September Writing - Taking Time for Myself

In July and August I had set out to write short stories according to a prompt or a theme and for those two months I have failed to finish writing my stories. Summer has been difficult for me to find time to write. Not that I am complaining, but between the kids and vacations and the doctor appointments and outings, writing took an unfortunate backseat.

For September I have decided to get back to basics. During the last eight months I have learned a lot about myself, the way I think, write and react to deadlines and pressure. For the remainder of this month I am taking the time to work on a personal side project that has been rattling around my brain for the last few weeks. I am hoping it turns into an interesting story that will expand into a novel. But only time (and dedication) will tell.

I still participate in Flash! Friday every weeks. It is a great way to exercise my brain and write a killer story within 150 words. This month, Toasted Cheese Literary Journal is hosting Three Cheers and a Tiger's 48-Hour Science Fiction/Fantasy writing contest. During the weekend the weekend of September 19-21, they will provide a prompt and writers are encouraged to write a story within 48 hours. I have tried my hand at sci-fi/fantasy before and failed beautifully. But I am never one to give up easily, so I just may throw my hat in the ring again. For those who are interested, We Said Go Travel's Fall writing contest will open on September 11. Please read my inspiration travel article, Welcome to the Double J, that I submitted to their February writing contest.

I hope that taking time for myself will allow me to ready for what is ahead. I already know of a few challenges that I want to be prepared for come Fall and Winter. If I can't get my ideas out of my head and on (electronic) paper now, I know that I won't be able to focus on the challenges I have lined up in future months. Taking time for myself is, in itself, going to be a challenge.

What challenges do you face in your writing? Share your thoughts below.

Wish me luck and I'll do the same for you.

Six Month Check-Up

I started an experiment six months ago in order to force myself to expand my horizons and stretch my comfort zones. If I was going to try to be a serious writer than I wanted to prove that I didn't have to limit myself to just one genre. Sure, I had the most experience with play writing, but that was just because of my background doing theatre in the Houston area. Since my stroke I have had to seriously consider the fact that my amateur stage career, and any chances at a real career were over, giving me the rare opportunity to take my time and explore my options.

In January I taught myself how to write a radio play for BBC World Drama's International Play Writing Competition. The format is different from that of a stage play, which I still need to work on. In fact, I am currently in the market for some new software to help me with that very problem. The judging will likely take place in August.

In February I wrote a short piece for travel website, We Said Go Travel. I was really proud of this piece. The theme was to write about a place you were influenced to spend your time wisely. My Grandma and Paw Paw, both influential themselves, had just passed away and I couldn't think of a better place to write about than the time spent growing up on their property in the Big Thicket in East Texas. You can read my piece here, if you are interested. And a hearty congratulations to the winners. I hope one day I can be half the world traveler some of those lucky writers are.

In March I participated in Three Cheers and a Tiger's short story mystery writing challenge. You are given a prompt at Just the Place for a Snark, a writing forum, and in 48 hours required to write a short story. Twice a year, Three Cheers hosts this type of competition. In the Spring it's all about the mystery, in Fall they want your sci-fi/fantasy stories. You can win the winning entries in the June edition of Toasted Cheese.

April was a tough month for me. I was having some health issues that kept me from completing my personal challenge of writing a poem a day for National Poetry Month. I managed to do it about half the time, which only makes me determined to try again next year. I submitted my poems on poet Robert Lee Brewer's Poetic Asides Blog where he challenges writers to write a poem a day every day for the month of April.

In May, I wrote a short story about an object for Haunted Waters Press's Summer issue of From the Depths. It could be any object in the world, real or imagined, however tangible and what did I do? I missed the deadline. But the editors at Haunted Waters Press read my blog (how cool is that?) about learning my lesson, and gave me a chance to submit my story anyway. What a fantastic opportunity and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Also, check out their Penny Fiction. I haven't been able to think of any yet, but they get some fascinating entries.

And here we are, halfway through June. So far I have submitted my horror story to Chilling Tales for Dark Nights. I admit that I have yet to start on a sci-fi/fantasy story for L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. I'm having a hard time thinking of something to write about. 

One more fun thing I have found to do is Flash! Fiction Friday hosted by Rebekah Postupak. As many Fridays as I am able, I participate in writing a flash fiction story (about 150 words) that has to do with the prompt given. I have had so much fun reading everyone's entries and trying to come up with something creative and original. It's a great writing exercise, if nothing else. Fiction Friday is on Twitter.

New things I have learned/done:

Written a radio play

Written a horror story

Missed a deadline

Been given a second chance

Been disappointed at what I have produced

Realized I do better with specific guidelines rather than being giving unlimited reign (my imagination goes into overdrive and then shuts down - for days)

I write terrible poetry 

I write pretty good poetry

Quit second guessing myself!

I hate writing author bios

Sci-fi/fantasy may not be my thing...

I need to be less fearful

First Lesson Learned

I learned my first lesson this month in paying close attention to deadlines. Yes, I messed up.

Haunted Waters Press held a writing contest for their summer publication of From the Depths. I admit I struggled with the theme for a while and it took me some time to settle on an object to write to about. But I did it! I have a completed short story that meets the specifications laid out and it is sitting on my computer as we speak. Their deadline was May 25. That day I was out enjoying myself at a pool party and completely forget to send in my story. I have a bad habit of waiting till the very last minute to submit my writing. I never feel like they are good enough and I am known to make changes and alterations up until I hit 'send'. A very bad habit and I know that I am setting myself up for disaster, case in point, but I do it anyway.

The good news is I found another fun project. I discovered Flash! Friday on Twitter through a six degrees of separation coincidence to Haunted Waters Press. Every Friday, founder Rebekah Postupak posts a new photo prompt and theme to use in a flash fiction story. She has created a fun and encouraging environment where writers share their mini-stories. Unfortunately I had to miss the last two weeks because of sick kids and a brief hospital stay, but I am really looking forward to next week.

Looking forward to June, I found two new things to write about. Chilling Tales for Dark Nights is asking for short horror stories for their July contest. Submissions are open through June 11. There is a photo prompt with which to inspire you. The top ten finalists will be voted on by the public. The second contest is L. Ron Hubbard's Writers and Illustrators of the Future. Sci-fi and fantasy stories are due by June 30. I'm really excited by both of these subjects. I have tried my hand at mystery, but never at horror or sci-fi/fantasy. I accept the challenge!

Incidentally, congratulations to the winners of We Said Go Travel's writing competition. There were so many amazing writers that have traveled to so many amazing places that I have no idea how they were able to pick their winners. The theme for the summer writing competition has been announced. Write about a place that allows you to feel free. All entries are due by July 4.

Wish me luck, and I'll do the same for you.

Happy May Day!

A late season cool front has left us Texans feeling refreshed and (almost) ready for summer. I know that once the temperatures start reaching triple digits, we'll miss these sweater weather mornings. I, for one am ready to start anew. I have been feeling a little down after a set back with my health, but I am hoping to be back on track soon and ready to tackle this month's challenge. First let's take a look back and see how the last few months have stacked up.

In February I participated in the We Said Go Travel Inspiration Travel Writing Contest. They are going to be announcing their Independence Travel Writing Contest sometime this month so check their site often if you are interested. I know I will! If you are interested in reading the piece I submitted you can click the link here.

In March I was excited to work on a short story for Three Cheers and a Tiger's mystery writing contest sponsored by Literary Journal, Toasted Cheese. Congratulations to the winners! I am looking forward to the June publication so I can read your wonderful stories. Three Cheers and a Tiger will have a science fiction/fantasy writing contest in September. I have never written anything in this genre, but this is the year to expand my horizons, right? So why not give it a go?

April was National Poetry Month. My personal goal was to write a poem a day with Writer's Digest blogger and poet, Robert Lee Brewer on his Poetic Asides blog. I started off strong, writing sometimes multiple poems a day. They weren't always very good, but that wasn't the point of the challenge. The point, for me, was to write every day. Something I am very bad about. Almost halfway through the month I thought I was going to make it, then I had a very bad bout of dizziness and vertigo and couldn't stand to look and the computer screen. C'est la vie; especially around here.

And that brings us full circle to May. I searched and searched for something new to work on in May, but ended up finding another short story. Haunted Waters Press is calling for open submissions for their June publication. They are looking for works of prose, creative nonfiction and poetry for their quarterly literary journal, From the Depths. I can write a short story of 3500 words or less, flash fiction of any length, or creative nonfiction of 1500 words or less. They want a story that revolves around the ordinary objects in our lives. It can be any type of story and any type of object; let your imagination go wild.

Wish me luck and I'll do the same for you.

April Update

I had a small hiccup meeting my goal for my Poem-a-Day challenge. I had a little bump in the road with my health, but I am starting to feel a little better so even though I missed a few days I am ready to get back on the proverbial horse and get back to writing. I had a bout of dizziness that was preventing me from being able to even look at a computer screen for several days. I have resolved to do what I can when I can do it. It's not quantity it's quality.

Speaking of quality, I am no poet! I liken my poetry to the attempts of a junior high schooler, but at least it has been fun doing it. I have experimented with different styles and different patterns and imagery that probably was only apparent to me, but it was fun writing it nonetheless. All in all I think it will make me a better writer by making me slow down and think more about which words have more impact or paint a better picture. And it's not too late to get in on the action! Go to Writer's Digest and join in on the fun!

Speaking of fun, my travel article from February's challenge is now live on the internet! How cool is that? In February, the challenge was to write about a place that inspires you to spend your time wisely and without regrets. The challenge was hosted by We Said Go Travel and the winners will announced in May.

I have prospects for my May challenge. I'll let you know next week what I decide. Till then...

Wish me luck and I'll do the same for you.

Brief Update

I was successful in submitting two pieces to two different competitions so far this year. In January, I wrote a radio play. In February I wrote an article for a travel magazine about a place that inspires me. I am happy to report that I already have plans for March, April and May. In March I plan on participating in a short story writing challenge. I will tell you more about the April and May competitions as more details become available.

I do know that winners have yet to be announced for the BBC Radio Play Writing Competition. Right now, they do not plan on releasing the winner's names until August. The winners for We Said Go Travel magazine will be announced May. When I know, you'll know.

At this moment, I'm going to get back to work rewriting one of my plays. I also am going to write some monologues for a possible future endeavor. The writing challenge for March, hosted by Toasted Cheese, begins March 21. 

Wish me luck and I'll do the same for you!

Ready for March

February was mildly successful. I submitted one of the two pieces that I had planned on doing. I kind of figured that I had bitten off more than I could chew, especially considering that I was still going through physical therapy this month. All in all I was satisfied with the one article that I did get submitted.

I wrote an article for We Said Go Travel. The theme was "Inspired"; where you are inspired to spend your time wisely and without regrets. I wrote about spending much of my childhood at my grandparents' property in the Piney Woods region of Texas. It was the only place I could think of where I felt I had never wasted a single moment. We (myself, my sister and my cousins) had so much to do out there. We were constantly playing in the barn and the corn crib on their property. We were helping shell peas, picking mulberries, preparing meals, reading stories, playing games and in general learning about life and love from my grandparents. The website is posting all the submitted entries on their site (I'm still waiting for mine to go live) and they will announce the winners of the contest in May.

So now it is time to concentrate on March. I found an interesting contest for March. Twice a year, Three Cheers and a Tiger sets forth a challenge to writers to write a story in 48 hours. On the weekend of March 21, a topic and a word range will be announced and writers will be challenged to write a mystery story accordingly. Winning entries will then be published in the June issue of Toasted Cheese. In Spring, Three Cheers and a Tiger hosts a mystery writing contest and in the Fall they host a science fiction/fantasy writing competition.

I know that later this year there will be the opportunity to submit plays for one act contests, a shorts competition, and a reader's theater contest here in the Houston area. Therefore, during the interim I will start on some new play ideas as well as a rewrite of a full length play I have already written. Guess I better get started!

Wish me luck and I'll do the same for you!

Going for Number Two

Finding a contest for February was much easier than it was to find something for January. The web was full of contests and challenges for writers that were starting this month. I found three good ones to choose from and then chose two. I might have bitten have more than I can chew, but I want to test my limits.

The first one I chose to enter ends on February 14. Sponsored by We Said Go Travel, the challenge is to write about somewhere inspirational you can spend your time wisely and without regrets. Individuals can submit up to five entries, but each entry has to be between 500 and 800 words. A picture can be included. This is much shorter than the 53 minute play I just finished. 

The second choice is an essay about human freedom. It is a fictional piece, so I can be as creative as I want to be, but it needs to illustrate the role that freedom plays in our lives. This contest is sponsored by Students for Liberty and Libertarian Fiction Authors.  The deadline for this one isn't until March 4, but for my particular goal, I will have to finish my story and enter by midnight February 28.

Both contests offer a cash prize and a chance to be published in their respective publication. Not a bad deal. Writing an article and a short story is a different challenge from the radio play I wrote last month. I'm looking forward to it.

Wish me luck and I'll do the same for you.