Archive for February, 2010
Write Like an Australian – A Lesson in Fast-Paced Writing
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
If you’re a non-Australian looking for a good lesson in fast-paced writing, then you need look no further than Australia.
One of the first things I noticed about Australian language and speaking, besides the actual accent, is the habit of the majority of Australians to interrupt. But far from simply being a very rude country, it’s actually the way of the language.
Maybe it’s because Americans have guns, so if you piss them off you could get shot, but Australians don’t place such a high importance on waiting until a person is completely finished speaking. Instead, if they think they know what you are going to say, where you are going with the conversation, or even if something relevant has popped into their minds, they won’t hesitate to speak up.
I’ve puzzled over this for a while and come to the conclusion that Australians place more importance in the ideas and messages being conveyed rather than the actual words.
How does this help you with your writing?
If what you’re working on is starting to turn yawn-inspiring, take a lesson from Australians; don’t be afraid to interrupt your characters. Be it their inner monologues, discussions with other characters, or even switching perspectives from one chapter to another. Don’t place the ultimate importance on what they are saying or thinking.
Don’t be polite to your characters.
If you want to try this out in exercise form first, take two characters and write a scene (or more) consisting of interruptions galore. Just remember that moderation is usually a good thing.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Calls for Submissions – February
Monday, February 8th, 2010
…Results Stories…
Have you read a particular Chicken Soup story and, after reading it, found that it changed your life? We are looking for stories on how a story made important changes in your life and what specifically happened to you after you read it. Please be sure to let us know the title of the story that touched your life.
***Please note: If you do not see a book title that fits your story, do not submit it to us at this time. Keep the story in your files and keep checking back with us. We are adding new titles all of the time. Hopefully we will add one soon that will be perfect for your story. Please remember that our editors can only consider stories for the titles listed on our Possible Book Topics list. In the case of “Results Stories,” they will only consider stories having to do specifically with this topic and description above.
Christmas and Holidays – Ho Ho Ho
We love the holidays! They are a magical time of the year; a time of family, friends and traditions. They can bring special joy and unexpected blessings into our lives. Please share your Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa stories with us… stories that will touch the souls and warm the hearts of our readers. The deadline date for story submissions is February 28, 2010.
Devotionals for Mothers
Being a mom is one of the most challenging — and yet rewarding –jobs a woman can have. With God on your parenting team, the burdens are lighter and the rewards are sweeter. If you have a brief true story (up to 600 words) that shows God’s presence during a parenting moment, please share it along with an applicable Bible verse and a 2-3 sentence prayer. You will receive ten free copies of the book and $100 for each published devotion. The deadline date for submissions is February 28, 2010.
Family Matters
Do you have a great story about a wacky or dysfunctional family member? We know you love them, but it’s still great fun to read about all those crazy relatives and compare them to ours. Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family has been a big hit, so let’s do it again. Send us your stories, funny or serious. Submit under your real name, but rest assured we expect most of you to use pen names for publication and change the names of family members to protect the innocent (or guilty!). The deadline date for story submissions is February 28, 2010
Grandmothers
Everyone has a great story about the unconditional love between grandmothers and their grandchildren. We are looking for wonderful stories celebrating grandmothers and grandchildren, written by grandmothers about being a grandmother, and by grandchildren about their grandmothers. Stories about stepgrandmothers and honorary grandmothers are welcomed also. We are not looking for stories from children so please save those for a future book. The deadline date for story submissions is March 31, 2010.
Grieving and Recovery
Grieving is a difficult process that those who have lost a loved one must go through in order to get to the recovery phase. This important collection of stories will be like a support group that will offer comfort and understanding and show you that, no matter how devastating your loss is, you are not alone. You can get through the process and, with time, you will regain your strength and move forward with your life. The deadline date for story submissions is March 31, 2010.
My Cat’s Life
As many of you know this title was going to focus on the grieving and recovery process we humans go through after the loss of a beloved cat. However, despite the many heartwarming and inspirational stories you have submitted, we decided that the topic is too narrow. In its new form the book will focus on all the memorable ages and stages our cat’s lives. Starting with kittens, it will cover the prime years, aging cats, and finally the twilight and the end, when our dear friends leave us. We want to capture the experience of living through the natural life cycle with our cats. Because of the title’s initial form we expect to have a nice large section on grieving and recovery (which isn’t filled despite our collecting submissions!). The deadline date for story submissions is March 30, 2010.
My Dog’s Life
As many of you know this title was going to focus on the grieving and recovery process we humans go through after the loss of a family dog. However, despite the many heartwarming and inspirational stories you have submitted, we decided that the topic is too narrow. In its new form the book will focus on all the memorable ages and stages of our dog’s lives. Starting in puppyhood it will cover a range of middle years, senior dogs, and finally the twilight and the end, when our dear friends leave us. We want to capture the experience of living through the natural life cycle with our dogs. Because of the title’s initial form we expect to have a nice large section on grieving and recovery (which isn’t filled despite our collecting submissions!). The deadline for story submissions is March 30, 2010.
New Moms
Becoming a new mom is the most amazing experience, unique and unlike any other. From the moment that baby is placed in your arms, there is an incredible feeling only a new mother can know. This book celebrates the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of having a child and creating a family. We are looking for heartwarming, insightful, and humorous stories about raising babies and toddlers that share with our readers the wonders of early motherhood. The deadline for story submissions is February 28, 2010.
Preteens
The preteen years – those years from nine to twelve can be rough from both a physical and emotional perspective. You are not a kid anymore but you are not yet a teen. There are so many issues to deal with and sometimes it feels like you are all alone. You are not! The stories in this book – almost all of them written by preteens just like you – will prove that to you. We are looking for stories that will inspire you, make you laugh, make you think and let you know that life is not as bad as it might seem. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2010.
Teens
A completely new book on one of our most requested topics – TEENS. The stories in this book, written almost entirely by teens, will be stories that you will want to read again and again. They will serve as your guide on topics such as the daily pressures of life, love, school, friendships, parents and much more. We are looking for stories that will encourage you, inspire you, make you laugh, make you cry and show you that, as tough as things can get, you are not alone. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2010.
Thank you!
Posted in Publication Opportunities |
Sunday Scribblings 201 – Message
Sunday, February 7th, 2010
What message do you have to share? What message have you gotten? What message is life giving you? Did you listen? Did someone else? What’s the message here?
Plenty of people are of the opinion that I have a message to share about my life and experiences. I’m firmly of the opinion that I can’t have possibly lived enough by this age to have anything to say about life.
Well, that’s what I tell people, anyway.
Recently, the universe has seen that I am willing to take steps to become the woman I want to be. Thus, the universe has been lending me a hand. All the ‘messages’ I appear to be getting and feeling point me towards doing the things that make me feel afraid.
Facing your fears is hardly a new concept, but it is new to me. I wasn’t aware of just how many things I am afraid of until I started thinking about it and facing them. I have done all of three scary things so far, and strangely enough, I feel amazing for it. Vulnerable, unsure and confused as well, but the amazing bit is the important part.
I believe we all have our own trials in life, specific to our lives. What is scary for me is not scary for you and vice versa because we all have different things to learn. What I am learning is that I need to focus on the things I face, not what other people might think of my fears.
The funny thing out of all of this is that one of my fears is sitting down and writing about my life. Facing all those events again. I’m afraid of facing it and having other judge what I’ve been through.
So maybe I’ll end up writing that memoir after all…
Posted in Sunday Scribblings |
The Australian Horror Writers Association: The Paul Haines Challenge
Thursday, February 4th, 2010Original post here.
‘The Nameless’ challenge is OPEN to submissions!
The AHWA and ‘Nameless’ competition director Stephen Studach are thrilled to announce that the ‘Nameless’ competition will be judged by multi-award winning master of dark fiction Ramsey Campbell.
In honour of Mr. Campbell’s involvement, the competition’s deadline has been extended to the 13th of March, 2010.
* Read the story (Part I here; Part II here), get to know the story elements, the characters, their journey and their motivations. Then, write a fitting ending for ‘The Nameless‘ and give the tale a title while you’re at it.
* Make your donation of AU$10 (ten dollars) through PayPal using our official PayPal ID: ahwa@australianhorror.com
* Send your conclusion, with title, to ahwa@australianhorror.com
* Your title and ending will then be sent to one of our Judges. If your piece makes it into the finals corral you will be notified.
* Those writers and organisers who have already participated in the assembling of ‘The Nameless’ as well as the judges in said comp, are barred from taking part in the competition itself. Outside of that specification anyone from anywhere can compete as many times as they like.
* Once submissions have closed, the six best endings will be featured on the HorrorScope site, when Ramsey Campbell will decide the winner.
And the winner will receive cold hard cash to the sum of $500! As well as the following:
- The honour of giving the story a title.
- A copy of The Last Days of Kali Yuga, the second collection of Paul Haines’ stories. This one is from Brimstone Pressand due to be released in December of this year. Kindly donated by Angela Challis.
- A manuscript version of the story signed by all of the writers involved.
- A copy of The Australian Writer’s Marketplace 2009/2010.
- A copy of ‘The Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror’ 19th annual collection (edited by Datlow, Link & Grant.)
- Free 1-year membership, or 12-month renewal, to the Australian Horror Writers Association.
- Books: Signed limited editions of – Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge. Wild Things by Douglas Clegg. Prodigal Blues by Gary A. Braunbeck.
As well as – Development Hell by Mick Garris. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. Infected by Scott Sigler. The Nature of Balance by Tim Lebbon. The Dark Descent edited by David G. Hartwell. A used copy of The Books of Blood (vols 1-3).
All proceeds from this competition will go to Paul Haines to use in whatever manner that he and his family see fit.
Posted in Contests & Giveaways, Publication Opportunities |
Dark Discoveries Submissions Guidelines
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010We are currently accepting submissions for 2010 – 2011.
FICTION:
* Improperly formatted manuscripts will be immediately rejected. Electronic submissions are preferred.*
* Stories from 500 to 5000 words, query for longer. Must be in the Horror/Dark Fantasy and Dark Mystery veins (no straight Science Fiction, Mystery, Fan Fiction, or Sword & Sorcery).
* Looking for well-written, powerful, original ideas and new twists on old Horror conventions. Vampire and werewolf stories are a tough sell, but we are open to those with an original twist. Especially looking for stories that examine the darker side of the human condition, but we are also interested in supernatural tales. New writers are welcome to submit. Please consider purchasing a sample copy to see what type of stories we are publishing.
PAYMENT:
* Three ($.03) to five ($.05) a word (The minimum payment is $25 and the maximum payment is $150).
* Payment is within 60 days of publication. Rights revert to author upon publication. No Simultaneous submissions (to other publications). One story submission at a time (please wait to send another story until your current one has been responded to!). Response time is 3-4 months.
INTERVIEWS/NONFICTION:
* Looking for interviews with established & newer personalities with recognition in the Horror/Dark Fantasy and related fields. Payment for interviews in copies only. Query for details.
* Also looking for relevant non-fiction articles by new & established writers. Query first, please. Payment varies (usually $.03 to $.05 a word). Simultaneous submissions okay, one at a time – same as above.
ARTWORK:
* Looking for original art in Horror/Dark Fantasy style, B&W or Color. Final format for publication: 300DPI minimum, TIFF preferred. B&W illustrations should be formatted for Grayscale. For queries, it is OK to send JPG in email.
* Payment is $25 – $50 for small interior art plus two copies and up to $150 plus two copies for a cover piece. Payment within 60 days of publication. Simultaneous submissions OK. Will look at multiple art subs, but please query first before sending to make sure it’s okay. Rights revert to Artist upon publication.
Posted in Publication Opportunities |
Call for Writers and Editors – Moot Mag
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010Moot Mag – Today’s Amazing Stories is a fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, and humor magazine whose stories are illustrated with the finest digital art. Moot Mag could be compared to the old pulp mags and the Onion for it’s attitude and satire, but Moot’s focus is the paranormal, supernatural, and oddity. Moot Mag is also an extension of Moot Movie. Check out MootMagMovie.com to be sure this is for you.
We are seeking writers and an editor for our first issue to be released at WonderCon in San Francisco this April. Please send resume and samples that reflect a unique edgy point of view.
We have specific 500-1000 word articles and stories that need to be written.
Immediate availability.
Posted in Publication Opportunities |
The Writer’s Retreat
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
Well, it’s official. I will be ‘out of the office’ in all ways from February 13th to the 20th.
No internet.
No home (as in, I won’t be at home, not that I won’t have a home).
Questionable phone availability.
All I will have is a room (not even with a desk), my laptop and plenty of time to write. Oh, and alcohol after five.
I have never been on a true writer’s retreat before, and I certainly haven’t been anywhere away from home by myself since I moved to Australia. This ‘retreat’ is more like a ‘let’s see if she comes out sane’ exercise’, but I am slowly getting past the nerves and to the prospect of this being a good thing.
I’ve written a lot since I moved here, but most of it consisted of both professional and non-professional blog posts. I would estimate my creative writing efforts to be at maybe 10-15% of the lot. What does that mean? It means I’ve started quite a few things but finished few.
There will be posts while I’m gone, thanks to the wonder abilities of ‘post ahead’ on Wordpress. Even so, you can imagine me sitting on a bed (remember – no desk – the rooms are small) with my laptop, desperately trying to write (finish?) something.
I don’t want to think of it this way, but I can’t help regarding this as the ‘make or break’ moment of my writing. This time away will show me if creative writing is still in the cards for me…
Posted in General |
Inkyblots Blog Carnival – February 2010 Edition
Monday, February 1st, 2010Welcome to the February 1, 2010 edition of Inkyblots!
Tiffany Colter presents Read extensively posted at Writing Career Coach, saying, “This article discusses the importance of reading to improve your craft.”
Fiction
Lindsay B presents The Goblin Brothers and the Sword Master’s Apprentice posted at Goblin Brothers — Short Stories for Children (Grownups Allowed), saying, “A new adventure starring Malagach and Gortok, a pair of goblin siblings who get out of trouble using only their wits.”
JennH presents Opportunity posted at Mixed Metaphor.net.
Morgan Schwartz presents From Battling Dyslexia to Reading Anna Karenina posted at Omaha.net – Local Writing from the Heartland, saying, “thanks!”
Genre-centic
Madeleine Begun Kane presents The Vibrator Play on Broadway (Review and Limerick) posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog.
mike presents Last Year’s Admirable Few posted at We Work For Cheese.
How-To
Tiffany Colter presents How to nail your ending posted at Writing Career Coach, saying, “This article helps writers to nail their ending.”
Tiffany Colter presents Unique marketing ideas posted at Writing Career Coach, saying, “This article talks about a new way for writers to market their books.”
Tiffany Colter presents This opening line really grabbed me. posted at Examiner, saying, “This article helps writers to improve their opening line.”
Publishing and Agents
Tiffany Colter presents Interview with author Miralee Ferrell posted at Writing Career Coach, saying, “This article is an interview with author Miralee Ferrell.”
Livia Blackburne presents Livia Blackburne: Writing Career Advice From a Neuroscientist, Part I: Choose your Projects Carefully posted at Livia Blackburne.
Livia Blackburne presents Writing Career Advice from a Neuroscientist Part 2: Know the Literature posted at Livia Blackburne.
Livia Blackburne presents Writing Advice from a Neuroscientist Part 3: Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin posted at Livia Blackburne.
Livia Blackburne presents Writing Career Advice From a Neuroscientist Part 4: Don’t Take Criticism Personally posted at Livia Blackburne.
Worldbuilding
Sandra Lopez presents The Evolution of the Book (Infographics) posted at Best Colleges Online.
Gracie Turner presents 100 Little Ways You Can Dramatically Improve Your Writing posted at Online Colleges.net.
***
That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of inkyblots using our carnival submission form.
Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
Posted in Blog Carnival |