Excerpt from “Submission Control” article about submitting your writing to publications, in the March/April 2019 issue of Writers Digest magazine, by Dinty W. Moore. Sending your work to literary magazines puts you at the whim of editors—but there’s more in your power than you may realize. Every few months, ask yourself why you’re doing this [writing]. If writing, waiting, and facing rejection make you truly miserable, maybe you should stop. But if you don’t want to stop, if writing is necessary, like breathing, then change your way of thinking. The long wait, the long odds, the sometimes inscrutable aesthetic taste of the editorial staff: You have to put all of that aside and write new poems, essays and stories. And that’s a good thing. Because the more you write, the better you get. Dinty W. Moore is the author of the memoir Between Panic & Desire, the writing guide Crafting…
Author: mcullen
Marlene Cullen is enthusiastic about encouraging people to write, even those who think they can’t write. Her series of books, The Write Spot anthologies, features writing that entertains as well as inspires writing. Every story, vignette, and poem in The Write Spot books include writing prompts motivating readers to become writers.
Marlene hosts The Write Spot Blog, a treasure chest of inspirational gems for writers.
Fulfilling her passion for writing and sharing with others, Marlene has created unique writing environments such as Jumpstart Writing Workshops, where participants often experience transformational changes. Her workshops provide essential elements for successful writing.
Marlene is the founder of Writers Forum of Petaluma, a monthly literary event featuring presenters talking about the craft and business of writing.
Marlene's awarding winning short stories and essays have been published in literary journals, anthologies, and newspapers, including Tiny Lights, Building Bridges, More Bridges, Redwood Writers anthologies, and The Write Spot anthologies.
She is a member of the California Writer's Club.
Spring is . . . Prompt #419
Spring is . . . . . . The true harbinger of spring is not crocuses or swallows returning to Capistrano, but the sound of the bat on the ball. — Bill Veeck . . . The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.— E.E. Cummings . . . a heart full of hope and a shoe full of rain. Your turn . . . Spring is . . . Just Write!
Revision Is Your Friend. Really.
Guest Blogger Rachael Herron writes about one of my favorite topics: Revision: I’m in the middle of revision of a book, and I’m swimming in the water I love. What I adore about revision is this: I know the world. I invented it, after all! When I open the document, I’m right in the middle of something I understand. It’s much easier, for me, to drop in for hours and rest on the page. It’s also easier to come out of, to shake off. First drafts remain torture for me. Many writers love first drafts, and I can admit that sometimes, the writing of new words is glorious. You surprise yourself with a turn of phrase that you’re pretty sure is genius and has probably never been said before. The plot bends and a tree you wrote about comes to life and points a branched finger in a direction you…
The Write Spot: Reflections
The Write Spot: Reflections reviewed by Nancy Julien Kopp. I read Marlene Cullen’s newest book cover to cover in one evening. The Write Spot: Reflections is the third in a series of books meant to help writers and wannabe writers. In the introduction, editor Marlene Cullen, says: “If you want to write and don’t know how to get started, this book is for you. If you are a writer and feeling stuck, this book is for you. If you like reading a variety of writing for enjoyment, this book is for you.” The book is a collection of short stories, poems and vignettes to entertain but also to inspire writing. Each contributor includes a short bio and a few paragraphs on Why I Write after their writing contributions. I found some illuminating statements in the Why I Write sections. I also found so a great deal to enjoy in the offerings of the different authors….
What would you do, if . . . Prompt #418
What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
What makes you . . . Prompt #417
What makes you smile?
Pet Peeve . . . Prompt #416
Write about a pet peeve.
Birdland Journal ready for your writing.
Birdland Journal offers a home for fiction, flash fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction from established and emerging writers. The theme for this issue is “A Matter of Character.” Take this where you want to. Besides a character in a story, how about considering the character of a people or place? Take character out of the box. It might be a person, or an animal or an inanimate object. Deadline: April 15, 2019 Open to Northern California residents only. Previously published material not accepted, including publication in any venue: print, web, and personal blogs.
One slice of the point of view pie
There are many articles and books about point of view. The following is an excerpt from a talk given by author Jim Dodge. Narrator – Who tells the story. The most used pov: First person and third person. There are three types of first person point of view. First person direct. First person indirect. First person objective. First person direct: Protagonist carries conflict and is usually involved. Direct – “it happened to me.” When narrator carries conflict = direct perception. This is the most difficult point of view to work with – has to be compelling voice to hold readers’ interest. If you can pull it off, it’s powerful. Stories move in time and space. Problems with first person point of view: person has to be “everywhere” to get information. First person indirect: Reflective, or indirect: narrator does not carry conflict. Narrator is a character and in a relationship with…
Natural Bridge invites submissions
The editors of Natural Bridge invite submissions of poetry, fiction, personal essays, translations, and art. From the Natural Bridge submission page: Because we are tied to the academic calendar, we will not read between May 1 and August 1. Submit through Submittable There is a $3.00 charge for non-subscribers to submit. This is not a reading fee, but helps maintain the submission service and website. This fee is waived for current subscribers. We will continue to accept submissions free of charge through snail mail. Submissions sent by email will not be read. A few Guidelines. We do not accept previously published work. This includes self-publication and work that appears online. Poetry submissions should be limited to one manuscript of up to six poems at one time. Poems should include the author’s contact information on every page, be clearly titled, and be paginated if longer than one page. Prose submissions should be limited…