“Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.” ~E.L. Doctorow

The Rant 'N' Rave Section

I just finished reading an article by Sherry Ma Belle Arietta Russ, (writesparks.com/ws-lite-followups/fws-64.php) about the most productive time for writing. She starts by asking the question “What time of the day do you write best or are most productive?” Well, for me that would be from 3:00 am to about 8:00 am. It is also the absolute worst time for a lazy person like me to respond to an alarm clock.

The last six weeks have been packed with house remodeling, land clearing, putting up siding and wallboard and such. Needless to say, I've willingly used the “I've worked hard today and am exhausted.” excuse to turn off the alarm when it shrills its nasty command to wake up and get busy writing.

As each day has passed, the guilt factor has moved up another notch. I missed posting to my blogs in June, inexcusable, and stalled out on chapter six of the rewrite of my novel. The good news is that I can't stay away from writing forever. Derelictions may occur from time to time but in the end the joy of communication, of creating characters, of inventing situations that make the Perils of Pauline pale, comes winging its way back with a vengeance.

Needless to say, I'm back. My characters have chastised me for leaving them to waste away in the desert while I hid out in work and my blogs have somewhat forgiven me for being so tardy. I'd like to think that it will never happen again but...


"TIDBITS
Here's a great contest to enter:

The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to anyone who loves arranging words into the beautiful art of poetry or writing a short story that is worth telling everyone! And to all who have the ability to dream… Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash prizes. All works must be original. www.dreamquestone.com
Guidelines:
Write a poem, thirty lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed.
And/or write a short story, five pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, creative writing fiction or non-fiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries and screenwriting). Also, must be typed or neatly hand printed.
Multiple poetry and short story entries are accepted.
Postmark deadline: July 31, 2009
All contest winners will be announced on August 31, 2009
Prizes:
Writing Contest First Prize is $500. Second Prize: $250. Third Prize: $100.
Poetry Contest First Prize is $250. Second Prize: $125. Third Prize: $50.
Entry fees: $10 per short story. Poetry Contest: $5 per poem.
To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, address, phone#, email, brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Fees payable to: DREAMQUESTONE.COM
Mail to:
Dream Quest One
Poetry & Writing Contest
P.O. Box 3141
Chicago, IL 60654

Visit www.dreamquestone.com for further details, to print out an entry form or to enter online.

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. “And remember in whatever you do, it’s okay to dream, for dreams do come true.” –Dream Quest One




Word of the month

Concilliabule: A secret meeting of people who are hatching a plot. “Sounds a lot like our politicians in Washington, doesn't it?”


Last but Not Least

"I didn't know that!"

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The author of The Brothers Karamazov, was sentenced to death in 1849 for making treasonable speeches but got a last minute reprieve and spent four years at a penal settlement in Omsk in 1855 instead. He was pardoned in 1859.





Sites to see, places to go and groups to join

Long Story Short:www.alongstoryshort.net/
Fantasy Gazetteer: www.fantasygazetteer.com/
My Writing Friend: writingfriend@yahoo
Linda Barnett-Johnson: lindabarnettjohnson.homestead.com/
Pindersoft's Writers Project Organizer: www.pindersoft.com/wpo.htm
StorYBook 2.1.11 storybook.intertec.ch/joomla/
Nick Daws Writers Circle: Nick Daw's Writer's Circle.
Wridea: www.wridea.com/
J.D.Vine Publishing: www.jdvine/com/index.html
Tennessee Writers Alliance: www.tn-writers.org/
USA Patriotism, Poetry: www.usa-patriotism.com/
Poynter 30 Writer's Tips: www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=78&aid=103943

Freebie Writers Tools

Idea Cruncher: www.ideacruncher.com
Freemind: freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Auto Crit: Automatic manuscript checker: www.autocrit.com/

Word Web download :www.wordweb.info/

I’ll be adding to the above list as time goes on and I find more newbie friendly sites.

Copyright © 07/22/09

"We are basically storytellers, descendants of the old men who sat around the fire and told us legends, fairytales, exploits, or maybe just how funny Og looked when he fell into the tar pit." --Sol Saks in Funny Business


The Rant 'N' Rave Section

The enemy. I've been writing now for about six years. Still a newbie to those who've spent their life as writers but I started late. The first year that I put butt in chair and focused on writing as a career I was tormented by what I like to call an “Awesome-Awful” cycle. I would write a passage or a short story and think, wow, that's awesome. When I came back to it a few days or a week later and read it, I would think, good lord, that's awful, and be crushed by my lack of talent.

I told myself that all I had to do was keep at it. As time went by I knew that awful feeling, that enemy that tore at my dreams of being a writer would go away. Well, it hasn't. With six short stories published, various poems and an article or two under my belt, the angst still attacks me. I have, however, learned to ignore it. I write what I write. My judgment of it really doesn't matter.

What does matter is what my editor thinks of it and what my readers think. They are the judges. The feedback I get from them tells me whether I can finally say “awesome”, pat myself on the back and move on to another story. The bottom line is, when I'm deep into a story and that old cycle comes up, telling me just how awful my writing is, I cheerfully thank it for sharing and keep on writing.


"TIDBITS"


Here's a great contest to enter:

The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to anyone who loves arranging words into the beautiful art of poetry or writing a short story that is worth telling everyone! And to all who have the ability to dream… Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash prizes. All works must be original. www.dreamquestone.com/
Guidelines:
Write a poem, thirty lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed.
And/or write a short story, five pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, creative writing fiction or non-fiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries and screenwriting). Also, must be typed or neatly hand printed.
Multiple poetry and short story entries are accepted.
Postmark deadline: July 31, 2009
All contest winners will be announced on August 31, 2009
Prizes:
Writing Contest First Prize is $500. Second Prize: $250. Third Prize: $100.
Poetry Contest First Prize is $250. Second Prize: $125. Third Prize: $50.
Entry fees: $10 per short story. Poetry Contest: $5 per poem.
To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, address, phone#, email, brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Fees payable to: DREAMQUESTONE.COM
Mail to:
Dream Quest One
Poetry & Writing Contest
P.O. Box 3141
Chicago, IL 60654

Visit www.dreamquestone.com/ for further details, to print out an entry form or to enter online.

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. “And remember in whatever you do, it’s okay to dream, for dreams do come true.” –Dream Quest One


Word of the month

Callipygean: Having a well-shaped butt.


Last but Not Least

"I didn't know that!"

Lewis Carrol

Lewis Carrol's real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson


Well, that's it for this time, see ya later gater…..Aelf

Sites to see, places to go and groups to join

Long Story Short: www.alongstoryshort.net/
Fantasy Gazetteer: www.fantasygazetteer.com/
My Writing Friend: writingfriend@yahoo
Linda Barnett-Johnson: lindabarnettjohnson.homestead.com/
Pindersoft's Writers Project Organizer: www.pindersoft.com/wpo.htm
StorYBook 2.1.11: storybook.intertec.ch/joomla/
Nick Daws Writers Circle: Nick Daw's Writer's Circle.
Wridea: www.wridea.com/
J.D.Vine Publishing: www.jdvine/com/index.html
Tennessee Writers Alliance: www.tn-writers.org/
USA Patriotism, Poetry: www.usa-patriotism.com/
Poynter 30 Writer's Tips: www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=78&aid=103943

Freebie Writers Tools

Idea Cruncher: www.ideacruncher.com/purchase/
Freemind: freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Auto Crit: Automatic manuscript checker: www.autocrit.com/
Word Web download :www.wordweb.info/
I’ll be adding to the above list as time goes on and I find more newbie friendly sites.Copyright © 05/26/09

"Writing is just having a sheet of paper, a pen, and not a shadow of an idea of what you're going to say." --Francoise Sagan


The Rant 'N' Rave Section

First I'll report on Dr. Wicked's online writer's tool. I've been using Dr. Wicked's software now for a month and have gone from chapter 6 of my novel through chapter 11. That's quite an impressive jump in my output. My average has been about one chapter a month or less. It has taken a bit of getting used to on my part. Francoise Sagan must be watching each time I sit down to write. Sitting down in front of a blank screen with a word goal of five-hundred words and a time limit of thirty minutes is daunting. Even more so when I haven't the foggiest idea of any specifics about what I'm going to put down. Oh, of course I have a general idea of where my main character is going and I know what his immediate and primary goals are but beyond that I haven't got a clue. That's where some of the magic of Dr. Wicked's site comes in. I have no choice. I have to start typing. Words flow, ideas abound and flow onto the screen like oil spilled on water. Oh, did I mention that if I pause for too long, the words I've written start to unwrite themselves? Okay, I'm impressed with this tool and highly recommend it. I wish I'd known about it when I started to write.

Next, let's talk about characters for a moment. I bought a how to book on characters a couple of weeks ago. (I've got several already but none of them seemed to click with me.) It's called Creating Characters, How to build people, by Dwight V. Swain. I usually only get through about the first chapter of a how to book before my eyes cross, my mind goes blank and my fingers go numb and my ears fall off. That's when the book winds up in my library with the promise that someday, maybe, I'll finish it. NOT!

This book is different. I've learned more in the first two chapters of this book than in all the others combined. I'm now on chapter 9, Wild Cards, building offbeat characters. Luckily for me I'm just finishing the first draft of my novel. I expect to have read this book cover to cover before my first rewrite. Knowing what the book contains and using it for a reference to make my characters leap of the pages will be a tremendous help. Did I mention that I recommend this book? Specially for newbies, but it's a great addition to any writers repertoire. On to tidbits...


"TIDBITS"


Here's a great contest to enter:
The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to everyone! This competition welcomes anyone who loves arranging words into the beautiful art of poetry or to write a short story that is worth telling everyone. And to all who have the ability to dream... Write a poem or short story for a chance to win cash prizes. All works must be original. www.dreamquestone.com/

Guidelines:
Write a poem, thirty lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed.
And/or write a short story, five pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, creative writing fiction or non-fiction (including essay compositions, diary, journal entries and screenwriting). Also, must be typed or neatly hand printed.
Multiple poetry and short story entries are accepted.

Postmark Deadline: July 31, 2009

All winners will be announced on August 31, 2009

Prizes:
Writing Contest First Prize is $500. Second Prize: $250. Third Prize: $100.
Poetry Contest First Prize is $250. Second Prize: $125. Third Prize: $50.

Entry fees:
Writing Contest entry fee: $10 per short story.
Poetry Contest entry fee: $5 per poem.

To send entries: Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, address, phone#, email, brief biographical info. (Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Fees payable to: “Dreamquestone.Com”
Mail to:
Dream Quest One
Poetry & Writing Contest
P.O. Box 3141
Chicago, IL 60654

Visit www.dreamquestone.com/ for further details or to enter!
No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. “And remember, in whatever you do, it’s okay to dream, for dreams do come true.” –Dream Quest One


Word of the month
Aeolist: A pompous windy bore who pretends to have inspiration. “Sounds a lot like a politician to me!”


Last but Not Least
"I didn't know that!"


Jonathan Swift 1667 - 1745Dublin born Swift finished his education in Trinity College and was ordained into the Church of Ireland in 1695. Thought by many to be the greatest prose satirist in the English language his most well famous book,Gulliver's Travels. a childrens favourite was in fact intended for adults. He once stated that he thought Ireland 'the most miserable country upon earth'. Certainly a novel approach to getting on the list of famous Irish people. Nonetheless he was very fondly regarded. Apparently he died 'mad' and left much of his estate for the establishment of St. Patrick's Hospital which incidentally still treats mental illness.
My thanks to Real Irish Food at www.realirishfood-recipes.com/famous-Irish-people-2.html for the above.


Well, that's it for this time, see ya later gater…..Aelf


Sites to see, places to go and groups to join

Long Story Short: www.alongstoryshort.net/
Fantasy Gazetteer: www.fantasygazetteer.com/
My Writing Friend: writingfriend@yahoo
Linda Barnett-Johnson: lindabarnettjohnson.homestead.com/
Pindersoft's Writers Project Organizer: www.pindersoft.com/wpo.htm
StorYBook 2.1.11 storybook.intertec.ch/joomla/
Nick Daws Writers Circle: Nick Daw's Writer's Circle.
Wridea: www.wridea.com/
J.D.Vine Publishing: www.jdvine/com/index.html
Tennessee Writers Alliance: www.tn-writers.org/
USA Patriotism, Poetry: www.usa-patriotism.com/
Poynter 30 Writer's Tips: www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=78&aid=103943


Freebie Writers Tools
Idea Cruncher: www.ideacruncher.com/purchase/
Freemind: freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Auto Crit: Automatic manuscript checker: www.autocrit.com/
Word Web download :www.wordweb.info/

I’ll be adding to the above list as time goes on and I find more newbie friendly sites.Copyright © 04/29/09

Labels: contest, Fantasy, Software for Writer's, Tips, Writers Block

“Writing is easy, all you have to do is cross out the wrong words.” Mark Twain

NEWS FLASH!

My short story, "Granny O'Toole's Recipe" has won first place in the March 2009 Short Story Contest sponsored by SWSilverlark Publishing. It will appear in the March issue of Fantasy Gazetteer. www.fantasygazetter.com As St. Patricks Day is nearly upon us it's a must read for anyone with a drop o' the auld sod in them!

The Rant 'N' Rave Section

Writer's Software

In my last post I talked about Pindersoft's great software, the Writer's Project organizer,(W.P.O.). I've been using it for a while now and find it to be excellent. I'm on chapter six of my novel, tentatively titled Time Spiders. The one area that I could wish for more from WPO is a better way of keeping track of characters, events and locations. In other words, a time line. I'm sure there are some who can do without a time line and, when writing short stories it isn't something I need or that I would use.

Writing a novel, however, is something entirely different. I spent more time re-reading what I've already written and trying to make sure there is a consistent flow than it's worth. With that in mind I set out to find a bit of software, preferably free, that would give me a quick and efficient overview and that would allow me to handle and keep track of various strands woven into the story. Well, I found one and it's outstanding. It's called StorYBook 2.1.11. storybook.intertec.ch/joomla/ Best of all, it's FREE!

I love it when I find a free software program that really works and does what I want it to do. This one gives me a chronological view of what I've written as well as a book view and an ability to manage chapters and scenes. It ties together chapters, scenes, characters, locations, strands and parts in such a way that it's simple for me to quickly recheck something in an earlier chapter while working on the current one.

I'm using WPO and this new software in conjunction and am now managing to draft a couple of chapters a month. Needless to say I highly recommend both software programs to and new aspiring writers as well as any who haven't tried theses yet. Remember though, WPO isn't free except for a trial program but it's well worth the cost. I recommend trying the freebie first, then if you like it, buy it.

Word of the Month
Ergophobic: Someone who fears work."He hasn't worked for years because he's ergophobic."

"TIDBITS"

I don't like to be political, this isn't a blog about politics but it seems that, at least here in the good ol" U.S.A., we've found a cure for everything that ails us. Spend more money. Yep! Even if we don't have it to spend. That's okay though. We can just print more, or borrow more or something. After all, isn't that what it's all about, if you're in the hole, dig deeper, maybe someday you'll reach China. Hmmmm, aren't they the ones we owe the most money to now?? With the elections over now, we can either become an Obama- nation or an Obamaniton, wonder which it'll be. "I'm just sayin'"

Last but Not Least
"I didn't know that!"
Charles Dickens

Obsessive-Compulsive. Dickens was preoccupied with looking in the mirror and combing his hair- he did it hundreds of times a day. He arranged furniture in his home- if it wasn't in the exact "correct" position, he couldn't concentrate. Obsessed with magnetic fields, Dickens made sure that every bed he slept in was aligned north-south. He had to touch certain objects three times for luck. He was obsessed with the need for tidiness, often cleaning other homes as well as his own.
(Thanks to www.neatorama.com/)

Well, that's it for this time, see ya later gater…..Aelf

Sites to see, places to go and groups to join

Long Story Short: www.alongstoryshort.net/

Fantasy Gazetteer: www.fantasygazetteer.com/

My Writing Friend: writingfriend@yahoo

Linda Barnett-Johnson: lindabarnettjohnson.homestead.com/

Pindersoft's Writers Project Organizer: www.pindersoft.com/wpo.htm

StorYBook 2.1.11: storybook.intertec.ch/joomla/

Nick Daws Writers Circle: Nick Daw's Writer's Circle.

Wridea: www.wridea.com/

J.D.Vine Publishing: www.jdvine/com/index.html

Tennessee Writers Alliance: www.tn-writers.org/

USA Patriotism, Poetry: www.usa-patriotism.com/

Poynter 30 Writer's Tips: www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=78&aid=103943

Freebie Writers Tools

Idea Cruncher: www.ideacruncher.com/purchase/

Freemind: freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Auto Crit: Automatic manuscript checker: www.autocrit.com/

Word Web download :www.wordweb.info/

I’ll be adding to the above list as time goes on and I find more newbie friendly sites.Copyright © 02/09/09

Labels: Timeline software