Writers Unbound

I got the Thursday Thirteen idea from my fellow 451 blogger “JM” at the Book Stacks and Write Anyway… or perhaps Thursday Thirteen is a common blogging thing… I don’t know for sure! Either way, on to my Thursday Thirteen!

Thirteen Writing Prompts For a First Person POV

1. You live one house down from railroad tracks, and…
2. Your a MySpace addict, even though you’re 46.
3. You meet the man of your dreams and find out he’s 15 years younger than you.
4. Every night you write a novel in your head, and every morning you’ve forgotten everything about it.
5. You go to Atlanta for a writing conference, and discover such freedom from your responsibilities that you…
6. Your family pet slowly turns from black to white over the course of one week, and…
7. You meet your childhood best friend on a listserv. You’re delighted, but she doesn’t remember you.
8. You’re running late. You decide to take your children to school in your pajamas. Surely you’ll have no reason to get out of the car, right?
9. You’re 39 with a happy family and two children. You find out you are quite accidentally pregnant. You…
10. With a sudden windfall of cash, you finally get that facelift you’ve always wanted. You’re astounded when your friends react by . . .
11. You realize you’re neighbor has been spying on you. You decide to get them back by. . .
12. You’re daughter develops a special bond with an elderly neighbor. One day she passes on, and. . .
13. Your son decides to join the military upon graduation. You’re a pacifist…

I’ve got away from my life goal lately, which is to leave the world a better place than I found it. Some may say I’ve got pretty far away, and I’d have to concur.

The reason (excuse?) for this is that my writing business is booming, and I simply am treading water one day to the next. So, over the past weekend, I began to brainstorm ideas to combine my two worlds, and this is what I’ve come up with:

• Query articles that help the world. Examples would be travel articles that have a humanitarian slant, education-based articles aimed at segments of the population who may need some help in navigating the system, or inspirational articles such as first-generation college grads.
• Copywrite for humanitarian organizations. Everyone needs copy!
• Offer pro bono grant writing once or twice per year to targeted agencies.
• Start a blog to keep your humanitarian goals accounted for.

I’ve done a couple items on this list, and have written others into my 2008 goals.

By the way, as far as grant writing goes, the ladies at Freelance Parent wrote an exceptionally informative series on it last week.

Good luck and feel free to leave YOUR thoughts on writing and the world.

Do you get writer’s burn out? I guess I get mini-burnout- it’s usually solved by a short weekend. But I’ve read some tales of big time writer’s burn out, and I never want to go there. Here’s a round up of some ideas I found when researching writer’s burn out.

Errant Dreams has a particularly long list, including taking the requisite vacation, journaling and reading. I especially agree with the reading part- that always inspires me!

One of Mar Com Writer’s suggestions particularly hit me: Write in a different genre. I can see that. I recently switched my blogging jobs all to one day. By the end of that day I am so so tired of blogging!

The Urban Muse suggests a hard time to turn off the computer. (Wow, that sounds like a fantasty to me as I drip my week’s posts at 7 o’clock on a Sunday~~!) 

I am open to YOUR suggestions on burnout, although we do have a “comment eating monster” we’re working on here at 451. So, please, feel free to email me gwpublications at gmail dot com and I’ll take care of your comment myself!

I’m with you on this one. Seems I only get through one or two books per year, usually over Christmas Break or on a plane somewhere.

However, this year, I just got tired of it, and one of my resolutions was to fix it. This is what I did.

1) Begin with outlining what challenges you, i.e. Why is this so difficult?

Me: Time, too many books, and too many books half-read.

2) Brainstorm the challenges one by one. Figure out which is the biggest challenge. 

Me: It wasn’t really about Time. In reality, I always try to pick up a book or magazine at the end of the night. If my computer is backing up or taking time to upload, I try to pick up a work-related book to kill the time. So the other two challenges were the real issues. Really, it came down to not knowing which book to pick up, and/or where that particular book was.

3) Solve the big one. Solving the biggest challenge will in and of itself help the others along. Therefore, put your effort into this specific one first and foremost.

Me: It was all about organization and location. So, I cleared a shelf and designated it as mine. No one else’s books can go on this shelf. Then, I resolved to read one book at a time! No more half read books lying about the house.

I placed the books in order that I want to read them on the shelf and voila! a book is always right out front, easy to find, and ready to go at the end of the night.

As writers we all like to read, right? But let’s remind ourselves that it is absolutely vital that we hone our craft by picking up others writing. Let’s make a commitment to training ourselves in this way.

So, what’s your #1 reading challenge? 

Sorry readers, we’re going to have to go with short n sweet today…

I have a sick cat that needs to go to the vet ASAP, an overdue project, a plumber coming out to possibly replace our water heater, and a potential client meeting this afternoon. How crazy is that? How much work do you think I’ll get done today? Who wants to see me cry?

What’s keeping you from writing? Just know that you are not alone!

My novel is …crazy. It really is. It has the first chapter. And of course, that first chapter is near perfection. Then it has this medium sized middle. The problem is, the middle is allll out of order. And then I just wrote the end!

Now, I’m sure you can tell by the general subject matter of WritersUnbound that I tend to know the freelancing side of things better. Sigh. ‘Tis true. I work for a regional publication, and I freelance mostly as a biz-tech writer. So, these things I know. However, how do you learn something more? By doing it, of course!

But that doesn’t mean that I don’t need some direction in the midst of this rough draft. Here are the sources I turn to when things get all crazy. Like this morning.

• How To Write Your Novel in 100 Days: Ok, don’t write it off because of the average title. This is not an average article, course or post. This is pure inspiration. Written from the POV of a Peace Corps worker reaching out to other Corps volunteers with a tale to tell, this is as simple as three paragraphs a day to read with one short TO DO. It really works. If you are really serious about writing your novel, you must at least read the story about Sinclair Lewis on the front page. 
• About.com Guide To Fiction Writing. Yes, I work at About.com, and yes, that’s how I found this page- but this is not a personal plug! This page and the writer have some excellent tips and ideas, in addition to a great forum.
• How To Write Your Novel and Still Have Time For Sex. Really, do I need to say more? You know you’re going to click on this!

Happy “novelling”!

novels, write your book, goals

I hate the stereotype of the frustrated newbie author: book sitting half finished on the computer while he slaves away at writing that pays the bills (or the cube farm job that pays the bills, or raising the children while the other parent pays the bills…you get the idea). I think I hate the stereotype because sometimes it’s me…well, except I’m a female.

I have written my book in fits and starts. The chapters are all out of order and discombobulated. The majority of it was written longhand in the mountains of Mexico, or on the plane on the way home, because 1) I was inspired and 2) I was on vacation.

But as soon as I got home, the book sat. And sat. And still it sits.

I’m not even particularly worried about selling or publishing my book. I will be happy just to get the damn thing out of my head (and off my hard drive, and out of my notebooks, and off the ‘memo’ screen of my Blackberry…you see where this is going?)

I am going to finish this book in 2008, dammit. If you’re in this boat with me, here’s some resources and inspiration:

• Walter Mosley (whom I looove) on NPR.
• Advice from Peace Corps Writers (two of my favorite people: peace corps workers and writers combined into one!)
• Do you get the Worldwide Freelance Writer newsletter? They had this link about a young girl who has already written two published books. (I would just like to point out that this girl doesn’t have a job or children to support….I’m KIDDING! )

As always, I wish us all success!

novel, walter mosley, author

Everyone’s talking about goal planning, and I had to get on board when I was invited to post my goals on Writing-Goals. I dashed off a set of 4-5 for that posting, but I’ve been thinking much deeper, and came up with a more comprehensive list for 2008.

My advice is to have a sounding board. My husband, of course, has a personal stake in seeing my writing business thrive. Luckily, he has a head for business, a business degree, and works in finance. However, a fellow writer or independent business person will do just as well.

Secondly, I feel that just listing abstract goals isn’t enough. I’ve broken my goals into ways to achieve them- step by step.

I also wonder about having date ranges for these goals. This will keep you on track in general. However, for me personally, I’m worried about my Masters program starting in the Fall of 2008. I’ve taken some of the classes in the past and I know how they can suck you dry. I’ll want to have the majority of my goals done before August.

Last, I feel that you have to be willing to bend. Let’s say, for example, that you suddenly sell your first novel. There’s a lot of work involved in getting that draft onto the shelves. I assume it will change your entire life and direction. There would be no shame involved in letting some of your goals go in order to focus on The Great American Novel. ;}

 Feel free to post your goals or your tips for creating goals in the comments.

Thank you kindly to those who followed our markets series that wrapped up yesterday. 

Moving on, I am currently reviewing “The Anti 9-5″ for my freelance writing site at About.com. It’s about leaving behind the cubicle farm for the “freedom” of freelancing.” Haha. While I adore the book, I do have a shot of reality I’d like to share!

For all those considering freelancing as a career, hoping for some of that “freedom,” I’ve decided to share with you a rundown of a day in the life of a full time freelancer:

• 7:30 Up and out the door. Since we’re down to one car for the next couple days, I have become the official chauffeur. Drop off child #1, drop off husband, drop off child #2.
• 9:00 Stop at Office Max and pick up ink for the printer that decided to suddenly die with no warning at 11:30 last night.
• 9:30 Back home. Let dog out, feed cats, print grad school applications and etc to get into the mail by 10a. Yeah, um, the deadline is Friday.
• 10 Time to “start work,” although I’m not sure what that means I’ve been doing since 7:30.
• 10 to 12 Work on editorial management of regional magazine. I have a meeting today at 4:30 with the magazine’s publisher. I showed up at the last meeting with not enough done, and the guy’s flying to Guatemala for a month on Thursday! Needless to say, he’s a bit antsy about the issue’s MLK print date.

So, this two hours of work consists of: managing his magazine, managing my email and other projects who are poking me for attention, researching for a subject interview for this afternoon, and researching for a client call also coming up this afternoon. In addition, I haven’t done any subject interview for over a year, so I have to cough up my recording equipment and digital camera.

• 12:30 Shower and prep for the interview
• 1:40 Leave
• 2:00 Realize I forgot my laptop, which I need for my 4:30 meeting with my publisher. Crap.
• 2:10 Arrive at interview. Early. Hoping he will be ready. Early.
• 2:40 Subject arrives…late.
• 3:10 I should leave the interview right now. We arranged a half hour, which should be enough for a half a page with the research already done and a stock bio covering the first paragraph.
• 3:15 Ok, I really should leave now.
• 3:30 Finally leave. Call my daughter’s school and let them know I am on my way to pick her up.
• 3:45 Pick kid up, 15 minutes late.
• 3:50 Coach kid not to make a peep during 4 pm phone interview.
• 4:00 Potential client calls. Did I mention I’m still in the car?
• 4:10 Arrive home, gather laptop, get back in car to head to next appointment. Yup, still on the phone interview with client.
• 4:30 Pick up hubby. Still on the phone interview. Yes, we still only have one car. But at least now he can drive while I talk.
• 4:34 Phone interview over.
• 4:35 Dropped off at meeting with publisher at local internet cafe.
• 5:15 Publisher has family emergency. Is called away. I eat dinner alone while waiting for my family to pick me up. They are finishing up their dinner down the street.
•  5:30-8 Family time.
• 8: Children to bed, back to work.
• 9: Conference call with About.com’s fellow channel guides.
• 10-11: Back to work (typing this post, among other things.)

A time breakdown:

1. 4 hours family time
2.  7.5 hours work time
3. 3 hours ”other”- shower, travel time, pets

;-} So that’s my life…not that I’m complaining! Hope I’ve infused some reality into your view. Best of luck!

Directly before the passing of acclaimed novelist and journalist Norman Mailer, I happened upon an article about him in Playboy’s current magazine. (I won’t say WHERE I happened upon this, but needless to say, it wasn’t at the library or anything!)

Anyway, it’s honestly a really prolific article/interview and I’m glad I got to read it. Mailer’s death wasn’t entirely surprising, according to the blogosphere, but it’s still a blow for writers and readers everywhere.

Meanwhile, I am anticipating the movie release of my NUMBER ONE FAVORITE BOOK of ALL TIME by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Love in the Time of Cholera, due out this weekend.

I’ve heard that fans of the book will be a wee bit disappointed by the movie, but I’m just happy to relive one of my favorite stories of all time, good movie or bad. I have been looking forward to it for quite a while.

If I can pattern my fiction writing after one novelist, it would be Marquez. He captures setting like no one else. In fact, I haven’t read Cholera in almost two years.

The last time I read it was in the summer of 2005, while in the mountains of Mexico, and while I cannot even begin to tell you much about the characters, I could probably describe the town/setting in intricate detail. It’s his ability to capture place as a writer that has always pulled at me. If only I could do the same. It’s really place, not people, who seem to inspire my own writing.

How about you? What is it that inspires/inspired your novel?

Will you be seeing Cholera with me this weekend?

Any thoughts on Mailer’s passing?

Norman Mailer, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Gabo, Love in the Time of Cholera