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Tuesday, November 15, 2022

WOW! Writers Using Their Powers for Good

 


Last week, Nicole posted and encouraged us to nominate WOW! for Writer’s Digests 101 Best Websites for Writers. I immediately clicked through and filled out the nomination. 

Then I went to a Zoom meeting for another writing organization. When I left, I was shaking.  I’m not going to go into the details but suffice it to say that the negative energy was palpable. I wished that I hadn’t already nominated WOW! for the Writer’s Digest award because now I had so much more to say about what a great place this is. 

If you are new to WOW! Women on Writing, you may not be familiar with everything the community has to offer. And first thing, realize that this is a community. We write a wide variety of things, we publish traditionally and independently, and live scattered across the globe. And yet we are a community of writers working together to strengthen each other’s work.  Here are some of the ways that we do this.

Blog 


If you’re reading this, you’ve discovered the Muffin, the community blog. Come back several times a week and read the posts and you’ll discover just how varied this community is. We are essayists, children’s book writers, magazine journalists, poets, and more. Because of this, the information is wide ranging.  You'll find yourself challenged to learn more and try new things.

Contests 


WOW! sponsors quarterly contests in flash fiction and creative essays. A variable entry fee allows participants to enter the contest or enter and receive a critique. Contest winners are interviewed on the blog. These interviews are a great way to find out what inspires other writers as well as how they hone their work. Many give tips on how to know if your work is ready for competition. 

Classes 

I’ve taken WOW! classes on school visits with Margo Dill, on narrative structure with Madeline Dyer, and on writing graphic novels with Melanie Faith. You will find classes on writing, rewriting, and marketing your work. There are classes on platform and on research. That last one, the class on research, is mine and you can find out about it here

If you want access to actionable information and feedback on your work and ideas, pick out a class. Tell me which one you’ve chosen because I’m having troubles picking out my next one!  

Newsletters 


With so much going on in one community, it can be hard to keep track of it all. It helps if you visit often and subscribe to the newsletters. Click on this link and fill out the form. Me? I checked it all! As I attempt to tell you which is my favorite, I waffle. Every newsletter about classes tempts me to sign up for something new. Markets newsletters send me to my files, looking for pieces that will allow me to take advantage of the many publishing opportunities WOW! has helped prepare me to try.

I can’t say enough positive things about this community. Thank you to Angela and to my fellow bloggers and instructors. Thank you to all my fellow writers who make this the place that it is. Where many corners of the internet are filled with negative energy and toxic tongues, WOW! is a community of writers who excel at using their powers for good. 

--SueBE

Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of over 35 books for young readers.  To find out more about her writing, visit her site and blog, One Writer's Journey.

The next session of her new course, Pitching, Querying and Submitting Your Work will begin on December 4, 2022).  Coping with rejection is one of the topics she will cover in this course.

Sue is also the instructor for  Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins December 4, 2022) and Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins December 4, 2022). 

5 comments:

  1. I love this! And thank you to everyone at WOW! I also clicked through the link to the WD form and when it said "Tell us about your favorite thing" I paused because I have so many favorite things. The community, number one, then I thought about all the classes and workshops I've taken and gotten so much out of, the newsletters and opportunities, contests, blog, articles, giveaways, and so much more. It's the connections, working with other positive women writers, that inspires me daily. Thanks, Sue! :)

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  2. Exactly what you said, Sue, and you, too, Angela!

    What I love is the feeling of support from this wonderful community of writers and especially from this team of bloggers. I haven't met any of these women but I feel as if I know them and am connected in some magical, mystical way. And feeling pretty grateful for all of you!

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  3. Angela,
    Yes, this is definitely an inspirational group of writers!

    Cathy,
    You are so right. We may not have met we have still bonded over craft and community and the fact that we support each other.

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  4. love this community! That's the best thing. And the contests, I've entered twice so far and the feedback I got was invaluable. Always ask for the critique. And the Muffin, and everything. I learn and get support, what more is there?

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