Buttons! Buttons! Everywhere!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
A Few Days of Rest
Just a quick note to let you know I may not post until Wednesday, April 28. I'm on a little R & R in Hilton Head! Watch for me then! Have a good few days!
Friday, April 23, 2010
This Week's Contest
The photo above is from the dental convention I'm attending in Minneapolis! The character was too cute!
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$15 ENTRY FEE
This week's contest comes from Funds For Writers. (You must subscribe!) Have fun!
SONORA REVIEW SHORT SHORT STORY CONTEST
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Sonora Review is given
annually for a short short story. Up to 1,000 words. Deadline
May 1, 2010.
http://sonorareview.com/contest
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---
$15 ENTRY FEE
This week's contest comes from Funds For Writers. (You must subscribe!) Have fun!
SONORA REVIEW SHORT SHORT STORY CONTEST
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Sonora Review is given
annually for a short short story. Up to 1,000 words. Deadline
May 1, 2010.
http://sonorareview.com/contest
=====
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Where Does a Story Come from?
First, the photos today are from out my window on the river in St Paul, Minnesota. Sure, I travel a lot, but this is usually what I get to see. Anything that is out the window of my car or hotel:) I'll behere through Saturday!
Anyway, I had a woman ask me today, "Where do your stories come from?" That's simple. They come from everywhere! I asked her to tell me bit about her family. She has a brother who was married to a woman who took him for every red cent he had, then ran off with a man who owned a B-B Que pit.
Right there I wrote down the tidbits of a comedic story.
Next she told me that she went to a Catholic school where the head nun liked to dance, while she took showers. Her mother went bald at 35 from using real "bleach" on her hair. (Yes she was a blonde.) Her father drove a milk truck. Her sister loved to dress as a man.
Can't you just see a hysterical story? She even had to laugh when I pointed it all out! Story ideas are all around us. Your best bet in remembering them is to cary a small notebook with you wherever you go and write own things you observe or hear. Eavesdrop on conversations. What people say might be great dialogue for your next book!
Keep looking at life. There's a story there!
Anyway, I had a woman ask me today, "Where do your stories come from?" That's simple. They come from everywhere! I asked her to tell me bit about her family. She has a brother who was married to a woman who took him for every red cent he had, then ran off with a man who owned a B-B Que pit.
Right there I wrote down the tidbits of a comedic story.
Next she told me that she went to a Catholic school where the head nun liked to dance, while she took showers. Her mother went bald at 35 from using real "bleach" on her hair. (Yes she was a blonde.) Her father drove a milk truck. Her sister loved to dress as a man.
Can't you just see a hysterical story? She even had to laugh when I pointed it all out! Story ideas are all around us. Your best bet in remembering them is to cary a small notebook with you wherever you go and write own things you observe or hear. Eavesdrop on conversations. What people say might be great dialogue for your next book!
Keep looking at life. There's a story there!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
How many Words Should I have for a Book?
First, the photos today, (most of them) are from my journey to Connecticut. I pulled over to the side of the road while I was on the campus of the University of Bridgeport and took them. It's a pretty campus along the water.
Okay, let's roll. I've always wondered how many words do you need to make a complete book? Well, according to several sources, including Writers Digest, here's an approximate count that publishers look for, taking into account that there are always exceptions.
Adult Novels: Commercial and Literary like romance, mystery, suspense, horror, literary & thrillers Between 80,000 & 90,000 words
Science Fiction & Fantasy: 100,000-110,000 words
Middle Grade Books- Ages 9-12, 20,000-45,000 words
Picture Books- 500-600 words
Young Adult Books: 50,000-70,000 words
Westerns-50,000-80,000 words
Memoir- 80,000-90,000 words
So now you know,,,,,,,what's keeping you from writing?
Okay, let's roll. I've always wondered how many words do you need to make a complete book? Well, according to several sources, including Writers Digest, here's an approximate count that publishers look for, taking into account that there are always exceptions.
Adult Novels: Commercial and Literary like romance, mystery, suspense, horror, literary & thrillers Between 80,000 & 90,000 words
Science Fiction & Fantasy: 100,000-110,000 words
Middle Grade Books- Ages 9-12, 20,000-45,000 words
Picture Books- 500-600 words
Young Adult Books: 50,000-70,000 words
Westerns-50,000-80,000 words
Memoir- 80,000-90,000 words
So now you know,,,,,,,what's keeping you from writing?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
On the Road ......Again!
Please note the photo today! It's a departure information board at Chicago O'Hare, my pass through home! Thought I'd start sharing some "where is Ginger? photos!
Willie Nelson has always been a country singer whose music, (not lifestyle) I enjoy. Today this song just seemed appropriate! I'm heading to Connecticut, overnight, the on to Minneapolis tomorrow! It takes a special breed of people to this job as it's hard on the body, (not that mine's great). But hose of us that do usually have great employers, (like I do) and have found something to keep them bust during the long waits. I write. Everyday. Something.
When I'm finished with a story, I edit. That means taking out words, putting in words, looking for cliches or anything that will make the story stronger. Well, I'm travelling last week and I have another writer tell me about a website called "Auto Crit". I went online at http://www.autocrit.com/ and WOW! I loved it!
You can paste in a sample of your writing and ask it to give you one of several reports, free to start with! I'd like to hear what you think of it!
P.S. Please note my tardiness, as I am now a day behind in postings!
Willie Nelson has always been a country singer whose music, (not lifestyle) I enjoy. Today this song just seemed appropriate! I'm heading to Connecticut, overnight, the on to Minneapolis tomorrow! It takes a special breed of people to this job as it's hard on the body, (not that mine's great). But hose of us that do usually have great employers, (like I do) and have found something to keep them bust during the long waits. I write. Everyday. Something.
When I'm finished with a story, I edit. That means taking out words, putting in words, looking for cliches or anything that will make the story stronger. Well, I'm travelling last week and I have another writer tell me about a website called "Auto Crit". I went online at http://www.autocrit.com/ and WOW! I loved it!
You can paste in a sample of your writing and ask it to give you one of several reports, free to start with! I'd like to hear what you think of it!
P.S. Please note my tardiness, as I am now a day behind in postings!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Day of Rest
Just posted some of the photos from New Brunsick, Canada that hang over my writing desk. They have been a lot of the inspiration for my book. Note the photo above of cabins along the Tobique River. My grandparents, John & Ellen Lovean as well as assorted old pictures from Canada!
What memories!
What memories!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
This week in Gingerland
This week's been a blur! Got home from Atlanta on Tuesday evening and left for Houston on Wednesday morning. Marriott's Hiltons', taxis, rental cars, United. Nice seat mates throughout this week.
One of things I find most exciting is how many "closet" writers are out there! I met a lovely woman at the airport in Atlanta who kindly offered me a seat at her table when the restaurant was full. We chatted a while about things women do. I told her about my writing. She shared with me that she has a friend who's just published a book and loves to have readers. We shared information and I hope to have contact with him soon, as I know how valuable honest critiques can be. Writers are wonderful about helping each other out!
This month in More magazine, Norris Church Mailer, widow of the great writer Norman Mailer, had a cutting of her new memoir "A Ticket to the Circus" which has just been released. I've listened to parts of the book being read during residency at Wilkes University and love Norris's brutal honesty and humor in the way she writes about her life. If you have a chance pick up the book. I don't think you'll be disappointed!
Last night here in Houston, (I go home in the morning) I had an opportunity to visit with some real "Southern Ladies" from the University of Texas. Being the "new kid" on the block in the field of insurance I'm working in, I can often be left out of so much. But these ladies, Yvette and Tricia were so special. They shared parts of there lives with me, sat with me as we ate and genuinely made me feel a part of the program. Yvette lost her 10 year old son to MS just last year, yet she was so encouraging to those around her. I am always honored to meet people with such strength. You can tell where it comes from immediately.
Tonight, I just turned in Round Three of Ten in "The Whittaker" writing contest. Wow, is this intense! There are about 35 fiction writers. We are scored in each round by a different judge which keeps things impartial. The scores run from 1-100. My friend Gray encouraged me along.
Round One, we both did very well. Round Two she kicked my butt. Round Three...we'll see! At the end of the contest in July, all scores will be tallied and the winner announced! Great fun!
Don't forget if you'd like a very short challenge, try next week's contest with Writers Weekly. It costs $5.00 to enter and starts at noon on Saturday, April 24. It ends at noon on Sunday, April 25. You MUST pre-register! Go to http://www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.phpu ! At the appointed time (noon) you will receive a prompt (everyone gets the same one) and the word count (how many words you're allowed to use) and then you get to work! Make sure you follow the rules exactly and turn your work in on time!
Well, off to bed! It's been a long, productive day! Have a good one all!
One of things I find most exciting is how many "closet" writers are out there! I met a lovely woman at the airport in Atlanta who kindly offered me a seat at her table when the restaurant was full. We chatted a while about things women do. I told her about my writing. She shared with me that she has a friend who's just published a book and loves to have readers. We shared information and I hope to have contact with him soon, as I know how valuable honest critiques can be. Writers are wonderful about helping each other out!
This month in More magazine, Norris Church Mailer, widow of the great writer Norman Mailer, had a cutting of her new memoir "A Ticket to the Circus" which has just been released. I've listened to parts of the book being read during residency at Wilkes University and love Norris's brutal honesty and humor in the way she writes about her life. If you have a chance pick up the book. I don't think you'll be disappointed!
Last night here in Houston, (I go home in the morning) I had an opportunity to visit with some real "Southern Ladies" from the University of Texas. Being the "new kid" on the block in the field of insurance I'm working in, I can often be left out of so much. But these ladies, Yvette and Tricia were so special. They shared parts of there lives with me, sat with me as we ate and genuinely made me feel a part of the program. Yvette lost her 10 year old son to MS just last year, yet she was so encouraging to those around her. I am always honored to meet people with such strength. You can tell where it comes from immediately.
Tonight, I just turned in Round Three of Ten in "The Whittaker" writing contest. Wow, is this intense! There are about 35 fiction writers. We are scored in each round by a different judge which keeps things impartial. The scores run from 1-100. My friend Gray encouraged me along.
Round One, we both did very well. Round Two she kicked my butt. Round Three...we'll see! At the end of the contest in July, all scores will be tallied and the winner announced! Great fun!
Don't forget if you'd like a very short challenge, try next week's contest with Writers Weekly. It costs $5.00 to enter and starts at noon on Saturday, April 24. It ends at noon on Sunday, April 25. You MUST pre-register! Go to http://www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.phpu ! At the appointed time (noon) you will receive a prompt (everyone gets the same one) and the word count (how many words you're allowed to use) and then you get to work! Make sure you follow the rules exactly and turn your work in on time!
Well, off to bed! It's been a long, productive day! Have a good one all!
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