ReBlogs: The Author’s Abyss

It occurs every time I complete a manuscript and send it out for comment.  I can’t explain it.  It just happens.  I tumble into something I call "The Author’s Abyss", a sinkhole of self-doubt.  It’s recurring epiphany I have that, in plain language, reminds me I can’t write worth a shit.

I realize the beloved project–my novel–that I dove into with such enthusiasm and optimism has disintegrated into something worthy of only a paper shredder.  In the beginning, full of passion and fervor, I commanded, at least to myself, “Let there be light,” and a fictional world full of interesting characters and compelling stories began to take shape out of a formless void.  Pulitzer Prize-candidate stuff.

But by the time I’d spread my incompetent hand over the dark waters, and sent my baby out to “finishing school” for critique and comment, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt there was no Pulitzer in my future.  Probably not even a cheap ribbon for participation.

Read the remainder of Buzz's article.

H.W. “Buzz” Bernard is a best-selling, award-winning novelist. His novels include Blizzard (the most recent), Eyewall, Plague and Supercell.  Buzz is a native Oregonian and attended the University of Washington in Seattle where he earned a bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science; he also studied creative writing.  He’s currently vice president of the Southeastern Writers Association.  He and his wife Christina live in Roswell, Georgia.

ReBlogs: Simply Cappy (Sept 11, 2015): Sackcloth and Ashes

On this eleventh morning of September, we Americans turned off alarm clocks, got out of bed, put on the coffee, did morning rituals and perhaps at some point perhaps we glanced at a calendar.

That is when we recalled exactly where we were and what we were doing at 8:46 a.m. fourteen years ago. It is when we remembered exactly how we felt when we learned of the terrorists' attacks on the World Trade Center. That is when we experienced, just as we did for thirteen previous years, the same sickening feeling in our bellies, the fears, the helplessness, the unbridled anger. 

It has been a very long fourteen years.

That day made such a profound change, whether needed or not, in all of our lives. Every day since has made us look at life in a different way. Nothing will ever again be the same for any one of us. How then, do we deal with the effects of 9/11 as it pertains to us on a personal level in 2015?

Read the remainder of Cappy's essay.

Cappy Hall Rearick is a columnist, humorist and is the author a dozen books, including The Road to Hell is Seldom Seen, 50 Shades of Southern and Hey God ... Let's Talk: Days of Our Lives.  She has stories in several editions of the Not Your Mother's Book series and she writes regularly for Writer Beat, After Fifty Living, and others.  

5 reasons to attend a conference (even if your manuscript isn’t pitch ready)

In the long list of decisions a writer will face, the question of attending a writer’s conference will inevitably surface. And it is an important one to consider. Conferences can be expensive, but they are worth the investment in your career.

When I first started writing, I was told that novice writers should complete their manuscript (to make sure they have the stamina to finish) before investing in conferences. Because of that advice, as well as being reluctant to attend a conference alone, I kept putting it off. But recently I’ve learned that, if you wait, you miss out on so many things that can help you to reach the finish line.

Here’s my list of 5 reasons to attend a conference (even if your manuscript isn’t pitch ready).

The Shop Talk 

You get to talk about writing – and nothing else – all day, with people who get it. All other life obligations are put aside for those few days while you focus on what you love. While our non-writer friends and family members try to understand and encourage us, no one “gets it” like other writers. No one else understands the joy of putting words on the page or the frustration when the right words just won’t come.

Gaining a Community

Hanging out with like-minded people lends itself to building friendships not otherwise possible. You are likely to start new lifetime friendships with people who push you to keep going, commiserate with you at times, and believe in you, especially when you’re having a hard time believing in yourself. These friends are priceless to our writing.

Although few will admit it, the voyeur in all of us wants to get a peek behind the curtain and see how other writers do it. With your writer friends, you don’t even have to ask permission to peek, they will open the door and invite you inside.

You will talk with writers who are one step ahead of where you’re at, five steps ahead, ten steps (how many steps there are) and learn from them. You may even find your writing mentor or critique partner at a conference.

Networking

While similar to gaining a community of writer friends, this is directed more to the other side of the table – the editors, agents, and publishers. You will meet industry professionals who are there to share their experiences and expertise. Even if you don’t have a manuscript ready to pitch, many of these individuals are very willing to talk over ideas with you and give you advice to improve (and finish) your work.

Introduce yourself, shake hands with someone you bump into while waiting for the elevator because you never know how your paths will cross down the line. The agent you sit next to at lunch may end up being the agent who signs you.

Learning

Conferences are full of learning opportunities. Even classes in tracks other than the one you’re following can offer nuggets that will help you improve your craft. And improving craft is one of the biggest reasons to invest in a conference. 

Retreating

Attending a conference can be the perfect opportunity to relax, catch up on some reading, and reflect on why you spend so much of yourself on this thing called writing. Breaks in the conference schedule are the perfect time to go for a walk (or a run, if you’re one of those crazy people,) take time to release some stress and absorb some peace; renew your mind and refresh your spirit or grab some of your new friends and go dancing or sing karaoke. 

I was reluctant to attend my first conference alone. Thankfully, I had a friend assure me that I wouldn’t be alone, but would be sharing the experience with all the new writer friends I would meet. My friend was right.

Heather Eslick, a freelance writer and aspiring novelist, lives in Savannah, Georgia, with her husband, David, and three of their four boys still in the nest, who supply much of the fodder that goes into her writing.  You can find Heather on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heathereslick and follow her blog at www.heathermeslick.wordpress.com. 

Article photos from the Southeastern Writers Workshop 2014 & 2015. By My Write Platform

ReBlog: What Good Sales People Know About Personal Branding That Everyone Should

The words "brand" or "branding" bring images grocery store shelves or maybe memories of a trip to the mall pop to mind first,  not writing, not your work. But writers have to be sales people to sell their work and themselves to clients and readers.  A strong personal brand helps to grab people's attention and keep it all on you. 

Joanne Tombrakos is an author and expert on building one's digital profile and personal branding. She recently published these tips for personal branding on the Huffington Post's "The Blog."

"Personal Branding is not a new concept.

"We used to call it building a good reputation and being clear on the direction you wanted your career to go. Then the age of digital dawned, and personal branding was taken to a whole new level. It's no longer just about the real life version of you. It's also about the digital version of you.

"Good salespeople have always been masters at this.

"The best ones have adapted their strategies to these new tools. Unfortunately there are not that many really good salespeople out there. I see too many using the new tools to automate instead of personalize and applying pushy tactics -- the kind that have always given sales a bad rap -- to technology that if used properly can enhance their image."

Read the remainder of Joanne's article.

Subscribe to The Purple Pros Blog (see above) to receive helpful and informative articles directly in your mailbox.  SWA does not share email addresses with third parties.

5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN SELECTING A CRITIQUE GROUP

Among an author’s acknowledgments and thank you’s is often a reference to his critique group. A critique group may be the single best thing any writer can do to develop her craft and put a work-in-progress into publishable form. I was very fortunate to be a member of a quality critique group for about eighteen months and these are my thoughts.

GENRE

Generally, the more narrow the scope of the group, the better. If you’re writing poetry, then your group should be limited to poetry. People who write in other genres will probably not be able to give you quality feedback. It is best if you can find a group that writes only in your specific genre but you’re probably going to have to choose between three general categories: fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

SIZE

If the group is too large then everyone will not have regular participation. If the group is too small, then an absence by one person will adversely impact the quality of the meeting. Also, different members will have different strengths and will notice different things. One of our members saw point-of-view issues while another member saw continuity problems. I recommend no fewer than six people and no more than twelve.

FREQUENCY

This is partly a matter of where you are as a writer and what you want from a critique group. If you are a developing writer and want regular feedback on a work-in-progress, then the group should meet every week. Once a month will not give you enough feedback to develop your craft. Also, meeting less than every week will easily turn into commitment problems.

COMMITMENT

Group members should attend every meeting and participate. If it is your turn to read, then bring material on which you have made a genuine effort. If it is your turn to critique, then give quality feedback to the writer. Of course there will be absences but members should know about these in advance. If a member cancels at the last minute because he has to pick up his wife at the airport, or if someone forgets about the group and schedules a work meeting at the same time, then their position in the group could better be filled by someone else. An occasional absence, with advance notice, is expected. Even longer absences can be accommodated. Our group was blessed with the arrival of two babies!   

QUALITY

This is the most difficult factor to control when forming a group. I was fortunate to have all quality writers, including published writers, in my group. A weak writer, who gives unhelpful feedback, is not productive and will not help you grow in your craft. You’re probably not going to have Pat Conroy or Amy Tan in your group, but members who are quality writers and make a genuine effort to improve their own craft, will help you improve yours.   

Tom Jordan is a lawyer in Atlanta. His short story, “The Treasure of Walker County”, won the Georgia Bar Journal’s 15th Annual Fiction Writing Competition and his short story, “The Boy Who Drew the Spidery X”, won the GT Youngblood Short Fiction Award at the 2015 SWA writer’s conference. He lives in Marietta with two cats, Donner and Blizten.

Will you answer the call? SWA extends an invitation to you.

Southeastern Writers Workshop 

June 19-23, 2015 

Epworth by the Sea on scenic St. Simons Island, Georgia

Writers helping writers, 

that's the SWA way. 

SWA offers a unique workshop experience. 

Classes lead by experience writers with industry experience.

Meals, a variety of options on the buffet,

 are taken in a private dining room with a water view.

There are different lodging opportunities to meet your needs. 

The value of networking and making writing friends? 

PRICELESS

Please join us!

REGISTER HERE

Agent-in-Residence: Sorche Fairbank – Fairbank Literary Representation -http://www.fairbankliterary.com/ 

Publisher: Maria McGaha – Dancing with Bear - http://www.dancingwithbearpublishing.com/

Publisher: CreateSpace - https://www.createspace.com/

Novel: C. Hope Clark - http://chopeclark.com/

Nonfiction: Don Vaughn – http://www.donaldvaughan.net

Poetry & Flash Fiction: Chris Tusa - http://christophertusa.net/wp/

Young Adult: S.R. (Shelli) Johannes - http://www.srjohannes.com/

Columns: Darrell Huckaby - http://www.darrellhuckaby.net/

Memoir: Dana Wildesmith - http://www.danawildsmith.com/

SWA Members SHINE!

Erika Hoffman’s winning entry, The Little Engine that Could, will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Searcher, the journal of the Southern California Genealogical Society.

What are you waiting for? 
Register now for SWA's 40th Writing Workshop and Send in those manuscripts: 

Guidelines for Manuscript Evaluations 
(Authors must be registered for at least 2 days to submit manuscripts for evaluation.) 

GENERAL

1. There are 7 evaluation categories:
• Poetry (Evaluator: Chris Tusa) - No more than 100 lines (one long poem or several short poems) - Poetry can be single-spaced
• Novel (Evaluator: C. Hope Clark) - The first chapter and a five-page synopsis
• Flash Fiction (Evaluator: Chris Tusa) - Complete manuscript of at least 100 and not more than 500 words
• Nonfiction (Evaluator: Donald S Vaughan) - The first chapter and a five-page synopsis –OR– Complete manuscript not over 1500 words
• Columns (Evaluator: Darrell Huckaby) - A 1-paragraph description of the column, including the intended media and the target audience, and a 750-word sample column manuscript.
• Memoir (Evaluator: Dana Wildsmith) - The first chapter and a three-page synopsis
• YA Fiction (Evaluator: SR Johannes) - The first chapter and a five-page synopsis

2. Each conference member can submit up to 3 manuscripts for evaluation, but ONLY 1 entry per member per evaluation category.

3. Each manuscript may be submitted to ONLY 1 evaluation category.

4. Manuscripts must be submitted by EMAIL ONLY.

5. The submission DEADLINE IS May 15, 2015. NO extensions. 

6. Manuscripts must be previously unpublished, including cell publication, Web publication and blogs. If your work is openly available to readers online on a blog or article directory (i.e.: ezinearticles.com, gather.com, associatedcontent.com), it is considered PUBLISHED. If your manuscript has been critiqued online through membership website that requires members to login to see the work, it is considered UNPUBLISHED.

7. Simultaneous submissions are OK.

MANUSCRIPTS 1. Manuscripts should have standard 1-inch margins all around. Must be double-spaced and 12-point font, Times New Roman. 2. NO contact or identifying author information should be on the manuscript. Manuscripts should have a header with the title on the left, and page numbers, right. 3. Manuscripts should be attached in a Microsoft Word file. One attachment per email only. 4. The entire submission should be included in one attachment. For example: a book chapter and synopsis should be submitted in one file.

SUBMISSION EMAIL 1. The subject line of the email should include “manuscript + evaluation category name.” For instance: “manuscript – Novel Evaluation.” 2. Author's name, address, phone number, e-mail, and payment-received information should be in the body of the email. Your PayPal receipt or the text from the email you received from the registrar as proof of registration, e.g. Web Accept Payment Received (Unique Transaction ID #xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) 3. The manuscript title, word count, and category should also be included in the body of the email. 4. Email manuscript evaluations to evaluation@southeasternwriters.org


** Manuscripts submitted for evaluations by faculty members are not entered in contests. If you want to enter a contest, please see Contest guidelines. **

SWA Members SHINE!

Buzz Bernard:  I'm one of the (many) featured interviewees in this month's edition of THE BIG THRILL, The on-line publication of International Thriller Writers. 

Patrick Hempfing’s moMENts column titled “A Wagon Filled With Memories”

was published in the April issue of ten regional parenting magazines, spanning seven states (NY, PA, NC, SC, FL, TX, and ID), and four newspapers (Capital Gazette, Carroll County Times, Orlando Sentinel, and Sun Sentinel).  Houston Family Magazine published “Lessons Learned” as a web exclusive.

Patrick Hempfing had a 20-year career in banking, accounting and auditing before he became a father at age 44. He is now a full-time husband, stay-at-home dad and author of a monthly column titled “moMENts.” Follow Hempfing at facebook.com/patricklhempfing and twitter.com/patrickhempfing. - See more at: http://www.carolinaparent.com/articlemain.php?A-Wagon-Filled-With-Memories-4377#sthash.IkKUvgF3.dpuf

Linda Joyce signed a contract with Doctor’s Dreams Publishing for the inclusion of two of her poems in Katrina Memoirs to be released on July 1st. Additionally, she'll be a presenting a workshop at the Moonlight and Magnolia Conference, then a guest speaker at the Gulf Coast Writers Association, both events are in Octobers. She's presenting a workshop on SMART-R Goals for Results. 

Word from the Editor: 

SWA's workshop in June is special. It's unlike other writing workshops. From the moment

you arrive and check-in at Epworth by the Sea, you're able to relax. There are different types of lodging available. Yes, you may bring your family and make it a vacation. There's plenty for them to do while you're immersing yourself in the workshop. (Your room reservation does include your three daily meals.)

We take our meals together in a lovely dining room overlooking the intracoastal waterway. It's a time to break bread, nourishing our bodies, and at the same time, filling ourselves with community. Meal time is a time of exchanging of ideas, learning about your fellow attendees--you never know what expertise they may have that you'll need for a future story or poem. Networking takes place southern-hospitality style.

Classes are lively. Questions are encouraged. Content will enhance the richness of your writing craft and feed your creativity.

Then, there's Open Mic Night, a fun and engaging event where writers read some of their works--no criticisms allowed. Just fun and encouragement in the form of applause. 

And I can't forget the excitement of Awards Night! Everyone waiting with great anticipation to hear the winners of the contests. I've been blessed with several first prize wins, however, I'm equally excited when my friends win. 

As the newsletter editor/blog boss and Author Liaison, a new position on the Board of Directors created to highlight the work of authors attending, I work to spread the news about the benefits of SWA. People often refer to a board position as "sitting," yet its far more like conducting an orchestra with all the juggling I'm doing.  

I wouldn't volunteer my time to SWA if I they hadn't proven to me they live their mission: Writers helping writers.

Let us show you how invested we are at SWA in helping you. Register now and join us!

Warmest Regards, 

Linda Joyce

 

One for the Money, Two for the Show, Three to get Read, and Four to go, go go to SWA

Time is pushing forward. Slackers will fall behind. Don't be like THOSE kind of writers. Join SWA for the June workshop.

Register HERE

What do you get for your money when you 

sign up for  

SWA's 40th Annual Workshop 

June 19-23, 2015 

at Epworth by the Sea on scenic St. Simons Island, Georgia? 

One: Full conference tuition includes entry to all sessions, 3 FREE manuscript evaluations with one-on-one feedback from our faculty, and access to an agent and two publishers.

Two: A total of 15 contests with CASH PRIZES! 

The Awards Ceremony is June 23.

Three: An educational experience that will enhance your career with this faculty:

Agent-in-Residence: Sorche Fairbank – Fairbank Literary Representation - http://www.fairbankliterary.com/ 

Publisher: Maria McGaha – Dancing with Bear - http://www.dancingwithbearpublishing.com/

Publisher: CreateSpace - https://www.createspace.com/

Novel: C. Hope Clark - http://chopeclark.com/

Nonfiction: Don Vaughn – http://www.donaldvaughan.net

Poetry & Flash Fiction: Chris Tusa - http://christophertusa.net/wp/

Young Adult: S.R. (Shelli) Johannes - http://www.srjohannes.com/

Columns: Darrell Huckaby - http://www.darrellhuckaby.net/

Memoir: Dana Wildesmith - http://www.danawildsmith.com/

Four: Networking with a group of respected authors, poets, writers of all genres, agents and publishers. The impact on your career? Priceless!

It's your time to grow and shine!

One for the Money--Cash prizes for contests

Two for show--win awards for showing off your writing. 

Three to get ready--Register NOW

and 

Four to go, go, go!--Reach a higher level of craft by investing in yourself. The results are priceless!

SWA Happy New Year wishes

Greetings!

We've flipped the calendar to 2015.  Have you started your writing goals? Checking them twice? Are they SMART-R goals? Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely, and Rewarding?

What other things could you consider including in your 2015 Writing Goals?

*Educational opportunities

*Training sessions

*Networking

*Contests Entries--maybe to become winners!

Through SWA you can have it all!

If you're a writer just starting out, a writer on the rise, or an author, SWA has something for you.

Please check out the website: http://southeasternwriters.org/http://southeasternwriters.org/
 

The Workshop dates are June 19-23, 2015, with the fiction mini-workshop running June 20-21 and the nonfiction mini-workshop on June 22-23.



Please meet the faculty:

Agent-in-Residence: Sorche Fairbank – Fairbank Literary Representation - http://www.fairbankliterary.com/

Publisher: Maria McGaha – Dancing with Bear - http://www.dancingwithbearpublishing.com/

Publisher: CreateSpace - https://www.createspace.com/

Novel: C. Hope Clark - http://chopeclark.com/

Nonfiction: Don Vaughn – http://www.donaldvaughan.net

Poetry & Flash Fiction: Chris Tusa - http://christophertusa.net/wp/

Young Adult: S.R. (Shelli) Johannes - http://www.srjohannes.com/

Columns: Darrell Huckaby - http://www.darrellhuckaby.net/

Memoir: Dana Wildesmith - http://www.danawildsmith.com/

"SWA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting writers across the southeast through access to education and training, peer support, and resources. Founded in 1975, our membership is comprised of a diverse group of writers from more than twelve Southern and Mid-Atlantic states who represent a variety of genres, styles, and levels of experience, but who are bound by a common passion for the written word."