No blackberries or strawberries. When I’m struggling to put a story together, the most glorious moment comes when things get rolling in my mind - when the creative fuse is lit. It’s like a marvelous sunburst when it occurs - a sunburst that illuminates my perceptions from horizon to horizon. The ideas bubble up. The words flow, and I lose track of time. The story I’ve been incubating may be bad or good, but at this point I don’t care. A wonderful light has encompassed me and that makes it all worthwhile.

In the critiques, one learns quickly the wonderful abilities some in the group have, in what appears to the novice, magical powers to expand a scene in just two or three sentences. I think it is the difference between an artist and a mechanic in writing stories.

It is a delight to listen to those reading who possess those artistic abilities.

It is also very informative when one does a reading to see how others perceive what one is attempting to convey in a short story or tale. I have written lines which cause me to ROFL when they appear on my computer screen. However, I now know often the reason I can enjoy the laugh is because I know all of the other things in my minds eye which I was not able to project into the lines. Until they appear in the lines others have no way of knowing them.

It would be interesting in learning how ‘you’ covert your ideas to scenes. Any recommendations anyone many have on books, articles, web postings, etc. on how one can at least improve their mechanic skill in doing so.

Thanks, Stan

Thanks.

Candace,
I’m not sure. I feel like the smaller house considers my feelings and opinions more, perhaps, but they are busy and there are fewer employees, so sometimes I don’t feel like I get that much individual attention. I’ve just learned that if I feel worried or don’t understand something, I have to ask. Yes, the staff is busy, but they have taken the time to answer all my questions and help me with the process.

Hopefully, I will have something to compare it with in the future, and you will, too.

Thanks again for having me!
Margo

I have a question going back to getting your book published. I know this is your first (of many) so you can’t really compare . . . but how does it feel to be working with a smaller publisher vs. a big NY house? Do you feel like you are getting more attention and have more control than you might otherwise?

Again, I know you can’t really say because you haven’t done it the other way, but I’m just wondering what your sense of it is from talking to other writers and what you read on the loops or hear at conferences.

I’m sure there are pros and cons to each, but with your direct experience doing it the way you are, can you comment?

Thanks and cyber hugs and chocolate for spending all this time with us this week.

We owe you!

Candace

Hi Tricia, thanks for your questions and comments. The way I balance the business-end with the actual writing is the same way that I do all the writing–I schedule the business-end like an appointment. I say something like, “Today, for one hour I am going to send out queries or research this market.” I do it for one hour, and then I quit. I guess I am pretty disciplined. I always have a plan, and I always have a list of what I want to accomplish. I don’t always finish the list, but I also really try to prioritize. I also move unfinished items to the next week’s list.

Mary,
Thank you also for posting some questions. Here are the answers.

1. Generally, being a published author for these organizations means publishing in magazines, anthologies, and/or online or your own book, of course. Sometimes, you need more than one magazine publication to become a full member–in the MWG, you need 3 magazine articles. But article publications usually count.

2. The SCBWI does print lists with agents and publishers. I am not sure about other groups, but this is a question you could ask before joining. Generally, there will be a contact person for these large writing groups. I would email this person and ask all the questions you have before you join.

If you have any more questions, please let me know!

Have a great weekend everyone!
Margo

I was reading your July 16th entry entitled “When Your Dream Comes True: Getting Your Book Published” on the Scribe’s Tribes site. What an inspirational story! Congratulations and best wishes!

I did have a few questions about joining various different societies such as the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, etc.

My questions are as follows:

1.) I see that to be a full member in many of these organizations you often have to be a published writer. Do you know: does being a published writer mean publishing articles in local magazines and newspapers or does it mean a writer must have a book published?

2.) Do the professional organizations you mention in your entry often publish lists of agents/publishers who are open to new/young writers?

Thank-you very much and I wish you the best of luck with your new book!

Regards,

Mary Windhorst

Joining groups such as you suggest keeps you up-to-date on market trends, what your friends are writing, and it gives you a kick in the pants. I always come back from conferences and meetings motivated. And when I hear a speaker talking about successes, I think, “I could have done that.” Well, yeah. But only if I keep my butt planted on my chair and focus on what I’m supposed to be doing.

How do you balance your writing with all the other “stuff” it takes to be a writer, like trolling the internet for opportunities, doing the business-end of writing (submissions and such) and the research you need to write your articles?