Life Changes Things

Life changes. Every year that I get older, it seems as if I have a new adjustment to make. Now that I'm working and being Bill's chauffeur, it seems I am having to adjust my writing schedule to accommodate it. For the past two years, I've enjoyed writing for Oklahoma Living Magazine, but, unfortunately, this type of writing requires me to travel and interview people. I don't have the time to do that now that I'm tutoring, except for in the summer. Because of that, I was forced to give up some of the assignments that I had for the upcoming year - a big disappointment.

However, as I sat thinking about it and feeling sorry for myself, I said, "Self, what other kind of writing could you do at home in the middle of the night and in between your other responsibilities?" I realized that I could write on spec about topics that I can research at home - no travel or interviewing. I could also work on my mystery and/or children's books that have been sitting in my files. So, that's what I've decided to do.

First, I sent off some queries for magazine articles I could write at home in the middle of the night. I got four assignments!

Next, I pitched an idea to the kids in my writing class about an extra assignment - writing the novel. If any of them take me up on it, we'll form an online critique group and work on our stories together. We're going to use the book, "Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write" by Victoria Hanley. We'll work through this chapter by chapter throughout the school year. We'll critique each other and I'll help them learn about the publishing business (as much as I know) and maybe even take them to some writer's workshops.

So, the bottom line is this:

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” -Maria Robinson

Self Publishing Article by David Carnoy

I found this informative article on self-publishing by David Carnoy (editor at CNET): Self-publishing a book: 25 things you need to know. He covers the why and how, as well as caveats of self-publishing. A must-read for anyone considering self-publishing.

The future of books - interactivity!

I was amazed at Alice on the iPad (see my Alice review), but Jack and the Beanstalk proves that interactive books are only going to get better. Here’s why:

While Alice has exquisite graphics and fun animations, Jack and the Beanstalk has cute, kid-friendly graphics and LOTS of animations, PLUS music, interactions on every page, and games such as a memory game, a shape-matching game, bubble popping, and finger painting.

  

The interactions on Jack and the Beanstalk are things that kids will love to do like touch the screen to light the street lamp or start the fireworks, find hidden “easter” eggs that sing and wiggle, touch characters to make them talk or dance, and swipe to reveal hidden creatures in a lake and then count them.

You can turn “Narration Audio” off to read the story out loud yourself, but you may get tired of reading! Jack and the Beanstalk is a “book” that kids will want to “read” over and over again, not only to hear the fun story, but also to search for the hidden surprises.

And when you’re finished reading, you can go to the Ayars Website (www.ayarsanimation.com) and download the Jack and the Beanstalk coloring book for kids to color.

Jack and the Beanstalk works on the iPhone (3.2 or later) and iPod Touch, too. 

So, fellow authors and publishers, how can we take advantage of this new technology? Have YOU considered an app for that?

Half Time by Bob Buford

This book changed my life. After reading Half Time, I was inspired to finish my college degree (See Empty Nest Mom Goes to College) and then become a freelance writer. I just discovered that CBD is having a sale on this book - only $3.99 until Thursday, Feb. 11th.

If you're looking for inspiration on what to do with the rest of your life, you need to read this book.

Learning to Be a Writer

Recently, I was asked how I learned to write for publication.  The answer, so far, is by reading books. Here is a list of books I've read and recommend:

• Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr.
• 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing by Gary Provost
• Make Your Words Work by Gary Provost
• On Writing Well by William Zinsser
• The 29 Most Common Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them by Judy Delton
• Writer to Writer by Bodie & Brock Thoene
• Writing for the Soul by Jerry B. Jenkins
• Word Painting by Rebecca McClanahan
• Handbook for Magazine Article Writing by Writer's Digest
• Creative NonFiction by Philip Gerard
• Sell & Resell Your Magazine Articles by Gordon Burgett
• The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them by Jack M. Bickham
• Fiction Writing Demystified by Thomas B. Sawyer
• Don't Murder Your Mystery by Chris Roerden
• You Can Write a Mystery by Gillian Roberts
• Writing Mysteries edited by Sue Grafton
• Writing the Modern Mystery by Barbara Norville
• The Way to Write for Children by Joan Aiken
• The Writer's Guide for Crafting Stories for Children by Nancy Lamb
• Guerrilla Marketing for Writers by Jay Conrad Levinson

Here are some books I am reading or going to read:

• Telling True Stories by Mark Kramer
• Writing for Story: Craft Secrets of Dramatic Nonfiction by Jon Franklin
• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne
• Creating Fiction by Julie Checkoway
• Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
• Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain
• The Portable MFA in Creative Writing published by New York Writer's Workshop
• Gotham Writers' Workshop: Writing Fiction by Gotham Writers' Workshop
• Fiction Writer's Workshop by Josip Novakovich
• Make a Scene: Crafting a Powerful Story by Jordan E. Rosenfeld
• The Fire in Fiction: Passion, Purpose and Technique by Donald Maass
• The Power of Point of View by Alicia Rasley
• Creating Character Emotions by Ann Hood
• Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint by Nancy Kress
• Write Great Fiction - Dialogue by Gloria Kempton
• Description & Setting: Techniques and Exercises by Ron Rozelle
• The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure by Christopher E. Vogler
• Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises by James Scott Bell
• Elements of Writing Fiction - Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
• Elements of Fiction Writing - Plot by Ansen Dibell
• Picture Writing by Anastasia Suen
• Creating Characters Kids Will Love by Elaine Marie Alphin