Greetings;
When I was young, I dreamed of becoming a respected writer. As with many people’s dreams, mine settled on the back burner while I pursued a profession, which would regularly pay the bills. Nursing was a good choice for job satisfaction and respect, but there was still that longing to write. Over the years, poems and short stories did trickle from brain to paper, but it was more a hobby, a respite from everyday living.
Then one day I decided it was time to professionally write. What had been written before wasn’t great, but I did believe there was some element of creativity and voice within my words so I set a daily schedule and began to write something every day. I enrolled in writing classes and joined a writing group. Eventually those practice lessons in writing (one can’t become successful at anything without lots of practice) began to take on a life of their own. Characters, who hadn’t been previously planned for, began appearing in stories and sometimes even took over the main character’s role. I didn’t always understand where they’d come from, but it was exciting to meet them. Even after a story had ended, a few characters had become so real I couldn’t bear to leave them behind, and they remain as friends in my memory.
As the writing increased in volume, story beginnings began to show up on the third or fifth page with everything previously written acting like a stoker for a real beginning. In the beginning, I didn’t want to lose those first words because it had taken time and thought to write them, but once I understood their importance as a starter engine it was easier to let them go. Sometimes, I was able to use some of those paragraphs later in the story—a good reason for not cutting words until the story is completed. Then “cut” and “paste” became essential tools for moving the creative thoughts to a better place in the plot.
For a time, I considered writing as a trade, and began to take stock of everything written, like greeting card sayings, cereal box notations, newspaper articles, and such. There are many industries where clear, concise copywriting–just the facts–is needed and doesn’t have to be a work of art. In Peter Bowerman’s book, The Well-Fed Writer, he notes, “…What would you say if I told you that there’s an arena of writing that if pursued with reasonable diligence by an even modestly talented and minimally creative individual, could generate self-sufficiency inside of six months…” He gave me hope, not so much for trading in my creativity for financial gain, but more that in our lifetimes today, there is time for two or more careers. If you have ever considered writing strictly to pay the bills, I think his book is a valuable tool in how to get moving in that direction. Even working part time, he was able to make $2000 a month with zero experience, and he explains in clear language how you can too.
As for me, I didn’t have a choice; the creativity bug won out. It was more than wanting to create; I needed to create and so I did—a decision I have never regretted.
Until next Wednesday, consider what your second career could be and do keep your dream alive.
Be well. Linda

Every creative writer has experienced the excitement of getting lost in the story being written. The everyday, real world disappears from view and thought as one’s words weave together to form plot, character, and theme. We writers are, within that time span, transported into another dimension of ourselves.
However, getting lost in the story isn’t enough to create a blended beginning, middle, and end. That takes discipline and hard work. A writer’s working pattern includes a specified time set aside to write every day and a work place apart from house noises–a private space where computer, printer, and working supplies can be left out, ready for the new day.
Discipline plays a major role because it’s difficult to leave or refrain from attending fun happenings. How often, when you are writing, does a family member or friend try to convince you to write some other time, as if what you are doing isn’t important?  Consider, if you are interrupted just as relevant thoughts and creative ideas are beginning to blend, what might have become a spectacular moment in your plot will be lost. If it’s happening a lot, friends and family must be enlightened as to your goals. If it is important enough that you become a published writer, difficult decisions will have to be made. It can be done with kind words for after all, you are creative with words by nature. Give it some thought and plan ahead as to how to let your loved ones know good writing takes full concentration, and you want to become a good writer.
When our children were young, I sat them down and asked for their help. I began with, “Every afternoon for thirty minutes, I need a quiet spot (my bedroom with the door closed) where I can be left alone to write. We’ll set the stove clock for thirty minutes, and when it rings, you come and open my door.” They asked what I’d be doing without them and why they couldn’t open the door. I explained I wanted to write a story for them. We did a few trial runs with the time clock and planned what they could do for their thirty minutes. Designing and coloring a picture on plain paper to show me was a favorite. It became a quiet time after lunch each day for them to settle from a busy morning of play. After the first trial, it was decided each child would have a turn coming to get me to keep the noise down. The plan worked well because the children had a part in it and felt important. Of course, the door opened a few times to test the rule, but once they felt secure, I was still close by, that stopped. I did tell them if anyone was bleeding, it was okay to open the door before the bell rang. That was the nurse part of me.
Now for the hard work part. Many would-be writers write for the wrong reasons—to see their name in print or on a book cover–but aren’t interested in the hard work part. In writing the first draft of a manuscript, words often flow as if on angels’ wings, transporting the writer into joyful creativity, while leaving physical and/or emotional pain behind. The hard work begins with the second draft and onward. Perseverance becomes the key. My dad’s favorite expression, “If you can’t learn the easy way, learn the hard way,” sustained me on myriad occasions. I don’t mean a story or novel must be perfect, but it does need to be the very best we can accomplish. I joined (and still do) writing workshops to improve my writing tools. From May 13-15, six members of our Cape Cod Children’s Writers group will attend the spring conference of SCBWI in Fitchburg. MA. Over five-hundred children’s writers are expected to attend. More than three dozen workshops will feature dozens of authors, who will detail necessary writing tools from finding your own voice to finding your marketing voice. Those conferences are gold mines of information. The five-day Cape Cod Writers’ Conference is held annually during the third week of August in the Craigville area, and features author-instructors from all over America. It’s an amazing week of living among writers of all ages. There are rooms available within the writing community and in homes around Craigville Beach. There is also a young people’s group with scholarships available. If interested contact them for information on the August session.
Finally, I’ve lived long enough to know writing rules change. In the eighties, there was a change in punctuation rules with the use of many commas being deleted—another good reason for keeping updated with workshops. There is a new rule concerning spaces after the period at the end of a sentence. It used to call for two spaces, but has been reduced to one space. I’ve heard magazine editors don’t want to have to reformat the files they receive. They want it ready to flow into the design program with as few strokes as possible, but I’m not too sure I get it. Okay, time for another workshop.
Until next Wednesday, be well and have a fun weekend. Linda

Greetings;
Consider for a moment the aggravation of waiting in a long line at the grocery or clothing store, at a bank, or in a doctor’s office, and wanting to storm up to the manager declaring the people in charge must be half-wits. I think every person has experienced such a negative feeling, but also consider as a writer some positive ways to spend your waiting time. Choose another person, also in line, and observe his or her reaction to the delay. Then imagine actually being that person. Note facial expressions, body movements, and conversations held with the people waiting with them. Register the language used during their conversations: “…this waiting is a bunch of crap. Why don’t they get more help?” or the up-beat, “Your little boy is being so good,” and “Thank goodness I’m healthy enough to stand in line at all.” Those words and actions can be used later to breathe life into a story you’re writing.
Hopefully, your pad and pen are handy to note what you are seeing and hearing because you can’t rely on memory alone. In nursing school, our psychologist mentioned that approximately 23% of what the average person learns today will be forgotten by tomorrow if not written down–smart professor, insinuating we should take notes without actually telling us to do so.
Another alternative to wasting time while sitting in a waiting room: Choose a magazine and imagine a different theme for one of the pictures. Place a new person or persons into the scene and imagine what they might be saying or planning to do and why. A new story can originate while you wait if you write it down.
If in a grocery store line, and a mother is standing behind you with a tired and therefore cranky child, what might happen if you let her go in front of you? Her look of surprise and thankfulness will make your day brighter. But, what if it’s a harried young businesswoman, who keeps glancing at her watch, and finally loudly complains, “I’m going to be late for an appointment if this line doesn’t move!” How would you react if you were she, or, if you were in front of her in that scenario? Is there a story line there? Even angry people have a story to tell if we listen.
When waiting in a physician’s or dentist’s office, I search for children’s magazines like Highlights or Cricket to see what kind of stories and poetry is currently being accepted by the editors. When I’m finally ushered into the examining room, I bring the children’s magazine with me, because there is always more waiting in those rooms. One practitioner’s eyebrows rose when she noticed what I was reading, but she said nothing. As we talked, she asked what I’ve been doing since retiring from nursing. When I said, “I write for children,” she grinned and replied, “Oh. I was a bit concerned when I saw you reading a young child’s magazine. Now I understand.” Outward actions and appearances can be deceiving, and writers should take note of interesting assumptions when creating a character.
Finally, consider creating some extra waiting time in your day’s schedule, perhaps, when lunching alone in a restaurant booth. Stay a bit longer and order another coffee, tea, or dessert, but do please tip your waitress a little more for monopolizing her station. Then listen and write down other customers’ comments about their lives in your notebook. One day I asked my harried waitress, after a trying party had finally left, “Want to sit a minute and take a breath?” She did. I must tell you, her story was amazing. Both talker and listener felt good after our quick conversation. Never miss an opportunity to make someone feel better.
On another afternoon, while in a restaurant eating lunch, I realized I was sitting behind two young teenaged girls, who were talking about having babies. One noted, “I’d like to have kids, but I’ve heard how painful it is. Who wants to go through that!” and the second replied, “I ain’t. I’m adopting my kids.” Could you write a story about their concerns and reactions to fear of pain? If you’re a creative YA writer, your imagination is already taking off. Where’s your notebook?
Until next Wednesday, while waiting somewhere, watch and listen for a new story this week. It may prove to be your best work.
Be well. Linda

Greetings;
My dear friend and poet, Lorna Starbird, has always insisted the term “fiction story” is redundant because the word “story” automatically sets the piece into the fiction category. In today’s language, the two are interchangeable with “story” being used when referring to fiction, as in the term “short story”. It generally means 500 to 3,000 words in length, although a few contests have allowed up to 5,000. Each short story contest provides its own word limit and if you go over, your story WILL be disqualified.
So what is today’s definition of fiction? Author, Gary Provost, defines it as, “…an event, statement, or occurrence that has been invented or feigned rather than having actually taken place…a literary work whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact.” The next time you are speaking or writing about something that actually happened, consider it a “non-fiction piece” rather than a “non-fiction story”, and when you do, imagine a small, well-dressed lady named Lorna smiling at you.
To make matters more complicated (or lenient, depending on your personal view), some industrious person decided to coin the term “creative non-fiction”. Thanks. If writing in that specific category, it’s acceptable to write a non-fiction piece with fiction happenings in it. The National Inquirer does it all the time.
When I was asked, “Where do you find your ideas?” I smiled imagining me hunting under a couch or searching closets for those hidden, illusive little buggers. I didn’t say that, but it’s fun, sometimes, to smile inside. I replied, “They come from everywhere.” I know it wasn’t a brilliant answer, but it’s true for me. I was on a train one night which was stuck on the tracks in the middle of a snowstorm. When it happened, I grabbed my pen and pad—always close at hand–and began scribbling conversations I heard. When the lights went out, I used my finger as a ruler to keep sentences from slanting too much, and was amazed at the change in those conversations. In the dark, it was as if each two-some was then having a private conversation. The dialogue became a non-fiction piece titled, “Train Talk”.
Another happening on a cruise ship gave birth to my children’s book, WERFUL AND THE CAPTAIN. While traveling in China, I walked a small part of the Great Wall. When my granddaughter read the article, “To Walk The Wall,” she exclaimed, “Nana, you walked the whole thing?” It was a great opportunity for a quick geography lesson about its length, (over 1200 miles) and how it came to be. The point is no matter where you are, watch, look, and listen because there’s a story out there waiting to be told.
A statement often asked in writing classes is “I don’t understand what the story “theme” means. When I was young, it was sometimes called the “slant”. I prefer to think of it as the statement a story implies, like anger is destructive or helping people is its own reward—a thread that weaves through the story and blends its parts together.
When your short story is ready to send out, to whom do you send it? First, decide what theme your story implies and the age group you want to reach. Teen magazine isn’t going to consider a story about a young boy’s new friend in kindergarten and Cricket won’t be interested in a teen’s terrible day in high school. That’s overly simplistic, but common sense is needed. Read a few issues of a magazine before submitting your story, and make sure your word count matches the magazine’s requirement. If you don’t consider those steps, your mailbox will fill with rejections.
One new writer, in a hurry to publish, moaned he had sent out five stories and received five rejections. Hmm. I asked, “Has anyone critiqued your stories?” and received the answer, “No. What’s a critique?” He thought each story was great. He had read them to his wife and a few friends, and they all thought so too. Sound familiar? My point is, serious writing is a job that entails learning one’s craft and it takes time. I offered to read one of his stories, but he decided to work on it some more before anyone saw it. I noted in last week’s blog, there is a vast difference between writing as a hobby and writing to sell.
When drafting your short story’s query letter, there are important points to cover. First is a small synopsis of the story. (no more than a paragraph) with your oh-so-important “hook”. How you write your paragraph will show an editor your ability to write an interesting and concise (no wasted words) story.
Whether an editor even wants your content should have been determined by you when reading the magazine and observing what themes have been accepted. Keep in mind holiday stories are usually accepted about nine months before the holiday like sending Christmas stories in March.
In a second, short paragraph, convince the editor you’re the right person to write for their children’s magazine. If you aren’t published, let them know other qualifications which enhance your ability to be knowledgeable—elementary school teacher, mother of six young children (God bless you), pediatric nurse, special needs teacher, etc.
Remember, your query is single-spaced and completed on one side of one sheet of paper.
Finally, be sure to have someone critique your short story query before sending it out; preferably your cohorts in a writing group like the Cape Cod Childrens Writers. If the query doesn’t pass inspection, your story will never make it to an editor’s desk. No writing group? Find one. Ask your librarian or bookstore owner for information.
Until next Wednesday, I leave you with a saying, which has adorned my refrigerator for years, “God touched your life today. Did you notice?” Be well. Linda