The Book Tea is an intimate and unique marketing idea. Invite your friends and supporters to a book tea held in a friend’s house. Ellen Herbert, a writing friend, has done just that. Her book sales have skyrocketed and she is doing well with book sales through bookstores and online. Read what she says. “Falling Women and Other Stories” … Read More
Are you sitting down…???
UNNERVInG isn’t it??? Why? I discovered not one, but two black widows yesterday while checking out my water pump. It led me to the following information which I am sharing with you because of its interest and to warn you about these hidden creatures. Now I am obsessing over their location– I look inside my shoes (which I used to … Read More
Let’s walk each other home
How do writers support each other? 1. link to blogs and websites on your blog and website 2. let your writer friends know when there are neat competitions or calls for submissions 3. When asked, offer critique of their work: two positive comments and two that will improve the piece 4. Share valued opportunities such as editorial positions 5. interview … Read More
New Monthly Contest
We have the koala’s attention with this new monthly contest: a fun contest with cash prizes and publication for writers and non-writers http://www.shelfstealers.com/contests/ Check it out. There’s a high probability of winning and the challenges are fun.
Meet Author Iris Graville
Author Iris Graville A mini interview Iris Graville is a fascinating person who is currently writing a memoir about her experiences in a tiny village in central Washington in the north Cascade Mountains. She is now living on Lopez Island (one of the San Juan Islands of Washington State) where winters are mild with about one snow a year. This … Read More
A comma is like a boomerang (it is?)
I picked the boomerang because it looks like a comma if you use your imagination. Really use your imagination…. In my critique group, we have been questioning the use of commas in our drafts. We decided to research the rules. Here they are in case commas are invading your “dreamings.” The five rules of comma use: 1. Never place a … Read More
Specificity; a lesson learned
A specific day that commemorated the bonding of writers, a rite of passage, a beginning. The MFA at Whidbey Island was a journey in awakening to the potential within. This day, last August, was but a jumping off point for the challenge of finding my place in the writing world. When I entered the program three years before, my mind … Read More
Visuals in Your Head
How does a flash fiction writer project a visual for the reader? Through the use of concrete nouns, specific descriptive words that offer weight in their meaning. Consider this: “Don’t kill that fly.” Do you get a visual? No. Now consider this haiku: “Don’t kill that poor fly! He cowers, wringing his hands for mercy.” (Issa) I can see that … Read More
Aboriginal Women’s Business
The aboriginal women follow the traditional Law governing their rituals and duties. They continue the traditions and the laws through their song, or song-lines. The Law is intrinsic to their life. Or used to be, before the Europeans came…. “The woman sings, then she gives that ceremony to the others, to make it strong. The old woman is the boss, … Read More
Cracks in the Desert
Prompt for today: Write about the cracks: cracks we fall into, cracks in the picture, cracks in a promise, weathered faces, places we fall into, dark places, deep places, finding the light places, finding the other side, changing perspective, lost in the desert, found in the desert, tiny caves, places of refuge, what’s in the cracks… Study the picture and … Read More