Thursday, June 17, 2010
My New Signature
If you noticed, I added my signature to the bottom of my last post, and to this one as well. Tell me if you like it! Oh, and to make one of your own, just click my signature and you'll be directed to the signature website.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Submit Your Short Story!
If you're waiting to get published and don't know how to get there, the best way is to submit a short story or essay into a contest. The easiest way to get started is to search "writing contest" on Google. The best contests to enter are ones with no initial entry fee. That way, if you don't win anything, you won't feel like you lost money. Choose your contest carefully! If you pick one that is geared toward a subject you have little or no aptitude for, there's a good likelihood that you won't win. Also contests with prizes that motivate you are also good choices. If you are motivated, you'll write as well as you possibly can.
I've entered my short stories into contests and magazines many times, and have won. Winning contests is wonderful! You will feel confident, and you'll believe that you really can write well!
There is the possibility that you will lose a contest. Finding out that you haven't won is painful and one of the most discouraging things that can happen to a writer. It's like being told that you can't write well at all. What must be understood is that there are hundreds of entries, and yours may not have met the criteria exactly. It doesn't mean that you wrote poorly, it means you didn't write what the judges wanted.
When your short story is rejected, don't give up. Submit your work to other contests, and maybe you'll be lucky.
Some tips on submitting your short story are:
I've entered my short stories into contests and magazines many times, and have won. Winning contests is wonderful! You will feel confident, and you'll believe that you really can write well!
There is the possibility that you will lose a contest. Finding out that you haven't won is painful and one of the most discouraging things that can happen to a writer. It's like being told that you can't write well at all. What must be understood is that there are hundreds of entries, and yours may not have met the criteria exactly. It doesn't mean that you wrote poorly, it means you didn't write what the judges wanted.
When your short story is rejected, don't give up. Submit your work to other contests, and maybe you'll be lucky.
Some tips on submitting your short story are:
- Make your first sentence capture the judges. I read in a writing book that judges read the first sentence, and either consider it or toss it.
- Keep the judges interested all the way through your short.
- Follow the rules! This rule is critical.
- If you write a cover letter, don't bribe or beg the judges to publish your work.
Be polite.
Monday, June 7, 2010
The Importance Of a Writing Journal
Keep a writer's notebook at all times!!! I will admit that I am really bad at keeping up with my notebook. The main reason for this is that most of my ideas come to me in the evening when I'm too tired and lazy to write it down.
This is horrible!!!!! If I have an idea in the middle of the night I usually think, "I'll remember it until the morning, then I'll write it down. "
I forget it over the course of the night. How frustrating can you get?
Why should you keep a writer's journal?
I'll give you some reasons why.
This is horrible!!!!! If I have an idea in the middle of the night I usually think, "I'll remember it until the morning, then I'll write it down. "
I forget it over the course of the night. How frustrating can you get?
Why should you keep a writer's journal?
I'll give you some reasons why.
- When having a writer's block, you can go and dig up an old idea.
- You can use your writer's journal for your short story skeleton.
- You won't ever forget those amazing ideas again!
- You won't have to use pages of your everyday journal on your writing notes.
- Your life as a writer will be ever so much simpler.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Capture Your Childhood
When I was six years old, my sister in law gave me my first diary. Since then, I've been dedicated to my diary and have written nearly every day.
It's very interesting to read my old journals. In a way, I can relive my past, and feel like a kid again.
My 6-year-old self is embodied in my writings. Here's a diary entry I wrote at the age of seven. I hope you appreciate it.
June 10th
Today was merry! Mom said we couldn't play outside because Dad put pesticide all over the house. Mom went to the Refrigoration Co. I think it was called that. She wanted to get some filters for the air conditioner. I am getting better at standing on my head. Bonanza was about Adam getting married! The lady Adam married had a daughter around my age. Dad read some of my diary. We sold the house.
Bye!
Perfecting my head stand is something I still haven't done, and the house wasn't sold until a year later. But, if you think about it, something is captured in this entry. For another of my childhood writings, go here: http://rockymountainkidskorner.com/OuterSpace%20Parents.htm
No matter how old you are, write in your diary because you are preserving a memory. And that's an incredible thing.
It's very interesting to read my old journals. In a way, I can relive my past, and feel like a kid again.
My 6-year-old self is embodied in my writings. Here's a diary entry I wrote at the age of seven. I hope you appreciate it.
June 10th
Today was merry! Mom said we couldn't play outside because Dad put pesticide all over the house. Mom went to the Refrigoration Co. I think it was called that. She wanted to get some filters for the air conditioner. I am getting better at standing on my head. Bonanza was about Adam getting married! The lady Adam married had a daughter around my age. Dad read some of my diary. We sold the house.
Bye!
Perfecting my head stand is something I still haven't done, and the house wasn't sold until a year later. But, if you think about it, something is captured in this entry. For another of my childhood writings, go here: http://rockymountainkidskorner.com/OuterSpace%20Parents.htm
No matter how old you are, write in your diary because you are preserving a memory. And that's an incredible thing.
My New Look!
Blue Pencil Diaries now has a new look. Hope you like it, and remember that although my blog looks different, all your favorite entries are still here.
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