Interview or other, Instalment #2

A few posts back, I spoke about, blog interviews. There are so many blogs and so many bloggers doing interviews. Because of this, I decided to look for another way of interviewing people. I think I have found it.

So, all I will say at the moment is watch this space. I will soon have my first "interview" up. And, when I post the first one I hope to get some feedback from you so I'll know if it works.

Also regarding interviews, is there a question you want to ask me? If there is something you want to know, please ask. All questions will be answered (provided they are not of a too personal nature).

I look forward to posting more interviews and other writing related information.

Writing and Critiques

There is so much more to writing than just putting words on paper or the computer screen. Just writing will not necessarily get us published. There is a small matter called editing, or to some revising.

We all want our story to stand out from the rest. We all want that "wow" factor. We all want that letter or e-mail of acceptance for that baby that we have slaved so hard to put out there.

So, one way that we can iron out some of those flaws that like to creep into our work, is to join a critique group. Yes, we are sharing that hard work with other people. But while they are reading, they are finding all those little faults that we have more likely than not overlooked.

That fresh pair of eyes, or should I say, those fresh pairs of eyes, are a godsend. And, if we can put our feelings about our story to one side, and reflect on the comments that others have made about our story, we are bound to have a better story than before they read it.

Writing is a lonely business. How often can we go to our family and friends for constructive, helpful and positive comment. In my case, the comment is generally the same, "Oh,it's okay".

Yeah, right, its okay. But can I improve it? Did I spell something wrong? Is my punctuation correct? Questions, Questions!

I write what comes to mind, and feel that I don't really have a specific genre to put my writing into. I suppose you could say I lean more towards adventure, but then I feel I don't want to be stuck in one genre. I want to go with my heart, my feelings.

So, with this in mind, I find that open genre critique groups are few and far between. And, if this is the case, I stand little chance of getting into a critique group.

So there was a solution to this. Yes, you got it. Start a group of my own. This group is very much in the early stages, but I hope that what I picture for the group will take me and the members that join to new heights. I hope that we will all take the comments made and use them to make our work even better.

In 24 hours, I have a membership of 7, including myself. I am hoping that more people will join, and we can have a multi genre, helpful, constructive, friendly community of writers whose main ambitions are to help others to get their work published, and through other peoples help, get our own work published.

New members are welcome. Groups sizes are four to six. The first group is already established, and I hope to see the group critiquing early in the New Year.

So if you are looking for a critique group, keeping in mind that this is a group for Children's literature, please consider my group. You are not obliged to join, but would be most welcome if you decide it is for you.

I have a web site for the group which can be found at http://critiquecafe.ning.com

Take a look. You need to be a member to see the forums, but the places you can get into will give you an idea if its for you. I look forward to your membership if you join.

Until next time, happy writing.

This business called Writing

One thing I've noticed since I've been on the Writing boards is the passion everyone has for writing. Whether we are amongst the lucky ones who get plenty of time to write, or amongst those of us who have to catch a few minutes here and there, we all have the same goal. To write.

We all have our favorite subjects, well I write whatever comes to mind. We have our favorite age groups. Umm, again I write for any age group. I don't know if this is a problem, I just don't want to restrict myself to something I don't necessarily want to do.

But the one problem that I think many writers have is loneliness. Writing is a lonely business. Yes, we can get ideas from other people, we can find someone to type up our story, if we so choose. We can get others to read our master piece. Yet, at the end of the day, it is ours, and we have to put our stamp on it. That means taking that time to put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard. Most of all, we need to concentrate and get the best story we can from that idea that came to us in the middle of the night as the house was still.

The upside of that loneliness is the end result. Once we've put those words on paper, or the computer, we've edited, taken out all the trash, and polished up that piece that we've worked so hard on, we put it together to send out to our chosen publisher for possible inclusion in a magazine.

Having said that, can anyone understand the frustration we have while we wait for news on the fate of our baby? This is a real test of our patience. But, somehow we do it, and finally that letter comes through the door. And if we are amongst the lucky ones, the letter is an acceptance. If not, it is getting over the rejection, picking ourselves up, and starting again.

This is a lonely business, it is sometimes a hurtful business. But it is a rewarding business. To my fellow writers on the boards, we are all in this together. And while we sit alone at our desks, kitchen tables, or wherever we churn out those stories, we can remember that we have support from the friends, though virtual, that we have made on the message boards, oh and the critique and writing groups that we may have been lucky enough to join.

Until next time, happy writing, and wishing you all success.

Distractions in Writing

I sit at the computer and look at the screen. I want to put words on paper, but they are just not there. The phone rings, my son wants my attention, the dogs bark, distractions that take me away from the computer, away from the blank page, away from the writing.

Even adding a post to my blog is difficult. I am frustrated, even annoyed that I am unable to write. It is all I want to do, and there are so many things that take me away from writing. I so want to have a story ready for publication, maybe, hopefully one day soon I will have the success I crave.

It is good to know there is such a great support network on the message boards I frequent. These too are another distraction, but even if I am not writing a story or doing some research, or some other writing related exercise, when I'm touring the boards I am constantly reminded of why I am there.

I know that one day I will take the plunge and submit that story or article, I will sit and wait for the reply, hoping that it will be good news. I will one day be published in a magazine. I will be happy.

And, when that day arrives, I will have time to write, research, edit, read, and enjoy the one thing I love to do.

And while I ponder the day I will be able to send a story for possible publication, I think back to a week or so ago, when my college diploma came through the door. It is great to get the diploma, but it will be even better when I get that acceptance letter through the door.

I know that day will come, and I look forward to it.

As this year races by, I was reminded that I haven't been back to my blog for a while.

I have though about posting something, but have just not got round to doing it. I suppose that is a problem we all have at some time.

Well, as I write this, I have one more course assignment to write. I have mixed feelings about this. But I know that although I may be at the end of a great period, I still have friends with the same interests as me. I know I can still chat with them all, and most of all, the support will remain.

But as I get to the end of one chapter, I know a new chapter will begin. I am hoping to put more time into my writing, and most of all, I want to get my stories out there and published. I really want to see the benefits of the work I have put in over the years.

So, until my next post. here's wishing any writer friends who may be reading this, a very happy successful time until the next time.