Finding Something Friday: Bill's Vlog, Not As Narcissistic as You Think

I read in my big-city newspaper where researchers from the University of Georgia (Shout out to PR guy, Anonymous!) concluded that folks who go overboard with the social networking might be a tad narcissistic. Frankly, I'm shocked. I mean, can't a person talk about themselves ad infinitum without being super self-absorbed?

I, for one, can't wait to see what my buddy, Bill, has to say on his podcast and BillTV. And now he has a vlog! So, if you'd like to see a very funny guy talk about well, himself, then head over to BillTV right now.

Now, I know you're wondering what the heck does Bill's vlog have to do with writing? As it happens, one man's narcissism is another man's (or woman's) promotion. So, you could learn a thing or two about promoting your work by watching Bill's vlog and other YouTube videos. Plenty of authors are taking it to that 4 x 4 inch screen, making videos about their books, and driving up sales.

Betcha didn't think of that, did you? Lucky me. I know exactly who I'll call for a few tips when I produce the Cathy C. Hall of Fame vlog.

Repurposing Makes Cents

I started to write "Repurposing makes Sense," but then Wham! A brilliant thought popped in my head with "Repurposing Makes Cents."Even if I do say so myself.

Um, actually, this time it's not so much me saying so as it is Marcia Peterson over at Wow! Women on Writing. She wrote a very detailed How 2 in the latest issue that can answer every question you have about repurposing articles and show you how to make mo' money in the process. Check out Marcia's How 2 article here if you want a primer on the subject.

You know that I'm a big believer in repurposing. I do it all the time with essays. Take my latest essay, "The Sign Solution" over at New Christian Voices. When I originally wrote it, I had a work-at-home mom pub in mind (WAHM Magazine, for you nosy readers). I submitted the essay, but I hadn't heard anything in awhile. So, I took the thing out for a reread, and thought, "Hmmm. This little essay doesn't really work for that market." (To put the thought politely) I gave it a few humor tweaks and sent it over to NCV. Repurposed, the essay found a home and I've made a few cents.

But a part of that essay (how Mr. Hall likes music BLARING when he works vs. my need for silence when I work) was a nugget from a column I'd written over a year ago. But it was part of the new story regarding the sign solution. And that's repurposing, too.

So, now you can truly appreciate the title of this post! Even if I do say so myself.

Tooting My Horn Tuesday About Writer Mama (and Karen Wiesner's Books!)

Cathy!!!
You have won First Draft in 30 Days & From First Draft to Finished Novel by Karen Wiesner.
Congrats!

You see what happens when you throw your name into the Writer Mama Back to School Giveaway? Any day now, I'll be getting two swell books. And in a month (or maybe two) I'll be finished with my first novel.

Okay, so maybe you don't believe I'll finish that novel in a month. But you better believe I'll keep posting my two cents worth over at Writer Mama. That's the only way you can win. And maybe I've already won Christina Katz' new book, Get Known.

Take a look for yourself over at Writer Mama Riffs. But don't wait too long. When September ends, so does the Giveaway!

Finding Something Friday Goes to Abilene, More or Less

You know how I love the contests. And not just because I win contests. Though that's smashing, isn't it?

I love contests because I love finding homes for those pieces I've written that are wandering about in some file folder, dragging their feet. I love contests for whatever bit of Fame and Fortune I might grab. But when writer's groups sponsor contests, I'm always interested. I love those contests because I love to support writers. I'm happy to send my entry fee because I know that some of that money will go to a worthy group of folks.

Oh, I know some people will say that your poem or story or whatever won't really garner much attention, or hold much weight when you're looking for an editor or publisher. That's okay. 'Cause that's not why I enter those contests, anyway.

But I'm also a firm believer in making your own luck. And who's to say that some wonderful editor or publisher may not be in that very same group wherein you submitted your entry and won? Who's to say he or she will read your story or poem or whatever and say, "Wow! This is one talented writer whom I'd like to work with...and give a great big contract to her, too!" Hey, it could happen.

So, take a look at the Abilene Writers Guild Annual Contest for 2008. Check out the website here for all the details. You have till October 31st to send in your scathingly brilliant works and impress the judges. And who knows? Maybe you'll impress an editor or publisher, to boot. (Sheesh. It took me forever to work "boot" into this Texas contest post.)

Tooting My Horn Tuesday About Lee Ann Rubsam and Her Humor Contest (Which I won!)

Yes, yes, I know that's an awfully long title post. And at this point, you're probably wondering why you should read the rest of the post. After all, you've got the gist of my horn-tooting news.

But then you'd miss hearing the name of the contest (Over 50, Still Kickin') and what I humorously expounded upon (pimples). Oh, and you'd never know who Lee Ann Rubsam is. Though, technically, I don't know Lee Ann, either. I do know she likes to write funny stuff and that she sponsored a contest and that she also writes about home-schooling. I found all that interesting info on Lee Ann by reading her website. But maybe you'll glean more about Lee Ann if you read her website for yourself.

And while there, you can read my scathingly witty, prize-winning essay, "This Means War!" Which, now that I think of it, is really the point of my horn-tooting post.

Kindle, Kindle Everywhere

I just read that an author is offering her book free to Kindle readers. Or I guess, more properly, Kindle owners. I don't own a Kindle and I'm not likely to pick one up anytime soon, even if I can get a free book downloaded.

Don't get me wrong. I like books. I LOVE books. But I'm not sure I'm feeling the love of the Kindle movement. I don't think I like the idea of reading being so techno-efficient. I like to pick up a book, thumb through the pages, get a feel for things before I commit to reading the story. Something tells me that's not how Kindle works.

On the other hand, I'm still eating byte-sized crow about the fact that I have two blogs and a website (though technically, I only dissed the blogging). So, to Kindle or not to Kindle? That is the question.

And here's another question: do you know a Kindle? Oddly enough, I met someone named Kindle just the other day while researching an article. An article I should be writing. So I guess the real question is: how much longer can I stall by ruminating on this whole Kindle thing?

This is what happens when I watch Andy Rooney.

Finding Something Friday Looks at Lucy Burns and Alice Paul

When I read the email from my friend, Sue (Thanks, Sue!), I knew I'd found something special in Lucy Burns and Alice Paul. And I'd like to take this occasion to thank Lucy and Alice, too.

I'm ashamed to say I'd never heard of these courageous suffragists who struggled mightily for women to have the right to vote. Red-haired, Irish Catholic, Lucy (a woman after me own heart) picketed the White House, advising a vote against Woodrow Wilson. Woodrow and the police didn't care much for that idea and threw Lucy and Alice and others of the female persuasion into the hoosegow.

Which is bad enough in itself. But when you throw in a few beatings and other brutal behaviors perpetrated on these women on a November evening in 1917, then you've got your Night of Terror and a couple of heroines who survived it all. And who ultimately went on to win that vote for women in 1920. You can read more about their ordeal here.

Why don't we know about Lucy Burns and Alice Paul? Maybe because teachers, journalists and writers haven't spread the word. Those of us of the female persuasion owe a debt of gratitude to the women who fought for the 19th amendment. And if I can share their early 20th century story through this wonderful 21st century medium, then maybe that's one way I can thank Lucy and Alice. Rest in peace, sisters.

Tooting My Horn Tuesday Goes Off on a Tangent

Oh, I so want to toot my horn. But I can't...yet. So I'll toot Dav Pilkey's horn instead. Because anyone who comes up with Professor Poopypants' Name Change-O-Chart 2000 is BRILLIANT!

Good old Dav wrote the Captain Underpants series (which also happen to be brilliant!) and Professor Poopypants was one of his villains who changed people's names so that...well, do evil geniuses really have to have a reason to be a poopypants? Anyway, here's how it works: go to the website here and put your name(s) in the appropriate spots. Then voila! Your new name is delivered tout de suite!

My new name is Buttercup Wafflebrain, which I'm so in love with, I want to marry it! I've always been a HUGE fan of Buttercup. And speaking of marrying, a certain someone's name came up as Poopsie Wafflebrain.

Which is totally ironic since I have been known to call a certain someone Poopsie on occasion. I wonder how Professor Poopypants knew that? I guess he really is an evil genius.

Finding Something Friday...Will and Wowio

There's a very good reason why it's called Finding Something Friday 'round here. I've just spent an hour at least looking for...something. I'm pretty sure I had a piece of paper with a long list of interesting things I wanted to share with you (and by you, I mean Anonymous and Bill, apparently).

But I found something else while I was looking. It's Wowio, which kinda makes you want to jump up and click your heels, huh? Now that I think about it, you may be kicking your heels after you check it out. Wowio is an online bookstore where you can read books for free online and/or download a PDF for a moderate cost. So, say you'd like to read the first chapter or two of some classic, like Huckleberry Finn. You don't have to go to the library or search the web forever. It's right there at your fingertips, free at Wowio. Cool, huh?

Oh, and I found Will, too. Technically, I found the Will Rogers Writing Contest. If you can write an essay in the Will Rogers style, you can win this contest that's connected to Will Rogers and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. You have till the end of the month, and please, don't write about Will. Write something funny or human interest-y. You'll find more info here. I think it's listed under the What's New section. And if it's not there, I'm not sure where you'll find it.

'Cause I'm having one of those Fridays where I can't find a thing.

What Not to Do Wednesday Looks at Attending Book Festivals

Okay, yes, Clyde Edgerton and the big book festival have packed up and left town now. But that doesn't mean we can't learn a few lessons, grasshopper, on how one should go about "doing" a big three-day event.

Maybe you thought you would drive to the venue and find a great parking place. Next time, take whatever public transportation is available in your neighborhood. I learned my lesson from last year when I pulled into a parking garage that was FULL and had to pay five bucks to get out. So, this time around, I was smarta and took MARTA.

And don't whine because you arrived extra early (like I did) and stood in line (like I did) so that you could see your favorite author, Bailey White (like I did) only to find out that there was no room left in the venue. Because you're bound to find another author, right around the corner, just as funny (like I did)! In fact, I found three authors: John T. Edge, Clyde Edgerton and John Egerton. And seriously, those guys were a hoot and a half! (I think I just got a little paradoxical there.) So don't get all bent out of shape if you can't see the one you love. Love the author you're with, grasshopper. Like I did with good old John Egerton, there. Or is that John T. Edge? Um, well, that guy in the picture, whoever he is, was darn entertaining!

And do not judge a talk by its title. Because, frankly, I was not too keen when I saw "Of Hissy Fits and Hairdos." But Celia Rivenbark made me laugh out loud. And Doug Crandall, who was stuck in that room with all that estrogen, made me laugh out loud, too.

And if you were silly enough not to wear decent walking shoes for trekking up one end of Decatur to the next... well, honestly, grasshopper, that's exactly how a hissy fit gets started. Right, Doug?

The Writer Mama's Give-Away is Back!

You know how I love the freebies. And that's why I love The Writer Mama's Back-to-School Giveaway! Every day during September, Christina Katz gives away a book, or several books, or a subscription, or an e-book, or...well, I don't know all the goodies she has lined up, but if you check out her blog, I'm sure she'll tell you all about it.

Last year, I won two e-books which I thoroughly enjoyed. And this year, I aim to win me something good, again. And read words of wisdom from writers all over the world.

So, check out Christina's give-away. You don't have to be a mama; you just have to be a writer who'd like to win big!