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Whoa!! Slow It Down!
If I have ever critiqued your work, you have probably heard me say, “Slow down.” In our rush to get the words on the paper, we often gloss over important scenes. We move so quickly that our readers miss important events. In real time, things happen in moments, but on paper — we need to slow it down so the reader understands the importance of what is happening. If your character hits a parked car while riding his bike, slow it down. Let your character notice the sun glinting off the metal of the parked car’s bumper. As...
read moreNew Anthology Seeking Work
http://writeintegrity.blogspot.com/2012/01/call-for-submissions-three-anthologies.html?spref=tw Call for Submissions: Three Anthologies– We are currently seeking submissions for the following: Life Lessons from MOMS To be released May 2012 Life Lessons from DADS To be released June 2012 Life Lessons from TEACHERS To be released August 2012 We learn about life from many different sources, and WIP wants to honor and recognize folks who’ve taught us through the years. The Life Lessons series continues with three more books this year,...
read moreDo You Have a Funny Story About Birds or Gardening?
Birds and Bloom is a beautiful magazine. If you have a short story (400 words) about a backyard blunder, you might find a home for it at Birds and Bloom. This is a no fee entry (which is always a plus) and you can submit online. Note the word funny in the call-out. Thanks again to Hope Clark’s newsletter for this information. BIRDS AND BLOOM BACKYARD BLUNDER CONTEST http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Contests/Backyard-Blunder-Contest NO ENTRY FEE Do you have a funny birding or gardening story to share from your backyard? We want to hear it!...
read moreLegacy of Words for Your Children
Those of you who know me well are aware that my sister is also a writer. Her name is Candace Simar and she has written a series of three books (another on the way) of historical fiction about the Sioux uprising. She also writes a weekly devotional, Sweet Honey From the Rock. Please visit Candace’s website to learn more about her books: www.candacesimar.com. This week Candace’s devotional is all about writing down your “wisdoms” for the next generation. I think it is a great idea, something our children and...
read moreWriting Prompts for Writing Memoir
I just finished reading a blog post by one of my favorite bloggers, Hope Clark. She posted a rant about how she hates writing prompts and believes that writers should be professional enough to come up with ideas on their own. (See the blog post at http://hopeclark.blogspot.com/.) I often tell my students about the moan I give out whenever I hear the words writing prompt. I have a love/hate relationship with them. When given a writing prompt, I always feel pressure to produce something wonderful. And I often have. In fact, some of my best...
read moreThinking about Writing Classes
It came today! The University of Iowa Summer Writing Festival’s pre-notification of the upcoming catalog. Sigh…..already my head is spinning with possibilities for summer writing classes. Iowa City is a six hour drive from the Twin Cities, the perfect summer trip. (Except for the time my sister and I were driving to the workshop for classes and breezed past Des Moines’ turn, ending up in Missouri. That added a few extra hours to the trip. But that’s another story, one that can only be understood by someone who has...
read moreFirst Line Writing Contest
Here’s a contest with a February 1 deadline that gives us a first line prompt. If your story is selected, you will be paid $30 and published online and in a chapbook. This is a great opportunity to write something different and submit (without a fee). My friend once won a $5,000 prize with a contest just like this. Although prize amounts of that size are very unusual, perhaps this contest will help hone your skills for another contest that pays more. But then, it’s not really about the money, is it? It is about writing and the joy...
read moreDylan Days Poetry/Fiction Contest
If you are like most writers, you have made a resolution to submit often in 2012. Here is a contest out of Hibbing, Minnesota, that is getting national attention. It is a no fee contest (those are the kind I like the best) and the deadline is March 1. I know a few people who have won or placed in this contest. If your work is chosen, it will be a wonderful addition to your resume and you might win the $100 prize! Thank you Hope Clark for this call-out. B.J. ROLFZEN MEMORIAL DYLAN DAYS CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST...
read moreTalking Stick Call-Out
Talking Stick is accepting submissions for their next anthology. This is a beautiful Minnesota publication with cash prizes ($300 for first place and $100 for second place). If you are interested in submitting your poetry, creative nonfiction, or fiction, follow the link below to read the guidelines and print the form you will need to include with your submission. The word count is 1,000 to 1,200 words, depending on the genre. Published Books If you have attended one of my classes, you have probably heard me mention Talking Stick. There is no...
read moreHow to Write a Memoir
Merry Christmas! I am busy preparing for a house full of people next Saturday but wanted to take a moment to talk about writing. I have to admit that I don’t get much writing done during the holidays, but I spend a lot of time thinking about it. My best ideas often come to me while I am doing some mundane task, such as cleaning the fridge or washing pots and pans. If I am stuck on a writing or editing project, I often clean something. It’s funny how the simple repetitive motions of vacuuming or dusting can bring up some great new...
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