Life of A Writer

Please excuse the title; it was the only thing I could think of. I went through a few in my head, but that title is the one that stuck. Hmmm… I bet it caught your attention, though. Seriously, did it catch your attention? Anyway, I'll get to back to what this post is really about, and I can tell you for a fact it's not about titles or titles that grab your attention. However, it is in fact about my life, and it could be about yours too… if you want it to be, and if you think you're ready to go down that road.

You see, like many, I too have had hardships in my life -- hardships I've learned to overcome -- and some I'm still learning to overcome. Even though I have learned to put the past behind me, sometimes it still bothers me, but I found a solution. The solution allows me to release my stress and even help or inspire others. I can let others know they're not alone, and that eventually things do, and can, get better. What's the solution you ask? Well, it's simple: I write about it and then sell it. When I'm ready to write about what happened, I tell my story through words, and then I search for publications looking to buy stories related to mine. Therefore, not only do I release stress and hopefully help or inspire someone else, but I also make money from something good, bad, tragic, funny or embarrassing that happened in the past. And that, my friend, is where I got the title "selling my life."

The first piece I wrote was a personal essay. I didn't sell this one, I wrote it to help a charity; however, I now sell the reprint rights to it. The founder of Absolute Write, Jenna Glatzer, started the "Stories of Strength" project, and when she did, she asked writers to contribute to the cause. Well, I supported the cause, and when she said she needed more personal essays for the "Stories of Strength" anthology, that's when I decided to first write about a hardship I had to overcome in my life. I'll admit, at first it was hard to put my experience with domestic violence into words, but I did it. The best part: afterwards I felt a tremendous relief of stress, and knowing that my experience could help or inspire someone else made every word I wrote and every tear I shed writing it worth it.

Deciding to share that one moment in my life has inspired me to write more about my life, but now I sell those words about my life to editors who are looking to buy just what I'm selling. For instance, as a Christian, I like telling others how a hardship brought me closer to God, so I can sell a personal essay telling readers how escaping domestic violence brought me closer to God. To whom would I sell this personal essay? A Christian publication might buy it. Of course, I would have to check the publication's guidelines first to see if they accept personal essays.

If you think you're ready to write about a hardship in your life, I challenge you to go ahead and try it. Then once you've finished writing about your hardship, search for markets and sell it. You may be surprised at how you'll feel after you've written about it.

If you don't think you're ready to write about something bad or tragic that happened in your past, then write about something good, funny or embarrassing in your past and sell it. Many folks enjoy reading about someone else's life, and many editors enjoy publishing it.

Need an example? Following is an expert from the personal essay I donated to Jenna's "Stories of Strength" anthology. The title of the essay was "Behind Closed Doors":

“I'm sorry, it won't happen again.” His words played over and over in my head. I believed him, but the beatings continued no matter how much I begged and pleaded for him to stop. And there was a time in our relationship, when I thought maybe if I fought back, he'd leave me alone. I painfully remember that day as if it was yesterday. . .

Nervously walking into the living room to approach him, I felt my eyes sting with tears.

“What's wrong with you?” He asked, halfway withdrawing his attention from the television.

“I just.....my voice shook....miscarried our baby.”
He darted up from the couch. “Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?”

Taking a step back from him, I feared his next move.

“I didn't know I was pregnant, not until I went to the bathroom.”

Sternly scrunching up his face while placing his hands on his hips, he waited for me to continue.

“I thought I was just on my period until I saw gray matter in my stool. With my experience in the medical field, I know that the gray matter is a miscarriage. Also, it explains why my bleeding is heavier, and why I hurt more than usual.”

“It wasn't mine! Who have you being sleeping around with, Bi***?”

“You know cheating is not my style. Besides, you always make sure I'm in your sight.” Fighting back my tears, I continued, “So how could I cheat? Furthermore, if you hadn't been so angry last night we wouldn't be having this conversation!”

Like a flash of lightning, he was standing smack dab in front of my face! I knew right then, I had made a mistake.

The rest of the essay can be read in the "Stories of Strength" anthology. 100% of the sales from the anthology will go to charities to help with disaster relief.

Have a great weekend! By the way, if you do my challenge and "sell your life," please comment and direct me to the publication your piece was published in -- I would love to read it.

Enjoy this post? Subscribe for updates.

Bookmark on Del.icio.us | Stumble It!

Whether we're stuck, blocked or our fingers are typing nonstop, we writers can always use a little assistance. Just the other day I needed some assistance with ideas, so what did I do? I headed to my favorite search engine (Google, of course) then typed in "writing challenges." I had many results to choose from, but when I came upon Seventh Sanctum my searching came to an abrupt halt! Turns out Seventh Sanctum's Quick Story Idea Generator gave me the boost I needed to start tapping away on the keyboard again.

Not only did I bookmark this great tool for writers, but I decided I would share it with all you writers, too. If you haven't discovered it yet, it really is a great tool for writers. Not only will the Quick Story Idea Generator produce writing challenges that could turn into a short fiction or book, but it can do so much more!

Have you ever found yourself looking for a theme or setting for a story you were working on? The Quick Story Idea Generator could have helped you. Next time you need a name for a fantasy character, a Greek-sounding name, weird name or some other type of name for your character, head over to the Quick Story Idea Generator and take your pick.

for updates.

Bookmark on Del.icio.us | Stumble It!

At the beginning of this week, Jennifer Mattern posted another weekly writing challenge on her blog, and I decided to take part in this one. After all, it's time I re-evaluate my writing goals anyway. With that said, I've been spending way too much time on writing articles and not enough time on the projects that I have had sitting on the back burner for a while now. The following is my new set of writing goals:

1. Write only two articles a night (I'm a night owl writer).
2. Once a week complete at least two chapters in the second edition of On the Net Resource Guide for Writers.
3. Each night write nonstop, for one hour, on the Creating a Successful E-zine e-book.
4. Every other night send two query letters for different articles to editors.
5. Every night check job boards for writing gigs, and reply to only the gigs I'm qualified for.

That should sum it up. However, if I have a client I'm doing a project for, I would have to get that job done first, and then I will go back to my list of writing goals. My clients ALWAYS come first.

At least once a month, I plan to let you know how far I've come with my writing goals. In fact, if I finish any of the books I'm writing, you'll be the first to know. Yes, you're that special to me.

Do you need to re-evaluate your writing goals? On the other hand, maybe you don't have a list of writing goals yet. Either way, I'd like to invite you to take part in Jennifer's writing challenge, and if you happen to post your goals on your blog, comment and let me know; I'd love to read your writing goals, too.

Remember, never give up on your dreams -- work toward them!

PS: For those of you waiting to read the article I mentioned last Monday -- the one for aspiring writers looking for ways to build their portfolio -- good news… it has been published. Therefore, you can read Tips to Jump-Start Your Writing Portfolio when you have a little extra time. Enjoy and don't forget to leave your comments! Oh yes, I sure would appreciate it if you could also rate it, which will only take a few seconds. And by all means, if you know of another writer who may also benefit from the article, feel free to e-mail it to them (click "Email to Friends" at the top of the article).

Enjoy this post? Subscribe for updates.

Bookmark on Del.icio.us | Stumble It!

I thought this would be fun so here it goes:

1) "Oh, she's just a hitchhiker I picked up on the side of the road."
2) "Honey, have you put on a little weight?"
3) "Did you see the size of that woman's breasts!?" (This one may even earn you a slap upside the head … LOL.)
4) "Do you plan on wearing that out tonight?"
5) "Not meatloaf again!"
6) "I'm going to Hooters with the guys tonight, dear."
7) Her: "Our anniversary's coming up."
Him: "When is that again?" (Note, I can't scold my hubby for not remembering anymore, but that's another story that I'll definitely have to tell you about in a few more days.)
8) "You're mother's coming over again!"

How about some more fun? I would like to challenge you to make your own list of things a man might say to his woman that could land him in the doghouse. Once you've created your list, post it on your blog then come back here and leave a comment with the link to your list. I'd love to read your list too, and I'm sure the men may want to make a mental note of these things as well. ;) Go ahead and try it. It really is fun!

Enjoy this post? Subscribe for updates.

Bookmark on Del.icio.us | Stumble It!