Hate Has Become the In Thing

It seems that the country has turned its negativity into political power, and it's so magnetic that it's slowly pulling us all in.  I can't believe what I hear and how easy it is to divide into groups, one against the other. 

This division has no purpose but to grab more votes from those who are easily led.  Why do they fall for it?   So many just do not have the capacity to think for themselves, or to think logically.  The lies are blatantly 'in your face', but the blind, deaf, and needy don't want to see or hear or even have to think too hard.  They're so easy to persuade to jump from the cliff.  Why do they have to drag the rest of us down with them?  Why do they have so much hate in their hearts?

Many citizens forget (or were never taught)  who is supposed to be in charge, and are freely tossing away all their rights.  For what?  What will be their reward?  Embracing miserable poverty and complete domination.   Who really wins?

 

 

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Love Me, Love My Writing.

I couldn't resist posting this. Forgive me, friend. It speaks volumes about those who love to write.

"I have been interested in writing since grade school, where I wrote innocent stories of heroic talking animals. My adult years have produced several short poems, some of which have been published in an anthology. In my marriage, my creative expressions were often ridiculed or demeaned and thus shelved.

Since my divorce..."

Is a Book of Cardboard, Copy Paper and Staples Worth $19.95?

Is it jealousy that makes us emotional at the news of another author being published? Is it so wrong to be envious that it isn't us instead? I don't think it's jealousy if we can admit we're envious. But, what if we go on to point out it was published by a vanity house? Or, that we read the first page and found noticeable problems? Are we jealous if we point to the errors? Probably. That anyone can publish a badly written book is one thing, but to put it up on Amazon asking for money makes me slightly angry, It's like a person cutting to the front of the line; jumping ahead of all the suckers working hard to get it right. It leaves a bad odor on all self-published authors, some of which are very good. One bad apple stinks up the whole barrel and the process keeps its bad reputation a little longer.

I wanted to be able to set some of my short stories together, in between two seven or nine -by -five inch sheets of hard cardboard, disguised by a nice covering of contact paper. I wanted words across the front that hinted of the stories inside. I wanted my name at the lower margin, and I wanted my family to love them; to read them. I wanted them to be proud that the stories contained some of my memories of them. Have I asked for too much? But, I will never write perfect enough for publication I will never be good enough to be chosen and sometimes I feel I know nothing about writing. I'm in a deep, dark valley and wonder if I really want to climb out. It's comfortable here. At this point, crafty cardboard, copy paper, and staples are good enough and they're cheap.

I will most likely give Lulu a visit someday; and order a couple dozen copies. At least I wouldn't have to pretend they chose me.

I wish I were more like some of these self-published writers; blissfully unaware of the errors, inconsistencies and plain 'bad writing' in my own work. I don't expect perfection from anyone but me, but I'd be embarrassed to put a price on anything less.

Yeah, I'm most likely just jealous of one more writer who had enough nerve to grab his dream, without slowing for a moment to ask for a good proofread.

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Are you a Real Writer?

I love to write. A few people know I wrote kids-lit for my grand-kids, home made just for them. I write for fun. I have also written some rants, just random thoughts. I write nothing fancy, PC (punctuated correctly), or of novel length.

Since I became a member of a writing group, I’ve tried my hand at other genres, thanks to the prompts. My stories are short and quick to read. No novel is planned for ‘down the road’, no plans for publishing.

Can I then call myself a ‘real writer’? Am I serious enough about writing?

Writing this newsletter has required me to do a lot of researching on the Craft of Writing. Most of what I've learned is because of this newsletter. I read and study in preparation for the letter, and believe it or not, some of it sticks. I've read lots of new writers over the last five years, and believe me, that's an education in itself.

A paraphrased list I came across somewhere of writer’s tips.

A real writer is serious about writing, driven, and writes daily.
A real writer lets nothing come in the way of finishing the novel.
A real writer has a neat desk and keeps everything in the correct folder.
A real writer keeps a notebook with them at all times.
A real writer is well educated.
A real writer writes, he won't edit until the story is told.

Would this describe you? It doesn’t me. Does that mean I’m not a real writer? No, I don’t think so. Real writer’s write for themselves too. I write because I like to. I’m serious about the piece I’m working on, and I want it to be the best it can be. I’m not driven and I don’t feel the need to write daily.

My desk isn’t neat; it isn’t organized in the traditional way. Shoot, it isn't organized in any way. I can find what I need though. Usually.

The most important ‘tip’ I know is ‘write for the joy of writing’. Write for yourself, for those you love. The publishing will happen if you research well and submit to the right place at the right time. From what I’ve read, it’s mainly a matter of luck. I know editors have turned down best sellers. If an author has a good story and is persistent with submitting, it will be published someday.

I have included this excerpt of an article because I think it is important. It is the direct opposite of everything I have read on the subject. I was glad to find it because it validates my feelings. It makes a lot of sense.

Real writers write every day. You've read this advice in every writing magazine, so it must be true, right? Real writers either dedicate a certain number of hours per day to writing, or don't stop until they've completed a certain number of pages. If you don't write every day, your writing muscle will get "flabby." If you don't write today, it will be harder to write tomorrow, and almost impossible the next day. Or so you're told. Alas, I can't recall where I read an article that beautifully punctured this myth, so I'll paraphrase: Do doctors see patients every day? Do sculptors sculpt every day? Do pastors preach every day? No! Folks with ordinary day jobs don't "work" every day, and neither do writers. Indeed, if we do not take time to relax, refresh, walk around, and interact with the world outside our keyboards, we are likely to lose our ability to remain "fresh" as writers -- not to mention the fact that we won't find very much to write about! That doesn't mean that a regular writing schedule isn't important; it is. But a regular "living" schedule is important too. If you're trying to write every day just because you think you must, writing will soon become a joyless chore, empty of passion or inspiration.

Copyright © 2001 Moira Allen
This article originally appeared on Inkspot.

Newsletter editors are real writers too!

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You don’t have to get it right the first time!

Self-Confidence

Do you ever doubt your abilities as a writer? Many of us require constant assurance that our work is good. We need the praise of our families and friends to boost our confidence back up when it slips, and it will slip.

While it is natural and important to value praise, you must develop motivation within yourself and work to build your self-confidence. Remind yourself that you can improve your writing skills, that no one is ‘born’ a good writer.

You need to discard negative thoughts about your potential as a writer. Wad them up and throw them in the trash can. I read this wonderful quote on a Writer’s Forum, posted by several members at different times. I don’t know who the originator was, but I believe it is very encouraging and should be written on a sticky note and attached to the monitors of all who doubt themselves.

You don’t have to get it right the first time.

Isn’t that good news? Say it three times out loud and remember it.

Apprehensions may have developed because others were critical of your work or perhaps you were too critical of yourself. Maybe someone told you to scrap everything except that one great sentence.

Most of us grew up being taught not to brag. We were told “Don’t toot your own horn, let others do it for you.” That may be okay in a workplace where what you do is seen by others.

But writing is a solitary act. No one sees the amount of effort and time you’ve invested, or the tears and emotion wrung from your being. We need a little recognition and praise once in a while just to keep from giving up.

Where do we get it? Readers can’t give it until the book is published, reviewers give it along with the criticisms necessary to get it published. The one person best to give you praise along the way is yourself.

You will need this ability, especially when you feel discouraged or frustrated by the reactions of friends or reviewers.

Taking pride in your achievements is not bragging. Instead of focusing on the negatives, take a moment to congratulate yourself for that particularly fine descriptive scene you wrote, or that wonderful character only you could have created. Hey, you wrote a great sentence! Celebrate!

Praise yourself for being able to enjoy your work.

Write for the joy of writing. Write only to please yourself. Your writing will reflect the pleasure you’re taking. You’ll be amazed at the confidence you gain, and it is that confidence which will soon become evident in the quality of work you churn out.

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Avoid Writing a Weather Report

Have you ever been told by a reviewer that you're writing a ‘weather report’ and wondered what it meant?

Novice writers often make the mistake of becoming a Meteorologist. Or they take on the job of the narrator at a Fashion Show, or Travel Guide - even Real Estate Agent. In other words, all these things are done to fill up that most important area - the opening of your story. By the time the weather is established and the characters are fully dressed, the reader may be gone.

Too much description is boring, and many readers will skip over it. Be sure to open your story with the story. Hook the readers and hold them with hooks of the story. They can view the countryside or the room, or whatever setting you’ve chosen, from the eyes of a character as they experience the weather. A character can simply choose a blue tee shirt because they know it matches their eyes. You’ve established their clothing and their eye color with few words. Make sure descriptions fit in naturally and unobtrusively, like a movie image, not as a narrator.

Don't skimp on details, but make each detail count. It’s not easy, but with practice, each attempt will be better. And don't forget to notice how other's do it while you're reading a favorite book. Even experienced writers get caught up with too much description sometimes, and have to cut during revisions. The old saying; Less is More - is true.

Avoid writing ‘weather reports’ and get on with the story.

critt

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Lost for Story Ideas? Harvest Your Family Tree.

I’ve sat and watched the cursor blink on the clean white page for a week. What shall I write about? Yes, Louise, even newsletter editors lack inspiration at times.

Having no direction, my mind wandered toward the family. Natural, eh? I skimmed my genealogy page and wham, the proverbial ton of bricks fell. Of course! Use real people and you can write about anything.

I picked up a few lines here and there and my goodness! I found a writer’s jackpot, and you all have one. It sits neatly among the limbs of your own Family Tree. Have you discovered it yet? Think of the many genres and topics a good writer could get out of this!

Richard Pace, 1483

Richard, (Pace) known as the Tudor diplomat, worked along with Cardinal Woolsey and Erasmus. It is said that Cardinal Woolsey was somewhat jealous of Richard and used his influence to keep him on the European continent as English Ambassador to Italy, working for the Kings cause and away from the court. Richard was an official in the Church and wrote an opinion or took a stand in favor of Henry VIII, divorcing Catherine of Aragon. He helped write the Kings James version of the Bible, working primarily on the Book of Psalms.

John the Jester - Brother of Richard

Although a scholar of King’s College, Cambridge, in 1539, and being a Master of the Arts, he was soon attached as the Jester in the household of the Duke of Norfolk before Henry VIII’s death, and in Elizabeth’s reign, he was transferred to the court.

That a man of education like Pace should have voluntarily assumed ‘the fool’s coat’ often excited hostile comment. To such criticism Pace’s friend, John Heywood, the epigrammatist, once answered that “It is better for the common weal for wise men to ‘go in fools’ coats’ than for fools to ‘go in wise men’s gowns’”
Camden, Remaines,ed.857 p314

Another Richard founded Paces’s Paines across the river from Jamestown. Chanco, an Indian youth who resided with Richard as a son, learned of King Opechankanough’s plan in March of 1622, to massacre all residents of Jamestown. Because of Chanco’s bravery in telling this plan to Richard, many residents were saved. Courtesy of Colonial Surry, by John B. Boddie

CARBONDALE, IL - It took 112 years to get Priscilla's hollyhock seed from Georgia to Oklahoma, according to John W. Allen, curator of history of Southern Illinois University Museum.

I found stories of Priscilla, a young girl of ten or eleven, who gathered the seeds of the hollyhock plant to take with her from (some versions say Georgia) North Carolina to her destination in Oklahoma during the tragic Trail of Tears era of 1838-39.

She was befriended and adopted by my husbands ancestor, Basil, during a rest camp on Dutch Creek, in Illinois. Today, Priscilla Hollyhocks are known by their unusual red color and small size.

I found a story of a hanging that failed during the civil war Confederate raid. The raiders wanted information of a ‘supply’ location. A relative was among those hauling supplies for Col. Mulligan at Lexington. He was the only one found that day and he wouldn’t talk, so the raiders hung him by the neck and left. The knot slipped, he fell to the ground and wormed his way up to the house where Grandma Davis cut the rope. To his death, Jimmy had a knot on the side of his neck and could never straighten it again.

Way back in history I roamed and found reference to a family named Rolfe and Pocahontas. Everyone knows who Pocahontas was.

The John Wayne movie, Rooster Cogburn, carries both of my mother’s family names and was set in Arkansas, her birthplace. I have an old picture in my album of a man with the name ‘Rooster Cogburn’ written across it.

I believe we each have so much history bound up in our family trees, we should never run out of ideas or inspiration. I’m lucky to have a genealogist brother to do all the searching and verifying, it’s more work than I could handle.

Love you, Lee.

http://www.rootsweb.com/

Go directly to the Message Boards and type in your family name. It's free and it's fun to read others looking for the same information - your family. This is not a site to do research unless you want to pay. If you do, it's very good, one of the best. But, free information is abundant.

If you don’t have time to do a thorough search, just visit a genealogy site and search your family names. You’ll be pleasantly surprised, and you may decide to work on your own history.

Write your fiction based on true events but don’t worry about keeping them factual. That’s what makes good fiction.