Some people would argue that there's no such thing as writer's block. I guess I agree with that. A lot of times, it's mind over matter - it's the sitting down and doing it that's difficult. But I know without a doubt, there are times when my own writing feels a bit stifled and inspiration isn't exactly right around the corner. The blessing for writers, and creators of all artistic forms, is that taking action in fun ways will help reapply a fresh approach to your creative spirit.
Get out of the house
Last week, I went on a field trip. My husband took two of our children, Danielle took the baby, and I went to the library. For two-and-a-half hours, I worked diligently, and uninterruptedly developing a magazine article idea, and then even managed a significant amount of time on my book. It was wonderful. No sippy cups to fill, diapers to change or sibling disagreements to mediate. Did somebody say Heaven?
Seriously though, sometimes inspiration comes in the form of a break from the norm. For parents who stay at home, it can be hard to juggle everything - housework, parenting, and everything else in our lives - and try to write too. It's overwhelming at times and coming up with fresh ideas amidst all of that is hard to do. Getting out of the house isn't always an option for everyone, but when the opportunity strikes take advantage. One or two getaways a week can do wonders for your muse.
Re-inspire by doing something enjoyable
Do something you enjoy to reawaken your creative spirit. It doesn't have to be writing related. Go for a walk and take note of the fresh green foliage bursting from buds in trees. Feel the wind blowing gently on your face. Listen to the spring birds singing. Watch them flitting about as they prepare nests for future babies. Use all of your senses like a child would. Enjoy the experience.
If that doesn't get the juices flowing for you, do something else that gets your mind off of life's worries - the things that really block inspiration. Draw up a warm bubble bath, light a few of your favorite scented candles, and grab up that magazine that came in the mail three weeks ago (or three months ago). Treat yourself to a freebie spa in your own home.
Whatever you enjoy that's deeply relaxing, give it a try. You work hard and you deserve it. You'd be amazed what a few moments of quiet doing something you enjoy can do to stir up new ideas.
Buy yourself something new
For me, there's nothing quite as motivating as buying new exercise clothes to get me to go for a run. It's the same thing with writing. Having new stuff to use - sticky notes, pens, or a pretty journal - inspires me to write something new. If you're on a tight budget, don't worry. These items can be found at affordable prices at your local Dollar Store, and if it ends up being enough inspiration to land you an assignment, it might just be worth it.
Remember that all writers have periods of great creativity and those that are not quite as productive. It's ok. When the less industrious times come, take an active approach. Follow these suggestions or come up with your own to get yourself back on track.
What are some of your best tips for renewing your writing inspiration?
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Monday, May 02, 2011
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tuesday's Tips and Tidbits
Today we are talking about A Writer's Time Out. Sound's sort of stern doesn't it? A writer's time out is what I call a commitment to doing something every week that helps you get to know your "inner writer" a little bit better. It isn't stern at all, but it can be scary because it reflects a commitment to writing that should move you closer to your writing goals. This is a scary thing--committing yourself to a goal that you aren't even sure is attainable. Julia Cameron refers to this as the "Artist's Date," a more romanticised notion of the same thing really.
According to Julia this date is an important contributor to your writing muse. In her book, "The Artist's Way," she compares writing to a relationship that needs nurturing. Counselors encourage spouses to spend quality time with each other in order to reconnect and they need to have fun together in order to do that. It only makes sense that writers should do the same thing to stay connected with their "inner artist."
Julia says, "Your artist needs to be taken out, pampered, and listened to." She points out that excuses concocted to evade this time together are far too easy to come up with, but that all excuses are nonsense. These excuses are simply the "fear of self-intimacy," she says. I think it's also the fear of the unknown and perhaps even success?
Your date need not be expensive or extravagant. It is only important that the time you spend enables you to tap into a deeper part of yourself that helps you to grow as a writer. Your date might include sipping iced tea on the veranda of a local restaurant, watching and listening to children play at the park, or hiking a nature trail near your home. Whatever activity really strikes your fancy...or actually whatever strikes your inner writer's fancy!
So my tidbit for better writing this week is to suggest that you put yourself in a writer's time out, or if you are feeling less self-deprecating take yourself out on an "Artist's Date--it's all in your perspective, my friend! I think I'll take the date!
Have a blessed day!
According to Julia this date is an important contributor to your writing muse. In her book, "The Artist's Way," she compares writing to a relationship that needs nurturing. Counselors encourage spouses to spend quality time with each other in order to reconnect and they need to have fun together in order to do that. It only makes sense that writers should do the same thing to stay connected with their "inner artist."
Julia says, "Your artist needs to be taken out, pampered, and listened to." She points out that excuses concocted to evade this time together are far too easy to come up with, but that all excuses are nonsense. These excuses are simply the "fear of self-intimacy," she says. I think it's also the fear of the unknown and perhaps even success?
Your date need not be expensive or extravagant. It is only important that the time you spend enables you to tap into a deeper part of yourself that helps you to grow as a writer. Your date might include sipping iced tea on the veranda of a local restaurant, watching and listening to children play at the park, or hiking a nature trail near your home. Whatever activity really strikes your fancy...or actually whatever strikes your inner writer's fancy!
So my tidbit for better writing this week is to suggest that you put yourself in a writer's time out, or if you are feeling less self-deprecating take yourself out on an "Artist's Date--it's all in your perspective, my friend! I think I'll take the date!
Have a blessed day!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Tuesday's Tips and Tidbits
Well, we are back from vacation. We had a wonderfully relaxing time, but no matter how enjoyable time away is, there's nothing quite so nice as sleeping in your own bed again.
While we were gone I was able to spend an entire day devoted to doing nothing but reading. I devoured a couple issues of Writers Digest and enjoyed it immensely. In fact, one of the articles I read was about software for writers, and honestly I had never even given it any thought before.
My first inclination was to think that I would never use such programs and that it's cheating in a sense. But why? Don't these programs basically teach you all the same things that you learn while taking a writing course? That's not cheating it's improving your craft. I decided to check out their list of recommended software and here is a review of three that I looked at:
(1) WriteItNow - is a program for story development. Their website was very informative and easy to use. The WriteItNow registered software costs $49.95, but they offer a free demo and while you can't save or use add-ons it still has the potential to draw your story out.
(2) NewNovelist - also a site for story development. This program costs $54.99, doesn't offer a free version, but does offer a demo. I personally didn't care for their demo because you don't have any control in what you read or how fast you view it. I like to be able to read something and then move on, but that wasn't an option. I didn't make it through the demo.
(3) Character Pro - a program for character development. The registered software is $69.99, but the site itself has some free articles, tools and tips that are very useful when it comes to character development. There is even a page you can go to that helps you develop a quick character for free!
So there you have it. My quick review of three writing software websites - take it for what it's worth!
Take care and have a wonderful day!
While we were gone I was able to spend an entire day devoted to doing nothing but reading. I devoured a couple issues of Writers Digest and enjoyed it immensely. In fact, one of the articles I read was about software for writers, and honestly I had never even given it any thought before.
My first inclination was to think that I would never use such programs and that it's cheating in a sense. But why? Don't these programs basically teach you all the same things that you learn while taking a writing course? That's not cheating it's improving your craft. I decided to check out their list of recommended software and here is a review of three that I looked at:
(1) WriteItNow - is a program for story development. Their website was very informative and easy to use. The WriteItNow registered software costs $49.95, but they offer a free demo and while you can't save or use add-ons it still has the potential to draw your story out.
(2) NewNovelist - also a site for story development. This program costs $54.99, doesn't offer a free version, but does offer a demo. I personally didn't care for their demo because you don't have any control in what you read or how fast you view it. I like to be able to read something and then move on, but that wasn't an option. I didn't make it through the demo.
(3) Character Pro - a program for character development. The registered software is $69.99, but the site itself has some free articles, tools and tips that are very useful when it comes to character development. There is even a page you can go to that helps you develop a quick character for free!
So there you have it. My quick review of three writing software websites - take it for what it's worth!
Take care and have a wonderful day!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Tuesday's Writing Tidbits
Writer's block? Well, yes, I have to admit I have a touch of this dreaded writing dilemma. It's not that I don't want to write. Why just this morning I woke up with the sun shining in through my bedroom window, and I felt so inspired I took my handy dandy notepad and half cup of coffee out to my back patio to do some writing. I wanted desperately to pour my heart out onto the paper and write something eloquent and worthwhile! I couldn't get started. I think we all have days when writer's block gets us, so here are a few tips on overcoming it when it strikes:
(1) Get up and move somewhere different. Writing from a new spot may help renew your creative juices and help you view things from a new perspective.
(2) Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Start out with fun writing--like freewriting or journaling. These are great opportunities to both come up with new ideas, and to get rid of the stuff that's cluttering up your mind.
(3) Get focused. After you've found yourself a new sweet spot, and gotten a chance to do some fun writing, direct your attention to what you really want or need to write and then, as that clever Nike slogan says, "Just do it!" Start writing and you will be amazed at what you can get accomplished!
What's your most useful advice to overcoming writer's block?
(1) Get up and move somewhere different. Writing from a new spot may help renew your creative juices and help you view things from a new perspective.
(2) Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Start out with fun writing--like freewriting or journaling. These are great opportunities to both come up with new ideas, and to get rid of the stuff that's cluttering up your mind.
(3) Get focused. After you've found yourself a new sweet spot, and gotten a chance to do some fun writing, direct your attention to what you really want or need to write and then, as that clever Nike slogan says, "Just do it!" Start writing and you will be amazed at what you can get accomplished!
What's your most useful advice to overcoming writer's block?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday's Writing Tidbits
You got me! It's not Tuesday...it's Wednesday. I apologize. You know how life gets away from you sometimes? Well, life got away from me...but you'll be happy to know I got it back again!
Anyway, I thought that this week's "tip" would be about group writing projects. I participated in my first one last week and thought it was such a great experience that I really think everyone should give it a try. Here are several reasons why:
(1) First and foremost, I thought it was great fun, but most importantly, it was a wonderful learning experience. What a fun opportunity to learn something about myself and a life event that I might not have ever thought about again! Not only that, but there were many lessons to be learned from the other participants. Who would think you could learn so much from animals, but you can!
(2) The contest opened my eyes to new people and new blogs. When I read the other entries in the project, I also checked out their blogs. I found a bunch of interesting stories, talented writers, and tons of useful information. Bloggers tend to be a helpful bunch!
(3) It brought new visitors to my blog. I love seeing new visitors, and I enjoy their comments even more!
(4) It was a great excuse to write. I would even have to say that it brought me a little bit out of my comfort zone--probably because the story was a glimpse into a past that is very personal to me. But doesn't that stretch us as writers, and human beings?
So if you've never joined a group writing project, then give it a try. You might be surprised just how much you stand to gain! I know I learned much more than I figured on, and that's simply awesome!
Have a wonderful day, and see you next time!
Anyway, I thought that this week's "tip" would be about group writing projects. I participated in my first one last week and thought it was such a great experience that I really think everyone should give it a try. Here are several reasons why:
(1) First and foremost, I thought it was great fun, but most importantly, it was a wonderful learning experience. What a fun opportunity to learn something about myself and a life event that I might not have ever thought about again! Not only that, but there were many lessons to be learned from the other participants. Who would think you could learn so much from animals, but you can!
(2) The contest opened my eyes to new people and new blogs. When I read the other entries in the project, I also checked out their blogs. I found a bunch of interesting stories, talented writers, and tons of useful information. Bloggers tend to be a helpful bunch!
(3) It brought new visitors to my blog. I love seeing new visitors, and I enjoy their comments even more!
(4) It was a great excuse to write. I would even have to say that it brought me a little bit out of my comfort zone--probably because the story was a glimpse into a past that is very personal to me. But doesn't that stretch us as writers, and human beings?
So if you've never joined a group writing project, then give it a try. You might be surprised just how much you stand to gain! I know I learned much more than I figured on, and that's simply awesome!
Have a wonderful day, and see you next time!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Tuesday's Tips and Tidbits for Better Writing
Word Choice
Choosing the correct words for your content is one of the smartest things you can do for your writing career. Proper word choice will make your stories and articles entirely more persuasive. Conversely, putting the wrong words in the wrong place will only help you to lose your credibility, and unfortunately your readers too. So here are three common mistakes to watch out for when you write.
(1) All ready, and already: Use all ready when all refers to things or people:
The writers were all ready to write the best story ever!
Use already to refer to "by this time" or "by that time."
I could hardly believe her book already made the best seller list!
(2) Can hardly, can't hardly: Can hardly means virtually the same thing as cannot or can't:
My daughter can hardly wait until the end of the week, and the beginning of her summer vacation.
Can't hardly is improper grammar and should never be used in any context!
(3) Moral, morale: A moral is an adjective meaning ethical or virtuous.
The moral of the story is that if you use good grammar your writing will be more credible.
Morale is a noun meaning spirit or attitude.
The coach's positive attitude kept up his team's morale.
I hope you found these tips and tidbits useful. I will be back next week with some more!
Have a wonderful day!
Choosing the correct words for your content is one of the smartest things you can do for your writing career. Proper word choice will make your stories and articles entirely more persuasive. Conversely, putting the wrong words in the wrong place will only help you to lose your credibility, and unfortunately your readers too. So here are three common mistakes to watch out for when you write.
(1) All ready, and already: Use all ready when all refers to things or people:
The writers were all ready to write the best story ever!
Use already to refer to "by this time" or "by that time."
I could hardly believe her book already made the best seller list!
(2) Can hardly, can't hardly: Can hardly means virtually the same thing as cannot or can't:
My daughter can hardly wait until the end of the week, and the beginning of her summer vacation.
Can't hardly is improper grammar and should never be used in any context!
(3) Moral, morale: A moral is an adjective meaning ethical or virtuous.
The moral of the story is that if you use good grammar your writing will be more credible.
Morale is a noun meaning spirit or attitude.
The coach's positive attitude kept up his team's morale.
I hope you found these tips and tidbits useful. I will be back next week with some more!
Have a wonderful day!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Footloose and Fancy Free
When you think of the old cliche "footloose and fancy free," what thoughts come to your mind? I think of childhood, a time in life that is carefree and not overburdened with responsibility, or matured from the experience of simply living life. Even being young and in college seems to fit well into that category, doesn't it? When, for many, it meant your biggest concern was whether or not you still had a can of spaghetti o's left in the cupboard for your dinner, and how you were going to cram a semester's worth of notes into your brain for the the final coming up in two days. I'm now almost thirty two years old and I really think there's something to be said for that old cliche.
I've lived life. It hasn't been filled with tragedy, nor has it been terrible. I am thankful, in fact, for every experience I've been through-good or bad. That's why I enjoy a style of writing that I like to think of as "footloose and fancy free." Many of you know of it as free writing.
The thing that's so neat about free writing is that there are absolutely no hard and fast rules. This is a time that you do not pay attention to spelling, grammar, or even punctuation. That would detract from the exercise. The idea is to get down as much on paper as you possibly can, and if you are monkeying around with details, it distracts you from your thoughts, and it's your very thoughts that make this such a useful exercise.
Sit down down with your keyboard or pen and paper and simply begin to write. It's an opportunity for you to sit down and write about anything and everything that happens to pop into your head. If it makes sense, that's great! If it doesn't, that's great too, but it's a excellent activity to begin your daily writing habits with, or if you are suffering from a bout of writer's block.
This is also a very useful exercise if you are writing on something specific. If you free write everything you can possibly think about pertaining to that topic you will find that it will help you narrow down what your thoughts and opinions are on that subject and may even help you to put a better focus on your paper.
Of course, you do not have to write about a specific topic. Remember, there are no rules. If you haven't any ideas, just write whatever is popping into your head. We are never void of thoughts. Something will come to you, I guarantee it!
Try it! You may be amazed of how many ideas may come to mind for your next big article when you are footloose and fancy free writing!
I've lived life. It hasn't been filled with tragedy, nor has it been terrible. I am thankful, in fact, for every experience I've been through-good or bad. That's why I enjoy a style of writing that I like to think of as "footloose and fancy free." Many of you know of it as free writing.
The thing that's so neat about free writing is that there are absolutely no hard and fast rules. This is a time that you do not pay attention to spelling, grammar, or even punctuation. That would detract from the exercise. The idea is to get down as much on paper as you possibly can, and if you are monkeying around with details, it distracts you from your thoughts, and it's your very thoughts that make this such a useful exercise.
Sit down down with your keyboard or pen and paper and simply begin to write. It's an opportunity for you to sit down and write about anything and everything that happens to pop into your head. If it makes sense, that's great! If it doesn't, that's great too, but it's a excellent activity to begin your daily writing habits with, or if you are suffering from a bout of writer's block.
This is also a very useful exercise if you are writing on something specific. If you free write everything you can possibly think about pertaining to that topic you will find that it will help you narrow down what your thoughts and opinions are on that subject and may even help you to put a better focus on your paper.
Of course, you do not have to write about a specific topic. Remember, there are no rules. If you haven't any ideas, just write whatever is popping into your head. We are never void of thoughts. Something will come to you, I guarantee it!
Try it! You may be amazed of how many ideas may come to mind for your next big article when you are footloose and fancy free writing!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
The Recycling Meme - Be a Better Writer: Avoid These Common Mistakes
Mihaeal Lica of eWritings - Online Public Relations tagged me with this fun Meme in which I get to recycle an older post, and then tag others to do the same. It was hard to choose which to repost. I love the older posts that were written before I redesigned this blog specifically for writers. They are so personal and are a great enjoyment for me to read, but since most of you are writers, I thought I would repost something that might be useful to you. So here you go. Enjoy!
In my last blog I discussed the difference between proofreading and editing—both very important elements of writing. Understanding the difference is great, but what can you look for that goes beyond the basics of punctuation?
Incorrect word usage is something that often grabs my attention when I am reading an article. When words are used improperly, the writer automatically loses credibility. You must be vigilant about choosing the correct words and using them in the correct context.
As a writer, you must thoughtfully choose the words you use—whether it’s for a short story, poetry, or writing a cover letter. The following examples are some of the most common mistakes that I see, but should be avoided at all costs.
(1) Anxious vs. eager - I see this mistake all the time. Anyone who has ever had anxiety knows that there is an extreme difference between being anxious and eager. If you are looking forward to meeting your favorite author, you would not say, "I am anxious to meet Stephen King." Instead you would be eager to meet him--unless you are afraid he might act out a gruesome scene from one of his books. Then you might be anxious.
(2) Center on vs. revolve around – Often writers will combine the two and instead write “center around.” Well, you can’t be in the center and around at the same time. I might say that I want you to center your attention on my blog right now.
(3) Concerted effort - one person cannot make a concert but he can make a concentrated effort.
(4) Accept vs. except – accept means to take, and except means to leave out. Try to remember that the “x” in except means to exclude. Please accept my advice on word usage--except when I make mistakes!
(5) Criterion vs. criteria - Some words with Latin or Greek roots have plural forms that end in “a.” These words are commonly mistaken for singular words. Remember you have one criterion and many criteria.
(6) A lot vs. alot – ok, so this one is very basic and not really about meaning, but I see it misused so often, I think it’s worth mentioning. Remember that “a lot” is always two words—not one. But you can allot a job to a friend.
I hope these suggestions will help you when working on your writing project—whatever it may be. Choose your words carefully, and remember it’s the simple things that add up to make you an expert in the writing world.
I am tagging Sylvia, Harmony, and Betsy. Have fun ladies!
Be a Better Writer: Avoid These Common Mistakes
In my last blog I discussed the difference between proofreading and editing—both very important elements of writing. Understanding the difference is great, but what can you look for that goes beyond the basics of punctuation?
Incorrect word usage is something that often grabs my attention when I am reading an article. When words are used improperly, the writer automatically loses credibility. You must be vigilant about choosing the correct words and using them in the correct context.
As a writer, you must thoughtfully choose the words you use—whether it’s for a short story, poetry, or writing a cover letter. The following examples are some of the most common mistakes that I see, but should be avoided at all costs.
(1) Anxious vs. eager - I see this mistake all the time. Anyone who has ever had anxiety knows that there is an extreme difference between being anxious and eager. If you are looking forward to meeting your favorite author, you would not say, "I am anxious to meet Stephen King." Instead you would be eager to meet him--unless you are afraid he might act out a gruesome scene from one of his books. Then you might be anxious.
(2) Center on vs. revolve around – Often writers will combine the two and instead write “center around.” Well, you can’t be in the center and around at the same time. I might say that I want you to center your attention on my blog right now.
(3) Concerted effort - one person cannot make a concert but he can make a concentrated effort.
(4) Accept vs. except – accept means to take, and except means to leave out. Try to remember that the “x” in except means to exclude. Please accept my advice on word usage--except when I make mistakes!
(5) Criterion vs. criteria - Some words with Latin or Greek roots have plural forms that end in “a.” These words are commonly mistaken for singular words. Remember you have one criterion and many criteria.
(6) A lot vs. alot – ok, so this one is very basic and not really about meaning, but I see it misused so often, I think it’s worth mentioning. Remember that “a lot” is always two words—not one. But you can allot a job to a friend.
I hope these suggestions will help you when working on your writing project—whatever it may be. Choose your words carefully, and remember it’s the simple things that add up to make you an expert in the writing world.
I am tagging Sylvia, Harmony, and Betsy. Have fun ladies!
Friday, May 04, 2007
Three Tips to Avoid Repetition in Your Writing
It's true that we all have different styles of writing and editing. I have never been able to sit down and write something start to finish. Whether that's good or not, I do not know, but it's what works for me. I write the first paragraph, stop, reread, edit, then go back to writing.
Last week I spent many hours working on my short story for the 76th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition, and as I edited, I was reminded of the importance of avoiding repetition in writing. Of course, there are always cases where it is used in order to help your writing flow and make sense, or to emphasize a point. In those cases it's important to come up with new and unique ways of saying what you want to say. That's part of the creative element of writing.
Avoiding repetition is important primarily for the fluidity of your piece. When you continually repeat, your writing becomes choppy and hard to follow. But most importantly, nobody is going to want to read what you've written. Who really has time to read the same thing over and over? And who really wants to? If you can get creative with your words and phrases, your article will be more interesting for your reader.
Three tips to avoid repetition:
(1) Did you ever read a story or article where the main character's name is used way too much? It breaks down the readability of your piece. When you are using a person's name, try replacing it with pronouns whenever possible. Obviously, you must introduce the character you are talking about, and there are still times it is necessary to use the actual name, but when appropriate use him, her, or he, she etc.
(2) Reread your article out loud, or listen to someone read it to you. Hearing as opposed to reading it inside your head, is helpful for catching those words and phrases that are repetitive. I can't tell you how many times I have read something I wrote to a friend and caught words that repeat.
(3) Your thesaurus is your friend. Don't be afraid or ashamed to pull it out of your bookshelf, or from your Microsoft Word program. Sometimes you may even find a more appropriate word than you were originally going to use. Plus this blessed little book also has the added bonus of widening your vocabulary.
Repetition is a part of writing. We all do it. It's something that we don't think about a whole lot because we are paying attention to proper grammar and sentence structure. But it's there in your rough drafts, and that is where it needs to end! So be on the lookout.
Until next time take care!
Last week I spent many hours working on my short story for the 76th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition, and as I edited, I was reminded of the importance of avoiding repetition in writing. Of course, there are always cases where it is used in order to help your writing flow and make sense, or to emphasize a point. In those cases it's important to come up with new and unique ways of saying what you want to say. That's part of the creative element of writing.
Avoiding repetition is important primarily for the fluidity of your piece. When you continually repeat, your writing becomes choppy and hard to follow. But most importantly, nobody is going to want to read what you've written. Who really has time to read the same thing over and over? And who really wants to? If you can get creative with your words and phrases, your article will be more interesting for your reader.
Three tips to avoid repetition:
(1) Did you ever read a story or article where the main character's name is used way too much? It breaks down the readability of your piece. When you are using a person's name, try replacing it with pronouns whenever possible. Obviously, you must introduce the character you are talking about, and there are still times it is necessary to use the actual name, but when appropriate use him, her, or he, she etc.
(2) Reread your article out loud, or listen to someone read it to you. Hearing as opposed to reading it inside your head, is helpful for catching those words and phrases that are repetitive. I can't tell you how many times I have read something I wrote to a friend and caught words that repeat.
(3) Your thesaurus is your friend. Don't be afraid or ashamed to pull it out of your bookshelf, or from your Microsoft Word program. Sometimes you may even find a more appropriate word than you were originally going to use. Plus this blessed little book also has the added bonus of widening your vocabulary.
Repetition is a part of writing. We all do it. It's something that we don't think about a whole lot because we are paying attention to proper grammar and sentence structure. But it's there in your rough drafts, and that is where it needs to end! So be on the lookout.
Until next time take care!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
A Mother and a Writer
I have had a busy week as a parent and a writing mama. We had the bomb scare, and yes it really was a bomb. Fortunately, it wasn't actually a threat - just a foolish act on the part of a very foolish person. Some guy (low in the intellect department, sorry but it's true) found a pipe bomb, put it in his truck, and brought it with him to ask school officials what it was. I am thankful that it wasn't a crime of hate, but rather stupidity. Somehow that makes me feel better.
Last night, Chloe fell down the basement steps. I spent the most helpless moments of my parenting career watching her tumble down all but two of them. Yuck. Fortunately, all that came of it was a big scare, three hours in the emergency room, and three little stitches on her forehead. It could have been much worse.
These experiences have taught me that there are some things we cannot protect our children from. A hard pill to swallow if you ask me. But as I have said over and over, it's a reminder to cherish today and the time we have with our loved ones. Believe me, if I wasn't before I am now.
As writers what can we get out of circumstances such as these?
To begin with, they are great opportunities to write. They are undeveloped story ideas that have the potential to grow into published works. I already have my query letter in mind from this week's experiences. Not only are they opportunities to come up with stories, but also to grow in our thinking to make our stories so much more flavorful. When Nick was a boy, he knew an old man who lived in his neighborhood. Every time he would see this guy, he would say in his feeble old man voice, "Reach into my bag and grab yourself a gum ball." These little life experiences are the gum balls that make our stories sweeter.
I have also been busy as a writing mama. Other than last night I have been working hard on a short story to enter in the 76th Annual Writer's Digest Writing competition. I am very excited because it is a new step in my writing career. I have never entered any contests other than the essay contest I entered in college. The deadline for this one is May 15 and I am determined to finish it and submit it. I will keep you updated on how that is going.
My copy of Writer Mama How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids by Christina Katz came in the mail a couple days ago. I have read snippets of it in between all the other stuff in my life this week. So far, it's great and I think I am going to learn a lot from it. I plan to write a review when I am done.
I apologize for blogging about so many issues other than writing lately. These events have been monumental and a huge focus in my life. Hopefully, now things will settle down! Regardless, I will be back next week to blog about writing and to give you something useful to apply to your own writing careers.
Until next time enjoy all life has to offer you!
Last night, Chloe fell down the basement steps. I spent the most helpless moments of my parenting career watching her tumble down all but two of them. Yuck. Fortunately, all that came of it was a big scare, three hours in the emergency room, and three little stitches on her forehead. It could have been much worse.
These experiences have taught me that there are some things we cannot protect our children from. A hard pill to swallow if you ask me. But as I have said over and over, it's a reminder to cherish today and the time we have with our loved ones. Believe me, if I wasn't before I am now.
As writers what can we get out of circumstances such as these?
To begin with, they are great opportunities to write. They are undeveloped story ideas that have the potential to grow into published works. I already have my query letter in mind from this week's experiences. Not only are they opportunities to come up with stories, but also to grow in our thinking to make our stories so much more flavorful. When Nick was a boy, he knew an old man who lived in his neighborhood. Every time he would see this guy, he would say in his feeble old man voice, "Reach into my bag and grab yourself a gum ball." These little life experiences are the gum balls that make our stories sweeter.
I have also been busy as a writing mama. Other than last night I have been working hard on a short story to enter in the 76th Annual Writer's Digest Writing competition. I am very excited because it is a new step in my writing career. I have never entered any contests other than the essay contest I entered in college. The deadline for this one is May 15 and I am determined to finish it and submit it. I will keep you updated on how that is going.
My copy of Writer Mama How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids by Christina Katz came in the mail a couple days ago. I have read snippets of it in between all the other stuff in my life this week. So far, it's great and I think I am going to learn a lot from it. I plan to write a review when I am done.
I apologize for blogging about so many issues other than writing lately. These events have been monumental and a huge focus in my life. Hopefully, now things will settle down! Regardless, I will be back next week to blog about writing and to give you something useful to apply to your own writing careers.
Until next time enjoy all life has to offer you!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Four Reasons not to Procrastinate in Writing
Procrastinate vb to put off usually habitually doing something that should be done syn. Dawdle, delay
- as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary
For some reason, this week I have been an expert at this most unfortunate condition called procrastination. At this very moment, as I sit here and write a post for my blog, I should be completing a writing assignment that is due today. I am dawdling and delaying until the very last moment. And it’s no good!
Fortunately, most of the time I am not one to procrastinate and that’s a good thing because when you wait until the last minute it usually shows in your writing. Here are four reasons not to do as I am doing right now.
(1) Rushed writing is not good writing. When you are in a hurry it makes it much more difficult to catch the little errors (spelling and punctuation) that can ruin your credibility as a writer.
(2) As a writer it is always good to let your writing “rest” for at least a day or two to enable you to read your paper with fresh eyes. Your mind is not set on reading it just the way you wrote it, allowing critical changes to be made that could make your article much better. When you put it off until the last moment, it’s much harder to do this.
(3) You risk disappointing your client. If you are waiting until the very last moment and your article is not the quality expected of you, your client is not going to be 100% satisfied with your work. You could even lose him as a client.
(4) You risk disappointing yourself. You feel anxious and apprehensive with deadlines looming over your head and you feel badly knowing that had you not put it off you could have done a much better job.
Wow! Four convincing reasons for me to end this post right now and go finish my article. What am I still doing here?
Take care and may you have a wonderful weekend!
- as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary
For some reason, this week I have been an expert at this most unfortunate condition called procrastination. At this very moment, as I sit here and write a post for my blog, I should be completing a writing assignment that is due today. I am dawdling and delaying until the very last moment. And it’s no good!
Fortunately, most of the time I am not one to procrastinate and that’s a good thing because when you wait until the last minute it usually shows in your writing. Here are four reasons not to do as I am doing right now.
(1) Rushed writing is not good writing. When you are in a hurry it makes it much more difficult to catch the little errors (spelling and punctuation) that can ruin your credibility as a writer.
(2) As a writer it is always good to let your writing “rest” for at least a day or two to enable you to read your paper with fresh eyes. Your mind is not set on reading it just the way you wrote it, allowing critical changes to be made that could make your article much better. When you put it off until the last moment, it’s much harder to do this.
(3) You risk disappointing your client. If you are waiting until the very last moment and your article is not the quality expected of you, your client is not going to be 100% satisfied with your work. You could even lose him as a client.
(4) You risk disappointing yourself. You feel anxious and apprehensive with deadlines looming over your head and you feel badly knowing that had you not put it off you could have done a much better job.
Wow! Four convincing reasons for me to end this post right now and go finish my article. What am I still doing here?
Take care and may you have a wonderful weekend!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Simply Amazing!
I sit in my car, waiting for my husband to come out of the store. My eyes are closed-- seatbelt still strapped across my waist. My hand feels the silky smoothness of the strap. I recognize what it is. My youngest daughter's breath slows down, becomes louder, more methodical. She sleeps peacefully. My eldest shuffles the pages of her book. She reads quietly. My mind quickly identifies all it senses and I marvel at the complexity of the human body. I am amazed at how easy the mind and senses come together to identify all that surrounds us.
Wouldn't it be nice if writing were as easy as living and breathing? Not to say it never is, but the words do not always come flowing from the fingertips like the blood that circulates our bodies. Things get in our way and impede the writing process. What are our distractions?
At times, merely living gets in our way. We are busy people. Many have jobs to go to and families to raise. My job is at home maintaining a household and raising children. I love it. There is nothing in my life I enjoy more, but it definitely makes carving out time for writing difficult.
Juggling household chores and the demands of parenting are hard enough in themselves, but adding writing to the mix really steps things up a bit. I admit that I have not yet mastered time management, but there is one thing that consistently works for me. I write when my three-year-old naps. I never do anything else during this time and it allows me at least two good hours in the afternoon to work on my writing projects. It is a productive time for me.
Another big distraction in my life is--you are never going to believe this one--the internet. It is not unusual for me to turn my laptop on with the intent of working on an article, but first I think, "Well, I will just check my email real quick." I check my email, find a neat link to an interesting website, check it out, and that one leads me to another. Then I figure I may as well see if any posts were made to my favorite blogs, and before you know it an hour has gone by. An hour I could have spent writing!
A couple of things have helped me in this area. I only allow myself so much time a day to do all that fun stuff. I take a look at my schedule and determine when I should read those blogs, and then stick to it. Ok, so I get a little ADHD sometimes and I don't always stick to it, but I try. I find that when I do, my writing time becomes more productive.
Another thing I do--especially when I have a project looming--is turn the internet off. I make sure my research is done so I don't need it anymore, and then apply myself. I get into the project and before I know it I am nearly done.
Many things get in our way, but many things can be done to overcome the obstacles. And it's true that some days will be more productive than others, but we must keep at it. Keep those fingers typing. Eventually they've got to work with your mind in the same way that your senses do; working in coalition to write a masterpiece. Right?
Wouldn't it be nice if writing were as easy as living and breathing? Not to say it never is, but the words do not always come flowing from the fingertips like the blood that circulates our bodies. Things get in our way and impede the writing process. What are our distractions?
At times, merely living gets in our way. We are busy people. Many have jobs to go to and families to raise. My job is at home maintaining a household and raising children. I love it. There is nothing in my life I enjoy more, but it definitely makes carving out time for writing difficult.
Juggling household chores and the demands of parenting are hard enough in themselves, but adding writing to the mix really steps things up a bit. I admit that I have not yet mastered time management, but there is one thing that consistently works for me. I write when my three-year-old naps. I never do anything else during this time and it allows me at least two good hours in the afternoon to work on my writing projects. It is a productive time for me.
Another big distraction in my life is--you are never going to believe this one--the internet. It is not unusual for me to turn my laptop on with the intent of working on an article, but first I think, "Well, I will just check my email real quick." I check my email, find a neat link to an interesting website, check it out, and that one leads me to another. Then I figure I may as well see if any posts were made to my favorite blogs, and before you know it an hour has gone by. An hour I could have spent writing!
A couple of things have helped me in this area. I only allow myself so much time a day to do all that fun stuff. I take a look at my schedule and determine when I should read those blogs, and then stick to it. Ok, so I get a little ADHD sometimes and I don't always stick to it, but I try. I find that when I do, my writing time becomes more productive.
Another thing I do--especially when I have a project looming--is turn the internet off. I make sure my research is done so I don't need it anymore, and then apply myself. I get into the project and before I know it I am nearly done.
Many things get in our way, but many things can be done to overcome the obstacles. And it's true that some days will be more productive than others, but we must keep at it. Keep those fingers typing. Eventually they've got to work with your mind in the same way that your senses do; working in coalition to write a masterpiece. Right?
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Keep it Simple
"Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills and meaningless jargon."
~ On Writing Well by William Zinsser
Nothing in this world is quite as difficult as trying to read something that is not readable! Perhaps we don’t know there is junk in our writing. Or maybe we have a feeling, but for some reason are attached and cannot let go. We think we need it—our article cannot do without it. Maybe you think, “I can’t get rid of that comment. It’s a reflection of who I am.” The truth is, if it’s loaded with too much, your style and intent is lost on your reader anyway—likely because he quits reading.
If you aren’t sure whether your writing is filled with unnecessary junk, there is hope for you yet! Think of writing as a bit like baking. Baking is very precise. If you add too much or too little of an ingredient your cookies turn out a flop. Writing is much the same. If you add words that are too complicated or repetitive you create a piece that is hardly readable. If you don't add enough then your article has no substance.
According to William Zinsser, author of On Writing Well, “…the secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest component.” When you read what you've written ask yourself whether that word is necessary to get your point across.
Avoid overusing words or phrases. If they are not essential to your point, eliminate them. If you feel they are necessary, but you've already used them too much then come up with a unique and interesting way to say what you want. A couple words I struggle with are “just” and “very.” Most of the time they are not needed, but they somehow manage to slip their way into my writing.
Another thing to remember is to keep your text simple by paying attention to word meaning. I've discussed this a little bit in a past blog, but using the wrong word is confusing to your reader and adds unnecessary complications to your writing. If you are even slightly confused about meaning, look it up.
Finally, it is important to consider the actual length of what you are writing. In this fast world we live in, people often don't have the time to spend more than a few minutes reading. So give them what they want in smaller doses. This is ideal in a blog situation where someone may enjoy what you write, but might not be able to read more than a few minutes at a time.
Writing is a skill--a craft. It is learned with time and experience and really education. Reading on writing is great. A couple books I recommend are William Zinsser's On Writing Well, and Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way. Those books and practice will help you develop a discerning eye--and take you to the next level of your writing career.
See ya next time!
~ On Writing Well by William Zinsser
Nothing in this world is quite as difficult as trying to read something that is not readable! Perhaps we don’t know there is junk in our writing. Or maybe we have a feeling, but for some reason are attached and cannot let go. We think we need it—our article cannot do without it. Maybe you think, “I can’t get rid of that comment. It’s a reflection of who I am.” The truth is, if it’s loaded with too much, your style and intent is lost on your reader anyway—likely because he quits reading.
If you aren’t sure whether your writing is filled with unnecessary junk, there is hope for you yet! Think of writing as a bit like baking. Baking is very precise. If you add too much or too little of an ingredient your cookies turn out a flop. Writing is much the same. If you add words that are too complicated or repetitive you create a piece that is hardly readable. If you don't add enough then your article has no substance.
According to William Zinsser, author of On Writing Well, “…the secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest component.” When you read what you've written ask yourself whether that word is necessary to get your point across.
Avoid overusing words or phrases. If they are not essential to your point, eliminate them. If you feel they are necessary, but you've already used them too much then come up with a unique and interesting way to say what you want. A couple words I struggle with are “just” and “very.” Most of the time they are not needed, but they somehow manage to slip their way into my writing.
Another thing to remember is to keep your text simple by paying attention to word meaning. I've discussed this a little bit in a past blog, but using the wrong word is confusing to your reader and adds unnecessary complications to your writing. If you are even slightly confused about meaning, look it up.
Finally, it is important to consider the actual length of what you are writing. In this fast world we live in, people often don't have the time to spend more than a few minutes reading. So give them what they want in smaller doses. This is ideal in a blog situation where someone may enjoy what you write, but might not be able to read more than a few minutes at a time.
Writing is a skill--a craft. It is learned with time and experience and really education. Reading on writing is great. A couple books I recommend are William Zinsser's On Writing Well, and Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way. Those books and practice will help you develop a discerning eye--and take you to the next level of your writing career.
See ya next time!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Sunshine and Ramblings
It’s a beautiful morning. The sun is shining and it’s already 59 degrees. I’m feeling inspired so thought I better blog because it’s supposed to rain all afternoon—no telling how inspiring that may be!
Beyond the weather, I am also feeling motivated by the success of others. Yesterday, Harmony Cornwell of Writer in the Making blog posted about all that she has accomplished so far this month. Wow! Great job, Harmony. You’ve done excellent, and made me realize that I need to be pushing myself a little more.
About a month ago, I heard from a client in Texas (yes, I know this is off topic—hence the rambling part of the title). In December I wrote a press release for her that really helped increase her exposure in the media. In fact, an editor from Entrepreneur Magazine contacted her via email to do an interview for a potential future article. She was excited. So was I.
But being the skeptic that I can sometimes be, I decided to check out the legitimacy of the email she received. I went to the library to view the list of editors in Entrepreneur Mag to see if any were the one she had heard from. Sure enough, there was Kim Orr, the very editor who contacted her. So this really was great. It will be even greater if they do a write up about her. I really do care about her business, and I’d love to think that my press release may have helped her with some amount of success.
Of course, since I had the magazine in my hand I read it. I found it to be an excellent source of info! Right on the table of contents page—before even getting to the real meat and potatoes of the magazine—is a section called “Resources.” This is a list of useful websites, organizations, and events for all kinds of business owners, large and small alike.
Another section I enjoyed was called “Small-Business Answer Book.” This is a Q&A segment offering advice on topics such as marketing your business on a budget, improving customer service, and how to keep up with current technology trends. All of these are important topics for any business owner. I looked through a few recent issues and this seems to be in most of them.
If these resources aren’t for you, then maybe you may at least find the success stories inspirational to read. I think it’s great to read how others have made it and what they have done to find their success. For me, it makes me feel hopeful that I can apply what I have learned, follow the example of freelancers around me, and find my own success.
Beyond the weather, I am also feeling motivated by the success of others. Yesterday, Harmony Cornwell of Writer in the Making blog posted about all that she has accomplished so far this month. Wow! Great job, Harmony. You’ve done excellent, and made me realize that I need to be pushing myself a little more.
About a month ago, I heard from a client in Texas (yes, I know this is off topic—hence the rambling part of the title). In December I wrote a press release for her that really helped increase her exposure in the media. In fact, an editor from Entrepreneur Magazine contacted her via email to do an interview for a potential future article. She was excited. So was I.
But being the skeptic that I can sometimes be, I decided to check out the legitimacy of the email she received. I went to the library to view the list of editors in Entrepreneur Mag to see if any were the one she had heard from. Sure enough, there was Kim Orr, the very editor who contacted her. So this really was great. It will be even greater if they do a write up about her. I really do care about her business, and I’d love to think that my press release may have helped her with some amount of success.
Of course, since I had the magazine in my hand I read it. I found it to be an excellent source of info! Right on the table of contents page—before even getting to the real meat and potatoes of the magazine—is a section called “Resources.” This is a list of useful websites, organizations, and events for all kinds of business owners, large and small alike.
Another section I enjoyed was called “Small-Business Answer Book.” This is a Q&A segment offering advice on topics such as marketing your business on a budget, improving customer service, and how to keep up with current technology trends. All of these are important topics for any business owner. I looked through a few recent issues and this seems to be in most of them.
If these resources aren’t for you, then maybe you may at least find the success stories inspirational to read. I think it’s great to read how others have made it and what they have done to find their success. For me, it makes me feel hopeful that I can apply what I have learned, follow the example of freelancers around me, and find my own success.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Information Overload?
In one magazine I read today I learned some great information. Never let it be said that I am not a loyal friend to my fellow writers in the blogosphere. I thought it would only be considerate of me to share just a few tidbits of what I learned with all of you. Take it for what it’s worth.
Did you know that sipping four to six cups of black tea a day can significantly reduce high levels of stress in your body? Be sure, however, not to add milk as it interferes with the heart-healthy benefits that this practically holy beverage offers. Once you have had your quota of stress relief for the day, treat yourself to a snack of kiwi fruit, which is loaded with vitamin C, will help ward off spring colds, and give your skin a beautiful glow. If concerns of aging before your time plague your thoughts, try squeezing a pomegranate in with the kiwi to firm your skin, and erase wrinkles--and drink an extra cup of tea! After eating and drinking all that healthy good stuff, you surely deserve a treat! So go on and indulge yourself in America’s favorite Girl Scout cookie, the delectable chocolate covered Thin Mint! And that’s not all. Great news for you if you are a fidgeter! Go ahead; eat an extra cookie or two because you have the potential to burn up to 350 extra calories a day.
Information is everywhere! It's almost crazy. So what do we do with it all? There are a couple options to choose from. Option number one is to turn off our computers and televisions, and discontinue all of our magazine subscriptions. We could build ourselves a cabin in the wilderness and live off the land. I mean really, sometimes all that info is pretty darn stressful in itself.
Thank goodness that’s not the only option available. Information is good. It’s all a part of learning, and learning is what helps us to realize our potential. But first, we absolutely must make sure it’s accurate and our sources are legitimate. Then we can take all of that information one piece at a time and do something with it. We can apply it to our lives and make healthier choices. Or being the creative writers that we are, we can use that abundance of info for research and great stories. Don’t be afraid to add your own element to something already done. Don't let it overload you. Take that info and run with it!
Take care, and see ya next time!
Did you know that sipping four to six cups of black tea a day can significantly reduce high levels of stress in your body? Be sure, however, not to add milk as it interferes with the heart-healthy benefits that this practically holy beverage offers. Once you have had your quota of stress relief for the day, treat yourself to a snack of kiwi fruit, which is loaded with vitamin C, will help ward off spring colds, and give your skin a beautiful glow. If concerns of aging before your time plague your thoughts, try squeezing a pomegranate in with the kiwi to firm your skin, and erase wrinkles--and drink an extra cup of tea! After eating and drinking all that healthy good stuff, you surely deserve a treat! So go on and indulge yourself in America’s favorite Girl Scout cookie, the delectable chocolate covered Thin Mint! And that’s not all. Great news for you if you are a fidgeter! Go ahead; eat an extra cookie or two because you have the potential to burn up to 350 extra calories a day.
Information is everywhere! It's almost crazy. So what do we do with it all? There are a couple options to choose from. Option number one is to turn off our computers and televisions, and discontinue all of our magazine subscriptions. We could build ourselves a cabin in the wilderness and live off the land. I mean really, sometimes all that info is pretty darn stressful in itself.
Thank goodness that’s not the only option available. Information is good. It’s all a part of learning, and learning is what helps us to realize our potential. But first, we absolutely must make sure it’s accurate and our sources are legitimate. Then we can take all of that information one piece at a time and do something with it. We can apply it to our lives and make healthier choices. Or being the creative writers that we are, we can use that abundance of info for research and great stories. Don’t be afraid to add your own element to something already done. Don't let it overload you. Take that info and run with it!
Take care, and see ya next time!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Get Those Ideas Down!
About a month ago, I was driving to a friend's house, thinking about writing and all things related. A great idea popped into my head. I was so excited about it and just knew this idea would be my greatest story ever! I even thought of the perfect inspirational quote. Now, I really don't consider myself to be seeping full of wisdom, but I'm telling you, this quote was wise. Then, the most tragic thing happened to me. I arrived at my friend's house, got involved in other things and completely lost my entire idea--including the quote that I would some day be noted for! Anybody out there feel my pain?
What I learned from this situation is that if you are going to be a writer, you need to do as the great writing instructors of our time tell you to do: Write those ideas down! Here are a few suggestions to help you out with that.
(1) Start your own version of a swipe file. A swipe file is a folder of tested and proven ads, headlines, brochures, and sales letters. Journalists or advertising copy writers often keep a swipe file to refer to for project ideas. Every once in a while a story headline pops into my head. My story might have a different twist to a story I read in a magazine, or maybe something else might trigger the idea. But it's important to get that headline down--undeveloped or not. Create a folder on your computer that is specifically for this purpose. Label it as your "swipe file." Then when you are going through one of those slumps when you don't have any story ideas, you have something to refer to--and it might just be what you need to get inspired again.
(2) Consider the rooms in your house that you frequent the most. For me this is the kitchen and the living room. Make sure to have notebooks and pens at convenient locations in those rooms. When an idea hits, you can quickly write it down before you lose it. I have even put a notebook and two pens in my car--I really learned my lesson!
(3) Maybe this sounds a little cheesy, but carry a tape recorder around with you. It's great for those times when it is inconvenient to write. I did this recently while making bread. My hands were too gooey to use a pen and paper so I pulled out my recorder and hit that little red button. This is also a safer alternative when you are driving.
So there they are--three suggestions to help you get those ideas down. Will I ever make the same mistake again? Probably, but I can honestly say that these ideas have already helped me a lot. I hope they help you too.
What I learned from this situation is that if you are going to be a writer, you need to do as the great writing instructors of our time tell you to do: Write those ideas down! Here are a few suggestions to help you out with that.
(1) Start your own version of a swipe file. A swipe file is a folder of tested and proven ads, headlines, brochures, and sales letters. Journalists or advertising copy writers often keep a swipe file to refer to for project ideas. Every once in a while a story headline pops into my head. My story might have a different twist to a story I read in a magazine, or maybe something else might trigger the idea. But it's important to get that headline down--undeveloped or not. Create a folder on your computer that is specifically for this purpose. Label it as your "swipe file." Then when you are going through one of those slumps when you don't have any story ideas, you have something to refer to--and it might just be what you need to get inspired again.
(2) Consider the rooms in your house that you frequent the most. For me this is the kitchen and the living room. Make sure to have notebooks and pens at convenient locations in those rooms. When an idea hits, you can quickly write it down before you lose it. I have even put a notebook and two pens in my car--I really learned my lesson!
(3) Maybe this sounds a little cheesy, but carry a tape recorder around with you. It's great for those times when it is inconvenient to write. I did this recently while making bread. My hands were too gooey to use a pen and paper so I pulled out my recorder and hit that little red button. This is also a safer alternative when you are driving.
So there they are--three suggestions to help you get those ideas down. Will I ever make the same mistake again? Probably, but I can honestly say that these ideas have already helped me a lot. I hope they help you too.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Be a Better Writer: Avoid These Common Mistakes!
In my last blog I discussed the difference between proofreading and editing—both very important elements of writing. Understanding the difference is great, but what can you look for that goes beyond the basics of punctuation?
Incorrect word usage is something that often grabs my attention when I am reading an article. When words are used improperly, the writer automatically loses credibility. You must be vigilant about choosing the correct words and using them in the correct context.
As a writer, you must thoughtfully choose the words you use—whether it’s for a short story, poetry, or writing a cover letter. The following examples are some of the most commonly made mistakes that I see, but should be avoided at all costs.
(1) Anxious vs. eager - I see this mistake all the time. Anyone who has ever had anxiety knows that there is an extreme difference between being anxious and eager. If you are looking forward to meeting your favorite author, you would not say, "I am anxious to meet Stephen King." Instead you would be eager to meet him--unless you are afraid he might act out a gruesome scene from one of his books. Then you might be anxious.
(2) Center on vs. revolve around – Often writers will combine the two and instead write “center around.” Well, you can’t be in the center and around at the same time. I might say that I want you to center your attention on my blog right now.
(3) Concerted effort - one person cannot make a concert but he can make a concentrated effort.
(4) Accept vs. except – accept means to take, and except means to leave out. Try to remember that the “x” in except means to exclude. Please accept my advice on word usage--except when I make mistakes!
(5) Criterion vs. criteria - Some words with Latin or Greek roots have plural forms that end in “a.” These words are commonly mistaken for singular words. Remember you have one criterion and many criteria.
(6) A lot vs. alot – ok, so this one is very basic and not really about meaning, but I see it misused so often, I think it’s worth mentioning. Remember that “a lot” is always two words—not one. But you can allot a job to a friend.
I hope these suggestions will help you when working on your writing project—whatever it may be. Choose your words carefully, and remember it’s the simple things that add up to make you an expert in the writing world.
Incorrect word usage is something that often grabs my attention when I am reading an article. When words are used improperly, the writer automatically loses credibility. You must be vigilant about choosing the correct words and using them in the correct context.
As a writer, you must thoughtfully choose the words you use—whether it’s for a short story, poetry, or writing a cover letter. The following examples are some of the most commonly made mistakes that I see, but should be avoided at all costs.
(1) Anxious vs. eager - I see this mistake all the time. Anyone who has ever had anxiety knows that there is an extreme difference between being anxious and eager. If you are looking forward to meeting your favorite author, you would not say, "I am anxious to meet Stephen King." Instead you would be eager to meet him--unless you are afraid he might act out a gruesome scene from one of his books. Then you might be anxious.
(2) Center on vs. revolve around – Often writers will combine the two and instead write “center around.” Well, you can’t be in the center and around at the same time. I might say that I want you to center your attention on my blog right now.
(3) Concerted effort - one person cannot make a concert but he can make a concentrated effort.
(4) Accept vs. except – accept means to take, and except means to leave out. Try to remember that the “x” in except means to exclude. Please accept my advice on word usage--except when I make mistakes!
(5) Criterion vs. criteria - Some words with Latin or Greek roots have plural forms that end in “a.” These words are commonly mistaken for singular words. Remember you have one criterion and many criteria.
(6) A lot vs. alot – ok, so this one is very basic and not really about meaning, but I see it misused so often, I think it’s worth mentioning. Remember that “a lot” is always two words—not one. But you can allot a job to a friend.
I hope these suggestions will help you when working on your writing project—whatever it may be. Choose your words carefully, and remember it’s the simple things that add up to make you an expert in the writing world.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Attention Aspiring Writers!
Am I a writer? This is a question I have heard asked so many times before. I've seen it posted on writers forums. Friends of mine who love writing have asked it. Even I find myself asking this very question. It seems to be a question posed among all writers—well maybe not established writers like Stephen King, or Dean Koontz, but by many of those who aspire to write.
So when do you get past that point of asking this question? What do you have to do to actually consider yourself a writer? I’m sure it's different for everyone. For some, the mere act of doing is enough—acting on that inherent need to tell a story—whether in the form of a poem or a short story or a book. I call these the “Just do it!” writers, and man, they got it going on! For others, it’s all about getting published. Publication used to be the definer for me, but now I think having people look forward to reading something I have written would be a step in the right direction.
You don’t have to be published to be a writer, but getting your priorities straight will put you on the right path. First thing’s first: Fear not. Do not fear success or failure, or what others will think of your writing. Franklin D. Roosevelt once said in a famous inaugural speech, “The only thing to fear is fear itself.” Fear is the great immobilizer and if we sit frozen in our seats, we will never meet our goals.
Secondly, read whatever you can get your hands on that will help you to be a better writer. Writing resources are everywhere. You can go to your local library and check out all sorts of books. On Writing Well by William Zinsser and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott are just a couple of my personal favorites. There are also many websites out there that offer writing prompts, list contests, and have writer’s forums you can join to talk with fellow writers—who probably feel have the same feelings as you. My personal favorite is the Writer’s Digest website.
Read books that have nothing to do with writing. Every time you read a piece of literature—whether it’s an essay or a book—you are gleaning something important from it that will make you a better writer. It might be an idea or a certain style, or maybe it will change your entire opinion on something. Maybe it won’t, but you will at least have a new viewpoint that improves your writing in some way.
Finally, if you want to be a writer, you must consider yourself as such and write—like those in the “Just do it!” category. Tell your story. Write your poem. Express yourself with words however you like. Set goals then strive toward them. Publication does not matter, nor do accolades from your peers. What really matters is how you feel when you read the words you put to paper.
Now ask yourself, Am I a writer? If you say you are and you are taking the necessary steps to propel yourself toward your writing goals, then as sure as the sun rises every morning you are a writer.
So when do you get past that point of asking this question? What do you have to do to actually consider yourself a writer? I’m sure it's different for everyone. For some, the mere act of doing is enough—acting on that inherent need to tell a story—whether in the form of a poem or a short story or a book. I call these the “Just do it!” writers, and man, they got it going on! For others, it’s all about getting published. Publication used to be the definer for me, but now I think having people look forward to reading something I have written would be a step in the right direction.
You don’t have to be published to be a writer, but getting your priorities straight will put you on the right path. First thing’s first: Fear not. Do not fear success or failure, or what others will think of your writing. Franklin D. Roosevelt once said in a famous inaugural speech, “The only thing to fear is fear itself.” Fear is the great immobilizer and if we sit frozen in our seats, we will never meet our goals.
Secondly, read whatever you can get your hands on that will help you to be a better writer. Writing resources are everywhere. You can go to your local library and check out all sorts of books. On Writing Well by William Zinsser and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott are just a couple of my personal favorites. There are also many websites out there that offer writing prompts, list contests, and have writer’s forums you can join to talk with fellow writers—who probably feel have the same feelings as you. My personal favorite is the Writer’s Digest website.
Read books that have nothing to do with writing. Every time you read a piece of literature—whether it’s an essay or a book—you are gleaning something important from it that will make you a better writer. It might be an idea or a certain style, or maybe it will change your entire opinion on something. Maybe it won’t, but you will at least have a new viewpoint that improves your writing in some way.
Finally, if you want to be a writer, you must consider yourself as such and write—like those in the “Just do it!” category. Tell your story. Write your poem. Express yourself with words however you like. Set goals then strive toward them. Publication does not matter, nor do accolades from your peers. What really matters is how you feel when you read the words you put to paper.
Now ask yourself, Am I a writer? If you say you are and you are taking the necessary steps to propel yourself toward your writing goals, then as sure as the sun rises every morning you are a writer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)