Organic Writing?

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“And all writing is creating or spinning dreams for other people so they won’t have to bother doing it themselves” ~  Beth Henley 

I am not so sure  Bowker would concur with Beth Henley! According to Bowker’s April 2009 statistics http://bit.ly/cp3anL, the independent publishing industry which includes small publishing houses, micropublishers and self publishers grew a whopping 181% in 2009. While the traditional publishing industry remained flat! 

This indicates, to me, that people are crazed with creating or spinning their own dreams these days. Many writers are fulfilling their vision of becoming a published writer through independent publishing. Perhaps they don’t care to mess about with the “big guys” who claim there are 17 reasons why most books get rejected.  One of the 17 reasons for rejection is that the writing is “not organic.” Sorry, that only sounds like an inane buzzword to me. 

If you have received rejection time and time again, and you are loosing faith in the publishing game, perhaps knowing why books get rejected could be of value! There must be very valid reasons why Janet Reid says “99.2% of all manuscripts that pass by her desk get rejected!” To learn more about what doesn’t get through the standard response button of “no”, please visit http://bit.ly/VygcF.

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Write or Wrong?

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Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.” ~ John Jakes

Writers, have you taken the test? It is called I Write Like.

It goes like this – you enter a short chapter of your unfinished book, several paragraphs of your blog writing, an entry from your journal, a comment you wrote in response to a blog or perhaps, a short letter to an editor. In other words, submit a sample of your writing to http://iwl.me

What happens next? Within a matter of moments, your writing is analyzed in terms of your writing style and your word choice.

 How do you get the result? You receive an on-line ‘badge” which indicates which famous author your writing compares with.

 My result?  My writing compares with the writing of Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight Series! Yeah, right!

 Personally, I think it is only a test to see how many foolish people, like me take it! That’s all!

 What do you think of this test?

Is it a gimmick that leads to false hope for writers?

Does it encourage writers to press on and to continue to hone their craft?

Can statistical analysis based on a sample writing of a few paragraphs be a valid way to assess talent and ability?

Can this writing test really forecast whether or not you have a chance at becoming an accomplished writer like the author your writing has been compared to?

 We would like to hear from you!

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Weekend Indie Publishing News

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Calling all writers and publishers! Tune in to “Cover to Cover”  www.wnzf.com very Saturday morning! Not only can this show be listened to on-line but also on a good old fashioned radio – 106.3 on the FM dial and 1550 on the AM dial from Flagler Beach, FL.

This weeks broadcast 7/17 – join Frank Gromling as he interviews author of The Lotus Eaters  – Tatjiana Soli and Holly Albanese of the Flagler County Library.

Next week Saturday 7/24 – Author Warren Caterson will be on hand to talk about his book Table for Two.  Also, we are in for a very informative show with Angela D’Agostino from Bowker/ProQuest. I am sure she will update us on the latest statistics on the independent publishing scene.

Tune in at 11:30 am Eastern Standard Time, 10:30 am Central Time, 9:30 am Mountain Time and 8:30 am Pacific Time, today and every Saturday!

I’ll be joining  you!

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Out of the Valley!

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all the pleasures prove, that valleys, groves, hills and fields, woods or steepy mountains yields.” ~ Christopher Marlowe  

Boy, do I ever feel better! I had been suffering from some low-lying, lackadaisical fog. It was like I was stuck in the muck! It had been hanging over me for a while.  Ten days ago, I decided I was going to change up my daily walking routine and no longer be at the command of my elderly, sixteen year old dog. My daily walks had gotten slower and shorter, all because I was at the mercy my walking companion’s aging needs. I decided it was time for me to go it alone, and leave her behind, and do what was best for me!

Yesterday, I got a sign from the heavens that my decision, made ten days ago, was a right one!  As I climbed my much more strenuous route from my place down in the valley, to the height of the mountaintop, it began to rain. As I reached my highest destination, I was huffing and puffing, all out of breath. I turned around to look at what was behind me, and across the valley was a magnificent double rainbow! It made the climb all worthwhile! 

A few moments later, I passed by a woman out walking her two dogs. I said to her “did you see the double rainbow ?” She said “I did, indeed! One for each of my dogs.”  I answered back,” yes, and you are the pot of gold. You feed them, love them and walk them. What more could they need?”

Later in the day, I reflected on my morning’s conversation with this woman. I decided I had made a statement, that was perhaps in my case, not true. The rainbow is my husband and son, and at the end, is the dog – teaching us lessons about life and aging, each and every day.

 

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Meaningful Morning Menu

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All people should spend one third of their time in recreation which is rebuilding, voluntary activity, never idleness” ~ Brigham Young

Morning is my cup of tea! As far as I am concerned, it is the most fulfilling time of day. My energy is at it’s peak, and before the world even begins to stir, I walk and ponder.

What glory nature provides in the dawn’s early light. The grass glistens with dew, the wildflowers stand at attention, birds cry out their excitement, the sun rises up from it’s night sleep, and the world comes alive before my very eyes.

Breakfast of nature’s most beautiful provisions feeds my soul, during the hush of the day,when I can appreciate the unfolding of the new dawn. The menu put before me, as I walk and observe, is there to celebrate and enjoy each and every day, as long as I rise to greet it.

Sunrise is the appetizer! The main course of the day for those who reside, work, live and play in Steamboat Springs, Colorado is what God has created for us – the river, the mountains and the scenic vistas. We can recreate till our hearts are content in this wonderous place!

Let’s see – what shall I do today, after the work is done? What ever it is, it is bound to be good!

Good Morning, Sunshine!

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Smell a Blog

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All glory comes from daring to begin.” ~ Unknown

The day of independence is almost upon us! In honor of this holiday, one of the things I have decided that I am going to do is to strike out, be bold, and add more herbs to my diet. Today, I thought I would cook up a batch of flavorful gazpacho soup in readiness for the holiday weekend.

I will begin with tomatoes, not common beefsteak tomatoes, but some juicy, ripe off the vine, heirloom tomatoes! May as well start out right and stew them up! Now comes the good part – I’ll add some of those herbs that the Indians used to keep their bodies in tune with nature and helped them maintain proper balance. Into the pot will go:

  • Basil for a little Love
  • Chives to make myself more Useful
  • Parsley for some Merriment on this 4th of July
  • Thyme – why not? I said I was going to become more independent minded and daring in my cooking!
  • Rosemary – to help me Remember the loved ones
  • Chervil – to add Serenity, and just because!
  • Garlic – I don’t think so! That won’t make me any friends!

Umm – Smells good! Can you smell it? Of course you can’t, silly me! Until some entrepreneurial soul decides to spice up the blogging world by adding smell a blog as a new feature, you won’t be able to! Rest assured, that entrepreneurial soul will not be me! I am too busy trying to make my life more fulfilling! How about you?

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Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe

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“Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both consciously and unconsciously.” ~ Robert F Bennett

I should never have done it! Yesterday, as I was leaving the library, I picked up the latest issue of Bookpage (www.bookpage.com). Man – what a tease! For me, what Bookpage is all about is choices, choices, choices and too many of them!! I’m trying to simplify my life, not complicate it!

After having leafed through the summer’s hot book list, I have come to realize my reading list is longer than ever before. What disturbs me most is some of the same books have continued to appear on my reading list time and time again. I must take action!

Can someone steer me? Hello – are you out there? Tell me where to start! Dan Chanon, I Await Your Reply! Here is my reading list:

  • The Guardians – Richard Williams
  • The Help – Kathryn Stockett
  • The Price of Stones – Twelgye Jackson Kagurt
  • Making Lemon Cake out of Lemons – Aimee Bender
  • It is Well With My Soul – Ella Mae Cheeks Johnson
  • Perfect Reader – Maggie Pouncey Pantheon

What do you think? Perhaps I ought to make my own decisions! But maybe I just need a little time. Laura Vanderkam might just give me 168 Hours. We’ll see —

Women like to give good advice! How about First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush? I have found she has always Spoken from her Heart. I know I can rely on her to tell me what she thinks! I feel better already.

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Handing it Over

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“It’s not the things you get but the hearts you touch that will determine your success in life.” ~ Unknown

Many people wait until their days are limited to consider the question “Am I living a fulfilling life?” Last summer as I was about to loose a lifetime friend to cancer, I stumbled upon a poem that poignantly helped me to consider this very question.

“The Dash” by Linda Ellis (www.lindaslyrics.com) perfectly demonstrates how despite the brevity of a poem, its depth in meaning can rival a 500 page book. In less than 250 words, this poem helped me to consider the question “Am I living a fulfilling life?” Moreover, it brought clarity to me that my friend’s life had indeed been filled with what matters most and it was time for me to “let go and let God” take my friend as he saw fit.

At the risk of copyright infringement, I will not post the poem “The Dash.” This poem serves another purpose, too. It aptly demonstrates how poetry can involve the reader by communicating thought provoking ideas. Quality of content is more important than length, just like our lives. Although, everyone likes a good long story, too! One they can settle into and enjoy.

If you are struggling with whether there are things in your life you would like to change, “The Dash” says it all. check it out.

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Trusting Trenches

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“Leaders should visit all parts of the office, not just those they pass through regularly.” ~ Unknown

Are you a recent college graduate who has had to accept a less than ideal position? My first job out of college was at a condominium resort. Most of the units were in the rental pool, and the  property was run like a hotel. My job was to serve continental breakfast to the guests in the morning and help the housekeeping department, in the laundry room, in the afternoon. Not at all what I had anticipated my first job out of college would be. But, I needed income right away to fulfill my financial obligations and I was determined to live in a gorgeous resort town.

By the time summer was over, the General Manager of the property recognized my hardwork, my ability to work well with others and found me to be a pleasant communicator with the guests. My reward? A move to the front lines as front office clerk (customer service representative) and reservations clerk.

As I began working in the front office, I quickly learned that working “in the trenches” served a purpose besides as a stepping stone to my new position. I had established a great rapport with a department that was so important to the overall efficiency of the entire operation. When I called from the front office to ask the housekeepers to place special priority on cleaning a unit or take extra towels to a guest, the housekeeping department responded rapidly and kindly to my request.

Moral to the story – trust the trenches, for they serve a purpose in life, too! Prove yourself first, and the rewards will come along the way.

P.S. I also learned a life long skill of how to correctly fold those pesky fitted sheets so they will lie neat and tidy on the linen closet shelf. There are lessons to be learned from all experiences in life, if we recognize them!

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Offer it Up

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There is no such thing as a ‘self made’ man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us or spoken…”                                    ~ George Matthew Adams

How many times throughout your life have you heard the expression “you never know until you try” ? So many times throughout my life, when I have been pondering “I want to” or “ought to”, this little adage has popped up in my mind, forcing me to take action. As much as I dislike hearing it time and time again, I am glad it has been my constant companion! I try to always remember – all things serve their own purpose!  Without remembering this adage, often I would never have taken action and opportunities would have passed me by.

A few days ago, I blogged about the freedoms we enjoy in this country and about the importance of legal immigrants obeying the letter of the law. I received a comment to this blog, Striking Gold, from a faithful reader of this site. She shared that she and her Mom want to share their family’s story of immigration. Her relatives have built successful careers in their new lands and have tales to tell.

I would like to encourage my faithful blog reader to take advantage of one of the freedoms of our country, independent publishing, to share her family’s tales, not just for her own family’s sake but for the sake of others. There will be many others interested in learning of her family’s accomplishments, their strife, opportunity and their feelings as they arrived in this country and Australia, trying to start life anew.

And like every thing in life “you never know until….” So, go for it, Marie, go for it!  Your relatives did, and so can you!

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