Finding Something Friday on the FFW Contest

Okay, my essay writing friends, this contest's for you!

It's the Annual FundsForWriters Essay Contest (I told you it was for you!) with this year's theme: When Writing Made A Difference. (Seriously. Could you find a better writing contest?)

You've got 750 words to make your point, and you can choose either the fee ($5.00) or no fee contest. The cash prizes are higher for the fee contest, but that's only fair. And you've got till midnight on October 31st to get the essay emailed to C. Hope Clark.

Yes, you heard me right. October 31st. Which gives you two whole days to get your scathingly brilliant thoughts organized, written and sent off.

You do work better under pressure, right?

Birthday! Giveaway! Bookmark! (Um, yeah. Bookmark)

So, I'm wrapping up the October Things Giveaway with the last Birthday freebie...a bookmark!

Oh, not just any bookmark, friends. This is a special, one of a kind bookmark, made for yours truly when I attended the JapanFest in my fair city. Er, county.

It's Japanese writing and it says...CATHY!

Um, yeah. I know. It's just my name. Wouldn't it have been swell if I could have had that lovely Japanese woman write "Cathy C.'s Hall of Fame"? But that would have cost about ten bucks, and that seemed like a bit much for a bookmark. Whereas CATHY was just a quarter.

But I'd like to add my own message for you, whenever you use the bookmark. "When this you see, remember me." I won't mess up your bookmark, adding that message on the back. You'll just have to think "When this you see, remember me" when the bookmark arrives.

Thinking of that quote and my name reminds me of Google Alerts. You can get an email, alerting you whenever your name pops up out there in web world. Sometimes it's nice to check out where everybody knows your name (and they've been writing about you!). And sometimes it's important to say, "Hey! You can't just put up my essay or blog post on your blog without checking with me first!"

Well. You get the point. There are all sorts of good reasons to use Google Alerts. And bookmarks, too.

(Leave a comment to enter your name in the Birthday Giveaway. You could win a book, a lovely bookmark, and the birthday thingies that grow and grow and grow. Contest ends at midnight, October 31st. Which coincidentally marks the time I shall begin writing for NaNoWriMo.)

Tooting My Horn Tuesday on Diamonds and Toads and Witches (Eeeek!)

There's nothing like a good witch story to get you in the mood for Halloween, is there?

Um, this isn't exactly a good witch story. It's more about a bad witch. But I had jolly good fun writing this tale. And Kate Wolford, editor over at Enchanted Conversation, asked if she could use it at the Diamonds and Toads blog to promote the Hansel and Gretel issue, soon to be released at Enchanted Conversation.

Naturally, I said, "Yes, dearie." And if I'm being perfectly honest, I kind of cackled. Hope you'll cackle, too, when you read "Not Exactly Innocent," by yours truly.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (That's me, cackling.)

Finding Something Friday: Birthday Extravaganza! And a Writing Tip!

What's the next best thing if you can't be with a fantabulous friend for her birthday celebration? Why, the Birthday Extravanganza, of course! So, I'm throwing this neat little package of um, shrunken party stuff into the Birthday Giveaway!

But you can't win if you don't comment. So join the party, join the Giveaway! And come back next week, 'cause I have one more b'day gift I want to share. That means more chances for you to win. And celebrate with me! (Though to be honest, I'm going to celebrate anyway.)

Okay, now for those who've skipped down to get to the writing tip: READ.

I know it seems ridiculously simple. But after attending that last conference, I realized that not everyone pays attention to that part of the writing process.

Maybe I should expound a bit on what I mean by READ. Read in the areas you write, and hope to get published in.

If you want to get your essays published, read as many great essays as you can find. If you want to get your short stories in print, read the markets, read the genres, read collections of short stories. And if you want to get your YA novel published, read the hottest best-sellers in YA right now.

Not only will you get a grasp of what editors are looking for, but you'll also know what editors are talking about at conferences. At the SCBWI conference, The Hunger Games was the book that every presenter used as an example. Whether they were talking about plot, characters, voice or point of view, Hunger Games was the go-to sample.

Boy, was I glad I'd read The Hunger Games. I really enjoyed Suzanne Collins' series. But I learned something about pace when I read those novels.

Honestly, I learn something about writing every time I pick up something to read. It's that simple.

Tooting My Horn Tuesday: I WON! I WON! I WON!

So. You know I zipped over to the Southern Breeze SCBWI Conference in Alabama this weekend, just to hobnob, chitchat and any other compound word that fits.

But Southern Breeze also sponsors writing contests and an illustration contest in conjunction with this conference. And one of the categories in the writing contests is "Fiction for Middle Grade and Teen." Which just happens to be the category that my current work-in-progress fits. Which I just happened to send in for the contest...

AND I WON! I WON FIRST PLACE! I SQUEALED LIKE A LITTLE GIRL 'CAUSE I WON!

I almost didn't share the news because then there would be all this pressure. Like to finish the polishing up on the last two or three chapters. And to start doing more than the writing of the manuscript. Like to actually send it out in the world.

But then I thought, Shoot, Cathy, this is HUGE. (When I called my mom with the news, she said a writer should be able to come up with a better word than "Huge." Oh, that mom of mine.)

Yep, it's been a super fantastical, ginormous time here at my little desk in the world. But it's also nose to the grindstone time. Or in my case, fingers to the keyboard, brain to the scathingly brilliant thinking time. I have a manuscript to finish and submit to an editor. 'Cause, you know, I WON!

Sometimes You Win and Sometimes You Have a Birthday Giveaway!

It's my Birthday! Oh, yeah! I'm the Birthday Girl!

Um, technically, it's not my birthday. But it's coming up, any day now. And honestly, I'm one of those people who birthday out for a few weeks. So for the October Things Birthday Giveaway, I'll be adding things as we merrily go along. Wheeee!

First off, I'm giving away a wonderful novel called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. One of my dearest friends gave it to me, and I devoured every single word. Every single word. I loved the characters, I loved the history, I loved the story. The only thing I didn't love was that it ended too soon.

Now, when I receive a lovely gift book, I can't stand the thought of it sitting on my bookshelf, waiting for the day when I may pick it up again. I want to give it away, share the joy, and share the wonder of those beautifully rendered words. So I hope you win.

And if you've already read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, then you can give your book away and keep the other prizes in the Birthday Giveaway. They'll be along any day now. Any comment on any Birthday post qualifies you for the drawing. Which will be...when the Birthday Girl starts singing.

So blog about the contest, become a follower, tweet or comment. You can't win if you don't join the party! Which reminds me. The Baseball goodies will be on their way to Donna! Thanks to all for playing the The October Things Giveaway!

Finding Something Friday: Off to a Conference!

I'm in a bit of hurry this Friday, what with a SCBWI conference on my schedule! But I had to drop in and check on the October Things Baseball Giveaway. I sorta, kinda forgot when the giveaway closed and the winner was supposed to be drawn.

So I took a few minutes to read all those swell writing tips. How serendipitous! A tip or two was just what I needed to pack for the conference.

From Donna over at Donna's Book Pub: "Sometimes you have to "play ball" with editors and agents to get published.

From Barb Hodges at God Whispers in My Ear: When we network, someone else may go to bat for us.

From Jodi (who's doing a conference, too!): Baseball is like writing because we're both wacky superstitious!

Which reminded me that I need my lucky boots on the trip with me. Along with Cathy-on-a-Stick, my business cards, and my courage.

Perhaps courage is what I need to find the most this Friday. When I attend big conferences, that little, shy girl who never opened her mouth all through first grade seems to grab a hold of my hand once again. But since I go to conferences to network and make new friends, speaking is required.

So, I'll be packing my smile, my Southern charm, and a few prayers, too. And then I'll start introducing myself.

(P.S. Since I'll be conferencing, I'm extending comments on the Baseball Giveaway till Sunday. Drop in here this weekend for a chance to win -or maybe read the swell writing tips yourself!)

Market of the Month: A Two For!

I just couldn't make up my market mind this month, so I'm doing a Two For. And if I'm being perfectly honest, we all know that it will be December 1st or so before I find another market. So, off we go!

I came across Dew on the Kudzu whilst zipping around on Twitter. When The South combines with short fiction, I'm going to stop zipping and settle in for awhile to see what I can find. So I found that Dew on the Kudzu is looking for stories for November and December, and I also found that this is a non-paying market.

Sometimes, a writer has a story he or she wants to tell. Perhaps he or she has not had much success in getting that story out there. This ezine is ready and waiting for you, and honestly, I really liked what Idgie the Editor had to say. But really, Dew on the Kudzu had me at "celebrating the Southern way of life."

My next market might seem a little strange, me being a city girl and all, but I love The Farmer's Almanac. There's so much interesting information in that book! I never knew how fascinating the Almanac was until I picked up a copy once while visiting the Beneficent Mr. Hall's mom (who grew up out in the country and never quite left her farm roots). Oh my gosh, I couldn't believe all the neat stuff I'd been missing!

I'm not sure I'll be able to think up an article pitch for the Almanac, but I'm going to try and channel my mother-in-law (may she rest in peace) for ideas.

Click on the Market(s) of the Month in the sidebar for the writing guidelines and submission details. And good luck until we meet again. Or should I just say, "Merry Christmas!"

October Things Giveaway Two: A Bounty of Baseball

I am not gonna lie. I wanted my team to still be in the playoffs when I featured baseball on my October Things Giveaway. But you can't always get what you want, as the song goes. Which brings to mind another song I've prepared for the occasion of Bobby Cox's retirement. We'll get to the baseball giveaway goodies, but first a little baseball philosophy...



A Tribute to Bobby (Sung to the tune of "My Way")

And now the end is here, and Bobby faced the final showdown.
My friends, I'll say it clear, I wished we'd had more of a hoedown.

He gaves us fits, he gave us thrills,
He gave us cheers along the highway.
And more, much more than that,
He did it his way.

For what is a coach, without a team?
If he can't yell, or really scream?
To say the things he truly means,
Get thrown from games and make big scenes!
The record's done, his Braves sure won!
Doing it hiiiiis waaaaay!

I'm seriously a little farklempt here. So I better move on to the goodies you can win:

1. A really neat sports card album from 2000's FanFest (AllStar game tie-in). Juniorest Hall filled up one album, but never used the other. So wheee for you! Um, you'll have to get your own cards.

2. A crafty Braves pin that you can wear next year...or try making one with your favorite team's colors. Honestly, I thought I'd get my preschoolers or Girl Scouts to try this craft, but as those kids are 20ish now, the time has come to give up on this idea.

3. A shiny baseball charm bracelet that I thought I'd wear when Juniorest Hall played baseball. Then he switched to golf. So, yeah, never quite got around to wearing it. But I polished it nicely for y'all.

Now, I know what you're thinking. What's this baseball stuff have to do with writing? If you want to win, leave a comment by October 16th telling me how baseball and writing connect. Then we'll all know.

(P.S. Want extra chances? Sign up to follow me, send a friend over, tweet about this post...oh, you know the drill.)

October Things Giveaway Winner One is...

Nicole! Who's in for a real chocolate treat! She'll also be getting Neil Gaiman's book, M is for Magic, a collection of spooky tales for the young (but I like them, too!).

Pssst! A little secret for y'all...I had intended to write up the Giveaway post yesterday, but at the last minute, I dashed off to see Chip Coffey, the psychic, medium and spiritual counselor. I'd watched Chip on Paranormal State (on A & E) but was totally surprised to find that he lives right in my backyard.

Okay, not actually in my backyard. More like my neck of the woods. So there he was, the perfect opportunity for me to get some research for my YA novel, which just happens to be a mystery with haints, humor, and lots of psychic and medium stuff. I've always wanted to see a medium and psychic, doing his/her thing. And being able to write off the ticket as a business expense was just icing on the writing cake.

Bottom line, I had a very strong feeling that I should go see Chip Coffey. He answered lots of questions, and did quite a few readings. But he didn't say a word about the Atlanta Braves' chances in the playoffs.

Stay tuned for the next October Things giveaway, when I share my feelings about baseball and the Braves. You'll find out about the next treats you can win. Hmmm...I'm getting a very good feeling about that.

If It's October, NaNoWriMo Must Be Right Around the Corner

I'd like to say that I've been working hard all week, thus missing my normal posts. I'd like to say that, but I can't. I've sorta, kinda been playing hooky.

Then I found an email in Ye Olde Inbox from the NaNoWriMo folks, reminding me that in just a few short weeks, the writing frenzy will begin. Egads! I don't have a plot idea! I don't have any protagonists rattling around in my Closet of Characters! I don't even have a single, scathingly brilliant sentence simmering!

So, no more hooky for me. I've got some thinking and planning to do. And a whole month of Giveaways to start um, giving away. If you haven't left a comment yet, you still have a day left to win a scary book and a hunk of chocolate. Dash over here and type your thoughts. Then check out NaNoWriMo's info to get a head start on thinking up your splendiferous novel idea. 'Cause that's what I'm going to do. Right after the playoffs.

Finding Something Friday: October Things and a Giveaway!

October Things (Sung to the tune of My Favorite Things)



Pumpkins on porches and black cats on ladders,
Mummies and werewolves and spiders and adders,
Chocolate, presents and World Series rings,
These are a few of my October things!

When the muse leaves, when the NO! stings,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my October things,
And then I don't feeeeeeeel so bad!




Yay, October! How can you not celebrate candy and creepy stuff, baseball and birthdays? Well, you simply can't. Which is why for each of my October things, I'm having a giveaway!

First up, we'll celebrate all things spooky and speculative! I love to write twisted, macabre tales and if I could write them like Neil Gaiman, I'd be rich, rich, rich! Alas, I cannot. But I can learn from a master storyteller, which is why I read his books. Fortunately for you, I have a copy of Mr. Gaiman's, M is for Magic, a collection of tales to chill and amuse the young reader.

Unfortunately, it is not autographed. I purchased it so Neil (as his friends call him) could sign it when he was here last year for a visit. But I had to leave. Which, now that I think of it, may be fortunate for you. I probably wouldn't give away an autographed copy of M is for Magic.

Just keeping it real, folks. Anyway, I am giving away his lovely, albeit unautographed book during the October Things Giveaway! And I'll throw in a delicious chocolate bar, too! All you have to do to win is leave a comment! Tell me who your favorite mystery or horror writer is, and oh! I'd love a reading recommendation. I'm always looking for a good, creepy story during October!

And if you spread the word, on Twitter or Facebook or your very own blog, let me know, and I'll give you an extra entry for each shout out. Oh, oh! And if you're not a follower and sign up, I'll give you an extra entry for that, too.

So, off you go! Fly, my little pretties, and bring me back a good book to read! (But do so by the 8th. I'll be drawing the winner on Finding Something Friday next week!)

P.S. Is it just me or does there seem to be a totally inordinate number of exclamation points in this post? I'm just so freakin' excited!!!! October! Yay!