What's Something You Wrote About That You Never Thought You Would?

When I decided to pursue writing as more than just a hobby, I was set on writing fiction for kids. Short stories, poetry, novels, picture books--whatever a kid who loved fiction would read, I wanted to write. I was naive and didn't understand how the writing world worked--that nonfiction sells better, that if you want a paycheck as a writer, you might have to write something else.

One thing I did right was find a critique group of writers who did not just write for children, who wrote essays, articles, adult novels, romance, horror, and more. I began to dabble in nonfiction and short stories for adults, and guess what? I was having fun! I didn't give up my dream of writing fiction for kids, and I did publish 3 fiction books for kids and teens; but I also expanded my portfolio and wrote about some subjects and for some publishers that I never thought I would.

So as I was coming up with a blog post tonight, I thought: I wonder what some of the Muffin readers and writers have written about that they NEVER THOUGHT THEY WOULD. I'm curious what your story is, how you got there, what you thought at the beginning of your career, and how it turned out in the end--and how you feel about that.

For example, I worked as a stringer for The News-Gazette in Champaign, IL, and I had a Sunday book review column for over five years. I never dreamed in a million years that I would do either one. I wrote about a 90+ year old garage sale volunteer, a reindeer ranch and a baby reindeer who survived only because she was bottle fed by the owners, and a beaver dam that was backing up a creek in a little bitty town--but there was nothing the people could do because the beavers were protected. I wrote a villanelle about the Trail of Tears and got it published, as well as a funny romance short story for adults that won first place and $250 in a magazine contest.

And my point? I am a much better writer because of these experiences.

Now, don't get me wrong--I'm not saying that you shouldn't have a brand or stick to a genre or build a career as a certain type of writer. All the advice you read about that is true. But I think it's also okay to have a wide variety of writing in your portfolio and grow from these pieces.

So...what have you written that you never thought you would? 

Margo L. Dill is an author, editor, writer and teacher, living in St. Louis, MO. Read her blog at margoldill.com or sign up for her novel writing course in the WOW! classroom. 

Read More »

5 comments beginning writers, children writers, Margo L. Dill, portfolio, writing bio

What's Your Definition of a Writer?

At one time, even the authors of classic works were not
successful, published writers. I like to think
they had editors who helped their writing...even a little.
Photo | EKHumphrey

I mentioned to a friend the news about an editing client’s forthcoming novel. The friend, who knows what I read for pleasure, asked why I would edit something that wasn’t in a genre that I read on a regular basis. For instance, why edit memoir if I read romance in my free time? (Or vice versa.)

Our discussion roamed through all sorts of topics, but I became passionate about the manuscripts I edit and those authors I edit. And what is the definition of a writer.

I told her that work with a wide range of writers (from academic manuscripts to romance…and everything in between). I don’t have to like everything I read and oftentimes when I start out not liking something, I finish with liking the writing and the author also. Some writing I don’t feel comfortable working in and some writers I don’t feel comfortable working with, but I can generally figure that out when I read a sample of the work…or when I in contact with the writer.

When I edit a writer’s work, I am the stand-in reader with the ability to help the writer make the manuscript better. But why, my friend pressed me, would I feel the need to edit work that “might not be very good by someone who is clearly not a writer?”

Why? Because I am also a writer. (Some days I know I am a better writer than other days.) And everyone needs to start somewhere. When a client approaches me, the novels been written. How many people can say they have written a 150,000-word novel? To me, that person is a writer, even if the writing proves to be a little uneven in the draft stages.

It is my hope that, as a writer, I am able to work with an editor to make my good and not-so-good work sparkle. I may not have landed on the bestseller lists and some family members may see my writing as a hobby, but I still want an editor who can see through my spelling mistakes or transposed words and understand what I’m trying to accomplish, even if I don’t meet someone’s arbitrary definition of what a writer is. An editor can also help to validate us as writers.

So many of us write because we have a story to tell and we pack our words into a multitude of genres. We write because we want to share our stories. I edit to help others tell their stories better and I want an editor I can work with to help me tell my stories better. Don’t you?

Do you work in different genres? Do you have a preferences? Are there some genres you only read during certain times?

Elizabeth King Humphrey, a writer and editor in North Carolina, is celebrating the publication of her Idiot's Guide: Gluten-Free Eating. She wishes all The Muffin readers a Happy New Year filled with lots of written words!

Read More »

3 comments beginning writers, book editing, editing fiction, Elizabeth King Humphrey, writing expertise

I Want to Be a Writer...I Think

A friend passed along a contact who needed some editing. As I've been putting the word out that I am taking on more editing projects, I was excited to get started with a new client.
The initial conversations, as you would expect with a new client, were a tad long. I was happy to explain some of the ins and outs of publishing. The author of the piece wasn't quite sure what she needed, but she was sure it was a book that every publisher would want. All she knew was that someone had told her that she needed to get it published. She'd never thought much about wanting to be a writer. She had just sat down to write one day. To tell a story, she said to me.
Ah, I wish it were so easy. Write it and they will come. But it is not so fast or convenient for most writers.
The story was about a controversial subject, pushing an agenda. Once I saw the piece, it was clear that the writer needed to expand her story into a novel (or novella) or shorten it to make it marketable as a short story.
She wasn't willing to make those changes. She wasn't convinced.
All she wanted was her work published. Although I didn't feel I was being discouraging; I like to think I'm more of a realist. I happily would have worked to expand the story or help to shorten it into a short story and determine the market she could approach to place the short story. Or to help develop more substance outside of the controversial subject matter. But she wasn't willing to take those paths. After discussing some of the costs associated with the different packages I offer, we amicably parted ways.
My almost-client had wanted to see her words in print, that is all she knew. She wanted a book, even if (according to the publishing world definitions) she only had the beginnings of a book.
The same week, I heard Patti Smith's acceptance of her National Book Award. I wished my almost-client had been with me. I could have used the awards as a starting point to discuss the amount of work involved in getting a book published. The hard work spent toiling in the draft stages. The tireless hours many writers spend at the keyboard putting in, taking out, nipping and tucking. The constant eye on finding an agent or publishing markets.
During one of our conversations, she seemed amazed at what she would need to do to get her piece published by a traditional publisher.
She had written the story that was the end of that. She had wanted me to check her spelling and punctuation. Then she was positive someone would publish her work.
After all, to her, it was a great story.
In the end, she planned to print it from her computer, bring it to a copy center for copies and then distribute it, hopefully making some money to offset the cost of the copies.
Then she would have her book. And I wish her the best.

Elizabeth King Humphrey is a writer and editor, who lives in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Read More »

2 comments beginning writers, Elizabeth King Humphrey, getting published

East Coast Oomph

An enchanted traveler tickled my toes early on. I lived my first dozen years on the east coast, my second dozen in various cities on the west, and my third dozen-plus throughout other regions of the U.S.. (No, I’m not running from the law; I lack a crafty alias.)

My memory’s kaleidoscope rotates every place I've lived and, with age, embellishes certain cities more than others, shifting them into more vibrantly colored patterns, while dislocating others into shadow zones. Still others stay fixed in nostalgic wedges, neither colorful nor shaded, simply part of my distant past. The east coast nestles among my nostalgic ones.

The east coast always buzzes with energy and vivacious people; it houses major publishing houses as well as myriad small presses and others in between. New York, specifically, never sleeps. As our previous Blog reveals, The Big Apple hosts the Book Expo America at the end of this week.

In honor of my east coast heritage, aspiring writers, and a compassionate east coast editor, Jenine Killoran, I’m posting a workshop for Long Islanders or anyone traveling to the area soon. Although many of our readers can’t be in the area, you can check out Jenine's website, www.scbeginnings.com. You might find something you’ve been searching for, especially if you’re a new writer in need of a perk!

BEGINNINGS PUBLISHING, INC.
PRESENTS A FOUR WEEK FICTION WRITING WORKSHOP
$125.00 TWO HOUR CLASSES includes one year subscription to Beginnings Publishing, Inc.

"The magazine for the novice writer since 1999"

Bayport area, Date to be announced. Please call or write for details!

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you."
-Maya Angelou

Jenine Killoran is the editor and publisher of Beginnings Publishing, a Writer's Digest award winning literary journal. Her fiction has been published numerous times in small presses, anthologies, and online writing sites. She has taught writing classes in many of the libraries here on Long Island, but her first love is her magazine, Beginnings, where she discovers and publishes new and talented writers three times a year.

jenineb@optonline.net
631-868-0120

Read More »

1 comment beginning writers, New York writers workshops