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March 2014 Newsletter
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...The first step in editing is to read over the work, however, when you read over your own work you are going to automatically correct things in your head. To remedy this read your work out loud to yourself, this will catch most of the errors (whether they are grammatical, or dialogue issues) and you should be able to see the plot line. You should also mark things as you edit, whether it be on a hard copy with your choice writing utensil or fixing it as you go in a word document. Once you read through it this way, if you really want to catch as many mistakes as possible, read through it backwards. This will really make you analyze things as you are going to have to make sense of the words when they are out of order.Another big tip in editing your own work is to remove yourself as far as possible from the work and take an unbiased stand point. Then, go through it like you are reading it as the reader, not the writer. Take notes as you go, don’t write on the actual piece unless you feel a great need to, and once you are done come back as the writer and review it all. This will help you see your work in a new light and hopefully help you see the flaws that other people might see in your work.
So, embrace the new season and find a writing work of yours and have at it!
Monthly Riddle
Q: The man who makes it doesn't want it. The man who wants it doesn't use it. The man who's using it doesn't know he is using it. What is it?
A: A coffin!
Monthly Quote
"The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves." -Carl Gustav Jung
Congratulations to our February Short Story Contest Winner!
Congratulations to the February short story contest winner, Ilena! You can check out her winning short story by clicking here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
A Quick Reminder About Spam
Hello there, Struggling Writers! As we move into springtime, we're heading towards a new goal of establishing a new spam policy in our group. Our new rule is that anything that is posted in the incorrect folder/thread will be considered spam and will be either moved or deleted at the moderator's discretion. Accidents happen and we know that--if it seems like a mistake, we'll fix it for you. :) But if we notice repeated threads of spam showing up, they will be removed. Just help our group stay tidy and do your best to post things in the appropriate places! Thank you! :)
We'd like to give a special thanks to everyone that helped make this newsletter possible, and we also want to extend a huge thank you to your Struggling Writers Moderators--Ingrid, Irene, Jessica, Laura and Tara! Check back next month for the April newsletter, and have a happy St. Patrick's Day!
Great stuff.I always look forward to your newsletters.Thank you.
♕ ❤ ♕ Princess pink diamonds posh bird LINZY.x.♕ ❤ ♕ wrote: "Great stuff.I always look forward to your newsletters.Thank you."Glad you like them!
♕ ❤ ♕ Princess pink diamonds posh bird LINZY.x.♕ ❤ ♕ wrote: "Great stuff.I always look forward to your newsletters.Thank you."Thank you so much!
Lucinda wrote: "Great newsletter - as always :)"Thanks a ton!
Looking forward to next months.Nice work!:)
New Book Releases for March
It’s that time again, the beginning of a new month and the welcoming of new paper on the shelves! Unfortunately, there isn’t much that is terribly exciting, but check out the few below and follow this link for more: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/books...
The Janson Option by Paul Garrison
To atone for the sins he committed serving his country, eEgovernment agent Paul Janson is determined to save the world: one person, one mission, one redemption at a time. Paul Janson--a former Consular Ops legend known as "The Machine" for his deadly speed and accuracy--has a new mission.
Blood Ties (Spirit Animals Series #3) by Garth Nix and Sean Williams
The adventure continues in this third book of the epic multiplatform fantasy series, further details will be kept secret until the release date!
The Last Bride (Home to Hickory Hollow Series, #5) by Beverly Lewis
Of her Old Order parents' five daughters, Tessie Miller is the last to marry. She has her heart set on Amishman Marcus King, but Tessie's father opposes the match. Impetuously, Tessie and Marcus elope to the English world, then return to Hickory Hollow to live as singles, trusting they'll convince the Millers to give their love a chance over time. But when the unthinkable happens, Tessie faces the almost-certain censure of the People. Will she find a reason for hope in spite of her desperate plight?
Featured Writing
So Many Questions by Nour
So Many Questions
And why, is the question I keep asking
The murders, the hunger, and the coffins
A child calls out for a mother
Once, twice, but no answer
She’s gone, I’m afraid to tell him
Afraid of the blame, not his innocence
So many questions I have to ask
Why did it have to be ashes and blood?
Why not a word of kindness?
The child calls out again
I reach out to hold his hand
He looks up at the sky and
I try to make him understand
But…
Behind his watery eyes
Hope still ignites
Bright as a star
Alas, it had to be a fading light
So many questions I have to ask
Are we humans or not?
Aren't we all made of flesh and blood?
The child yells, “Mother!”
And runs without a mutter
Without a doubt…
A voice calls back to him
The kindness in which is unmistakable
I turn around and
My eyes discover the unpredictable
A mother calling for her child
Running through the ashes
Like a lion in the wild
Silently, a man walks amongst the debris
Breathing death into the air
And hides behind a tree
I scream, “No!”
And run towards the mother and her child
I hear the sound of death flow
I close my eyes and anticipate the pain
Nothing…
A cry rises from behind me, claiming bane
The mother’s silent
The child’s quiet
Death claimed me a while ago
I didn't even notice
And then,
Darkness…
So many questions I have to ask
Will it ever end?
How far will they go?
And to what extent?
Are they waiting for everything to end?
Or for us to submit and give our consent?
Q&A With A.R. Zander
We interviewed author A.R. Zander to get some insight about his newest work, Moscow City, and also about what it's like to be a published author.
What was your inspiration for Moscow City?
My inspiration was really a strong desire to write about some of the places I have visited, and [to] try my hand at a genre that I really love reading.
Why do you think people will enjoy Moscow City?
I hope they will love the fast pace and be intrigued about by the lead character, Harper, who I think is someone that will spark interest from readers. Anyone who enjoys a good thriller, particularly with spies and crime, will enjoy the book.
What tips do you have for authors that are new to the publishing process?
I'd say build yourself some kind of platform, like a blog, before you pitch to agents. Agents love it if you have a ready-made audience elsewhere. Also, learn patience. You'll need it!
Did you self-publish your story, or was it professionally published?
I self-published and am currently in the middle of exploring ways of marketing it. My tip here is that putting time into Goodreads is more effective than Twitter.
What is some advice that you have for young, aspiring writers?
Write what you know and read everything you can about the craft. And read Hemingway!
Did you ever picture yourself as a published author?
Probably every day for the last ten years.
Was writing always your passion, or did you ever have a different career in mind?
I am a professional journalist, so I write for a living, but I would still love to have more success with the novel [aspect].
What author/story do you look up to and use for ideas/inspiration?
John Le Carre is the master of my genre. I think he is an excellent writer.
What do you find to be the most difficult part of the writing process?
I'd say it's all difficult, and definitely hard work. I think this is one thing that new writers don't realise. Writing is like a job, and a hard one. There is no magic going on when you are getting the words down. It just needs to be done and treated like a chore. The enjoyment for me comes when it has taken shape, rather than during the process.
Can we expect some new works from you in the future?
I have another book written and ready to go, but would like to build up a readership for the first one before I publish the second. So please feel free to read and review the book. :)
Q&A With Clara Walker
We also got a chance to interview author Clara Walker on her newest book release, Gossip.
What was your inspiration for writing Gossip?
Gossip is the second book of the Desire Never Dies trilogy. I was intrigued wit the character of Nicholas Beck, the tabloid publisher, when I first introduced him. Because I wanted to explore his character more in my next book, Nick became my hero for Gossip. Gossip picks up some of the threads of the previous story, showing the consequences of some of the characters' decisions while setting the stage for the third and final book of the series.
Why do you think people will enjoy Gossip?
Gossip is a true romantic suspense novel. Nick and Jamie make their way to a happily-ever-after, but not without facing a host of obstacles; not the least of which is trying to solve the murder of Nick's wife. Filled with love, sex, shady dealings and murder, the story combines the inspiration of romance with the darkness that sometimes resides in humanity.
What tips do you have for authors that are new to the publishing process?
Prepare for a lot of hard work. For those who are self-published, have a promotional blurb written for your book and a professional-looking cover. Then be prepared to spend a lot of time marketing. Social media could become your new best friend. :)
Did you self-publish your story, or was it professionally published?
My books are both self-published. There are pros and cons to both the self-published route and the traditionally published route. Going the self-published route, however, does give an author complete control over their work.
What's some advice that you have for young, aspiring writers?
The first and most obvious advice is just to spend as much time as possible writing. There is no substitute for experience. Of course, reading is also important. The final piece of advice is to never give up. You may succeed right away, but more likely it will require a lot of hard work and perseverance. Just stick with it.
Did you ever picture yourself as a published author?
Yes. Pretty much from the time I decided I wanted to spend my life writing books, I never gave up the dream of being published.
Was writing always your passion, or did you ever have a different career in mind?
I [always] wanted to be an author. I spent many years working day jobs, [but] none of those jobs were what I considered my career. I've always considered writing my career.
What author/story do you look up to for ideas/inspiration?
I read a lot of different authors and a lot of genres. My biggest influences would be Ernest Hemingway, Elmore Leonard, James Patterson, Jackie Collins and Sidney Sheldon.
What do you find to be the most difficult part of the writing process?
For me, it's always the first draft. Staring at a blank piece of paper (yes, I still draft in longhand) is a bit intimidating. Once I get that first draft out, and can move on to the editing process, I start to relax, knowing that I now have something to work with and make better.
Can we expect some new works from you in the future?
Absolutely! Redemption, the third novel in the Desire Never Dies trilogy, will be published in June of this year. After that I plan to start work on a new four-book series..the Sex and Secrets series. You can always find updated information on the News/Events page of my website. (www.claragracewalker.com)
We'd like to extend special thanks to authors A.R. Zander and Clara Walker for allowing us to conduct these interviews. :-)
March Quiz
March is officially here, which means so is spring! But how much do you really know about the upcoming month? Test your knowledge here: https://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/res...
March Writing Contest
Welcome to the March 2014 writing contest! This month we're asking our Struggling Writers to write a poem about the springtime, but there's a twist--four words (violet, sunbeam, innocence, and blossom) must all be incorporated somewhere! For rules and guidelines and also to enter, click here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Writing Tip of the Month
Everyone knows what spring cleaning is, but guess what? March is the National Editing Month for Writers, so why not embrace the “spring cleaning” spirit and clean up one of your works? It can be a work in progress or something you finished long ago, either way, pull it out and invite your inner editor over for tea!
Since I could spend pages discussing editing and revising tips I will make this quick and short, focusing on a couple big tips that will help you edit your own pieces, because, after all, we aren’t all lucky enough to have someone who can look over our writings. If anyone has anything to contribute please speak up, we all are exposed to different things and have been taught different ways; however, I am going to name things from my experience and things that are supposed to be the “best”.