Finding Something Friday on Love-Hate Relationships (I'm Talking to You, Twitter)

Here's the thing I found today: I love Twitter.

I love how this HUGE community of people come together and share thoughts on just about everything. I follow lots of writers, editors, and publishers, so I find tons of tweets relating to the subject I love best. And I LOVE how these folks find submission opportunities, or book giveaways, or funny little videos or vastly interesting blog posts that I would never find myself.

But I also hate Twitter. Because when I sit down at my little desk, telling myself that I will only look at Twitter (and if I'm being perfectly honest, Facebook, too) for fifteen minutes, PROMISE, and then I get up to stretch TWO HOURS later, I am not happy.

But a part of me is happy. Because I've learned so much that I didn't know before. It's just that I'm paying for that knowledge when I finally finish my To Do list at 12:30 AM. Whew. Anyway, that's how I found a tweet that took me to Steve Buttry's blog.

Steve Buttry happened to be interviewing Roy Peter Clark, the man behind Writing Tools, which was published as a book--and now Mr. Clark has a blog of that name over at Poynter.

Of course, you can peruse all those delightful links, because really, there's lots of good writing stuff there. Or you can go directly to this shortcut of the 50 Writing Tools, Quick List. Where you will find that number 2: Order words for emphasis, is the rule that Mr. Clark finds terribly important for all writers.

In the end, it was all worth it, right? (Or...It was all worth it, in the end. Right?)

Wednesday WINNERS!

I'm SO excited to share the winners of the Big Bang B & N Followers Contest with you! And I have the names right...um, had the names here, just a minute ago.

Hmmmm...Not to worry, I know they're here somewhere. Let me just move this HUGE book and Cathy-on-a-Stick, and Eureka!

But before I post the winners (and you know your eyes just dropped down to scan the names), I want to say thank you to everyone who signed on as a new follower. I hope you'll come back and visit often. Especially because you may win sometime in the future. I have another contest coming up soon, and you're going to love the prize! Okay, okay, moving on...

The winning NEW follower (who shall receive a $20 gift card from Barnes and Noble)...Jodi!

Now, as it happens, Jodi signed up after I posted an announcement about the contest on the Premium Green boards. So, technically, she was sent by, um, me. It didn't seem too sporting to win my own contest, so I threw the names into random.org again and came up with the next new follower.

The winning blogger who sent that follower my way (and who shall also receive a $20 gift card from Barnes and Noble)...Stacy!

But then, I spun the names of all those folks who graciously wrote a blog post, promoting my contest. I SO appreciated all y'all (as we say in the South) taking the time to help me meet my goal (and honestly, anything over 90 was gravy!). There were TEN bloggers mixing it up on random.org, by the way. THANK YOU!

The winning blogger who posted about the contest (who shall receive a $10 gift card from Barnes and Noble)...Madeline!

So, Jodi, Stacy and Madeline, I'll need your address in order to send you a gift card. And I'll send the gift cards right out. Um, as soon as I find them.

Monday Musings on Publishing and Such

Before I commence to gentle musing, I have a bit of a loud shout:

YOU ONLY HAVE TILL MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO ENTER THE JANUARY BIG BANG CONTEST FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A BARNES AND NOBLE GIFT CARD.

Now, on to (quieter) publishing subjects and such.

My good friend, Donna, over at Donna's Book Pub, interviewed Linda Fisher on the subject of publishing (Linda edited and pubbed a recent anthology, A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas). Linda also gives details about a submission opportunity at Mozark Press. You'll want to read the whole thing for inside tips to getting your work published. Then you'll want to submit. So zip over there now.

Wait! Not now, now. After you read the next publishing subject. To wit, the very BIG, very jam-packed book I just purchased called Jeff Herman's Guide to Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents.

I'm not kidding about the size of this book. It's as thick as...well, let's just say you could use it as a booster seat. I'm plowing into it this week as Book 1 on my list of writing books to read this year. I thought I'd better start in January if I have any hopes of completing it. And I'll share interesting tidbits as I go.

So, Tidbit One: "As someone who was young and is presently less young, I will confirm that nothings beats lessons learned from direct experience, especially those instances that carve humility into our know-it-all hides." From Jeff Herman's introduction

Amen to that, Jeff. You and I shall get along swimmingly. And one more note here. If you're looking to purchase Jeff's book, please choose carefully. I almost picked up the 2010 edition rather than the 2011 edition! The publishing world changes every day and you want to get the latest news, so make certain the cover reads "2011."

Now we all have brilliant writing to produce, or contests to win, so I'll end my musings and get back to work. Oh, and now, you can zip over to Donna's Book Pub!

Finding Something Friday on Hyperbole!!!!!

I know folks think I make up stuff for my column. I know because they tell me.

"Oh, Cathy," they say, "you're making that up!" Um, no, I'm not. I may be using what we in the writer biz like to call hyperbole. But geez, everyone does that.

So, I took this picture, just now (Not hyperbole, promise). And when you read my column from January's Modern Senior Living, you'll see why.

I'm sorry that I can't get you a direct link; you'll have to click on the mag and go to page 6. But it's short and funny, and I think you'll like it. Plus, I thought I'd share the love and try to get my magazine a few followers.

Speaking of which, TIME IS RUNNING OUT for the contest here at the Hall of Fame! (Also not hyperbole. More like yelling.) So, round up your friends and followers and gently push them over here to sign on.

Oh! Don't forget to tell them that I need to know from whence they came, blog-wise! So many of you have blogged about the contest that A. I'm overwhelmed by your generosity and B. I can't tell who came from where. And I want to make sure to get the entries right!

I'm going to have a drawing for all the bloggers who blogged about the contest, too. I think I'll add another B & N gift card to the giveaway for those folks.

Because honestly, my friends and followers ROCK. (Not hyperbole at all. Just the gospel truth!)

What Not To Do Wednesday on Being Organized (Or Not)

So. I needed ONE little thing. A simple piece of paper.

Well, not just any old piece of paper. I was looking for a piece of paper from my radio days. The copy from a commercial, if you must know. And I looked EVERYWHERE.

And when I say EVERYWHERE, I mean I emptied the entire love chest of my life. There is a ton of stuff in that love chest, I can tell you that, grasshopper. But do you know what's NOT in the love chest? The radio commercial copy.

Eventually, I stuffed all the er, stuff back in the chest (P.S. I still can't get it to close). I moved on. To the filing cabinet, to be exact, where I was looking for something totally different. I suppose I don't need to tell you what I found in a completely random, unmarked folder.

Don't forget to mark your folders, grasshopper. And here's a link to 30 very funny books, according to Gina Barreca, Ph.D., who wrote a handful of pretty funny books herself. Honestly, we deserve a couple laughs, right?

'Cause if you can't laugh at the crazy stuff in life (and filing cabinets), then you might as well throw in the (paper) towel.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and a Spirited Speech

You may not have known that the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is here in Atlanta. He was born in a neighborhood known as "Sweet Auburn,"and attended Ebenezer Baptist Church. You can visit his childhood home, and the historic church, as well as the King Center to learn more about this charismatic leader. And I'm sure, at some point, you'll hear or read the words from his famous speech.

Here's something else you may not have known. Martin Luther King had prepared a fine speech to deliver on August 28, 1963 in Washington, D.C. But over half-way through, he laid aside his script and said, "I have a dream." What followed was one of the world's most famous speeches, powerful words that inspired a nation then, and continue to inspire us now.

I can't say for certain why Martin Luther King felt compelled to leave his prepared text and speak extemporaneously. But I suspect the spirit moved him. And perhaps the Spirit moved him, too. And that spirited passion made all the difference.

Imagine what you could do with a little spirited passion in your writing. Don't be afraid to leave your script and see where it takes you. Just one more thing I thought you'd like to know as we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Finding Something Friday on HUGE Hugs and Reading

Almost every day, I open a Google Alert to find my name on someone's blog because of the Big Bang B & N Followers Contest. And then I go wheee! Wheee, wheee, wheeee!

I know just how the little piggy feels! It's so thrilling to find so many of my blogger friends, spreading the word about the contest. Not because it's such a thrilling contest (though winning a B & N gift card is nifty), and not because I've gained quite a few new followers (though that's awfully swell, too). But because I have such totally awesome friends!

Honestly, y'all have gone way beyond the call of duty, and I'm so blessed by your generosity. In fact, I'm a little farklempt...talk amongst yourselves for a minute, okay?

So. What else I found in my inbox today: the newsletter from Reading is Fundamental. RIF is a non-profit group that supports literacy, particularly among those children, from birth to age 8, who are economically challenged. To put it another way, RIF wants everybody to have books. Because how can you instill a love of reading without wonderful books?

We always had books in our home when I was growing up. And when my kidders were small, I loved taking them to the library, or when I could afford it, allowing them to pick out a book at the bookstore. Oh, how we agonized over which book to buy! It's so special to have your own books, isn't it? That's what RIF is all about.

January's RIF sponsor is Nestle. Remember that jingle? N-E-S-T-LES. Nestle's makes the very best...chocolate. Mmmmm...chocolate. I could go for a Butterfinger right now. Or a Baby Ruth. No, I'm sticking with the Butterfinger...peanut buttery chocolate bliss. Mmmmmm.

Um, where was I? Oh, yeah. RIF. Check out how you can help Nestle share the joy of reading here.

And thanks again to all y'all who've shared the joy of reading my humble blog. HUGE chocolate hugs are winging their way to you!

Snow (Writing) Lessons: Part Two

I'm pretty sure I live in Georgia. But I'm wondering if I've slipped into some alternate universe. I mean, there's STILL a couple inches of snow on the ground and brrrr! Baby, it's cold outside. So, I bundled up to take a little trek, seeing as how I'm stuck in this freezing universe at the moment.

It wasn't horrible, I suppose. I dressed in layers. That's the trick. Which brings me to Snow Writing Lesson, Part II: Layers.

Without layers, I can step outside for the journey, but I won't get far before I give up. Better to be prepared for the adventure. Pull on that thermal shirt, and then a flannel shirt, and then the toasty, knitted scarf, and finally my extra-thick, winter coat. Maybe even that goofy stocking cap. All those layers make a difference.

What about your adventurous novel? Or your short trek of a story? Have you added all the layers you need to make the difference between a richly woven, complex tale or a one-dimensional, static fizzle-out? You might want to start with your characters.

Characters can add a ton of texture. Multi-dimensional characters are interesting, believable, and keep the reader hooked. Flat characters, not so much. You might want to check out Darcy Pattison's Checklist of 17 Character Qualities (and maybe even the related posts.) I heard Darcy speak at a conference; she's a pretty multi-dimensional character herself.

Or take a look at the Character Workshop offered by Holly Lisle. Lots of interesting story paths to consider when answering those questions.

Bottom line: Bundle up your writing in warm layers. Then, your readers will follow your story anywhere. (Um, maybe not into some freezing alternate universe where it's crazy cold like Georgia. But that could just be me.)

Snow (Writing) Lessons: Part One

Just about any day, I have a backyard and beyond of birds. But I also have woods, full of tall, spindly pines, wild dogwoods, sycamores and lots and lots of vines. So this amazing array of birds, zipping to and fro outside my window, blends in to the background hues of greens, browns, golds and reds. I know there are birds out there, but I often miss them unless they alight on my deck.

Not so this morning. Against a backdrop of six inches of pristine snow, I could see the red-headed woodpecker, hopping upside down up the tree branch. I caught a pair of cardinals, dashing in and out of the trees. Fat robins, wrens, and blue jays danced among the bare limbs or skimmed the snowy ground blanket. And I watched the birds, thinking how easy it was to spot them. And then I thought...what a great writing lesson!

How many times have you written something you were sure was scathingly brilliant, only to find that when you pulled it out later, it was spotted with writing flaws? That's because, when we read our own words, we zip through, missing the errors amongst the jumble of lovely words. So, here's a few of the tricks I use to catch those writing flaws, making them stand out like...well, a cardinal in the snow.

*Read aloud. Those turns of phrases that read so smoothly in my mind might come out clunky when I read aloud. If my tongue trips over words, the reader (or editor) will trip over it, too. On the way to the reject pile.

*Work backwards. When I finish a piece, sometimes I'll read from the end to the beginning. It makes my brain stop trying to make sense of what I'm reading and instead, focuses on technical errors. Like writing "there" for "their." Don't you just hate it when you do that?

*Use the FIND function. You know how we all have favorite words, or little expressions that we love so much, they show up in our writing like our companionable, pet pooch? With me, it's the conjunction "but." I LOVE to start sentences with but. Trouble is, too much of a but is (a matter of taste, I know) NOT a good thing. So I use the FIND function, plug in but, and get rid of those extra buts. If you have a problem with passive voice, plug in "was" and see how often that passive indicator comes up. The FIND function is a wonderful thing. Using but as the example, not so much.

*Get critique. Join a group or find an online writing buddy. Heck, ask that friend who can't hide the truth from you. The point is, get another pair of eyes on your work.

I have a children's critique group where one member always catches repitition of words. And I'm always surprised when I do that. But I'm in good company. Last night, while reading a very fine and famous author's YA novel, I came across a line with "cacophony" in it. Now, that's one of my favorite words, and it really punched up that scene. But one page later, the author used "cacophony" again. Suddenly that punchy word seemed kinda boring. Too bad he didn't have Debra in his critique group.

I always get the Beneficent Mr. Hall to read my humor column. Not because I listen to a word he says...I mean, the man depends on me for food and creature comforts. He is NOT going to jeopardize that with a bad critique of my column. So, he always says, "It's fine."

I don't pay any attention to his words, but I watch him like a hawk while he reads the column. If he smiles, or makes a funny snort/chuckle, I know my column's golden. If he reads it through, blank-faced, I snatch the paper back with a "Fine. I'll rewrite it!" ("And P.S. Dear, dinner is going to be late!") So, if you can't get a writing critique partner, find a friend who's either a. very blunt or b. totally lacking in a poker face.

If you've got an error-finding, cardinal-in-the-snow trick, I'd sure love to hear it. I need all the help I can get. (I took out three extra buts from this one post. Seriously.)

Finding Something Friday on Poetry! Contests! Polar Bears!

First, a little poetic inspiration to get you primed and ready to write:

I love myself, I love me so!
I took myself to the picture show.
I wrapped my arms around my waist.
I got so fresh, I slapped my face!

Hahahaha! I wish I could claim that, but it's one of my mom's jewels from back in the day. If I could use that little poem, I might send it in to one of the poetry contests I'm considering. To wit:

The Poetry Society of Virginia's Contest (Deadline: January 19)

The North Carolina Poetry Society's Adult Contest (Deadline: January 15)

The Pennsylvania Poetry Society Contest (Deadline: January 15)

Now, if I'm being perfectly honest, my poetry skills are not exactly scathingly brilliant. But I do so love poetry. Or at least the poetry I understand.

I love the way a lyrical poem makes words sing. And I love how images spring into my mind when I hear a poem read aloud. I can appreciate the wonder of a beautifully wrought poem, even if I can't exactly wrought one up for myself.

But that doesn't keep me from trying. And with the entry fees for these contests, I can afford to send my pitiful poems out into the world. Because ...

I love my poems. I love them so!
The ones of joy, the ones of woe.
I send them out all over the place-
Makes judges want to slap my face!

(P.S. About the Polar Bears. Um, that was a shameless ploy on my part to grab folks who like Polar Bears and convince them to follow my blog. I'm not sure if Polar Bear lovers would enjoy a blog about writing and such, but who doesn't like winning a Barnes and Noble gift card? Of course, you can't win if you don't sign on to be a follower. Or get your friends to sign on as a follower. I mean, if you get 20 of your friends to sign on here, that gives you 20 entries. Just make sure your friends let me know. And if you're a rabid Polar Bear lover who feels shamelessly manipulated, I'm very sorry. I could write you a swell poem if that will make you feel better.)

A Wednesday Fun What TO Do

Yes, I know I normally pass along my embarrassing, yet instructive, What Not To Do's, writing-wise. But today I have a What TO Do. Mostly because I didn't have to learn this lesson the hard (not to mention, embarrassing) way.

We all know how beneficent the Beneficent Mr. Hall is, especially when it comes to holiday gift-giving. Seeing as how he only has to shop for one (me), whereas I shop for 87 (different friends and family)...well, I digress. The point is, he's beneficent. And he's thoughtfully beneficent, trying to choose items in the writing field.

Which is why every year, I get a Page-A-Day Calendar. I love these calendars! This year, I found the Booklover's calendar in my stocking, and I'm throughly enjoying it. But I also got another calendar. FREE!

See, when you buy a Page-A-Day Calendar, you can go to their website, put in the secret code that came with your calendar, and pick out another calendar to access online (or sent to your email).

So, here's what you can do. Go to your local bookstore where most calendars are now 50% off. Buy one and get another (virtual one) free! Oh! And every day, after you get smarter or laugh or feel spiritually better, take the real calendar page off and use the back for your next day's To Do list. Then you don't have to buy a separate notepad or look for paper! Yes, I really get my money's worth from my Page-a-Day calendar.

And as we say in the South (though I know better 'cause I've had several grammar calendars): Ain't nothing embarrassing about that!

Starting the New Year with a B-B-B-Bang!

You know how I think of the most scathingly brilliant things in the shower? I just toweled off so fast, my hair is still dripping. BUT, I had to share my scathingly brilliant way to start 2011.

In checking my calendar of last year, I noticed an alarming trend. To wit, I start with a bang and fizzle out. So, I thought I'd capitalize on my Big Bang nature and bang out a couple of goals in the first few weeks!

Introducing the Big Bang B & N Followers Contest! Here's how it works: You tell your followers about Cathy C. 's Hall of Fame and her brilliant contest. They scurry over here and follow me, telling me who sent them (and leaving contact information). One lucky NEW follower will win a $20 gift card from Barnes and Noble! And there's more...the faithful follower who sent them ALSO wins a $20 gift card! YAY! I'm ending the contest on January 24th; new followers can post a comment on any post during that period, as long as they fill me in. So spread the word, my faithful friends and followers. I'm in a hurry to bang out my goal of getting over 100 followers. Because let's face it. By May, I'll be all "followers, schmollowers."

If you're like me, you start the year thinking of all the submissions that will fly out from your brain and into an editor's hand. Except that your brain's still in an eggnog-induced, turkey-overloaded fog. You need something short to get the old brain ball rolling. Here's TWO competitions, with NO entry fee, that just happen to begin with B. Brilliant!

For fun and games, try the Binnacle Ultra-Short Competition. Even if you don't win (Um, you should know that they get about a gazillion entries), you'll jumpstart those sluggish neurons, working on your 150 word poem or prose. And lots of folks get Honorable Mentions. Why not you?

The Bevel Summers Prize for the Short, Short Story is accepting stories of 1,000 words till March 31, 2011. Now, I know it's from Washington and Lee University and you're thinking it's all hoity-toidy (is that how you spell that?), but honestly. I know many of my followers are gifted short story writers who could win this competition and 250 bucks. So brush off your best short story and send it. I'm sending one of mine.

That's how you get to be a better writer-and how you eventually get published. Oh, and don't forget to send me your followers for a chance to win big bucks and bust my budget for the year. Now, let the New Year begin with a B-B-B-Bang-and let me go dry my hair.

P.S. Couldn't start the year without a word from Cathy-on-a-Stick. She says, "Hey."