Finding Something Friday on Pumping up Your Writing

It's been quite the summer, hasn't it? But Labor Day's right around the corner. It's time to shake the sand out of your books and brains and hunker down for some serious, labor-intensive writing.

On the other hand, there's no reason why we can't have a little fun along the way. I mean, all work and no play makes Cathy C. Hall a whiny (not to mention, annoying) writer. Winning contests makes Cathy C. Hall a happy (not to mention, richer) writer.

That's why I always check out the Writer Mama Back-to-School Giveaway. Thirty days of giving away thirty books. Good, old Christina Katz (and she knows I mean that in a lovely way!) has rounded up some great stuff to pump up your writing. And all you have to do to win is comment on her blog. Easy-weezy.

And then, while cleaning out the old Inbox today, I found an email re: Fanstory. Technically, I find emails about Fanstory alot. But today, I actually read a little something something about this site. And I thought that for writers who might need a little extra incentive, Fanstory could be just the ticket.

You have to join to participate in the contests, but you can try them out with a free trial membership. And then you can get involved in all sorts of fun stuff going on over there. Here's the thing: financially investing in yourself, whether it's a class, a conference, an organization, or a site like Fanstory, says you're making a committment. A committed writer will become a better writer. Guaranteed.

Now, put your little floaties away till next summer and pump up your writing instead!

What Not to Do Wednesday on Freebies

I almost did it, grasshopper. I came this close (picture me pressing my thumb and pointer finger together, leaving just a smidgen of space) to skipping out on the AJC Decatur Book Festival Writer's Conference this year.

And then I thought "Whaddaya, crazy or something? Here's a bunch of talented writers, happy to share their words of wisdom, for FREE, and you're sitting around whining to yourself about traffic."

Yeah, that's right, grasshopper. Not a fan of traffic. Or crowds. Both of which are bound to be a problem at the DBF. But I pulled on my big girl britches...and coerced one of the Junior Halls into going with me. Whatever. The point is, I emailed somebody to reserve a spot at the workshop I wanted to attend. Um, I didn't actually get the workshop I wanted to attend. But I'm bound to get in some workshop. For FREE.

So, don't let stuff like traffic or crowds keep you from taking advantage of wonderful writing opportunities in your area. Especially when those opportunities are FREE!

Finding Something Friday...It's Always Something

You never know what you're going to find on a Friday.

So, when I saw an email from Ayub inviting me to be his Hi5 friend, I had to do a little checking. Because a. I don't know Ayub (Perhaps he's a fine fellow, and perhaps I'm being picky. But I like to actually know, in some way or another, folks I'm actually befriending). And b. I don't know Hi5 (Call me crazy, but since the Computer Crash of 'Aught Nine, I don't click on just any old link).

Turns out that Hi5 is a social networking site. Well, I guess you learn something every day. But I'm still going to pass on Ayub and Hi5. I've got my hands full with that other social network. (Talk about never knowing what you're going to find...but that's a story for another Friday.)

Tooting My Horn Tuesday for Branding (The Marketing Kind)

Okay, okay. I'm tooting Shelli's horn. And WOW! Women-on-writing's horn. But I asked the questions for the interview, so that ought to count for something.

When I heard Shelli Johannes-Wells talk at Springmingle (the SCBWI conference of the Southern Breeze region), I learned a few pointers about branding yourself in the writing world. And I laughed as I learned. I thought she'd make a fine interview for WOW's August issue on Self-Promotion. And I was right!

I could tell you all about branding. But Shelli does a slam-up job with it. So, check out the feature interview here and all those slam-up questions I asked. And while you're there, read all those other swell articles about promoting yourself. Before long, you'll be tootin' your horn like Louis Armstrong, blowin' your name all over the writing world.

Finding Something Friday on Madmen and Markets

Looking for something fun and funky this Friday? And maybe just a tad sixties-ish to get you feeling younger than you are? I thought so.

Get on over here and Madmen yourself. That's Cathy C. Hall, looking stylish and oh, so sleek. Pretty much an exact pic of me (how do they do that?) And thanks to Krysten H. for bringing this find to my attention!

And now for something completely different:

I sent something to HCI Books for the Ultimate Pastor and I received an email today saying one or two things you might find interesting. I suppose an email talking would be interesting enough in itself, but wait. There's more.

The title of that book in the Ultimate series has changed to The Ultimate Christian Living: Uplifting Stories and Profound Advice about Faith and Fellowship. And the new submission deadline is October 19th.

Well, that's one of those good news, bad news things, isn't it? The good news is that I have time to write another story or two and submit to this wonderful market (they accept stories and photos, and their books are beautifully produced. They pay well, too). The bad news is that my pastor story doesn't seem to quite fit the guidelines now. I mean, it's Christian and all, but it's not exactly profound.

Anyway, you can check out what HCI is looking for at their website.

And I'll go Madmen the beneficent Mr. Hall. (Wow. Now, if that's not the spitting image of Mr. Hall, I don't know what is. Right down to the donut.)

Tooting My Horn Tuesday on Restaurant Tips

If you're a regular reader here at the Cathy C. Hall of Fame, then you know on Tuesdays, I like to share my published work, so that you, the regular reader, can say, "Well, dang! I guess she does actually get published. I thought she just played around on the internet all day."

I know that's what my mom says. (Not that she's a regular reader here on the blog. Mom wouldn't read a personal message from the Pope if it came through an email.) There's also a matter of Mom being a tad sensitive to what may (or may not) be written about her and her activities. But I think this might be one time that Mom would be okay with me telling a story on her. And because mostly, this column has more to do with Dad.

So, here's Restaurant Tips from Modern Senior Living. And yes, that last bit about Mom and Dad really did happen. (But no one needs to tell Mom I shared this story, or the picture, with you and a gazillion folks on the internet.)

Finding Something Friday: Superior Scribbler Award!

What's black and white and read all over?

An AWARD! Wheeee! Kelly H-Y sent along the Superior Scribbler Award to little old moi. I'm honored and happy to accept. Herewith the rules:

1. Each Superior Scribbler, must in turn, pass the Award on to 5 most-deserving bloggy buds.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and name of the blog from whom he/she has received the Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display the Award on his/her blog and link to this post which explains the Award.

4. Each blogger who wins the Award must visit this post and add his or her name to the Mr. Linky List at the Scholastic-Scribe's blog. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who wins this prestigious Award!

5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

So, Rule 1, on whom I shall bequeath the Super Scribbler Award:

Donna at Donna's Book Pub (because she's Irish! Oh, and she lists tons of great markets!)
Shelli at Market My Words (because she's a marketing genius and generous with the tips!)
Julie at Weekly Jules (because she makes me laugh out loud every single week!)
Margo at Read These Books and Use Them (because she reviews awesome children's books!)
Lisa at In the Buff (because she's started her new blog with a bang!)

Rule 2, wherein I link to the blog from whom this Award cometh:

Kelly at Cross Your T's (who makes me smile and sigh with her story-telling)

Rule 3, wherein I link to the post explaining the Award.

Rule 4, wherein I add my name to Mr. Linky-List (Been there. Done that.)

And Rule 5, wherein I post all the rules and such. (Done and done.)

Wheee! Now, go forth and multiply, Superior Scribbler Award!

What Not to Do Wednesday on the I Thing

I'm standing outside of church this past weekend when my mother (the former high school English teacher) turns to me and says, "Did you hear him say it?" She didn't even have to say what the "it" was. Because the "it" is one of those things that drives us both crazy. We can't help but hear "it" anytime, anywhere, anyplace "it" might pop up.

I'm not talking about using "it" so much that a reader has no idea what "it" you're referring to. (Though maybe I should address that little grammatical point at a later date.) I'm talking about this "it": using "I" when one should use "me."

You know what I'm talking about, grasshopper. Saying, for example, "I thought a Dice-o-Matic would make a great gift for Mr. Hall and I." Or how about, "Little did I know that such a contraption could wreak such havoc with him and I." And finally, "Give that sliced-off finger to the nurse or I." Honestly, I feel a little sick just typing those sentences.

Here's the thing, grasshopper. "I" is a subjective pronoun. It is NOT an objective pronoun. You might think it sounds better to say "you, him, or Mr. Hall and I" all the time. But it's only correct when "I" is used subjectively.

For example, "You and I (we're the subject here) should never play with a Dice-o-Matic." That's great (and very true).

And when you have a sentence where you're tempted to use that "I," take a look around and see if you notice any prepositions. Those little words like with, to, of, for, about, and all the others that you should have memorized back in the day. Chances are very good that you will need a "me" if you spot one of those prepositional phrases. As in: "A sliced-off finger is no fun for Mr. Hall or me."

Which also happens to be very true. And an entirely different What Not To Do.