Writing From the Trenches Surviving the Writing Journey even when you’re in the trenches.

photo-by-jean-scheijen-www.sxc.hu

Wow!  Time certainly flies when you neglect your blog, doesn’t it?  I have thought about this writing blog often, but I haven’t taken the time to do anything about it.  I am determined to change that and blow the dust off of this blog.

I have made several changes in my writing life this past year.  I am currently busy writing curriculum for homeschoolers.  And although I love what I am doing, I am still yearning to put pen to paper and jot out my fiction masterpiece.  Maybe it is because Nano is right around the corner.  Or perhaps it is because I am teaching my son how to write and we are entrenched in fundamentals of writing a good description at the moment.

In any case, it is definitely time for me to dust off my writing shelf and blog and share some of what I have learned and am learning.  I have some definite plans, so please be sure to watch this blog for announcements and some great giveaways!  I purchased some really fun items to giveaway to my readers, so keep an eye out for those.  I am working on some creative ways to enter.  It should be fun!

Posted under Announcements

With the New Year, many people are making resolutions to hopefully make improvements in their lives.  But I don’t like to make resolutions, because they are so easily broken and dismissed.  I like to set goals instead.  When you set a goal, your wishes and desires seem to be more concrete.  So I thought perhaps we should talk about setting goals when it comes to our writing.

The New Year brings so many possibilities to us.  It is in essence a fresh start and a time to dust off our aspirations and try to make them become a reality.  Many writers set goals for their business at this time.  However, how many actually write down those goals and then create an action plan to make them happen?  Setting goals by identifying them and then prioritizing them will help you to achieve a greater balance in your writing career.  Some of the main reasons that people fail to achieve their goals are a fear of commitment, the fear of setting goals which are too high and not knowing how to make those goals become a reality.

Over the next few weeks, I hope to help you to overcome these things so that you can find the writing success you desire and deserve.  We will work together on clearly defining our goals so that we have a clear picture of where we are headed and what we want to achieve.

The first thing that you will need to do is to decide what your goals and dreams are for the year.  Write these things down.  Do not worry for now if those goals are realistic.  We will work of goal modification and turning those goals into reality later.  Just make a list of things you would like to accomplish this year in your writing.  Of course, you can apply this to the other areas in your life as well.  But for our purposes here, we will be focusing on writing goals.  Work on creating this list over the next day or two.  Whenever you think of something, write it down.  I will tell you what we are going to do with this list later, in my next post.  That’s all I want you to do for now.  Just dream and write down those goals.  Just do it…aren’t you and your career worth it?  I thought so…

Posted under Rules for Writing

I’ve been busy working on my Nano masterpiece and I have had some rather interesting experiences thus far. It seems that my characters are busy talking to each other in my head. But they aren’t only talking with each other, they are also talking to me. I must admit that it is kind of fun to chat with them. I am sure that my family thinks I have finally gone off the deep end and am loony. But for a writer, this is just part of the writing process, at least for some of us.

When I began plotting out my novel, I had all sorts of ideas and directions that I planned on taking my characters. After all, I was in charge and they had to do what I said, right? It has been funny to listen to them as they are not content with doing as I say. They have real feelings and thoughts. They have opinions and sometimes, those opinions are rather strong.

Take my main character or protagonist, if you will. I had orginally after much thought given her the name of Noel Robinson. She didn’t like it. She pestered me and insisted that her name was not Noel. It was Nicole, and she liked her friends to call her Nikki. She chattered nonstop until I relented and made the change.

This morning I channeled one of my main supporting characters, Edna. She is a very strong character and I have had fun making Edna comments off and on all day long. I am sure that I will enjoy this for a long time to come. She is just one of those characters and I think she is quickly becoming a favorite. Shhh…don’t tell…

So what am I learning through this process? I have learned to listen to my characters and guide them through this story writing process. I am still in charge, but they can help and aid me along the way. It makes it more fun when I consider their feelings. They still have to do what I say, but they can sure come up with some twists and turns that I hadn’t thought of before. It makes for interesting characterization, and I am ending up with some well-developed characters. Listening to your characters can be a good thing, even if you may seem a little on the strange side to friends and family. In the end, who will really care when your masterpiece is written?

Posted under Fiction Writing

Well the time is almost upon those of us who undertake the great NanoWriMo contest each year. I am determined to not only participate, but actually complete my 50,000 word masterpiece. I participated last year, but only got a few hundred words or so actually done. I am determined that I shall be dubbed a winner this year. I will admit that I want the glory of the title of winner.

I am so determined this year, that I have recruited not only my sister to participate, but also my son. He will be participating in the YW Nanowrimo event. It will be a good challenge for him, although he will not be actually doing the 50,000 words that my sister and I will be doing. He will be attempting to create a story of at least 8,000 words, which is much more appropriate for his age level. We originally thought we would do 12,000 words, but after some careful consideration and negotiation on his part, we finally settled on a goal of 8,000 words.

For those who are slightly confused by the term NanoWriMo, let me briefly explain. NanoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. It is a time when would-be authors all over the world dedicate themselves to the task of writing a novel of at least 50,000 words in 30 days time. NanoWriMo is a fun, silly and productive venture for the writer. It is a time of serious writing and no editing. Editing is strictly forbidden during this month. The goal is to just write, write, and write some more. The thought is that the creative process will break open and the prose will begin to flow freely. At least that is what we hope.

Granted, there will undoubtedly be some awful prose written during this time by many. However, for some, it will help them to experience the creativity that they crave. Hopefully it will show them that they really can write that novel they have always dreamed of writing. It is a call to action instead of just talking.

Surprisingly, there have actually been a few of the novels crafted during this time published. I hope that I can join the ranks of those authors. In any case, it will be writing for ME. I will learn from what I write. That makes it worth it just in itself.

I will post more about my crazy venture this next month as I craft my novel. I will post my highs and my lows. It should be an interesting experience for all. If you want to join me, then you still have time to get signed up. It should be crazy fun. And if you just want to follow me or be a buddy, then my username at the Nano site is blemmet.

See you there!

Posted under Fiction Writing

As writers we are naturally passionate about life and the things in it. But sometimes we lose our focus of what is the most important to us. We become concerned with making the money we need for our bills and necessities. We lose ourselves in the process and forget who we are as writers and individuals. We lose our passion.

I just recently re-evaluated my writing career and goals and found that I had lost my passion for my job. It was becoming obvious in my work that I was turning in to clients and my approach to completing my work. It was time to re-evaluate my career choice and determine why I was writing. Was I now writing just for the sake of writing and getting a paycheck? Or was I writing because I loved it and needed to express my ideas on paper?

After a long introspection, I determined that it was time to refocus my efforts to what as important to me. I needed to write for myself once again and not just what my clients wanted me to write about. I needed to find the joy of writing once again. Without some major changes, I was headed for writer burnout and that is just not an acceptable option for me.

It took me too long to discover what I was truly passionate about for my work to burnout and sacrifice myself in the process. I have had the habit throughout my work career to always do what I am naturally good at doing and not necessarily what I am passionate about doing. I spent too many years working in the banking industry in a job I actually despised, but was very good at completing. Many probably didn’t even realize how much I hated my job, I was that good at it.

I was following similar patterns in my freelance career. I was accepting work that I was very good at doing, but not necessarily passionate about. Some of it I actually didn’t enjoy at all. But I felt compelled to do it because I was good at it and a client or friend asked me to do it. I felt trapped. I was like a deer in the headlights much of the time. My physical and emotional health began to take a toll on me because of what I was doing.

So I made some changes. I am now being choosy about what work I will accept. I am putting myself first. My work is beginning to reflect my passion once again. I am no longer sabotaging my career and myself. I am not afraid to say no. I am rediscovering my passion.

When you focus on what you are truly passionate about, the work will come to you. The ideas will flow freely. You will create that which is truly great and your talents and abilities will flourish. Find your passion and greatness will follow.

What kind of writing are you most passionate about and why? Leave me a comment and share.

Posted under Freelance Writing

This is a previously published piece from my original blog on blogger.

As a writer, I am obviously very fond of words. I simply love them and love to find new and creative ways to say things. One of my favorite writing tools is my trusty thesaurus. I love it. Within the pages of this treasure are literally thousands upon thousands of different ways to say the same thing. Yet each word seems to only be perfect at certain times in my writing. Each wonderful word has its own perfect moment to shine.

The problem with being a word lover is that sometimes you get so many different words in your head actively floating around in your mind simultaneously. While this is handy when you are writing, it does become a challenge when you are speaking with others. You begin to become known as a walking and talking thesaurus. People take advantage. To illustrate my point, here is how my afternoon unfolded the other day:

From my son:

“Mom, what’s another word for being close?”

“Cuddle.”

“No, that’s too sissy. How about another word?”

“Nestle.”

“Nestle?”

“Yes.”

“Any other words?”

“Yes. Here is my thesaurus. Look it up. I would guess page 528 to 530.”

From my Spouse:

“Honey, what is another word for probably?”

“Plausibly.”

“No, that doesn’t sound right…”

“Try likely.

“No, it needs to be stronger. That it WILL happen.”

“Oh, you mean inevitably.”

***RING, RING, RING***

“Hello?”

“Hey big sister… I need a word for ridicule.”

“Tease?”

“No, that won’t work.”

“Taunt?”

“No, not right.”

“Ok, I’ll go out on a limb here…how about belittle, mimic or disparage?

“Oooo, those are good. Thanks.”

I really don’t mind helping occasionally and pulling a word or two out of my inner thesaurus. It keeps me on my toes and makes room for other lovely words. Inevitably those words will find themselves in something I am writing. And when I can’t think of just the right word for something? I pull out my secret weapon and lovingly turn the pages of my favorite word book also known as a thesaurus.

I know that I can’t possibly be the only one who speaks thesaurus as a 2^nd language. There must be others like me who secretly practice their words and challenge their minds. How many different ways can you think of to say the word thesaurus? I would bet you have several. I know I do. What is your favorite way to exert your thesaurus within?

Posted under Writing Tools

This is a previously published piece from my original blog on blogger.

Ok, I’ll admit it. I’m a sign reader. I am one of those people that as they drive around they find all of the grammatical and spelling mistakes on the business signs around town. I’ve done it for years and I don’t see an end to it anytime in the near future. I don’t get paid for this, but I can’t seem to stop myself from mentally correcting the offending mistakes that I see all around me everyday. Perhaps it is the editor in me.

I think that what really drives me crazy is when I see spelling and grammatical mistakes in published pieces. It is one thing to roll your eyes at a sign when you drive by, and an entirely different matter to find it done by another professional in your line of work. It makes me cringe. It is like fingernails scraping across a chalkboard. These are people who should know better.

When it comes to bad grammar, I’ve seen it all. And I don’t mean that I’ve seen it all because I’m a mom to an almost teenager. These are mistakes made by people I consider colleagues in the writing world. The incorrect uses of then and than or accept and except. The misuse of lose and loose. (C’mon people, it’s lose weight, not loose weight.) The incorrect use of edition for addition or affect for effect and vice versa. I could go on and on and on. And lest you think these are all by the same person, think again. There are several guilty offenders, although there are some who have made multiple offenses.

Now, while I am not meaning to be the grammar police, I do think that it would behoove us as writers to be very sure of what we publish. When we make mistakes such as the ones I have listed, we lose credibility. Once that is lost, it is difficult to get it back.

I know I am not perfect, nor do I pretend to be…except with my son. But this is an issue that we need to perhaps take just a little more seriously as professional writers.

Oh, my favorite mistake this past week? C’mon…laugh with me…Wendsday for Wednesday. What are some of your favorites?

Posted under Rules for Writing

This is a previously published piece from my original blog on blogger.

I was recently hired by a group that wanted me to ghostwrite short 250 word articles for their client. I originally thought that this would be a good and reliable writing gig. The contract was to be for a one year period, but could go on for about three years.

I went through the process of joining the team and then things quickly changed. They decided that everyone on the team would need to sign new contracts that included a non-compete clause. This clause stated that you could not work for any of their direct or indirect clients for a period of one year after leaving their writing team. I could not work directly or indirectly for any of these clients. That really bothered me. I have been burned in two other careers by signing a non-compete contract. I didn’t start freelance writing to have my efforts controlled and dictated by someone other than myself.

My question is this: If I leave this team and get work from someone else, what kind of a nightmare am I going to have to make sure that I do not work for anyone that the original team sees as a client? They are currently working on gaining more clients everyday. If I am already working for one of their “new” clients, then what happens? Will I be sued?

I sent off an email that detailed my hesitation to sign such a contract. I received a very professional response in return, that explained why they are taking this stance. While I appreciate the reasoning that they have for such a decision and their professionalism, I cannot in good conscience sign a contract that limits my future work.

Some of their writers were taking their topics and directly approaching the client with the work before the group would submit it. That is not ethical and I would never do that. It is also highly unprofessional. However, while I would never directly go after their current clients, I cannot guarantee that any of their future clients will not be ones that I would choose to work with on my own either now or in the future. What if I contracted work with the client on my own in a different forum before they were a client for this group? That is an entirely different situation that they refuse to see.

A non-compete clause or contract only serves to protect the interests of the employer or first party. They are limiting their future competition in the market. The person who signs such a contract is giving up their freedom to work.

Doesn’t freelance imply the right to work where I choose? Doesn’t freelance imply freedom?

Posted under Freelance Writing, Warnings for Writers