NaNoWriMo Wrap-Up

I'm not sure if anyone reads this blog anymore. But I felt an obligation to wrap up the National Novel Writing Month posts. NaNoWriMo takes place in November; the goal is to write a rough draft of a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. A number of us "alumn" participated. I won't speak for them, but I think we shared similar thoughts about the experience. Here are mine:

-I'd never done anything like this before. I tend to write and edit as I go along. Beneficial in my shorter works; difficult for a longer manuscript. The idea of stream of thought writing, just getting a story down on paper, not worrying if it all ties together quite yet, was an important learning moment for me.

-Doing this confirmed that to write and finish writing projects you have to write - every day. Whether you set a word count goal, time your writing sessions, write three times a day, early in the morning, before bed, whatever - you have to write.

-I made it to 50,000 words...50,003 to be exact (not that I was counting - much!)I haven't even read what I wrote yet. I did share the manuscript with two trusted writer friends to give me feedback. But what I know I have is a story, in its entirety, something raw to work with, not just think about.

-I was amazed at how my plot developed and my characters developed as I wrote without pause. New characters appeared I hadn't thought of before. Back stories became evident as I went along. New twists and turns emerged. I found I wanted to get back to it and write more just to see where it was all going.

Bottom line? As a writer I found the NaNoWriMo experience exhilarating and a learning opportunity. I'm hooked and plan to make participating an annual gift to myself.

I'd welcome any other fellow NaNoWriMo-ers to share their thoughts. Who knows, we may be the only ones reading these posts -- and we already were emailing each other -- but it would be nice to capture here!

Cheers -
Anne

Freelance Jobs

Have you guys heard of this website? I just followed the link from an RSS feed called Daily Writing Tips. And it looks pretty cool.

So how are the novels coming? I passed my 25 page mark yesterday. 8300 words and 27 pages now. It's coming along pretty well, but I KNOW if I ever do anything with it, it'll need a TON of editing. Pretty rough.

Keep writing!

Kir

And They're Off...

National Novel Writing Month officially kicked off at midnight. I'm 777 words in...where I'm going I don't know but I'm working on a story I've had in my head for at least five years. A holiday story...I was hoping that since NaNoWriMo is in November I will be inspired.

Colleen, Kir, Ron.....how's it going? I know Colleen is full swing ahead. She was a big help to me in getting signed up on the site. But we were trying to figure out how to get each other up on our sites as writing buddies. Anyone figure it out?

Anne

Marketing Help

Has anyone heard of Wordhustler.com? I ran across their website the other day as I was looking for information on an agent, and I thought it looks like a great tool for organizing queries.

Just curious if any of you have heard of it or used it.

Counting down my hours of freedom to lie around and read whatever I want.

Kir

Less Than One Week to Go

National Novel Writing Month begins next Saturday, November 1st. Sharpen your pencils, gather your pens, exercise your typing fingers.

To keep ourselves motivated (or honest, pushed, punished, whatever word you want to use) I'm thinking we might want to post our progress here. I'm trying to decide what makes sense - once a week, twice a week - does it sound like a good idea or no?

I just know if we start and fall silent for 30 days it won't be as much fun and I'll have a hard time staying motivated.

Any ideas?
Anne

Time for a Critique Session?

Sadly, as I began to write this note I couldn't remember what we called our occassional critique sessions we used to do - was did we refer to them as readings? Hmmmmm. But perhaps this confusion means it has been too long.

Is anyone still interested in getting together for an occassional critique group? A chance to share some new work with others and get their feedback?

I miss that part of the M.F.A. I feel like I'm writing in a dark hole right now. Paola and I did an email/telephone critique session for our children's stories earlier this year and it was really helpful. I'd love to get into some sort of rhythm, either in a group or with someone on a more one-on-one basis.

Let me know what you think.
Anne

It's Official!

It's official! I began as TravelingMom.com's resident sanity expert this week.

Check out my first Sanity section at here.

We're changing it out weekly so check in often - and feel free to share any topics related to balance on the go that you would like to read about!

Anne

Preparing for "The Challenge"

Okay, now that Kir has made a public statement she's up for the National Novel Writing Month challenge (writing a rough draft of a novel of 50,000 words in 30 days) I begin "boot camp" and preparations for the battle!

I've done the math - 50,000 words in 30 months is the equivalent of:
1,667 words/day (2,500 words/day if I take weekends off, but that's too scary!)
178 pages of manuscript, double-spaced, 12 pt type
Two 30-minute sessions of "rapid writing" per day
10 extra pounds at the end of it all
30 minutes extra on the elliptical or at the gym to erase the added 10

I'm collecting my arsenal - a new folder in my documents to hold the draft, fruit gushers to ease the anxiety, the text number for a highly recommended shrink, and speed dial to all my closest family and friends who already think I'm nuts for doing this.

I've got the idea -- check! I've got to visit Kir's recommended link and start thinking through the story more.

The question remains...can she do this? Can she find 50,000 words in a month to tell her story?

Time will tell.

Are YOU up to the challenge? Can YOU write 50,000 words in 30 days?

Anne

Thanks to Kir's post below, I decided to put something else up about National Novel Writing Month since my original post is about to go into blog archive heaven.

Just a little more than a month to go! Kir makes a good point -- it may be difficult to do something like this in a genre you already write in. We all have our processes we use to tackle our work, so this is a good opportunity to try something you never have before to see what happens! Who knows?

For example, I am writing a middle school novel/chapter book as my one-month, 50,000 word challenge. The idea for the book came to me a couple of months ago. I haven't had much time to do anything about it, so the idea is fresh. I'm going to use Kir's guide to think it through just before the November 1st kickoff. And then, I am just going to write and see what happens.

Let me know if anyone else is interested. This is something fun and challenging, and who knows -- you may produce a really great draft that can become one of your best publishable works!

Anne

Novel in a month challenge

Hi everyone,

Thanks, Anne, for posting so many times to the alumni blog, even when none of the rest of us seem to be alive. We're here, and I read your challenge with interest. I'll admit, though, that when I told my family about it at dinner (and said that I intend to take up the challenge), everyone but Jared groaned.
Since then, I've been thinking about writing topics, because I don't think I want to write a historical novel in a month, especially one that I haven't begun to research yet. Then one of my students posted this link on a blog we put together for our Creative Writing Club. It outlines a plan for sketching out a novel in 30 minutes. Anyone who's game for the challenge might want to check it out.
Happy writing!

Encouraging Future Writers

When I ventured out on my own this year, I thought a lot about how I would give back. This has always been very important to me, and for the last fifteen years I've worked for companies that gave me lots of opportunity to do good things in the community. Now, on my own, I wanted to make a commitment to keep up the practice.

I am focused on sharing the joys (and hardships) of writing with young people. This practice started when I began volunteering in my children's classrooms and conducting writers' workshops.

Today I visited the classroom of my WestConn MFA colleague, Maeve, and spoke to her students about writing and what it's like to be a writer. I shared with them how important writing skills were in advancing my career, how I decided to go back to school and get an M.F.A., and some examples of the types of writing I've done, from promotional games on the back of cereal boxes to magazine articles and ezines. The experience was wonderful for me, and I hope for the kids too.

One message I deliver is that writing skills are something that will help differentiate you in life, no matter what you choose to do for a living. The other is that writing gives you a voice and a way to express yourself that can be powerful and empowering.

I've written before that there's many ways to stretch ourselves with our writing that goes beyond publishing. Getting out and encouraging young people to write the best they can is one.

Anne

TravelingMom.com

News on the publishing front. My essay, Ah Wilderness, which you may remember from my thesis, has been posted in 3 parts on TravelingMom.com, an ezine designed to help make life's travels a little easier. Along with the article check out the sidebar, Hints for Camping With Another Family, written at the request of the editor.

I've also been invited to become the 'resident sanity expert' on TMOM. I'll be writing the weekly Sanity section of the ezine, starting the week of September 29.

Finally, my essay, BabyMaking 101, which I read at the Literary Festival has been accepted for the literary journal, MotherVerse, November issue. The editor has also asked me to write an essay for an upcoming anthology, which I'll be squeezing out in the next couple of weeks!

Apologies for the double posting (in the regular blog and this one) but not sure who reads what and when.

Anne

Authonomy, from Harper Collins

The following form Springwise newsletter, Sept 18 (http://www.springwise.com/weekly/2008-09-18.htm)

Authonomy is a new community that invites unpublished and self-published authors to post at least 10,000 words of a fiction or non-fiction manuscript for visitors to read online.

Visitors can review and recommend books, and can showcase their five favourite submissions on a virtual bookshelf that's viewable from their profile page. Authonomy keeps track of the number of recommendations a book receives and ranks writers accordingly. Readers are also ranked, based on how good they've been at spotting books that make it to the top of Authonomy's charts. To help authors make it from computer screen to printed book, once a month the top five books are delivered to the desks of an editorial board made up of international HarperCollins commissioning editors.

The website is free to use both for readers and writers, and HarperCollins hopes the wisdom of the crowds will help them unsource potential hits that individual editors or agents might otherwise miss, or just don't have the time to read. Needless to say, the site could also prove to be a good marketing tool once manuscripts are actually published, since authors won't have to build a fan base from scratch.


http://www.authonomy.com/about.aspx

Podcast Interviews

I recently discovered how fun it is to conduct and create podcast interviews! While my first interview with Lindsey Pollak (about Gen Y's role in the new economy and the importance of internships in today's job market) is not yet 'live', I am already looking for new interviewees.
I conduct the interviews by phone, so it doesn't matter where they live.

Any ideas on who I might interview next? Who or what would you like to hear more about?
I have my own list of folks, but would love your feedback as well.

Hope you are well and happy. Are you? Let's get an update grads! What have you been up to?

In Need of Blog Viagra?

Hi everyone - is it me or is this alumni blog in need of a "lift?" I've just noticed that there's not a lot of activity here. I'm wondering if there's a way to make this something value-added for all of us...or maybe everyone is just happy with the way it is?

Curious as to your thoughts.
Anne

Want to Write a Novel in a Month?

Many of us have posted to this blog or emailed to each other our frustrations and struggles as writers with the process and discipline of writing.

So I have what I think will be a fun challenge.

As you may know, November is National Novel Writing Month, often referred to by its lovely acronym, NoNoWriMo. The whole premise, according to the website, is:

"...a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30."

The emphasis is on completing a draft of 50,000 words and the expectation is that the draft produced will be far from perfect.

I'm looking forward to participating. I always do better with a goal and finite deadline, and love a fun challenge. I'd like to know if anyone else is interested. My hopes is that we can take a group approach and use this blog to post our progress during the month of November. At the end we can count up the total number of words we wrote, and post excerpts from our works on the blog in December. I'd even be up for a reading/critique night with any "locals" before the holidays kick in.

If you're interested, let me know.
Anne

Then and Now - Writing the Good Write

by Ron Samul
I have to get my thesis project out by next week and for the first time, I am actively going through it, rereading, proofreading, and doing some minor clean-up and revisions. I haven't really looked at my novel since February because of new writing and other life commitments. I've read in books that it is wise to put your books away for a few months and come back to them. I must say - that getting some space from this novel has done two things.

One, it has giving me a fresh look at it. For new writers, to ask them to write a novel and forget it for three months is tough. But, now I see the typos, the weakness, and the strengths. There remains some wonderful scenes and ideas that I really love in this book.

Two, it has allowed me to write some new work, learn, read, and move my creative mind forward. I think it is safe to say that Hinterland is a difficult novel. It was difficult to write, difficult to edit, and difficult to market. It isn't a traditional genre - and I still struggle with the marketing content. It isn't easy to say: This book is about .... and there it is.

Writing my thesis / Hinterland as a creative work has been a serious challenge. I learned how to write even when it was the last thing I wanted to do. I learned to accept advice, accept reality, and change creatively. I also learned the essence of being professional.

When I wrote my first major novel (which I now consider a practice novel) I struggled with it for more than two years. When I let it go, I sat down to write a second novel and everything I learned from my first novel fell into place. The story was concise, the characters were decent, and it wasn't 550 pages, but 289. By the way, I still really like that second novel and hope to move it forward some day. Now, I feel like Hinterland was another difficult and complex novel that taught me so much about writing and learning. Hinterland may not be on the best seller list but it was critical to my growth as a writer. And I appreciated the work of my mentors in helping me with this complex task. Now, I am gushing with new work. (Which is unusual.) I have a novel that is half done (the Jack stories) and started a new novel. I never thought I would have so much to consider. But writing produces more writing.

All my work moves me forward. Sometimes it comes easy and sometimes hard. It might be on a personal level, it might be on a professional level - or both. Nothing is wasted. I've learned so much as writer with my own mistakes, my own disappointments. But the one thing better than a publishing deal, or recognition for my accomplishments, is how I've grown as a writer - from novel to novel. And it doesn't come all at once. It comes in like the tide, moving in clean water from the ocean of our creativity. I know that tide will pull out in my life, but you have to believe it will always come back. - 8/16/08

An Opportunity to Give Back Through Writing

For anyone looking for opportunities to "give back" using their writing skills in a volunteer capacity, Griffin Hospital in Derby, Connecticut has an opportunity called Vital Patient Stories (VPS). I cannot remember who first told me about this program (was it one of our MFA alumn or current students?) but according to the website:

"If you are a good listener, have a flair with the pen, and compassion in your heart, this is the volunteer opportunity for you! You will be taught interviewing and writing skills to compose creative non-fiction accounts of patients' life stories. In addition to good listening skills, empathy, and compassion, volunteers must maintain patient confidentiality."

I have not participated in VPS but have it on my list of future endeavors. If anyone is interested, contact information is listed on the website
I'm not sure if VPS is a national program, but I would bet other hospitals or healthcare facilities have similar programs.

Anne

Visitors Welcome

Hello everyone!

I hope this blog post finds you all happily reading and writing and seeking publishing venues. I am doing all of the above--at a furious rate, since it's summer vacation and all too soon I'll be back in the whirl of lessons to plan and papers to grade.
So I decided that in an effort to create a presence for myself in the online world, I needed a blog of my own. (The title of this blog should have the link for you.) I just started a few days ago, and it's been really fun. I'd love to create links there to any blogs any of you have, and please feel free to use my blog as a link on yours.
So far, it's just been a way for me to expel some of the thoughts bouncing around in my brain, but who knows what this creature will morph into?
So stop by for a visit, and let's talk here too. How are you all doing with your writing goals?

Kir

Encouragement

Hi everyone! Believe it or not, one way I've celebrated finishing my M.F.A. is by going back to a workshop! I just finished up a four week writers workshop on Saturday afternoons with Patricia Reilly Giff. Pat is an accomplished children's writer and a two-time Newbury award recipient. She's also one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. It was a good feeling to be back with a group of writers, listening to everyone's work, and being part of the critique process again.

One thing particularly great about Pat is how absolutely straight forward she is about how hard writing and the writing business is, but at the same time how encouraging and supportive she is. There are two women in the workshop who are being published for the first time next year -- one with two books! -- and they shared with us some of their experiences in making it happen.

Clearly the lessons learned were simple -- and nothing we don't already know -- but worth sharing again here. It always helps me to hear them again:

-Write everyday without fail
-Don't leave what you write in a drawer-send it out. If it's rejected, send it out again...and again...and again.
-It will probably take a lot of rejections to finally make it, but if you are talented and persistent you will make it
-Write everyday without fail
-Send out your work, AND FINALLY
-Write everyday without fail AND send out your work!

If anyone is interested in children's writing, I suggest picking up one of Pat's books as a summer read. She is truly touted as one of the best.

Anne

Editor Wanted

Ducts.org, the literary webzine of personal stories, is looking for a young, hungry someone or other to take over the duties of editor-in-chief. We're looking for someone who cares deeply about the literary community, has some experience working on a literary magazine and also has some technical skills. We put our site together in Wordpress so experience using that would be a bonus, but not necessary as long as you're willing to learn. The position is voluntary (no pay), but will allow the new editor to gain invaluable experience and make tremendous contacts.

If any of you know someone who might be interested, please have them contact me, Jonathan Kravetz, at Jon@ducts.org and put "Editor-in-Chief" in the subject line.

Many thanks!

--Jonathan Kravetz

2nd Annual Magical Carpet Ride Mentorship

Hi everyone,
Just a note. I took a magical realism course with MRCentral and had a great ineraction with this unique community. I know some writers might not fully understand or feel they write using any elements of magical realism. My answer is - your only limited by what you don't understand or try. If you know anyone interested, let them. Be well and keep in touch. RON

---

Tamara Sellman, director of MRCentral (www.mrcentral. net) announces the opening of the 2009 Magic Carpet Ride mentorship application period (www.angelfire. com/wa2/margin/ MRCentral/ mentorship. html).

This mentorship, an innovative one-on-one creative writing program, is the first of its kind to provide specialized instruction, direction, and motivation specifically for a writer of literary magical realism.

The purpose of the Magic Carpet Ride mentorship is to assist a promising magical realist writer from anywhere in the world in the completion of a polished manuscript by the end of the session which may then be actively submitted to potential publishers.

Qualification
This mentorship, valued at $1500, will be awarded annually, and on a competitive basis, to a single applicant who is able to demonstrate:

• a deep commitment to completing their work in progress

• strong writing skills

• a desire to learn and to succeed

• a good understanding of the magical realist nature of their manuscript

Applications for the 2009 mentorship session are now available
(www.angelfire. com/wa2/margin/ MRCentral/ mentorship. html)

Applicants must fill out an online application, respond to a questionnaire, send a 10-page sample and pay the application fee ($40 for members of MRCentral; $60 for nonmembers, which covers lifetime membership).

Postmark deadline for receipt of all application materials for the 2009 mentorship session is October 31, 2008. Email deadline for receipt of all application materials for the 2008 mentorship session is midnight [Pacific time], October 31, 2008.

More info
(www.angelfire. com/wa2/margin/ MRCentral/ mentorship. html)
(magicalrealismmaven at hotmail dot com)

Tamara Kaye Sellman, director, MRCentral.net
Magical Realism’s Interactive Community

To all the graduates Anne, Ron, Carmen, Don, Kim, Fletch, Nick, Vonda, Kirsten, Matt, Marc, Colleen, and Kalyn. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments.

A Change of (Blogging) Scenery

I thought it was time to get a new posting up here. I'd love to hear how everyone is doing!

I received an email last week from travelingmom.com and they want to publish my essay, Ah Wilderness, which was part of my thesis. Not big bucks, but a few bucks, and, of course, a clip. More to come once I find out when it will be published.

Otherwise making strides figuring out this writing life. I'm putting the finishing touches on my picture book and about ready to start trying to peddle it out in that big world of children's publishing. Actively have Crib Notes in the marketing stream and a book proposal in the works about midlife transformations.

Of course, getting ready for my big trip to Lithuania, which is right around the corner -- and offers lots of potential writing opportunities anticipated from that one.

Hope to see many of the graduates tomorrow evening as we "walk" in the graduation ceremony. For those who are the "newest" alumni, congratulations.

Anne

Online Magical Realism Workshop

From Tamara Kaye Sellman, Director of MRCentral.net: I have slated two more Internet-based workshops for magical realist writers through mid-June 2008. These workshops are especially geared toward the international writer or the writer who cannot attend a regular live chat session because of a full schedule, but who still wants to learn and to interact with other students through email.Now's the time to get signed up!

I take the summer off from teaching and client work to focus on my own writing, so I won't be offering these again until October 2008.Feel free to link to this blog or send this info on to anyone you might know who'd be interested in these workshops. I always appreciate your referrals.Registration is simple: contact me directly to reserve your place and, on the day after registration deadline, I'll be in touch regarding enrollment, how to pay, and procedures for joining the workshop.

Thanks,

Tamara Kaye Sellman,

MRCentral.net

email: magicalrealismmaven@hotmail.com

phone: 206.618.7348 (cell; messages okay)

or send a postcard to:

Tamara Kaye Sellman

Writer's Rainbow Literary Services
321 High School Road NE, Ste D3, PMB 204Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Beginning to See the Light!

Hi Guys,

I've been doing a lot of work and soul searching since graduating in January. I'm working on a book of poetry with my dad based on his experiences as a soldier in Vietnam. It's slow-going but amazing. Not only does he have a lot to tell, he is also so smart and well-read and historically knowledgeable that I am learning a lot about history, foreign policy and even writing (He's a Hemingway enthusiast) in the research stage.

I have also been busy developing and transforming my second genre, copywriting, into "a hobby that pays." I have discovered that while I don't have much experience in business, I devour business and marketing blogs (the cool ones) and am a natural and intuitive guide for helping people develop their small businesses. I have been helping friends and family do just that by working with them on branding, marketing, copywriting and copyediting for their entrepreneurial ventures. Since these guys are my "guinea pigs" in a way, I don't feel comfortable charging for my services (yet), and have been doing a lot of bartering. A good practice in funky economic times, and something I have the luxury to do at the moment due to lack of children, mortgage, or car payments!

I continue to lead a writing workshop, San Juan Writers, in Old San Juan. That too, is slow going, especially in terms of attracting new "clients," especially since the primary language in PR is Spanish, but I am very excited about where it is headed. It is a 3-hr workshop meeting Wednesday nights. I provide writing exercises, or prompts, and we write in response to these prompts in the workshop. People write in English or Spanish, or Spanglish! and read what they have written to the group if they are so inclined.
We respond to new work only with "what we like" "what we remember" and "what is strong," focusing on what's working, instead of what's not working, since the pieces are raw and unedited. I am considering opening up a new workshop for those who wish to work more on craft and manuscripts (as opposed to just exercising their creativity in general).

And, FYI, I just started a new blog, Creative Kindling, and would love to hear from you there if my topics (business and work, art, publishing, music etc.....) interest you.

All are welcome!

Cheers and happy writing ;)

Carmen

The Big Read

Are you "fired up" about reading? You may be interested in participating in New Haven's Big Read, which is a lead up to the International Arts and Ideas Festival. This year's Big Read is Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.

According to an article in the Sunday New Haven Register, "Last year, the reading of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and its attendant events drew 14,000 readers and more than 50 community partners to the project. This year, the partnerships number closer to 60, with more than 100 events exploring the themes of "censorship, conformity, and the importance of books and reading" with an additional 19 towns in the area participating.

Photography Show by John Briggs

John Briggs will present his show "Cloud and Stone," which will be on display at the Jasper Rand Art Museum, 6 Elm Street, Westfield Westfield Anthnaeum on the Green, Westfield, Mass. during the month of May, beginning May 3. There are over 70 photographs which offer some contemplative moments with clouds and stones, John's escape from the yammer of the human condition. The gallery at the Westfield Athenaeum on the green is a lovely old space.You might be interested to look at some pictures from past exhibits, and five from the new one, on http://www.jpbriggs.com/

Good luck, John. Online images are brillant.

Two Articles Accepted--and This Could Be You, Too!

I have two announcements.

First, I'm pleased to share that my two articles, "The Parent Trap: Five Mistakes to Avoid When Writing About Family" and "Cybermoms: Opportunities for Women Writers on the Web" have been accepted for the proposed book, Women Writing on Family: Writing, Publishing, and Teaching Tips by U.S. Women Writers.

Second, one of the co-editors, Carol Smallwood, has asked me to help spread the word that they are still seeking writers for the book. I've cut and pasted the information below.

I encourage anyone who writes for the women or parenting genre to consider this opportunity. The features they seek are how-to's and pretty straight forward to write.

The editors will also be posting a call to submissions on Poets and Writers and The Writer shortly.

Anne

Women Writing on Family: Writing, Publishing, and Teaching Tips by US Women Writers

Foreword: Robbi Hess, Journalist, co-author, Complete Idiot's Guide to 30,000 Baby Names (Penguin Books); Editor, Byline Magazine

Afterword: Suzanne Bunkers, Professor of English, Minnesota State University, editor of Diaries of Girls and Women: a Midwestern American Sampler (University of Wisconsin Press).

This is a book not just on writing but tips for women writing about family. Possible subject areas you might address include: markets; why women write about family; using life experience; critique groups; networking; blogs; unique issues women must overcome; formal education; queries and proposals; conference participation; family scheduling; self-publishing; teaching tips; family in creative nonfiction, poetry, short stories, novels.

Practical, concise, how-to articles with bullets/headings have proven the most helpful to readers. Please avoid writing about “me” and concentrate on what will help the reader.

Word total for 1-2 articles based on your experience:
1,900 minimum; maximum 2,100. Two articles preferred.
If submitting 2, please break them up fairly evenly in word count.

No previously published or simultaneously submitted material, please; no co-authored.

Deadline: May 30, 2008

Contributors receive a complimentary copy and contributor's discount on additional copies. It is common for compilation of an anthology to take upwards of a year, but we will be in touch with updates on securing a publisher.

Editor Carol Smallwood has written, co-authored, and edited 19 books such as Educators as Writers for Peter Lang, Scarecrow, Libraries Unlimited. Her work has appeared in English Journal, Clackamas Literary Review, Michigan Feminist Studies, The Detroit News, several others including anthologies; On the Way to Wendy's Pudding House 2008; a co-edited anthology is with an agent; and
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-3575-3

Please send your topics first before writing (to avoid possible duplication) along with brief descriptions and 65-70 word bio with your present position, relevant publications, awards or honors. Use FAMILY for the subject line and submit to Carol at smallwood@tm.net

*In our experience, most publishers return rights to individual contributors variously after publication. However, because we are still seeking a publisher, we cannot speak to those rights specifically at this time. Contributors will be asked to sign a release form from the publisher and therefore will be have the opportunity to agree to the details of the contract or withdraw one's work at that time.

Creating a Writing Career

I was finally able to find my sign-in information so I can post here (sorry for the mass email that went out from blogger!), and not just greedily read all of your great suggestions. Until I'd followed Kir's email to this blog, I'd wondered if I was the only one finding it a challenge to make a career out of this writing thing.

Since January, I've pretty much been working on establishing a freelance writing career, with the goal of earning a full-time income from my writing by next January. Like Ron and Anne, I've been spending SO much time on research and marketing that my actual writing's been pushed beneath a rocking chair in corner of our guest room! But I think that's pretty normal - I've been told that many writers spend more time on the business of writing than the craft itself. Anne's idea of setting aside a ritualistic hour per day sounds like a great way to maintain some kind of balance.

So this month I've begun mailing out four submissions per week, and in June will begin a "$100 per day" writing plan that I've read about. Basically, it means sending out at least one hundred dollars' worth of writing submissions each day - whether it be fillers, articles, contest entries, etc. The idea is that at least some of those attempts will result in acceptances. Even a 10% success rate would mean $280 per month (and, of course, clips & credibility). In September, I'll double the amount I send out in order to increase the number of acceptances, and get closer to my income goal.

Two months ago I started a blog mostly to keep myself motivated, and found it EXTREMEly helpful. It's been a great way to keep track of my progress, get some advice, and organize the marketing and research links I use. Somewhere along the way, it's turned into more of a professional blog.

I'd love to hear more about how all of you are managing your writing lives.
Colleen

Want to Help Clean Up the Planet?

Tired of picking up other people's trash from your yard, local parks, and public sidewalks?

Do something positive about it -- take The Eclectic Writer Early Earth Day Reader Challenge!

I've challenged my blog readers to answer the following question: What can we do throughout the year to change people's behavior so we can keep trash off the streets, out of the woods, and in the garbage cans?

My goal is to collect ideas and post them to The Eclectic Writer on Earth Day, April 22nd.

Think about it -- if everyone picks up on one thing they can do differently over the course of the year, we can make the world a cleaner place.

Visit The Eclectic Writer for more information and to submit an idea. You can post as a comment or email me at AnneWitkavitch@comcast.net.

Writing for a New Blog

If you click on this title you will go to the Big Blog of Marvel, which deals with the slippery and sometimes disputed ideas that are and surrounds magical realism. I was invited recently and I am going to try to contribute weekly. The purpose as described on the blog: Commentary from a cluster of literary writers, educators, scholars and other thoughtful folk interested in literary magical realism. If you are interested in this topic or just curious... check it out.

Old Dog Learning New Tricks

Hello everyone -- The last few months of my life have been truly exhilarating. I've launched a communications company called C-Suite Communications. I have been diligently working on my writing -- sending out queries, meeting new people, and expanding my network. I continue to build a following to my blog, The Eclectic Writer. Most importantly, I've been doing lots and lots of thinking about life, writing, and in general lots of stuff!

I came across one of the handouts I picked up at AWP and finally read it this weekend. It was a Writer's Magazine supplement called "How to be a More Productive Writer." I'm not sure if you can write to the magazine and request a copy, but it really is filled with good tips and advice.

One tip that really caught my attention is the need to set up writing rituals. I will admit, I have not been good about "being a writer" these past few months-- more so, I've focused on "marketing myself as a writer" and "calling myself a writer," as well as sending out queries, thinking about writing, actually writing things here or there, but no true discipline or science behind it.

So I decided it was time to take some of the advice in the articles and begin some rituals. I started this week by setting the timer for one hour in the morning. Once the kids get on the bus, I grab a fresh cup of coffee, sit down at the computer, and write. No emails, no telephone, straight forward writing. Now I realize it will take more than an hour a day to get at my goals; but I'm actually surprised how much I put on the page by forcing myself to write for that block of time. I have two articles due on Sunday for the book, "Writing on Family" that I've thought about ad nauseum for a month now. Suddenly the words are pouring out and I realize I actually know what I'm talking about and how to do this. Amazing rediscovery.

Another piece of advice I plan to try is to send one query a day. I had been trying to figure out a block of time once a week to query. But that didn't work. The advice given is that if you can get one query out a day, the odds are in your favor that eventually something hits. Sort of like buying a lottery ticket a day, or putting a dollar in the piggy bank. Small things will add up to a big bang with time.

I'm really at the start of this journey, but I know others have mentioned the need to jump start their writing lives post-MFA. I find it's really been a process, one that involved giving myself permission not to overthink it, to give myself time to discover what's in my head and what the priorities are. Doing so I've made progress on my novel, identified what my non fiction book is about, and continue to think more about what I want it to all look like down the road.

I'd love to hear some of the tips any of you have, or read some of the discoveries you're making, in your writing lives.

Anne

Miranda Magazine: Politics in Sim World

Politics In Cyber-Space
I would like to announce Kelly Ripley Feller and her article "Riding the Wave" now appearing in Miranda Magazine. She took her Avatar into Second Life to examine the impact of the Presidential Campaigns in this simulated world. Kelly will be a regular to the Miranda staff and we welcome her
professionalism, expertise, and her synthesis of the world of new media. Please forward to others who might be interested.

Kelly has enjoyed a fulfilling and diverse professional career managing marketing and communications strategies for organizations that include non-profit, natural foods, healthcare, and high technology. She has worked with a variety of technology companies including Intel, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Intuit, SAS Software, Symantec, and IBM. Today she manages social media programs for a Fortune 100 technology company and writes about social media, marketing, business, Second Life, and politics in her dwindling spare time. An enthusiastic live music lover and classical singer, Kelly performs at local schools and senior homes and is a hospice volunteer for veterans. She has been active in Second Life for over a year and a half—the equivalent of several lifetimes in that virtual realm. She lives outside of Portland, OR with her husband and son, and holds a BA in Communications and Political Science from the University of Michigan.

Read the Article

Commencement

Hello everyone,

I got the letter from WCSU a few days ago with information about the May graduate commencement. Clint and I are trying to decide whether or not to make the trip out so I can walk. Are any of you planning to attend?

Kir

Allan's Play - Epilogue

I did get to see Allan's play last evening -- and sat with the playwright and his family! Very nice turnout for this Friday night performance.

The play was awesome! For me, it was inspirational to watch the work of one of my fellow MFA alumn actually performed live. The actors did a terrific job interpreting the work (or at least Allan seemed pleased.) The words have so much more dimension when you get to see actors, directors, and producers add their magic to help evolve the playwright's vision to a multidimensional experience.

If anyone is thinking about going to the final performances this weekend, have a blast!

Anne

Planning to See Allan's Play?

Hello MFA Alumn - I'm posting here as well -- is anyone planning to see Allan's play on Friday evening? If so please let me know tonight (Thursday). I'm looking to find someone who's driving in or taking the train.
Anne

Gratefully disappointed

Hello everyone,

You may or may not know that I did not make it into the top 10 in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. From the day I first submitted my novel in January, I knew winning was uncertain, but I still hoped. After I started to read all the glowing reviews, though, I began to think my novel was even better than I'm afraid it is. So many people, after only reading the first chapter, claimed to be hooked, claimed to want to read more, claimed to be enthralled. And even though Publisher's Weekly did not give an entirely glowing review, it was still pretty impressive. Whenever some hooligan had the temerity to write a 3 or 4 starred review, I downplayed their comments. Just goes to show how a bit of flattery can affect the pessimistic mind.
The cutoff date for the first round loomed and I didn't even feel a flutter of nerves. I read through the contest rules again and saw that they would choose between 10 and 100 to make it to the next round. I checked my novel's status and felt assured since it seemed ranked pretty high compared to others. When I sorted the entries according to "average customer review," I hovered around 26-29. Seemed like my chances were good, even if they just picked the top 30.
But they only chose 10, and my PR Consultant (aka Mother Teresa) (aka Clint) tells me that most of those chosen for the top 10 were not ranked so high according to average customer reviews. However, they all had stellar Publisher's Weekly reviews.
So I didn't win. What did I learn? I learned that my novel does have potential market value, that the story is intriguing, that people like it. I learned that I need to be a more aggressive marketer. My standard method of watching events transpire around me will not sell my book. I emailed a few friends and colleages and ahem...professors, and the number of those contacts who actually wrote a comment was depressing.
But I am quite grateful I submitted A Minor Revolution, and I am glad for the experience. Maybe it will have an affect on my publishing future, maybe not. But it taught me some valuable lessons and let me know what a handful of objective readers think of my work.

Thanks to those of you who posted comments.

Kirstin

Taking Stress Out of Work/Life Balance

I will be presenting my workshop, Taking the Stress Out of Work/Life Balance" on Saturday, March 29th at the Women in Business event at the Rocky Hill Marriott in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Keynote speaker is Susan Byciewicz, State of Connecticut Secretary of State. A number of other informative workshops are planned; this is also a terrific networking opportunity. Check out the link to the website for more information on how to register.

Anne

Post-MFA angst? Cheer up!

Discipline + Writing = Success

I just read this article about John Grisham on CNN.com. As someone who just finished an M.F.A. and is pushing forward on making a writing career that one day will sustain me, I enjoyed this profile. Of course, I've been a Grisham fan for a while. What I love about him is that he is a great storyteller; his writing (as he himself notes here) is far from literary, but it holds your attention. He's found a successful formula and it works.

I also admire Grisham because he has stepped away from his legal thrillers and experimented in some other areas, trying out writing he wants to do not knowing if it will necessarily sell. I suppose at this point with the success he's had, he can afford to do this. But I can only think that the first time he attempted this was a bit of a risk, and that he had people telling him "stick with what works" instead of supporting his desires to try new things.

What really stood out to me in this article is when he talks about the discipline he applied when writing his first novel: an alarm clock that went off at 5 a.m. I commitment to be at his desk, writing, by 5:30 a.m. A page a day, whether it took 10 minutes or an hour.

This isn't the first time I've read about Grisham's discipline and his method for completing his first novel. But it's what I keep finding that I have to repeatedly harp on myself about. Writing is about discipline. A little at a time. Slow and steady. Bird by bird. We've heard it, we've read it, we've preached it ourselves. But to put it into practice everyday doesn't get any easier the longer we do this.

Next week is winter break. I plan to spend it with my family, and then get down to business. It's been an inspiring couple of months "free form" exploring many possibilities, researching writing opportunities, submitting essays to magazines....but after the vacation week, it will be time to reinstate some discipline and WRITE! Everyday, same time, same place...bird by bird, one page at a time.

Please keep sharing your writing adventures here! I'd especially love to hear from some of the other graduates who haven't yet posted -- what are you up to? How are you doing?

Keep writing-
Anne

Writing Ideas

In the last two weeks I posted a few writing ideas and assignments. I am glad to say that they have both been picked up. So, if you see a post with something of interest and it disappears - I am happy to say that people are taking the assignments. Rather than leave them up - I just take them down. So, if you like something let me know.

Be well
Ron
"If the writer always seems distant and disconnected, forgive them. They are poised between the two most important things - the real and the imagined."

Recovering from the AWP

Thanks to WestConn, I had the opportunity along with some of our colleagues to attend the AWP conference in New York City. I returned to Connecticut last evening tired, my feet aching, and soaked to the skin -- and totally energized to get back to my writing.

It would be impossible to capture everything about AWP in a single posting. The days were filled with informative panel discussions, one right after the other. No stopping for lunch! A quick run to Cafe Metro and portable lunches were devoured in the back of the room while juggling notebooks and the thick AWP conference guide.

I was lucky enough to hear Joyce Carol Oates speak (a very funny, insightful writer!) and John Irving, one of my all-time favorites, who was equally engaging and inspiring. The book fair was a vast oasis of booths -- a tremendous experience to walk among the representatives from literary journals, publishers, and other MFA programs and network, ask questions, and get a better understanding of the publications out there and what they're looking for. I had a quick opportunity to introduce myself to Lee Gutkind from Creative Nonfiction, and attend his panel discussion about "Keeping It Real."

For anyone who has gone through the MFA program, I would suggest it is a "must" to attend a future AWP conference, whether you're just starting out in the publishing world, or still don't know what to do with your writing (except to write!)But while still fresh in my mind, here are suggestions for attendees, especially first-timers:

-Plot your days. There are many, many options to choose from. Take time in the weeks prior to the conference to review the on line agenda, make note of the workshops you absolutely MUST attend. The days are long and tiring, and you want to have an idea which you'll be flexible about if you opt instead to eat or hit the bookfair.
-Make time for the bookfair. If you've never attended before, I suggest doing a "test run" when you first get there and it's not too busy, then going back when you've digested more of the conference. I did a first walk-through Thursday morning when I arrived, just to get the feel. It was not crowded and I had a few nice conversations. By Friday afternoon, it was mobbed but I knew who I wanted to talk to and where they were.
-Bring business cards. I had cards for my writing printed up through VistaPrint. I did a deal with VistaPrint - I think 250 cards cost in total around $9 and that included my publicity photo from my blog. It was worth having them to hand out as you met people and made connections.
-Follow up. Today's task is to write a short follow up note to the people whose business cards I collected and assess opportunities I found.
-Jot down your ideas. Conferences like this always get my creative juices going. I came out of the conference with four new ideas for essays and creative nonfiction pieces that I'm ready to start the research on.
-Tap into your mentors. Although she was never directly a mentor to me, Paola Corsa was incredibly generous both before and during the conference with her tips and advice about how to get the most out of the conference.

I hope everyone takes the opportunity to attend some conferences during the year, whether next year's AWP, or some of the other sessions that take place. There's nothing of more value in evolving as a writer as to hang out a couple of days with those who share your passion and know the ins and outs of fulfilling your writing goals.

Anne

Book Review on Work in Progress

A few postings ago, Ron reminded us there are many ways to get our work out there and that book reviews posed one opportunity. His remarks reminded me that I had a few books I'd offered to review for Lisa Cullen's Work in Progress blog for Time, Inc. So I got to work!

My book review about You, Inc. was posted on the Work in Progress blog on January 31st. Check it out!

Anne

Keep Your Chin Up

I just discovered this blog for "Emerging Writers." It looks like a great resource for industry and marketplace tips. Go get 'em!

http://writersontherise.wordpress.com/

Getting Out Everytime

I know with the creation of the alumni blog and the MFA blog, we have opened up to a whole community of writers, teachers, resources, and readers. I created my professional Wordpress pages last summer and my best month saw about 50 hits per month. Now that I've been connected to the MFA blogs I have more than 450 hits for this month alone. Another important contributor to this is that all my emails also have that page as part of my signature so anyone who gets an email has access to the pages.

I think it's important to learn how to market who we are and what we do. This seems to be working with a big jump in numbers in one month. By the way if one or two people are responsible for that many pages views - please stop cyber-stalking me.

A HOBBY THAT PAYS!

The following blog post, "Workaholics," is quoted from 'marketing guru' Seth Godin's blog (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/).

Enjoy.

"WORKAHOLICS

A workaholic lives on fear. It's fear that drives him to show up all the time. The best defense, apparently, is a good attendance record.

A new class of jobs (and workers) is creating a different sort of worker, though. This is the person who works out of passion and curiosity, not fear.

The passionate worker doesn't show up because she's afraid of getting in trouble, she shows up because it's a hobby that pays. The passionate worker is busy blogging on vacation... because posting that thought and seeing the feedback it generates is actually more fun than sitting on the beach for another hour. The passionate worker tweaks a site design after dinner because, hey, it's a lot more fun than watching TV.

It was hard to imagine someone being passionate about mining coal or scrubbing dishes. But the new face of work, at least for some people, opens up the possibility that work is the thing (much of the time) that you'd most like to do. Designing jobs like that is obviously smart. Finding one is brilliant."

Turn Your Reading List into Publication Opportunities

I know we are writing and getting our work out to the world. This is an exciting time. But, don't forget about the reading you do. We know the cornerstone of good writing is understanding our genre and what is changing through critical reading. So, why not turn that into (in my case) a resume builder or better - a pay check? Turn your reading list into publishing opportunities.

Writing books reviews, like all writing, as its levels of intensity. Daniel Asa Rose will tell you, as an apex predator of reviewing, it is a very dicey business. You might review people that may publish your work. You might burn bridges, or make new ones. Yet, that kind of work is what shapes and defines writing in the market and it is a giant responsibility.

The kind of book reviewing that I've done is more formulaic and easy to get done. Read the book, summarize and give it a positive or negative spin. Writing book reviews for local newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other media gives you an outlet for writing professionally. I've probably written 30 or 40 reviews for Library Journal and while I don't get paid, I get to read some interesting books. And I have a good portfolio of writing samples to offer in my writing portfolio. Many of the writers on the blog have posted goals for the this year, and I think one of mine is to try to crack into Publishers Weekly and see if I can write an occasional article or book review for them. Since I have a track record with the sister company Library Journal, perhaps it will help me crack into another publication.

See Ron's Review : The Anatomy of Deception in Library Journal.

Note, that while this direction worked for me, don't forget about the value of your expertise. Kirsten wrote an article for a spiritual magazine, she might review books in that field. She might review historical fiction for a regional or national magazine. Anne might review parenting books, children's books. Carmen might review poetry websites or journals. She might review poetry books in Spanish. We all have value and important talents to lend to the world of reviewing. Let's put the "pro" back into professional writing. (I know cheesy, but I am trying to be inspirational.)

Goals Goals Goals

Hi Folks,

I have not been as productive as you other graduates YET, but I'm gearing up. Click the "Goals Goals Goals" title above to link to an article I found on the "Brazen Careerist" blog at 4:00 a.m. this morning when I couldn't sleep. Some good tips on organizing one's day around her goals.

Cheers to all of our efforts and dreams!

Carmen

P.S. The links (pertaining to goals) at the end of this blog post/article are also very helpful!

Getting Down to Business

Kir graciously shared her writing goals here on this blog. As I get going on my transition from the M.F.A. to accumulating more clips and building my writing career, here's some of the key goals I'm focused on, particularly during the next six months:

1. Send all essays and articles written to date out to be published. Send several out, at least three days a week.
TIP: I track my submissions using the TASK feature in Outlook. I consistently enter the same description, specifically "Submitted [article name] to [publication]. I then enter the start date and end date (for example, if I submitted something today and guidelines suggest I'll hear back in a month, I mark Feb 12 as the end date with a reminder flagged.)Easy way not to lose track, and it feels good when you peek into Tasks and see the list of work submitted on query!

2. Research new markets to submit to (including travel writing opportunities). I'm always amazed how much time the research takes, but I've been unearthing some very good publications --and they accept email submissions and simultaneous submissions too.

3. Build upon my bio and clip portfolio. How we present ourselves as writers is as important as what and how we write. I'm trying to hone how I describe myself and my work, and have at the ready pdf's of my published work to include in a query if requested.

4. Redo my writer's business card. This one is done and in the mail! I even added my publicity shot -- a bold move on my part.

5. Take my blog to the next level. It's time to finetune the focus of my blog The Eclectic Writer in support of my writing career going forward. I'm repositioning the blog to be more targeted on the types of writing I'm focused on: women's issues, parenting, work/life balance,communications, and travel.

6. Work on my novel. Given the great feedback from the residency, I'm encouraged to move on!

OK, enough of writing my goals down. It's time to get back to work!
Anne

Common Ground and Copyright

The fear we all have is that some or all of our ideas might be taken from us when we post them online. As writers it is our place to understand copyright and keep up with laws and protections to help us.

Most of the samples I post are just that, incomplete stories and novel portions, offered to get a taste of my writing and style. I don't think anyone would complete the same story the same way and it was be a sure give away if someone tired. I learned through teaching Adult Education that given the same writing prompt, you get a vast amount of variation.

Copyright is simple. "Anything completely original that you put on paper or in bytes is automatically copyrighted. It is yours; anyone copying it is infringing upon your copyright. But if you have innovative ideas, people may want to take them." There is a resource page if you need to read more about copyright and protection. Personally, if you don't want someone to steal it, don't post it or show it online.

The other aspect of the issue that I think is interesting as a media web publisher is the Creative Commons license. "The Creative Commons (CC) is a non-profit organization devoted to expanding the range of creative work available for others legally to build upon and share. The organization has released several copyright licenses known as Creative Commons licenses. These licenses, depending on the one chosen, restrict only certain rights (or none) of the work." It is an interesting concept as we move from print to digital. If you notice my personal blog now has the Creative Commons mark on it. It protects the information there. While it was protected under copyright, why not make the point clear.

Recently, Ursula LeGuin got into a stand-off with a web writer about using her writing without permission. It is quite in-depth. While on the surface it may seem like petty squabbling, these agreements and statements that protect our writing need to be defended. Read more about it here.

I think it is safe to say that if you think something is so valuable or so different that people will steal it, leave it off the web and don't hand out copies. Yet, be professional and understand the dynamics of the profession before assuming that all literary agents are stealing your ideas, that all lit mag editors are waiting for your story so they can rewrite it and sell it, or that writing awards are where things get swiped from under your nose. Be proactive, protect your work, and stay informed about copyright and protection of your creative entities. It is all part of the professional writing life.

Submissions Sought from Women Writers

Here's an opportunity that my fellow women writers may be interested in....particularly you, Carmen, as one of the requests is for poetry.

The Oklahoma Arts Council has posted a call for submissions for three proposed books. Deadlines are coming up fast (end of this month, and in February). I also put the weblink at the bottom, although you may have to cut and paste into your browser. I took the info below directly from the website:

Seeking Submissions from U.S. Writers for 3 Proposed Books

Women & Poetry:
Tips on Writing, Publishing and Teaching from American Women Poets
A few areas women poets are interested include: markets for women, why women write, time management, using life experience, women's magazines, critique groups, networking, blogs, unique issues women must overcome, lesbian and bisexual writing, formal education, queries and proposals, conference participation, family scheduling, feminist writing, self-publishing, teaching tips. For guidelines to submit contributions, e-mail brackett-vincent@encirclepub.com or smallwood@tm.net. Use POETS in the subject line. If your topics are approved, deadline for e-mailing articles is February 28, 2008.

Milestones for American Women: Our Defining Passages.
Please consider sharing the important milestones, life changing events, transitions in your life--material that would broadly fit the "Women's Studies" genre that is highly readable, moving and relatable. For guidelines to submit contributions, e-mail brackett-vincent@encirclepub.com or smallwood@tm.net. Use MILESTONES in the subject line. If your topics are approved, deadline for e-mailing articles is February 28, 2008.

Women Writing on Family:
Writing, Publishing, and Teaching Tips by U.S. Women Writers
This is a book not just on writing but tips for women writing about family. Possible subject areas you might address include: Markets; why women write about family; using life experience; critique groups; networking; blogs; unique issues women must overcome; formal education; queries and proposals; conference participation; family scheduling; self-publishing; teaching tips; family in creative nonfiction, poetry, short stories, novels. For guidelines to submit contributions, e-mail rachael_hanel@yahoo.com. Use FAMILY for the subject line. Deadline: January 30, 2008.

http://www.ok.gov/~arts/artists/artistopps/literary.html">Oklahoma Arts Council


Good luck!
Anne

One Goal Down

It looks like I've gotten an article accepted by the Lutheran Witness! They are running a feature on Service men in their Feb/Mar issue and I submitted a manuscript late in December. I just got an email today with some copy editing corrections, so I'm guessing that means I'm in. Hooray! Kir

Your Digital Handshake

We have all worked hard to get through the program. Our work and our place in the writing community is changing all the time. I wanted to mention the importance of creating a website where people can see who you are and what you have to offer. Some people may scoff at a blog page, like the one you are reading right now, but simple online applications make promoting yourself easy.

Web space for a writer can give you an electronic presence that shows you are computer literate, have accomplishments that you can list, and want people to find you and seek you out as a professional. The reason I started my professional blog was to use with my resume. When I am applying for communications and new media jobs, I wanted my potential employer to see some samples of Miranda and other electronic projects that are relevant to my work. PDF versions of my articles, journalism, and boxing stories, as well as creative samples, make this a good location for people looking for an expanded resume experience.

I think Anne has a great website with a place for where she will be appearing when she speaks. I know I just updated my own website to include my title of MFA. My point in posting this to you is that if you haven't established a web page or blog about your accomplishments, it is a quick and easy way to get connected with others, and build into your resumes, electronic signature (on all your emails) and other communications. If you need help or have trouble once you start, let me know. http://www.blogger.com/ or http://www.wordpress.com/ are the two common spaces. And it's free. Be professional, work hard, and make Brian proud.

RON

http://www.ronsamul.wordpress.com/
http://www.theeclecticwriter.typepad.com/

AWP Job List

Dear Grads,

You all should still have access to the AWP Job List--if you're interested in checking out available teaching jobs, it's the best place to look for writers (along with MLA and the Chronicle of Higher Education). They also list a wide variety of writing jobs outside academia. If you never got or lost your log-in info for AWP eLink, check with Laurel.

http://awpwriter.org

bc

Kir's Goal List

My writing goals for this year:

1. Polish my novel
2. Find a title I like!
3. Go to a bookstore and create a list of agents
4. Write article about toddler girls
5. Write article about Jonah's shirt catching on fire
6. Sell both articles
7. Create or join a writing group in Jackson
8. Get an agent
9. Start working on WW2 book

Calling all alumni

Please invite the other MFA alumni to join our blog. I don't have all those email addresses. Anyone is welcome.

Kir

Residency Notes

Hi everyone.

It was such a pleasure to see you all again in person at the res after months of emails and OMG rants. I believe all of our workshops went better than planned (how was yours, Carmen?) and I KNOW we all shone at our readings. We have made such progress in these two and a half years, and more pride is in the offing.

Kir