Writing Wins and Woes: A Writer’s Blog

Okay, the wait is over! Paint Splashes Contest has concluded and the winners are: Melinda Moore as the winning entrant and Lisa Millhouse as runner-up. Congratulations to both of you! Their stories will be featured here on my blog, April 4th and April 11th. So excited to share them with the world.

I also thought I’d like to share another of my husband’s paintings. Hope you like it. As I don’t ask people to do what I can’t do myself, I’ve written a story also for the Paint Splashes painting. I can’t win. That would be unethical, but I can still share my story. I will share that story on April 18th. It’s just for fun.
Now for the unfun part. I received two rejections this week: one from Knowonder! where I can’t seem to sink that magical fifth story that will start me on my own short story collection. Sigh! Also, I got a rejection from UFO, another sci-fi humor anthology. I submitted to two places this week, UFO and Guardian Angel Kids. My writing tallies have really slumped lately. I had a disappointment with a job last week and been working lots of hours on my substitute cleaning job this week. If I had more consistency with my hours, I could plan my writing better, but I don’t so, I have to work with what I got.
Thought for the Day: Try your hand at something new when writing. Be an editor, or proof read somebody else’s writing. I really enjoyed doing the Paint Splashes Contest. I didn’t get as many entrants as I would have liked but what I did get was quality. Thanks to all who participated. Kudos to everyone! You are all winners because you write!

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Writing Wins and Woes: A Writer’s Blog

Since this is the last week for my contest Paint Splashes, I thought I’d post the painting again to inspire those who still plan to submit. Deadline is Tuesday, March 25th so get your entries in to paintsplashes@comcast.net. If you don’t get a reply in a day or two, please resubmit. I will send a reply to let you know I got your entry. Winners will be chosen by the end of the month. Can’t wait to see the stories. Remember they must be flash fiction, a thousand words or less.

Now for the good news. After a six rejection slump, I had two poems accepted at Page and Spine. I’m very excited. I’ve only had one poem published in the past. Of course, this does demonstrate that I’m still a little confused as to the kind of writing I do. Sometimes I write children’s stories for christian mags. Sometimes I write children’s fiction for regular ezines and mags. Sometimes I write speculative fiction for adults and sometimes I write literary fiction. And now, of course, poetry. Actually, I began my writing three years ago writing poetry, but veered off from it because I thought publishing poetry was tons harder to do than publishing fiction. I still think that’s true. What do you guys think? Do you ever write poetry? Have you ever tried publishing any?
Well, I am very excited because I am going to a retreat this weekend. No, not a writing retreat. A ladies retreat with a friend from work. I’ve never done this before so it’ll be nice having some girl time apart from the demands of home and family. I hope to come back rejuvenated in my writing and otherwise.
I received two more rejections this week. That made it six as I said in two weeks; one from metro fiction and I don’t remember the other one of the six. All the rejections become a blur.
Thought for the Day: Get a little me time to recharge your batteries. I’m so predictable aren’t I?

The Three P’s of Publishing: How to Publish Your Prose and Poetry

The Three P’s of Publishing: How to Publish Your Prose and Poetry.

I thought this was worth sharing. I especially liked the quote, “keep up a certain positive momentum as we edge toward that publishing goal”.

She also advises people to put their rejections in a special box and reward yourself when it gets full. This puts a whole new spin on rejections. Read the article if you write. It’s valuable.

Writing Wins and Woes: A Writer’s Blog

Now, I’m going to admit my geeky side. I am a Star Trek fan. No, I’m not a trekkie. I don’t know all the lingo, and i don’t go to conventions or collect the stuff, but ever since the original Star Trek with Captain Kirk, I’ve been in love with all the Star Trek shows. Presently, I am watching Star Trek Voyager, which at this point in the show, Season 4, I think, has an actual Borg on board, who has been disconnected from the Collective. After saying that, I am profoundly disgusted with myself. As a writer, I keep thinking the Borg phrase, “Resistance is Futile.” I often feel like eventually, I’ll have to give up my dreams of becoming a writer because I am doomed to failure. Maybe that’s because I had 4, yes count them, 4 rejections this week, and no acceptances.

They are, drum roll please, from Flash fiction online, Daily Science fiction, Asimov’s Science Fiction and the String of 10 Flash fiction contest. I better have a better week next week.

Also, I need to plug Paint Splashes again. I have hardly any entries and only two weeks to go. Please enter. The rules are here:
https://sklase.wordpress.com/2014/02/14/paint-splashes-flash-contest/

I submitted to two places this week: The Photo Flare Contest Melinda Moore has, and Metrofiction.

Thought for the Day: Resistance may seem futile at times, but eventually, you will move forward if you keep trying. To quote another favorite of mine, “Just Keep Swimming!”

Writing Wins and Woes: A Writer’s Blog

Today, I thought I’d do a brief book review on a book by Theodore Dreiser. It seems funny to me, poorer than poor, reading a book about finances and the Stock Exchange, but the Financier is about a bit more than finances. It’s a story about embezzlement, illicit affairs and cover-ups. This story could have been written in modern times. It gets bogged down at times in financial jargon but most of it is very riveting.
I liked everything Dreiser wrote, including Sister Carrie and An American Tragedy. If you haven’t read anything by him, you are missing out.

I had an acceptance this week. Yay! From the Kids’ Ark for the June issue. I’ll get 15 copies of the magazine and payment for the story. I also had a rejection from Flash Fiction Online.
I’m sorry this is short but I’m off to work.

Thought for the Day: Don’t get discouraged by rejections. They may keep you from writing. They often do me. Rejections aren’t a step downward, they are a learning tool. Use them as a challenge.