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Comment by Nellotie 9 hours ago

My Publishing Dreams

Yesterday I picked up Terry Whalin’s book Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams, with the intentions to read a chapter or two before having to begin preparations for our family dinner. By bedtime I not only was finished with the book, but had chased down several web sites that Mr. Whalin has throughout his book.

Yes, my family had their dinner on time. I tried to be careful, but I’m afraid my brand new copy of Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams has a couple smudges from my attempts to cook and read at the same time.

If any writer has any dreams of being published, I cannot recommend Terry Whalin’s books, newsletters, or blogs highly enough. Mr. Whalin has never forgotten what it was like beginning a writing career. And because of that, he is one of the few writers who has successfully published many works and still takes the time to encourage those of us who are still struggling to “make it” as writers.

I have been to writer conferences, writer workshops, writer groups, and checked out more web sites than I ever dreamed could be on the net, and the majority of what I’ve listened to and/or read from established leaders in the writing world, has done more to intimidate and discourage me than help.

It doesn’t matter where any one of us are on our path to being published, it’s still up to us to do the work, do the research, do the marketing, and jump over whatever other hurdles we face along the path.

My one dream, other than being published by a traditional publisher, is that if I ever do “make it”, I will remember. If God ever moves me into a place where I have the opportunity to help others, I want to remember. I do not want pride and arrogance to discourage or intimidate anyone struggling to be successful.

That’s why I appreciate writers and leaders such as Mr. Whalin. If you don’t have any of his books, run out and grab them up. Just don’t forget to read them and learn from them.

And, like Mr. Whalin says on page # 233, “Be persistent and keep working at it.” Even though I have days when discouragement threatens to stop my fingers from beating out the stories that are clamoring to escape my over-active brain, I keep at it. Someday I hope to be successful. I’m sixty-two now, maybe by the time I dance through one hundred, it will happen. As long as my heart beats and my fingers follow suit, I will not give up.

Comment by Sunny Frazier on November 29, 2009 at 9:32pm

Mystery On the High Seas: A Cruise To Die For. 
Details: Nov. 14-21, leaving from Los Angeles. Three days at sea for panels and such. Ports-of-call: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. No extra charge for the conference, just pay for the cabin. Really encouraging fans, small presses and their authors to attend. I'm also trying to negotiate with the ship so we can sell our books.
 
Bev has wrangled 120 cabins. She'd like to see $100 deposit to hold a cabin as soon as possible, a second installment on the deposit of $150 by June 1, and the remainder by Aug. 25. Go to
Beverly@cruisingsmart.com  She'll also send you the flyer.

Comment by DragonCub on November 25, 2009 at 6:23am

Hi,

If you get some time then do visit my brand new online bookstore at http://www.DragonCub.com

It’s a place for book sellers and buyers.

I will appreciate your visit.

Thanks.

Comment by Sheryl Farmer-Storrie on November 3, 2009 at 3:39pm

Well I have watched and listened to several well known writers on what is the best way to start a novel and what steps are necessary to complete one. I have to be honest with myself that until I resolve my personal issues with filing for disability and getting it approved that my blog is about the only thing I can stick to at this time. I have to focus on how I am going to get my medical bills paid and income from whatever source straightened out first. That's my achilles hill. It took me finding the right antidepressant to pull my head out of the fog to figure it out. I have a dependency to think I can do it all at once. Facing the fact that I can't and that's OK is for me a great step. So far 2 to 4 hrs on the computer is my limit and I need to use it wisely right now taking it one day at a time.

Comment by Shawn Fitzgerald on October 7, 2009 at 4:10pm

LOL Sheryl...I do my best to make people feel welcome because Heaven knows how much I like to be welcomed :-) And plus, it is the curtious thing to do, and thats the way my mom raised me ;-)

Comment by Sheryl Farmer-Storrie on October 7, 2009 at 2:04pm

Marta,

I know you are really busy right now but you seem to have the most sensible solutions for beginning writers. What were your experiances when you first started and what was your method?

Comment by Sheryl Farmer-Storrie on October 7, 2009 at 2:01pm

How do you begin a story. The first sentence, the first words. I blog as was hoping to piece together the blogs and fill in the blanks. I just need a push and someone telling me what to do. I dont see a lot of discussion but just a lot of Hello's. Shawn we should knight you the official Welcome to the Group! You are sincerely always greeting everyone with a smile.

Comment by Shawn Fitzgerald on September 28, 2009 at 2:24pm

Sunny,
That sounds very interesting...I will be sure to check your blog soon. I just finished a little short story about the dog that I used to own, mainly out of memory of him. Talk to you later.

God Bless,
Shawn

Comment by Jennifer Ochs on September 27, 2009 at 8:07pm

Please stop by www.nybookcafe.com to discuss banned books week 9/26-10/3. Let's celebrate our freedom to read!

Comment by Sunny Frazier on September 27, 2009 at 7:48pm

To Shawn and others who pen short stories: on my critique group blog I posted the 4 elements to prize-winning short stories. I studied my own collection to try and find out why I kept winning. Figured there had to be a clue in my own work. The post should be up tomorrow at this link: http://fridaynightwrite.blogspot.com

Why give away "secrets?" Because I think writers can benefit. Also, I love competition!

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