Creative Writing

[KanoasDestiny]

I've noticed that we have a couple of writers here - Susanne and I believe it was Kendra? Does anyone else write? If so, what do you write?

I always enjoyed writing...I won all kinds of prizes in 5th grade for writing an essay against drug use. I also won quite a bit of money when I was in 7th grade for an essay I wrote, which was published in two or three different newspapers. Then when I was in my teens, I began writing poetry. It helped me to express myself and some of the things I was going through. I won Honorable Mention in a nation-wide poetry contest when I was 17. I have tried to start a novel a time or two (I have so many original stories in my head) but I tend to get writer's block within the first chapter or two. So I don't write much these days, except between on here, Facebook, and texting. Lol.

 

[susanne]

I've always written. I was a journalism major in college with a minor in music and enough English lit and writing classes to almost have yet another degree.

I worked for a couple of publications in my early years out of college and have written on a freelance basis since then. As part of my graphic design and marketing communications business, I do a lot of copywriting for my clients.

I'm working on two books at the moment: one is about the various people in an urban neighborhood. It's much more in-depth than that description -- a bit like Winesburg, Ohio, or Spoon River Anthology. Not a soap opera, but a collection of character studies -- some funny, some sad.

The other is a collection of my Mingus stories, some of which were originally posted on L'il Beginnings (though I've expanded upon the originals) -- the story of two miniature horses living in the city with their two dorky owners (we provide much of the humor, lol).

I have another idea on the back burner that is in another totally different genre -- a bit "out there". Perhaps I need a pen name for that one...

 

[Kendra]

I've always written, but I started writing fiction in 2009 when I was recovering from surgery and bored out of my tree. I discovered it was the most fun ever, and with my usual single minded enthusiasm, then decided I needed to learn how to do it properly, so I've spent the last four years taking courses and reading and making use of every resource I can find.

I write mainly YA historical, set here in Alberta. Allows me to use my interest in both horses and Alberta history! Of course, my last project (for Nanowrimo, call it a Zero Draft at this point!) is more fantasy than historical, but still set in this part of the world. I also have a series of Westerns I'm working on (2 books written), with a female protagonist. I'm planning to self publish/promote this series as ebooks/print on demand, working on a short story "prequel" at the moment. But after recently having my first experience with having some of my work professionally edited, I'll be paying an editor to polish it before I do so!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

When I was a kid, while my family was watching tv, I was upstairs writing and illustrating stories. I had a poem published in American Girl magazine when I was 13, and was actually paid money. At 16, I wrote a whole series of poems about every teacher in my high school and they were all published in the local newspaper. Sold a nonfiction essay in my early twenties, and wrote 3 fiction books for fun then. That was pencil/paper and a manual typewriter, writing after the children were in bed and husband on the night shift!

I took a creative writing correspondance course as a young wife/mother and really enjoyed that. My mentor during the course was Phyllis Whitney. I thought it was an excellent course; the instructors really took it seriously and I learned a lot.

Also took a college course in creative writing in early 30's. (The teacher was more concerned with having a captive audience for his own writing.) I left writing for several years until my recent duties as newsletter editor. Now I am web mistress for our state button society, and also edit the newsletter, which usually means I write all the articles and do the graphics, too. This has been very satisfying for my writer's urge.

I had a little epiphany when I realized I am much more comfortable with the nonfiction genre. I've been editor now for 3 years, and I wonder what I would do if someone wanted my job? I'm a little territorial about it at this point!

My youngest sister is writing now. She is working toward having her first novel published. She likes the computer and has no trouble cutting/copying/pasting. I still need to print out my work and use a pencil to move phrases around.

Kendra, I think my sister is working on the prequel also, and shopping around for a good agent. I wonder if she has considered having a professional editor? I will ask her.

 

[Kendra]

If she's querying agents, her novel will see an editor before it goes out into the world. In that path to publication, once the agent has found a publisher her novel will be edited. I'm planning to self publish these particular stories, and want to make sure I'm presenting the most polished work that I can.

 

[Jill]

I love to write!!! But my only claim to (not even) fame is an article on miniature horses that ran in a couple of magazines including the AMHA magazine.

One thing I do enjoy is writing marketing pieces, which is something I apply for my job... However, I'd love to do more with it. I got some attention when I was taking college courses for my essays (some they published), but I always feel like someone has to "give" me the topic, before I can run with it.

 

[Riverrose28]

I think that creative writing is a gift. Now don't get me wrong, as I think it also takes education and desire. Not to mention an imagination. I have imagination and have often thought about writing a si-fi novella, I even have the basics, but not the education or the gift. I was given the gift of dance, but, alas, my arthritis has taken that from me, but I still have the gift of imagination, and when I read a book I can see it in my mind. I admire those that can put their thought into words and use adjectives to help me to see what they are trying to see. So if you guys write, great, maybe we can start a thread for short stories just for us. Love you guys!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I love to write!!! But my only claim to (not even) fame is an article on miniature horses that ran in a couple of magazines including the AMHA magazine.

One thing I do enjoy is writing marketing pieces, which is something I apply for my job... However, I'd love to do more with it. I got some attention when I was taking college courses for my essays (some they published), but I always feel like someone has to "give" me the topic, before I can run with it.

Marketing pieces are somewhat like journalism? Few words getting across maxiumum ideas? That is sort of like writing for a newsletter. I really enjoy that challenge.

 

[KanoasDestiny]

So if you guys write, great, maybe we can start a thread for short stories just for us.

I think this is a great idea. If anyone has poems, short stories, articles, etc that they'd like to share, this forum is definately the place! It sounds like we have alot of creative people here.

 

[susanne]

With the frequent theft of creative work on the internet and ignorance of and disrespect for intellectual property rights online, I would advise against posting anything you consider marketable and/or to have value. Remember the story a few years back of the woman who wrote a beautiful piece about her daughter and horses. It went viral, shared worldwide usually without credit to her.It is extremely difficult to maintain copyright on the internet.

 

[KanoasDestiny]

I wrote out a response earlier but apparently I hit the wrong button on my phone and it didnt post. :/

Thank you Susanne for mentioning that! I agree with you 100%, and I do remember the whole thing with that woman and her poem. For anyone who would like to post some of their written work on here (published works and blogs would be great), we would love to see it. But as Susanne said, don't post anything that you wish to market someday or anything that you would care about others 'stealing'.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

My sister has submitted her novel to the Romance Writers competition. She says she will know next Tuesday by 2 pm whether she made the finals.

I'll really feel bad for her if she doesn't make it. I'm not sure how many manuscripts are submitted, or how many will be in the finals.

 

[Kendra]

Good luck to your sister! I've entered writing contests before ... nervewracking!!

 

[KanoasDestiny]

Wishing your sister luck! I can imagine how nervous she must be right now.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Her book didn't make it.

I asked if she got a critique, or if she knew how many manuscripts were entered.

When I got refusals many moons ago, it was just a form letter--sorry, your submission isn't what we're looking for. If one doesn't try, one can't get that skinny envelope in the mail that holds a check and contract instead of one's rejected manuscript.

But she's my baby sister and I feel bad for her.

 

[Kendra]

Aww, so sorry to hear she didn't make it through - was it the RITA & Golden Heart awards? I know they were announcing the finalists, was all over my twitter feed. If so, that's a huge deal, kudos to her for even entering!

 

[KanoasDestiny]

Aww, thats too bad. Tell her not to give up. Has she submitted it to any publishers?

 

[Marsha Cassada]

It was the Golden Heart.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

My sister got her critique back on her entry. Only the first 40 pages were submitted in the contest. She got a low score on Romance, as her romantic interest didn't start until later in the book. She got a high score from one judge on character. All in all, she felt it was a constructive crituqe, based on definite criteria, and not subjective judge opinion.

It cost $50 to enter the contest; I would consider that a good investment in a professional critique.

 

[KanoasDestiny]

I don't know if I would have wanted to pay $50 for a critique. Lol. Has she thought about self-publishing on Amazon?