Why I Write for E-Zines

In the world of children’s writing, and probably adult writing, online magazines, for the most part are not considered anything special when it comes to a writing “making it.” For starters a lot of them don’t pay, or they don’t pay industry standards. They are almost looked down on because they are not something tangible to hold, like a real paper magazine. So why would a I “waste” my time on submitting to e-zines.

For starters I submit my stories to all different magazine venues. And while I would prefer to be able to see my work in a tangible form, like I have a few times, the point of my writing is to get my story out there, to children or adults. And the cheapest and easiest way for families to get stories to their children (especially with our struggling job situations) is through online venues.

Over time I have decided that why I write is more important than what the writing industry thinks of e-zines. And while many of my long time blog visitors know my stance on e-readers :/ I feel that magazines, because they offer short reads, are okay to be apart of the industry’s way to promote easy ways for children to get excited about reading.

After all, the point of writing is reading.

The Fun of Editing

Yes, I know, I wrote that. But I am actually finding this millionth edit on my middle grade manuscript to be…fun.
 
I’ve been busy reading other middle grade books, helpful blogs, and books on how to make every little bit better and it is paying off.
 
Maybe it is because I’ve been doing it for so long that I’m learning the skill, maybe it’s because I’m reading more, maybe it’s critiquing other work that has shown me my own mistakes, or maybe it’s because I’m so exhausted from reading my own work, over and over again, that I have come up with better ideas, sentences, and words so that I don’t have to re-read the same thing over and over anymore.

Whatever the cause is, I’ve grown to love my red pen. (I did try purple and green, but those colors didn’t seem forceful enough to handle the importance of my edits) I no longer  use it to draw palm trees on the sides of my manuscripts, or see how long I can hold it between my teeth to keep me from eating the candy on my desk.
 
Quote for the day: “Marriage would be wonderful, dear,” she reassured me, “if it weren’t so everyday.” – Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen.

Critique Group Catastrophe

Recently I spoke about how I might have to drop from the children’s writers critique group due to a member rejoining and her sidekick, the vomit bucket. 

She has yet to show, which is a good thing, as most thought she wouldn’t anyway. But now a new issue or group of issues has risen.

For starters I missed some meeting about ”Making Your Critique Group Better,” over the weekend. So a few people from group have some kind of new critique knowledge, that I apparently don’t have.

Secondly because there are no published authors in our group (oh well I guess no one is counting all my magazine publications!!) our group is suffering and we must change it up, because all the groups with published authors do it differently.

Third there is some high and mighty member that is returning and she is soooo good that we have to work around her schedule apparently. Note that she won’t be staying with us for long because she will probably start her own group…then why bother switch everything around?!?!

Next we are going to be setting limits, and guidelines, and positive point, negative points, much like an intense college class.

In addition, the day and time will change, and I will probably not be able to make it to these meetings now. I have, however, been told my ability to make it matters.

Maybe some of this is stemming from people frustrated that they haven’t been published…I can understand, but as a writer you have to know the percentage of likelihood that you will even get published is incredibly low. You have to write for yourself first and that makes a your story great.

I took a leap of faith back in October and joined this group for fun, to get out of the house, and to improve my writing…All it has brought me lately is stress and frustration…We are all adults, this really shouldn’t be happening! I’m just very upset, because I like all the people in my group and it feels like it’s falling apart!!!!!!

The Long Process…

I’ve been busy working on a middle grade level book for over the past five years. While it has received some excellent feedback from editors, it isn’t quiet where it needs to be, hence the continued rejection letters.

It’s making the rounds in my critique group and that has helped find a lot of errors and really tightened it up, overall.

It feels like it’s never going to be where it needs to be, something will always need to be edited. And editing it has proven to be rather difficult, this millionth time through, although I’m getting some great new ideas to throw into chapters.

The book is fiction, but it relies on historical points, such as historical dates and architecture. If I don’t properly represent these in the book then it won’t be creditable and it won’t be something I’m proud of even if an editor looks past the flaws.

With a huge cast of characters, that only show up one time, taking place in a huge house old house, I have a lot to remember and organize.

Back when I started I had constructed a long time line to keep track of all these little things, but pulling it once again from the file cabinet and going through all my notes, I realize I have no idea what I wrote down! My timeline and notes are hideous. And my pencil drawings for each character all look the same now.

But I’m determined to figure it all out…finish it up and send it off. Even if I have to cover my walls AGAIN with every index card on file!

Can I Get Some Love???

What great joy comes from getting a story accepted! You would think someone sent a million dollars to my email in-box. The way I dance a bit in my office chair. Proud of my achievement. However, the dogs surely don’t care, they are too busy playing, barking, or fighting…and my husband…well…he is more excited this morning about finding out that his torque wrench works.