Writing quote for 8/23/09

I don't know much about creative writing programs. But they're not telling the truth if they don't teach, one, that writing is hard work, and, two, that you have to give up a great deal of life, your personal life, to be a writer.


--Doris Lessing

Quote for 8/23/09

You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day.

-- Marian Wright Edelman

I might as well face reality 'cause I'm thinking it's not gonna happen

. . . getting some of my earlier stuff reprinted 'cause it's not my strongest work. Maybe I should just stop. Get my ego in check. Concentrate my energy on the works I'm currently developing.

Yeah, that's a plan. If nothing else, my rejection #'s will not continue to rise needlessly.

another rejection?

Man, I just sent that to you hours ago.


Actually we'll just count this as 1/2 a reject 'cause I misread the guidelines in regards to word count so there was nothing inherently or organically [;-)] "wrong" with the story. Just too long.

I'll try another mag.

And send you, dear editor, a much shorter piece.

5 rejections in two days

three of them in just one of them.

ouch.
ouch.
ouch.

Creativity quote for 8/20/09

The object of art is to give life a shape.

--William Shakespeare, Midsummer Nights Dream

Quote for 8/20/09

Success, remember, is the reward of toil.


--Sophocles

what a morning

turned the radio on, Tom Petty/Heartbreaker's "Breakdown" just starting, I sat down at the computer and wrote a micro story that I've been trying to get out for a minute. This morning it just flowed onto the page. Got it submitted too.

yay!

Bret coming out of retirement (again) and Sean and Robin Penn divorce papers (again)

can we stop with the revolving door thing already?

Writing quote for 8/18/09

You must want to enough. Enough to take all the rejections, enough to pay the price of disappointment and discouragement while you are learning. Like any other artist you must learn your craft—then you can add all the genius you like.


--Phyllis A. Whitney

Quote for 8/18/09

You can't imagine what a pleasure this complete laziness is to me: not a thought in my brain- you might send a ball rolling through it!

--Leo Tolstoy

I was a bum all day

the only thing I accomplished was writing emails and letters to some people.

Tomorrow, before and after work, I'll be scrambling to do the things I should have done today;-)

???

got a rejection for a story which the editors declined due in part, I think, to the ending which they said was a surprise but the editor who rejected it previously said the ending was clear from the beginning of the tale.

go figure.

an anthology acceptance, two if I

get the release from NM and send it back to the publisher in time.

grrr Gwendolyn. My decision to move here was spur-of-the-moment; I didn't think about things like my mail still going to NM and my kids were supposed to send it to me every week, but they don't.

But let's think positive :) My son is arriving this weekend, so hopefully my mail will too!

I've got work published in one anthology so far. An acceptance for another. A pending acceptance. Four submissions to four other anthologies. Four story ideas for four upcoming anthologies.

Yeah, my ego would love to be in them all.

Writing quote for 8/17/09

Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.


--John Jakes

Quote for 8/17/09

This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy.

- Susan Polis Schutz

they say it's 75 degrees

but it feels so much hotter.

I just woke up but I'm going to go lay my partially-clad self back in front of the fan.

Later.

Tiger, Tiger, Tiger

what is there to say?

41 submissions and counting

most are reprints, to magazines and anthologies. But I've got 20 stories pulled from my pile of drafts that I'm most interested in working on, so maybe I'll have 50 subs again soon.

my feet hurt

but I had a good day at work.

the day is done

got no writing done

got some submissions off-- reprints of stories that have fallen off the web. I have about 40 that have. Don't think I'll be able to get them all republished but I'm gonna try for as many as possible.

am going to eat and then finish some bears

Need to take some more to the florist shop. that's working out.

Got an email from an inn in Vermont. They have a fall foliage special going. I have never seen leaves go from any color other than green to brown in NM so I'm looking forward to the trip. Just need to decide on the dates so I can ask for time off. Anyway I brought that up 'cause the inn has a bear-related name and I just might take a few with me. hmmmm

Tiger hasn't won yet but he hasn't lost yet either. I wish it were over already.

I got a new book:



think I'm gonna add reading to my to-do list and then head to bed. Adios.

Creative quote for 8/16/09

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

— Maya Angelou

Quote for 8/16/09

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.


--Jimmy Dean

B.B. King @ B.B. King's

He's going to play at his namesake club. I gotta get a ticket. And this time, should I have another chance to speak with him, I'm taking a picture!

On the other hand

everything else in my life is hunky dory.

Think I have it figured out how to get my stuff here (and then move it on to Vermont. Shhh, but don't tell my kids. I've gone back to my 2006 plans and seeing them through. I've already started making contacts again in the city I wanted to move to. The city I AM moving to. No, they won't be happy but they have to ride the Gwentrain for a couple more years; then they can do what they want. Right now we're doing what Gwendolyn wants.)

On the prowl again

Yesterday I went to Office Max, hoping to get this office collection for my writing room. When I did an online search, the bookshelf was appearing in the clearance section. I decided to go and find out wth?

Got up early --> straight to the store to find out that, yes, they no longer have the desk and associated that I wanted:(

Have searched the Office Max site, Staples, Walmart.com-- cannot find a desk I like, much less love.

I will write on the kitchen table if I have to, but I had this vision of my writing room come next week.

poof. gone like that.

damn.

Hope Tiger pulls it off

Course the drama is all part of the "story" of Mr. Woods

Commenters crack me up

Lots of back and forth on Michael Vick. Everybody wants to make a comment-- some are funny, some are sooooo looney. I'm not sure how they don't get it: It's about football. Not role modeling, not dogs, not nothing but football. And all the warped values associated therewith.

HE CAN'T MARRY HER!!!!!

no no no no no

I used to collect Archie comic books== gave them to my teenaged son.

Just read that on the 19th, the Archie comic book will have him down on bended knee. . .

before


Veronica?????


Archie, it's Betty.

It's been her all along.

1st day of work, kind of

the last few days have been orientations and such. Today was a bit more of a workday, but not really. Come Monday, it is a different story. Up and at 'em then. But I'm looking forward to it. LOVE my supervisors. That makes a whole lotta difference.

Off the weekend! Hallelujah. I'm going to write and make up for lost time.

That was fast!

Submitted a work yesterday and today it's posted. That's the kind of turn-around I could get used to.

Tears is up at http://www.camrocpressreview.com/

A show of hands

Who didn't think Michael Vick would be suiting up again for the NFL?



You?

You thought what he did was unforgivable and that no team would ever sign him.

Here, put on this dunce cap. Wear it while you're watching the game.

Off to write

'cause that's what I do.

Writing quote for 8/08/09

But words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.


--Lord Byron

Quote for 8/08/09

Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.

--Lillian Dickson

I need you in my life

meeting people with info and skills I need. In the past week, I have meet a music producer (my son and daughter write and perform and my son wants to create a home studio), a man who was in prison and is working to create a new life (I've got a story about a man who is trying to create a new life following his release from prison) and a guy who does websites (I need a personal and a business one).

Serendipity.

You will always be sent the people you need to make it happen. As the Martin Lawrence character in "Blue Streak" said: "Believe that."

"I ain't trying to holla at nobody"

That's what this guy told me. He was explaining the need for the preface to something he said he had to tell me.

"But don't take it the wrong way," he said.

I said I wouldn't, way curious though.

"I just wanted to tell you, you have the most infectious smile."

Hmm, why would he think a compliment would lead me to think he was interested in me? Just a compliment, not a proposal. Anyway it was a sweet compliment -- what could I do in response to that but smile?

(But for the record, not even thinking he was someone I'd want to holla at me.)

I'm in transition. Moving to my own place in less than two weeks. Much to my delight, Boston Ferns thrive in this climate. Already envisioning them on the front porch. Waiting for time to pass for so that can happen. Also waiting for a job to start. Am working in a university setting again. Not teaching-- am too selfish right now for that, though I'm in discussion on conducting a few writing workshops for the public library. It's a job, but a full-time job with benefits. Enough "freedom" around the job that I can breathe and the pay is good so I won't be stressing finances (I'm even started to save a bit).

another submission and another work to contemplate and write

So I got another work off and that makes me happy. I still haven't gotten any responses to some older submissions, though I've gotten some rejections from more recent ones.

And another voice asking me to take dictation. Aw right ( searching for a pen and the idea notebook)

Okay, I'm ready.

Quote for 8/06/09

Know yourself. Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.

--Ann Landers

And speaking of sidewalks

I met one up close.

I am in the process of changing my image and part of that is wearing heels on a more daily basis 'cause I'm only 4'11" and I want to send a power signal. Too, heels and jeans is sexy looking.

I usually wear heels to church, on a date, job interview and back when I was teaching at a community college. So to prepare my mind for the change, I've been working an affirmation regarding:


"I carry myself with elegance and grace."
"I carry myself with elegance and grace."
"I carry myself with elegance and grace."

And that's exactly what was running through my head when my flip flop slipped against the curb and I went down! LOL!

Brother, can you spare $1600+

The cost to get my stuff from there to here. Better start picking up those pennies I bypass on sidewalks and streets.

Writing books I recommend

and I wrote a new poem

:)

My number of submissions is moving up. . . albeit slowly. . .

This week, for various reasons, I won't have a lot of time to spend writing. I am writing everyday, whatever I can, but this week has some serious limitations. Anyway, I'm happy that I'm making progress. I will soon have 50 subs out.

Need something to pick you up?

Go to youtube and listen to "Miracles" by Jefferson Starship.

Was reading something about Marty Balin and I recalled how much I loved that song.

Go on and spend the rest of the evening dancing (hey, maybe even naked) around your living room.

Writing quote for 8/05/09

Write. Stay with the discomfort. Stay with the uncertainity. Stay with the emotions that a scene or a memory might conjure up for you. Stay with the work. It'll guide you back home.

--Laraine Herring
from "Writing Begins with the Breath"

Quote for 8/05/09

Life is just a chance to grow a soul.

-- A. Powell Davies

today was a good day

that's the thought I had yesterday evening. A couple of things happened exactly as I thought (and hoped) they would and THAT is very good. Very, very good.

Exhale and smile, Gwendolyn.

You will be able to find me on Facebook

I'm not really into the social media thing. Like I said before I have a Facebook page 'cause I needed to contact someone through Facebook and had to create the page. Anyway the other day I got a message in my email that a friend from my elementary, junior high and early high school years had tried to contact me through such.

Oh my!

She was one of the most dearest of my friends.

For her, I would do Facebook.

Yet another story idea

stop stop stop

I'm becoming so disorganized with these scraps of paper, pieces of napkins, whatever I can jot a line down on at the time. . .

Writing quote for 8/04/09

The hardest thing for a fiction writer to do in a story is not tell a lie.

--Gwendolyn Joyce Mintz

The part of "the process" I'm not crazy about

I love writing. I love submitting. Contacting editors with 'are you gonna take it or not?'-- uhm,not so much.

And I got a new calendar-- 2010!!!!!!!

Man, is it me or is time really going by fast?

Is it me?

or is time flying by?

Some of those things I said I wanted this year, I haven't even given much thought to, much less effort and attention!

This summer was not as easy as my first summer here, even last year, I didn't face some of the obstacles I've been dealing with. But what can you do but roll with the punches>

And rely on God 'cause (again and again, esp. when I am not so deserving) He helps me out/makes a way. I was talking to some one yesterday and some things have been falling together, right when I need them to.

"God is good," Helen said.

I was stilled for a moment 'cause sometimes I forget that He's involved and then I recalled all the times He'd acted on my behalf and I had to think that He has some hand in what's happening now so I had to say an 'amen' to that.

Quote for 8/03/09

Someone may have stolen your dream when it was young and fresh and you were innocent. Anger is natural. Grief is appropriate. Healing is mandatory. Restoration is possible.

--Jane Rubietta

Micro fiction anthology call

Hint Fiction

http://www.robertsw artwood.com/ ?page_id= 8

hint fiction (n) : a story of 25 words or less that suggests a larger, more complex story.

Anthology Guidelines: Tentativ ely scheduled for the fall of 2010, W.W. Norton will publish an anthology of Hint Fiction. What is Hint Fiction? It’s a story of 25 words or less that suggests a larger, more complex story. The thesis of the anthology is to prove that a story 25 words or less can have as much impact as a story 2,500 words or longer. The anthology will include between 100 and 150 stories. We want your best work.

It’s possible to write a complete story in 25 words or less — a beginning, middle, end — but that’s not Hint Fiction.

The very best Hint Fiction stories can be read many different ways.

We want stories we can read again and again and never tire of. Stories that don’t pull any punches. Stories that make us think, that evoke some kind of emotional response.

Take a look at the winners and honorable mentions of the Hint Fiction Contest for examples.

Payment is $25 per story for World and Audio rights.

Reprints? Sure, but unless you’re one hundred percent confident in the reprint, why not try to write an original piece?

For formatting purposes, you must include a title (which actually works in your benefit, as the title helps give a better “hint” of the overall story).

Writers can only submit up to two stories, both embedded in the sa
me e-mail. Don’t worry about a cover letter. We don’t care where you’ve been published or what graduate program you’ve attended — all author identification will be stripped by a third party so we will only see the stories and nothing but the stories.

To make everyone’s lives easier, embed the stories like this:

TITLE

Story.

TITLE

Story.

Your name.

Submissions will open August 1 and close at midnight Eastern time August 31. Submit only to this address:

hint.fiction(at)gmail.com

(replace (at) with @)

(An auto responder has been set up so you can get immediate confirmation that your submission has been received. On the off-chance you do not receive an automated response within an hour, submit again. If on the off-off-chance you still receive nothing, e-mail me at my personal address and we’ll get it figured out.)

Please note that due to the expected volume of submissions, we will be forced to respond with form letters.

Thank you, and good luck.

***For a limited time, if you link to these guidelines on your blog or Twitter, you can submit a third story. These must be posted between July 1 and August 15. Include the link at the end of your e-mail. If you don’t include a link, the third story will be deleted unread.***