Thursday, August 18, 2016

Gift Shops, Magazines, and Ezines


GIFT SHOP BROWSING


I just returned from a short trip that included a stop at a gift shop. There's something that may never change, and that is my love for visiting gift shops.  I'm a self-confessed gift-shop junkie 

One area of the gift shop I'm always drawn to is the magazine racks.  There is a magazine for almost every subject!  Yes, of course, we can read all types of information on the Internet, but one thing magazines do is provide gorgeous glossy pictures.  I'm a visual learner and artist, and pictures draw me in. 
They show me on-trend decor They are where I find most of my ideas for decorating.  They teach how to complete a craft.  Pictures show great depictions of cities and tourist destinations, allowing us to imagine them better than printed descriptions ever could.

WRITING TO SELL


It is still tedious querying to write for a magazine, but I'm happy when articles I've written have been purchased and used in online magazines.  


Articles can be purchased through Constant Content by anyone in need of an article. That might include:  website managers, magazine publishers, newspaper editors, and bloggers. 

My articles can be purchased under my 
pen name Joy R. Calderwood 
at http://www.constant-content.com/

You Provide the Photos 

I provide the article, and you provide the gorgeous glossy photo!  This is a writer's marriage made in heaven.

Of course with all the web content available, in real life hard-copy magazine purchases have taken a dip.  You might have noticed the resulting compensating price increase.  (I paid almost $20 for a magazine recently). Freelancers, photographers and printing companies still need to earn money to stay viable. If you purchase from one, plan to pay fair market value.

In my opinion, no matter what's on the Internet, there will always be a place for magazines in gift shops. 

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Just Write, Maybe Take a Course


When I hear of someone who likes to write or ponders becoming a writer, my advice is "just write."  Write regularly.  Write in a journal, write a blog, write into a computer document.

What do you write?  Most times, writing daily is a good way of purging the brain.  It's like venting on paper.  You write your feelings, inspiring thoughts, reinforcing affirmations, about your day, or about a topic of interest.


You don't have to have a result in mind when you write; not like at school where you write because you have to to get a mark.  It really doesn't matter what you write each day.  No one will be marking it!


An amazing thing occurs when you go back and read your notes.  Your notes may inspire you. They might become the basis for a blog or article.  They ground you.  They tell you how far you've come.


Compiled, your writing may become a good eBook one day.  All writing is valuable--either as a personal release or when used to help another person.


Another amazing thing is you get better at your craft if you develop it over time. I've been going back and editing old articles and sometimes I just shake my head. Some of them are lousy-looking now.


HOW TO IMPROVE


If you get to the point where you want to submit work, you will read submission guidelines. You might also read samples of work.  If the submission guidelines are thorough, you'll pick up tips of what not to do.  If you submit to an organization that screens the work, feedback from an editor may be helpful.


Courses have value that isn't necessarily obvious.  I took a copyediting course thinking I might grow the simple editing/proofreading business I had.  I learned that the editors in that organization edit to the "letter of the law."  They reference all types of "official" rule books that ongoingly change their rules.  To be an editor of that caliber takes far more commitment than I'm interested in.


But what was interesting was how the course helped me improve my writing. Through the lessons I learned things I'd never known.  I also used a critique coach.  I picked up a few things from her, although some other things she commented on were maddening.  In all these situations, I've learned to take away the good and dispose of the bad.  No writer needs to feel discouraged.  A lot of writing is subjective anyhow.  There are new ways of writing that old school writers may not embrace and pick you apart on in a critique.  Be wary, and test your gut reaction.  If God has called you to write something, do it.


Sometimes harsh critiques can force you to make harsh changes to your manuscript that are needed in a good way. Sometimes they push you to write as an effort to prove yourself.  Sometimes the critiques give you the impetus to move forward in spite of what you've been told.


Personally, I think there are too many wet blankets out there.  We are in an era of innovation.  Writers usually have a strong need to express themselves, like I am doing in this post.  If I worried about all my punctuation and proper phrasing all the time, I'd get no where.


So find expression.  Forget about perfectionism.  If your piece is to be bought, it will be bought.  If someone thinks it stinks, fine.  Let them have their opinion. Just do your best work, have fun, and go for it! 

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Writing Tips for the Novice Writer



It's never too late to start writing, but you'd better not keep putting it off or it will be too late one day.
To be a writer, you need to choose your media--paper and pen or computer screen--and just start writing.  Pour out all the thoughts craving to be released.

Say Something 
Typically, my writing stems from a wellspring of thoughts triggered by various experiences—whether it's while cleaning the pool, doing household chores, walking the dog, taking a shower, or even perusing someone else's article. 
In these moments, my mind weaves through different themes. Yet, bottling up all these ideas doesn't serve any purpose. I find it essential to let them out. With a bit of luck, these ideas settle and resurface later when needed.

Share Your Writing 

The internet is a turning point for many writers and artists.  It gives us a place to show our work which is much better than growing a pile of journals, manuscripts, or even painted canvasses in our drawers or basement.  Sharing what's on our mind not only gives us joy, but it often helps someone. 

Art by Rosalie Garde, 2015

Don't Limit Yourself 

All those ideas you have can be worked on simultaneously.  You don't need to focus only on one project at a time (unless you're doing a for-pay piece with a deadline).  I might write on marriage, gardening, midlife crisis, or life purpose all in a week.

Have a System 

Create a system.  That may mean setting aside time to write.  Or it may mean setting aside a method.

I have a file in Word called "fodder" and another called "rough drafts."

Fodder is where I collect ideas. They may be cut and pasted off the internet (to use as prompts), or they may be ideas of my own that I don't feel like working in depth at the time.   I also have a separate file for "ebooks I'm working on."

I will scan through my fodder or rough draft files and choose something of interest to work on hopefully to completion and submission.  Then I'll transfer the piece to "submitted." 
Often, a rough draft was written without editing and ends up so long I can pull two or more articles out of it and multiply my revenue.
Joining a group or submitting to a place where there is an opportunity to have your work pass through editors is helpful.  I work through Constant-Content.
Their team of editors checks everything and sends back errors pointing out what's wrong.  Of course, rejection hurts and delays income, but this has been a good way for me to learn and improve my writing. 

Monday, June 22, 2015

Silence the Critics

I

If you're going to enjoy your life as a writer, you're going to need to shut out certain voices and demolish certain long-held beliefs. That may include putting into check outside voices, voices of school teachers, your own voice and putting your long-held beliefs in check. 


Rules have changed. The threat to emerging writers is that those who've held professional positions with publishing houses, those who've been certified by editing organizations, those who've taught courses and been published themselves may think of themselves more highly than they ought to. They can easily intimidate new writers.

If you're an emerging writer, be wary of intimidation.  If you entrust your writing to an editor or have it critiqued, learn from their feedback, but don't let their advice stop you from pursuing your dream.





Marketers will tell you it's important to follow a set of rules that goes something like this: create a sales page, collect emails, offer a freebie, send out newsletters, pursue target customers, strive, don't give up. Those suggestions might work for some, but they may just as likely not work at all.  These may become projects that gobble up time with no return on the investment.



In the end, trust your judgment.  Take a risk.  Write something.  Publish it in a method of your choosing. Let it go.  See what happens next.


Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Be Cautious of Being a Copycat



I've bumped into several women in person or online who feel God has called them to write a book. Often, their desired subject matter is their life story.  The manuscript they are working on often ends up being a memoir of sorts.  Or it reads like a Christian devotional.

A trait I sometimes see is women copying the voice of published authors they've read.  They may not do it intentionally.  I know I often write similar to a couple of authors myself at times.  Nevertheless, it's important to examine our writing to see if we've been mimicking popular authors. 

If it is detected that you're copying someone else's voice, your work may not have the believability you want it to have.  For instance, one writer I followed in the 90s used the terms blessed one or dear throughout her books. Very few authors can get away with that.

Well-published authors such as this one mentioned above, have an existing platform.  Their voice works for them because of their platform.  

Be cautious of copycat writing.  Edit out fluff and phrasing your reader might identify as being from someone else, as best you can.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Three Tips for Good Article Writing

I haven't added to this blog lately, but today heard good advice on article writing.  So I want to share it with aspiring writers.

To write a full-bodied unique article you will need to include several key ingredients. Every article should have these three parts:

1.  An introduction that tells the reader what you're going to tell them.
2.  The body where you tell them.
3.  The conclusion where you tell the reader what you've told them.

It's easy for those of us who like to get to the point to forego an introduction.  It's also annoying to have to wrap it up with a conclusion.  But good editors will reject articles that don't have these ingredients.

Also most articles that have lists need to have examples that demonstrate the reason the item is in the article. The explanation should be tailored to prove the hypothesis, thesis, or introduction.

There are a few exceptions to the rule.  I think if I were to explain the points in the numbered list above further, it would take away their strength.  But most lists benefit from explanations because doing so makes the article unique. It's the way you get to put a spin on an idea.

When no explanation is given to listed items, the article may resemble an article another person has already written.

You can write your introduction last.  I often do.  You can also write a good conclusion by re-reading your introduction.

Above all, make sure your body really does prove a point, not go off on a bunny trail.

Use these tips to tighten up your writing.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Treatment for Writer's Cramp

TREATMENT for WRITER'S CRAMP

The previous post talked about writer’s block or what I call writer’s cramp. I promised a few tips I employ to get me over the hump. Here are a few of them:

  1.  When writer's cramp, or screen depression sets in, I leave go and surf fun stuff like Youtube videos, watch television, do housework, take my dog for a walk, workout at the gym, or I do some form of art.  Basically, I take a writing fast.
  2. Sales are also helpful in healing a cramp.  When I get notification of a sale, my writing is validated, and I'm often ready to return to craft more articles. The only way that’s within my power is if somehow I’ve been able to promote my material.  Otherwise, I’m at the liberty of buyers.
  3. I'll go and apply for jobs.  This is not really a good idea though.  More times than not, the next day or two I'm so glad I didn't take a job that would require I change out of my yoga pants and long shirt.
  4. Usually, I'll simply spend time doing non-goal specific research.  I might flip through magazines, including those builder ones that come in the mail, web surf, check articles I've bookmarked or that have come into my email and had had no time to read.
  5. One of the best relief comes through doing art work, housework, or walking outdoors.  More times than not, when I do these things my brain unwinds. Ideas pop into my head without looking for them. I’ve often left mid-cleaning because I've had an idea I’ve just had to write down.  
  1. Sometimes I’ll just open a rough draft and start reading. The editing brain kicks in.  
Writer’s cramp serves good purposes.  It forces me to take a break. The best writing happens when left to simmer. Ideally, I’ll let days, weeks, or months pass on some piece I’ve started.  Ideas have time to brew.  When I revisit a piece, if it still makes sense and I still agree with it, it's is validated. And that is a very good side effect.   

Friday, November 29, 2013

Writer's Cramp?




Some call it writer's block, I'm calling it writer's cramp.  

When I arose this morning I was ready to write.  It made me think I'd worked through my latest writer's cramp.

When I've thought of the term writer's block, I've always had the picture of someone sitting in front of a blank screen needing to write something and having no ideas or inspiration.  I guess I could say I've felt that now and then. 

A writer's cramp, on the other hand, is more frightening.  For me, it might set in while I'm sitting there doing what I must do--web surfing and collecting ideas I'll put into a fodder folder.  My eyes become blurry, my neck begins to ache, and my self-talk begins to get negative to the point I can no longer carry on.  

With no writer's cramp, I'll go to the fodder folder, review the ideas, and start writing on one of them.  Don't worry, this isn't about plagiarism.  The material in my fodder folder acts as starter fuel. I'll use it to start on a topic, and before long, my mind spews out fresh new ideas.

With a writer's cramp, I'll look through my fodder folder and have zero inspiration.  Not only that, my head may start to hurt.  With writer's cramp I simply can't write. Worse than that, I don't want to write. I want to give up the notion and run away.

One of the perks of being a freelance writer today is I can do both research and writing without ever leaving home.  It is a good era for writers (especially introverts or lazy types).

Unfortunately, though, most of us also spend a fair amount of free time on our computer for entertainment.  So we end up sitting for enormous amounts of time, in the same chair, in front of the same screen.  When we reach a point of wanting to flee our computer, we know writer's cramp has set in.


Worse, when I suffer from writer's cramp, I'm not only unable to write, I want to quit the profession altogether.  With writer's cramp, I'm tempted to run out and find what appears from my standpoint to be a real job, with real pay, and real people to interact with.  


So I'll usually go on a rampage, searching the job boards, and applying for jobs.

Writer's cramp can be painful because what we thought we once loved, we suddenly despise.  We get brain freeze from too many words, grammar rules, and we never want to edit a single thing again!  Worry about slow sales sets in, and doubt about the career grows.


If you were to ask me if I create a plan or put myself on a writing schedule, I'd probably tell you I don't.   Much as a runner with a leg cramp can't run, a writer with writer's cramp can't write.  And we never really can predict when we will become cramped.  Schedule or no schedule, it's not only mentally unhealthy to work with a cramp, it may be impossible.

I don't like really long blog posts, so I'm going to end this one here.  Stay tuned for a continuation where I'll let you know how I work through writer's cramps. 

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Collecting Inspiration

I migrate to articles that I feel might be important to read because:

  1. They will help my personal growth.
  2. They will teach me something new.
     
  3. They will keep me current.
     
  4. They will be fodder for my own writing.
     
  5. They might be something I can share for my own content marketing.

While all the reasons contribute making me a better and more informed writer, it is number 4 I want to comment on.  


Usually when I'm researching or reading, I'm not also writing.  So when I come across what I call "fodder" (material that is used for a particular purpose), I will cut and paste it and save it into a Word document.  Usually the url is included for further reference.  

I might save a bunch of clippings together on one document, or I might save fodder on separate pages under separate file names.  I put them in a file called "Fodder".  I don't always title the file because using the first line as the file name usually works for me.  

INSPIRATION

When I'm looking for something to write on, I'll often skim through my fodder folder,  visually scan a file to see if it's a topic I "feel" like writing on.  If it isn't, I leave it for another time.  

If I choose to write on it, it usually doesn't take me more than a few sentences in to start seeing a new viewpoint I can put on the subject.  I try to rite a fresh angle.  In other words, I am not a "spinner".  I may be a sinner, but I'm not a spinner.  


RESAVING 


The finished article is then saved in my "Rough Drafts" folder under the new file name I give it.  The fodder file is closed and probably should be removed at that point, but usually I just leave it.  

When my article is ready for submission, after a few edits, I resave it in a "Submitted Writing" folder.  It is really helpful if I add a note to myself on the file confirming it indeed has been submitted.



You might have software that helps you do this more efficiently.  If so, good for you.  Why not leave your comments below so I can learn from you.  For now, this is what works for me.