New Year's Resolution Early!

Course Instructor: Anastasia Suen

I've decided to take a writing course to help me learn the craft of writing for children. After looking over a few choices, I selected Anastasia Suen as my instructor. She offers classes in picture books, chapter books and novels for children. I've signed up for the picture book class starting Jan. 4th.

Sent off another manuscript!

I just sent off my manuscript for a picture book after another six months of revising. If anyone tells you that writing picture books is easy, hit them for me! I've been working on my Ferret picture book off and on for two years!

I'm also going to enter it into some contests. My local library has one and OWFI has another.

It's time to start a new story!

For Writers

"The difference between the published writer and the unpublished writer is, the unpublished writer spends time thinking about what he wants to write while the published writer spends time writing about what he thinks." 


Author unknown

Back to AP Style!

After I graduated college in 2009, I thought I was done with the AP Stylebook; but, not so. I just had to re-up my subscription to write for magazines!

If you want to do any serious magazine writing, most of them require that you use the AP Stylebook. Here's a money saving tip: If you buy it as a book, it's about $20-$25. If you buy it as a one-time year subscription, it's $25. BUT, if you do the automatic renewal, it's only $15/year! Even if you find you don't need it later, you can always cancel.

The online version is much easier to use. You can do a search for terms without having to know in which section it is, save often-used terms to your own "notebook," and get updates as they occur. Very handy!

So, back I go to my AP Stylebook for a refresher! (I wonder how many mistakes I made in this entry!)

Interviewing Billie Letts

Billie Letts

Yesterday, I had the privilege of interviewing Billie Letts, author of Where the Heart Is, The Honk and Holler Opening Soon, Shoot the Moon, and Made in the U.S.A. For those of you not familiar with her work, Where the Heart Is was selected for Oprah Winfrey's Book Club, and it was made into a movie starring Natalie Portman and Stockard Channing. 

Billie is as gracious as she is talented. I must admit I was a bit nervous interviewing someone so famous! In fact, I got halfway there, stopped at Barnes and Nobles to pick up my own copy of Where the Heart Is (I read a library copy.) and then realized I left all my interviewing notes at home! I ended up being 15 minutes late. I was mortified! I had no number to reach her other than her publicist, so I called that number and left a message; but I was sure when I got there, she would refuse to see me. But she didn’t. Instead, she graciously welcomed me in.
  
Interviewing Billie Letts is like going to a good movie. She’s adventurous, compassionate, and funny. She entertained me with stories about her own life and the lives of others who provide the inspiration behind her novels. She talked about her most treasured moments of being a famous author as being when she reads all the letters she receives from young girls who quit school but go back after reading her books. And, just when I thought she was getting serious, she'd pop out a sassy joke about herself. It was delightful. 

If you ever get a chance to interview Billie Letts, watch out! She will interview you back. Before I left, she found out as much about me as I did about her. I think she's looking for new characters for her next book!

NOTE: The article, "Best Author-Billie Letts," was published in the January 2011 edition of Oklahoma Living Magazine. It also including my review of Lake Tenkiller.

The Writing Business - Where is it Going?

This has been an interesting week in book publishing news.

First, I was approached by a local bookstore chain about selling my self-published book in the store. I told them that my book, The Checklist, is a bit unusual and sells mostly by word of mouth. Furthermore, by time I give the bookstore 50% and pay shipping (60% for Amazon), and then pay my printing costs, I make very little on the book. With this book, I can't count on more sales unless someone in the store knows how to use the book and can explain it to the customers. Then if the store discounts the book, I am competing with myself. So, no thanks. 

The store then told me it is going into POD production as of December. POD, if you don't know, means Print on Demand. The customer approaches a kiosk, orders the book and then waits while the book is printed and bound. There would be information about the book so that readers could learn more before they purchases. I told them to call me in December! This might work for me, if they don't discount my book.

I had no idea we were that close to using the POD model in America's bookstore. The idea is that no only bookstores, but coffee shops, grocery stores and other retailers would have this equipment. No more books on the shelf and remainders. 

What do you think of that? 

The second thing I read this morning is about a service in China called, Freemium Fiction Publishing. In this model, authors in China are writing fiction in installments and offering it free. As it gets popular, the readers have to pay for the final installments. Amazingly, this is working in China. Earnings from this model have been from $0 to $152,500 (American dollars), depending on the author's fan base. 

Do you think this would work in the West? How will that affect the traditionally published author? 

Finally, I just heard that Thomas Nelson is being bought out by Harper Collins. Harper Collins bought Zondervan in 1988. How will this affect the Christian publishing market? 

Lots of changes in the book publishing world. Where will we go from here?

Just for Fun - Looking for a Unique Christmas Present?

HELO-TC

Some of you know that my husband, Bill, was a helicopter pilot. He flew in Vietnam and on the Delaware State Police. Although he's retired now, he still has great memories from his flying days.

When I saw the HELO TC remote-controlled helicopter being promoted online, I immediately asked for one to review. I wanted my husband to try it and see if he would recommend it. Well, he does, and so do I! I found it to be just as much fun as he does! 

Here's our take on the product:

1. It's small (about 8" long), lightweight (1.4 oz - I weighed it on my Weight Watcher's scale!), and takes up very little room to store or to use. We can "fly" in the house, as long as the dog is shut up in her crate! 

2. It's flexible. We've had several crashes, but no damage. It's built on a lightweight metal frame with a black polycarbonate body, and it bounces very well!

3. It's fairly easy to learn to use. I say fairly because you have to run the throttle as well as the joystick at the same time. It gets tricky, but my pilot husband had it flying around the room in no time at all. For me, it took a bit longer to learn the controls. (There is another mode - Tilt to Steer - that just uses the iPhone, but it's not nearly as fun and challenging.) My only complaint is that the directions for flying the HELO TC are in the app itself and not written in the paperwork that comes with it. It's not fun to have to stop the HELO TC to read directions. I suggest they add these directions in PDF format to their website to be downloaded. 

4. It was easy to put together and start playing. Our HELO came already charged (It charges with USB power source.); however, the literature says it charges in 35 minutes. The Flight Deck module is powered by four AAA batteries. We took everything out of the box, followed the directions for downloading the HELO TC app, and attached the Flight Deck to the iPhone. At most, this took 15 minutes. The helicopter was already together. We just had to take it out from its box and then read the directions for getting started. It took about 20-30 minutes to have it up and running with some confidence. 

5. It's a good value at $49.99 for the HELO TC. You can purchase from Griffin Technology. The app is free. 

6. It's a unique gift that your pilot friends and wanna-be-pilot friends will enjoy for a long time. I think they will remember this one!

Nimrod Conference and Workshop 2011

Anyone going to the Nimrod Conference and Workshop? This year's event will be held on Saturday, October 22, at The University of Tulsa, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, OK. 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Workshops include: Q&A Editing and Publishing: Why? How? What? When?; Fiction I; Fiction II; Fiction III; Poetry; Memoir; Finding an Agent; Young Adult Fantasy; Workout: Exercise Your Writing Muscles; Starting and Growing a Literary Magazine; Hands-on Editing Workshops

For more info: check the website. www.utulsa.edu/nimrod

Gloria Teague, Another Reason I Attend Writer's Groups

I love writer's groups. I try not to miss any of them. Currently, I am a member of SCBWI, ACFW, and Tulsa Night Writers.

One reason I love writer's groups is because of the new friendships I form. It's so nice to have other authors to talk to, to critique your work, and encourage you.

I met this sweet gal, Gloria Teague, at Tulsa Night Writers. She's the writer of both fiction and nonfiction; and, currently has two books and two novels out, as well as more than 50 short stories. What an inspiration!

Her newest book, Beyond the Surgeon's Touch: One Miracle Away from Death, is stories based on actual events in emergency rooms that illustrate that miracles can, and do, happen to average people more often than you may realize. I can't wait to read this one!

You can visit Gloria's website at: www.gloriateague.com

Writers and Exercise

One of the problems I have as a writer is that my job includes very little movement - I have the skinny fingers (from typing), but the rest of me is - well not so skinny.

I joined WeightWatchers two years ago and lost 60 pounds; but after I quit, I gained back 15. Needless to say, I'm back on the wagon. Started WeightWatchers again last week!

The other thing I did, by accident, to help my sedentary life situation was to get a dog. I actually went to the shelter to get a cat, but the shelter had just received eight puppies that were ready to be adopted. So I ended up adopting a puppy instead.

Her name is Oreo. She's half Shihtzu and half Jack Russell, and what a bundle of joy! And energetic! Even with her short little legs, she can move. I think I'll get some exercise now! So long sedentary life.

Short Story Contest

Good Housekeeping is offering a chance to win $3,000 and publication in May issue! Short Story contest - no more than 3,500 words.

Deadline is September 1 - so don't wait. Enter that story you have tucked away in your desk, NOW!

A new subject to write about . . .

After many years of having only cats in the house, I finally broke down and got a dog. She's half Shihtzu and half Jack Russell. Her name is Oreo, and she's two months old.

I went to the Tulsa Humane Society to get a cat, but they had just gotten in these adorable pups. I just couldn't resist. So now, I'm potty training, crate training, and pretty much exhausted, but loving it.

Today, we went for our first walk in the park. We walked .13 miles in 14 minutes! Not much exercise, but it was so much fun!

Now that I have a dog, I have a whole new topic to write about!

Article Writing - Homeschooling Trends (Oklahoma Living Magazine)

The article I wrote for Oklahoma Living Magazine is now available and will be mailed to more than 650,000 subscribers in August.

Homeschooling Trends was a fun article for me to write as it was about homeschooling, one of my passions! I enjoyed meeting new homeschooling friends, as well as interviewing Shandra Pinion, a young lady I've known since she was a child.

I also enjoyed working with a new editor, Anna Politano. She was absolutely wonderful to work with. Thank you, Anna, for the great editing job, too!

Magazine writing is a rewarding experience. If you haven't tried it yet, you should. Here are some reasons I like magazine article writing:

1. I get to meet new people: the people I interview, as well the editors for whom I am writing
2. I get to learn something new - even if I am familiar with the subject, I always learn something from my interviewees
3. I get to visit new places - I love to go to new towns, visit their museums and discover their local dining hangouts
4. Sometimes I get freebies for writing product reviews, such as iPad covers, appliances, sports equipment, books, etc.
5. The assignment has a deadline - I work more efficiently with deadlines
6. The assignment is short - I get to see the fruit of my labor much sooner than if I were writing a book

For more information on how to writer for magazines, check out these books:

1. Writer's Market 2011 - find out which magazines are buying articles and what the editors want
2. Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles - an introduction to magazine writing
3. Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing - this is the one I learned with. Although it's not as current as it should be, it still provides all the essential information needed by writers of magazine articles.
4. On Writing Well - a classic - this book will help you improve your writing skills. I try to read it at least once a year. It's time to read it again! 

New Project!

As many of you know, I have been "dabbling" in HAM radio. My husband has been enjoying it for years, but when his vision started going, he was unable to drive himself to the meetings. SO, I started taking him. At first, I dropped him off and picked him up, but I finally decided I just as well find out what it was all about. So I started going to the meetings, too.

In December, I passed my Technician's license (KF5JFM) and in March, I passed my General. I am currently working on my Extra license. I enjoy teaching and writing, so I have been doing a newsletter for TRO, one of the groups I attend, and I hope to become a VE sometime in the future.

So, what's my new project? I'm thinking about starting an all-girls HAM event. The boys have a donut day every Friday. There is too much testosterone there for me and the donuts are fattening. I got talking with Cathy, another female amateur operator and friend of mine, and decided we needed a Panera Bread group. She said the boys would probably come after they found out how good it was. I said we'll give it a name that will keep them away! So, here it is: The Pink HAMsters! I even had a logo and Facebook Page made for us!

Now, all I have to do is figure out when we will meet and start "hamming it up" with the girls!

Balancing Act

Because I am a freelance writer, one of the most difficult challenges of writing for me is balancing the time I spend on writing to get paid, writing for my nonprofit organizations, and writing "that book" I keep trying to write.

I need to earn income, so nonfiction writing takes up a large part of my week; I want to help my church and nonprofit groups, so that writing takes up another part of my week. Between that and the rest of my life, I have little time left to work on that book I want to write.

However, the one thing that keeps me going on my fiction writing is my SCBWI critique group. There are four of us in the group, and we meet once a month. Knowing that three other people are expecting me to contribute helps motivate me to keep plugging at my children's book.

If you find yourself putting off that book you want to write, I highly recommend you join or form a critique group. You won't be disappointed!

Writing Without Distractions

Last night, Ally was talking about how she uses an Alpha Smart to write her first draft so that you doesn't have any distractions. With this small word processor, she doesn't have any temptation to go back and edit. She also can't get on the Internet and get distracted by email or other online activities.

Ally writes the first draft on the Alpha Smart and then sends the draft to her computer, where she does all the editing. (She also leaves home so she is not tempted to cook, clean, or otherwise be distracted.

I thought that sounded like a great idea, but I wondered if there was something on my iPad I could use instead.

Sure enough, I found an app for my iPad called, My Writing Spot. With this app, I can write, keep track of the number of words written, and sync it with an online version using my Google Account for a backup.  I can also send myself an email copy or print the story from the application.

Another feature of My Writing Spot is the ability to look up words in a Thesaurus and Dictionary right from the application.

Simply type the word in on the app; the app goes online behind the scene and brings in the definition or synonyms from Dictionary.com or the online Thesaurus. No need for me to go online and get distracted.

Granted, this app will have the potential for more distractions than the Alpha Smart, but I like the convenience, simplicity and backup features. I carry my iPad with me all the time and have a bluetooth keyboard that I can use with it for more efficient typing.

I'll give it a try for a few days and let you know if it works!

SCBWI-Writer's Group

If you don't have a writer's group, you need to find one. I am a member of two: SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).

Tonight, at my local SCBWI meeting, we were honored to have Ally Carter, author of Heist Society, speak. It was so good! She was funny, as well as informative. We learned all about her road to success, both the good and the bad. Even if I don't write in that genre, it was very informative and inspirational. I got an autographed copy of her book, too!

And then, there is the before and after meeting with all my writer friends. It's so nice to be able to bounce ideas off one another, cheer for those who get published and give a hug to those who get a rejection. We all need friends, especially those who are going through the same things as we are. I wouldn't miss this for anything.

Thanks to Anna Meyers, Pati Hailey, and Helen Newton for planning these events. You are SO appreciated!

A HOT day of HAM Radio!

Today, my Ham Radio Club, TRO, did the communications for the Tour de Cure in Tulsa, OK. It was HOT!!

Tulsa Repeater Organization at Tour de Cure

Bill's radio was set wrong, so we had to share radios, but I did get to some "communicating." The biggest problem I had was remembering my Call Sign! I know I stumbled a lot, but it was good practice.
 

Glad to get home and back to writing. My husband likes to do these kind of events, but I don't like the heat, and I don't like just sitting around doing nothing, waiting for something to happen. I get bored easily! 

The next thing I'm going to do is go to a Field Day. Maybe I'll like DXing! 

Editing

The hardest part of writing for me is editing. I just finished the first draft of an article for Oklahoma Living Magazine. The article is required to be 1,700-2,000 words in length. My word count is almost 2,500! I've got some serious cutting to do!

I interviewed six people and gathered lots of interesting quotes and valuable information. The challenge now is to decide which quotes and information are most important. It makes me sad not to be able to use everything I learned from these helpful and informative people.

I go through this every time I write an article, but it has to be done. Editors aren't happy when you hand in a piece that's too long. So, tomorrow is chopping day! Sigh!

Of course, there is another solution. I could take what's left and craft a second article for another magazine!

My Other Life - HAM Radio Operator

Today, my husband, Bill, and I worked with our local Amateur Radio Club, Tulsa Repeater Organization, to do communications for the Maple Ridge Run. This was my first time to actually do any communications. I learned a little about keeping a log and I walked the run 3.3 miles with the Tactical name: Walker! (Couldn't make it 3rd round!) Here are some photos of the team:

TRO Communications Team

Me - Learning how to do the Log

Wiped out after 3.3 miles!

Self Publishing Article in the NYT

I just read this article in the New York Times about Self-Publishing, written by Neal Pollack. Yesterday, I read that Amazon is selling more e-books than print books. Self-publishing has been working for me on a small scale, but I keep trying to get "published" the traditional way, while other seem to keep moving toward self-publishing. Hmmmm - am I going in the wrong direction? Any thoughts?

News on the Homefront

We made another trip out to Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, Md. this month. The news wasn't good. My husband, Bill, is now legally blind, and there isn't much that can be done about it, if any. After five years of trying to find answers, we've decided it's time to trust God for healing in His time and move on to the adjustment phase.

There are so many things you don't think about until someone close to you loses their vision. For instance, do you know how difficult it is for someone to do the laundry, cook in the oven, or run the dishwasher with the new touch screen pads? They can't feel the buttons. Or how about putting toothpaste on your toothbrush? Or reading a menu and paying the bill at a restaurant when you can't tell what denomination the money is?

It's been quite an adjustment for my husband, Bill, as he loses more and more of his independence, and for me, as I have to take on more and more of the responsibilities. But, with God's help, we are making it and it's getting better every day. We are adjusting and life is good!

Thanks to everyone who has been praying with us as we go through this process. We really appreciate you!

My Other Life - Ham Radio

One of my newest hobbies is Ham Radio (KF5JFM). I got into it because of my husband's interest and the fact that he is no longer able to drive because of his vision loss. I used to take him to the meetings and wait around until he was done. Then, one day, I decided to join them! So, I got my Technician's license in 2010; and in April, I got my General's license.

In January, I became the Public Relations Chair for the Tulsa Repeater Organization. A large part of my responsibility is the TRO Signal Newsletter. I enjoy using my writing skills for this super group of Ham operators.

Our big project right now is setting up our Ham Shack. I'll post some pictures as it develops!

73 KF5JFM

Heros and Heroines

Vicky McDonough is being featured on Vicky Stockton's blog and answered the question, "How do you create the characters in your books?" It's very interesting reading! 

She mentions a book called, The Complete Writers Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes by Tami D. Cowden. If you're looking for a good book on character development, this looks like a great choice. 

Time for Nonfiction

I've had to put my fiction writing aside for awhile. I'm currently working on an article for Oklahoma Living Magazine, as well as updating my homeschool website and Oklahoma History curriculum. Between that, decorating my porch and visits to John Hopkins' Wilmar Eye Institute (for my husband's vision problems), I just haven't much time for writing fiction.

The idea came for redecorating my porch came from some purple, pink and white violets I bought at the grocery store. First, I bought purple napkins, pillows, and a candle for my bookshelf. I added another purple and green flower arrangement to the bookshelf, as well as white porcelain cats on two tables.

I already had green and white railroad plates from my mother, so I used those on top of  green place mats for the table. In the center, I placed purple grapes in a cut glass bowl.

Next, I found a green lounge chair that goes perfect with the greens in the accessories. Of course, my cat had to help Bill put it together!

Then I moved everything around for a more comfortable setting. That included getting rid of a desk I had in there. No more office look!

What do you think? Isn't this the perfect spot for writing! I'm totally inspired, so back to work!

SCBWI Spring Conference

The SCBWI conference on Saturday was excellent! There were editors there from Roaring Press, Scholastic, and Greenwillow Books, an Art Director from Simon & Schuster, and an agent from Writer's House. All the speakers were exceptional, and I came away with lots of ideas for my writing. Even the Art Director did a super job of including writers in his presentation.

I met some new writer friends, as well as reconnected with others that I don't often get to see. And, even though I didn't win all the prizes this year, I had a great time! Thanks to everyone who helped on this conference. I really appreciate it.

New story idea

I got another critique of my Ferret story at the SCBWI Conference on Saturday; and, like the others, this editor felt that it needed to be in prose instead of poetry. She, too, liked the idea; but like another editor, didn't know how to market it. So in addition to having trouble getting the rhymes to work, I may be doing all this for nothing.

No, I'm not given up on my Ferret story, but I am putting it aside for awhile and thinking about how I can change it back to prose, keep it fun, and make it marketable.

In the meantime, I have a new idea I'm working on for a kids book - it's about circles and squares. I'm also working hard developing characters for my 60's era novel. Must keep writing!

Writer's Workshop-May 8th

The Oklahoma Historical Society and the History Matters Foundation are sponsoring a Writer's Workshop on Sunday, May 8, 1:30-5:30 pm, at the Oklahoma History Center, OKC, OK.

The workshop entitled, "Lessons from a Best Seller," is structured into three, fifty-minute sessions and a Q&A session at the end. It will be taught by New York Times best-selling author, Steve Berry, author of The Paris Vendetta, The Emperor's Tomb and others. Berry will instruct participants on the craft of writing, including story structure, effective dialogue, point of view, and other important rules of writing.

Registration is $85 and ends March 31. Send registrations to the Oklahoma History Center Gift Shop, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr., OKC, OK 73105 or call 405.522.5214 and pay with a credit card.

Rejections - those necessary evils to make you a better writer!

I sent four copies of my ferret story out during the conference in NYC. I've gotten two rejections back so far. At least the second one gives me hope that I can actually write some fiction worth publishing in the future! For those of you who have never received one, I publish mine here for your reference!

Rejection #1:

"Thanks very much for sending this story.  It's sweet, but the rhyming doesn't feel organic to me, and the writing overall isn't, in my opinion, strong enough for the picture book market.  I do appreciate the opportunity, and I wish you the best of luck." Kind regards, Jennifer DeChiara, The Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency

Rejection #2:

"Cindy, Thank you so much for meeting me in New York and for the opportunity to read a sample of CAROLINE'S FERRETS. Unfortunately, this is a pass for me. The writing here is good and the premise is interesting but I'm having a hard time imagining how to pitch or sell this in today's market. I'm afraid the sales hook/potential isn't as strong as I need it to be. You've obviously a very skilled writer but I'm not connecting to the material enough to be the best advocate for it in the marketplace, and you deserve nothing less. I'm sure another agent will feel differently and I look forward to reading about your many successes. Cheers,"  Mary Kole, Associate Agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc."

So, what am I doing about it? Well, I'm currently rewriting it, hoping to make it rhyme better and trying to figure out a better sales hook. I'm not giving up on fiction, yet!

Jennifer and Mary  - Thank you for the feedback!

Called to Write Conference, April 1-2

If you live within driving distance of Pittsburg, Kansas, you might want to check out the Called to Write Conference, coming April 1-2. This conference is sponsored by Christian Writer's Fellowship.

This year's conference will feature Terry W. Burns, agent with Harline Literary and Jeanette Gardner Littleton, author and editor for Moody Magazine.

Chicken Soup for Soul writer: Linda Apple

The March meeting of WIN (Writer's of Inspirational Novels) is going to be a real treat! Come this Saturday,  March 5, to hear inspirational author Linda Apple as she gives insights on writing for Chicken Soup for the Soul and using creative nonfiction to write your personal stories.

Come at noon with a sack lunch for a time of fellowship.

Meeting begins at 1:00 pm
Fellowship Lutheran Church
6727 S Sheridan Rd, Tulsa

Visit the WIN website for directions at www.win-acfw.com