Motivation to Write

Can't believe it's been three weeks since I last wrote a blog. Time does go by fast. I have a list of stories I want to write, and some how they aren't getting written. I get assignments and can polish most of those off in a few hours after the interviews. I need motivation, just like I need motivation to lose weight. What provides the motivation?
1) Serious life change--Everyone knows someone who has had a serious life change. My brother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and died in 2010. His death affected my life and my husband's in numerous ways, especially in putting our own mortality in perspective. I know there's a limited amount of time I have to write--so I'd better get the stories written.

2) Vision--I see the stories in print. I picture how I'm going to write them.
3) Hope--I'm investigating pubs that will accept them.

I don't want to look back and say I wasted time.
I'm on these projects today!

Travel Writing

Three weeks in Europe offered me multiple opportunities to write about the sights. I jotted notes as we toured the eight capitals. Others on the tour would ask what sights I was going to write about. I told them I didn't know. I'm not a travel writer. Transportation, directions, hotels, restaurants, costs and exchange rates are just part of what a travel writer must know. I enjoyed the trip and was enchanted by Vienna, St. Petersburg and Tallinn, but to be able to tell others how to "see the sights" isn't in my writer's lexicon.

Instead, I'm compiling a list of what impressed me and why, such as the boulevard that makes Vienna just like home, St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg and its spectacular interior, the unique upper town and lower town of Tallinn.

Other ideas I have are the humor of some situations: how I wanted a picture of myself for our family calendar, but a breeze blew up just as a kind lady snapped the picture and my hair is standing straight in the air; how I had a seat directly behind a large pillar during the ethnic dance in St. Petersburg and not only missed many moves but couldn't take pictures; how I carefully calculated the number of minutes I was spending online so I wouldn't go over my allotted amount when I realized I had an additional 150 minutes free.

The whole point of this entry is to tell writers that traveling doesn't necessary mean you have to write a "traveling" piece. Put a twist on your travels, and write something that doesn't involve train schedules, attractions and costs.

Sarra Cannon and Self-Publilshing

Sarra Cannon is phenomenal! Her story is an inspiration to struggling writers. She created a niche for herself by e-publishing her YA fantasy books: "Beautiful Demons," "Inner Demons" and "Bitter Demons." She has sold thousands of them, and she is willing to share how she began and how she continues to do it.

Sarra spoke at the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers meeting June 10 at the Southwest Regional Library in Durham, N.C. and urged those attending to consider self-publishing and e-publishing. She provided a step-by-step outline of how to accomplish the task and has the information on her Web site at http://www.sarracannon.com./

What is admirable about Sarra is her enthusiasm to help other writers. She understands the downside of writing and how discouraging the process of getting published can be. She offered an alternative to the traditional path to publishing. Based on the proliferation of tablets and e-readers, e-publishing will eventually take over the market. Now is the time to step in and form a readership with the e-crowd.   

North Brunswick Magazine and South Brunswick Magazine

Most people like to read about where they live, and Brunswick County, N.C. has two offerings that have attracted attention: North Brunswick Magazine, which appeared five years ago, and South Brunswick Magazine, which arrived almost three years ago. The brain child of publisher Justin Williams of Leland, N.C. at the north end of the county, the magazines caught on because they offer positive, upbeat articles about people, places and events in Brunswick County. Newspapers provide the negative; Williams provides the positive.

In the interest of public disclosure, I write for the magazines, but I have never met Williams. He has not asked me to write in favor of the magazines either. I live at the south end of the county in Ocean Isle Beach and enjoy writing about what's happening here, and I enjoy reading about the area as well.

Why two magazines? Brunswick County is massive with 1,050 square miles, almost as large as Cook County, IL where I used to live, which has 1,635 square miles. The north end often doesn't know what the south end is doing.

The format draws readers in: slick cover and pages, pictures with blurbs, creative layout and fascinating photography.  Some of the recent articles  in SBM include:
* The legendary Sunset Beach bridge
* The charisma of Calabash
* Jon David, the county's newly elected district attorney
* Kathryn Parker, Seaside United Methodist Church director of music ministries
* The new flight school at the airport in Oak Island

NBM features:
* The Sandman Adventure Race at Brunswick Nature Park near Town Creek
* Eulis A. Willis, mayor of Navassa
* Youth Art Day in Leland
* George and Laura Patterson of Leland, didn't retire, opened their own business, Mulch & More
* Jane and Liz Tageson, mother-daughter team, teach together at Leland Christian Academy

The magazines are available at various businesses and by direct mail.
Information about the magazines are at northbrunswickmagazine.com and southbrunswickmagazine.com

"Swept Away by a Kiss" by Katharine Ashe

One of the best historical romances I've ever read is "Swept Away by a Kiss" by Durham, N.C. resident Katharine Ashe. Her heroine, Lady Valerie Monroe, is assertive yet compassionate and avant-garde when it comes to passion. She's "swept away by a kiss" of Etienne La Marque, whom she believes is a Jesuit priest. Unbeknowst to her, he has assumed the disguise in his quest for justice. Later she meets him in his true identity, Viscount Steven Ashford. Valerie recognizes his attraction to her but can't understand why he continues to avoid direct contact with her until he reveals his mission.

The historical detail Ashe weaves into the story brings readers to the scene. They don't have to be familiar with the transportation, vocabulary or clothing of the early 1800s. They are immersed in it and understand the times because of Ashe's superb style.

When pirates board the ship carrying Valerie and Etienne from America to England, readers experience the cruelty of the pirates and the determination of the hero and heroine. When Etienne, now Steven, is in a "playful" fencing match, readers know what's happening in the scene even if they never heard the fencing terms.

The book has it all: memorable characters, heightened conflict and satisfying conclusion. Readers will be pleased to have this title on their book shelves.

Staying in touch with writing

One of the best ways to stay in touch with writing is to subscribe to magazines, read blogs and newsletters and join organizations. MAGAZINES *Writer's Digest This magazine offers something for all writers * Interviews with established writers * Tips to make your writing better * Conferences, workshops and other gatherings for writers * Tackles fiction, nonfiction and poetry topics *RWR (Romance Writers Report) * Specifically for romance writers, however, tips can be applied to all genres * In-depth articles * Contests and conferences *ROMANTIC TIMES * Book reviews, reviews and more reviews * Subtitled "The magazine for fiction lovers" * Interviews with authors BLOGS * Writers Forever--my blog offers 1) Tips on writing improvement 2) Book reviews 3) People who make a difference *Romantic Times blogs *Copyblogger NEWSLETTERS * Nelson Literary Agency--wonderful suggestions; tells what's going on in publishing * Local newsletters--keep you abreast of what's going on where you live for great story ideas ORGANIZATIONS * NFPW--National Federation of Press Women (accepts men as members)--many states have an affiliate * RWA--Romance Writers of America--many states have affiliates * Society of Professional Journalists * South Carolina Writers Workshop * Local groups, e.g, NCWN--North Carolina Writers' Network * Organizations specific to topics: travel writers, food writers, etc.

"In Love with Eleanor Rigby"

Stacey Cochran, Raleigh, N.C. author and teacher, asked a meetup group I belong to if anyone wanted to write a review of his recently released novella, "In Love with Eleanor Rigby." I volunteered and am happy I did. Writing reviews is an ideal way to
1) Read books
2) Practice your craft
3) Be in contact with other writers

I posted the review on www.amazon.com, but I'm posting it here as well.

Stacey Cochran reaches new heights with his novella “In Love with Eleanor Rigby.” Joe Smith, a carpenter and recovering alcoholic who believes he must hide his past, falls in love with independent, pragmatic Tabitha Merriweather, a milliner who owns a gift shop. Joe notices every detail about Tabitha, the clothes she wears, the tone of her voice, every facial expression. He says her eyes are “as blue as the center of the ocean.” Her voice is “pleasant but not without spine.”

He breaks through the denial of his past at an A.A. meeting when a fellow member explains that people choose to live or die. Joe realizes then “how much it helps to talk.” He decides to break his silence and tell Tabitha about himself. Tabitha accepts Joe’s revelations but keeps her distance until she decides to be part of his life.

The reader can’t ignore the comparison between the Beatles’ hit, “Eleanor Rigby,” and Cochran’s Tabitha Merriweather and Joe Smith; however, Tabitha and Joe conquer their inner demons.

Cochran’s imagery, metaphors and subtle humor unveil a story that contains universal truths that readers recognize. They picture the scenes and the people in the novella. They hear the words as if Joe is speaking directly to them. Cochran achieves what the greatest writers accomplish: layering. The story covers many levels, and his economy of language dazzles.