Getting Published

“So writing is like anything else. You fall, you pick yourself up, and you try again. When you’re discouraged, you eat ice cream.” Anna Quindlen, columnist, novelist, and winner of the Pulitzer Prize.

Getting Published! Two words that always get a writers attention and possibly the most important words in a writers vocabulary. When I started on my first novel, unfinished by the way, it took me about six months to realize that, best case, it would be another year or two before my masterpiece was finished. I got to thinking about how musicians study and eventually master their art.

First, they master the basics, and then play anything and everything that catches their fancy. They do not pick just one melody and practice it for a year or two, which is what I found myself doing with my novel. I put my novel aside and started writing short stories. I studied those, like Anton Chekov, who were masters of the art.

I quickly found out that, with a short story, I could write it, finish it, have it critiqued in its entirety by my writing group, edit it and, in some cases even submit it for publication. This process takes me a month or less, not years. I make more mistakes, I’m exposed to them quickly and my expertise as a writer grows quickly.

I have just learned that A Long Story Short will publish one of my short stories, Granny O’Toole’s Recipe, in December. This is the second short story I’ve had published this year as well as one poem. To read it, log on to: http://www.alongstoryshort.net/ after December 7th. You may rest assured that I will be reminding everyone about this next month. I have also listed their web address below.

Finally, I have also just been accepted as a member of M.W.S.A. (Military Writers Society of America) which is a thrill for me. One of the criteria for being a member is that one must be a published author. How I love those words. HA!

Speaking of places Sites to See, Places to Go etc, I’ve added another new one to the list for Newbie writers to visit. It's The Beginners Guide to Freelance Writing. This is a must for new freelance writers. I’ve looked over the site and find it has tons of great information to help get started. One of them is a “how to” of managing your time as a writer. Great stuff, be sure to read it at http://beginnersguide.com/freelance-writing/. I also have a link at the bottom of the page. Well, Autumn’s in the air here in Tennessee, trees are dressing in their red, orange, yellow and gold finery and its time for me to go burn leaves or something. See ya’ll soon!! Aelf….

Sites to see, places to go and groups to join

MyWriting Friend:mailto:writingfriend@yahoo.com

Nick Daws Writers Circle:Click link on this page.

Writing Workshop: http://sff.onlinewritingworkshop.com/

Newbie Writers: http://www.newbiewriters.com/

Writers Prompts: http://writingfix.com/

Duotrope Digest: http://www.duotrope.com/digest.

Beginners Guide: http://www.beginnersguide.com/freelance-writing/
A Long Story Short: http://www.alongstoryshort.net/

I’ll be adding to the above list as time goes on and I find more newbie friendly sites.