Writing What You Know

If you've studied anything about writing for publication, you've no doubt seen the admonition to "write what you know." What better place to do that than with your own memoirs. Publishing houses may not beat a path to your door for the rights to your story (although there have been some great memoirs to hit the shelves recently), but what a gift to yourself and your descendents for generations to come when you share who you are, what you’ve done and how you got to your present situation.

Give those future readers a treat by writing in story form rather than stream of consciousness—“I did this, then I did this, then…”—and have them turning pages wanting to know more. What was it like the night you danced the “chopstick dance” with the locals in a yurt on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia? How did you manage to get interviewed on “The Today Show” as you sat in the courtyard of Vilnius University in Lithuania?

Bring the sounds, sights and smells alive with your take on your surroundings, as you relive your adventures or the everyday life you’ve been privileged to experience.

Happy writing,
Anita Lee
“Your Life, Your Story”—writing memoirs whether or not you’ve had writing experience in the past!

Powerful Leads

I’ve been writing for newspapers and magazines for over 15 years. I’ll never forget a painful lesson I learned on leads – the first paragraph whose main job is to entice the reader to read on.

Early in my career I used this lead: “Have you ever thought about homeschooling your child?”

Pleased with the lead and the article I sent it off and then sat down to review the writer’s guidelines from that same publication that had just arrived in the mail. I turned seven shades of purple when I got to the section on leads. “Question leads are weak. Never use them when writing for our publication.”

Fortunately I had enough good articles under my belt with this editor that my mistake was forgiven and I still write for her today. In fact, she sent me an email after my last submission with the glowing accolade, “I loved the lead!”

What was the lead that drew such praise? “Joe Clahassey wanted two things in life: to serve God and a camel.”

Would that sentence pique your curiosity enough to read on? If so, it did its job.

The moral of the story? Good writers not only know the different types of leads for articles that sell – they also know which leads to use for which publication.

You can learn about leads, as well as many other topics you’ll need to get and stay published in my course, Write Magazine Articles That Sell! I hope you’ll check it out! ~Carol

Strategy, Not Magic

"How did you get in?"
That’s the number one question published and unpublished freelance writers ask each other—we all do it.
The question doesn’t imply they were just lucky or not excellent writers. Successful freelancers know it takes more than writing ability and good fortune to be published anywhere. “How did you get in?” translates to “What sales strategy works?”
People that enjoy writing about their travels can write personal journals and have wonderful times reading and reminiscing. Selling travel articles goes a few steps further; you plan to publish your trip in as many publications as possible and reap the rewards.

Rogayle Franklin, Writing Travel for Fun and Profit

Reading Habits

About a week ago, the Associated Press reported that 27 percent of American adults didn't read a single book last year. Not one. Where do you fall? Are you one of those 27 percent, or do you read perhaps a little or frequently?

One of the most common pieces of advice to a writer is to read. Read every day, vary your reading and read books in the genre you are writing.

I'm writing tween and young adult literature, so most of the books on my list are from YA and tween authors. Usually, I read 10-15 books per month and read several hours each day. It helps me to keep in the know about what's being published and it's a nice way to support your fellow writer.

What are your reading habits? Share them! If you're curious about my reading list, you'll find it on my blog. I'll be back next Tuesday.

Do you have to write?

As I sit down to write my first entry on the Write Site blog, I am flooded with contradictory thoughts and impulses. My first thought is to discuss a line from Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet (1903-1908), where he tells the poet that he should only write if he cannot not write, that if you are able to resist the urge to write, you probably shouldn’t bother.

However, when I read some of the other posts by my colleagues, I started to have some reservations, since their posts have been so encouraging to the reluctant writer. I then thought of how the courses I teach for the Center are called “The Reluctant Writers Series,” and it just didn’t seem right to set such a high bar.

On the other hand, if you are reading this blog, or if you are taking (or thinking about taking) courses at the Center, then chances are that you might well fit into the category of not being able not to write. At the very least, there is most likely a low-level hum in your head that is nagging you to write, constantly demanding attention and time from your daily activities, and while that might not meet the letter of Rilke’s standard, it certainly meets mine.

In other words, if you are spending time resisting the urge to write, you might as well repurpose that time and spend it writing. It doesn’t take long to indulge your muse, but the more you indulge it, the more it will speak to you.

There is definitely something to Rilke’s statement, but at the same time, as an aspiring writer, you should think of it not as discouraging, but rather as validating, even inspiring.

So, if you have that urge, that little voice telling you to write, who are you to resist?

Start your writing journey here

Remember when you got your first job? Were you nervous? Afraid you’d deep-fry the wrong vegetable or lock yourself in a storage closet?

Even if you weren’t nervous about your first job in the working world, perhaps you’re nervous about your new job—writing. After all, it takes a lot to stand in front of one’s peers and announce bravely, “Yes, I’m a writer!” You may get strange looks, comments about how you’ve never taken an English class in your life and hordes of people wondering why you want to become a writer.

Ignore all of that. Join a writing community, enroll in a workshop, pester your librarians by checking out every writing book your library offers. And then…write. Write something every day whether it be a journal entry, a grocery list arranged as a poem or a short story. Write something. Repeat. Do this every day and before you know it, you won’t be a wannabe writer—you’ll be a real writer.

For a while, I was that wannbe writer. I read every writing book, proclaimed my love of writing, but I didn’t write. Then, I took a writing class and boom! A writer emerged from the reader. I started with magazine articles for tiny publications that paid in copies, moved up to magazines that paid a few dollars and finally reached the glossy mags that paid and provided copies. Was I insanely talented? Nope. Did I study with famous writers in residence? No, again. I worked hard and wrote often. I’ve been writing full time for five years and magazines trickled into books and the journey never stops for a writer. The options truly are endless!

Need help getting started? Join us and start your writing journey today! We’re only a click away.

Are You Writing?

Today could be the first day of your writing life. :) Here in my neck of the woods, kids are starting school so there are moms who have writing time on their hands. What about you dads? No matter if you're a guy or gal, we all wrestle with managing our time.

My first novel was written for an independent studies class at Stephen F. Austin University. I was supposed to meet with my instructor periodically so he could gage my progress, but being the procrastinator that I was (and still am) I put it off. The day before my project was due, I sat in my one room apartment writing like crazy. To be considered a full size novel, my manuscript had to be no less than 200 pages. I stayed up all night pulling my book together, and made a B+. I don't advise writing that way. Needless to say, What's A Girl Like You. . .? was never published.

My second book--the one I sold to Silhouette Romance-- was planned out and written daily during the wee hours of the morning. I'd get up at 5 am, get my husband off to work, sit down and write awhile, then get my daughter up for school, then I'd sit down and write some more.

If there's one lesson I've learned well, it's that we all do what's important to us. We make time for things we truly care about. How important is your writing? It shouldn't be more important than your loved ones, but it should be important. If you say you want to write more than anything in this world, then I'll have to say - prove it. Write!. Meet with other writers. Read writing books and join us here . Let us help and encourage you along the way.

Soon many of our instructors will begin posting their thoughts and tips, sharing how they got into this writing business. All your questions and suggestions are welcome.

Oh yeah, and those of you within driving distance of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, watch for more information regarding our Writer's Lunch Bunch.

Thanks Richard! :) What fun. ~jess