It's Friday - One of My Favorite Days for Writing!

"Writing energy is like anything else: The more you put in, the more you get out." - Richard Reeves

Mr. Reeves couldn't have said it better. We all know this. But on Fridays, something else happens for me. I've got that "end of the week" feeling that says I don't have to work so hard - at anything.  And then my muse shows up, along with my inner critic, and I have to figure out how to appease both of them at the same time - not an easy feat!  But here's what makes it work: We writers have an "ethic" about our writing. We know we can "skate" sometimes and work more or less on some days than others, but Friday isn't one of those days for me as I know I'll be distracted on Saturdays by other things I like doing equally well.  Things like buying fresh vegetables at the farmer's market, running by the library before noon, catching an afternoon matinee, and seeing precious family members and friends on Saturday night. That puts the emphasis back on Friday for me; and, in turn, makes me want to write even more while I have the quiet and uninterrupted opportunity - as my muse slows down the tapping of his foot on the floor while he anxiously awaits for me to "spend" my writing energy where he sees fit.  It works.  And, you know what? That inner critic leaves the room as it knows it can't complete with the combination of a muse, perfect setting for writing and the reward of doing my other favorite things on Saturday.  I'm not fooling myself that it will be back; but, for now, I'm heeding Mr. Reeves' advice and enjoying Friday - one of my favorite days for writing!

All of this Information - Right at your Fingertips!

Dear Readers and Writers:

As  you know, Penmusings.com was launched in mid-May – just one month ago. Its byline of “ … a directory of information, flavorings and insights in celebration of writing !” is definitely not an exaggeration!

This website was specifically designed to assist authors, readers and writers of every genre. With  features of Insights, Inspirations, Write-Stuff/Read-Stuff and access to standard online writing tools such as dictionary.com, thesaurus.com, wordsmith.org and copyright.gov, penning your newest and continued work has never been easier.

Jeffrey Stepakoff, author of Fireworks Over Toccoa, is the featured author in this month's Inspirations column. "Fireworks" has also been sold for a movie adaptation!  Mr. Stepakoff has another novel, The Orchard, scheduled for release on July 5 - it also has received many significant reviews. Jane Friedman, contributing editor to Writer’s Digest magazine, is the focus of the June Insights column.  Every writer I know has been following her advice for years!

On another note, we all know that writers sometimes need a little help in navigating through the murky waters of crafting their prose for publication. Take a look at the Publishing Processes page, and you’ll find several categories specifically designed to assist you in becoming a better writer. Novel Concepts has everything right at your fingertips, including a direct link to a 27-step video process for developing the plot of your story. There are also direct links to small, large and independent publishing houses. Under Secret(?) Agent News, you find direct access to literary agents representing all genres – with advice on everything “agent” including strategies for query letters and proposals.

On the Pen Opps & Props page, you’ll find opportunities for grants, scholarships, and freelance writing gigs under the heading of Pen Money Opps and Excerpts from instructional and motivational books on what else? Writing, of course! As you peruse the pages of Penmusings.com, you’ll find plenty of interesting entertaining information on the art and craft of words. Author websites may be found on the People Will Talk page, along with Playgrounds (writer’s conferences) and many professional writers’ affiliations to support you along the way. Current sponsorships may be found on the Classifieds and Sponsorships page. Retired articles and columns appearing on Penmusings.com may be accessed through the Archive button at the bottom of the page. This will take you directly to the penmusings.blogspot.com site where you can pull them up with ease. Plans for an interactive crossword puzzle in the works now! 

Social media buttons such as Twitter, Facebook and Poppt are found on every page of the site. Penmusings has a presence in each of these social venues - feel free to "follow" or "friend" at any time! 

So, you see, there is much to be gained by an unhurried perusal through the pages of the site – even if you’re not a writer, but especially if you are! On the 15th of each month, there will be new “feature” articles, in addition to changes and new information along the way!

I sincerely hope you use and enjoy Penmusings.com every day!

Features of June Issue of Penmusings.com

The June issue of Penmusings.com will be released Wednesday, June 15!

Get ready for new columns on "Insights, " "Inspirations," "Excerpts," "Write-Stuff/Read-Stuff" "Writer Meditation" (Publishing Processes, Novel Concepts), "In Memoriam," New "Palm Readings," media access additions to "Roundup," additions to "Author Websites," "Fibber McGee's Closet (updated writing competition data) and LOTS more.

For more info: http://www.penmusings.com/

Enjoy!

May 15, 2011 "EXCERPTS" Norman Mailer, "The Spooky Art"

"Writing is spooky.   There is no routine of an office to keep you going, only the blank page each morning, and you never know where your words are coming from, those devine words." - Norman Mailer, author of "The Spooky Art - Some Thoughts on Writing."

 

To purchase: http://amzn.to/jVn9gJ

May 15, 2011 "EXCERPTS" Christina Baldwin, "Storycatcher"

"Story -- the abundance of it, and the lack of it -- shapes us. Story -- the abundance of it, and the lack of it -- gives us place, lineage, history, a sense of self.  Story -- the abundance of it, and the lack of it -- breaks us into pieces, shatters our understanding, and gives it back over and over again, the story different every time.  Story -- the abundance of it, and the lack of it -- connects us with the world and outlines our relationship with everything."  - Christina Baldwin, author of "Storycatcher ...Making Sense of Our Lives Through the Power and Practice of Story."   

For more: storycatcher.net

May 15, 2011 "INSPIRATIONS"

INSPIRATIONS - 

1992 Finalist for the National Book Award - Winner of the Ferro Grumley prize - Movie Adaptations  (X2) -  Translations into a dozen-plus languages - NY Times Notable Book of the Year, Lillian Smith prize finalist - ALA prize-winner (X2) - Best American Short Stories 2003 winner - Best New Stories from the South 2003 winner - Professor and Writer in Residence Davidson College, NC 2009 -  Emory University (GA) Center for Humanistic Inquiry's Distinguished Visiting Professor 2007 - Famosa in residence Macondo, San Antonio, TX  2007 - Writer in Residence Columbia College Chicago, IL 2006 - Recipient of the 2007 Robert Penn Warren Award for Fiction - Board Member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers  . . .

Are you inspired yet?  I was first introduced to Dorothy Allison in 2008. Stupid me, I had no idea what kind of talent I was having a conversation with.  Ms. Allison describes herself as a "working-class story teller," and recently upon seeing her again at the Arts and Education Council Conference on Southern Literature in Chattanooga, TN when I expressed my respect for her talents, she looked me squarely in the face and said, "Anne, I'd write menus for you if it made you happy!"  Ms. Allison knows how to write, cultivate readers and maintain a following. As writers, we're often told to study the "Masters."  Thank you, Dorothy, for being a "Master." 

For more visit:dorothyallison.net

May 15, 2011 "INSIGHTS"

Insights      Recently I had an opportunity to attend a conference which I had heard about for several years, but had always deferred attending. I came away greatly impressed with the quality of speakers and presenters at this most recent Conference on Southern Literature.  

In comparison, over the past few years I've assisted in the orchestration of conferences on many levels, including the procurement of speakers and presenters, as an officer for the sponsoring writers' association and other great experiences. During this process, I had the good fortune to speak with many writers, literary agencies, and publishers.  Everyone knows I believe in the art and craft of writing - everyone has a story to tell and should never be discouraged. It's a delicate balancing act to write and give back to your community. I now have the  good fortune of facilitating a senior writer's group.  As writers continuing to hone our craft, we also have to learn how to serve our writing souls as well as we serve everyone else's.

May 15, 2011 WRITE-STUFF/READ-STUFF

Welcome to Penmusings.com – a brand new website designed to assist writers, readers and publishers in celebration of writing!  As a writer, with hundreds of books on my shelves and various technologies at fingertips, I’ve always wanted to be able to corral all of that information into one directory where I could select whatever assistance I may require - from any location, at any time.  Penmusings.com will do that for everyone who wants to access news from the real world or creative assistance in the writing world. Now, you can too!

In that same vein, over the next five pages there are at least 12 venues whose content will change on a regular basis. Columns and features such as this one, Insights, Inspirations, In Memoriam, Pen Money Opportunities, Excerpts, Fibber McGee’s Closet, Sponsoring Authors, Up & Comers, Proven and many others will continue to evolve.

Connecting to your social media favorites is easy through Penmusings.com. There are buttons for these along with GMail, Blogger, StumbledUpon and Google on every page. Dictionary.com, Word Magic, Theasaurus.com and Copyright.gov may also be accessed from each page, in addition to Penmusings.blogspot.com. 

“Pen Opps & Props” serves the writer with opportunities for scholarships and grants along with calls for freelance writing gigs under Pen Money Opps.  In addition to this, you’ll find information on writing competitions, guidelines and awards, along with other relevant information in Fibber McGee’s Closet.

Under “Classifieds & Sponsorships,” you’ll find more marketing opportunities for your publications with financing available through traditional means or barter. Appearance rates are based upon location, duration, size, frequency and/or bundle.  Don’t hesitate to inquire for more information if you’re interested. There are several direct email links to Penmusings throughout the site.

Of particular value is the “Publishing Processes” page.  Here you’ll find the latest information on almost everything involved in the world of writing resources – from Secret(?) Agent News  to Snippets  toNovel Concepts and Bookish along with direct links to many of the larger publishing houses, small presses and self-publishing entities.

Finally, under “People Will Talk,” get ready for notable author website links, information on writer’s conferences (Playgrounds), and association and support through writer’s affiliations such as Writers Guild of America, Coalition of Independent Authors, American Society of Journalists and Authors. Don’t forget to bookmark this site for easy access.  We hope it serves you well!