Submissions

Referring back to the title of my blog, Footsteps of a Writer, the most important steps to becoming a published writer is the act of submitting your work to publications. I invite you to follow me on my journey and perhaps you will discover markets for your own work.

I have three pieces currently out, in hopes of publication.

On September 25, 2009, I sent my story 'The Sacrifice' to Story Station. Their average response time is one month, but on last correspondence the publication is behind on their reading.

On September 27, 2009, I sent my story 'Blood of my Blood' to Glassfire Magazine. They have closed for submissions until further notice, but are working through the submissions already received. Their normal response time is four months, but I'm still waiting for a response.

On February 16, 2010, I sent my story 'Friends Forever' to Shock Totem. Their average response time is two months.

All the above markets are paying, ranging from one cent to five cents per word.

Paragraphing

I recently read that you can identify a writer by his/her choices in paragraphing.

The choices - where to begin, where to end, and what to include within the paragraph - are said to follow a writer throughout his/her career.

I found this fascinating and was intriguing. I pulled out two books by two different authors and in deed there were distinct difference between the two.

Other aspects that can identify a writer are his choice of words and her sentence structure.

Each writer has a fingerprint left upon their works.

I'm sure this is old news to some. I've heard the comments on this made in the past, but never looked into it. I feel as if I've gained a little knowledge by becoming more aware of this aspect of writing.

The Truth Is ...

I made the comment that I would post the answer on Wednesday, but I don't see any need in making you all wait.

The Truth Is ...

I Hate Strawberries.

Aubrie, you are a good guesser.

I enjoyed reading all of your choices. This was almost as fun as actually receiving the reward itself.

Everyone, have a great Monday.

The Best Liar Award

It is with great appreciation that I accept this award from a great individual. Lea Schizas is a wonderful lady who has committed her time more than once in helping aspiring writers along their path. The organizer of the Muse Online Writer's Conference, she is also an award-winning author and editor. If you wonder how you could possible get enough done to accomplish your dream, look in the direction of this lady. She has projects moving forward in all directions and still has time to lend to others. She makes the time!



On to the rules:
1: Thank the person who gave you the award and link to them.
2: Add the award to your blog
3: Tell six outrageous lies about yourself and One Truth.
4: Nominate six creative liars... I mean writers and post links to them.
5: Let your nominees know that they have been nominated.

Six Lies and One Truth

1. My great-grandmother was a Wicca goddess.
2. I am left-handed.
3. As a child, I dressed up as my favorite story characters and presented short plays to my family.
4. I hate strawberries.
5. I have 10 brothers and sisters.
6. I grew up in Florida.
7. I have a master's degree in literature.

Choose which one you think is the truth.

Okay, six writers.

1. Aubrie Dionne
2. Lynnette Labelle
3. Kalayna Price
4. A. R. Braun
5. Bethan Pierce
6. Katie Salidas

I'd like to pass this award on to these six writers.

Thanks again Lea for presenting me with this award. It is a great honor to be noticed by someone of such high standings in the writing field.

Don't forget to guess which comment is the truth.

E-Books

I've been thinking a lot about E-books.

The process of creating and publishing seems easy enough.

You can find these e-books everywhere, both free and for a low cost.

The whole non-fiction and tarot adventure has gotten wheels turning in my head. There are so many topics out there that could be explored with a little research. Non-fiction is an interesting field.

Have any of you considered moving toward publishing your own eBook (fiction or nonfiction)? Have you already stepped in this direction?

I do plan to look further into this. I will keep you informed of my discoveries.

Submitting your short story

You've created, revised, and polished your short story until it shines. Now what?

I find that finding a market for my stories is the hardest part of the process.

There are many resources out there to use to find markets, such as: http://www.duotrope.com/ and http://www.ralan.com/. And there are many publications, such as:
http://www.novelandshortstory.com/ and Writer's Market .



But, what do you do with these lists? How do you know where to send your story?

Decide the genre of your story. This is the step that puzzles me sometimes. There are some many choices and sub choices. Do the best you can and let the editor make the final decision. If you have a sci-fi thriller, target a market that takes both.

Research the market. You don't want to end up sending a romantic thriller to a magazine that specializes in sci-fi thrillers. Most magazines have sample writing on their website, others you may have to order a copy of the magazine. Don't waste your time or the editors. Do your research to verify that your story is right for the publication.

Follow the guidelines. It is important to read the publications guidelines very carefully and to follow them precisely. You don't want to give the editor any reason to reject your piece, especially something as simple as following the rules.

Address the editor by the right name. Publications change editors often. Make sure to address the right person when submitting. Respect can get you that much closer to publication.

Overall: Send your best work, find the right market, follow the rules, and be courteous.

What are you waiting on? Get that story uploaded to your email or off to the post office. The longer you wait, the longer it will take. Good luck!

Who is your greatest influence?

Who is your greatest influence? What author inspired you to take the road you follow?

Stephen King has made the biggest impact on my career choice. From his countless publications to his inspiring story of becoming a writer, he is a great inspiration for any aspiring writer.

Stephen King was born in Portland, Maine in 1947. He made his first professional short story sale in 1967 to Startling Mystery Stories. In the fall of 1973, he began teaching high school English classes. Writing in the evenings and on the weekends, he continued to produce short stories and to work on novels. In the spring of 1973, Doubleday & Co., accepted the novel Carrie for publication, providing him the means to leave teaching and write full-time. He has since published over 40 books and has become one of the world's most successful writers.

Who directed you down this road of fiction writing?

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone is enjoying this day with someone they love.

An Idea Germ

Sounds kind of icky, right?

All stories begin with an idea germ. The question is - where do you find the germ? An idea germ grows in your imagination. Nurtured, it can grow into an amazing story.

To search your imagination for that germ, many processes can be taken. Brainstorming, free writing, and association are a few examples.

Brainstorming can come in many methods. One is to start with a single word and branch out from that word. This is also called mind mapping. Once you've completely exhausted your thoughts, an idea can form from the words.

Example: Nurse-needle-death-scrubs-doctor-blood-gunshot-victim-assailant.

An idea germ - A gunshot victim is admitted to the hospital, where the main character works. She discovers that the victim is her father, who left her mother before the main character was born. Determined to find his assailant, she visits the areas of his life and discovers more than she wants to know.

Okay, not great, but you get the idea.

Free writing starts with a blank paper and a free flow of your thoughts. A time can be set, or an amount of words set. You write fast and don't stop till you've reached your goal. Within the words, you will most likely find your germ.

Association deals with pulling from story titles, words from the dictionary, or even a movie idea. This process can stem into brainstorming and/or free writing.

Example: Free Willy: What would happen if the animal was not a whale, but an alien? Okay, E.T. has been done, but what if the alien was your little brother. The discovery of the younger boy's ability to explode things has interested the government and they take him away. Determined to get his brother back, he embarks on a journey of danger and discover.

Okay, well, that was more of a 'what if' process, but you get the idea.

That felt good. I've been so caught up with writing for the Examiner, that I haven't been exercising my creative muscles.

So, where do you find your idea germs?

Happy Award

One of the bloggers, who I passed this award to, chose to pass on it.

I'd like to pass the award onto another in his place. I had trouble narrowing the list down to two, but this blogger was in consideration.

Tara McClendon

Tara, enjoy your award!

The Happy Award

I recently received the Happy Award the other day from Deb Markanton and would like to thank her.

Thank You, Deb!

When you receive this award you must list ten things that make you happy. And of course, pass it on to other deserving bloggers.

So, here's my list of things that make me Happy!

1. My significant other. After three years, he still supports me in my dream of becoming a published writer.

2. The purchase of our new home. We haven't moved yet, but it shouldn't be much longer.

3. Family and friends. Everyone needs support.

4. My critiquers. Everyone needs support, with a little criticism.

5. My followers. Without you, this blog wouldn't exist.

6. Blogging. I love reaching out to others through this blog and my tarot blog.

7. Writing. The best feeling in the world is creating something from nothing.

8. Living. Life is a precious privilege that some take for granted. Live it to the fullest.

9. A good book. Not just any book, the ones that grab you and won't let you go till you reach the last page. And then, you miss the characters when it's over.

10. Receiving this reward. It's always a joy to get recognition.

I'd like to pass this Happy Award on to a few bloggers, but I've narrowed it down to two.

1. Terry W. Ervin II (chooses to pass on this award)

2. Aubrie

Many deserve this reward, and many have received it. If you haven't, know that if you are followed, you are making others happy.

The Unicorn

When a dream is lost
And out of view,
Just think of the unbelievable
That may not believe in you.

They are as real
As you believe yourself,
But sometimes when not seen,
They're put away upon a shelf.

So take your dreams
And let them come into view,
For only the seen
Is believed to be true.

Copyright 1992
Anthology: The Best Poems of the '90s

A Match Made In Heaven

My morning starts
When I wake in your arms,
And my night begins
With all your loving charms.

My entire day revolves
Around the love we share.
The love we've found is very rare.

We cherish every moment
That we have to give.
Without the other,
Neither could live.

We've been given a gift
That will remain true.
It was made in heaven,
This match, me and you.

Copyright 1990
Anthology: Moments More To Go

Falling In Love

The trees sway,
As our love grows.
There's so much to say,
That only heaven knows.
It can't be compared,
To anything I've known,
For we have dared,
To fall in love.

Copyright 1998
Anthology: Promises to Keep volume XI