A Link Or Two (Or Six)

Had a little time today to get something done that I've been meaning to do for such a loooong time.

Back in the Computer Crash of 'aught nine (Is she STILL harping about that? Oh, yeah. It ain't over till it's over.), I lost all my bookmarked items. Which was really annoying, since I bookmark interesting writing websites, blogs, submission links, and just scathingly witty stuff in general. But this time around, I said to myself, "Sister Susie, (that's what I call myself when I mean business) you better add those websites, links and whatnot to your list of Favorite Detours (Over there to your right;no,not there; further down, yes, there you go.).

So, today, I scrolled through all the stuff I'd bookmarked, and added a few interesting things that made the Favorite Detours cut. But I feel like I'm leaving some great links out. Like I know there's this one seriously amazing link that should be on the list...but...I...just...can't...think...of...it.

That's where you come in. You're older and wiser. Or younger, with a better memory. Tell me what you think I should add. Is it a wonderful writing website? Or an amusing little blog? Now, don't be modest. You can suggest your own link. Maybe it'll make the cut.

I'll add all the worthy links to the Favorite Detours as soon as possible. (Sister Susie learned her lesson last time.)

Finding Something Friday on Careers and the P Word

When I'm not busy writing and taking care of business, I'm busy taking care of other people's business. And by other people, I mean the Cathy C. Hall family people. (The family people may suggest that my scope attempts to reach farther, but if they knew what they were talking about, I wouldn't have to take care of their business, right???)

That's why I'm reading The Career Clinic: 8 Simple Rules for Finding Work you Love. Now, I've found the work I love. But certain Hall family people are in the process of looking, so I pick up books, read Craigslist, and try in other little ways to um, speed up the search. And what I'm reading in The Career Clinic is so darn interesting, I just had to share.

Here's what I love about how this book is presented: lots of folks, some famous, others not so much, but all happy in their life's work, share their stories. Or offer advice from what they've learned in their searching days. Each rule is exemplified with these brief tales of job satisfaction.


Take Dave Swanson, who's had varied careers, but is happiest working now as a career consultant. Dave likes to ask clients to complete this sentence: I have to_________. Dave says he thinks of George Balanchine, the choreographer, who reportedly said that he doesn't hire people who want to dance. He hires people who have to dance. Dave's advice? Find what you absolutely have to do that makes you happy, then do it.

Sounds simple, doesn't it? So, why then are so many people, young and old, working in jobs that they can barely stand, day after day, year in, year out. I think it comes down to the P-word. Perhaps they've lost touch with their passion. Or maybe they're afraid to pursue their passion for fear of failing. Or could it be they've sold out their passion for higher pay, steady work, benefits?

I think it'd be a swell idea if colleges required a serious class on career planning. Have students read The Career Clinic, or that other career-planning bible, What Color is Your Parachute? Give young adults the opportunity to explore the passion they had as kids. I know that's how I made it back to writing. Or more accurately, creating. But it took me years to find the outlet that served my passion so well.

It's all about the P word that's used so often, I wonder if it's lost some of its power. But the power of passion is still around, still a force to be reckoned with, once you find what you have to do. So, how happy are you? (Not that's it's any of my business-)

Memoir or Not with Elizabeth Kirschner

Memoirs are hot! But sometimes, they're not.

How do you know when you should publish that sizzling memoir, or lock your possible best-seller in a vault and throw away the key? Elizabeth Kirschner, author of My Life as a Doll, is here today to share her thoughts on this very subject. Let's see how she settled this sticky situation...

RIP: Why I Buried My Memoir

It is here, at Sea Cabin Retreat, in Kittery Point, ME where I wrote and revised my memoir, Walking With Winter, and it is here where it will remain. I have written R.I.P. on its cover and have given it, as I have other manuscripts, what I call a pet funeral.

Why, one might wonder, am I so willing to put aside work I labored over, quite literally, around the clock for months on end? Why not give the universe Walking With Water, which is about childhood abuse, mental illness, and very much as well with recovery, when I know it would help heal other trauma survivors?

The answer is simple-my memoir would devastate my large, extended family, all of whom, except for my siblings, have no clue about the abuse. Even what my siblings know is sketchy and that is the way I want it to be because with knowledge comes pain.

So why did I go undergo the marathon it took to churn out the memoir? Because, because, because when I embarked upon the project I had every intention of publishing it. I wanted that larger audience, believed fully that telling my story would help others, especially the victims of trauma, their families and caretakers.

In the end, my greatest accomplishment is not about this manuscript, but the triumph of my survival. Writing the memoir, when all is said and done, was my finishing school. It put me on a high learning curve as I meditated upon, often during long walks by the sea with my dog, the varying ways in which my experiences have impacted my life.

In short, Walking With Winter was my boot camp, and during the rigorous work of writing it I finally freed myself from the ghosts of Mother and Father who had ungodly power from the grave. It was a gift I gave myself and the experience, for me, was made complete by letting one person bear witness to it.

Together we spent two days reading the entire manuscript aloud, which was one of the most empowering things I've done in my life. When the last word hit space, we simultaneously hit the floor and screamed a scream which was both full of unholy horror and a halleluiah. That moment was my grande finale. It needed no applause and may the memoir and my memories rest in peace, alas, at last, but I wonder how many others have written R.I.P. on their memoir for better or worse.

-Elizabeth Kirschner

I'm always impressed with the courage of those who tackle harrowing life experiences in a memoir. But here, Elizabeth gives us an option to consider. Sometimes, the writing of a memoir is enough. Thank goodness, she doesn't feel that way about her poetry!

She's published three collections of poetry, including Twenty Colors, Postal Routes, and Slow Risen Among the Smoke Trees with Carnegie Mellon University Press. Most recently, she's added a fourth book of poetry, My Life as a Doll, with Autumn House Press.

Elizabeth has also collaborated with many composers and has two CDs, both from Albany Records, that feature her work. In The Dichterliebe in Four Seasons, she set her own poetry to Robert Schumann's gorgeous love song cycle. And in New Dawn, Carson Cooman has set to music eight of her poems. (How totally cool is that?) Elizabeth studies ballet and lives on the water at Sea Cabins Retreat in Kittery Point, ME.

I'll bet that's a fine place to write. And Elizabeth pens some mighty fine writing, doesn't she? I'm sure she'll be dropping in today if you'd like to ask a question about memoirs, poetry, or even Kittery Point. Thanks, Elizabeth for stopping by!

What Not To Do Wednesday - Stay Tuned

Tomorrow, Elizabeth Kirschner, author of My Life as a Doll, will be visiting the Hall of Fame with a great What Not to Do.

Now, I know that's a Wednesday feature, but Elizabeth's coming Thursday, the 25th, so come back tomorrow and find out when you should NOT publish a memoir. And by the way, it's not the reason that Cathy C. Hall is not publishing her memoir. To wit, I can barely remember yesterday, much less the first thirty years of my life.

I can remember when wonderful authors are touring at my blogs with terrific advice and newly published books...that's what little sticky notes are for. Um, has anyone seen my little sticky note pad?

End of Month Submission Madness

According to my calculations, you have about a week to pull yourself and your writing together and submit something, somewhere.

Now, I know it's summer. I know it's too hot to think up settings, or characters, or heaven forbid, a plot with a twist. And I completely understand that you can't possibly do a thing while So You Think You Can Dance is on. But it's time to shake off the sand, get your feet out of the kiddie pool, and fire up the grill, um, gray cells. 'Cause if you don't use it, you'll lose it. And by "it" I mean your mad writing skills. So, try one of these fine destinations for your sizzling stuff:

Glimmer Train has all kinds of contests, all year long. June happens to be Open Fiction. How sweet is that? Those folks must know you're in no mood to write anything new. They're expecting you to send in something you've had lying about for awhile. However, they expect it to be amazing. That's why the entry fee is $20. (First place wins $2,000. Yes, $2,000.)

June's Contest Challenge at Cool Stuff4Writers is titled "Chaos." Just create chaos in your scene, in 300 to 500 words and you could win $25.00. I create chaos every day; in fact, Sally the crazy dog is a pro at creating chaos. Even the beneficent Mr. Hall creates his fair share of chaos. So, I've got this contest in the bag if things ever settle down enough for me to actually write about the chaos. Oh, and there's no entry fee. Whee!

But I know that not all of you write fiction. So, I'm going to remind you about A Cup of Comfort for a Better World. Maybe you thought you missed the deadline. But the deadline was extended to July 1st. So, if you've got between 1,000 to 2,000 words on a story that celebrates compassion, or volunteerism, or generosity, then start writing now.

Because time, tide, and writing deadlines wait for no man (or woman).

Finding Something Friday on Penguin (the Publisher, not the Animal)

You know a company is serious about everybody pulling his or her weight when the CEO gets in on the act.

I read today that David Shanks, CEO of Penguin Groups, USA, has written a song AND performs the song on the newly created website From the Publisher's Office.

Well, I'm impressed. A. Because I didn't know David Shanks could sing (To be honest, I don't know David Shanks, period. But I do know he's a CEO, and I don't know of any other singing CEO's). And B. Because here's a guy who's willing to get down in the trenches (okay, they're writing trenches, which aren't all that hardcore, but I'm going for a principle here), with all those other Penguin people and do his part for his publishing business's new venture. And C. Because it's not a bad little song (The ditty opens the Penguin Storytime). I mean, you can't dance to it, but I snapped my fingers once.

So, what with all the singing and the trailers and the reading and the interviews and the storytime, and I don't know what all more floating around over at the Penguin Publisher's Office, you should learn a little something-something about the publishing business.

Here's what I learned: Everybody wants to be a rock star. Even CEO's.

What Not to Do Wednesday Looks at Vacation

It's true that I'm on vacation, relaxing the old brain cells.

I mention this fact, not to rub it in for those of you NOT on vacation and relaxing, but rather to make my What Not to Do Wednesday point. To wit, grasshopper, even on vacation, one must always be prepared.

Let's say, for instance, that a writer (we'll call her Cathy C. Hall 'cause I'm a little partial to that name) is relaxing on the beach (we'll call that beach Tybee Island 'cause I'm a little partial to that sandy spot) and suddenly, she gets a scathingly brilliant idea!

When you think about it, that's not so unusual. Even for Cathy C. Hall. It seems to me that whenever I'm relaxing and not thinking of anything, that is the time when I think of something. And though that sounds like Yogi Berra thinking, it makes perfect sense. Now, here's what not to do: don't forget your camera. Or a pen. And something to write on.

'Cause as sure as you're relaxing on the beach, you'll think up something brilliant. Then you'll have to repeat that brilliant idea about a hundred times so you won't forget it. Little children will ask their mommies, "Why is the funny lady talking to herself?" Bigger kids will stand ten feet from your lounge chair and point, maybe throw a frisbee or two, just to see what happens.

Trust me when I tell you: there's nothing relaxing about that. So, bring your writing supplies in your beach bag. Just in case.

Finding Something Friday on Speaking Out and Sports

Two things you might not know about me but are about to find out, it being Finding Something Friday and all...

Thing One: I find it extremely difficult to work during the summer. My brain says, "THINK! WRITE! WORK!" But my imagination says, "SHUT UP AND PLAY!" So, I try to find writing projects that I can finish in a hurry. Writing projects with a pay-off. That's why I love the WOW! Women on Writing's "Friday Speak Out" feature. If you have something to say about women and writing, here's your chance to speak out (in five hundred words or less). And guest blogging is a wonderful way to get yourself out there without having to actually get yourself out there. Thus, saving you time and money to spend on sitting at the beach, soaking up rays and such. Why, I could even think up something writer-ly whilst soaking up rays and such. Brilliant!

Thing Two: I like my sports. A lot. But I like to feel as if I'm actually doing something when it comes to sports. Not that I'm going extreme and actually playing a sport, but still. Doing something, you know? So, the contests at ESPN are perfect. I catch up on my fave team action,
sign up for the ongoing contests, and maybe win a prize. Brilliant!

Yeah, I know. What's ESPN got to do with writing tips? Sorry. I've already reached maximum thinking capacity for this summer Friday. It's your turn, now.

Tooting My Horn Tuesday in Big Pulp

I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it! Which, to be perfectly honest, is the whole point of Tooting My Horn Tuesdays. (Um, yeah. That was a bad pun, but I had to pointer out. Aaaack!)

My story, "Mary Beth's Prophecy" is now live over at Big Pulp. I really love that story, even though it is a bit twisted. I really like Big Pulp, too. Tons of great speculative fiction: a little bit of horror, science fiction, fantasy, crime, mystery, and a lot of twisted.

Speaking of twisted, the beneficent Mr. Hall often speaks of a woman who worked for his family when he was a tiny tot of beneficence. On Monday mornings, she would talk about how she'd gone out on Saturday night and got "her wig twisted."

I'm so excited about "Mary Beth's Prophecy" that I might go out and get my wig twisted right now.

Introducing Cathy-on-a-Stick

I've been thinking about Cathy-on-a-Stick for a long time. Um, not in a creepy sort of way. More in a "what if I made a Cathy-on-a-Stick and took her around with me on little adventures" kind of way.

I can't take complete credit for Cathy-on-a-Stick. I got the idea when I met Whitney-on-a-Stick. Whitney-on-a-Stick was created to keep Madame Queen (AKA Daughter Hall) company.

Cathy-on-a-Stick does keep me company. But she's not as well-behaved as Whitney-on-a-Stick. Which kinda explains a lot about my parenting skills. Anyway, this weekend, Sorta Working Cathy-on-a-Stick joined me at the book tour. The four authors were pretty good sports (not to mention happy to share tons of great information about their books and publishing). So, thanks to Deidre Knight, author and owner of the Knight Agency, Shannon K. Butcher, Jennifer St. Giles and Maria Geraci. Buy their books. Cathy-on-a-Stick did. (She sorta had to, but that's another story. Check out her foolishness at her own blog. Us serious writers have work to do.)

Finding Something Friday : The Knight Agency Answers Publishing Questions

It's always crazy when I get back from a trip, and not just because Sally the crazy dog acts as if I've been gone for 17 years. To be honest, Sally acts that way when I get back from the mailbox.

No, when I get back from a four day trip, I have four days of emails to get through, four days of junk mail to throw out, and four days of laundry to wash before mildew takes over. So, I stuffed four days of dirty clothes in the washer and opened my Inbox to find tadaaa...

One verrrry interesting email from the Knight Agency. Or technically, from a person in the Knight Agency, who shared some splendiferous info about a golden opportunity with the Knight Agency's Summer Book Tour, going on this weekend in the Atlanta area.

Here's the scoop: The Knight Agency will be dashing about metro Atlanta with authors and books in tow so you can do the meet and greet. And the signing and buying. BUT, a few of the book tour locations will have an added bonus: the Agency will present a "How to Get Published Q & A." Now, if I had a book in the field of women's fiction/romance or mystery/thriller, I think I'd print out the directions to one of these locations:

Borders at Stonecrest Mall in Lithonia at 5PM on Friday, June 5th

Books for Less in Buford at 1Pm on Saturday, the 6th

Dog Ear Bookstore in Madison at 5 PM on the 6th (Sorry, no Q & A at this location!)

Borders in Athens at 2 PM, June 7th

You'll find more info at the Knight Agency blog . And you might very well find Cathy C. Hall at one of these splendiferous shebangs, asking tons of questions. But I won't stay too long. I don't think Sally the crazy dog could take it.