* LIVING THE WRITER'S LIFE *

It's Time for Another Living the Writer's Life

 

 

Tomorrow, Sunday June 22nd, I'm being highlighted on Linda Austin's blog, Moon Bridge Books. Please stop by and leave a comment if you have a moment! Linda is an awesome writer and editor, among many other talents. She's written two books, one is a memoir, Cherry Blossoms in Twilight and a book of poetry, Poems That Come to Mind.

* Sunday 10:15AM, CDT --- Oops, I guess I forgot to find out what time my piece  would be on Linda's blog! When I know, I'll come back here and post it. *

* Sunday 5:00PM, CDT --- Hello All ~ I was mistaken concerning the time Linda would post her interview with me! It is now available. Please stop by!

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I'm very proud to have two new reviews for my memoir that I posted at the top of my blog. One is from Robert Brault and the other is C. Hope Clark. I'm very grateful to both of them.

 

 

 

 

 

“Each of us is a book waiting to be written, and that book, if written, results in a person explained.” -- Thomas M. Cirignano



Letters Here, Letters There, and Contests

Sometime in the past year, writer and blog friend C. Hope Clark, posted about some of the letters on her keyboard being totally worn off. If I remember correctly, she also shared photos of them. I got such a kick out of it that I sent her a few alphabet stickers to cover those keys. 


Some of the letters on my laptop keyboard have now disappeared to the point of needing replacements. Although I know what letters belong to those blank and almost-blank keys, I'd still like to be able to look down every once in a while and see them again. So, I'm borrowing Hope's concept and sharing mine....with before and after pictures. 

BEFORE

AFTER

As you can see, I use the E, A, and S keys regularly. And the A has grooves on it, from my left pinky fingernail. Weird, huh? The W and D are getting a little worn, but they're okay for now. On the right side of my keyboard, the O, N, and K are getting pretty worn, too. Interesting.....

What about you? What are the keys you see wearing off the most?? It can give us an insight into how we write. 

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And speaking of writing...Please check out Tiny Lights - A Journal of Personal Narrative. I have an answer included in: "As a writer, what are your priorities?" Don't forget....anyone can submit an answer each month! Your award? Getting published in an online journal. Getting your name "out there."

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 A couple of writing contests I came across:

WRITER ADVICE ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST-EVER

Scintillating Starts

A new contest from Writer Advice

 PURPOSE: To win recognition for the opening of your unpublished manuscript or to get additional perspective, depending on where you are. If your opening is shared on Writer Advice, you’ll be able to tell prospective agents, publishers, and book buyers that you were one of the winners of Writer Advice’s First Scintillating Starts Contest. 

HOW IT WORKS: Submit the opening chapter or paragraphs. Show us how you grab the reader. Entice us. Make us want to know more.

We’ll send you an insightful, practical evaluation and publish the first paragraphs of the works we believe are strongest. $250 in prize money will be divided among those published.

JUDGE(S): TBA.

DEADLINE: October 15, 2012

FEE: $20

QUESTIONS? Write to Lgood67334@comcast.net. Please send your work through Submittable, only.

Questions? Click HERE.

Note from me: I think this sounds like a great contest! What a fabulous name for it! I plan on entering.

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1^st Annual WNBA National Writing Contest 

The Women's National Book Association

http://www.wnba-books.org/contest 

Small fees and $250 cash prize plus publication. (This was found on Writer Advice.) Click on link for complete information.

"If writers stopped writing about what happened to them, then there would be a lot of empty pages." - Elaine Liner

* Writerly News *

* I guess my newest contest give-away was a bit too complicated, because there was only one entrant; Susan of Writing Straight from the Heart. Susan and I cooresponded and she was so gracious, asking not to be the winner, soley by default! So, the prizes will go back into my office closet until they are needed. Thanks to all who commented on Susan Bono's Two-Part Interview. I really enjoyed learning more about her.

* Calls for Submission: Bylines Calendar: By, For and About Writers is now accepting submissions for their 2013 desk calendar. Click on Guidelines for information. Publisher/Editor Sylvia Forbes is a delightful woman. I look forward to purchasing the 2012 calendar. ** I forgot to mention that Bylines website is a bit out of date. It's in the process of getting renovated. Sylvia really is taking submissions for the 2013 calendar! **

*This is a really cool calendar, especially for writers!* The website also features tons of links for various websites of interest to .....you guessed it: Writers! (In past years, I know that the lovely Cathy C. Hall and C. Hope Clark both appeared in it. In addition to having a snippet of your writing featured, so is your photo...one of which you provide!)

* Once again I feel I must apologize for not getting around to all the blogs I want to visit. I've been spending much more time actually writing which is a very good thing! So, if you don't see me often, that's the reason. And the same goes for e-mails. If I owe anyone an e-mail and haven't replied in a "normal" amout of time, please contact me. Maybe I didn't receive it or maybe forgot!

"Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?" -- Winnie the Pooh

* A Wonderful, Writerly Day *

Yesterday was a really productive day, again! If this keeps up much longer I'll believe I'm actually a New Woman. One who is getting organized and accomplishing minor tasks around the house. And I'm writing so much more. And yes, it's still a struggle most times, and yes, it's hard work. But I've learned from a favorite blogger and very intelligent woman, C. Hope Clark, to keep at it. To make your writing your Number One priority.

I've had quite a hard time fighting off self-sabotage, like so many writers do, but Hope and others like her, have taught me to keep at it. Just...Keep...Writing! I'd like to share part of Hope's blog of May 24th:

"Every day you make choices what to accomplish and what to put off. Chances are, your writing is in the latter category. Simply swap it with another task. Neglect something else.

One day you'll look back. You'll see all those precious moments spent dusting, watching American Idol, and eating seconds. The times you gossipped too long, cleaned unnecessarily, and Facebooked beyond reason. And you'll wish you'd written."

Amen, Sister! I think I finally have the resolve, the determination, and the tenacity to complete my book before the end of summer. Please send well wishes and good karma my way! ☺

I'll have more writerly news tomorrow, so please check back then.

I'd like to say a special Thank You to Mo at Rose Petals from Heaven. She is so happy and excited with her winning prizes from my 200th Follower Contest, she wrote an entire post about it. Please stop by and say hello to her!

Hello & Welcome to Ali, Antiques and Teacups, prettylace4me, and Michelle Ridgway.. my four newest followers! I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much!

"Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any." - Orson Scott Card

* MWG Missouri Writers Guild Just Write! Conference *

The MWG Missouri Writers Guild Conference, Just Write! was a huge success. It was wonderful to see so many writers join together to do what we writers like to do most: Talk about writing. Learn more about writing. Learn important information from agents and publishers. Learn more about publishing opportunities. Listen to inspirational speakers. Have the opportunity to purchase books from our newly published friends. Etcetera!

It was fabulous to meet C. Hope Clark, owner of Funds for Writers. Hope's blog and newsletters are packed full of helpful information that we writers crave.

Our banquet dinner's keynote speaker was St. Louis' own, Elaine Viets. She traveled all the way from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to be part of our wonderful weekend. Elaine is an extremely funny lady. Check her website to learn more about her and possibly purchase a book or two!

I had the pleasure to be the shepherd (guide) to Linda C. Apple during the conference. Linda is a writer and speaker. She has stories published in thirteen (13) Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She's also written two books and is working on a historical romance. I purchased one of Linda's books, "Inspire! Writing from the Soul." (Instructional guide to inspirational writing.) She also has a blog. I can't say enough about how much I admire and like Linda. She inspired me to get back to my writing with renewed interest. It was truly a joy to be in her presence.

Some of our Saturday Writer members were winners of, or received honorable mention in the various conference contests. Jack Zerr, Marcia Gaye, Pat Wahler, Alice Mushany & Donna Volkenannt Congratulations to all! (If I've forgotten anyone, please tell me. There were so many names announced last night and y'all know I have an awful memory!)

And now....the coveted award we received was......drum roll please.......

MWG's Silent Auction: The Basket Wars! I don't know if Saturday Writers has ever won it in the past, but I was determined to win this year! Our large and lovely gift basket was: Death by Chocolate. Everything in it was either chocolate, or had something to do with chocolate, and not necessarily edible! Included were the DVDs Chocolat, and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. There were cookbooks with chocolate recipes and there were books with chocolate in the title such as Chocolate for a Woman's Soul. Add a lovely, handmade knitted dark brown scarf, and a chocolate candle, plus tons of chocolate candies and box mixes. Voile'...Death by Chocolate!

A big thank you to Barbara Hodges, the Basket Wars coordinator, and all the Saturday Writer members who donated items for our basket! And it wouldn't have come together if it wasn't for Sioux Roslawski who searched all over town for the right basket to hold everything, and presented us with the final beautiful result.

Thank you and congratulations to Cindy Lovell from Hannibal, Missouri, who was the highest bidder!

We received a nice check for our winning entry, plus a "traveling trophy", which we hope to hold onto for many years to come!

Hello & Welcome to my newest follower: Vicki Rocho. I had the pleasure of meeting Vicki at this conference! She drove all the way from Iowa to attend our St. Louis conference! Wonderful to meet you, Vicki!

"Don't tell me the moon is shining, show me the glint of light on broken glass." -- Anton Chekhov