Monday, March 26, 2012

Enjoy Your Achievements As Well As Your Plans


Francene Stanley's guest blog,

"The diagnosis of osteoporosis released me from the fiery dungeons of a kitchen, where I worked in the catering business full time, to a life of relaxation, which some call retirement. But life goes on, and people need to occupy themselves.

"Continuing a hobby, I created wonderful cross-stitch pictures. My house couldn't fit any more. Always looking for something new, I began composing songs and gave the go-ahead for several of the best to be made into demo's. After songwriting, I turned to poetry and once I'd exhausted every topic I could think of, a novel came to mind, loosely based on my life. Of course, I longed to have the novel published, but the road to writing a good story stretched ahead.

"In 2007, I began to write my first novel, Still Rock Water. By the end of a year, I'd joined the Internet Writing Workshop.

"My first attempts at writing were poor, to say the least. But the generosity of members at the Internet Writing Workshop coached my efforts along, chapter by chapter, until the end.

"Also, by reading other people's writing, I gradually saw things I'd like to emulate, and what to avoid in my own writing. Throughout the Moonstone Series of three books, Edith Parzefall and Greg Henry gave painstaking help and Carol Kean, apart from suggestions, blessed me with her enthusiasm.

"The benefit of someone believing in your story goes a long way. I can never thank every person who helped me enough.

"I never gave up on Still Rock Water, but faced the trial of getting someone else to appreciate its potential to appeal to readers. I must have sent a query to at least one hundred agents and publishers over the last years. After each rejection slip, which never gave any reason so I could change the dross, I edited, edited, edited.

"I've reached the stage where I enjoy editing more than writing. It's a wonderful opportunity to hone your skills and improve the plot.

"Although the story remains the same, the writing has changed so much-and it's all thanks to the Novels-l members of the Internet Writing Workshop.

"I've signed a contract with Solstice Publishing for Still Rock Water. My perseverance and commitment to improving my writing paid off. Later this year, the first book in the Moonstone Series will be published in every format. The chief editor at Solstice Publishing said it hardly needs editing, thanks to helpful members of Internet Writing Workshop.

"Much kudos goes to Edith Parzefall, my writing partner of another series of books. Wind Over Troubled Waters will be published by Double Dragon Publishing, in May.

"Edith helped me so much, believed in my idea of a future Britland after the Great Flood, and together we created a group of wonderful characters. We love them all, and we don't want the story to end after we finish our forth book in the Higher Ground series.

"My tip for writing comes from Desiderata:


'If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.'"
See Francene's blog .
See her on Facebook .
And find her on Twitter.


Join Internet Writing Workshop.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

"Re-Entry: Surviving Life After The War," by Michelle Matthews


"Re-Entry: Surviving Life After The War," by Michelle Matthews, http://reentrybook.com/ is a book every American should read to gain insight into the challenges returning service men and women are coping with today.



Matthews is currently a Captain in the Missouri National Guard, and Director of Training and Education at Crime Victim Advocacy Center. She holds a Masters degree in Communications, from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a Bachelors degree in Psychology, from St. Louis University.


Saturday, March 17, 2012

Edith Parzefall Succeeds!

Author, Edith Parzefall recently wrote,

"More great news to share with you, and I hope you'll all draw hope and encouragement from my success."

When you read all about it, take a moment to encourage and support Edith by leaving your comment.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Blog publicity


Lucky 7!
 I've been tagged by Lynne of Marina Marlee Lucky 7 Meme--thank you, Lynne! This is a fun, social media version of a chain letter for writers.

 So what do I need to do?

1. -- Go to page 77 of my WIP (okay, if I tagged you and you're a blogger, chances are you don't have 77 continuous pages, so pick a 7 of some kind - page 7, paragraph 7 or 77, line 7 or 77, etc and skip to step 3, adjusting as needed - 7 lines, sentences, words, letters...).


2. -- Go to line 7


3. -- Copy the next 7 lines, AS ARE (no cheating, no tweaking, no polishing for any reason at all) and paste them into a blog post (thus here we are) to share with the world


4 -- Tag 7 other authors (including bloggers) (see? it's a chain letter!)

And if you're tagged by me, what do you need to do? Steps 1-4 above!

My 7 lines come from my WIP, Montana Scribbler.When I come across helpful information about any aspect of writing, marketing, publishing, self-publishing I post it. When a writer, author, or member of Internet Writer Workshop (IWW) impresses me, I tout their book(s) and/or writing, and offer to publish their guest blog. Montana Scribbler will remain a WIP until I'm no longer able to write and post. ;0))

Here are my 7 lines:


"Many children are excellent writers and there are markets that publish their manuscripts. The following resources help jump start a youngsters's writing career.

KidPub, Books and stories for kids, by kids since 1995, http://www.kidpub.com/. Free membership required. Visit the FAQ to learn.."

And if you're tagged by me, what do you need to do? Steps 1-4 above!

Now to figure out who my fellow Lucky 7 will be...
Ruth Douillette
Ann Hite
Randi Gunther
Paul Fein

Check out these fellow authors and bloggers - you'll enjoy reading and following them! I do.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Why Clean Writing is More Important Than Ever


Serious writers won't go wrong by following Debi O'neille's blog, debi o'neille, writing against the wind 

Every guest blog is helpful, but to learn why clean writing is more important than ever, don't miss the guest blog she published on March 9, 2012, "Guest Publisher and Author Nell DuVall on the Importance of the Basics in Writing."


Debi includes DuVall's impressive and versatile background, and highlights DuVall's three upcoming 2012 book releases, a Sci-Fi, Beyond the Rim of Light, a murder mystery, Selvage, and When Lilacs Bloom, a time-travel romance.


Don't missNel Duvall's other books:
Train to Yesterday (Five Star Expressions)
Teaching Man and Other Tales
Domestic Technology: A Chronology of Developments
Deadly Valentine a Kindle e-book released January 25, 2012.

Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins, by Diane Diekman.


The University of Illinois Press published Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins and reissued, in soft cover, Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story. In addition to Amazon.com and bookstores, you'll also find them here along with details, Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins and also here with details, Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story .

Diekman is scheduled at several upcoming March events:
  • Saturday, March 17 -- A CUP OF JAVA in Marty Robbins Plaza at 7003 N 58th Avenue in Glendale, Arizona. Plans are for a Marty Robbins tribute band to perform. Details later.
  • Wednesday, March 28 -- Diane Diekman will be a guest on the Eddie Stubbs show on WSM Radio at 8:00 PM.
  • Saturday, March 31-- 12:30 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Diekman will talk about and read from Twentieth Century Drifter. Joe Babcock is organizing music by several of Marty's band members. Jim Glaser and Ronny Robbins are expected to be there. The show will be followed by a book signing at 2:00 p.m.