How has your writing gone over 2011? Are you happy with your achievements and are you clear about where you heading with your writing in the coming year? If your answers to these questions are no, then take heart; you have a whole 12 months coming up to rectify the situation and turn that no into a yes. The New Year of 2012 could be the year where you finish the first draft of that novel you've meaning to write, or the year you make your first short story sale, or sell a story to a new market. You could take a writing course, book yourself in to a literary festival you've never attended before, book a place on a writing holiday or treat yourself to a writing retreat. But these things will only happen if you make them happen.
I haven't achieved half of what I wanted to do with my writing but instead of seeing this as a negative and letting it drag my determination down I am treating it as a positive - I've achieved a lot but I can do better and the coming year will give me the opportunity to do just that. It's my own fault I haven't got the writing projects that I wanted off the ground and I know I need to work harder at focusing on what I really want to achieve as a writer.
What will your focus in 2012 be? And how are you going to go about it?
Happy New Writing Year!
Julie xx
Julie's Quest
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Friday, 30 December 2011
Are You Positively Productive?
I had a surprise parcel delivered to me yesterday. It contained a rather large kick up the bum! It was a copy of Simon Whaley's marvellous new book The Positively Productive Writer which is out in January 2012. Now I know Simon very well and it is largely down to his frequent kicks up the bum that I ever get any writing done at all! His latest book looks at how thinking positively can kick start your writing and gives many, many tips and advice on how to be positive in the face of countless rejections and how to be more productive as a result.
The book also contains contributions from myself, Diane Perry - both of us members of the same writing group as Simon Wrekin Writers, Viv Hampshire (I can't find you on Blogspot, Viv, sorry - if anyone knows of a link I can put here to Viv's blog/ website please let me know, and Lynne Hackles. It was such a privilege to be asked to contribute and it was very exciting to see Simon's finished book on my door mat!
As you know I am a positively productive writer myself but sometimes even I need a well targeted kick to get me going! And Simon's book doesn't disappoint - it did to me exactly what the title suggests and I was suitably moved to action. So far today I've finished the second draft of an article and written the first draft of a 1,200 word short story. I'd recommend you read Simon's book - you will be too afraid not to write, less he come after you with his boot!
On another positively productive note the fourth article of mine on writing groups is in the February 2012 issue of Writing Magazine in the Writers' News section along with Simon Whaley's article based on a section from the book. So being positive about your writing and ability to write does lead to more productivity and publication!
Thank you Simon! Bu,t as Simon says, being a positively productive writer only works if you're prepared to do the work and I so am. I hope you are too otherwise Simon will get his boot out again!
Happy writing
Julie xx
The book also contains contributions from myself, Diane Perry - both of us members of the same writing group as Simon Wrekin Writers, Viv Hampshire (I can't find you on Blogspot, Viv, sorry - if anyone knows of a link I can put here to Viv's blog/ website please let me know, and Lynne Hackles. It was such a privilege to be asked to contribute and it was very exciting to see Simon's finished book on my door mat!
As you know I am a positively productive writer myself but sometimes even I need a well targeted kick to get me going! And Simon's book doesn't disappoint - it did to me exactly what the title suggests and I was suitably moved to action. So far today I've finished the second draft of an article and written the first draft of a 1,200 word short story. I'd recommend you read Simon's book - you will be too afraid not to write, less he come after you with his boot!
On another positively productive note the fourth article of mine on writing groups is in the February 2012 issue of Writing Magazine in the Writers' News section along with Simon Whaley's article based on a section from the book. So being positive about your writing and ability to write does lead to more productivity and publication!
Thank you Simon! Bu,t as Simon says, being a positively productive writer only works if you're prepared to do the work and I so am. I hope you are too otherwise Simon will get his boot out again!
Happy writing
Julie xx
Monday, 26 December 2011
Fighting Talk
Well, it might be Boxing Day, but the gloves are off as far as my writing are concerned. Having enjoyed the festivities over the last couple of days, it's back to business for me. I've given myself a stern talking to and as actions speak louder than words and I dare not disobey myself I've finished that assignment for the Writers Bureau Journalism course I'm still doing, which I shall post forthwith, and I've done the first draft of another article that will be sent by the end of the week.
Also, surprisingly, I've had a shower of short story ideas descend on me over the past few days. This happens quite frequently to me. I'll go for weeks without having a single ide and just when I've finished moaning about my lack of imagination and creativity out they all come. It's like the old Pringles advert: once you pop you can't stop! Some of my ideas are Christmas based but most of them aren't. I shall look forward to following these up in the New Year.
I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, although the feature in February's Writing Forum on various writer's goals for the coming year made for interesting reading. But I do have a clear idea of how I want to progress with my writing in 2012. It's taken me some time to realise that writing and getting published are a slow process and the current economic climate, which is likely to remain in recession for a good few years yet isn't helping! But if I look back to 2007 when I started writing and to know - I haven't done very badly at all - but the work has to go on! And it is! Pull your finger out - enough mince pies - put down the chocolates and get writing.
Good luck
Julie xx
Also, surprisingly, I've had a shower of short story ideas descend on me over the past few days. This happens quite frequently to me. I'll go for weeks without having a single ide and just when I've finished moaning about my lack of imagination and creativity out they all come. It's like the old Pringles advert: once you pop you can't stop! Some of my ideas are Christmas based but most of them aren't. I shall look forward to following these up in the New Year.
I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, although the feature in February's Writing Forum on various writer's goals for the coming year made for interesting reading. But I do have a clear idea of how I want to progress with my writing in 2012. It's taken me some time to realise that writing and getting published are a slow process and the current economic climate, which is likely to remain in recession for a good few years yet isn't helping! But if I look back to 2007 when I started writing and to know - I haven't done very badly at all - but the work has to go on! And it is! Pull your finger out - enough mince pies - put down the chocolates and get writing.
Good luck
Julie xx
Saturday, 24 December 2011
The eve of possibility
I love Christmas Eve. It's my favourite day of the festive season. The Christmas shopping has (hopefully) been done, the children are (hopefully) in bed and it's time to sit down, relax and unwind and consider what has happened since last Christmas. For some of us it has been an amazingly successful year in regards to our writing, but, for others, they have yet to be published.
Getting published can take a hell of a long and frustrating time! I've been there, got the t-shirt, DVD and special edition CD with bonus tracks and I'm still there trying to get published as the hard work doesn't stop on your first publication. So remember, if you haven't yet managed to get any of your work published, or you have but not as much as you would have liked, that you are not alone and you are doing the right things by writing lots, reading lots and learning lots about the writing, editing and publishing process.
So, today, once the day is settled and you are sitting there with your mulled wine and mince pie, have a look back at your writing achievements and your near misses (we won't say the 'R' word today,) and think about how you are going to move your writing forward next year. It's no good stopping at the thinking part of the process, though. You have to move on from there and actually take steps to improve your writing and publishing prospects - so next Christmas you can sit sipping your mulled wine and nibbling your mince pie with a greater success list than last year!
Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the moment and look forward to an exciting, prolific and successful writing year in 2012.
Happy Christmas and happy writing
Julie xx
Getting published can take a hell of a long and frustrating time! I've been there, got the t-shirt, DVD and special edition CD with bonus tracks and I'm still there trying to get published as the hard work doesn't stop on your first publication. So remember, if you haven't yet managed to get any of your work published, or you have but not as much as you would have liked, that you are not alone and you are doing the right things by writing lots, reading lots and learning lots about the writing, editing and publishing process.
So, today, once the day is settled and you are sitting there with your mulled wine and mince pie, have a look back at your writing achievements and your near misses (we won't say the 'R' word today,) and think about how you are going to move your writing forward next year. It's no good stopping at the thinking part of the process, though. You have to move on from there and actually take steps to improve your writing and publishing prospects - so next Christmas you can sit sipping your mulled wine and nibbling your mince pie with a greater success list than last year!
Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the moment and look forward to an exciting, prolific and successful writing year in 2012.
Happy Christmas and happy writing
Julie xx
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Never say never to good advice
When I look back to 2007 when I took up the challenge to get serious about my writing, I read lots of books on writing and scoured the magazine racks for writing magazines that would tell me how to write. I also did a writing course with the Open University. This was my big test. I thought that if I could pass a writing course then I would start sending my work out. I did pass and I did send my work out and promptly got many, many rejections! But I stuck at it and I'm so glad I did.
So, in the early months of my foray into writing, what advice did I find most useful? I've compiled a list of the writing tips that were passed on to me that I found most useful at the start and that have helped me along the way. I hope they will help you too. But if you've got any to add that have made you the writer you are then feel free to add them.
* Keep writing no matter how down hearted and tired of rejection you get. This was a key piece of advice for me.
*Read as much as you can in the genre of what you wish to write.
*Find out exactly how editors want to be approached, ie, by initial e-mail with a pitch/idea or the complete manuscript and do it - if they don't say you can do it in their guidelines then you can't!
*Join a writing group - there's nothing like face to face contact with other writers to get your creativity flowing and to realise that you are not alone and all writers face similar issues.
*Get yourself known on-line in writing forums and blogs, social networking, etc. A problem shared is a problem halved and you can not only get your own questions about writing sorted but you can help other writers too which is the best bit.
*Write lots and lots and lots and lots and lots.
*Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it - no-one will think you are stupid a part from yourself!
*Celebrate your successes no matter how small.
* You won't get published if you don't send your work out in the first place - so be brave!
*Enjoy the writing process. There's no point in doing it if it isn't fun.
Have fun writing!
So, in the early months of my foray into writing, what advice did I find most useful? I've compiled a list of the writing tips that were passed on to me that I found most useful at the start and that have helped me along the way. I hope they will help you too. But if you've got any to add that have made you the writer you are then feel free to add them.
* Keep writing no matter how down hearted and tired of rejection you get. This was a key piece of advice for me.
*Read as much as you can in the genre of what you wish to write.
*Find out exactly how editors want to be approached, ie, by initial e-mail with a pitch/idea or the complete manuscript and do it - if they don't say you can do it in their guidelines then you can't!
*Join a writing group - there's nothing like face to face contact with other writers to get your creativity flowing and to realise that you are not alone and all writers face similar issues.
*Get yourself known on-line in writing forums and blogs, social networking, etc. A problem shared is a problem halved and you can not only get your own questions about writing sorted but you can help other writers too which is the best bit.
*Write lots and lots and lots and lots and lots.
*Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it - no-one will think you are stupid a part from yourself!
*Celebrate your successes no matter how small.
* You won't get published if you don't send your work out in the first place - so be brave!
*Enjoy the writing process. There's no point in doing it if it isn't fun.
Have fun writing!
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Get in the mood ......
It's time to get in the mood for Christmas - well it's only 15 days away. But I don't mean get ready for this year. Oh no! I mean get yourself prepared, in a literary sense, for Christmas 2012. It's far too late now to even consider subbing a short story or article for this Christmas. In the world of publishing, it's all done and sparkly, magically Christmas dusted. But, there's no need to get despondent about it - save it all for next year.
While the tinsel is up and the Christmas lights are twinkling, sit yourself down and let the spirit and atmosphere of Christmas wash over you. Let all that embodies Christmas fill your head and let the mulled wine flow and let those ideas come flooding out of you on to the page. Then put them away in a draw or folder and let them rest for a while. You'll then have probably six to eight months to edit them to your heart's content and get them subbed in plenty of time for next year. Most items need to be subbed a good four to six months before the big day itself for them even to be considered. I know most seasoned writers know this, but a beginner might not.
So look about you this festive season and write it all down: the smells, the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the textures and use it all to full effect in your writing. But don't just look at the usual or the ordinary because every other writer will be doing that as well. Open your eyes and see things from a different perspective - the unusual and original will whet the editor's appetite for your work. Think laterally and about what Christmas means to you and your family, whilst taking it in its wider context. Do you have any experience or knowledge of Christmas traditions in other countries, for instance, that you could bring into the mix - something that's different but familiar with readers will be a hit. If you can write something that has that illusive little bit extra, that special sparkle that editors have their eye on then you'll be one step ahead. It's finding that special little extra that's the problem. But if you keep yourself open to knew experiences this Christmas and new ways of thinking about the festive season you'll be well on your way.
Happy Christmas thinking and writing!
Julie xx
While the tinsel is up and the Christmas lights are twinkling, sit yourself down and let the spirit and atmosphere of Christmas wash over you. Let all that embodies Christmas fill your head and let the mulled wine flow and let those ideas come flooding out of you on to the page. Then put them away in a draw or folder and let them rest for a while. You'll then have probably six to eight months to edit them to your heart's content and get them subbed in plenty of time for next year. Most items need to be subbed a good four to six months before the big day itself for them even to be considered. I know most seasoned writers know this, but a beginner might not.
So look about you this festive season and write it all down: the smells, the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the textures and use it all to full effect in your writing. But don't just look at the usual or the ordinary because every other writer will be doing that as well. Open your eyes and see things from a different perspective - the unusual and original will whet the editor's appetite for your work. Think laterally and about what Christmas means to you and your family, whilst taking it in its wider context. Do you have any experience or knowledge of Christmas traditions in other countries, for instance, that you could bring into the mix - something that's different but familiar with readers will be a hit. If you can write something that has that illusive little bit extra, that special sparkle that editors have their eye on then you'll be one step ahead. It's finding that special little extra that's the problem. But if you keep yourself open to knew experiences this Christmas and new ways of thinking about the festive season you'll be well on your way.
Happy Christmas thinking and writing!
Julie xx
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Christmas is coming .......
........The goose is getting fat. So are you ready for the Big Day then? What do you mean, no? Don't worry, neither am I! I did attend Much Wenlock Christmas Fayre today which was wonderful as ever and I have started to write my Christmas cards, but I'm still recovering from NaNo and my 'orrible virus thing I had, so I've not done much writing. I have, however managed to get my accounts into some sort of order and I'm well on my way to planning my writing programme for the coming year.
I like to take time over the Christmas and New Year period to look back over what I've achieved with my writing over the past 12 months and where I want to take it in the next 12 months. It helps to give me direction and an idea of what I want to try next. The trouble is that there is so much I want to do writing wise that I find it hard to pin myself down and choose which project I want to do next! I'd rather have it that way round than not have any writing projects to do at all. It's going to prove to be more challenging this coming year due to my writing time being reduced - I'm going for quality over quantity in 2012!
Have a look back at your own writing and take the time over Christmas when you've had enough of the repeats on the TV to plan your next move. It's better than watching your nearest and dearest fighting over the remote and the last Quality Street.
Happy planning
Julie xx
I like to take time over the Christmas and New Year period to look back over what I've achieved with my writing over the past 12 months and where I want to take it in the next 12 months. It helps to give me direction and an idea of what I want to try next. The trouble is that there is so much I want to do writing wise that I find it hard to pin myself down and choose which project I want to do next! I'd rather have it that way round than not have any writing projects to do at all. It's going to prove to be more challenging this coming year due to my writing time being reduced - I'm going for quality over quantity in 2012!
Have a look back at your own writing and take the time over Christmas when you've had enough of the repeats on the TV to plan your next move. It's better than watching your nearest and dearest fighting over the remote and the last Quality Street.
Happy planning
Julie xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)