Monday, April 4, 2011

* Writerly Thoughts *

I'm feeling very writerly today. It began when I stopped at Carol Kilgore's blog, Under the Tiki Hut. Carol wrote about her excitement and then disappointment over a new book written by one of her favorite authors. She posed the question, "As a reader: What do you do when this happens with you?" She also asked how you, the writer, can prevent readers from feeling let down when they read your work. I didn't respond to that one because everyone felt pretty much the same: Hoping that wouldn't happen to them!

Then I hopped over to check out Tiny Lights, A Journal of Personal Narrative. I write a monthly essay for the Searchlights & Signal Flares section, where writerly questions are posed. Anyone is welcome to submit answers, as long as they stick to the guidelines posted. The question for March was: How do you deal with writer’s envy? I just LOVE being put to the test on these. Most times I stare at my blank screen for awhile and think, How am I going to write about this? And then, all of a sudden, the words start flowing and I complete it fairly quickly. I usually wait until the deadline, which is the 15th of every month, and for some reason that seems to work for me. Also, there is no word count, so it can be short and sweet or long and eloquent. After I submit my essay, I don't go back and read it for weeks. And almost every time, when I finally do read it again, it catches me by surprise, as if I didn't even write it.....and I think, Hmm, maybe I'm not too shabby of a writer afterall...at least, sometimes!

I just remembered something.....Missouri Governor Jay Nixon proclaimed April 3 through 9 Missouri Writers Week. The week culminates with the Show-Me Spotlight banquet and awards to the winners of the annual MWG contests on April 9 at the Just Write! Conference in St. Louis.


No wonder I feel writerly today. I'm attending the conference and banquet this weekend! More on that later this week.

Be sure and check out Under the Tiki Hut and Tiny Lights. I haven't known Carol very long, but I love her blog. And I can't say enough about Susan Bono, the Editor-in-Chief, of Tiny Lights!

Hello and Welcome to my newest follower: Nucleo Espirita Verbo de Luz. Thanks so much and I hope you always enjoy your visits!

"Seeing yourself in print is such an amazing concept: you can get so much attention without having to actually show up somewhere . . .You don't have to dress up, for instance, and you can't hear them boo you right away.” -- Anne Lamott

19 comments:

  1. There are so many good places anymore for short pieces of writing, I can't do them all! You have a good time at the confence,Becky!


    Glad I had already given up hope for this years MWG conference...soemday...I have my granddog back and her surgery is tomorrow. Hope she mends well! You know how it is!

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  2. Writer's envy, huh? Interesting question.

    For me, the cure is to get caught up in writer's appreciation. And then go write something myself!

    =)

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  3. I hope you have a great time at the conference, Becky.

    Thanks to you I've discovered two more great sites, Carol's blog and Tiny Lights. :)

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  4. Isn't it amazing that feeling "writerly" comes in waves--sometimes it ebbs and sometimes it flows...

    Someday (soon) you will know what Anne Lamott was talking about. Soon, you will see your picture on the back cover of a book! Yahoo!

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  5. Hi Becky...The conference sounds great. Can't wait to read your posts about your experience there. Susan

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  6. Hi Bookie! Oh, poor little granddog. I hope she does really well with her surgery and mends well, as you said.

    Hi Sue - I like your cure for writer's envy!

    Hi Julie ~ How sweet of you! I'm glad you also like Carol's and Susan's sites! Be sure and answer one of the Tiny Lights questions, so you can be published on there, too!

    Sioux - You are such an awesome and wise friend! Thanks for everything!

    Hi Susan! I'll be sure to let you know about the conference!

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  7. I can't say I have had writer's envy...I fear I may be too self-centered for that. When I'm writing, I'm writing for me first - it's fun, I like it, I like to see if I can string some words together that elicit a response, phrases that ring true.

    When I hear about someone who is prolific or uber successful?

    I usually think, "Wow, they must have a system figured out!"

    Then I don't give it another thought.

    I'm shallow like that (snicker).

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  8. Wish I could make it to the conference, but once again, other obligations have gotten in the way.

    Pat
    www.critteralley.blogspot.com

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  9. Hi Becky,
    I'm excited about the conferece this weekend. It should be fun!
    Donna

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  10. Hi Becky,

    I hope you have a grand time at this year's conference.

    I know you will.

    *hugs*

    mo

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  11. You've inspired ME to write more! I like your idea of leaving the work and coming back to read later.

    I'll be checking out the sites you suggested!

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  12. Thanks for the shout-out and such kind words, Becky. I love your blog, too. Enjoy the conference!

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  13. My husband is an artist, and he often uses the term "painterly." So I loved seeing you use the term "writerly." Enjoy the conference!

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  14. Hi June! Thanks for stopping and commenting!

    Hey Pat ~ I'm sorry you won't be at the conference, but I understand about other obligations.

    Hi Donna - I hope I make you proud, being a Shepherd-Gal!

    Thanks, Mo! I appreciate you stopping by!

    Hey Sandy ~ Thanks! And I hope you do check out Tiny Lights! The Searchlights & Signal Flares questions are a great exercise, and you get printed online, too!

    Hi Carol! You are very welcome!

    Hi Melissa Ann ~ I LOVE it that your husband uses the term painterly!

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  15. Ooooh, your conference! Now THAT I envy! I'm always energized after a good conference (and I know y'all's will be grand!).

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  16. Hi Becky - thanks for the reminder about Tiny Lights. I have had that marked to submit sometime... one of these days. See you at the conference!

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  17. I'm feeling "writerly" this week, too, (love that word)! Conference excitement, perhaps. Looking forward to seeing you there. And writer's envy, I try to use it to my advantage. Write more -- submit more!

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  18. Glad you've been feeling "writerly!" Have a great time at the conference!

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  19. Writerly envy? I take it off like a coat and check it at the door! Happy Missouri Writers' Week to you, Becky! Enjoy that conference!

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