Don’t Try to Do It All

 

Are you trying to do it all?

Not long ago, Ann Kathryn Kelly shared an article with the rest of our accountability group. We oohed and aahed and that isn’t surprising. “Lived In and Loved: Unique Design Concepts Driven by Art and Psychology” in the March 2024 issue of Portsmouth City Lifestyle has it all. In addition to Ann’s byline and powerful prose, it is full of gorgeous photos. I just want to crawl inside and explore! 

But I’m not going there. Obviously, I can’t literally crawl inside the photos but I’m not going to try to follow Ann’s steps and write a piece for a posh city lifestyles magazine either. As much as I love going to open houses and drooling over photos like these, for the most part I cannot write about home décor. Words escape me. 

It may be that I simply don’t know enough. Perhaps if I studied decorating, I could write these kinds of pieces. But that’s okay. Ann, I’m gifting them to you. You do this type of writing so well! I just don’t have the fire to do justice to these types of projects. 

And that’s one clue whether a writing project is something you should pursue. If you are passionate about it, go for it! 

I recently puzzled through how the Apollo lunar lander, command module and rocket worked together. I really needed to know how the lunar lander survived the journey, perched as it is below the nozzle exit cone for the command module. Yeah, I care enough to make sure that it is actually called a nozzle exit cone. 

But decorating terminology? I know the correct terms for paint finishes and that’s about it. It is simply not one of my passions. 

The reality of writing is that there are dozens if not hundreds of different things that you can write. Are you interested in fiction? Do you want to write for adults or young readers? Romance? Romantasy? Cozy mysteries? Or perhaps you’re into speculative fiction? Or maybe you prefer to write nonfiction. Again, you could write for adults and/or young readers. There are how-to pieces as well as science, gardening, lifestyle, and a whole lot more. 

Every type of writing that you do is going to have a learning curve. You will have to learn the appropriate jargon and the expectations that go along with that type of writing. You’ll have to familiarize yourself with your audience and the market. That sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it? 

A lot of effort goes into writing well. And none of us has the energy or the will to do it all. 

If you want to try something new, sign up for a WOW class. Tomorrow is Renee Roberson’s video course, Introduction to True Crime Writing. I’ve signed up although I’m going to have to catch the replay. My thought is that I may be able to use this to improve my mysteries. Who knows? I may discover a new passion. 

Check out WOW’s list of courses and workshops. There’s sure to be something, perhaps travel writing, Chicken soup essays, or my own nonfiction, that piques your interest. But don’t be surprised when you look at some of the courses and think, “Nah, that’s just not for me.” 

None of us has to do it all. 

--SueBE

Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of 50 books for young readers.  

• To find out more about her writing, visit her site and blog, One Writer's Journey.  
• Click here to find her newsletter.

She is also the instructor for 3 WOW classes which begin again on  March 4, 2024. 
She teaches:

• Pitching, Querying and Submitting Your Work 
• Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults 
• Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults 

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9 comments classes, trying new things, workshops

Classes, Workshops and Webinars: Which Is Right for You?

Last week one of my writing buddies emailed me. Progress on her project had stalled but she found an online writing course. She wasn’t familiar with the instructor, a fellow children’s writer, and wanted my opinion. Would this class be a good way to move her writing forward? 

There are so many classes, workshops, and webinars available. But not every event is created equally, and even the good ones may not be right for you and what you write. Here are the things she and I examined so that she could make an informed decision. 

Is it a class, a workshop, or a webinar? 

Sadly, not everyone uses these terms in the same way. Any one of the three can be interactive, can take place over multiple sessions, and can include feedback from the class and the instructor. To be sure the event offers what you want, read the description. A single session on plot and structure may not give you what you need if your goal is to figure out how to make it through the muddled middle of your novel. On the other hand, if you need a quick review on setting, a single session may be all you need.

Is the event a good match for what you write? 

This is especially important if you write for young readers or if you write genre fiction. My friend is working on an early reader. These books are for new readers who are not yet confident in their abilities. These books are short with no subplots and relatively simple sentences. Writing them requires a very specific skill set. 

A class on novel writing probably would not be a good fit. Cozy mysteries, magical realism, and alternate histories all have very specific conventions. You need to learn from someone who knows how these types of writing work. 

Is the instructor the best person for the job? 

When I want to learn about writing, I turn to writers. When I want to learn about self-editing, I may very well select an editor. But I’m also going to check out the person’s experience. Some people are better salespeople than they are publishing professionals. I don’t want to be stuck with someone who has no experience, but talked their way into a position as an instructor. Google is your friend. 

Who sponsors the event? 

I’ve signed up for some truly awful events. There was the one where the person’s microphone cut out intermittently. Offered through a known entity, it was recorded, and everyone got a link.  Another event included the speaker's bird pacing the desk and shrieking.  It might have been funny but I had signed up to test out the organization since I had been invited to teach for them.  

My writing friend didn’t sign up for the class she had found. It wasn’t a good match for her writing, and it wasn’t offered through a known entity. Instead, I helped her find a how-to book about writing chapter books and recommended a top notch editor who I know. 

Not every opportunity is right for every writer. Before you sign up, make sure the one you’ve found it a good match for you. 

--SueBE

Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of over 30 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 July 10, 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 July 10, 2022) and Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins July 10, 2022). 

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4 comments choosing the right class, Sue Bradford Edwards, Webinars, workshops, writing classes

Scheduling Success

In just a week or so, I’ll be attending my regional SCBWI conference. I like to think of it as scheduling success. Every time I sign on for a writer’s conference, workshop, retreat, or class, whether it’s in person or online, I’m moving forward.

So how about you? Are you scheduling success? And more importantly, have you put any of your cold, hard-earned cash into the venture? Because here’s the bottom line: when we invest in our writing, in ourselves, we mean business. Once we throw down the money, we go from a hobby writer with nothing on the line to a serious writer, with stakes involved.

But Cathy, you say, that’s fine for you; you write for children. The children’s writing world is bursting with opportunities all over the place. I write for adults.

Great! Check out RomanceWriters of America. And before you say forget it, Cathy, I don’t write romance, take a look at the kinds of classes and workshops that RWA offers. You want to go in-depth on plotting, historical research, marketing? Novels vs. novellas? Traditional vs. hybrid publishing? Bet you’ll find that information and more.

Oh, wait. There’s someone with a niche specialty. A gal in the back, with her hand up. “Cathy, that’s just swell, but I only write flash fiction.” And thanks to the wonder of the web, you can find just about any specialty. Just like I found this swell Flash Fiction Festival over in Bath. (That’s in the United Kingdom, but honestly, I’ve written many flash fiction pieces whilst in the bath. Coincidence? I think not.)

And now, a few tips before you fill up your schedule and press the Submit Now button.

·        Ask friends for recommendations. I wish I could say that any writer’s conference, workshop, retreat, or class will be worth it. But that is sadly not true. All are not created equal, so become an ace investigator and get reviews from people in the know. If you don’t have writer friends to ask, search for online reviews. And keep in mind that old adage about getting what you pay for.

·        Set realistic expectations. It’s realistic to expect progress in your writing, even if it’s a small step forward. It’s not so realistic to expect that an editor will buy your manuscript on the spot. So choose what will help you achieve your ultimate goal, but understand that the endgame could take a while.

·        Enjoy the journey. Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in the pursuit of a goal that we miss the little joys along the way. And I get it; you’ve spent a lot of money and you’re working, working, working! But take time to meet people, whether online or in person. Share the ups and downs, and make connections. Celebrate any progress; reward yourself when you complete that class or get up the courage to have a professional manuscript critique! It can be a long, challenging journey but it doesn’t have to be miserable.

So crack open the budget and pull out your calendars! What’s on your success schedule this year?

Cathy C. Hall is a kidlit author and humor writer and if you're going to be at the SCBWI conference in Birmingham on March 10th, come say hello! She also presents at conferences, so if you need someone witty on writing, contact her soon.  She's not free, but she is reasonable. Unless it's a full moon. Or Tuesday. (Or come visit Cathy at her blog where she's witty on writing for free.)

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7 comments Cathy C. Hall, online classes, RWA, SCBWI, scheduling success, workshops, writers' conferences, writers' retreat

School's Out, But Not For You

Do you belong to a professional writing organization? One of the big international ones, like SCBWI or RWA, or maybe even a regional or state writers’ group? If you haven’t signed up, then here’s what needs to go on the top of your Summer Vacation Things To Do list: join a professional writing organization. Because that not only sends a message to other writers that you’re serious, but it sends YOU the message. And then sharpen your pencils, because the lessons are just starting.


TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION OFFERS

I am always amazed when I don’t have to beat people back with a stick at any writing event. Most organizations will host a conference and many groups will host several smaller workshops as well, and yet, these events are often under-attended.

Granted, a conference can be expensive. But the dividends will more than pay your costs. And workshops? These are often offered at a nominal fee or even free. FREE! I have to have a pretty darn good reason to pass up a free writing workshop. Like raging dysentery. And even with dysentery, I might just stuff an extra roll of paper in my purse and go. To the workshop, I mean. Because I paid my dues and I like to get my money’s worth.

So how do you get your money’s worth? On to the next lesson…


STRETCH YOUR COMFORT LEVEL

Yes, I know. You’re a writer, not a mixer. But I’m going to tell you a secret: you never know when you might meet someone who could end up being the best writing thing that ever happened to you.

I don’t mean that you’ll sit down next to Neil Gaiman at a book-signing and the next thing you know, you’re lifelong best buds. (If that worked, Neil and I would be texting right now.) What I do mean is that you might find yourself chatting with someone who’s looking for a critique partner in just the genre you write, or you might meet an experienced writer who graciously offers to be a beta reader for you. Or maybe you’ll find someone to sit next to at the next conference. The opportunities are endless, but you must put yourself out there.

Be friendly. Smile. Bring a business card and share it. You never know where your stretch may lead.


LISTEN AND LEARN

If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. Trust me, there is always something to learn, so listen up even when you think you know it all. Then take that nugget (or reams of nuggets) home and watch how you and your writing grow.

School’s never out when it comes to writing, but it’s up to you to learn your lessons!

Cathy C. Hall is a kidlit author and humor writer. She's a member of SCBWI Southern Breeze, and you'll find her pretty much when the doors open at any of her region's events! Come say hello!

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4 comments Cathy C. Hall, conferences, networking, workshops, writing lessons

When The Universe Speaks

Sometimes, I think the universe is trying to tell me something.

A few days ago, in a conversation with a nurse tech, she mentioned that she’d “always wanted to act, to be on the stage.” She hadn’t pursued it, though, because she needed a serious profession, a stable job. I asked her how old she was—which wasn’t rude because she was clearly very young—and she said, “Twenty-three.”

Twenty-three! “But you live in the metro Atlanta area!” I said. “There are countless opportunities to get involved in the theater. You can be an actor, if you really want it.”

On Sunday, I watched the news about Orlando and thought of all those twenty-three-year olds who had plans and dreams and desires and in an instant, all that was gone. But then on Sunday evening, I watched the Tony awards. In the midst of all the sadness and tragedy, there was still celebration, joy, and hope. The stage was crowded with young and old alike, fulfilling their dreams.

And I sat in my chair, watching and thinking about a musical I’d written years ago. I didn’t finish it for many reasons. But perhaps the main reason was the mindset similar to that young nurse; that I didn’t have time for a frivolous dream like that.

The more I thought of how precious every day is, every hour, every minute, the more I thought about that musical. I love musicals and this one happens to be about a favorite theme of mine, baseball. (Remember how I mentioned that baseball is my heart? Yep, it showed up even in my musical!) And before the winner of best musical was announced, I’d jotted down three steps to fulfillment:

1. Define the dream/goal/desire. The more specific, the better. Write it down. Put it on a mirror or a bulletin board or post-it notes. Just make sure that the dream is out there, that it can’t be ignored.

2. Do the homework. What skills and/or education are necessary to accomplish the dream? Classes? Workshops? Conferences? Professional organizations? (When it comes to support in the writing field, there are more resources available than you can shake a stick at!)

3. Start. Sure, it sounds trite, but it’s often true. The only thing stopping me is starting.

I know this sounds like more of a January rather than June post. But like I said, sometimes, the universe seems to be trying to tell me something. And I wondered if maybe the universe might be trying to tell you something, too.

Now it just comes down to listening.

~Cathy C. Hall

Image courtesy of Pixabay

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1 comment Cathy C. Hall, conferences, goals, Inspiration, workshops

What Successful Writers Do (Besides Writing)

The guy at the bank and I were discussing my business account when I said, “I’m my business. I’m a writer.”

He immediately leaned forward in his chair, eager to hear more. What do I write? Have I been published? Would he know any of the publications? People are often excited to meet a real live writer. I’m not sure why. Writing’s not that exotic, as jobs go. I mean, I love my job but some days, yeah, it can be a grind just like any other job.

And then the bank guy pulled up my account. I could see his keen interest suddenly turn to surprise, and I was pretty sure I knew why. People think writers make a ton of money. I’m not sure why about that, either. I mean, sure, Stephen King, J. K. Rowling, those superstar writers do make a ton of money. But most of us? Not so much.

At least, not from writing. But the bad news for writers is good news for wannabe writers. Namely, writers often want or need to supplement their income. And so they look for other ways to bring in the bucks. Like teaching.

Oh. My. Word. There are so many gifted writers out there who work as instructors in just about any field of writing you can imagine. Here at WOW!, you can find all kinds of classes, offered from all kinds of professionals. But we’re not the only ones offering courses so if you don’t find what you’re looking for here, just take a spin around the web. You’ll find more writing courses than you can shake a pen at!

And you know what else all those excellent writers are doing? They’re mentoring. There was a time when mentoring was something a writer was just lucky enough to find from an older and wiser writer who offered a helping hand. Now, chances are good that you can find a mentor who’ll happily take you on if your writing’s at a certain level—and you’re willing to pay a fee.

Search professional writing organizations for mentorship programs, or search by genre. You can even search plain, old "Writing mentorships."Thanks to the wonders of technology, mentoring doesn’t require face-to-face meet-ups. But make sure that you thoroughly vet a mentor’s credentials before you sign the dotted line and send money.

Oh! And don’t forget workshops! Many successful writers organize workshops, retreats, or conferences. You can get a ton of instruction in just a couple hours or a couple days, and you can meet like-minded writers, sharing a similar journey. Make new friends or even critique partners! (Or maybe find a mentor?)

Yep, the world is teeming with talented writers who offer lots more than just their latest books. And they offer their talents in a way that’s sure to meet any budget. There’s just no excuse for a wannabe writer not to take advantage of some of the best brains in the writing business. And then one day, you, too, can visit the bank and impress the heck out of someone.

Well, until that someone sees your bank account.

~Cathy C. Hall

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5 comments Cathy C. Hall, J.K. Rowling, mentorship programs, Stephen King, workshops, writing classes

Friday Speak Out!: Writing with Others, guest post by Priscilla Whitley

The Writer’s Workshop I facilitate began in the twilight of late summer and concluded its season in the windy cold of winter. Six women, all with their own agendas, their own goals, came together each week—thoughtfully, and with extreme humor—lifting each other to places it had never occurred to them they would go. At least, not in the beginning . . .

Joining a workshop can offer a safe and supportive environment for your voice to be heard. Sharing your work with others in an enthusiastic, encouraging setting allows the freedom to explore your writing while improving your craft. No matter whether you’re an emerging writer or one who has been published, the right workshop will engage you in the thrill of expression.

Our group, now in its third year, started tentatively and with the upmost politeness, for critiquing is a learned art. They began with how a particular sentence invoked an image or “what an interesting story,”; we all like to hear that. But soon, very soon, I saw them yearning to yell out, “Tell me what you really think. Give it to me, I can take it.” First one, then another began to point out a confusion in the storyline, or how that snippet of dialogue didn’t move the plot along. They began commenting on having a stronger lead, heightening the arc, and were able to say, “Let’s hear how you really feel. I think you’re trying to be too nice.”

Sitting in my den with cups of tea, some curled up on the sofa, others cross-legged on the floor, we got to know each other through our writing in ways only true intimates can. We wrote of worries for our children, the confusions of growing older, and the hardships of childhood. The fiction sometimes took us to the dark place that was not outwardly visible on the author’s lovely face. Other times, a long-hidden secret was revealed in a hilarious or harrowing encounter. Gradually, we found our voices and discovered the benefits of critiquing, how helping others turned us into better writers.

Finding the right workshop can be like finding the right doctor. What’s good for one is not necessarily right for another. Prospective members should meet with the facilitator and hear them carefully explain their rules on both commenting and the responses to the comments. It’s important to keep in mind that in a Writer’s Workshop it’s up to the facilitator to keep the focus on the writing, not on the situation being written about. That belongs to the writer.

The individuality that expresses itself in writing is a constant amazement to me. Offered with kindness, a comment may only take a minute, even a few seconds, to impart a positive change. I saw it take place every night in our group and it always makes me want to come back for more.

* * *

Priscilla Whitley has been a writer most of her life. She attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism as well as Fordham University where she majored in Creative Writing. She has been an on-going contributing feature writer for Hersam/Acorn Press. In 2012 her memoir, August on the Porch, placed first in the Westport CT Arts Center Memoir Contest. As facilitator of the Candlewood Writer’s Group, Priscilla runs workshops for writer’s in Fairfield County Connecticut. Her website is http://priscillawhitley.wordpress.com

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 Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!
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5 comments Friday Speak Out, Priscilla Whitley, workshops, writers groups, writing with others

Hocus-Pocus Focus

Focus is like hocus-pocus. The day disappears before our very eyes. Hocus-pocus and other such charms were words said as a distraction technique ('busying the senses'). 

Writers perform hocus-pocus. Procrastination, not having the desire to write or no time to write are three things that cause focus lost. The goal is fuzzy, like looking through an out of focus camera lens. Make adjustments to bring goals back into focus. Stop busying your senses.

Procrastination (Things not to do)

1. Check Facebook every three minutes
2. Play a quick game (or ten) of Bejeweled or Solitaire.
3. Watch TV.
4. Count the snowflakes/raindrops/stars.
5. Take your third bath of the day.

No Desire to Write

1. Join a critique group.
2. Analyze someone else’s work.
3. Read a novel.
4. Try a new genre
5. Use a notebook and pen for a change

No Time to Write

1. Keep a journal of where you spend your time.
2. Turn off phone.
3. Don't connect to the internet.
4. Write in smaller blocks of time.
5. Make the writing project easy to access.

Anastasia Pryanikova says procrastination can be productive. Use procrastination to organize your thoughts and assess a situation objectively, to create a time-management system for your future actions, to motivate yourself for success, and to create a mind map of your project. To find out more about productive procrastination go to the Five Ways To Procrastinate With Purpose.

 If a writer has the desire to be successful and prolific, a clear focus on writing needs to be a priority. Another way to stay focused and motivated is to take classes, workshops or work through a writing workbook. Find writing exercises and different ways to hone your skills. Work on more than one project at a time. Momentum plays a big role in writing; start it flowing and keep it flowing. Don't let hocus-pocus slip into your writing life. 

Source:

Photo http://www.answers.com/topic/lens-vision

Cartoon http://101excusesnottowrite.blogspot.com/

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4 comments Cher'ley Grogg, classes, creative, critique, focus, goals, Hocus-pocus, purpose, workshops