Posts tagged ‘writers’
A WRITER’S FORUM
With this posting I am reinstating a series from the past, A Writer’s Forum.
I have accumulated, over the course of my twenty-four years of calling myself a writer, information which writers will find beneficial. The information is primarily in the form of websites. And as always you will find all postings on my blog to is free.
If you are serious about writing, and I will discuss what I mean by serious, I think you will find these posts to be of value.
April 27, 2024 at 3:46 pm
You remember presses involved in self-publishing were once called vanity presses.
April 26, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Less than eight hours after posting yesterday’s piece where I mention that I thought a writer did not get enough feedback from an editor when your work is accepted for publication I was notified by and editor that short story of mine was accepted for publication, and why it was accepted.
So much for that opinion. I felt I needed to relate to you, at least in this instance, I was wrong.
This story has an interesting history.
I began writing it a little over twenty years ago. It’s gone through many rewrites and many rejections. I finally realized that the premise worked but the approach was all wrong and unbelievable. I finally got the writing right.
I’ll let you know where and when it will be published.
March 7, 2024 at 12:36 pm
This piece is for writers and future writers, but I encourage you readers to read and discover some of the speedbumps those words you enjoy are encountering.
As with all writers, I have accumulated my fair share of rejections. Often the rejection is a form letter with no indication as to why the work was rejected, or if it’s even been read. But on occasion I have received what I consider a ‘good rejection’. From the editor’s response you know that your work was read for they will tell you why it was rejected and what they consider to be its weaknesses. With this knowledge necessary corrections can be made which may be able to smooth the road to publication.
Now here’s the problem. When a piece is accepted for publication the editors seldom, if ever, tell you, in any detail, why they accepted the piece.
I recently had a short story accepted for publication. The editor said it was the best story she read that day. Why was it the best story of the day? I, for one, never question the editor who accepted my story as to why they accepted it.
Leave well enough alone.
So, this is the dilemma I see. For me, I have sometimes learned why my work was rejected. But never learn why it was accepted. That knowledge might be as helpful as that gained in a rejection.
What do you writers think?
March 6, 2024 at 6:39 pm
THE ELDERLY WRITER AND TODAY’S WORLD
I don’t consider myself elderly, okay I am elderly. But the appreciation of this fact at the age of 71 comes with difficulty. At times, honestly, I don’t know what to feel or think. I feel a change will come, but when my mind wonders to reality, that is the residence of dreams. For my ‘mature’ followers am I alone in this thinking or is it a common transition of life?
Getting back to the purpose of this piece, how are my fellow writers dealing with this ever-changing world of technology?
I remember typing submissions along with carbon paper to make a copy, and sending every submission by snail mail. There was no other choice. Now I am overwhelmed by social media platforms. I consistently hear of social sites and have no idea what they do. As a writer, I should take advantage of the exposure these sites provide, but I don’t know how. I don’t know if they are necessary for my work or worth the effort. What is the value worth where every one has access to publish every work they produce? I’m making a leap here, much of which is below readability?
My form of technology in college was a slide rule. I once talked to a millennial about a slide rule. She had no idea what idea what a slide rule was. Never heard of the computation device ‘early man’ used.
I read the Sunday supplements and see ads for electronic devices. Not do I not know what they are, but I have no idea what they do. Bluetooth is still a mystery to me, and what is its advantage. This is the same thought I have of the latest ‘advances’ of the fascinating world of technology and I appreciate the benefits they provide mankind, but they still remain a mystery to me.
July 5, 2019 at 8:53 pm
NOTE TO A YOUNG WRITER
I’m an old writer. Let’s make that a seasoned writer. In the past I was an enthusiastic writer but with age the energy has waned. The ideas still come but many go no further. Although a few produce unpublished stories.
In bygone days I wrote nonstop, every chance I had. I wrote, on the job.. I published short stories and a novel. These days the desire to write is there, but the energy is not.
As I said before one factor, which continues undeterred, are the ideas for future projects. I jot down ideas – short stories and projects that lose their way in a lifetime of books and the debris of long forgotten projects.
What I want to convey with this piece is a realization, from personal experience. I was shocked as the length of my life increased and how I changed.
I find that in youth you will have the constant desire to write. The day job is just a way to pay the bills. You will have the drive to create but not enough time to feed that hunger. In old age you will have the time but lack the energy to complete projects and begin new ones. I have two novels requiring editing and come across short stores I don’t remember writing. Now retired with plenty of time when I think about that needs to be done, I think that I’ll do that tomorrow. But as you age, that tomorrow becomes less and less a guarantee.
I say to you young writers take advantage of your youth, your energy to create, to develop your craft.
You may see these words of and old man having little value. But time will show you I’m not far from wrong.
May 11, 2019 at 10:40 pm
Forgive me for not communicating for a month and more, but there has been much on my mind about the state of our country. I know this blog is intended to benefit writers, but life also effects our writing in one way or another. Many events, which I follow daily, are beyond belief. I shall leave the discussion of the current political climate to those more knowledgeable and eloquent to express the opinions which I feel.
One last comment. Do our elected representatives have their constituents in mind with their decisions, or are those decisions governed by their perceived power and a warped ego.
I will return this blog to its intended purpose; to aid writers in finding their way to publication. My next topic will be one with which I struggle: The challenges of the elderly writer and the rapid pace of modern technology.
One last comment. You may have noticed my reblogging work from other blogs. I follow many blogs posting information for writers. I hope to spread the knowledge.
July 15, 2017 at 10:56 pm
I had promised to return to the purpose of this blog, writing and publishing, to relay knowledge gained in having my work published, and on more occasions that I like to recall, rejected. So with this article I shall return to that purpose. But my mind is disrupted by the state of our beloved country. Need I say more?
Now, on to Duotrope, one of the most useful tools a writer can use to get his work published. If you have a piece you desire to publish, please give the site a look. You will be more than satisfied.
Duotrope is a website discussed in the past. I wish to renew that discussion and provide new information.
At one time Duotrope was free, a great source for finding publishers. A few years ago they began charging $50/year to use their service. That small price is more than worth the benefits provided to help you find a home for your work. They provide publishers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. They provide a survey for you to characterize you work and zero in on publishers who may in interested in publishing you. When you initially check out the site, you are allowed limited use to explore the value they provide. Duotrope constantly upgrades the information they provide so the list of publishers remains current.
A new feature, offered in addition to the published work, is the category of visual arts. With this new addition you are able to search for sources to publish of your art; magazines etc.
Duotrope is an essential tool to those writers and artists wanting a chance to expose their work to the world.
Here is a link to the site.
https://duotrope.com/
March 22, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Time smooths the wrinkles
Of the artist’s life,
Smooth’s away the doubt
Depression and fear
Molding his art,
In life, the artist presses on,
For something is calling to him,
Not knowing the fate of his work,
Not knowing if the future will be kind,
Or dissolve him into nothing.
November 12, 2016 at 8:24 pm
Writing is one of the most important endeavors a person can take up.
You may not obtain riches, which, in the end are useless.
But your thoughts; your words will live one.
November 6, 2016 at 11:23 pm
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