Post by NCW Member Brooke Favero
Wow, the blogs were buzzing this week. Before we get started, you'll want to harness your writing chi. Rachelle Gardner helps define your writing lifestyle while Blood Red Pencil questions your writing philosophy. Do you feel more focused? Good, let's get to the hot topics:
Publishing Contracts
Chip MacGregor defines a reasonable book contract. Pimp My Novel explains the non-compete clause and the right of first refusal in a contract. Stroppy Author tackles copyrights and author's corrections in a contract. Kristin Nelson warns of the ISBN trap when considering self-publishing. How Publishing Really Works says it's okay to judge a book by its cover (in fact, it's critical to sales). Once your contract is signed, it's time to talk publicity.
Marketing and Your Online Platform
If you're serious about becoming published, The Book Publicity Blog suggests when to start your online platform. Backspace comments on books, blogs, and marketing. BookEnds talks about how the Internet and social networking affects your career. The Guide to Literary Agents also cautions writers about posting your work online and gives great publicity tips. And if you're a rabid tweeter, Follow the Reader lists the publishers who tweet best.
Querying
KT Literary curbs the temptation to resubmit a revision. The Query Shark pipes up about word count when querying. The INTERN explains how to write a non-fiction book proposal. Chip MacGregor talks about trends. And Pimp My Novel corrects common publishing misconceptions.
Crafting
Kidlit explains the difference between situation and plot. Janice Hardy helps you show-not-tell. And TalkToYoUniverse talks about writing dialogue that matters.
New Agents
This week, two new agents popped up. Get them while they're fresh: Marissa Walsh at FinePrint Literary and Taylor Martindale at The Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.
And at the end of it all, here's something to laugh Alot about.
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Brooke Favero is a freelance marcom/tech/web writer. She lives in Aurora, Colorado. She hopes to publish in Middle Grade some day soon.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Author Interview: Poet Antoinette Voûte Roeder
Post by NCW Director Kerrie Flanagan
Imagine my surprise (and delight) when I learned that she was also a writer. We talked about writing, I told her about Northern Colorado Writers and she told me about her poetry. We exchanged business cards and promised to stay in touch--and we did.
She presented at my 2008 Northern Colorado Writers conference, I helped her with the launch of her first book of poetry, Weaving the Wind and she even helped my daughter with some information and photos when Delaney did a report on Canada.
When Antoinette wrote to me last week and shared that her second book of poetry, Still Breathing, was being released, I was thrilled. She took a few minutes out of her busy day to answer some interview questions. ANTOINETTE: I started writing poetry at the age of 16. I had an English teacher to whom I had been submitting naive and sentimental fiction stories. He was so generous with his time and comments. He surely could not have enjoyed the romantic blather I was producing. Perhaps in desperation he asked whether I would like to try poetry. I did and was smitten: especially when I entered the poetry contest at the high school that year and won both first prize and an honorable mention. I've never looked back.
KERRIE: What do you enjoy most about writing poetry?
ANTOINETTE: I love the concise nature of poetry. And yet it is a vast container. It can hold every kind of emotion, every kind of experience imaginable. Because of its brevity it is possible to distill and refine the language, the words, so that a poem can really pack a punch. I also feel a poem can be almost magical in that what it DOESN'T say is as important as what it does. Much is left to the reader to bring to a poem.
KERRIE: Where do you find your inspiration for your poetry?
ANTOINETTE: As indicated before, I think there is no subject that would not qualify for a poem. I find my inspiration in nature, in people, in my own experience, in prayer and meditation, in yoga, in music, in the poetry of others, in the state of the world and our earth.
KERRIE: Tell me about your writing process and writing routine.
ANTOINETTE: Oh my, I was afraid you might ask that. Though I am tremendously disciplined in my life, much to the chagrin of some of my more spontaneous friends, I do not have a writing routine. I write when moved. I carry a little notebook along on walks, I have one sitting by my prayer bench in case God wishes to address me by way of poetry. My routine consists of being receptive and "listening" with the heart.
KERRIE:Who are some of your favorite poets?
ANTOINETTE: Favorite poets, from long ago to recent times: Rumi, Gerard Manley Hopkins, John Donne, Shakespeare, T. S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Rainer Maria Rilke, Mary Oliver, Denise Levertov.
KERRIE: What advice do you have for writers who are exploring the world of poetry.
ANTOINETTE: Read, read, read. Read the poets you love best. You will inevitably start by writing like them but one could do worse! In time one's own style develops. Listen to the cadence, the rhythm, the sound of your words: taste them. Poetry is such a sensual experience. Join a writers group, read your work aloud to others.
KERRIE: Do you have a website or blog?
ANTOINETTE: I have neither website nor blog. I am by nature an introverted person and the very thought of going public like that makes me shudder. Which is weird because my greatest wish is to communicate with people by way of poetry, to touch something in them that might cause them to say "Ah! That is exactly how I feel it too."
KERRIE: Thank you for visiting with me today. ANTOINETTE: Thanks ever so much, this was really fun.
You can find Antoinette's books on Amazon.com
You can find Antoinette's books on Amazon.com
No Poem
Forget I wrote this.
I did not.
All I did was
sit with fingers loosely
wrapped around a
thick ceramic mug whose
contents warm more than
my hands; whose weight
drops wordlessly into
my body, every part;
whose rich dark brew
speaks nothing, merely
sits within the cup as
surely as a dark
sweet nectar stirs within
my soul.
~Antoinette Voûte Roeder
~Antoinette Voûte Roeder
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Word of the Day: Inspiration
I rarely take the time to dissect words but I’m always glad when others do. Last night I started reading Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. She begins with a section titled, appropriately enough, ”First Thoughts.” Not only are they some of her first thoughts in the book, she’s stressing the importance of simply sitting down to write, without letting the hand stop moving, without correcting, scratching out, or self-editing–just writing and going with it. These first thoughts of our own are fresh and inspiring. She points out then, that to “inspire” literally means to “breathe in.”
This stopped me in my tracks. I know what inspire means. I know what inspiration means. Or do I? It struck me then that inspiration is one of those words used so much that its true meaning has been left on the roadside somewhere back around Awesome-ville, thanks in no small part to REO Speedwagon. Or was it Chicago?
But I digress. Inspiration. Truly, the act of breathing in. Natalie calls it breathing in God. I think of it as breathing in life. Taking in fresh air. To inspire others is to fill them with air, like a creative CPR, so that we can carry on with our good work of writing. And it makes sense–respiration and inspiration come from the same root word and yet somehow before last night the word inspiration never made me think of breathing. It seems so much more important now!
I used to think of inspiration in grand terms and ideas. I had to get to the top of the mountain and see the whole world below me–that was inspiring. Or hear the great success stories of the ridiculously wealthy and think that I, too, might achieve it–that was inspiring. And I think we need those great moments–those really deep breaths. But we couldn’t survive without doing it every day. I would never have considered myself inspired on a daily basis, but by golly, I do need to breathe.
Then I remembered Todd Mitchell’s wonderful anti-motivation motivational speech at the NCW conference and thought this concept of daily inspiration fit right in with that. It’s the small things–it’s every day we have to keep writing. We don’t write because of the grand prize we think we’ll win–we write because we have stories to tell and that’s all that matters. Writing itself is the inspiration, the fresh thoughts we didn’t know we had until we gave our pen the freedom to just write it down.
Where do you find your daily inspiration?
-----------------------------------------------
This stopped me in my tracks. I know what inspire means. I know what inspiration means. Or do I? It struck me then that inspiration is one of those words used so much that its true meaning has been left on the roadside somewhere back around Awesome-ville, thanks in no small part to REO Speedwagon. Or was it Chicago?
But I digress. Inspiration. Truly, the act of breathing in. Natalie calls it breathing in God. I think of it as breathing in life. Taking in fresh air. To inspire others is to fill them with air, like a creative CPR, so that we can carry on with our good work of writing. And it makes sense–respiration and inspiration come from the same root word and yet somehow before last night the word inspiration never made me think of breathing. It seems so much more important now!
I used to think of inspiration in grand terms and ideas. I had to get to the top of the mountain and see the whole world below me–that was inspiring. Or hear the great success stories of the ridiculously wealthy and think that I, too, might achieve it–that was inspiring. And I think we need those great moments–those really deep breaths. But we couldn’t survive without doing it every day. I would never have considered myself inspired on a daily basis, but by golly, I do need to breathe.
Then I remembered Todd Mitchell’s wonderful anti-motivation motivational speech at the NCW conference and thought this concept of daily inspiration fit right in with that. It’s the small things–it’s every day we have to keep writing. We don’t write because of the grand prize we think we’ll win–we write because we have stories to tell and that’s all that matters. Writing itself is the inspiration, the fresh thoughts we didn’t know we had until we gave our pen the freedom to just write it down.
Where do you find your daily inspiration?
-----------------------------------------------
Jennifer is a freelance copy editor, proofreader and writer living in Fort Collins
Monday, April 26, 2010
Rising Fire
Post by NCW Member Jenny Sundstedt
Even before Iceland’s Mt. Unpronounceable began its prolonged eruptions and disruptions, I had volcanoes on my mind. It started when I read Rising Fire: Volcanoes and Our Inner Lives, by CSU Professor John Calderazzo. (Northern Colorado Writers Conference attendees may remember seeing this book at the conference bookstore. Professor Calderazzo also presented two excellent conference sessions.)
I do not know Professor Calderazzo, but I’m going to refer to him as “John” for brevity’s sake. In Rising Fire, John explains how his interest in volcanoes was reawakened when a friend asked him to write a children’s book on the subject. Thusly inspired, he traveled the world to personally experience, learn from, and write about the geological enigmas and the people who live, and die, in their shadows.
Every volcano John visited, whether active or dormant or somewhere in between, has a story, and he tells them so well. Interweaving geology, history, art, anthropology, geomythology, and religion, John takes us from Earth’s explosive past to its potential future, from ancient human sacrifices in South America to hippie mystics basking in the new-age vibe around present-day Mt. Shasta.
That’s all interesting stuff, and John delivers it in a way that is both adventurous and accessible. Rising Fire is well worth reading for that reason alone. But a volcano is also such a great metaphor for the creative process. Artists, musicians, actors, writers all draw from within, either on a personal or societal level. We recognize the ones who do it well, who fearlessly tap into the subterranean chambers of emotion and experience, because their work touches us deeply, gives us chills, stays with us.
Thankfully, not every creative endeavor requires a swan dive into a fiery caldera. If that were the case, I never would have signed up for this eternal expedition we call ‘writing.’ But I find that whenever I can channel even a little bit of that deep energy, something new is born and becomes tangible. Like lava, it might not take the shape I anticipate, but it’s there, it’s real, it provides a solid, hopefully fertile, foundation to build upon.
And on the best days, it’s as raw and unpredictable and thrilling as a real volcano.
What stokes your creative fires?
I do not know Professor Calderazzo, but I’m going to refer to him as “John” for brevity’s sake. In Rising Fire, John explains how his interest in volcanoes was reawakened when a friend asked him to write a children’s book on the subject. Thusly inspired, he traveled the world to personally experience, learn from, and write about the geological enigmas and the people who live, and die, in their shadows.
Every volcano John visited, whether active or dormant or somewhere in between, has a story, and he tells them so well. Interweaving geology, history, art, anthropology, geomythology, and religion, John takes us from Earth’s explosive past to its potential future, from ancient human sacrifices in South America to hippie mystics basking in the new-age vibe around present-day Mt. Shasta.
That’s all interesting stuff, and John delivers it in a way that is both adventurous and accessible. Rising Fire is well worth reading for that reason alone. But a volcano is also such a great metaphor for the creative process. Artists, musicians, actors, writers all draw from within, either on a personal or societal level. We recognize the ones who do it well, who fearlessly tap into the subterranean chambers of emotion and experience, because their work touches us deeply, gives us chills, stays with us.
Thankfully, not every creative endeavor requires a swan dive into a fiery caldera. If that were the case, I never would have signed up for this eternal expedition we call ‘writing.’ But I find that whenever I can channel even a little bit of that deep energy, something new is born and becomes tangible. Like lava, it might not take the shape I anticipate, but it’s there, it’s real, it provides a solid, hopefully fertile, foundation to build upon.
And on the best days, it’s as raw and unpredictable and thrilling as a real volcano.
What stokes your creative fires?
Friday, April 23, 2010
This Week in the Writing World: April 23
Post by NCW member Brooke Favero
This week in the blogs...
Volcano, volcano, volcano. But did it thump the London Book Fair? Publisher's Weekly dishes out some hope. Good luck London Book Fair. The Icelandic volcano is a worthy opponent. It burns the nostrils.
To help you rise above the ash (or the Coloradan fog), Alan Rinzler offers writerly courage, Nathan Bransford touts willpower, and Rachelle Gardner counsels patience.
To stand out in the query pile, Janet Reid defines the preferred style for e-query subject lines. Spoiler: RE: "Query" for Title of a book I just finished which makes me awesome you're going to love it so let's get drinks! is not a good subject line. She no likey. And Bookends offers a friendly reminder to keep your query professional. Several agents seem to be complaining about this lately. So remember even if you're wearing sweats behind a computer, your query should look like a navy blazer.
To find an agent, Guide to Literary Agents highlights Amy Boggs, Donald Maass Literary's newest agent. New agents are a great opportunity for new authors. The Guide to Literary Agents also lists ten great questions to ask an agent before signing. If you have an agent, Betsy Lerner gives advice on getting blurbs for your soon-to-release book.
To improve your craft and polish your work, The Blood Red Pencil speaks but never laughs about dialogue and Janice Hardy also helps you speak pretty. Backspace pulls out passive voice. Kidlit addresses swearing in YA/MG. KT Literary talks about good story beginnings. And Book Cannibal lists (almost) all the rules of writing and how to break them.
After reading all the advice and opinion out there, Writer Unboxed tackles how to stay true to your writing.
And finally, PajamaJeans. I thought the Snuggie was a writer's best friend--not anymore. But will PajamaJeans affect the industry more than e-books?
---------------------
Brooke Favero is a freelance marcom/tech/web writer. She lives in Aurora, Colorado. She hopes to publish in Middle Grade some day soon.
This week in the blogs...
Volcano, volcano, volcano. But did it thump the London Book Fair? Publisher's Weekly dishes out some hope. Good luck London Book Fair. The Icelandic volcano is a worthy opponent. It burns the nostrils.To help you rise above the ash (or the Coloradan fog), Alan Rinzler offers writerly courage, Nathan Bransford touts willpower, and Rachelle Gardner counsels patience.
To stand out in the query pile, Janet Reid defines the preferred style for e-query subject lines. Spoiler: RE: "Query" for Title of a book I just finished which makes me awesome you're going to love it so let's get drinks! is not a good subject line. She no likey. And Bookends offers a friendly reminder to keep your query professional. Several agents seem to be complaining about this lately. So remember even if you're wearing sweats behind a computer, your query should look like a navy blazer.
To find an agent, Guide to Literary Agents highlights Amy Boggs, Donald Maass Literary's newest agent. New agents are a great opportunity for new authors. The Guide to Literary Agents also lists ten great questions to ask an agent before signing. If you have an agent, Betsy Lerner gives advice on getting blurbs for your soon-to-release book.
To improve your craft and polish your work, The Blood Red Pencil speaks but never laughs about dialogue and Janice Hardy also helps you speak pretty. Backspace pulls out passive voice. Kidlit addresses swearing in YA/MG. KT Literary talks about good story beginnings. And Book Cannibal lists (almost) all the rules of writing and how to break them.
After reading all the advice and opinion out there, Writer Unboxed tackles how to stay true to your writing.
And finally, PajamaJeans. I thought the Snuggie was a writer's best friend--not anymore. But will PajamaJeans affect the industry more than e-books?
---------------------
Brooke Favero is a freelance marcom/tech/web writer. She lives in Aurora, Colorado. She hopes to publish in Middle Grade some day soon.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Help Your Garden Grow
Post by NCW Director Kerrie Flanagan
The 40th anniversary of Earth Day is tomorrow and I've had green on the brain. Part of it is because of this historic anniversary, but the other part is because of my garden.
This year we are starting what we are calling our NSA or Neighborhood Supported Agriculture. My family has teamed up with another family on our cul-de-sac and together we are going to grow and tend a garden.
Our yard faces south, so a majority of the veggies will be grown in our yard. We rented a sod cutter, got rid of about a 20'x20' section of grass and are prepping it for the garden. This adds a third section to the plots we already had, plus the neighbors have a couple of small garden beds we will use as well.
We are going to grow: tomatoes, a variety of peppers, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes, zucchini, squash, pumpkins, basil, lettuce, spinach, peas, green beans, carrots and cabbage.
I am really excited about this venture and will keep you posted about the progress. Right now we are starting the seeds indoors in a south facing window and helping them along with grow lights.
These baby seeds demand a lot of attention. They need to be watered everyday, kept under the lights and kept safe. This morning as I was checking on my little green infants, I thought of the similarities between tending the garden and tending our writing.
To have a successful garden we need make sure we devote some time to it everyday, nurture it, get rid of the weeds and provide it with the proper nutrients.
To be a successful writer you need to apply the same principles to your writing life.
Write Everyday
We all know the only way to get better at something is to practice. Writing is no different. The only way to improve is to write, write and write some more.
Nurture your Creativity
Join a critique group or find a writing buddy. This will give you a chance to talk about writing with others, plus it will motivate you and inspire you to keep going.
Get Rid of the Weeds
All gardens have weeds as does all writing. Nothing is perfect. All writers have to take time to go back through their work and get rid of the weeds (passives, adverbs, "thats"...)
Provide Nutrients
A garden needs nutrients to grow and establish strong roots. Writers need nutrients as well, but ours come in the form of learning more about our craft. This can be done through books, magazines, workshops and conferences.
Are you growing a garden this year?
What do you do to tend to yourself as a writer?
The 40th anniversary of Earth Day is tomorrow and I've had green on the brain. Part of it is because of this historic anniversary, but the other part is because of my garden.This year we are starting what we are calling our NSA or Neighborhood Supported Agriculture. My family has teamed up with another family on our cul-de-sac and together we are going to grow and tend a garden.
Our yard faces south, so a majority of the veggies will be grown in our yard. We rented a sod cutter, got rid of about a 20'x20' section of grass and are prepping it for the garden. This adds a third section to the plots we already had, plus the neighbors have a couple of small garden beds we will use as well.We are going to grow: tomatoes, a variety of peppers, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes, zucchini, squash, pumpkins, basil, lettuce, spinach, peas, green beans, carrots and cabbage.
I am really excited about this venture and will keep you posted about the progress. Right now we are starting the seeds indoors in a south facing window and helping them along with grow lights.
These baby seeds demand a lot of attention. They need to be watered everyday, kept under the lights and kept safe. This morning as I was checking on my little green infants, I thought of the similarities between tending the garden and tending our writing.To have a successful garden we need make sure we devote some time to it everyday, nurture it, get rid of the weeds and provide it with the proper nutrients.
To be a successful writer you need to apply the same principles to your writing life.
Write Everyday
We all know the only way to get better at something is to practice. Writing is no different. The only way to improve is to write, write and write some more.
Nurture your Creativity
Join a critique group or find a writing buddy. This will give you a chance to talk about writing with others, plus it will motivate you and inspire you to keep going.
Get Rid of the Weeds
All gardens have weeds as does all writing. Nothing is perfect. All writers have to take time to go back through their work and get rid of the weeds (passives, adverbs, "thats"...)
Provide Nutrients
A garden needs nutrients to grow and establish strong roots. Writers need nutrients as well, but ours come in the form of learning more about our craft. This can be done through books, magazines, workshops and conferences.
Are you growing a garden this year?
What do you do to tend to yourself as a writer?
Monday, April 19, 2010
Greening Up
Post by NCW Member Jenny Sundstedt
I’m sitting at my desk sipping my shade-grown coffee with local Morning Fresh Dairy milk and thinking about how writing, compared to many other professions, is pretty eco-friendly. As writers, our toxic waste comes in the form of SFDs (shitty first drafts). Animal testing means reading our work aloud to our pets. And easy opportunities to make writing even greener abound. For example, you may wish to:
• Seek out agents, editors, publishers, and contest coordinators who accept electronic queries, submissions, and entries. This has saved me lots of paper and many trips to the post office;
• Refill your printer cartridges, and donate them to a good cause when refilling is no longer an option;
• Purchase office supplies made of recycled, and recyclable, materials;
• Opt for energy-efficient electronic gadgets;
• Bring your own coffee/tea mug to the NCW studio;
• Grow something outdoors. Many writers find that their creativity blossoms when they garden. If you’re not sure it’s your thing, start by planting a pot. (Please note that reads ‘a pot’—this is not a suggestion for a Weeds spin-off.);
• Start a compost pile. It’s the perfect place to bury those SFDs;
• Ride a bike to your favorite writing spot. Wear a helmet! (I imagine the dreaded writer’s block pales in comparison to a head injury.);
• Use a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated. The human brain is approximately 70% water by weight. A thirsty brain is much less help in rescuing your heroine from the flooding sewage treatment plant—and may be the reason she’s there in the first place. Bottled water, however, is an environmental disaster; and
• Read something that inspires you. My selections for this week are Thoreau’s Walden and Going Green - True Tales from Gleaners, Scavengers, and Dumpster Divers, edited by NCW member Laura Pritchett.
On Thursday, in observance of Earth Day, I’m going to turn off my computer, go outside (weather permitting), and write with pen and paper. Yep, real old school. And if I get stuck, I’ll play solitaire using an actual deck of cards. How quaint.
I’d love to read your tips for writing green.
I’m sitting at my desk sipping my shade-grown coffee with local Morning Fresh Dairy milk and thinking about how writing, compared to many other professions, is pretty eco-friendly. As writers, our toxic waste comes in the form of SFDs (shitty first drafts). Animal testing means reading our work aloud to our pets. And easy opportunities to make writing even greener abound. For example, you may wish to:• Seek out agents, editors, publishers, and contest coordinators who accept electronic queries, submissions, and entries. This has saved me lots of paper and many trips to the post office;
• Refill your printer cartridges, and donate them to a good cause when refilling is no longer an option;
• Purchase office supplies made of recycled, and recyclable, materials;
• Opt for energy-efficient electronic gadgets;
• Bring your own coffee/tea mug to the NCW studio;
• Grow something outdoors. Many writers find that their creativity blossoms when they garden. If you’re not sure it’s your thing, start by planting a pot. (Please note that reads ‘a pot’—this is not a suggestion for a Weeds spin-off.);
• Start a compost pile. It’s the perfect place to bury those SFDs;
• Ride a bike to your favorite writing spot. Wear a helmet! (I imagine the dreaded writer’s block pales in comparison to a head injury.);
• Use a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated. The human brain is approximately 70% water by weight. A thirsty brain is much less help in rescuing your heroine from the flooding sewage treatment plant—and may be the reason she’s there in the first place. Bottled water, however, is an environmental disaster; and
• Read something that inspires you. My selections for this week are Thoreau’s Walden and Going Green - True Tales from Gleaners, Scavengers, and Dumpster Divers, edited by NCW member Laura Pritchett.
On Thursday, in observance of Earth Day, I’m going to turn off my computer, go outside (weather permitting), and write with pen and paper. Yep, real old school. And if I get stuck, I’ll play solitaire using an actual deck of cards. How quaint.
I’d love to read your tips for writing green.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Walking While You Write
Post by NCW Director Kerrie Flanagan
As part of my busting out of the box, I am making it a goal to blog more consistently. So here's today's post.
Most writers need their BIC to write. And when I say BIC I mean Butt in Chair--not the clicky pen kind. I must admit, I used to be one of those writers, but not any more.
One month ago, I'd had it with so much sitting. Because with the sitting usually came lots of drinking (hot tea) and lots of snacking, along with the writing. One of my NCW members mentioned that she has a standing workstation at her office that she can use when she is tired of sitting. I liked the idea, but wanted to take it a "step" further. I wanted to figure out how to incorporate some kind of exercise while writing.
Then it hit me. I needed to add something to my treadmill. Then I could walk and write at the same time. I found a 3/4" piece of plywood in our garage that was about 1'x3'. I got two bungee cords, secured it to my treadmill and ta da, I had a new workstation.
I was so excited! I got my laptop, my mouse, my water and my phone and set up my new office. I found out quickly that you can't walk too fast while you are trying to write. A speed of about 1.6 and an incline of 3 works perfectly for me.
I don't walk and write all the time, because sometimes I need to be still and quiet in order for my muse to flow. But I am loving this new option. It seems to really work well for emailing, blogging and tweeting. I also feel really good when I am done, knowing that I have gotten in some exercise.
So over the last month I have walked for 8.7 hours and covered 14.6 miles...You can't get that with your BIC.
As part of my busting out of the box, I am making it a goal to blog more consistently. So here's today's post.Most writers need their BIC to write. And when I say BIC I mean Butt in Chair--not the clicky pen kind. I must admit, I used to be one of those writers, but not any more.
One month ago, I'd had it with so much sitting. Because with the sitting usually came lots of drinking (hot tea) and lots of snacking, along with the writing. One of my NCW members mentioned that she has a standing workstation at her office that she can use when she is tired of sitting. I liked the idea, but wanted to take it a "step" further. I wanted to figure out how to incorporate some kind of exercise while writing.
Then it hit me. I needed to add something to my treadmill. Then I could walk and write at the same time. I found a 3/4" piece of plywood in our garage that was about 1'x3'. I got two bungee cords, secured it to my treadmill and ta da, I had a new workstation.
I was so excited! I got my laptop, my mouse, my water and my phone and set up my new office. I found out quickly that you can't walk too fast while you are trying to write. A speed of about 1.6 and an incline of 3 works perfectly for me.I don't walk and write all the time, because sometimes I need to be still and quiet in order for my muse to flow. But I am loving this new option. It seems to really work well for emailing, blogging and tweeting. I also feel really good when I am done, knowing that I have gotten in some exercise.
So over the last month I have walked for 8.7 hours and covered 14.6 miles...You can't get that with your BIC.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Bust Out Of Your Box!
Post by NCW Director Kerrie Flanagan
The conference is over.
Life is settling back down.
But I am still finding it a challenge to sit down and write blog posts.
A month ago I blamed it on the lack of time because of how busy I was putting on the conference. But now what. The only thing I am up against is a lack of motivation and inspiration, which in my mind are pretty lame excuses.
I was talking to fellow writer and NCW member, Tim Northburg about this and he said he had been feeling the same way until someone told him to get out of the box.
Hmm...Get out of the box?
We talked a bit more and I realized, I had shoved myself into a box. A box that told me everything I write should be perfect, brilliant, and it should impact readers in such a way that they have an out-of-body, spiritual experience every time they read my work.
That's a lot of pressure for one writer--a lot of self-induced pressure. So I am here to announce that as of today, I am busting out of this small, restrictive box and opening up myself to the possibilities all around me.
I will write from the heart,
I will write about things that make me sad, angry or perplexed,
I will write about amazing things I learn,
I will write about what ever I want.
Because after all, isn't that what writers do?
What are you going to do to bust our of your box?
The conference is over.Life is settling back down.
But I am still finding it a challenge to sit down and write blog posts.
A month ago I blamed it on the lack of time because of how busy I was putting on the conference. But now what. The only thing I am up against is a lack of motivation and inspiration, which in my mind are pretty lame excuses.
I was talking to fellow writer and NCW member, Tim Northburg about this and he said he had been feeling the same way until someone told him to get out of the box.
Hmm...Get out of the box?
We talked a bit more and I realized, I had shoved myself into a box. A box that told me everything I write should be perfect, brilliant, and it should impact readers in such a way that they have an out-of-body, spiritual experience every time they read my work.
That's a lot of pressure for one writer--a lot of self-induced pressure. So I am here to announce that as of today, I am busting out of this small, restrictive box and opening up myself to the possibilities all around me.
I will write from the heart,
I will write about things that make me sad, angry or perplexed,
I will write about amazing things I learn,
I will write about what ever I want.
Because after all, isn't that what writers do?
What are you going to do to bust our of your box?
Monday, April 12, 2010
Tick, Tick…The Pomodoro Technique Update
Post by NCW Member Jenny Sundstedt
Jenny's posts will appear every Monday
In January, I wrote a NCW blog post about my frustration with my poor time management (You Say Tomato...), and how I hoped The Pomodoro Technique would help me get a handle on all the minutes that seem to sneak away without my notice. (A quick, if oversimplified, review: the technique involves setting a timer for twenty-five minutes, working until it goes off, taking a five-minute break, and repeating the cycle.)
I’m pleased to report that The Pomodoro Technique is as easy and effective as I hoped it would be. As it turns out, I respond well to the sound of a ringing bell. In fact, I’m positively Pavlovian about it, but without the annoying drooling. The ticking of the timer did panic me at first, making me feel as if I had to account for every passing second, but now it’s merely an ambient reminder to stay on task.
Twenty-five minutes is the perfect length of time for those of us long on ambition but short on attention. I can endure any unpleasant household job for that long without feeling the need to quit halfway and self-medicate with green tea and chocolate. And yet, twenty-five uninterrupted minutes spent catching up on the news or doing a crossword puzzle feels like a true indulgence.
Though I’m trying, I don’t Pomodoro every day. Some days, interruptions and distractions abound, and I have to forego the timer for sanity’s sake. I’ve also found that the technique is not perfectly suited for every activity. I like using it when I’m e-mailing, surfing the net, paying bills, doing laundry or other chores, and alphabetizing the spices. (Okay, so I’ve never in my life done that last one, but I can dream.) It rubs me the wrong way, however, when I’m writing or when I’m reading something longer than a magazine. Frankly, I never would have made it through The Story of Edgar Sawtelle twenty-five minutes at a time.
As I’ve gotten more efficient with my time at home, I’m realizing how much of it I waste when I’m out and about. My next experiment will be Pomodoro-on-the-Go—using the technique when I leave the house.
Has anyone else tried living on Tomato Time?
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Jenny is a writer in Fort Collins who is currently looking to find an agent to represent her supernatural mystery, The Silver Web.
Jenny's posts will appear every Monday
In January, I wrote a NCW blog post about my frustration with my poor time management (You Say Tomato...), and how I hoped The Pomodoro Technique would help me get a handle on all the minutes that seem to sneak away without my notice. (A quick, if oversimplified, review: the technique involves setting a timer for twenty-five minutes, working until it goes off, taking a five-minute break, and repeating the cycle.)I’m pleased to report that The Pomodoro Technique is as easy and effective as I hoped it would be. As it turns out, I respond well to the sound of a ringing bell. In fact, I’m positively Pavlovian about it, but without the annoying drooling. The ticking of the timer did panic me at first, making me feel as if I had to account for every passing second, but now it’s merely an ambient reminder to stay on task.
Twenty-five minutes is the perfect length of time for those of us long on ambition but short on attention. I can endure any unpleasant household job for that long without feeling the need to quit halfway and self-medicate with green tea and chocolate. And yet, twenty-five uninterrupted minutes spent catching up on the news or doing a crossword puzzle feels like a true indulgence.
Though I’m trying, I don’t Pomodoro every day. Some days, interruptions and distractions abound, and I have to forego the timer for sanity’s sake. I’ve also found that the technique is not perfectly suited for every activity. I like using it when I’m e-mailing, surfing the net, paying bills, doing laundry or other chores, and alphabetizing the spices. (Okay, so I’ve never in my life done that last one, but I can dream.) It rubs me the wrong way, however, when I’m writing or when I’m reading something longer than a magazine. Frankly, I never would have made it through The Story of Edgar Sawtelle twenty-five minutes at a time.
As I’ve gotten more efficient with my time at home, I’m realizing how much of it I waste when I’m out and about. My next experiment will be Pomodoro-on-the-Go—using the technique when I leave the house.
Has anyone else tried living on Tomato Time?
------------------------------------------
Jenny is a writer in Fort Collins who is currently looking to find an agent to represent her supernatural mystery, The Silver Web.
Friday, April 9, 2010
The 2010 Northern Colorado Writers Post-Conference Reading List
Post By NCW Member Laura BridgwaterNo matter our genres, reading is an important part of our development as writers. With dedication, we read with a pen in hand, determined to parse the magic of the words. We circle surprising passages, underline transitions, and leave, in the margins, a trail of question marks, stars, smiley faces, and other pictographs that tell the story of our growth as writers. By reading closely, we hope that the individual elements of craft will coalesce in our psyche, and we will become the ones drawing words into art.
Because reading is an integral part of a writer’s education, I took notes at the conference whenever a presenter mentioned a favorite book, poem, essay, or author. For if the mentioned reading material helped that writer, then most likely I could find help there, too.
So here’s the list of material that I gleaned from the conference. The compilation varies in genres, including classics, bestsellers, groundbreakers, poetry, craft books, memoirs, short stories, essays, and works of creative nonfiction. But every item below shares one thing in common: It helped to grow a writer.
What valuable reading suggestions did you pick up?
The 2010 Post-Conference Reading List, in no particular order:
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
- The Girl with Curious Hair by David Foster Wallace
- Marchlands by Karla Kuban
- The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
- Ron Carlson Writes a Story by Ron CarlsonThe Shack by William P. Young
- Whiter Than Snow by Sandra Dallas
- Rapture by Susan Minot
- After by Claire Tristram
- Endless Love by Scott Spencer
- About My Life and the Kept Woman by John Rechy
- Tender Bar: A Memoir by J.R. Mohringer
- The poetry of Charles Bukowski
- The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
- The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston
- Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: A Novel by Jonathan Safran Foer
- Live Through This: A Mother’s Memoir of Runaway Daughters and Reclaimed Love by Debra Gwartney
- “Leap” by Brian Doyle
- “Word on the Street” by Richard Price
- Creating Fiction from Experience by Peggy Simpson Curry
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Laura Bridgwater is a freelance writer and commentator. You can hear her radio commentaries on KUNC.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Think Outside Your Genre
Post by NCW Director Kerrie FlanaganAt an NCW coffee yesterday morning, the members in attendance shared what they learned at the Northern Colorado Writers Conference that took place a little over a week ago. April Joitel made a comment that stuck with me. She said, "Go to as many workshops as possible even if they don't directly pertain to your type of writing." She went on to say that she learned just as much, if not more from attending sessions that she didn't think had anything to do with her genre.
I thought at the time that this was great advice for writers planning to attend a conference. Then I realized this is great advice in general. We should all think outside our genre when signing up for classes, going to an author event, or picking books to read on the craft of writing.
If you are a fiction writer struggling with dialogue have you ever considered taking a screenwriting class? Writing an effective screenplay requires a great deal of skill with dialogue. How about reading or listening to Q&A style interviews to catch subtle nuances of language?
Are you a writer who needs to learn to write tight or needs to make your didactic, academic writing more easy to understand? Why not take a children's writing class or read books on how to write for children? Those who are successful at writing for children are masters at getting to the core of the story or the topic. They write it such a way that is easy to understand but it doesn't dumb it down for the reader.
Nonfiction writers can learn a lot by studying fiction. There was a workshop at the conference called, Creating a Sense of Place. This might seem very fiction driven, but the truth is, good nonfiction also needs to draw readers in through the different senses. Knowing how to create a vivid setting places a reader in a piece. Whether that is the plushness of a five-star hotel, the stench of an overflowing landfill or the purity of nuns singing their morning prayers at an Abbey, incorporating the senses makes it more memorable for the reader.
What about the business side of writing? A good book proposal is at the core of selling a nonfiction books. But what about fiction? Most fiction writers don't create a book proposal for their book--it isn't usually required by agents and editors. But I bet fiction writers could learn so much by putting together a proposal for their book, even though if it was just be for their benefit. Proposals would force authors to look at what they have written, figure out where it fits in the world of publishing, what is the competition, how does their book differ from the current books on the market and how are they going to help with marketing.
The more I think about it, the more I realize just how connected all genres of writing really are. We can learn about foreshadowing from mysteries, relationships from romances and the beauty of language from poetry.
Have you ever taken a class or workshop that wasn't directly related to your genre and ended up learning a lot from it?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Thanks Wendy (My Alter Ego)
Post by NCW member Jenny Sundstedt
According to my mother, I was born shy. As a baby, attention from well-meaning strangers made me cry instead of coo. Getting me to speak up in school required an act of legislation. I can blush so completely that even the part in my hair glows like a third-degree sunburn.
By this point in my life, I’ve thankfully outgrown much of my shyness, but I still suffer at times from deeply ingrained social awkwardness. (My husband of twenty years has heard me put my foot in my mouth more often than he’ll admit.) So when I told a friend I’d be attending the 2010 Northern Colorado Writers conference and she claimed she’d never have the courage to do it, I wondered…how is it that I do?
I decided that I’ve created a conference alter-ego. I named her Wendy, after Wendy Moira Angela Darling, who flew all the way to Neverland with just a little encouragement, some happy thoughts, and a bit of fairy dust. My Wendy doesn’t fly around in her nightgown, but she wears lipstick and nice shoes and shirts that button. She approaches other writers, even published ones, and chats with them. She doesn’t (as I would do) retreat to a corner chair, longing for sweatpants and 30 Rock. She is me, sprinkled with a pinch of whatever passes for fairy dust these days.
Perhaps you are a reclusive writer who didn’t attend this year’s NCW Conference because the thought of mingling with a large group of strangers—even friendly ones who share your interests—makes your body respond in all kinds of anxious ways. Really, you might argue, why bother, when all the information presented at a conference is available elsewhere. Right?
Well…not exactly. Reading the blogs of industry professionals is informative. Listening to them talk about the business at a panel or over dinner is an education. A good query letter is a necessary tool. Pitching a project in person is worth its weight in gold. Having fellow writers give you their opinions is helpful. Hearing agents and editors critique a slush pile can be a revelation.
The bottom line is, if you’re serious about your writing career, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose by attending a conference. So, start now. Dream up your alter-ego. Give him or her a name. Batman, Oprah, Brad Pitt, Xena—anyone whose confidence you’d like to channel. Or create your own character. You are a writer, after all. Then, polish your work. Polish your pitch. Polish your nails, if you’re so inclined. And get out there.
Wendy and I hope to see you at next year’s NCW conference. Maybe you’ll be the one in the (imaginary) superhero cape.
Anyone else have a coping strategy for conferences?
According to my mother, I was born shy. As a baby, attention from well-meaning strangers made me cry instead of coo. Getting me to speak up in school required an act of legislation. I can blush so completely that even the part in my hair glows like a third-degree sunburn.
By this point in my life, I’ve thankfully outgrown much of my shyness, but I still suffer at times from deeply ingrained social awkwardness. (My husband of twenty years has heard me put my foot in my mouth more often than he’ll admit.) So when I told a friend I’d be attending the 2010 Northern Colorado Writers conference and she claimed she’d never have the courage to do it, I wondered…how is it that I do?
I decided that I’ve created a conference alter-ego. I named her Wendy, after Wendy Moira Angela Darling, who flew all the way to Neverland with just a little encouragement, some happy thoughts, and a bit of fairy dust. My Wendy doesn’t fly around in her nightgown, but she wears lipstick and nice shoes and shirts that button. She approaches other writers, even published ones, and chats with them. She doesn’t (as I would do) retreat to a corner chair, longing for sweatpants and 30 Rock. She is me, sprinkled with a pinch of whatever passes for fairy dust these days.Perhaps you are a reclusive writer who didn’t attend this year’s NCW Conference because the thought of mingling with a large group of strangers—even friendly ones who share your interests—makes your body respond in all kinds of anxious ways. Really, you might argue, why bother, when all the information presented at a conference is available elsewhere. Right?
Well…not exactly. Reading the blogs of industry professionals is informative. Listening to them talk about the business at a panel or over dinner is an education. A good query letter is a necessary tool. Pitching a project in person is worth its weight in gold. Having fellow writers give you their opinions is helpful. Hearing agents and editors critique a slush pile can be a revelation.
The bottom line is, if you’re serious about your writing career, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose by attending a conference. So, start now. Dream up your alter-ego. Give him or her a name. Batman, Oprah, Brad Pitt, Xena—anyone whose confidence you’d like to channel. Or create your own character. You are a writer, after all. Then, polish your work. Polish your pitch. Polish your nails, if you’re so inclined. And get out there.
Wendy and I hope to see you at next year’s NCW conference. Maybe you’ll be the one in the (imaginary) superhero cape.
Anyone else have a coping strategy for conferences?
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Writing Naked
Post by NCW Member Jenny Sundstedt
February 1st was Working Naked Day. Didn’t have it on your calendar, you say? Me, neither. I ran across it that morning while foraging in the Internet wilderness. According to Founder and Home Office Expert Lisa Kanarek, “Working Naked refers to the fact that when we begin working from home, we’re stripped of all of the corporate support that makes up our day-to-day existence.” It also means actually working sans clothing.
At first, I wondered who would be crazy enough to do it. Upon further reflection, I realized that my work is writing (though it’s frustratingly pro bono these days), and I write at home. Maybe I should be crazy enough to give it a try. What the heck, I might learn something about myself in the process.
I gathered my nerve, and, after boys and husband were out the door and the dog was walked, I retreated to the privacy of my basement computer, fired up the space heater, stripped down to my slippers, and committed myself to one hour of nude writing. No joke. I really did.
How did it go? Let’s just say it was a looong hour, but I made it through…barely (excuse the pun). I wish I could say I felt liberated, enlightened, or even merely silly. But, frankly, it was an uncomfortable experience. And not just because I was freezing. In the spirit of the classic Seinfeld episode comparing “good naked” and “bad naked,” I confess I am not a fan of casual nudity. If the UPS man is ever going to surprise me in the buff (mine, not his), he’s going to have to deliver right to my shower door.
I’m certain that Working Naked Day will not be an annual event for me, but I’m glad I tried it. First of all, I was immune to my normal distractions. I had zero urge to wander up to the kitchen for a snack. The thought of answering the phone made me blush. So, I got a lot of writing done.
It also made me grateful for all the times I don’t have to work naked, literally or figuratively. I may not have “corporate support,” but I’m so fortunate to have a great network of family and friends, and the wonderful Northern Colorado Writers community.
Last but not least, this experiment encouraged me to consider how much time I spend in my comfort zone. Like many writers, I love my comfort zone. If I, of all people, can work naked for an hour, I can certainly expand my writer’s horizons in other small ways. Fully clothed, of course.
What do you do to break out of your comfort zone?
February 1st was Working Naked Day. Didn’t have it on your calendar, you say? Me, neither. I ran across it that morning while foraging in the Internet wilderness. According to Founder and Home Office Expert Lisa Kanarek, “Working Naked refers to the fact that when we begin working from home, we’re stripped of all of the corporate support that makes up our day-to-day existence.” It also means actually working sans clothing.
At first, I wondered who would be crazy enough to do it. Upon further reflection, I realized that my work is writing (though it’s frustratingly pro bono these days), and I write at home. Maybe I should be crazy enough to give it a try. What the heck, I might learn something about myself in the process.
I gathered my nerve, and, after boys and husband were out the door and the dog was walked, I retreated to the privacy of my basement computer, fired up the space heater, stripped down to my slippers, and committed myself to one hour of nude writing. No joke. I really did.
How did it go? Let’s just say it was a looong hour, but I made it through…barely (excuse the pun). I wish I could say I felt liberated, enlightened, or even merely silly. But, frankly, it was an uncomfortable experience. And not just because I was freezing. In the spirit of the classic Seinfeld episode comparing “good naked” and “bad naked,” I confess I am not a fan of casual nudity. If the UPS man is ever going to surprise me in the buff (mine, not his), he’s going to have to deliver right to my shower door.
I’m certain that Working Naked Day will not be an annual event for me, but I’m glad I tried it. First of all, I was immune to my normal distractions. I had zero urge to wander up to the kitchen for a snack. The thought of answering the phone made me blush. So, I got a lot of writing done.
It also made me grateful for all the times I don’t have to work naked, literally or figuratively. I may not have “corporate support,” but I’m so fortunate to have a great network of family and friends, and the wonderful Northern Colorado Writers community.
Last but not least, this experiment encouraged me to consider how much time I spend in my comfort zone. Like many writers, I love my comfort zone. If I, of all people, can work naked for an hour, I can certainly expand my writer’s horizons in other small ways. Fully clothed, of course.
What do you do to break out of your comfort zone?
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