Whoa!! Slow It Down!
If I have ever critiqued your work, you have probably heard me say, “Slow down.” In our rush to get the words on the paper, we often gloss over important scenes. We move so quickly that our readers miss important events. In real time, things happen in moments, but on paper — we need to slow it down so the reader understands the importance of what is happening. If your character hits a parked car while riding his bike, slow it down. Let your character notice the sun glinting off the metal of the parked car’s bumper. As he is flying through the air, let the reader feel the air against his cheek, the warmth of the handlebars as the metal slides through his fingers, the odd sensation of flipping through the air. When he lands, let the reader...
Read MoreNew Anthology Seeking Work
http://writeintegrity.blogspot.com/2012/01/call-for-submissions-three-anthologies.html?spref=tw Call for Submissions: Three Anthologies– We are currently seeking submissions for the following: Life Lessons from MOMS To be released May 2012 Life Lessons from DADS To be released June 2012 Life Lessons from TEACHERS To be released August 2012 We learn about life from many different sources, and WIP wants to honor and recognize folks who’ve taught us through the years. The Life Lessons series continues with three more books this year, and we’d love to read your stories. Submit your 1000-word or less story by e-mail – attached to the e-mail as a Word document – by March 30th, 2012. You may include one photo per entry that may or may not...
Read MoreDo You Have a Funny Story About Birds or Gardening?
Birds and Bloom is a beautiful magazine. If you have a short story (400 words) about a backyard blunder, you might find a home for it at Birds and Bloom. This is a no fee entry (which is always a plus) and you can submit online. Note the word funny in the call-out. Thanks again to Hope Clark’s newsletter for this information. BIRDS AND BLOOM BACKYARD BLUNDER CONTEST http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Contests/Backyard-Blunder-Contest NO ENTRY FEE Do you have a funny birding or gardening story to share from your backyard? We want to hear it! Send us your best “backyard blunder,” and the winning story will receive $500. To enter, email your true story (no more than 400 words) to contests@birdsandblooms.com. Please put “backyard blunder...
Read MoreLegacy of Words for Your Children
Those of you who know me well are aware that my sister is also a writer. Her name is Candace Simar and she has written a series of three books (another on the way) of historical fiction about the Sioux uprising. She also writes a weekly devotional, Sweet Honey From the Rock. Please visit Candace’s website to learn more about her books: www.candacesimar.com. This week Candace’s devotional is all about writing down your “wisdoms” for the next generation. I think it is a great idea, something our children and grandchildren will treasure. Be sure to include the things you have learned from your parents and grandparents. These are valuable lessons. Let’s not lose these pieces of wisdom, but let them live on for future generations. If you...
Read MoreWriting Prompts for Writing Memoir
I just finished reading a blog post by one of my favorite bloggers, Hope Clark. She posted a rant about how she hates writing prompts and believes that writers should be professional enough to come up with ideas on their own. (See the blog post at http://hopeclark.blogspot.com/.) I often tell my students about the moan I give out whenever I hear the words writing prompt. I have a love/hate relationship with them. When given a writing prompt, I always feel pressure to produce something wonderful. And I often have. In fact, some of my best writing has been produced under pressure with one of those dreaded prompts. Prompts can be valuable to the memoir writer, dredging up memories that have been forgotten. They can also be valuable to the fiction writer, helping the...
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