Word Mine

5 Ways to Make an Editor Smile

2011-03-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

by Priscilla Y. Huff Editors of magazines, publishing houses, and other content media are VERY busy people. The more you make their jobs easier, the happier they are. Here are five ways to make them smile and increase your odds of getting published: 1) Knowing their publication! Study their writer’s guidelines, their audience (target readers), plus read back issues or books they publish to see if your style and subject matter matches theirs. 2) Being a professional. Send queries or proposals in the correct format (stipulated in author’s or writer’s guidelines), to the current editors (addressed to specific persons) who handle those specific topics, and with a succinct cover letter introducing your manuscript and what qualifies you to write it. 3.) Catching their attention with the first few sentences of your query letter and/or manuscript. Good fiction and nonfiction writers “hook” readers into their stories from the start. Editors read query letter after query letter and many book proposals, so make yours a “standout.” 4) Writing in an “active” voice. Instead of writing “You should always turn off the lights when you leave a room,” say “Turn off all lights when you leave a room.” 5) Delivering what you promised. When your assignments or manuscripts are finished, review and check to see you have followed the editors’ specific requests as to exact word length, manuscripts’ set-up, and of course, their deadlines. Editors have strict timelines and delays are costly, so make them happy and get your work in on time. These are just a few ways to please an editor. Better for your writing career to make an editor smile, rather than frown.

Additional Library Talks Scheduled

2011-03-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Want to learn more about the writing and publishing process AND support your fellow Black Diamond Writers Network members? Then join us for "Write ItRight--Get Published", coming soon to a library near you! The following library talks are scheduled as a promotional tie-in for the Write It Right conference on April 16: Thurs., March 31--Tamaqua Public Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Lehighton Area Memorial Library, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Pottsville Free Public Library, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tues., April 5--Minersville Public Library, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Wed., April 6--Dimmick Memorial Library, Jim Thorpe 6:00-7:00 p.m. Thurs., April 7--Weatherly Area Public Library, Weatherly, 7:00 p.m. Come out and learn more about how to get your work noticed by agents and editors!

What I Learned at the 2010 Write It Right Conference

2011-03-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

by Linda Murphy

I work with children and see the positive results when quality books are used for teaching. I often use books to create fun learning activities. In 2009 I began dreaming of seeing my own work in print in the form of a children’s picture book. In order for my dream to become a reality I realized I needed to gain insight into the world of publishing and improve my writing skills. “How-to Books” and websites on the topic indicated the importance of networking with fellow writers. I immediately connected with the BDWN organization when I attended my first meeting. The members are composed of a wide range of writers who enjoy sharing their knowledge and expertise. When it was announced BDWN was having their first conference in 2010 I decided to attend. If a two hour monthly BDWN meeting was very helpful I concluded an 8 hour BDWN conference would be highly useful.

Like the guest speakers at the BDWN monthly meetings, the presenters at the “Write it Right” conference were individuals well established in the writing industry. These men and women are published authors writing for local and national publications. Several own writing related businesses and have published books to their credit. Knowing I could benefit from these professionals I carefully chose the four sessions that I felt would address my needs as a novice writer.

I will highlight the vast amount of information I acquired that day. The idea to submit my work to children’s magazines was fueled during Priscilla Huff’s session “Breaking into Magazine Writing: Beginner’s Basic.” She gave useful tips on how to choice and to pitch ideas to magazines. Rick Grant taught me the importance of setting goals and building a portfolio in his session “Effective Self- Promotion for Writers.” In Holly Landau’s “Build a Character” session a comprehensive outline on how to create compelling characters was reviewed. During Kathryn Craft’s “Get That Story Moving” session I learned I was guilty of performing several common story stalling techniques.

So what did I do with all this valuable information? I formulated specific writing goals which resulted in building a larger portfolio. Each new story I wrote included believable characters readers could be drawn to. I used every word, carefully improving the quality of the stories. Two of the stories have been submitted to editors to be critiqued. One story has been submitted to a writing contest. Another story will be pitched to a national magazine fitting its style and subject matter. I also had several articles published in a regional magazine.

If you have the desire to refine your writing skills or to get published in any form I highly recommend attending the “2011 BDWN Write It Right” conference. Who knows, the BDWN 2011 Write It Right conference may be the catalyst behind the creation of many new amazing stories that will get you closer to your writing dream!

BDWN Library Talks Scheduled

2011-03-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Want to learn more about how to get your work published? Join us for one of our library talks, where we will share pointers for getting your work noticed by an agent or editor:

· Jim Thorpe—Dimmick Memorial Library, March 23, 6 p.m.
· Tamaqua—Tamaqua Public Library, March 31, 6:30 p.m.

We will be adding additional talks to other libraries throughout our area and posting the dates on our blog as they are scheduled. Please come out and join us!

Writing and Literary Events Across the US

2011-03-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Even if a writing conference doesn't appeal to you, there is no shortage of book fairs and literary festivals across the country that are worth checking out. Besides networking, they're a great way to learn more about what's happening in the industry or learn more about authors you admire. Here's a brief sampling:

25th Annual Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
When: March 23-27, 2011
Where: The Royal Sonesta Hotel, New Orleans
Speakers: Film Director John Water (Hairspray), Armistead Maupin
For more information: http://www.tennesseewilliams.net/index.php

The Northern Arizona Book Festival
When: April 16, 2011
Where: Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ
Speakers: Maryland's poet laureate Michael Collier, Jamie Ford (Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet)
For more information: www.nazbookfest.com

Philadelphia Writers' Conference
When: June 3, 4, 5, 2011
Where: Holiday Inn at 4th and Arch Sts., Philadelphia
Speakers: Nelson Johnson (Boardwalk Empire), Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Solomon Jones
For more information: http://pwcwriters.org/?page_id=167

Wordstock (Pacific Northwest's premier writing and literary event)
When: October 6-9, 2011
Where: Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR
For more information: www.wordstockfestival.com

10 Reasons to Attend the 2011 Write It Right Conference

2011-03-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

Not sure if you should spend the $65 to register for the BDWN 2011 Write It Right Conference? We hear you--hopefully the list below will help to convince you that it's money well spent:

More workshops. This year we have 10 breakout sessions and have extended the day, which means more time for learning, networking, and getting inspired.
We have something for everyone. Fiction? Nonfiction? Mystery? Memoir? YA? Nervous about getting started? Not sure how to market yourself or your work? Yep, we can help you.
Lots of literary star power. We're proud to have Maria V. Snyder (Study and Glass trilogies, Inside Out) and Josh Berk (The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin) on our schedule this year. Both have made the New York Times bestseller list.
Lunch is included.
Location, location, location. Write It Right is the only event of its kind in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Networking opportunities galore. Whether you write a book a year or are overwhelmed about getting started (or fall somewhere in between), there will be plenty of other folks who can relate.
Motivation. If you're new to writing, a conference can be a great motivator to get started. If you're more experienced, a conference can give you a boost and some energy to keep going--or branch out into something new.
Sell, sell, sell. Authors can sell their books during our author book fair at the end of the day.
Learn something new. Attend a workshop that's different from what you normally write. You've been dabbling in children's books? Why not see what makes YA different? Looking to branch out from poetry? Try memoir.
Two words: Free stuff. Freebies (like back issues of magazines, pens, books, etc.) and door prizes...who doesn't love that?

Interview with Kelly Butterbaugh

2011-02-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Gary Blake

Kelly Butterbaugh is a freelance writer and teacher whose list of publications include Hey! History Isn't Boring Anymore!, Images of America: Upper Saucon Township and Coopersburg, and Then & Now Lehigh County. Her work has also appeared in publications like Keystone Country, Back Home, Next Step, History, and Piecework, among others, and she will be speaking on Marketing Yourself as a Writer and Stepping Over the Writer's Block at the Write It Right Conference. Here, Kelly talks to our Gary Blake about the writing life.

BDWN: I like history so I'm intrigued by your book title. How did you get started as a writer?

KELLY: Hi, Gary! I remember writing stories on an old typewriter when I was just a girl, dreaming of becoming a writer. I saw the movie Crosscreek, and I wanted to be Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. But then, as I tell my students “life got in the way” and I became a teacher. Once my son was born, I had some down time to sit and be creative while he napped. Pulling out written pieces I’d done over the years, I reintroduced myself to writing and spent some time learning the business of writing for profit.

BDWN: Did you teach history in school?

KELLY: No, I teach English in the public school and writing in college. History is my passion, but not my job J

BDWN: How long have you been a writer?

KELLY: I guess I’ve been a writer all my life, but I’ve been a professional writer for 6 years.

BDWN: What are your favorite genre's of writing?

KELLY: I am most definitely a non-fiction writer with creative non-fiction and historical fiction pieces to my credit. I enjoy fiction writing, but I don’t pursue it on a professional basis. I like the personal style of non-fiction writing that makes readers feel as if I am talking directly to them; this is why I enjoy writing for specialized magazines.

BDWN: Have you published any books?

KELLY: Yes, my first book was released with White Mane Kids in 2008 titled Hey, History Isn’t Boring Anymore! A Creative Approach to Teaching the Civil War. A sequel is pending with White Mane possibly late this year or next. I also have a two local history books published with Arcadia Publishing. Images of America: Upper Saucon Township and Coopersburg was released with them last year, and Then & Now Lehigh County will be released in March 2011. I am currently working with them on two more upcoming titles.

BDWN: Switching to the BDWN conference, how will your programs help me as a writer?

KELLY: All writers fear the dreaded writer’s block. Stubborn as I am, I refuse to allow it to enter my world. Pulling what I’ve learned during my years as a writer and more importantly as my years teaching college writing, I can give writers an arsenal of information to arm themselves against the invasive block. My college students are notorious for succumbing to writer’s block, and those who follow my suggestions admit that the problem solves itself.

As for marketing, no one should feel the let down that new writers feel when they realize that work doesn’t come flooding their inboxes all on its own. A writer works quietly alone, so “selling” oneself as a writer isn’t an easy task for most. Likewise, a book contract is great but few publishing houses market their writers aggressively. Part of acquiring a book contract depends upon the writer’s ability to write advertising text for the book as well as rationales for marketing. This is something few expect, and the less surprises the better. The best part about having self-marketing skills is that this business can be catered to your individual needs. Gather more work when you have time and need, and lighten your workload when you have personal demands. With the proper marketing skills you can achieve this perfect balance in your work schedule.

BDWN: Do you use humor in your writing?

KELLY: I think the title of my first book with White Mane answers that question! Once my editor got to know me and read over my rationale for writing the book she commissioned a comic artist to draw the cover. There’s not a lot of room in history writing for humor, but I try to instill my personality into my writing whenever I can. It’s easy for me to laugh at myself, so when I write humor that’s usually what I do. I like to laugh and I like to make people smile, and that comes out when I talk to people.

Interview with J. Stuart Richards

2011-02-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

J. Stuart Richards is the author of four books on Pennsylvania military history with a strong focus on Schuylkill County and the coal region: Early Coal Mining in the Anthracite Region (Arcadia Press), Pennsylvania Voices in the Great War (McFarland Press), A History of Company C 50th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry (History Press), and Death in the Mines (History Press). Richards also maintains four local history blogs: “Schuylkill County Military History”, “Schuylkill County History Chronicles”, “Props, Pistons and Old Jets”, and “Stories from the Great War.” At February's BDWN meeting, Richards will discuss the methods of researching, using official documents and photos, and becoming familiar with the public domain. Richards will also offer tips for writing an eye-catching query letter for an historic work that will immediately appeal to publishers. Richards talks with us about reading, writing, and researching local history.

BDWN: How did you become interested in Pennsylvania military history?

RICHARDS: My interest in Pennsylvania military history came about with a trip to Gettysburg when I was 10 year’s old. I was fascinated that all of the regiments fought with a designation of their state, like the 96th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry our local unit at Gettysburg . I immediately researched all the Pennsylvania soldiers who served at Gettysburg and started keeping lists of the soldiers.

BDWN: Is there a particular time period that you're most interested in?

RICHARDS: The American Civil War is my favorite, although I have a fond interest in World War 1 and WW II because of family members who fought in the wars. Over the years, I have become less interested in a time period and more interested in the life and times of the common soldier and what they experienced during war. I am a Vietnam veteran and know that the big picture doesn’t matter to the common soldier. It’s what happens 100 feet in front and behind one that matters and that is what interests me. I also write about the soldiers from the French and Indian War through The War on Terror.

BDWN: This is a "chicken or the egg" type of question--were you writing before you became interested in history, or did the writing stem from your historical interests?

RICHARDS: My writing stemmed from my interest in military history and the good feeling of being able to write into history people who are generally forgotten.

BDWN: How do you choose what to write about next?

RICHARDS: Choosing something to write about has never been a problem for me. I read everyday for several hours. When I find something that catches my interest in aviation, local history or military history, I begin researching whether anyone from the local area was involved and to what extent. I am fortunate as my personal library contains over 1,000 books related to military history aviation, and coal mining.

BDWN: You'll be talking about research methods at our February meeting. Without giving too much away, have you ever used any, shall we say, unconventional methods to get the information you needed?

RICHARDS: I can’t say I’ve used unconventional methods to get the information I need. There is so much available to the researcher writer especially with the advent of the internet. Through historical societies and archival collections I found almost everything I needed. Information, such as personal letters, is found through other web sites etc. Without the internet the researcher of years ago would never have access to so much information.

BDWN: Again, without giving too much away, have you ever run into "roadblocks" with your research, such as a book or item that was impossible to find, unhelpful sources, or other general difficulties? How did you get around them?

RICHARDS: Oh, yes, that happens many times. I have a blog entitled “Schuylkill County Military History”. I have been frustrated more times than I would like to say especially when writing about World War II soldiers and airmen. Many times I can’t find what unit the soldiers or airman belonged to. I like to have the regiment, company or division in which they fought. One really needs this information to add flavor to the story. After WW 1, military officers censored so much in the letters it causes the researcher to come up far short of having good information about which to write. So one has to really dig, tracing battles through books, journals and hoping something turns up that matches what one is researching.

BDWN: What can you tell us about your writing process? How much time do you usually spend on research, and then how long does it take you to actually start writing?

RICHARDS: My process for writing a book begins with the initial research and what I know is available on a particular subject. Over twenty-five years I have accumulated good source files of what I will need. I usually start with the Historical Society and old newspapers on microfiche, from there to the internet sources and from there to one of the best unknown research sources available, Google books, I gather, over several months, all available information, on disc or hard copy, which I will usually put into various folders. Laying out the book begins with organizing all my research via time line. The actual laying out and writing will take me 8 to 10 months. Especially when my wife, my first editor, gets the initial manuscript and makes me feel like I am back in fourth grade. But all in all, it will start to take a good form in about six months.

BDWN: How did your musical group come about? Can you tell us a little more about it?

RICHARDS: I was involved in living history programs for 25 years. I had a big interest in coal mining and the early coal miners’ life and times. I recited poems and sang ballads that I found in George Korson’s book, Minstrels of the Mine Patch. While doing a program at Eckley Miners Village , I met my partner Tommy Symons, a fellow actor who was interested in my program. We then got totally involved developing a program we called “Once a Man Twice a Boy”. We both are musicians and over the years we added the guitar, banjo and mandolin. It has been a very positive experience, playing all over the state for different types of venues. We try to bring the life and times of the early coal miners and minstrels back to life.

BDWN: What are you currently working on, and what's next for you?

RICHARDS: I am currently finishing two books, one on the 129th Pennsylvania Infantry, a Civil War Regiment and another on the 103rd Engineers, of World War 1fame. And it takes a lot of time managing and writing four blogs.

Interview with Maria V. Snyder

2011-02-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Jodi Webb

The Black Diamond Writers Network is excited to have New York Times-bestselling author Maria V. Snyder as our keynote speaker at the 2nd Annual Write It Right Conference. Maria is the author of the bestselling Study (Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study) and Glass (Storm Glass, Sea Glass, and Spy Glass) trilogies, as well as Inside Out, a YA sci-fi/fantasy novel. Its sequel, Outside In, is scheduled for release on March 1, 2011. Maria has also contributed to anthologies like The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire, The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance, and The Stories In Between. Here, Maria takes some time out of her busy schedule to talk to our Jodi Webb about writing, research, and what to expect at Write It Right.

BDWN: I just finished the first book in your Study series, Poison Study. You mentioned that you learned about food tasting and the defensive arts as research for this books. For other books you've had hands on experience with horseback riding and glass blowing. I'd like to know which came first, the chicken or the egg? Did you come up with a plot for a book that happened to involve a hobby or skill and then find that you had to learn more about it to write effectively or did you say to yourself, "Glass blowing seems so interesting, I'd like to learn more about it." and then find yourself creating a book based on that newfound interest?

MARIA: I usually come up with an idea/plot for a story first. Then, as I’m writing the book, I’ll encounter something I don’t know, like what indigo plants look like, and I’ll make a list of things I need to research. Occasionally, I’ll know before the book is written. For example, with the Glass books, I knew the main character was going to be a glass artist/magician so I enrolled in a couple glass classes to learn how to work with molten glass before I started those books.

BDWN: Any other hobbies or skills you'd like to weave into a book?

MARIA: I’d like to use photography sometime in the future just so I can take classes and call it research J

BDWN: I was uncertain how to label your books. After reading the Study series I decided they were YA even though I loved them and I'm long past the YA phase of my life! But then I visited your website and saw they were published as both YA and adult...with different book covers. Is this a common practice in the publishing world?

MARIA: I don’t think re-labeling books is all that common in the publishing world. There are a few older titles that have been re-printed with new covers and placed in the YA section of the bookstore recently, mostly because, back then, there wasn’t a YA section in the bookstore to place them! My Study books were written for adults, but I was getting so many emails from YA readers saying how much they enjoyed them that my publisher decided to market the books to YAs as well as adults.

BDWN: Why we're talking about labels, you've written YA fantasy both in a historical world and a modernistic world as well as contributing to some short story anthologies about the paranormal. Any new types of writing you'd like to try? Or are you strictly a fantasy gal?

MARIA: I’m always interested in a challenge and that’s why I contribute to various short story anthologies. I would love to write a mystery/suspense/thriller someday, and I have a mainstream book for middle grade readers I’ve been trying to sell. So, no, I’m not strictly fantasy J

BDWN: You're going to travel your road to publication with attendees of the Write It Right conference. Can you share one of your biggest surprises (good or bad) while working at getting your books published?

MARIA: This might sound stupid, but the biggest surprise was that many of the people who worked at my publisher were reading my book. I had met a bunch of sales staff and PR/Marketing workers about four months before Poison Study was published, and they all gushed about the book. My editor was amused. She said, “What did you think we’d do with it?” I had thought she and maybe the copy editor would actually read the entire book, and everyone else would just read the cover copy. This led to another surprise, that the publishing professionals still get excited about books. I had thought they might be jaded and like, “Yawn, just another book,” but they’re enthusiastic.

BDWN: In addition to a talk on the Road to Publication you have a second workshop. Can you tell us a little about what you'll be sharing with us?

MARIA: My other workshop is titled, Maria’s Nitpicks. I’m going to focus on a bunch of writing…not quite mistakes, but weak, sloppy writing that drives me crazy J I see these in published books all the time. Things like passive voice, vague nouns, floating eye balls, info dumps, and unrealistic fight scenes.

BDWN: And you would know about unrealistic fight scenes since, as part of your research you choreographed the fight scenes in your books! Tell us what you enjoy about participating in appearances such as the Write It Right conference.

MARIA: I do enjoy teaching aspiring writers. It’s fun and I get to hang out with other writers – what’s not to like? Also I had a lot of help when I was learning, and teaching others is one way to thank those who helped me. Mentoring students is extremely rewarding and I love it when they improve or “get” it -- I’m like a proud Mama Bear J One thing I always tell everyone – writing is not something you can master. Writers are always learning, and interacting with students and readers has been both delightful and educational J

BDWN: Any big news or secrets about your next project you'd like to share with us?

MARIA: I’m working on book #9 (still amazed by that!). It’s another fantasy novel and it’s about a healer set in a world that is recovering from a deadly plague. Her world has blamed the plague on the healers and has hunted them down. She is finally caught only to be rescued by a group who wants her to heal their Prince. The group's leader, Kerrick, knows the healers aren't to blame for the plague and that she could do some good for a change instead of hiding. Unfortunately, she believes this Prince is the one who started the plague as an attempt at biological warfare so she isn't risking her life for some pampered Prince. As they travel to the Prince's hidden location, they're pursued by others who have realized having a healer around might just be a good thing for them, but not necessarily for her. This book is tentatively set for a January 2012 release in the United States.

BDWN: But don't worry readers, Maria won't be doing experiements in biological weapons as part of her research! No need to buy your own personal gas mask.

Interview with Josh Berk Part II

2011-02-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Jodi Webb

Today Jodi and Josh pick up on their conversation from Wednesday...

BDWN: Can you give us the 30 second story of your road to publication? Agent? Sending directly to publishers? Winning a contest? Friends in the business?

JOSH: I started out extremely clueless in the business! I sent a manuscript to one agent at a time and waited to hear back. (This was on my previous, unpubbed manuscript.) One of them was kind enough to say "you write well, so even though I'm going to pass on this project, let me know when you write something else." When I finished the ms. that would become HAMBURGER HALPIN, I promptly sent to to her and just waited. It turned out that she wasn't an agent anymore! I felt crushed, but was advised by a writer-friend to send it to a bunch of agents at once. It seems like obvious advice now! So I used agentquery.com to find any agent interested in YA and polished up my query letter. I got a lot of interest, and coincidentally ended up signing with a young, new agent at the agency that sent me that original "let me know when you write something else letter" on the first manuscript. He then submitted it to editors he thought would like it, and found me a good home.

BDWN: So you do have an abandoned manuscripts hidden in your desk drawer?

JOSH: HALPIN was my third attempt at writing for teens. My first, technically, was an adult novel that I tried to morph into a YA book after taking a class on teen lit. (And, after realizing that the part about the young people in the book was the strongest part anyway.) Then I decided to start out writing a teen novel, and it was better, but not really ready for publication. Then HALPIN was my third one. Sometimes I fantasize about digging out those old ones, but they're probably hidden in desk drawers for a reason.

BDWN: Can you tell us the biggest obstacle you faced when trying to get your book published? If you could share one tip about publication what would it be?

JOSH: The biggest obstacle for me was my own internal struggle. I so often felt like a "faker" like I wasn't a "real" writer and that all published authors had some magic something I didn't have. I was afraid to even send things out. Once I bucked up and realized that authors are just people, and once I realized that publishing is more or less like any other field, it became less scary. You just have to be professional, courteous, and even though you might hear "no" a lot of times and feel like crumbling into a pile of tears, you just have to keep that vibe of professionalism while you submit your next one and your next one and your next one...
I'd also say to do your research on agents and make sure you find one who is dependable, reliable, and a good match for you. An offer of representation can be so exciting that you might be tempted to jump at any agent who comes along, but the goal should be to find the "right agent." It's a business partnership as well as a creative partnership and should be treated as such. The business side of it can be very stressful, exciting, etc., but ideally the agent should handle most of that stuff so we as writers can focus on what we're here to focus on: the writing.

BDWN: And our final question...what's next?

JOSH: Thanks for asking! I'm very close to finishing the revisions for my second YA novel. It's another funny/crime/high school story, albeit with totally new characters and setting. It's called GUY LANGMAN: CRIME SCENE PROCRASTINATOR and tells the tale of a guy (named Guy) who joins his high school forensics club and stumbles on a real crime scene. He also crushes on girls, fights with his friends, and comes to terms with the loss of a loved one in his family. So it's crime/comedy/coming of age. All the things I love!

And then I recently sold the first two books in what will (hopefully) be a long series for younger readers (ages 9-12 or so). These books are also mysteries, with a sports focus. Lenny Norbeck and his goofball friends ("Mike" and "Other Mike") solve a series of baseball-related crimes and have a lot of fun along the way. I'm an obsessive Phillies fan, so this is a dream come true.

Josh Berk photo by Olaf Starorypinski

Interview with Josh Berk

2011-02-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Jodi Webb

Josh Berk is the author of The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin (Knopf, 2010), a young adult mystery that combines ghosts and murder with teen angst, all set in a high school in the coal region. Berk’s second teen comedy/mystery novel is slated for release in 2012. According to Berk’s website, his past vocations have included journalist, playwright, and a guitarist for a punk band. Currently a librarian, Josh and his family live in Allentown, Pa. At the Write It Right conference, Josh will be giving 2 sessions: Writing for YA Audiences, and Getting Your YA Novel Published. In the first of a 2-part interview, Jodi Webb talked with Josh about writing for teens and 'tweens, developing an audience, and the publishing process.

BDWN: I just finished reading The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin, your first YA book, and it was full of the thing that intimidates me most about writing for a YA audience--teenagers communicating. Did you lurk in dark corners spying on teens talking to one another, hire teens consultants to OK your dialogue?

JOSH: Yes, I lurked in dark corners! Well, not quite. But I was working at a public library frequented by teens. Despite it being a library, they were never very quiet and it was pretty easy to "spy" on them. Also, I managed a crew of teen workers. I must not have exactly projected managerial authority because they soon pretty much talked to me (and emailed me, and texted me) like I was a peer. Some of this definitely influenced the voices of my teen characters. Also, being naturally immature helps.

BDWN: Your book is unusual because Will, who is deaf, and his hearing friend Smiley communicate mainly through the written word...IMing, emailing, writing on paper. Was it easier to write that "dialogue" or the oral dialogue between hearing characters?

JOSH: This is a good question! Dialogue is always my favorite part to write. It tends to flow for me whereas I struggle with other parts of writing at times. I like to get the characters talking and just set them loose. The texting/IM dialogue didn't really feel any different than spoken dialogue to be honest. Will and Devon got into a good flow and the words came fairly naturally.

BDWN: Obviously you're no longer a teenager, but at least you can remember what it was like while writing your characters. But what about your main character, Hamburger Will Halpin who is deaf. I know you aren't deaf but is that something you have life experience with?

JOSH: I started writing the book knowing pretty much nothing about Deafness! I wrote the first draft pretty much just wondering "what if?" and "what would such-and-such be like" for a person who couldn't hear. Then I did research (not sure why I did this backwards) -- reading books by deaf authors, hanging out on Deaf websites, and interviewing some deaf people who I got in touch with. Some of the jokes came from this research and some of it just came from my desire to portray Will as a "regular" adolescent. One deaf reader pointed out that the sort of "earthy" humor Will has is very common in the deaf world, and then gave examples of jokes that I didn't think of as "deaf" jokes but rather plain old teen-boy humor.

BDWN: From my point of view, writing about teenagers is a nightmare simply because they're so trendy. What's in today is totally lame tomorrow. Does anyone still say totally lame? Did you ever worry that by including certain details...IM ing, gold name necklaces, etc, you would date your book? Or did you hope readers would look past details to the great plot?

JOSH: This is a good point. Youth culture moves so fast and publishing moves so slow! I actually wrote the book in 2007 and it didn't come out until 2010. I did worry about things becoming out-of-date and my editor helped pick things that we could alter to be less likely to be outdated. For example, in the first draft everyone in the book had MySpace pages, then I changed it to Facebook, then I just put something vague like "social network page" because I figured that something like that would last, whatever it might be called. And I made up a fictional device ("The Crony") rather than name a type of handheld device that would be replaced by something newer (like, the iPhone, for example, which hardly existed way back when I wrote the book but now is everywhere). My editor also had me pull references to current movie stars and rock bands who she feared might date the book.

So I'd say, yes, it is a concern when writing contemporary YA, but certain things transcend all eras. Youth culture changes, but adolescents are pretty much the same as they've always been. Maybe my book will seem hilariously out-of-date in a few years, but I was just trying to write honestly about a moment in time as I saw it. I think readers will appreciate that. And gold name necklaces will never be lame! (Haha. Maybe they already are?)

Check back on Friday for Part II of Jodi's interview with Josh!

Josh Berk photo by Olaf Starorypinski

I Write. Therefore...I Write What?

2011-01-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Priscilla Y. Huff

Priscilla Y. Huff specializes in writing on home-small business topics. She is expanding into travel writing; and writing for middle-grade children. Today, Priscilla talks about building your writing platform and honing in on a specialty area:

You like to write, but how do you find the genre or writing field that best highlights your talent and reaches an appreciative, loyal and hopefully, a buying readership? Becoming a published writer is similar to an entrepreneur starting a business. Here are some questions to help you decide what to write and the ideal markets for it:

*Your preferences: What type of books do you primarily read (other than school or college required reading)? Familiarity with an industry or a genre, will sustain your interest in that type of writing; plus you will know current trends and what appeals to those readers.

*Your background: What education, work, and-or personal experiences qualify you to write on topics with which you are knowledgeable? To improve your writing quality and content, join writers’ groups, attend writers’ workshops-conferences and enroll in related writing courses.

*Your market research: Who are your target readers? Research your potential readership and what they like. Study other competing authors and compare how your writing is both similar and different. Ask yourself, what will make your writing a standout from theirs?

*Start part-time. Like new entrepreneurs, most writers begin writing on the side to hone their writing style and craft and build a following. Writing short stories, blogs or e-books in your genre; submitting articles in your field or industry; and speaking to interested groups will all build your name recognition, establish you as an expert, and garner new readers. Publishers like writers who can demonstrate an established following and can use their networks for their books’ publicity.

*Build your writers’ network and contacts. Successful entrepreneurs and writers continually exchange information freely about their industry to help one another achieve successes. Meet new persons at conferences, trade shows, writers’ groups, and through various online forums. Some may become your mentors and-or provide you with potential publishing leads.

Of course, you cannot get published if you do not write. Your goal is to write and write daily. The more you write, the better chance you will have in finding your “voice” and a successful writing niche.

Happy Writing!

Suggested Related Reading:

Article, Blog:“10 Tips to Help You Build Your Writing Platform”www.associatedcontent.com/article/6039940/10_tips_to_help_you_build_your_writers.html“Platform

101 For Busy Writers: 3 Simple Steps”http://loudpoet.com/2009/07/10/platform-101-for-busy-writers-3-simple-steps/

Book: Ready, Aim, Specialize!: Create Your Own Writing Specialty and Make More Money! by Kelly James-Enger

Interview with Shirley Brosius

2011-01-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Kathy Ruff

Shirley Brosius, freelance writer and speaker based in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, will speak at BDWN’s second Write it Right writers’ conference on April 16, 2011.

Brosius’ workshop, “Turning Memories Into One-Page Memoirs,” will guide you in writing stories about persons, places and things that have been important to your life. You will learn how a memoir compares to other writings and how to prod your memory for ideas to share. You'll also learn how to organize your thoughts and how to include your values so that you may pass on a legacy to your family and friends.

BDWN: How long have you been writing and what do you write?

BROSIUS: A former teacher and director of Christian education, I have been a freelance writer for 18 years. I am the author of Sisterhood of Faith: 365 Life-Changing Stories About Women Who Made a Difference, which was published by Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, in 2006. Each page offers a profile of an inspirational woman with a message from her life and a challenge for the reader. I have written hundreds of feature stories for newspapers, and my articles have been published in dozens of magazines and devotional publications. For my family I wrote and printed Persons, Places and Things: Memories from the 1940s and 1950s That Molded My Life, a 100-page booklet of anecdotes from my past.

BDWN: Where do you find inspiration?

BROSIUS: I find inspiration for my writing from life itself. You can draw spiritual applications from any object and experience. The people I meet to complete newspaper assignments always inspire me as they face adversity and challenges with courage. I love to capture personalities on paper.

BDWN: What advice would you give to writers wanting to break into the memoir genre?

BROSIUS: No matter what genre you want to break into, write, write, write and learn all you can. Write letters to the editor and and op-ed pieces for newspapers. Keep a journal. Start a blog. Submit articles to magazines and e-zines. Don’t worry about getting paid. Just write. Attend writer’s conferences and take writing courses online or at a college. Read books on writing. Read books of the genre you plan to write. Writers must be readers.

BDWN: What can attendees of your session at the conference expect to take away from your session that will help them to pursue their writing goals?

BROSIUS: My workshop will teach attendees how to leave a legacy through writing. You’ll learn how to organize your thoughts to write interesting anecdotes from your life. You’ll also learn how to prime your memories pump. Then you’ll practice writing one-page memoirs.

Brosius offered some closing thoughts:

BROSIUS: Whether or not you are published, writing allows you to express yourself and brings a sense of fulfillment. You may not be able to quit your day job, but as you hone your skill as a writer, you develop communication skills that will serve you well in every occupation. Besides that, it’s fun.

Check out more about Shirley Brosius and her work online at www.shirleybrosius.com

2011 Write It Right Conference Schedule

2011-01-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's here! Below is the day's schedule for the 2011 Write It Right Conference!

Write It Right Conference
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Best Western Genetti’s, Hazleton

8:00-8:50 a.m. Registration

8:50-9:00 a.m. Welcome

9:00-9:50 a.m. Breakout Sessions
Jodi Webb, “The Nuts and Bolts of Magazine Writing”
Jennifer Hill, “Altered Pages” (Poetry)

10:00-10:50 a.m. Breakout Sessions
Maria V. Snyder, “Maria’s Nitpicks”
Kelly Butterbaugh, “Marketing for Writers”

11:00-11:50 a.m. Breakout Sessions

Jodi Webb, "Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Freelancing Beyond Magazines"
Josh Berk, “Writing for YA Readers”

12:00-1:30 p.m. Lunch
Keynote Speaker: Maria V. Snyder, “The Path to Publication”

1:40-2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions

Josh Berk, "Getting Your YA Novel Published"
Shirley Brosius, “Turning Your Memories into Memoirs”

2:40-3:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions

Lisa Miller, "Keys to Crafting a Mystery Novel: Knowledge, Inspiration, & Imagination"
Kelly Butterbaugh, “Stepping Over Your Writers’ Block”

3:40-4:30 p.m. Door Prizes and Book Fair

Interview with Jennifer Hill

2011-01-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Kathy Ruff

Jennifer Hill, speaker at BDWN’s second Write it Right writers’ conference on April 16, 2011, authored six collections of poetry, two collections of prose and several collections of bewilderment. She is editor and designer at Paper Kite Press, and co-owns Paper Kite Press Books, an independent bookstore.

Hill’s conference workshop, Altered Pages, explores a combination of the visual and language, an exercise in literary production by destruction, a session of creation by elation, a chance to make the process of writing as fun as you remember finger painting was.

Jen shared some of her thoughts on writing with us.

BDWN: How long have you been writing and what do you write?

HILL: If I say "I've been writing for as long as I can remember" does this make me more relevant? What if I said "I've been writing poetry since last week"? That said, I'm 41 years old and I've been writing poetry, short fiction, and plays with joy and abandon since I was about eight. I used to write in the back of my closet. Now I write at a desk in a room that is at the back of the house.

BDWN: Where do you find inspiration?

HILL: People are inspiring to me, considering the lives of objects, sharing ideas, watching clouds, the pattern of gum on sidewalks, questions that have no real answers, the writing and artwork of others. I like to watch people who are good at what they do work. I'm inspired by a lot of things. It's acting on that inspiration that really matters, I think. You can see something amazing, be inspired to make something and do nothing with your idea. Then what?

BDWN: What advice would you give to writers wanting to break into the poetry genre?

HILL: Read a lot of other writers. Write. Then read some more.

BDWN: What can attendees of your session at the conference expect to take away from your session that will help them to pursue their writing goals?

HILL: What we will be doing in this workshop will help you to see the page in a fresh way. This workshop will un-knot the knotted, rewire the uninspired and delight the curmudgeon.

Paper Kite is located at 443 Main Street, Kingston, Pennsylvania, or online at paperkitepress.com. Check out Jen’s blog at jenniferdunnhill.blogspot.com.

What? You Want Me to Talk?

2011-01-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Priscilla Y. Huff

If you have had stories, articles, poems, or books published, many other aspiring (and published) writers want to hear your success “secrets.” One way to share your writing success tips is giving talks to writers’ groups and at writers’ conferences. Not comfortable doing public speaking? Maybe you were thinking of past oral reports you did for high school and-or college, and how you dreaded them. But talking in front of adults is not the same as giving a report to teenager classmates. Your audience generally wants to be there. They want to know how to succeed like you did, so they will be eager to learn and hopefully, not sending text messages while your are speaking.

Here are some added tips to make your talk or workshop successful:

*Know your audience and the reasons they came to your talk or class.
*Dress professionally and appropriately for your audience.
*Open with an anecdotal problem related to your experience or another person’s. End your talk with how this problem was resolved.
*Involve your audience by asking them questions, having them briefly working together and encouraging their input.
*Provide useful information, with handouts that reinforce your talking points; and also sheets that list your published works and contact information, including your web site, and business e-mail address. Include order forms if you have books to sell; and any information about upcoming workshops you might be holding.
*Allow some time at the end of your talk for audience questions or further discussion.
*Practice, practice your talk or speech.

Speaking to groups, helps establish you as an “expert” on your topic, garners publicity for your writing, and often provides leads for more publishing opportunities. You will have also the satisfaction of encouraging your attendees and helping them to reach their own publishing goals.

Suggested Resources:
101 Secrets of Highly Effective Speakers, 3rd Ed.

Controlling Fear, Commanding Attention by Caryl R Krannich

Priscilla Y. Huff led two workshops at 2010's BDWN’s writer’s conference

Interview with Jodi Webb

2011-01-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Gary Blake

Jodi Webb has built an impressive list of writing credentials, including articles in Pennsylvania, PTO Today, Grandparents, Birds and Blooms, American Profile, and GRIT, to name a few. Jodi is also the co-author of Pennsylvania Trivia: Weird, Wacky, and Wild, and a contributor to Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Salutes the Armed Forces, among other publications. Among her many writerly hats, Jodi is also a blog tour editor for WOW WomenOnWriting.com. At this year's Write It Right conference, Jodi will be giving pointers for The Nuts and Bolts of Magazine Writing and Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Freelancing Beyond Magazines. BDWN member Gary Blake chats with the versatile Ms. Webb about writing, blogging, and finding story ideas:

Q: When did you start writing for magazines?

JODI: I had to check up on this one...my first magazine article about the Reading Pagoda was published in Pennsylvania Magazine in February 1994. I had just spent 3 years writing 1 1/2 novels and decided that maybe fiction was not my niche so I decided to give nonfiction a try.

Q: Did they give you leads or article ideas?

JODI: No, I sent them a short letter and the editor Matt Holliday generously agreed to take a chance on me. Because I had been focusing on fiction I knew nothing about the business of nonfiction(queries, SASEs, etc.) aside from what I'd read in Writer's Market. But somehow I managed to produce a printable article and photographs.I'd like to say that after 17 years my favorite editors are always emailing me assignments but, even now, I rarely receive article ideas from editors. I only wrote for one trade magazine, Toy Directory Monthly, where they would contact me each month and say, we want you to write articles on A, B, and C. Occassionally, editors that I have an established relationship with will contact me if they receive a press release about a subject that is similiar to something I've done for them in the past. I've also become the go-to girl for a few editors when the assigned writer has to back out. I don't know if that's a blessing or a curse because working with a short deadline can make life very crazy!

Q: How does copy-writing differ from magazine writing?

JODI: I suppose the end result you're aiming for is different. To me magazine writing feels more entertaining, you're telling a story while copywriting is sales, you're selling a product, a company, a person. They're both interesting in their own way. I think having a lot of different types of jobs is the best way to avoid writer's block. If you get bored with one type of writing you can switch to something else.

Q: Is blogging easier than the other forms of writing you do?

JODI: I do a lot of different types of writing and I can't pinpoint the one that is easiest, each is different and demands different things. Compared to article writing, I'm very new to blogging. So I am still learning. I guess my biggest challenge is blogging is a more personal type of writing and I'm still getting comfortable with interjecting so many personal stories with the facts. I write for three blogs and have different experiences with each. I write for The Muffin about writing 2-3 times a month and I'm assigned my days about a month ahead of time so I have time to think about my post and contact people. That feels more like traditional article writing although sometimes I feel like I can never hit the write length...I'm either too long or too short. I have a personal blog Words by Webb 3-4 times a week that is partly about books and partly about writing. Because it's a non-paying blog, it always ends up at the bottom of the to-do list. I'm always, "Oops, don't I have to write something for my blog?" I'm amazed by bloggers that can come up with a post day in and day out. Then for Schuylkill VISION I write Schuylkill Matters (www.schuylkillvision.com/blog ) three times a week on Schuylkill County events, people, and history. That one is fun since I learn about so many county events and people I might never have really noticed before. Occasionally, VISION requests that I write on a specific subject but mostly I just find topics on my own. The best part of blogging is it's so flexible. Short, long, photos, opinions, interviews, humor...it's like having your own little magazine and you can write one section each day. The worst part is when you look at that comments section and no one has commented. Instantly, you're asking yourself "What was wrong with that post? Was it boring? Was it too long? Is it a repeat of someone else?" What has surprised me about blogging is people are so willing to work with you. I have about 20 followers(so sad, follow me!)and I thought if I contacted authors they would be all "Seriously? I don't have time for a pipsqueak like you." but not only have authors been willing to answer interview questions they've also sponsored book giveaways. For little ole me. Imagine that!

Q: Do you do your own research for your articles?

JODI: Definitely. Every once in a blue moon an editor will send me a list, "You might want to contact A, B, and C." But mostly you agree on a topic, a format, a word count and it's "So long, contact us when it's done." I like the discovery of research. For me it's a treasure hunt. I enjoy reading books, visiting historical societies, going on field trips, interviewing people so I love the reserach part almost as much as the actual writing. In fact, I'm teaching an online class about finding experts and interviewing them this January.One of the best research tools I ever learned about was profnet.com where you can put out a free request for any kind of expert you need. Once I was writing an article about small business write offs and submitted a request and dozens of accountants contacted me. So forget about "write what you know". It's "write what you can learn about". And with opportunities like profnet you can learn about anything.

Q: What can we plan to learn during your conference sessions to help us become a published or better author?

JODI: When I tell people I'm a writer the first thing they want to know is the titles of my books. But truthfully, much more of my time is spent on non-book projects...and that is what my conference sessions will be about. The Nuts and Bolts of Magazine Writing will help everyone avoid all those mistakes I made as a new magazine writer and get some ideas to jumpstart their magazine writing career. I hope Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket will give everyone a good laugh with some of the wild writing jobs I've had and, if you're feeling crazy, some tips on how to get those types of jobs. If you're feeling more tame, I'll also include advice about my tamer copyrighting, blogging, and public relations jobs.

Write It Right Conference Updates

2011-01-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Due to a scheduling problem with our original location at the Ramada in Pottsville, we've had to change the location of our conference.

The 2nd Annual Black Diamond Writers Network's Write It Right Conference will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Best Western-Genetti's Inn, Hazleton.

Early Bird Registration is now open, and will close on February 28th, 2011. Cost is $50; $45 for students and seniors.

After February 28th, registration is $60; $55 for students and seniors.

2011 Keynote Speaker Announced!

2010-11-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder will serve as the keynote speaker and facilitator for a breakout session focusing on fiction at the 2011 BDWN Write It Right Conference, scheduled for Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the Ramada, Pottsville.

Snyder is the author of the bestselling sci-fi/fantasy Study trilogy (Poison Study, Magic Study, and Fire Study), and the new Glass trilogy (Storm Glass, Sea Glass, and Spy Glass), all available from MIRA Books. She is also the author of the young adult novel Inside Out and the children’s book, Stormchaser, about a young boy who is fascinated by storms. Her short stories have also appeared in the anthologies The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance and Vampire’s Kiss: 12 Tales of Blood and Romance.

Snyder earned a bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Penn State University and a Master’s degree in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two children. Learn more about her latest projects at www.mariavsnyder.com.

2011’s conference promises to include something for everyone—from sci-fi and mystery to children’s writing and poetry. We are still confirming speakers and topics, but will keep you informed as we finalize the day’s schedule! This is definitely one writers’ event you won’t want to miss. Mark those calendars now!

Review: The Lost Girls

2010-07-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

by Sara Hodon

It seemed fitting that I read The Lost Girls in July, both in honor of vacations and of the travel writer who will be speaking to us this month. If you're looking for both a worthwhile piece of travel writing and a great memoir, you need to read this book.

Title: The Lost Girls

Authors: Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, Amanda Pressner

Summary: Three friends with a serious case of the travel bug decide to dump their lives--quit their jobs, put their relationships on hold, and kiss their families good-bye--in order to travel the world for a year. Over the course of the trip, all three girls learn a little about life and a lot about themselves.

Review: I enjoyed this book because it's not just a dry travel guidebook--all three girls take turns as narrator, recalling how they felt/behaved in certain situations. The friends travel to 4 continents--South America (Peru and Brazil), Africa (Kenya), Asia (India, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Bali, and Cambodia), and Australia/New Zealand--and are exposed to wildly different cultures than their own. They face language and cultural barriers, but make the most of every opportunity and jump headfirst into new experiences. They bungee jump in Australia, volunteer in Kenya, and study yoga at an ashram in India, to name a few. Along the way, they do some heavy thinking about their futures and how their lives will change when they get back to the States, but more importantly, they realize that they do have control over their futures and that hanging on to something--whether it's a 60-hour a week job or a lackluster relationship that's just not working anymore--usually isn't worth it in the long run.

As I read this book I had a serious urge to hop on a plane and have an adventure of my own. An excellent summer read.

Top 5 Travel Memoirs

2010-06-20T08:26:00.001-07:00

[EDITOR'S NOTE: July is all about travel writing for the Black Diamond Writers Network in honor of our speaker, professional travel writer Anne Supsic, so expect to see all kinds of posts related to the genre on Word Mine this month. Today, get inspired with some travel memoirs.]

Who wouldn’t want to escape from the everyday grind and experience a new environment, at least for a short time? But as you’ll see below, these memoirists subscribe to the philosophy of “Go big or go home”—these once-in-a-lifetime adventures were motivated by a feeling of wanderlust, restlessness, or just a desire to experience a completely different way of life. For many of these writers, their trips proved to be life-changing.

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway. This classic memoir chronicles Hemingway's days as an expat living in Paris, where he hobnobbed with the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein. Though published posthumously, the book offers a firsthand account of life in 1920's Paris and, as the cover says, "It is a literary feast, brilliantly evoking the exuberant mood of Paris after World War I and the youthful spirit, unbridled creativity, and unquenchable enthusiasm that Hemingway himself epitomized."

Eat, Pray, Love: A Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert. The ultimate record of one woman’s search for the meaning of life, love, and happiness has inspired millions of readers around the world to do the same (perhaps on a smaller scale). Okay, so taking a year off from life as you know it to travel to these exotic locales is probably not in your budget. You can always live vicariously through Ms. Gilbert, who ate her way across Italy, spent time in a yoga ashram in India (and would meet her spiritual mentor there), and jetted off to Indonesia for some time to make sense of it all.

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman. What starts off as a fun excursion with, yes, a bit of a dangerous edge for two college friends in Communist China turns into more of an international thriller chock full of spies, espionage, and paranoia about the ever-present Big Brother watching over the friends—at least, that’s what one of the girls seemed to think. A gripping read about how one friend (Gilman) was left to cope with her traveling companion’s rapidly declining mental state alone in a foreign Third-World (at the time) country.

Without Reservations: Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach. Steinbach, like many of the other authors included here, took a trip around the world in order to find herself. She was bothered by the fact that she was letting other people define her, when in fact she still felt like she was trying to define herself. So she packed her bags and left for Europe on a voyage of discovery, to learn more about the things that simply interested her--Paris, Oxford, England, and Milan, Italy.

The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World by Jennifer Baggett, Holly C. Corbett, and Amanda Pressner. Three twentysomethings with a rough idea of what they want their lives to look like. Trouble is, the path to get there is full of more questions than answers. Rather than follow a path that someone else has mapped out for them, the three friends take a year off from their jobs, relationships, and everyday lives and travel around the world hoping to find a sense of meaning and yes, some high adventures.

Interview with Mike Kaminski

2010-06-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

At our June BDWN meeting, Michael B. Kaminski, publisher of WOMAN Magazine, will educate writers on how to write for a publication with a purpose, focusing on the creation, mission and purpose of his magazine. He will explain what he looks for in potential writers and what makes a good and a bad pitch.

WOMAN Magazine works to empower, enrich, enhance and enlighten all women with articles highlighting local women making a difference and changing lives. The publication is an extension of the Sharon Fisher Bassett Memorial Fund on community awareness of domestic violence, sexual abuse, eating disorders and basic equal rights for women.

Kaminski, creator and former publisher of The One Magazine to the arts and entertainment, holds a master’s degree in divinity/theology with a minor in psychology and undergrad degrees in political science and criminal justice. At present, he is writing children’s and historical fiction books. Mike chatted with us about his publication, his cause, and his wildly varied professional background.

BDWN: Thanks for speaking with us, Mike! You’ve worn a number of “hats” professionally. Can you tell us a little bit about some of the jobs you’ve held?

MIKE: Before beginning WOMAN magazine, I created another magazine. THE ONE Magazine of the Arts and Entertainment. I have been an ordained minister since 1989. After ordination, I worked in parish ministry full time for about a year and a half. Then I went to work with Northumberland County Human Services as a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist. After about a year and a half, I resigned and started my own counseling agency.

Prior to seminary, I had a private investigative agency in Baltimore for five years. Before the P I work, I was a police officer in Baltimore for six years. The last 3 and 1/2 years as a police officer I worked undercover in organized crime, narcotics and vice investigations.

I also worked for the Bureau of Customs in Washington, D.C. as a graphic art illustrator prior the becoming a police officer. However, my first real job was in the Air Force. That experience took me from Washington, D.C. to Southeast Asia and Vietnam.

BDWN: Can you tell us about the Sharon Fisher Bassett Memorial Fund? How does the Fund and WOMAN Magazine work together?

MIKE: I created The Sharon Fisher Bassett Memorial Fund shortly after my wife, Sharon, died in April of 2005. Originally, it was established to work with community education and awareness of domestic violence, sexual abuse and related eating disorders. Sharon has a very bad first marriage and she became very anorexic as a result of the psychological, mental, sexual and physical abuse. When I created WOMAN Magazine, I also expanded the mission and goals of the memorial fund to include gender bias and inequality, gender discrimination, cultural stereotyping of women of different races and sexism in the workplace. The primary goals of both the memorial fund and the magazine is to empower, encourage, enrich, enlighten all women. Please go to www.aroseforsharon.com to learn more about the memorial fund. WOMAN Magazine is an extension of The Sharon Fisher Bassett Memorial Fund.

BDWN: Tell us about the kinds of stories best suited for WOMAN Magazine. Are you currently looking for writers?

MIKE: All articles and stories that go into the magazine are focused on empowerment, enrichment, enlightenment, encouragement, education and information to women. I am always looking for stories of women and by women who have succeeded in life and who have overcome obstacles. The articles and stories should be about local woman making a difference in their lives and in the lives of others. I am always looking for contributions by writers. However, I cannot pay writers at this time for their articles.

BDWN: What's next for you?

MIKE: I just finished the first draft of a children's book. I am beginning another book about my work as a chaplain of a gentlemen's club. Eventually, I will write a book about Sharon's story and incorporate most of the stories and interviews we have collected from the women in the past years who have talked to us about their healing from domestic violence and sexual abuse. Finally I will complete my book about my life undercover in organized crime and drug groups.

To blog or not to blog

2010-05-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

by Rafael Figueroa

Hey, you know that guy that owns that hotdog shop who defies all food-handling etiquette by turning the hotdogs over on the grill with his bare hands? Anyone who has visited enough of these establishments knows that guy, even if you've never seen those that I have, there are enough of them out there that you have probably seen one. Also, do you know what they put in hotdogs? If you enjoy eating them you probably don't and it's probably better that way. Oh, and do you know about all the FDA regulations they keep writing into law that govern the manufacture, distribution, and preparation of hotdogs? Did you know that the size and shape of a hotdog is ideally suited to obstruct the airway of a child? Did you know that there is more written about hotdogs online than has ever been printed about them? Well, I kind of made that last factoid up, but it seems plausible.

Any or all of the questions posed above are suitable subjects for blog posts. I could go on for thousands of words on blog topics and never begin to scratch the surface of what is possible nevertheless what is actually out there. Blogging is, quite simply whatever the individual blogger wishes it to be.

Now, it may seem odd to blog about what to blog about, but we live in an age where a popular form of entertainment is entertainers presenting shows about what kind of entertainment is out there. We have news programs talking about what kind of news is being covered and by whom. So, why not blog about blogging… if only this once.

I know that not everyone reading this blog has a blog of their own. Some might think that they don't have anything to talk about while others may have time constraints or confidence issues. The great thing about blogging is that you make the rules. You can write a single sentence or paragraph on an irregular schedule and on a wide range of topics. You can write well or write sloppy. Whatever you do, it's your blog and you are the final authority on its merit.

A lot of people who I talked to who are resistant to the notion of starting a blog have concerns over who would read their blog. I have answered this concern in a variety of ways but it generally boils down to the insignificance of the question. Writing a blog is pure writing. There is no editor, no red pens, and no limitations. There's just you and the words. Writing while free of these restrictions is great practice in and of itself. It doesn't matter who or if anyone reads what you write, the act of writing on a regular basis can't help but improve your skills.

Now, you do run the danger of having people read your work, and dare I say respond to it. Another apprehension that folks have about blogging is the fear of negative or abusive feedback. All I can say to ally this fear is to proffer the notion that a small measure of maturity is required to receive this type of criticism. Maturity allows one to evaluate the source of a critique along side the critique itself.

There are all manner of jerks on the internet just as in life and the anonymity of they typed word frees these jerks to say things they wouldn't dare say in person. Just take it in stride and look at it as a social experiment. Anyone who has such little class as to make nasty comments to your work probably has little pride in himself let alone works of his own that he may be proud of.
To blog or not to blog, that is the question: whether it is nobler to have blogged and failed or never to have blogged at all? If it's good you'll gain followers. If it's bad you'll get practice and become good. Happy Blogging!

What I Did and Did Not Do at the BDWN “Write It Right” Conference

2010-05-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

by Priscilla Y. Huff

Following the Black Diamond Writers Network's first annual “Write It Right Conference held on April 17, 2010, at the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts, I reviewed what I did and did not do to maximize my attendance there:

What I did do: Asked other attendees why they were there and what writing or other creative genres they were interested in pursuing. It was fascinating to hear their backgrounds: one gentleman, retired from his career working with persons who were hearing impaired, was interested in publishing his poetry; and another young man was interested in publishing Schuylkill County photography. I also met a woman with a common interest in nature, who is also a photographer and creates unique bookmarks.

What I did NOT do: I should have asked MORE attendees this same question. People like to network and exchange ideas and love it when others show an interest in their goals.

What I did do: I exchanged business cards with numerous people.

What I did NOT do: I should have exchanged MORE cards; plus I should have made a notation on the back of these cards so I remembered what we discussed.

What I did do: Followed-up with e-mails with some of the attendees and the presenters with whom I spoke.

What I did NOT do: Followed-up with e-mails with ALL of the people I met. It is important to make a contacts with those people you met, ASAP, so you can both exchange more networking information.

What I did do: I took good notes at the two workshops I attended.

What I did NOT do: I did not transcribe all the notes. It is important for me to write out my notes when I attend workshops shortly after the conference is ended, so I can implement those new ideas and tips I learned into my writing.

What I DID do: I thanked the organizers and members of the BDWN and the presenters for the excellent job they did. If I did forget to thank anyone who was a part of this excellent conference, I apologize.

I am already looking forward to attending the April, 2011, BDWN Writer’s Conference, How about you? Are you going? You will be glad you did.

Where Do You Like to Write?

2010-04-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

All writers have their favorite writing place. Some prefer to churn out stories in a quiet, peaceful room in their house, away from the chaos and noise of everyday life. Yet others thrive on commotion and have their own styles of tuning out the noise and focusing on the work at hand. They might find inspiration in these unexpected places,in the midst of people yet still a bit distant from the goings-on.

What about you, writers? Where's your favorite writing place?

Writing It Right

2010-04-20T16:06:00.000-07:00

Whew!

The first annual Write It Right conference is in the books, and what a day it was!

A huge THANK YOU goes out to everyone who attended or participated in the success of the day in some way, shape, or form. It's hard to pinpoint the highlights, since there were so many, and different for everyone. Our committee worked hard to bring in interactive, knowledgeable speakers who could talk about things that affect ALL writers, and we worked hard at keeping the day on track and running smoothly. All in all, we really couldn't have asked for a better day. We got lots of compliments on the venue (a renovated Victorian mansion with history and character galore), the lunch offerings, the speakers, and our author book fair was a nice way to end the day (plus our authors did some brisk business!)

But our blog continues, as we post info about the Black Diamond Writers Network, our members, speakers, and writing in general!

Interview with Stephen Pytak

2010-04-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Stephen Pytak is a full-time reporter for the REPUBLICAN-Herald newspaper in Pottsville, PA and the author of several novels. He sits down with us to talk writing, comic books, and the connection between the two.
BDWN: Thanks for speaking with us, Steve. Can you tell us a little bit about your books?

STEPHEN: Sure. To date I’ve written three novels, all thrillers: "The .40 Caliber Mouse (2003)," released by PublishAmerica; "The .40 Caliber Mousehunt (2008)," released by Mazz Press; and "The Wild Damned," to be published by Mazz Press in December 2010. They all take place in a wonderfully dark universe I created a few years back. There are continuing characters, in particular, "Corinn," the anti-heroine of "The .40 Caliber Mouse" series. When I write fiction, I enjoy developing characters who are driven by the Furies, so to speak. In other words, they’re fueled by anger, vengeance and dark desires.

"The .40 Caliber Mouse," for instance, is about low-rent mercenaries who sell their services online. The leads all have different motives for getting involved with it. Corinn’s involves a personal vendetta.

BDWN: How do you get your ideas?

STEPHEN: I’ve always had a passion for writing about the dark side of human nature, in fiction that is. I have this real love for novels, comic books and movies, thrillers and the horror genre. If I come up with an original idea with a similar thread, I pay close attention. I think fiction writing should be fun for the most part. So I look for things I think would be fun to write about. I think if the writer’s having fun, theoretically the reader will too. So I try to develop storylines I’d enjoy exploring myself. For instance, I love "Corinn." Writing about her inner demons and plans to iron them out is always a pleasure. She’s intriguing, always fun to spend a Saturday afternoon with. I recently gave her a skateboard. It will appear in her fourth novel, which I’m currently writing. Ideas can come from anywhere. It’s good to keep a pen and a slip of paper handy. I’ve scribbled on dozens of napkins over the years. Some of my best come out of conversations with my wife on long road trips.

BDWN: How long did it take you to write your books? Do you use an outline or just go where the story takes you?

STEPHEN: After writing three books, I’ve learned a lot about myself as a writer and the process I employ. On average, it takes me about three years to put out a novel. I always use a basic outline in my head. I use a lot of the skills I picked up in a college screenwriting class, in particular the three-act structure (even though "The Wild Damned" has four acts). It keeps me on track. It’s good to know where you’re going. It’s good to write your last scenes first, at least rough drafts, so you know where your characters will end up. These scenes might change. That’s fine. One of the reasons to write them first is so you can hone them and make them the best you can. While I will always use an outline, I do allow my characters to stray a bit if that’s what they’re inclined to do. But what they do must fit our story. If they take me somewhere interesting that doesn’t fit our current project, I’ll save the material and perhaps use it on another one.

BDWN: As a reporter, you obviously cover a huge number of stories every day. How has your day job influenced your writing? And how do you fit in time to write around your unpredictable reporter’s schedule?

STEPHEN: Loaded question. You can get ideas from anywhere, even work. I work as a staff writer for a daily newspaper, The Republican-Herald, Pottsville, Pa. Every now and then a police report will come in that I’ll find interesting. Or sometimes I’ll get the opportunity to tour a factory or farm, a place I normally wouldn’t have access to. And I’ll make note of the sights and sounds. While "The Wild Damned" takes place in Columbus, Ohio, I got some of my ideas for scenes from locations here in Schuylkill County. The former Yuengling Creamery is one. How do I find time to write fiction around my unpredictable work schedule? I write whenever I can. If I get an idea for something, I’ll immediately jump onto my home computer after work and start pounding it out. Usually I write fiction on my days off. Saturday mornings are the best. Now that my wife and some friends are editing "The Wild Damned," I started work on my fourth novel.

BDWN: What’s next for you?

STEPHEN: I intend to publish "The Wild Damned" through my independent publishing division, Mazz Press, by December 2010. Meanwhile I’m writing the fourth novel in "The .40 Caliber Mouse" series. Meanwhile I am always setting up author events. Norm Breyfogle, famed comic book artist known for his work on DC's “Batman,” did the art for “The .40 Caliber Mousehunt” and “The Wild Damned.” Because of that, I also do events at comic book conventions. The best way to see what I do is to stop by my table. We're hard to miss. You'll find not only bookmarks and posters featuring my characters, but T-shirts and, our most interesting item for sale, a full-head mask I designed for the villain of “The Wild Damned.” The mask of “The Carrion Crow” is now available for order. It's made by KreationX Inc., New York. For more information about my work, log onto www.mazzpress.com

Local Authors to Participate in our Book Fair

2010-04-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Write It Right conference is quickly approaching! We're very excited to have a number of local authors participating in our local author book fair at the end of the day. As you can see from the list, the authors span all ages and genres.

The authors participating include:

Vincent Genovese, The Pottsville Maroons and the NFL’s Stolen Championship of 1925; The Angel of Ashland; The Remarkable Discovery of Manny Faber; Billy Heath: The Man Who Survived Custer’s Last Stand

Stephen Pytak, The .40-Caliber Mouse: A Modern Tale of Vengeance

Patricia Rowe, The Other Side of the Desk: A Teacher Remembers.

Patricia Klatch Shenyo, GOD?

Tisha Tolar, Gen-X

Jodi Webb, Pennsylvania Trivia: Weird, Wacky, and Wild.

Susan Wisnewski, Owner, Lazy Dog Café and Coffeehouse (venue for authors and artists)

We'll feature one last author interview this Wednesday!

Why I Write

2010-04-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

by Rafael Figueroa

One day I was standing in the back of a C130 cargo plane at the end of the retractable ramp with a drogue parachute line secured to my harness. A smiling airman, who would not be jumping today, assured me that they had simulated this kind of emergency drop countless times and that the jumper almost never died. Was he kidding? There was no way to be certain.

With one last nod in my direction, he pulled the two red levers, one up and the other down. The relative quiet of the cargo hold gave way to a roar better measured in its fearsomeness than in decibels as articulating hydraulic pistons forced the rear end of the plane to open. I was quite sure that the aforementioned airman was looking to me. He would generally need a signal of readiness from me in order to deploy the small parachute in his hand, the very parachute that was fastened to my harness via a sturdy hook. Once he dropped this drogue parachute, nothing short of the hand of god himself could stop it from dragging me out of the plane and into the skies high above enemy territory.

The airman looked to me to give him the signal, but I couldn't stop looking out at the dark emptiness beyond the end of the plane's cargo ramp. Years of training prepared me for this moment, but the most fleeting spark in my brain overcame my training, the spark of fear. In a panic, I reached for the clip on my harness that attached me to the drogue line. This motion must have approximated the signal that the airman anticipated because, in that same moment, he pitched the parachute out into the night.

Time slowed as the line tethering me to the night itself pulled taught. Have you ever ridden in a glass elevator? If you do it often enough, you notice a brief moment as the elevator begins to accelerate wherein it almost seems like the world outside begins to move rather than the elevator itself. In much the same fashion it seemed like the cargo hold around me suddenly accelerated to 300 miles per hour in the blink of an eye. In that moment I paused to reflect on the fact that none of this had ever happened… not to me at any rate.

You see, I made up every word of this story out of my imagination. I did take a ride on a C130 once, I've ridden in glass elevators, and I once saw a movie where people were deployed from a cargo plane in a manner similar to what I described here, but that's about all the truth there is to this little story. Though none of this really happened, I now own a little piece of what it would be like if it had, and so do you. That is why I write.

Interview with Patricia Rowe

2010-04-07T06:45:00.000-07:00

Patricia Rowe is a retired teacher who has taught in schools in Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania. Her first book, The Other Side of the Desk: A Teacher Remembers, relates stories shared by her students throughout her teaching career. It is her hope that her book encourages readers to make the most of their public school system, and to hold them accountable for the material they teach their students. Patricia sat down with us to talk about her experiences writing her first book.

BDWN: Thanks for speaking with us, Patricia! Can you tell usa little bit about your book The Other Side of the Desk: A Teacher Remembers?

PATRICIA: This book relates memorable moments that a teacher shared with her students during her lifetime career. Days in school can be happy, sad, sometimes funny or exasperating, but never boring . I see teaching as a serious and important opportunity to assist students to build productive lives and good citizens.

BDWN: How long did it take you to finish writing the book?

In 1957 I began to save stories of classroom happenings. I just wrote them up briefly in longhand (no typewriters) and stuck them in an envelope. In 2008 my husband was placed in an assisted living facility so I had extra time on my hands. I became aquainted with a person who was skilled in computer technology who needed some work so I told her I would pay her to type it up for me. Then I discovered she knew all the computer language and was set up to actually upload, download and she actually got me hooked up with the publisher and was willing to do the editing etc. In the meantine, I also moved to be with my husband. So the end of March, I was connected and by September it was published.

BDWN: We're always interested in learning about other writers' processes and work schedules. What kind of writing schedule works best for you?

PATRICIA: Personal discipline is very important . I schedule in a bit of writing daily and keep an eye on the deadline. I did not grow up in a family that pushed education; we were just common, hard working folks. I believe that God put it in my mind to save the stories. Later I wanted something to share with my family and someday, maybe would share it. Then at this particular time, I was motivated to write up the stories. Then the thought came to me that I can not just tell stories, but must have an introduction and a summary, or conclusion. Then my computer friend showed up and she filled the need for a computer programmer type person. At 75, I had only basics. I found an ad that I tore out of a Sword of the Lord newspaper in the 80's about "Have You Thought of Writing a Book?" That is where the interest ended. Then when I found the ad, we talked about it and I sent for information and before I knew it I was under contract, with the publisher. The initial typing , which I did, took about 6 months with no direct plan. Then when my friend began to type the work, edit and we moved ahead with specific direction, from March to September - 6 months of a rewriting- editing, pattern until published.

After I had determined to get it published, a personal discipline was needed to keep at it and work with my computer person as a team and we stayed with it. To accomplish this task there should be a daily amount of writing/editing to maintain a proper level of interest and passion for the message.

BDWN: What was one of the most important lessons you learned in your teaching career?

PATRICIA: The important message that I learned began with my undergratuate education which was that you must establish a purpose, keep your eye on it, use a system to fulfill it . That need for a purpose will probably be the guide for your life. If you do not have a purpose then your direction and outcomes are questionable and unsuccessful. You can not be successful if you do not know what it is that you want to succeed it. That focus is essential.

BDWN: What have you been hearing from your readers?

PATRICIA: The mentor who referred me for a scholarship in 1952 has read it and said,".. your book is one of the best educational books i have ever read and I believe every educator should read it." She is an author , in the Education Hall of Fame in Illinois and Professor Emeritus,Retired. I cherish that review.
All others have said how much they have enjoyed it and one young father just Sat. night told me that he sat down after work at about 10:30 and started reading the book. He said "the next time I looked it was 2:30 - I couldn't put it down." My mentor also said that each of the stories " is like a mini novel". I am thrilled with the positive responses I am getting.

BDWN: What do you hope readers will take away from this book, and from your teaching experiences?

PATRICIA: It is my hope that the readers will understand that just because children are in school, they are not necessarily in a safe place, are not automatically being educated, and the parenting must not stop when their children are in the hands of someone else- even if it is the public school. It has to be a partnership. Children are in school- away from the values of their home every day, all day for 180 days among all kinds of children, beliefs, behaviors which are influencing their children. Be a full time parent. Teachers- think about what it is you are doing with other peoples children who will be tomorrow's citizens.They get one chance at each grade.

BDWN: What's next for you?

PATRICIA: I am trying to move along with my life story for my children to have because we have not been together except for a week or 2 a year, and I must pass on to them how good God has been to me and to share His blessings with them so they can pass those values along to all generations. Also I want to do my part to help get our country back on its feet . I believe that the school must get back to its purpose and leave the family values to the family. The parents must once again learn to discipline their children, teach them the values on which our country was built , enforce them and LIVE THEM!! If in the years I have left I can have a part in this I will have achieved my purpose.

Pre-Registration Now Closed

2010-04-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Pre-registration for the BDWN Write It Right Conference is now closed, but that doesn't mean you'll have to miss out on the region's first writers' conference! Walk-in registrations will still be accepted on April 17, so don't worry if you lost your registration form or are still undecided about attending. We'd still love to meet you!

We have 2 weeks until the big day!

=====================================

Kudos to our friends at the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, whose "Write Stuff" conference was held on March 27 at the Four Points Sheraton in Allentown. Our keynote speaker, Kathryn Craft, was this year's conference chair. She and her committee did an outstanding job! Jodi Webb and I (Sara) attended, and as always, we got a ton of great information from the sessions we attended. The highlights for me (Sara) was Molly Cochran's session on "Finishing Your Novel" and Maureen Sangiorgio's talk on writing magazine articles; Jodi spoke highly of Jordan Sonnenblick, and we both attended sessions with their keynote, author and creative writing teacher James (How to Write a Damn Good Novel) Frey. Jodi and I both made agent appointments (my first time doing so) and despite a case of the jitters, we both received encouraging responses from our respective agents. For those who have never attended GLVWG's conference, make it a point to try to get there next year--you'll be glad you did!

Interview with Patricia Shenyo

2010-04-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

EDITOR'S NOTE: As part of our Write It Right conference, the Black Diamond Writers Network will be holding a local author book fair at the end of the day. Over the next few weeks, we'll be introducing you to some of the authors participating in the book fair and talking to them about their writing projects. First up is Patricia Shenyo.

Patricia Klatch Shenyo is an ordinary person like most of us – a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and by profession a high school Business Education teacher, now retired. She taught in William Allen High School, Allentown, PA, Woodbridge School District, Woodbridge, NJ, and Bishop Hafey High School, Hazleton, PA. She has been involved in Church ministry as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, teaching religious education classes to high school juniors, and serving on various committees for over thirty years. First-hand experiences with God’s healing power has solidified her convictions in God’s great love for each person, His willingness to do what is best for each, and His burning desire to bring each to eternal happiness in heaven.

As a high school Business Education teacher realizing that high school students, college students, and sometimes adults seldom have a clear vision in determining which direction to take their lives, Mrs. Shenyo developed a highly successful project for her students to help them realize their ambitions. This project was later written and published in the form of two booklets, Making Wise Career Choices and Getting The Job You Desire. Both booklets have been recently rewritten to give the most up-to-date information. They will also be available on the Website along with her newly published book, GOD?

BDWN: Thanks for speaking with us, Patricia. Can you tell us about your book, GOD?

PATRICIA: Most people have questions about God. This book gives insight and answers to perplexing questions regarding God. Is there a God; can we prove His existence? What is He like? Is there a spiritual realm – heaven, hell, purgatory? Has anyone ever seen them? Are there truly miracles; do they occur today? . . .and so much more is contained in the first section of the book.

The second section deals with what does God say. It goes through the ten commandments and gives Bible references as to what God expects. It also explains God’s goodness, His love, and His willingness to forgive our most grievous offenses.

The third section explains what kind of help God offers to us, His great love for us and His desire for each person to have eternal salvation. It gives insight as to why God allows good people to suffer and why it is important for a person to forgive someone who hurt him/her.

The fourth section tells the reader what’s in it for you and for me – what God has in store for those who love Him.

The book “carries on a conversation” with the reader. It is interspersed with charming anecdotes, stories of great hardship and courage, tales of terror, of human suffering and healing, of forgiveness, and stories of trust in God. All the stories are true. It is a book of great hope and encouragement to everyone, even the most abject of sinners.

BDWN: Religion is such a delicate subject. How did you treat the various beliefs that are out there?

PATRICIA: Each person is treated with the greatest respect from the devout Christian, Jew, Muslim to the agnostic, atheist, and everyone in between. I believe that there are many paths to God and each person has the right to worship or not to worship at all as he/she so chooses.

BDWN: What drew you to writing this type of book?

PATRICIA: Many people have a hunger for something or someone that can give them happiness not only in this world, but in eternity. I believe that someone is God. Each person needs to know that there is a God Who loves him/her unconditionally and is willing to do whatever it takes to grant salvation. The secret is in the choosing.

BDWN: How long did it take you to complete the book?

PATRICIA: The book was completed in seven months. I began writing in March of 2009 and finished in September. There were a few little changes and insertions that I made after that.

BDWN: What kind of response have you been receiving from your readers?

PATRICIA: I have had the book for only two weeks and have already sold 60 copies and have given out 11 complimentary copies for a total of 71. In addition, there are others who have told me that they want to buy a copy of my book. All this is by word of mouth. People are coming back to me and telling me how much they are enjoying my book. I am amazed at the wonderfully positive comments coming even from those I don’t know very well as well as those who are not of my own religious affiliation.

BDWN: What other projects do you have in the works?

PATRICIA: At present my focus is to get my book up on a Website and hopefully to sell it over the Internet; then see where it will go from there. Since this is my first book, there is much that I need to learn. So, I am taking things slowly – one step at a time.

5 Things I Learned About Writing

2010-03-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

by Rafael Figueroa

1. Blank pages are more intimidating than pages full of half-baked ideas.

While the writing process varies from author to author, they all start each new project with a blank page (be it paper or a computer screen). The first few times I ever wrote a creative story, I would stare at the blank page for a time, gathering my thoughts and trying to develop the `best' place to begin. More often than not, the page remained blank. There was something about the blinking cursor or the clean ruled lines of a notebook that just stared me down. On some level, the notion of befouling the virginal space with anything short of brilliance seemed wasteful.

As my confidence grew and I cultivated an approach to writing that worked with my personal strengths, I was able to forge ahead more often. However, the blank page remained an early obstacle to each endeavor. At some point, I discovered the fine art of editing and a new world opened up to me. Rather than find the right place to start, I started wherever I pleased and then revised my way to a satisfactory work. For example, this very article originally started with `thing number 2' and a much different example than the one you are reading now.

The moral of the story is to identify and eliminate the intimidation of the blank page by whatever means fits your way of thinking. For me, it was as simple as finding that editing my half-baked ideas was easier than waiting for the idea to fully form before starting. If you wait long enough for anything you run the risk of forgetting what you are waiting for.

2. The truth will set you free, but it can be a hindrance.

Early on, I wanted to have all the facts straight. I couldn't have my hero shooting fifteen rounds from his police issued 9mm Berretta pistol, if in all actuality, contemporary policemen were issued 6 round capacity .357 Magnum revolvers. When it came to mentioning what kind of gun the cop was using, I'd hit the books (or do a quick Google search). Sure enough, I'd get the information I needed to make the scene accurate, but the passion to write left me while I switched hats from author to researcher and back again.

Nowadays I write when the spirit moves me and research when I have writers block. I have accepted two core ideals. Firstly, that a compelling story defies the facts as long as what is presented is plausible. Secondly, anything that halts the creative process is a hindrance and will not make your writing better. While we don't want the medieval knight performing CPR on a fallen comrade, we don't necessarily have to stop writing our story to make sure that the Saxon blade was in common use in the 14th century. If you aren't sure, your readers probably aren't sure either… unless it is a critical matter that could pierce the suspension of disbelief, trust them not to Google it.

3. The moral of the story is… really not my job.

Some of my earlier writings were bad for a whole host of reasons, but one thing that was particularly dominant was my overarching need to tell people what I wanted them to take away from the story. If the moral was `drugs are bad,' I'd go at length to show how bad they were, tell you they are bad, and then tell you that I told you that they were bad. What this demonstrated, above and beyond the fact that I was a novice, was lack of trust. I didn't trust my reader to get my message, so I over-delivered it. I also feared that the reader might misinterpret misdirection as advocating.

At some point, I realized that it was OK. Whatever the reader takes away from your work, they took something away. It may not be what you intended, but that's fine. Don't sacrifice the flow or substance of your stories to get some lesson across. Put it there in a natural way and trust the reader to understand it.

4. Ego can be a problem… both having too much and too little.

I'm no Stephen King, but boy do I know how to run myself through the grinder. Guess what, there was a time when Stephen King was some unknown, workaday nobody who just happened to have a few screws loose. Just like us, he used the pen to tighten things up. He got famous. Good for him. Just because nobody on the face of the planet is clamoring for your next novel, it does not mean that such will always be the case. Conversely, just because everyone in your coffee clutch gives your work glowing reviews, it doesn't mean that those five editors that sent you those five rejection letters were wrong for doing so.

At the end of the day, we are all just folks. From the powerful to the powerless… if you prick us do we not call 1-800-LAWYERS? The key to finding my comfort level in writing was managing my ego. I write well, but so does the janitor at the Hazleton Wal-Mart. My story idea is better than the last movie I saw, but there are ideas better than mine that will never see print let alone be made into movies. In the end, I decided to write the stories that I would like to read, share a part of myself with whoever is willing to read. Any judgment about the quality of such is for the reader alone to decide. Getting so prideful as to scorn rejection/criticism is equally as self-destructive as having too little pride in my work to share it.

5. In the end there was the beginning.

As in art and film, great works of writing are never finished, only abandon. Early on, I never finished a story. I would write a significant portion of it, get the characters developed, set the plot in motion, and tighten the tension to the breaking point. Then I'd just walk away and find something else to write about. People hated me. It was like that TV show you found and loved that was cancelled midway through the first season, leaving you unfulfilled. It's not that I was sadistic… well I was sadistic but that had little to do with leaving my stories unfinished. I failed to finish many of my early stories because I was afraid.

I'm sure that we have all followed some book, TV show, or movie through to the end only feel as though our time had been wasted. A plot, laden with possibilities, must eventually give way to a conclusion in one final form. The joy of setting up the plot lies in tempting the imagination with those possibilities and the danger of resolving the plot is that the reader's imagination might be better than yours. I never learned how to pick the best ending; I only learned that ending the story was just the beginning. After I chose an ending, I was free to go back to the beginning and change anything or everything. The most important part of ending the story was that it was my ending.

Spring Break

2010-03-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Word Mine's been on a little bit of a break this week--some of our members are gearing up for the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group's "Write Stuff" conference and doing a last minute push for our own Write It Right Conference, coming up in just a few short weeks!

We'll be back next week with tales from the front lines.

Happy Writing!

Interview with Jodi Webb

2010-03-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

BDWN: Thanks for speaking with us, Jodi! You’ve been a freelance writer for quite a few years—can you tell us about some of the publications you’ve written for?

JODI: It’s exciting to be the interviewee. Usually it’s the other way around and I’m the interviewer! I think I’ve been writing magazine article for 15 years. It feels like a lot of different publications with no rhyme or reason—I’m not an “expert” on any one subject. My first article was for Matt Holliday at Pennsylvania Magazine and I still write for him—in fact I’m working on an article right now. So many others…Grand, Grit, Birds and Blooms, Toy Directory Monthly, Reunion Magazine, Christian Science Monitor, The History Magazine, E-the Environmental Magazine, WOW-Women on Writing, Writers Weekly to name a few.

BDWN: So what exactly is a blog tour, and how did you get started as a blog tour organizer?

JODI: We all know what a book tour is. An author visits different book stores (and sometimes other venues) speaking about and hopefully selling their book. This is the same thing except it’s “virtual.” The author goes to blogs—book review blogs, writer blogs, parenting blogs, teen blogs, 50+ blogs—it all depends on what their book is about. Sometimes authors are interviewed (in print, audio or video) and sometimes they contribute guest posts. Often the blogger post a book review. And, if the budget allows, the author sponsors book giveaways.

Actually I started out selling advertising space for WOW-Women on Writing. After a few months the founder Angela Mackintosh asked if I would help her with something new she was starting at the request of some followers: WOW Blog Tours. Truthfully, I had no idea what blog tours were but I thought I’d give it a try. I found out arranging blog tours is so much more fun than selling advertising space! Although it can get a little crazy.

BDWN: Why would a writer participate in a blog tour? Do you think more writers are opting to do blog tours over regular book tours?

JODI: There are so many reasons to organize a blog tour. First, overall you can reach more people over a large area for less money. Sure, you don’t pay anything to appear at a book store but there are transportation costs, meals, lodging and you can go through all that trouble and have no one show up. With blogs you can target blogs that have large numbers of followers all over the country (even the world).

It’s also more convenient, both for the author and the reader. A person who doesn’t have time to head over to a bookstore at 6:30 pm on Tuesday night might read Bonnie Blogger’s Blog every morning before they start work and will read about your book. Also traditional book tours are a one shot deal. If the readers don’t show up on Tuesday night at the bookstore they aren’t going to hear about your book. Bloggers archive their posts so readers could show up the next day, the next week, the next month and still read the post about your book.

There’s also time. You have to continue writing (and probably working a day job). If you’re visiting the bookstore from 6:30-8:30 on Tuesday, with the commute and preparation you’re probably investing at least three hours of your time. By comparison an appearance on a blog can only take one hour of your time (if that) to answer interview questions and check in to interact with readers through the comments section. And you can do that hour on your lunch hour, using your iPhone as you’re waiting to pick up your kids from basketball practice, whenever. Blog tours give you more freedom. And through archiving the post lasts forever.

I think more authors are turning to blog tours because they want to go where the readers are—and frankly it isn’t in book stores anymore. Everyone is online. And the opportunity for word of mouth about your book is better using online outlets. If someone hears about your book at a bookstore how many people will they tell? A dozen if you’re lucky? Online a reader could hear about your book, click on their Twitter account, send an email, or post on their blog and tell hundreds of people. Literally in seconds!

BDWN: It seems like everyone has a blog these days. Why should writers have one? How can it help?

JODI: I don’t think every writer needs a blog. I think every writer needs an online presence. This can be a website, a Facebook page, a Twitter account. I think every writer needs an online presence because of the opportunity to connect with readers. Penny Sanseveri, a publicity maven, once said a person needs to come in contact with something (in this case your book) seven times before they decide to purchase it. Online just gives you that opportunity to get your name in front of your audience.

Blogs are a significant time investment. You shouldn’t have a blog if it’s going to keep you from writing for payment or if you can’t contribute to it regularly (at least once a week). Blogs are great because not only to they help you attract reader’s attention initially but it can help you keep their attention for when you release your next book. If you have people loyally following your blog you can keep them updated about future releases—it’s especially helpful if you are working on a series.

A blog can also set you apart from all the other authors a person hears about in a year. It makes you a friend. It gives you the chance to tell readers that extra something about yourself or your book that makes them want to buy it and tell others about it.

A blog can also show agents and publishers that you understand the importance of marketing yourself. If they had two manuscripts for similar audiences and one is blogging and has a built in following and the other wrote their book in their basement and never told a soul who do you think has a better chance of selling books? And that ultimately is what agents and publishers are interested in—-who can sell books.

BDWN: Any pointers for what not to post on a blog?

JODI: Do not burn industry bridges on you blog. If an agent turned you down or your publisher strong armed you into changing the title and you’re not thrilled your blog is not the place to vent.

Although it’s fine to get reveal personal info, consider your audience. If you’re writing children’s books don’t get into your sex life. If you’re writing romances you might not want to get into controversial topics like religion and politics. That is, don’t talk about them on your professional blog where you’re marketing your writing. Why alienate any of your audience? Of course if you’re writing a book about politics, definitely let loose with your political rants on your professional blog. But generally, if you have some controversial topics you want to talk about start a second personal blog.

BDWN: Can you tell us a little bit about what you’ll be covering at the March BDWN meeting?

JODI: I’m going to give everyone tips on organizing their own blog tour from where to find high traffic blogs that match your book’s audience to how to publicize the tour to what to talk about in your guest posts. Basically, how to make the most of the publicity a blog tour generates. Although setting it up can be time-consuming, a blog tour can be an effective(and inexpensive) way to spread the word about your book.

Thanks again, Jodi! BDWN's March meeting will be held on Saturday, March 20 from 10 a.m.--12 noon at the Tamaqua Public Library!

5 Popular Writer Excuses

2010-03-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Writing is easily one of the most therapeutic and cathartic pastimes a person could ever hope to engage in. Besides simply being a means for unlocking a person’s thoughts, fears, joys, and sorrows, writing can help us discover new worlds and new characters with varying degrees of troubles of their own.
But the rewards only come if you actually sit down and start writing.

Like most creative efforts, writing doesn’t come easily—even the most prolific writers have had dry spells occasionally. But without actually putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), you’ll never get the tremendous sense of accomplishment that far outweighs the frustrations. It’s funny—if everyone who said they want to write a book or get into magazine article writing actually sat down and started on these types of projects, the shelves of our nearest bookstore couldn’t hold all of the items we’d have published.

But it’s easier to just put it off. Below are the top 5 things folks who want to write (but don’t) tell themselves, finally self-sabotaging their efforts before they even get started:

“I don’t have time.” You have just as much time in the day as any other prolific author working today—the trick is what you do with that time. You have to commit to writing just as you commit to anything else—a workout routine, volunteering in the community, etc. Get up an hour earlier, stay up an hour later, or squeeze in a few minutes on your lunch break—you’d be surprised at how much you can get accomplished in a measly 60 minutes!

“I don’t know what to write about.” So write about how difficult it is to keep writing when you think you don’t have any ideas. A key skill for any writer is to recognize the story potential in anything, anywhere, at any time. For magazine article writers, you might get an idea for a piece from your neighbor who builds miniature doll furniture and pitch it to a crafting magazine, or a market focused on those who like collectibles. Or dolls. Your disastrous family vacation might spark an idea for an essay. Or your lovably nutty, Auntie Mame-like grandmother could be the inspiration for the daft great-aunt character in the novel you’ve been working on. It does take some practice to find the story potential in the everyday, but once you get your mind to start thinking that way, you won’t be able to keep up with all of your ideas!

“No one will read this.” How do you know unless you start sending it out? Also, remember that not all writers are looking to get published. Take JD Salinger, for example. After the initial success of The Catcher in the Rye, Franny and Zooey, and Nine Stories, he basically disappeared from the limelight, but his family and close friends say that he never stopped writing. The only difference is that he started writing for himself, not a mass audience. What’s more important to you—having your work published and immortalized forever, or simply sitting down and writing for the sheer joy of it? Either one is fine, but your answer will depend on how hard you work at finding an agent, publisher, and getting your work sold.

“Nothing I write is any good.” Here’s a big secret—no writer truly likes their work, so if it makes you feel any better, picture some of the biggest names in literature silently (or not so silently) cursing every page and filling their wastebaskets with one false start after another. One nice thing about computers and their ability to delete is that it’s helped many writers save quite a bit of money on paper. No first draft is ever a masterpiece—that’s why it’s called a draft, and that’s why we have editing tools—spell check, proofreaders, and editors, to name a few.

“I don’t know where to start.” Even if your first few paragraphs (or pages!) are a little rough and not exactly how you want them to sound, you can always go back and make changes. Getting started is the hardest part of writing, whether it’s an article, short story, or novel, but once you start working on it and getting into the “flow” of the piece, you’ll find that the words will come easier. The important thing here is not where you start, but that you start.

Find Feedback In a Critique Group

2010-03-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Many writers are simply looking for feedback on their work, whether or not their plan is to get published. For this reason, many writers either join or start their own critique group.

A critique group provides a safe, supportive environment where writers can do exactly that—critique each other’s work and offer suggestions for improvement and to “tighten” the piece. This helps to iron out any rough spots or point out some areas that just don’t sound right (for example, a story set in a Civil War hospital certainly wouldn’t include penicillin or anesthesia). Critique groups are often informal, with some members who drop by once and never make another meeting, or more formal, with a core group of attendees who thrive on the camaraderie and support of other writers.

Here are 5 ways to make the most of joining a critique group:

Have a piece to critique. It’s hard to get feedback on something you haven’t written yet. Some folks join a critique group thinking it will help them start writing—although it may jumpstart the muse, the truth is, the point of a critique group is having a piece to critique!

Bring enough copies for the other members. A lot of people don’t do well with having something read to them—they need to read it for themselves. Be sure to bring enough copies of your piece so that the other members can write comments or just have something in-hand for reference as you work on making it better.

Be honest. If you’re not “buying” something in another writer’s piece, say so. They’re part of the group so that they can improve their work—the comment you’re afraid to share with them just might be something that helps them strengthen their story.

…but not too honest. You may not want to blurt out “That’s the biggest piece of crap I’ve ever heard!” , even if that’s really what you think. The idea is to give constructive criticism, not brutal, hurtful comments that could likely discourage the writer from even finishing the piece. Think about it—would you want your work slashed to pieces?

Don’t take the feedback personally. Let’s face it—artists are sensitive folks, and putting your work (and, by extension, yourself) out there for the world to judge is not an easy thing. It takes some practice to separate yourself from your work—just remember that the other group members are there to help you improve your work, not judge you personally. This is a great training ground if you do decide to pursue publication and send your work out to agents or editors—it helps to develop a thick skin early, so that the pros’ comments (which may not be so encouraging) won’t be completely devastating.

Interview with Holly Landau

2010-03-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Holly Landau is a workshop facilitator and adult learning expert. She’s designed and facilitated dozens of workshops in corporate, non-profit, and community settings addressing a long list of topics including creative writing, poetry, innovation, communication, and various leadership topics.

She was a contributing writer for Women’s Monthly Magazine and has also written national public service announcements, documentary scripts, press releases, advertising copy, theatrical monologues, and a leadership blog. Current writing projects include humorous haiku and songwriting. She is one of the founding organizers of the annual Northeast PA Poetry Festival.

Holly attended American College for the Applied Arts in London, has a BA in Sociology from Thomas Edison State College and is currently completing a Master’s Certificate in Executive Leadership at Cornell University. She is an Adjunct Instructor at Lehigh Carbon Community College and a Guest Lecturer at corporate events and colleges including Penn State. She is currently the CEO & President of Landau Leadership, a corporate training consulting firm, where she coaches and motivates corporate leaders (www.landauleadership.com). She is also a rock-n-roll singer in the acoustic duo, The Sparks (www.myspace.com/thesparksacoustic).

BDWN: Thanks for speaking with us, Holly! Can you tell us a little bit about your business?

HOLLY: I lead the training & employee development firm, Landau Leadership. We specialize in customized training curriculum, public leadership events, and online learning solutions to boost individual and team productivity. We’re a team of facilitators, curriculum designers, and keynote speakers covering topics like leadership, strategy, creativity, and communication. I also do a lot of writing. I am a regular contributor to several business blogs including nolcha.com, New York Entrepreneur Week, and my own leadership blog at www.landauleadership.com. I’m really excited about to be one of the contributing writers for the upcoming American Express OPEN Book on Leadership.

BDWN: For many of us, getting started on a project is half the battle. Why is sitting down and getting to work so difficult?

HOLLY: I’ve talked to so many people about this subject. I know that many people feel stuck because they have too many ideas and all the ideas seem like great places to start. Others say that their minds go blank as soon as they start to write. And some people simply lack the confidence to put pen to paper (or fingertips to keyboard!). And for some of us, the idea of writing a lengthy novel can seem like a daunting task; and we don’t want to start something we won’t finish.

BDWN: Every writer has fought with writer’s block at one time or another. How do we power through when we get stuck? How can we keep ourselves from just quitting the whole project? Can you give us some pointers on how we can stay motivated?

HOLLY: One of the ironic aspects of writing (which is a solitary activity, for the most part) is that reaching out to others for feedback and support can help re-invigorate your idea/essay/story/play/etc. Collaborating with other writers is very indulgent to me because I get more ideas about possible directions to take my storylines or unique ways to develop my characters.

That said, I think it’s a good strategy to put some projects aside if you need a mental/emotional break from them. Unless you have a pressing deadline about your project, then putting it on ice for a while might allow you to explore other projects. You can always come back to it in the future and maybe you’ll have a fresh perspective and some new ideas that will add texture to the project.

BDWN: You do a lot of sessions on creativity, which is another important element for writers to tap into. So what do you say to those folks who say “I want to write, but I don’t have any ideas”?

HOLLY: I’m a big believer in creativity exercises to help your mind identify a specific idea and expand it. I also like the fact that you’re sort of tricking yourself into believing that the exercise is a game, so your ego is less likely to get in the way. You can take workshops that include creativity exercises and/or search for these exercises in books and on the web. I’m always amazed at how many incredible works started from these simple exercises.

BDWN: Can you give us a sneak peek of what you’ll be talking about at the Write It Right conference?

HOLLY: I’ll be presenting two workshops during the conference. Hilarious Haiku is my humble attempt to combine haiku (which is normally pretty serious) with the silliness of comedy. I facilitated this workshop a few years ago and the attendees surprised themselves by writing some really funny stuff.
The other workshop I’m facilitating is called Build a Character (for your novel, short story, play, or screenplay). I love to start with a clean slate, so I’ll encourage attendees to create a character from scratch. We’ll then develop that character through a series of thought-provoking exercises. There’s also a surprising plot twist in the workshop itself!

Still Time to Register!

2010-03-08T00:00:00.001-08:00

Can you hear the buzz?

Unfortunately, the early bird registration is behind us, but there’s still time to sign up for the first-ever Black Diamond Writers Network’s Write It Right Conference! Write It Right is not only the first event of its kind for our group, but the first of its kind in Northeast Pennsylvania, and there’s been a definite buzz going around.

A few of our members held library talks within the last few weeks to talk about getting published and to help spread the word about the group and our conference. A few snow days mixed in there posed a challenge, but we’re grateful to those folks who came out to hear what we had to say!

The media has been very supportive about this event, as well. Read the story from the Hazleton Standard-Speaker here.

Interview with Priscilla Y. Huff

2010-03-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Jodi Webb

Priscilla Y. Huff has been a freelance business and nonfiction writer/author for over twenty-nine years. She has written numerous articles and columns on the topics of home-small businesses, women’s entrepreneurship, and other subjects for Home Business Journal, Income Opportunities, Small Business Opportunities, Pennsylvania Magazine, as well as for many online web sites. She is currently a feature writer for the print publication, Home Business Magazine (www.HomeBusinessMag.com). Huff is currently working on a children’s adventure series. Her business, LITTLE HOUSE Writing & Publishing, offers business information, consulting and research services, as well as e-books and other publications.

JODI: So many people treat their writing as a hobby, not a business. Can you help us draw a line in the sand? When should we consider writing a career?

PRISCILLA: Writing is the ideal home-based profession. Most writers start writing professionally on a part-time basis, just like seventy-five percent of all home-based business owners start their ventures on the side. Why? First, of all, most writers are not independently wealthy and have to work a day job (or two). They write in the morning, in the evening, or during any free time they have available, and that is not occupied by family, work, or other activities.

Secondly, it takes time to find your ideal writing “niche” or genre. Entrepreneurs fail an average of three times at business start-ups before they succeed with a venture. Most writers will write poetry, fiction, non-fiction or for other sources, until they discover what type of writing market(s) is best for them and have publishing success. Entrepreneurs persevere and learn the ins and outs of their industry, along with perfecting their business skills. So do professional writers who attend workshops, conferences; and enroll in courses to improve the quality of their work, investing in themselves and their writing skills. Entrepreneurs work and/or study in their industry to stay current as what potential customers need and desire. Professional writers must also study the writing and publishing industry to know what markets are open and how to approach agents, editors, and publishers.

Thirdly, home-based business owners have a passion for their work. That passion drives them and sustains them through the ups and downs and long hours to do what is necessary to succeed. Professional writers, when not sitting down and writing, are usually thinking about their writing: developing plots and characters in their mind; or the next article or book idea they want to research for publishing potential. If you do ALL of this, you WILL be published. When that happens, I can assure you that you will be “hooked” into the writing business and consider it your lifelong career.

JODI: How can we work toward that goal of full-time writer? Should we dedicate a certain amount of time to writing?

PRISCILLA: Dedicate time to write each day. In order to fit in this writing, look at your daily schedule to see where and when is the best time to write. Managing your time and keeping organized with your writing is essential to help you “juggle” your writing career and your personal-work life. You may have to give up something to do this: getting less sleep (writing earlier or later in the day); cutting back on social activities (instead of heading a fund-raiser or being the president of an organization, be an active participant for those you can manage); and giving up mindless TV shows or “wandering” on the Internet. Set goals. Stephen King in his book, On Writing, recommends a writer produce 1,000 words a day for your book. If you are a freelancer, set goals to contact or query so many potential markets a day or week.

JODI: As professional writers, how much should we be earning? Should newbies write for free?

PRISCILLA: To acquire published clips, beginner writers will often write for free for some projects to acquire published clips and build their writing credentials. To offer one’s[work] for free, however, just to see one’s writing in print (or online), “cheapens” the writing profession in general. Professional writers are equal to any other professionals and should charge what the value of their writing is suggested by the industry; and what their markets will bear.

Legitimate writing markets will state in their writer’s guidelines how and what they pay. The annual Writer’s Market, found in the reference section of most public libraries, provides a section, “The Business of Writing,” with suggested pricing guidelines for various writing projectes; along with a listing of organizations that also recommend the professional prices members can charge. But as one editor informed me when I was deliberating on one of my book’s contracts, “Everything is negotiable.” You can always ask for more. Networking with other professional writers will also help you know what is a fair payment for your writing.

If you intend to make writing an on-going part-time business or hopefully, a full-time career, explore different writing venues to see which ones are the most profitable for you. I, like many writers, write for the markets that make me money; while at the same time, I am presently doing creative writing in another genre with the intent to find a publisher for these manuscripts.

Seeking residual income in the form of royalties from printed books or e-books will help to bring in a steady income while you are working on other writing projects. You do the work once and get paid over and over again (with revisions as needed). The ideal is to have your name recognized in your writing field or genre so that you build a loyal readers’ following. Think of your favorite authors and how you look forward to their next book or articles or blog entry.

JODI: So when does writing as a hobby become a career?

PRISCILLA: Your hobby becomes a career when you begin earning money that you will have to declare taxes and is becoming part of your regular income. The IRS has a page on its site stating the criteria of a hobby versus a business: www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=172833,00.html. Basically, if you intend to earn money with your writing, then it is a career-business, whether you make a profit or not. Entrepreneurs consult regularly with accountants, lawyers, insurance agents, and other professionals to ensure they and their business are following income laws and have liability business protection. Professional writers should also have these experts on hand in the event they need them. Get referrals for these experts from other writers or professional writing associations such as The Author’s Guild and The National Writers Union .

JODI: Are there any advantages, financially, to declaring your writing a career?

PRISCILLA: Yes, you can deduct many business-related expenses incurred while writing and traveling. Intrinsically, you will also treat your writing as a profession, knowing you must work on a regular basis to produce quality material for your readers, clients, editors and publishers.

PRISCILLA: Here are just a few suggested resources:

--Writers’ market books such as the annual Writer’s Market and Writer’s Digest Magazine and others that often present writing business tips.

Additional Suggested Books:
--Getting Started as a Freelance Writer, Expanded Edition by Robert Bly
--The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman
--Be a Writer: Your Guide to the Writing Life by Steve Peha; Margot Carmichael Lester

Two helpful links:
*http://hollylisle.com/fm/Articles/faqs6.html
*http://www.organizedwriter.com/

JODI: Can you give us advice on how to get clients to take us seriously. How can writers project a professional appearance? Do we need a website, advertising, client referrals?

PRISCILLA: Professionalism is an important goal that anyone serious about his or her career should practice. As I mentioned previously, that includes educating oneself as to the conduct, ethics, protocol, and qualifications that a business person, writer, or any other professional is expected follow and develop to become recognized by their peers and their target markets.

How you approach editors; market yourself and your writing; promote your image as a writer; and most importantly, meet the expectations of your readers, are all part of your overall image and how you will be perceived. Develop your editor and writer referral networks through genuine support and sharing of information. It is rewarding to help others and it will come back to you in many good ways. Study those successful in your writing genre in what they write, how they market their writing, and the steps they took to become recognized, and follow their examples.

JODI: What's the biggest mistake/most common mistake new writers make with their business?

PRISCILLA: In my opinion, the biggest mistake is not being a professional writer. Most of us can write but have we learned to write with above-average skills and to supply what publishers and readers really want? Certainly, you hear of first-time writers who receive large advances, but if you look more closely, even those writers, spent years in developing their styles, their voices, and how to approach agents, editors, and publishers.

Happy Writing!!

GLVWG's "The Write Stuff" Conference

2010-03-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

We would be remiss in not giving a huge shout out to our friends at the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group (GLVWG), whose annual The Write Stuff conference will be held on March 25-27 at the Four Points Sheraton, Allentown, PA. GLVWG has the difficult task of staging a conference down to a science, and this year’s schedule is no exception. In addition to their regular schedule of breakout sessions, GLVWG is holding a special pre-conference workshop with bestselling author James N. Frey (How to Write a Damn Good Novel) on Thursday night. Additionally, the day includes appointments with agents and editors (you must register for a slot ahead of time), Flash Fiction writing contests, and the ever-popular author book fair at the end of the day. Some of our BDWN members have attended GLVWG’s conference, and can verify that it’s one of the best—definitely money well-spent. Kudos to conference chair Kathryn Craft and her committee for all of their hard work! For more information on the Write Stuff, visit www.glvwg.org , or their blog, All the Write Stuff.

Writerly Words

2010-02-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.

~Sylvia Plath

Interview with Jerry Waxler

2010-02-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Jodi Webb

About Jerry Waxler, in his own words: "I grew up in Philadelphia and went to college in Madison , Wisconsin during the war protest years. Gasping across the finish line with my Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, I slid beneath the waves to become a depressed hippie in Berkeley , California . With the help of a spiritual teacher, I climbed back on to land, gave up meat, fish, eggs, drugs and alcohol, meditated, went to India , came back, joined a commune, became a computer programmer, then a technical writer. In my forties I realized I knew nothing about people, so I went to graduate school, earned a Master’s Degree in counseling psychology, gave therapy, started writing and teaching, and the rest is history."

JODI: In bookstores I often see memoirs and autobiographies crammed together in the same section? Are they the same?

JERRY: The definition of “memoir” or “autobiography” depends who you ask, and more importantly, it depends when you ask them. It seems like the definitions change from year to year. A few years ago, I would have said a memoir is more story-driven than an autobiography, and an autobiography is intended more for historians and grandkids. Nowadays publishers occasionally use the two words interchangeably. As a result, I now read the title, blurb, and reviews and form my own judgment.

JODI: Can you tell us how or why you became such a fan of memoir?

JERRY: After I got my master’s degree in counseling psychology, I began to write self-help articles. My writing mentor, Jonathan Maberry (http://jonathanmaberry.com/ said my essays sounded like they dropped from the sky. He advised me to insert myself. I had always been shy and had no idea how to tell personal stories, so I embarked on a journey of self-discovery. The deeper I went, the more fascinated I became. Soon, I was reading memoirs, and realized that each one gave me two gifts. First, it was a window into the life of another person, and second, it gave me some insight into the way life can be turned into story.

JODI: Why do you think memoir publication has exploded in the last few years? Why is the public so interested in reading about other people's lives?

JERRY: In the television age, we all sat on the sofa quietly watching celebrities. In the internet age, we sit at our computers and type. The internet has created a hundred million penpals. I think memoirs are a logical next step. We want to know more about each other.

Another thing that is changing is that talking about ourselves used to be taboo. Memoirs and talk shows have blown the cork out of that bottle. One stunning result has been that we are sharing stories about the journey from child to adult. Bestselling stories like “Liar’s Club” by Mary Karr have encouraged us to take a closer look at Coming of Age.

JODI: Do you feel memoir writing has always been popular in the form of journals, etc.? If so, why is it such a popular form of expression?

JERRY: I journaled for an hour every day for a decade. It gave me a wonderful opportunity for reflection, and helped me form the habit of translating my thoughts into sentences. This process is a fundamental tool for writers, and also a powerful self-help strategy. But while the journals were important to me at the time, I wouldn’t have expected anyone to ever read them. I needed to discover memoirs before I knew how to translate introspection into communication.

JODI: So have you made the jump from introspection to communication? Have you written a memoir?

JERRY: Once I became interested in memoirs as a way to understand life, I naturally wanted to write my own. I took classes and gathered material. As the project picked up steam, I discovered that while I had been reading stories my whole life, I have never told them, so I not only had to learn about my own life, but about the craft of storytelling. I attended writing conferences and connected with writers to learn as much as I could.

I was in a class taught by Jonathan Maberry when I decided to jump in. I wrote my first draft and that was only the beginning. The entire project has contributed to one of the most fascinating, and creatively stimulating challenges of my life.

JODI: Do you have any favorite memoirs you would like to recommend?

JERRY: I have many favorites (http://memorywritersnetwork.com/blog/annotated-list-memoirs/) . For example, right now I’m reading two memoirs, “Stones into Schools” by Gregg Morenson and “Spiral Staircase” by Karen Armstrong. Mortenson is the author of the memoir “Three Cups of Tea” (three million copies sold) in which he told about building schools in Pakistan. “Stones into Schools” starts where the first left off. Karen Armstrong was a nun, a scholar, and an interpreter of world religion. Her memoir takes me on a journey from religion to atheism, and then back to spirituality. These memoirs teach me to see the world through other people’s eyes.

JODI: How about books on writing memoirs?

JERRY: While there are lots of good books on the subject, I would like to give special praise to two. First is “The Power of Memoir” by Linda Joy Myers president of the National Association of Memoir Writers . In addition to her profound appreciation for the power of Story, she is a therapist and her book offers special sensitivity to the human drama, such as family dynamics and healing from trauma. The other book is the one I put together for my workshops. “Learn to Write your Memoir in Four Weeks.” It is the only short, simple, step by step guide I know of.

JODI: What are you working on right now?

JERRY: In addition to my memoir, I am working on a couple of manuscripts about using memoirs for self-help. I write an essay every week on my blog , and I teach and present at writer’s conferences and other venues. For example, I’ll be teaching an eight hour memoir workshop under the auspices of the Philadelphia Stories Journal , and I regularly give teleseminars and teleworkshops through the National Association of Memoir Writers. You can see my list of events here.

JODI: We’re excited that one of the events on your calendar is the Write it Right Conference in April!

What's Holding You Back?

2010-02-20T12:39:00.003-08:00

How are you doing with meeting your writing goals?

Have you given any thought to what’s holding you back from accomplishing as much as you’d like?

One word: fear.

Fear of failure, or even worse, a fear of success, often holds writers back from accomplishing as much as they’d like. It can be absolutely paralyzing, and hold many of us back from even getting started. There’s that pesky “inner critic” in our heads that tells us our stuff is garbage, we’ll never amount to anything, and we should just give up the dream and try something else for awhile. It’s also fear that stalls projects all the time; we get overwhelmed by what the characters should do next, or we think that no editor will ever be interested in that article or this manuscript, so we stop in midstream and the project lies there, abandoned.
So how do we conquer that fear of failure? Think of how much worse we’d feel if we never tried writing at all. We owe it to ourselves to at least power through a first draft. No book that has ever been on the shelves started out as the version we see; chances are they’ve gone through many, many revisions until the story was told as well as it could be. We never lose that inner critic completely—the secret is to ignore him and focus instead on the work in front of you.

****
Kudos to BDWN member Richard Clark, whose book The Wreck of the Red Arrow has earned some nice publicity! Read the full article from Friday’s REPUBLICAN Herald here.

Writerly Words

2010-02-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.

~Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith

Interview with Tisha Tolar

2010-02-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Tisha is a full time writer of non-fiction materials for the Internet market. She makes a living providing web content for a multitude of clients in a variety of industries. She began her online writing career in 2007 by chance after meeting her now business partner, Debbie Dragon, through an online job posting. Forming a working relationship via Instant Message, the two set the stage for the writing e-course, MakeMoneyFromWriting.com which teaches others how to make money writing for the online market. Prior to establishing herself as a freelance writer, Tisha wrote her first full length manuscript in 6 weeks just to see if she could do it. She decided to dust off the manuscript on the advice of her colleagues in 2008, finally self-publishing her debut Gen X in the summer of 2009. She currently is the editor and contributor to several major websites, including Wisebread.com and actively works to promote her novel and her company, Trifecta Strategies. Since the novel’s release, Tisha has participated in several local book signings as well as a reading awareness program for local elementary school children. Tisha is a Schuylkill County native. She is married and has one daughter.

BDWN: Thanks for speaking with me, Tisha! We're so glad to have you as our presenter at our meeting this month!

TISHA: Thanks, Sara for inviting me to be the featured speaker at this month’s BDWN meeting. I am really looking forward to it and I thank you and all of the members for the opportunity. I had so much fun and took home so much from the January meeting. Your group is such a necessary resource for writers and I am glad to be a part of it.

BDWN: Can you tell me a little bit about your job as a full-time freelancer and your company, Trifecta Strategies?

TISHA: My job requires me to write every day, in some capacity. I am also the marketing strategist at the company, writing marketing materials and sending emails to promote our services. Trifecta Strategies is an online content writing company, meaning we write content used on websites, articles, blog posts, and e-books for a variety of clients and industries. We also manage the content by adding it to the websites directly, using social media to promote it, and building links back to our clients’ websites. There are three of us that make up Trifecta Strategies and we all maintain our own clients as well as shared work. We also manage several of our own websites and blogs under Trifecta. Plus, we have developed a program to teach others how to do what we do, which can be found at MakeMoneyfromWriting.com. We are growing and now work with a great team of subcontract/freelance writers to accommodate our work load.

BDWN: How did you get the idea for your novel, Gen X?

TISHA: I had the idea for Gen X many moons ago when I was actually living in Philadelphia and going to art school. It was a little autobiographical with a ‘what if’ twist in the beginning. It wasn’t until more than 10 years later that I actually sat down to write the story in 2006. It was 2003 when I came up with the name for the book. The idea, title, and storyline had stuck with me all those years. When I sat down to write it, I did so just to see if I could. I had no plans to publish but eventually I shared the completed manuscript with others who thought I was crazy for not doing anything more with it. I started querying agents (a LOT of agents) and after a year, I got tired of waiting for someone to make something to happen – so I did it myself. I self-published last summer and still work weekly on promoting the book.

BDWN: It seems like it would be a difficult transition from nonfiction to fiction. What kind of challenges did you experience?

TISHA: Honestly, I was a fiction writer first but I didn’t realize it. I only wrote out Gen X as a challenge to myself and never thought twice about it making me a writer. I was one of those people who still at 30 wondered what she was going to be when she grew up. I fell into writing by accident but when I did I knew I FINALLY figured out where my journeys had been leading me.

I don’t think there is any difficulty for transitioning from fiction to non-fiction and vice versa. For me the bigger challenge is finding balance as a work-at-home writer/mom/wife. Running a business is tough and can often be a roller coaster but I love every minute of it. I could say my biggest challenge between fiction and non fiction is finding time to write the fun stories because the fact stories are a priority since they pay cash.

BDWN: Do you have a preference of fiction or nonfiction?

TISHA: As an online writer, there is no subject I am not asked to write about. From the most boring to the most over-your-head topics imaginable – I’ve written some weird stuff. After doing this for so many years, there are some topics that I once knew nothing about and now I can just write articles off the top of my head. I really enjoy the research and non-fiction writing and it comes easy to me.

I wish I had more discipline and time to write fiction. I literally have a handful of stories started and I continually update the story lines in my head all the time but I never sit down to write them out. I think it is because I spend so much time already at the computer writing for work that writing fiction doesn’t always seem like such a fun idea. When I wrote Gen X I do recall being completely fascinated by how the story in some parts just wrote itself.

The answer to your question is I haven’t a preference – I enjoy it all.

BDWN: Do you think writers should just focus on honing their skills in one genre, or should we dabble in whatever interests us?

TISHA: I think they should do whatever suits them. ‘They’ tell us write what you know. I do believe in that piece of advice. But I think as any kind of writer, you need experiences. Take yourself out of your comfort zone from time to time and see what you can do. I never thought I would be a writer at all. When I was young, I was good at writing quirky rhyming poems and stories but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be a writer of both non-fiction and fiction – until I tried it. You have to really put yourself out there to be writer of any kind. If you want to focus on one area – great but don’t forget to explore what else is out there even if it is just in little peeks.

BDWN: Since you already spend most of your day writing, was it easier to find time to spend working on the novel?

TISHA: I didn’t have that problem in the beginning because I wrote Gen X before I became a full-time, online writer. Now it is a big problem as I’ve mentioned. People ask all the time ‘when is book two coming out?’. I have started it and I know what is going to happen for the most part but finding a few more hours in a day to sit back down at the computer while my daughter is bored isn’t always practical. I do have spurts of motivation that helps but I think for true motivation to occur, Gen X will have to take on a life of its own and force me to complete the rest of the series. I hope that isn’t the case but right now, it’s the reality.

BDWN: Can you give us a little sneak peek of your presentation at the BDWN meeting on February 20?

TISHA: Since I already had the pleasure of meeting with the group in January, I am a bit more open to letting the questions lead the way for the discussion. I plan to talk a little bit about how I became a non-fiction writer and how much that has helped me with my fiction writing, especially the promotional end of things. I have made a name for myself online, I have learned the ropes of online promoting, and I use all of these skills to promote my self-published novel, Gen X. Even if I was working with a major publisher and agent, I would still be required to self-promote my little heart out. No one is going to do it for me (not even your family and friends) and because of my non-fiction writing I have learned so much. I also wanted to share a few insights about how to become an experienced online writer to help springboard other writing success.

BDWN: What do you hope the members will get from your presentation?

TISHA: Motivation. I think that is the number one priority for writers. If I had a quarter (inflation) for every time I heard someone say ‘I should write a book…’, I wouldn’t be very worried about making a living as a writer. I want people to realize that there is more out there than this one book they created. I was personally amazed at the guts people showed during the last meeting. They were so willing to share and the listeners were so welcoming. That goes a long way to helping people ditch the fear and really believe in what they can do. Ask my closest friends and they will tell you I can probably convince a fish to buy a glass of water. However, public speaking is not my forte and I hope people will see that stepping outside your comfort zone is good for the soul. I also hope people who might be interested in exploring online writing will take the opportunity to learn more about how they can make a career doing what they love – writing.

Thanks again, Tisha!

Learn more about Tisha's company at www.trifectallc.com
Learn more about Gen X at www.genxthenovel.com

Local Author to Speak at February BDWN Meeting

2010-02-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

Schuylkill County native and first-time author Tisha Tolar will speak to the Black Diamond Writers Network on "Writing in Two Genres" on Saturday, February 20 at the Tamaqua Public Library, 20 E. Rairoad St., Tamaqua.

Tisha is a full time writer of non-fiction materials for the Internet market. She makes a living providing web content for a multitude of clients in a variety of industries. She began her online writing career in 2007 by chance after meeting her now business partner, Debbie Dragon, through an online job posting. Forming a working relationship via Instant Message, the two set the stage for the writing e-course, MakeMoneyFromWriting.com which teaches others how to make money writing for the online market. Prior to establishing herself as a freelance writer, Tisha wrote her first full length manuscript in 6 weeks just to see if she could do it. She decided to dust off the manuscript on the advice of her colleagues in 2008, finally self-publishing her debut Gen X in the summer of 2009. She currently is the editor and contributor to several major websites, including Wisebread.com and actively works to promote her novel and her company, Trifecta Strategies.

Gen-X, is the story of Genevieve Xavier, a 20-something gal who is trying to get her big break in the entertainment industry. She eventually does, with a few other adventures along the way. Gen-X is the perfect read for those who like chick lit with a bit of attitude.

Keep reading--we'll have a full interview with Tisha on Wednesday!

Writerly Words

2010-02-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

The wastebasket is a writer's best friend.
~Isaac Bashevis Singer

Interview With Rick Grant

2010-02-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Rick Grant, (www.rickgrant.net) principal and founder of Rick Grant & Associates, has been a writer and journalist for over 25 years. He founded RGA in early 2007 to provide businesses with customized strategic communications solutions. Prior to launching RGA, he founded Texell Interactive Media, a production company delivering electronic audio and video content for Web-based marketing. Before that, he spent more than a decade as one of the nation’s leading financial industry-focused journalists. He writes features for National Mortgage News and is a columnist for HousingWire. Rick will be facilitating the session on "Effective Self-Promotion for Writers" at the Write It Right conference. Rick took a few moments to talk with us about why marketing is important for all writers, no matter the genre.

BDWN: Thanks for speaking with us, Rick! Can you tell us a little bit about your business?

RG: I own RGA (Rick Grant & Associates) in Jim Thorpe, PA. After ten years as a trade journalist covering the US financial services industry, I now lead a team of communications professionals that serve companies operating in this space. We help firms that sell to banks and mortgage lenders do a better job of telling their stories and promoting their businesses.

BDWN: Marketing is so important, no matter what business you’re in. But why don’t more of us do it?

RG: Few of us went into business to spend all of our time selling. It's painful to realize that while you took the leap to become a full-time writer, you'll only spend part of your time actually doing that. Often, the smaller part. Too often, writers try to ignore this responsibility to their doom.

Another impediment is presented by the fact that many writers are not comfortable talking about how great they are. We tend to be somewhat more introverted than that and it is difficult to get out there and tell people how great we are.
The good news is that the more you do it, the less you have to do it, especially if you use social media so that others can begin singing your praises for you. Building a reputation can be the best form of marketing and as long as you maintain it, it will work for you.

BDWN: It seems obvious that freelance writers, who do work for others, would need to market themselves. But what about fiction writers?

RG: Oh, absolutely. It's more important now than ever. While I've spent all of my time writing in the non-fiction periodical world, I have many friends who are published authors and they tell me that the publishing world has changed. It's not just about how well you craft a story and how quickly you can churn out the next. Now, publishers want to know about your “platform.”
They're talking about the audience the author has already attracted through short story publication, Web-based social media, conference and convention attendance and their own marketing efforts. Today, unpublished fiction writers are expected to come to the table with much of the work of attracting an audience already done. This requires a thorough understanding of marketing and the discipline to get it done.

BDWN: “Marketing” sounds very overwhelming and time-consuming. What are some easy ways that writers can market themselves?

RG: There are many easy ways writers can market themselves. My favorite is to publish a blog, its free, easy to set up and will help attract an audience. Beyond that, writers should have their own website or Facebook page. They should get out into the world they want to write in (whether that be the business world at a local Chamber of Commerce mixer, the journalism world by posting stories to news websites, or the fiction world by appearing at Cons) and shake some hands. Most of the work writers get comes to them from people they know who have referred them, so start building up that network.

BDWN: Do you have any pointers for how to get started?

RG: That's exactly what we're going to be talking about during my sessions, easy ways writers can get started now promoting themselves more effectively. There are a few things that come first. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, you have to think of you the writer as a business. That means getting business cards printed up, setting up your website presence and creating a simple letterhead (both print and electronic). Secondly, you really need to learn all you can about social media. That's the cheapest and fastest way to begin building out your network and it has the potential to take you on a viral wave to stardom. But don't focus on that right now, just learn about blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn (if you're a news or business freelance writer) and tools like Twitter that can be used to promote your most recent work.

BDWN: So how can writers tap into all of the social networking and technology that’s out there and use that for marketing purposes?

RG: First, develop a love for drinking out of fire hoses, because that's what it will be like it you try to tap into it all. I suggest you just start with three tools: a Facebook profile and page, a LinkedIn account and a Twitter account. With those three tools, you can begin to build up a network of contacts that will get your work noticed. And by focusing on just a few marketing tools at first, you can spend the bulk of time doing what you must do if you're hoping for long-term success: write, write, write!

BDWN: Can you give us a little sneak peek of what you’ll be talking about at the Write It Right conference?

RG: We're going to go into depth on much of what we have discussed here, answer as many questions as we can, but most importantly, we're going to help folks get set up with these basic social media tools so they can start putting them to work.
We're also going to take a step back and look at some of the more traditional ways that writers can promote themselves. Some of these techniques are so old that they're new again—and they can get a writer a lot of attention.
By the time we're done, I expect attendees to walk away with a new understanding of some of the social media tools they can use to promote themselves and their work as well as a plan for getting that job started.

Join Rick and our other facilitators at the first annual BDWN Write It Right Conference on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts, Pottsville!

BDWN Members to Present Library Talks

2010-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Members of the Black Diamond Writers Network are taking our show on the road over the next few weeks and offering a series of free presentations on "Write It Right-- Get Published."

Choose from the following dates and locations:

Wed., Feb. 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Panther Valley Public Library,117 E. Bertsch St., Lansford

Mon., Feb. 22, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Palmerton Library, 402 Delaware Ave., Palmerton

Tues., Feb. 23, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., Pottsville

Tues., Feb. 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hazleton Area Public Library, 55 N. Church St., Hazleton

Thurs., Feb. 25, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lehighton Area Memorial Library, 124 North St., Lehighton

Thurs., Feb. 25, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Tamaqua Public Library, 30 S. Railroad St., Tamaqua.

Whether you would like to write a letter to the editor, an article in a national magazine or a book, find out how you can achieve your writing and publishing dreams.

Members of the Black Diamond Writers’ Network who have published articles and/or books will give pointers on how to write for and find the markets that will publish your work.

The informal talks are being offered as a promotion for the Black Diamond Writers Network's first annual “Write it Right” writers conference on Sat., Apr. 17, 2010, at the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts, Pottsville.

The event is supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency, through its regional arts funding partnership, Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA). State government funding for the arts depends upon an annual appropriate by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. PPA is administered in this region by the Berks Arts Council.

For more information about the lectures, call the Palmerton Library at 610-826-3424, Pottsville Free Public Library at 570-622-8880, Lehighton Area Memorial Library at 610-377-2750 or the Tamaqua Area Public Library at 570-668-4660.

Showing Up Everyday

2010-02-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

There’s a well-known saying that goes something like “90% of success is showing up.” This is particularly true for a pastime like writing, which so many people want to do, but very few hunker down and actually do. For some, writing is just that—a relaxing pastime that allows us to record our memories or thoughts from days gone by, or create a new world with complex characters, interesting settings, and gripping plots.

But then there are those who recognize writing for the work it really is, and make the commitment to show up and do that work.

The most successful writers do the work faithfully every day—or, as often as our busy schedules allow. These writers put in the long hours needed for researching, outlining, interviewing, revising, the actual writing, finding places to sell their work, marketing themselves and their work, and powering through even when the words simply aren’t coming…they tinker with what they have and fight with the page until the words eventually do come they way they’re supposed to. The most successful writers don’t idly wait for inspiration to strike—rather than waiting for it to come to them, they actively go after it. The most successful writers feel a real sense of accomplishment and yes, mental fatigue after a hard day’s work, just as with any other job. Despite the fatigue and exasperation that comes with the job, for the most successful writers, it’s not a pastime—it’s a true calling.

Do you show up for work every day? Is writing your relaxing pastime or a serious occupation?

5 Ways a Writing Group Can Help Your Writing

2010-02-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Most writers would probably agree that writing is often a lonely profession. It’s not like we casually drop by our co-workers’ cubicles to hear the latest gossip or get caught up on the goings-on in their lives. And fiction writers—well, our livelihood is creating imaginary people in imaginary worlds…few other folks can relate.

Rather than continue to work with just your computer screen for company, you may want to consider joining a writing group. You may not think you need one until you attend your first meeting—then you’ll wonder how you’ve gone this long without one.
Still not convinced? Here are just 5 reasons how a writers’ group can help your productivity:

Networking with other writers. Back to that point about “writing is often a lonely profession”…it doesn’t have to be! Writers’ groups tend to attract all kinds of writers, from all kinds of genres, including yours! They can be a wealth of information on where to submit your work, new writer-friendly products, “must-read” books, and anything else you can think of. We all share many of the same frustrations, no matter what genre we prefer. Join us—you have found your people!

Information about new opportunities. Markets, contests, agents, or plain old folks looking for help with a project—you never would have learned these things without your connections at the writers’ group!

Feedback on your work. Whether it’s a critique group that meets regularly, some time allotted at each meeting to share a work in progress, or something in between, most groups’ purpose is the same—to help their writers improve their writing! A little constructive feedback is all part of the process, and most are grateful for frank comments on their work. The trick is to give criticism that’s helpful rather than harmful.

Education. Workshops, seminars, monthly programs—different groups set different priorities, but almost all of them offer some type of educational program from time to time. The Black Diamond Writers Network features a monthly speaker discussing some element of the art or craft of writing, with occasional workshops held throughout the year to keep things interesting and offer additional skill-building. Take advantage of everything—you will learn something.

Shameless self-promotion. For those lucky few who have managed to reach their writing goals, whatever they might be, there’s no better feeling in the world than sharing it with others who may want to do the same. Whether you’ve published a book, had an article accepted by a major market, had your screenplay performed by a local troupe, or simply finished something (already a major accomplishment!), share it! Writers love to support one of their own, so if you have a book to sell, don’t forget your fellow scribes! It might also be a great motivator for a fellow member to sit down in front of the computer screen and get back to work on their own masterpiece.

More About the Write It Right Facilitators

2010-02-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

The BDWN Write It Right Conference will include 8 breakout sessions led by professional facilitators in their respective fields. We have an amazing selection of speakers, and the toughest part for attendees will be deciding which sessions to go to!

We already introduced Kathryn Craft, our keynote speaker and facilitator for the “Get That Story Moving!” fiction session. Here’s a sneak peek at our other speakers and their topics:

Rick Grant—Effective Self-Promotion for Writers. Rick will lead one session on how writers can promote their work using traditional outlets such as media kits, book tours, and the like. His second session will focus on how social media can help writers take their marketing efforts to the next level. Grant brings more than 25 years' journalist experience with expertise in the financial industry, engineering and emerging media technologies to his audience. He most recently served as editor of Real Estate Technology Insight (RETI). Prior his work at RETI, Grant was an editor for Source Media publications (formerly Thomson Media) where he served as managing editor for Origination News magazine, Broker magazine, Mortgage Technology magazine and the HomeEquityWire electronic newsletter. He served as special reports editor for National Mortgage News and designed curricula for industry conferences.

Priscilla Y. Huff—Breaking into Magazine Writing: Beginners’ Basics and Expanding Your Freelance Writing Markets: 99+ Part-Time Writing Job Ideas for Earning Money While Writing Your Bestseller. Priscilla will offer step-by-step ways to get published in magazines, covering everything from finding ideas to identifying markets to writing the query and the all-important follow-up with the editor. In her second session, she will talk about some non-traditional ways to earn your living as a writer while you polish your novel manuscript (you know—in your spare time!) Priscilla has been a freelance business and non-fiction writer/author for over 25 years. Huff’s experience includes penning the best-selling 101 Best Home-Based Businesses for Women, 3rd ed., and other related books specializing in topics about small and home-based businesses and women’s entrepreneurship. She has written articles for print publications including Home Business Journal, Pennsylvania Magazine and Small Business Opportunities and is currently a feature writer for Home Business Magazine. Her business, Little House Writing & Publishing, offers business information, consulting and research services as well as e-books and other publications. Visit her website at www.PYHuff.com.

Jerry Waxler—Turning Life Into Story (Memoir Writing Session). Jerry will talk about the ins and outs of writing a memoir, the most effective methods for turning your life into a story, and how to spot meaningful material in your everyday life. Jerry holds an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Villanova University and has been a longtime advocate for the healing power of the written word. He has held numerous workshops on writing memoir throughout Pennsylvania. He is a former board member of the Lehigh Valley Writers Group, Vice President of the Philadelphia Writers Conference, and a Program Director for the National Association of Memoir Writers.

5 Reasons to Participate in a Book Fair

2010-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

We’re having a book fair at the end of the day at our Write It Right conference. Local authors are invited to participate; cost is $10 for a table if you only plan to sell your books at the Fair. If you’re planning to attend the conference (and I know you are), you can rent the table at no cost.

If you’re a published author living in a fairly close proximity to Schuylkill County, we’d love to see you there! I know, I know—writers are solitary folk, living in the imaginary worlds we create in our minds. But why not come out and talk with the 3-dimensional people? Here are 5 good reasons why you should:

Sell your books. Duh. But if you’re hoping to broaden your customer base beyond your parents, grandma, and Great-Aunt Tilly, to be perfectly honest, you need to attend as many events as you can—get your name and product out there, practice your sales pitch, and watch your books fly off the shelves (er, table in this case).

Network with other writers. One of the biggest benefits of any literary event is the opportunity to meet and chat with other creatives. You’ll be amazed at the stories you’ll hear, the writing tips you’ll pick up, and the friendships you’ll form. We understand the triumphs and frustrations you face in your writing projects—guess what? We have many of the same ones! Isn’t it nice to meet kindreds?

Inspire. So you're meeting writers, talking the writerly talk, walking the writerly walk, and inspiring them just as they may be inspiring you. No, really. Do you know how many people follow through on their "I'm going to write a book one day" promise? Not too many! So welcome to a very exclusive club. You'll be inspiring your fellow writers to sit down and commit to a project--after all, you did it, why can't they?

Go somewhere new. Traveling is not only good for your soul, but it just might prove to be good for your writing! Even if you're only going to the next town or mid-sized city, it's still a change of scenery--new restaurants to try, new folks to meet, and new things to experience. You never know when a road trip might spark an idea for a story or article, so get going!

Build your fan base. You can't beat good old-fashioned word of mouth publicity, and if your readers enjoy your work, you can bet that they'll suggest your book to friends...who will suggest it to their friends...and so on. Getting out there and meeting your readers face-to-face will just enhance the whole experience for them. And what writer doesn't like to hear that their work has touched a reader? Isn't that a huge reason why most of us write--to make a connection with readers?

Interview with Kathryn Craft

2010-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Jodi M. Webb

The Black Diamond Writers Network is honored to have author and developmental editor Kathryn Craft as the keynote speaker for our first annual Write It Right conference. Kathryn is the owner of Writing-Partner.com [www.writing-partner.com], a service that helps clients hone their work for publication through manuscript evaluation and developmental editing. Over a 19-year career, she wrote hundreds of arts features and reviews for The Morning Call daily newspaper (Allentown, PA) and other publications. While writing novels and memoir over the past decade she served in a variety of positions on the board of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, including two terms as president. She also serves on the board of the Philadelphia Writers' Conference. She speaks about writing and the publication process, and hosts writing retreats for women at her summer home in northern New York. She is a contributing editor at the popular Blood-Red Pencil blog [www.bloodredpencil.blogspot.com]. Here, Jodi Webb catches up with Kathryn to talk writing, editing, and living the creative life.

BDWN: Many authors who write memoirs say it helps them to understand their life experiences. Do you feel all types of writing, not just memoir, reflect a writer's life?

Kathryn: It is impossible to separate your writing from your life experience. From the words you choose to the rhythm of your sentences to which ideas and perceptions juxtapose to spark creativity, your worldview will define your project. That’s why we may want to read two biographies about the same person—the writing will be different. That’s why writing workshops are so stimulating—the same assignment will be fulfilled in myriad ways. This is a message of great hope to writers, because there is room in the world for all our voices. But it also makes rejection tough. With our life’s DNA woven into each project, the rejection feels personal.

BDWN: I know you've done newspaper writing but you also write fiction. How does your fiction reflect your life?

Kathryn: I like to think of each writing project as staging a drama. The writer is peopling the stage with characters who will come to life when the author shines the bright white light of her creativity upon them. But creative energy must be channeled properly or it will spill all over the place. To properly direct the audience’s attention a writer must use a housing to focus the light—that’s your craft. The writer’s life experiences, then, are like the gel that slips down in front of the light: experience colors everything the light shines upon. So if I am shining my light toward a certain story, that story is not necessarily “reflecting” my experience—my experience is the lens through which I see my work.

BDWN: Do you feel your writing is a celebration of your life or an escape to something different?

Kathryn: For me writing is not an escape. In fact it’s the opposite, for it calls upon me to turn around and face the conflicts that most people avoid or deny. I must unearth emotional truths and find a way to effectively convey them so a reader I’ve never met can share the same journey. Some days the work is fun and some days it is extraordinarily difficult. Some days I crank out several new pages and some days I sit and steam over one paragraph because I’m just not sure that I’ve yet found or communicated the truth I sought.

But my writing is absolutely a celebration of life. I am not the type of person who will flit through her days partying. I need to figure some things out. I need to leave a footprint. I need meaning, and my writing is how I create it. And, because writing offers me so much of what I seek in life, I think it is fun!

BDWN: Is there one type of writing you prefer over the others?

Kathryn: I love interviewing other creative people about their lives and writing features about them, because representing a slice of life as a compelling story within a word limit is a fun puzzle. And my life has been greatly enriched from all the choreographers and other artists I’ve interviewed along the way.

Writing fiction, on the other hand, is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It challenges me on every single level that I value. I love to research and gain new knowledge. I love to ask questions until I find answers. I love to tell stories. I love to figure out why people do what they do. As much as I love interacting with other people I also enjoy long stretches of time alone. I am hopelessly enamored with words and I love the way good writing communicates on multiple levels. I love that fresh burst of creativity that becomes the first draft but even more I love applying craft during revision. I love the complexity a novel allows. I love the inherent paradox of writing tight while writing long.

Because I love a good challenge, I’ve got to answer “novel-length fiction.”

BDWN: Care to give us a peek at what you're working on right now?

Kathryn: What I’m working on right now is the same novel I’ve been working on for the past six years: “The Sparrow that Fell from the Sky.” That’s right, 6 years! It’s the story of Penelope Sparrow, a modern dancer whose distorted body image has plagued her career. She wakes up one morning in the hospital among strangers, unable to move, with no memory of the “accident” that put her there. It’s a story about second chances, and what we can make of them.

I address this story through the lens of my experience: I was a dancer and choreographer, I was a dance critic, and my first husband committed suicide when our sons were 8 and 10. Two resulting story questions—“How might despair accumulate to the point that a dancer would want to end her life?” and “What if self-destruction wasn’t under her complete control?”—inspired Penelope’s interweaving storylines in my novel.

I also have a draft of a book-length memoir about the experience of raising my sons on the farm where my husband was determined to die—“Standoff at Ronnie’s Place”—but haven’t yet decided if I’ll continue developing it for publication. But the memoir form resonates with me. Chaos may challenge us in real life but it cannot rule in an effective story. In stories, things happen for a reason. A memoir is an opportunity to wrestle with life’s chaos until you see the pattern and the meaning. It’s a chance to show that you have risen above circumstance and grown as a result. It’s a chance to create, from the chaos of life, a story.

BDWN: I hope we won’t have to wait another six years to learn the story of your wounded sparrow. Give us one last piece of advice for our readers.

Kathryn: If you identify the emotional turning points that are relevant to your story and spotlight them properly, your reader will hang on for the whole ride.

Blog Tours 101

2010-01-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

by Jodi M. Webb

Jodi is a full-time freelance writer whose work has appeared in GRIT, American Profile, Reunions, History, PTO Today, and the Christian Science Monitor, among many, many others! She is also the co-author of Pennsylvania Trivia: Weird, Wacky, and Wild (Blue Bike Books) and a blog tour organizer and contributor to WOW Women on Writing (www.wow-womenonwriting.com). Jodi will be BDWN's featured speaker at our March meeting.

My mom is annoyed at me. Again. It drives her crazy that I have a job that she’s never heard of and she can’t explain to her friends.

I’m a Blog Tour organizer. So, for my mom and everyone else who is a little fuzzy on blog tours here’s the scoop.

Definition: Blog tours are like book tours but, instead of going from book store to book store, you go from blog to blog.

Question: But what do you do once you get there?

Answerstrong>>: There are lots of options. The owner of the blog (blogger) can post their review of your book, an excerpt, or your book trailer. They can post a video, podcast or written interview they do with you, give away your book, or run a guest post.

A guest post is a short piece (500 words) you write about your book and writing, your life, or even something like baking cupcakes or traveling to foreign countries.

Question: What are the advantages of a blog tour?

Answer: You don’t have to get out of your jammies.

Okay, there are other things. Bloggers have followers that automatically receive an email or feed of their blog posts everyday. They can guarantee you that these people will get info about your book as opposed to book store events that may only attract 8 people (sadly I know this from personal experience).

You won’t be traveling here, there, and everywhere wasting gas and time you could be writing. And, since most bloggers archive their posts, visiting a blog is like a book store event that lasts forever. Visitors could read about your book tomorrow, next week, even next year. They can also instantly visit your website, blog, book trailer, and even purchase your book immediately through your publisher’s website or Amazon.com. They can also blog, Twitter, or email friends about this great new author—you!

Question: What blogs should I include in my tour?

Answer: Obviously, blogs that have a lot of visitors or regular followers. But they also should have to be your target audience. For example, if you wrote a romance novel and you stumbled across a super-popular blog called DadsWhoRead.com skip them. Most romance readers are female, we’ll have to assume that most readers of DadsWhoRead.com are male. In the real world visiting DadsWhoRead.com would be like writing a romance and having a book event at man’s clothing store.

Question: So I should only approach blogs with many followers?

Answer: No, there is an exception.

Let’s pretend you’ve written a niche book directed at a very specific group—how about women writers. If you find a general blog for women called DayAfterDay.com with 20,000 followers and a blog for women writers called PenLadies.com that has 10,000 followers definitely go for PenLadies.com. You know that all 10,000 of their followers are your target audience. With DayAfterDay.com you don’t know how many of the 20,000 are writers. This is where the Internet can work to your advantage. Although there are no bookstores dedicated to OCD, raising environmentally aware children, or only books set in the South, there are popular blogs dedicated to them.

Question: Can I set up a blog tour myself?

Answer: Yes, but…(you knew there was a but, didn’t you?) there are some disadvantages.

1. If you’re working from scratch it will take you some time to discover the high traffic blogs that welcome blog tours. Also, some blogs prefer to work only with organized blog tours that can assure them they’re being offered a quality book.

2. You might visit a few clunker blogs that you have problems with: they forget to post your review or something else.

5 Reasons to Attend a Writers' Conference

2010-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Writers tend to work in a bit of a vacuum, so every once in awhile it's nice to get away from the computer screen and have some face-to-face interaction. Conferences are a great way to pick up new info about different genres, meet other writers, and stay "in the loop" of what's happening in the field. Conferences can be pricey, so you want to make sure you'll get your money's worth if you decide to attend. Though offerings can vary, below are 5 of the biggest reasons why you should seriously consider attending a writers' conference:

Networking opportunities. It's nice to hear about others struggling with the same issues and how they're working through them. Networking can also lead to future business (for all of you nonfiction freelancers), writing buddies, or simply friends who can provide some feedback on projects.

Education through breakout sessions. Most attendees are looking for some new information about the field. That's where breakout sessions come in. Learn some new techniques for character development, how to write a stellar query letter, how social networking can boost your business, writing effective villains, or any other writing-related topic you can possibly imagine. Certainly attend a few sessions related to your genre, but why not check out a few on something completely different? It might help you approach your own work in a new way.

Inspiring keynote speakers. Even the most proficient writer needs a kick in the butt once in awhile, and often a strong keynote speaker can provide it. They are typically a highly established and respected member of the field meant to get the crowd to ask themselves "How can I renew my commitment to my craft?"

Author book fairs. It doesn't hurt to take advantage of opportunities for shameless self-promotion if they're available. Lots of conferences hold book fairs as a way for their published attendees to peddle their wares. It's a great way to support your local writers, and, if you're one of those writers, it's a quick and easy way to sell some books!

Giveaways. Who doesn't like free stuff? Conferences are notorious for their assorted giveaways or "swag" (stuff we all get). Pens, pencils, notepads, and often back issues of various magazines can be found on the average "freebie" table. Don't be greedy, but definitely take advantage!

What are some of your biggest reasons for attending writers' conferences?

Registration Now Open for BDWN's Write It Right Conference!

2010-01-18T06:09:00.001-08:00

Registration is now open for the Black Diamond Writers Network's first annual Write It Right Conference, scheduled for Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts, 1440 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA.

Registration prices are as follows:

Early Bird (postmarked by 2/28/10): $40
Early Bird Student/Senior (postmarked by 2/28/10): $35

Registation after 2/28/10: $50
Student/Senior Registration after 2/28/10: $45

Be part of the author book fair! We like to support our local authors and are offering space at the conference to sell books. Reserve a table for $10; no fee if you would like to be part of the conference.

For more information or to download a registration form, visit tamaquapubliclibrary.com.