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.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Monday, March 31, 2014
Marching Right Along... (Get It??)
I consider March a success. And it was a fun challenge. Three Cheers and a Tiger hosted a short story mystery writing contest toward the end of the month. The rest of the month I practiced writing monologues and I read. I read a lot. I read The Shining, Misery and Christine by Stephen King and am two thirds of the way through A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin.
There are days when I would rather read than eat, write, watch tv, walk the dog, anything. Having done only one short challenge this month was a welcome break and I was happy to reacquaint myself with the authors and genres I love best. I have always been enthralled with mystery, suspense, dark humor, the supernatural, history, fantasy, love, relationships, violence, murder and death. Movies and television have nothing on the written word. That's a bit hypocritical from someone whose repertoire consists mostly of scripts, shorts and monologues, but I envy those who can envision their worlds so completely and vividly and then recreate them for an audience on a blank page. That's why I read. Not out of jealousy, but out of awe. And to escape and be inspired. I may not be able to be onstage anymore, but I can still be anyone I want to be when I crack the spine of a new book or share a favorite old one with my children.
Anyway, that's my feelings on the importance of literacy. As for the March challenge, it couldn't have gone better. A writing prompt was announced on Just the Place for a Snark on Friday, March 21. We had 48 hours to write a mystery story between 2450 and 2550 words. The prompt was, and this is an abbreviation so as not to plagiarize, write a story about something that appears in a pile of snow.
I don't know what made me this, but I decided to go to my 13 year old son for advice and together we came up with a story that if I "ever made it into a book" he would "definitely want to read". Of course that just be because he was the main character. The mystery we made up was that a group of kids found a flash drive in the snow and just had to know what was on it. There were a few hurdles to overcome before they could finally get it plugged it and working. Things like meddling parents, chores, and bedtime. Not to mention they had to dry it out in a cup full of rice. Oh, but just imagining what was hidden on the drive was maddening. Then finally success! And then, when they open it up... The end.
Actually I just ran out of words. I tend to be wordy. In truth, it was fun writing something with my son. Now my daughters are jealous and want a story inspired by them. Guess I'll have to write a sequel.
For April I have decided on a different sort of challenge. April is National Poetry Month. To honor that I have chosen to join the challenge to write a poem every day for the month of April. Now, I am no poet, but that is okay. You don't have to be. I believe, as many writers (and wanna be writers like me) do, that it's not what you write, it's that you write. Robert Lee Brewer is hosting his 7th annual April PAD Challenge on his Poetic Asides blog. All the rules and guidelines are laid very nicely and neatly. He will post a writing prompt everyday and everyday a new guest judge will choose their favorite. What is different this year is that the favorites that are chosen will be published in an anthology, giving the publishers a one-time right to publish but the poems will still belong to the writers and are still able to be reprinted elsewhere. I think that's the most important information, but if you are interested go check it out.
Wish me luck and I'll do the same for you...
There are days when I would rather read than eat, write, watch tv, walk the dog, anything. Having done only one short challenge this month was a welcome break and I was happy to reacquaint myself with the authors and genres I love best. I have always been enthralled with mystery, suspense, dark humor, the supernatural, history, fantasy, love, relationships, violence, murder and death. Movies and television have nothing on the written word. That's a bit hypocritical from someone whose repertoire consists mostly of scripts, shorts and monologues, but I envy those who can envision their worlds so completely and vividly and then recreate them for an audience on a blank page. That's why I read. Not out of jealousy, but out of awe. And to escape and be inspired. I may not be able to be onstage anymore, but I can still be anyone I want to be when I crack the spine of a new book or share a favorite old one with my children.
Anyway, that's my feelings on the importance of literacy. As for the March challenge, it couldn't have gone better. A writing prompt was announced on Just the Place for a Snark on Friday, March 21. We had 48 hours to write a mystery story between 2450 and 2550 words. The prompt was, and this is an abbreviation so as not to plagiarize, write a story about something that appears in a pile of snow.
I don't know what made me this, but I decided to go to my 13 year old son for advice and together we came up with a story that if I "ever made it into a book" he would "definitely want to read". Of course that just be because he was the main character. The mystery we made up was that a group of kids found a flash drive in the snow and just had to know what was on it. There were a few hurdles to overcome before they could finally get it plugged it and working. Things like meddling parents, chores, and bedtime. Not to mention they had to dry it out in a cup full of rice. Oh, but just imagining what was hidden on the drive was maddening. Then finally success! And then, when they open it up... The end.
Actually I just ran out of words. I tend to be wordy. In truth, it was fun writing something with my son. Now my daughters are jealous and want a story inspired by them. Guess I'll have to write a sequel.
For April I have decided on a different sort of challenge. April is National Poetry Month. To honor that I have chosen to join the challenge to write a poem every day for the month of April. Now, I am no poet, but that is okay. You don't have to be. I believe, as many writers (and wanna be writers like me) do, that it's not what you write, it's that you write. Robert Lee Brewer is hosting his 7th annual April PAD Challenge on his Poetic Asides blog. All the rules and guidelines are laid very nicely and neatly. He will post a writing prompt everyday and everyday a new guest judge will choose their favorite. What is different this year is that the favorites that are chosen will be published in an anthology, giving the publishers a one-time right to publish but the poems will still belong to the writers and are still able to be reprinted elsewhere. I think that's the most important information, but if you are interested go check it out.
Wish me luck and I'll do the same for you...
Thursday, March 13, 2014
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!
Friday, February 28, 2014
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!
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!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
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.
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.
Friday, January 31, 2014
One Down, Eleven To Go
It is the end of January and I am happy to say that I have finally submitted my Radio Play, Voodoo Magic. Not a very imaginative title, I know, but I couldn't think of any more creative. The month of January literally kicked my ass. This was one of the most emotional months I have ever had and it had a huge impact my writing.
No excuses, but here is a recap of how things went:
I had made the decision to write 12 in 12 in December of last year. I found out about the BBC sponsored radio play writing contest near the end of December. On December 27, my Paw Paw passed away. On December 31, I celebrated my fourteenth wedding anniversary. On January 3, I finally started working on my play. On January 8, my Grandma passed away. And I was lost. I didn't pick my computer up again for nine days. So finally on January 17, I started working again. I didn't work much on the weekends simply because of the difficulty of getting things done with three kids being stuck in the house during the Winter season. The deadline for submission was midnight on January 31st. My goal was to submit my work on the 30th because I didn't want to risk the time difference between us and Great Britain disqualifying me.
Again, no excuses, but all in all I only worked on my script for maybe half of the month. So what I turned in was essentially a rough draft with one revision. How embarrassing. My best and my worst critic is my husband. When he read the first version, I cried. I had gotten so focused on making sure the length was right that I lost the story along the way. He couldn't figure out what I was trying to do; what my characters were trying to accomplish. I ended up spending two entire days dedicated to stripping my story down and building it back up. I cut scenes out and tried to focus on building characters and strengthening dialogue. I made sure that everyone knew what was going on. That no character just assumed anything. It made me feel that I was repeating a lot of information, but for a format that relies entirely on aural information, that is probably necessary. I haven't asked him to read it again. I'm afraid he'll tell me it still is't strong enough, but it's too late now.
I feel bad that I will be judged on something I feel is sub-par. I'm not comfortable with that. But on the plus side, I have a pretty good starter script to build off of for future projects. And I also have no idea what the judges are looking for. I never enter a contest expecting to win. I enter because of the opportunity to write something new and for the rare opportunity to get feedback. If I do win something, that would be great! But I never expect it.
Now to look for something for February...
No excuses, but here is a recap of how things went:
I had made the decision to write 12 in 12 in December of last year. I found out about the BBC sponsored radio play writing contest near the end of December. On December 27, my Paw Paw passed away. On December 31, I celebrated my fourteenth wedding anniversary. On January 3, I finally started working on my play. On January 8, my Grandma passed away. And I was lost. I didn't pick my computer up again for nine days. So finally on January 17, I started working again. I didn't work much on the weekends simply because of the difficulty of getting things done with three kids being stuck in the house during the Winter season. The deadline for submission was midnight on January 31st. My goal was to submit my work on the 30th because I didn't want to risk the time difference between us and Great Britain disqualifying me.
Again, no excuses, but all in all I only worked on my script for maybe half of the month. So what I turned in was essentially a rough draft with one revision. How embarrassing. My best and my worst critic is my husband. When he read the first version, I cried. I had gotten so focused on making sure the length was right that I lost the story along the way. He couldn't figure out what I was trying to do; what my characters were trying to accomplish. I ended up spending two entire days dedicated to stripping my story down and building it back up. I cut scenes out and tried to focus on building characters and strengthening dialogue. I made sure that everyone knew what was going on. That no character just assumed anything. It made me feel that I was repeating a lot of information, but for a format that relies entirely on aural information, that is probably necessary. I haven't asked him to read it again. I'm afraid he'll tell me it still is't strong enough, but it's too late now.
I feel bad that I will be judged on something I feel is sub-par. I'm not comfortable with that. But on the plus side, I have a pretty good starter script to build off of for future projects. And I also have no idea what the judges are looking for. I never enter a contest expecting to win. I enter because of the opportunity to write something new and for the rare opportunity to get feedback. If I do win something, that would be great! But I never expect it.
Now to look for something for February...
Monday, January 6, 2014
An Education in Radio
Having never written a radio script before, I have had to go back to my Middle School days of Speech and Drama and also had to rely on my good senses. As I mentioned previously, this will be the first radio script I have written. The other scripts I have written are two dinner theatre programs that were performed but not published, a one act that is currently awaiting performance and two shorts that I previously submitted to contest, but sadly did not win. I also have a full length play that I am ever revising. I have one fiction and one non-fiction book in the works, too. Meaning they are on my computer and in my brain, but haven't been shopped around or anything. So, there you have my very small unsuccessful writing accomplishments.
As for experience with radio scripts, when I was in the seventh and eighth grades, I took Speech and Drama with Mrs. Norman. One of our many exercises was to read radio commercials and shows aloud. Granted, many of them were fake and written specially for school programs, but it was good practice. During these times, I'm sure there were lessons about the job of the Foley artists, how to read for radio, and the history and evolution of radio and such. I assume this, otherwise I wouldn't remember the things I do. Makes sense, right?
While writing this script I have been reading a lot of other scripts that have been written specifically for radio. They aren't terribly different from what I am used to writing. Slightly different format. Slightly more descriptive. I am trying to think of it like this: Shorter, more exciting scenes that keep the plot moving. After all, the story needs to be told in 53 minutes, not unfold in two hours. I have to keep in mind that the story will be heard, not seen. Character descriptions are important, but in different ways. What kind of shoes or jewelry will someone wear? How do they walk and talk? What season is it? Is it rush hour? Day time? Night time? What kind of music is in the background? Mugs or glasses? Iced or hot beverage?
Without making myself go crazy, it's a little like taking a virtual tour through my characters' minds. And I think it is going to make me a better writer overall. Maybe I will finally quit revising the one full length play I have written and finally find somewhere to submit it to. Maybe there will be one month this year I can do that. This is the year, after all, to go and put myself out there!
Wish me luck and I'll do the same for you!
As for experience with radio scripts, when I was in the seventh and eighth grades, I took Speech and Drama with Mrs. Norman. One of our many exercises was to read radio commercials and shows aloud. Granted, many of them were fake and written specially for school programs, but it was good practice. During these times, I'm sure there were lessons about the job of the Foley artists, how to read for radio, and the history and evolution of radio and such. I assume this, otherwise I wouldn't remember the things I do. Makes sense, right?
While writing this script I have been reading a lot of other scripts that have been written specifically for radio. They aren't terribly different from what I am used to writing. Slightly different format. Slightly more descriptive. I am trying to think of it like this: Shorter, more exciting scenes that keep the plot moving. After all, the story needs to be told in 53 minutes, not unfold in two hours. I have to keep in mind that the story will be heard, not seen. Character descriptions are important, but in different ways. What kind of shoes or jewelry will someone wear? How do they walk and talk? What season is it? Is it rush hour? Day time? Night time? What kind of music is in the background? Mugs or glasses? Iced or hot beverage?
Without making myself go crazy, it's a little like taking a virtual tour through my characters' minds. And I think it is going to make me a better writer overall. Maybe I will finally quit revising the one full length play I have written and finally find somewhere to submit it to. Maybe there will be one month this year I can do that. This is the year, after all, to go and put myself out there!
Wish me luck and I'll do the same for you!
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