Writers’ News
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Markets, Successes on November 5, 2010
Just a quick post to blow my own trumpet!
I have an article on page 32 of the December issue of Writers’ News. It’s about buying the perfect Christmas present for your writer friends. Pens and book tokens can get a bit boring year after year so I’ve tried to include some useful alternatives such as a shoebox of ideas (imagine the joy of just picking an idea from a box when writers’ block has struck!) or the gift of time (offer to mind a friend’s children for a couple of hours so that she can get stuck into her novel).
Unfortunately Writers News is only available on subscription with it’s sister publication, Writing Magazine, so I can’t tell you to rush out and buy it. But I do think a subscription would be money well spent (or the perfect Christmas present!) if you’re interested in advice on all aspects of writing and/or information on potential markets for your work.
Both publications also accept freelance articles – so contact the editor if you’ve got a writing related feature idea. It could be your mug shot gracing the magazines’ pages next!
The Daily Telegraph Ghost Story Competition
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Competitions on November 3, 2010
Courtesy of Elvis Santana, U.S.
Finally got round to reading the Review section of Saturday’s Telegraph and came across this competition for a Ghost Story of 2,000 words or fewer
- Entries to be received by November 20th (not much time then!)
- Shortlist of 6 will be published on telegraph.co.uk on December 4th
- Winning story will be published in The Daily Telegraph on December 11th
- Winner will receive a unique specially bound copy of The Small Hand by Susan Hill, who is also one of the judges.
Full details are available here plus some useful tips on writing ghost stories.
Good Luck!
Self-Discipline for Writers
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Writing on November 3, 2010
Image via Wikipedia
’Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration,’ said the inventor, Thomas Edison.
This is also a perfect description of writing. Lots of people claim to have a great idea for a novel but how many of them actually sit down and put in the effort to bring that idea to fruition? Talking about the big idea is the easy, fun part but getting it down on paper requires discipline.
So I’m starting this blog to improve my writing self-discipline and increase my ‘literary’ output – give me a nudge if I’m not posting often enough!
Meanwhile, here are a few pointers for getting your bum on the chair and that blank page filled –
- Set yourself a goal and then break this ultimate aim down into manageable chunks – the smaller the chunks, the easier it will be to achieve them.
- Give each chunk a realistic deadline – taking into account any work and family commitments.
- Have a dedicated writing space – this might only be a corner of the dining-room but sitting down there should immediately put you in the right frame of mind for work.
- Delegate some of the household chores to free up extra time for writing.
- Avoid interruptions – tell the rest of the family that you will deal with their requests when your hour’s writing time is up.
- Disconnect your internet access or keep it as a treat for the end of your writing time.
- Always complete one task before starting another – there is nothing more disheartening than a string of half-finished short stories.
- Accept that you will have good and bad days – don’t beat yourself up about the latter just accept it and move on.
Remember, if you treat your writing seriously then your family and friends will respect it too and it will be easier to keep to your writing routine.
Sally Jenkins 