
1. Everyone has a 'personal mythology' as James Owen says, we all just need to find ours. I have been discovering the truth of this over the past week. My past is kind of interesting...stay tuned!
2. Just because a person is a writer, doesn't mean they know anything, or everything. I was one of those that had to look up what a "protagonist" was before I could find a costume for our Protagonist Ball.
3. There are people in the world that haven't read The Tale of Despareaux. I am not sure why this is true, it is a most spectacular book. You will fall in love with it.
4. Some people don't want help. We had some sessions where we shared what he had written and gotten feedback. I love hearing good things about my stories, but it is hard to hear criticism. I think I did okay though. Some people don't do okay with that.....it's not personal!
5. The Hilton in Mesa has not changed since 1986 when I went to prom there. I think they carpet is the exact same carpet I danced those two dances on. I could be wrong...but why duplicate those colors?
6. Just because I am 'away at a conference' does not mean I got any sleep. It wasn't like a Stampin' Up! convention where I stayed up all night playing, I stayed up all night doing homework. I came home more tired than when I left. SO not fair.
7. Arizona has freaky weather. As I drove into the hotel, the sky started spewing out these balls of what can only be described as semi-solid-slush. It was pretty amazing, but made the blinding sun even brighter. I'm lucky I made it alive.
8. Writers are their best customers. Yes, we had a bookstore at the conference and yes, I bought a truck load of books. You are welcome fellow authors, be prepared to pay me back next year!
9. Naps can happen anywhere. After reading the feedback on a few of my "beginning of book" entries, I instantly fell asleep on a chair in the lobby. Maybe this was to avoid the feelings of failure, rejection, euphoria, and concern that the comments brought on...or maybe due to all that late night homework. You judge.
and last but not least.....
10. Agents are people too. I had the opportunity to talk to, eat with, and generally hob-nob with some agents that were super nice. I truly enjoyed them and their feedback. Especially the ones that requested my books!
All in all, it was a fabulous week. I suggest you become a writer, if you aren't already one, so you can join us next year! I didn't even mention all the good food and chocolate.....totally worth it! Cause I said so!
I attended the ANWA conference last week and came away with ten things I learned. I would like to share them with you all here. These are in no particular order, just how they happened upon my mind.
1. Everyone has a 'personal mythology' as James Owen says, we all just need to find ours. I have been discovering the truth of this over the past week. My past is kind of interesting...stay tuned!
2. Just because a person is a writer, doesn't mean they know anything, or everything. I was one of those that had to look up what a "protagonist" was before I could find a costume for our Protagonist Ball.
3. There are people in the world that haven't read The Tale of Despareaux. I am not sure why this is true, it is a most spectacular book. You will fall in love with it.
4. Some people don't want help. We had some sessions where we shared what he had written and gotten feedback. I love hearing good things about my stories, but it is hard to hear criticism. I think I did okay though. Some people don't do okay with that.....it's not personal!
5. The Hilton in Mesa has not changed since 1986 when I went to prom there. I think they carpet is the exact same carpet I danced those two dances on. I could be wrong...but why duplicate those colors?
6. Just because I am 'away at a conference' does not mean I got any sleep. It wasn't like a Stampin' Up! convention where I stayed up all night playing, I stayed up all night doing homework. I came home more tired than when I left. SO not fair.
7. Arizona has freaky weather. As I drove into the hotel, the sky started spewing out these balls of what can only be described as semi-solid-slush. It was pretty amazing, but made the blinding sun even brighter. I'm lucky I made it alive.
8. Writers are their best customers. Yes, we had a bookstore at the conference and yes, I bought a truck load of books. You are welcome fellow authors, be prepared to pay me back next year!
9. Naps can happen anywhere. After reading the feedback on a few of my "beginning of book" entries, I instantly fell asleep on a chair in the lobby. Maybe this was to avoid the feelings of failure, rejection, euphoria, and concern that the comments brought on...or maybe due to all that late night homework. You judge.
and last but not least.....
10. Agents are people too. I had the opportunity to talk to, eat with, and generally hob-nob with some agents that were super nice. I truly enjoyed them and their feedback. Especially the ones that requested my books!
All in all, it was a fabulous week. I suggest you become a writer, if you aren't already one, so you can join us next year! I didn't even mention all the good food and chocolate.....totally worth it! Cause I said so!
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