Writer’s Wisdom 63

The story that I love …

Who do you write for?  Although books are categorized or targeted for sale to particular groups of readers, such as young adults … I keep hearing best-selling authors saying during interviews that they sat down to write a story that they would love.  Some of them say that they wrote the story for themselves.  This is a very important point since it determines how you approach the writing of a piece. 

If you sit down to write the story that you love, you will be connected with that piece much more that if you think that you are writing for such and such group of readers – a bit of pressure there.  Of course some authors will take advantage of a trend, such as the trend of vampires.  It seems that since Stephenie Meyer wrote Twilight and the sequels and it was a hit with young readers as well as adults, everyone is writing about vampires and werewolves now.  The vampire has been awakened again.  And that is fine.

So next time you sit down to write, ask yourself this question:  “Am I writing the story that I love?”

Writer’s Wisdom 62

Writers are entrepreneurs

 According to a simple definition of the word, an entrepreneur is a person who is willing to take upon herself or himself a new venture or enterprise and accepts full responsibility for the outcome and is looking to make a profit (from Wikipedia).  Although most of the time we define it in the traditional business sense, this definition can be applied to writers.  Aside from their love of writing, writers take chances, are willing to put the long hours that it takes, and go from rejection to rejection learning and adjusting their venture, until they make it.  Writers also want to make money in the end.  They look for their own clients, present their own projects and work, and even do the legwork in promoting their work.  Most dream of the day that they publish “the book,” and will endure anything for the love of the craft. 

When we think of an entrepreneur we hardly think of writers.  The image that comes to mind is of the traditional business man or woman starting  a venture.  But if you are a serious writer you well know that you have the entrepreneurial spirit deep in you.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2617955/wakingup_your_entrepreneurial_spirit.html

Writer’s Wisdom 61

Free Style Poetry

Poetry can take many shapes.  I am not a poet, but sometimes I feel inspired and have to write it down.  The poem does not follow any rules, it just comes out – it just is.  However, many think that you have to be in a certain mood or inspired in a particular way to write a poem.  I disagree.  I find that when I feel a “certain inspiration” - not sure how to describe it - I tend to write just poems.  They don’t follow a specific feeling, they could be as far to one another in that sense, but they do follow a theme – usually.  That is the way it is for me.  Other times, I could write about a love affair and next about taxes.  That is why I don’t call myself a poet – I don’t follow the rules of poetry.  If there would be such a thing, mine would be called “free style poetry.”

The following poems were written on the same day (publication day varies, of course).  Notice the difference in subjects, but there is one unifying underlined theme – Love. 

http://authspot.com/poetry/impending-truth/

http://authspot.com/poetry/a-husbands-love/

http://authspot.com/poetry/flowers-on-my-tombstone/

http://authspot.com/poetry/the-woman-in-red/

If you have never written a poem and sometimes feel the urge but think that you can’t write poetry, write it down anyway.  Let the inspiration flow, don’t think about it, write free style – embrace your Muse and let it out.

Writer’s Wisdom 60

Befriending Uncle Sam:  A Writer’s Responsibility

It is the beginning of February and tax season is almost here- in the USA.  I have started to prepare my documents and crossing my fingers.  As a freelance writer you might get many assignments and jobs here and there.  Being used to the odd flow of things, record keeping may be a bit relaxed sometimes.  It is important that you keep track of your paid work and develop a system to track your income and the documentation you need for your taxes.  If you come up with a system that you have easy access to while you are working, you can log on any items daily and avoid last-minute rush. 

Think of all the benefits that an organized system will get you.  Number one is having more time to dedicate to your writing and a clear mind to tend to your muse. To close, here is a poem about taxes. 

Happy tax season and happy writing! 

http://authspot.com/poetry/the-devil-in-costume/

Writer’s Wisdom 59

Green Writers

There are little ways in which you can contribute everyday to reduce waste and care for the environment.  Think twice before crumbling that piece of paper.  If the back is blank, cut it in half or four pieces and use it as scrap or doodle paper.  Staple a couple and use it as a small note pad that you can carry in your bag, for when ideas come to you.  There are many other uses that you can think of.  Use it as packaging material, shredded or crumbled.  Or as paper to test your pens before you write.

How about that ink cartridge?  Take it to your supply store when it is empty, sometimes you get discounts for recycling them.  Print in fast or economy mode to save ink.  Print in black and white if you don’t need the color; why waste color ink if you don’t need it?  You can reuse the small plastic container where the ink cartridge comes and use it to plant seeds.  Keep your PC in energy-saving mode if you are going to be away from it for a while.

There are many things that you can do to contribute to a greener environment as a writer.  I am sure you can come up with some according to your daily writing routine.  Be a green writer!

http://authspot.com/poetry/planet-boom/

Alloy Angles – What?

When we think about alloys, metals, we tend to take them for granted.  We know they are materials from earth that we refine for use in many applications such as transportation, medicine, daily living, science … – they are everywhere.  There are mills worldwide to refine these metals. 

An alloy angle is just a metal made into that shape and it is made of copper, aluminum, nickel, stainless steel, carbon steel …  These metals are certified.  But where do you get this stuff?  Well, there are companies that distribute this product.  For example, Aii or Alloys International is one of such companies.  They specialize in metal marketing while networking world-wide with the different mills and manufacturers of these metals.  That is how these metals get to where they are needed. 

I will never look at a piece of metal in the same way again.  If you want to have a better idea of this check out Aii 

Another thing, when you are ready to write your next piece, as a writer think of the angle that you are using and how strong it is.

Writer’s Wisdom 58

Love Thy Critics

Accepting criticism about your work is a hard thing to do.  After putting your sweat and ink into a labor of passion - a written piece from the heart, no one likes for it to be pull apart and criticized.  A writer is as proud of his/her piece as a first time mom (assuming here that the mom wants her baby, of course).  Hearing comments that your pride and joy is less than perfect will annoy or upset many writers, if not all.

Learn to look at constructive criticism in a positive light; as a tool to make you grow and get better at your craft.  Once you learn to do that, it will be easier to accept and your feelings won’t be hurt as much.  You will learn to perfect your work, resulting in satisfaction and a sense of achieving a well written piece.  Criticism comes from the human reason, and everyone has different points of view.  Learn to take it from where it comes, and analyze it as objectively as you can.  If you see truth in it, listen to the advice; it will only benefit you.  You should strive to become the best writer you can be.

Flying High

Today I’m thinking about aerospace – yes, about planes.  These magnificent man-made aircrafts that takes us from one side of the world to the other.  They take us high in the air, and we trust that we can get to our destination across the continents.

But, have you ever thought – how are these giants built; of what are they made?  Well, like any other mode of transportation, they are made of raw material, fasteners, nut and bolts … you get the idea.

Then, it got me thinking again, if I were to own one of this magnificent metal birds – planes – even a small one, where would I get some of the parts I need?  Believe it or not there are sites that sell these parts – yes, the fasteners, nuts and bolts that I mentioned before.  One of these sites is  http://www.diamondfasteners.com/

This site will give you an idea of the small parts of an airplane that nobody thinks of.  Check it out if you are curious.  Food for thought.

Taking Care of Your Vehicle

In this tough economy everyone is trying to save some money and making the best of their possessions.  Your car is one of your most important possessions and you want to extend its life on the road as much as possible – after all you paid a pretty penny for it.  To get the most performance out of your old friend, you should take it to the auto shop and service it as needed.

Whether you are the proud owner of a Ford F-150 or and Audi Q5, you should care for your vehicle to make sure it takes care of you when you need to get to your destination.  Things like the signal to check engine light on, could turn out to be nothing or something more serious.  Sites like http://repairpal.com/  can help you find the closest and better car shop for your vehicle whether you need a San Diego auto repair or one in any other part of the country. 

The site http://repairpal.com/ offers you tons of information such as estimates, car information, an encyclopedia of terminology to better understand your mechanic’s lingo, and even a section named My car where you can manage your repairs and estimates online.  In this section you can file your records, get reminders and also safety and recall alerts.  This is free at  http://repairpal.com/

Taking care of your vehicle will result in money savings in the long run.  So learn as much as you can about it and service it accordingly and you will enjoy a long and lasting friendship, after all it is like a good old friend.

Writer’s Wisdom 57

Taking your writing to the OR

Snip, snip – the painful process.  Editing and cutting out after many words  is a task that many writers dislike, but a necessary one.  Whether you are writing a novel, or a smaller piece,  there will always be words to rearrange, eliminate or change.  It will only improve what you have written down.  See?  written down, there is no need for the down in the previous sentence, that must be eliminated.

Some writers prefer to edit as they write, or as they finish a chapter; others just write and edit later.  Whatever works for you, as long as you improve your piece by taking off what doesn’t belong.  Readers prefer material that moves at a fast (but not too fast) and consistent pace – writing that flows.

I tend to use too many words and have to be aware of not tiring the readers, or boring them.  I have been guilty of reading a book and skipping paragraphs and pages that contain “a lot of the same.”  I am sure we all have been there and that is a good example to make the point.

So snip snip and don’t be afraid; you may be proud of that sentence, but maybe you can use it on another piece or further along.  Don’t be afraid to take your writing to the operating room.