Writing contest opportunities are listed below, followed by some ways to protect yourself against contest scams. Please note: I have no affiliation with any of these web sites or contests. Poets & Writers The Poets and Writers link, Writing Contests, Grants & Awards, is recognized … [Read more...] about Use These Resources to Submit Your Writing To Contests
Writing Resources
More Challenges to Writing About Your Life or Your Family
In my last post, 5 Emotional Challenges of Writing About Your Life or Family I discussed a few emotions—none of them good—that writing about our lives or our families can generate in us. Here are some other obstacles we life and family writers face. You Think Your Writing is Boring We’re … [Read more...] about More Challenges to Writing About Your Life or Your Family
5 Emotional Challenges to Writing About Your Life or Your Family
When we write about our lives or our families, our challenges aren’t just literary. Emotions play a significant part in our efforts and they can actually undermine our creative process or shut it down altogether. Emotions that can affect life and family writers: Fear—of getting the facts wrong … [Read more...] about 5 Emotional Challenges to Writing About Your Life or Your Family
Publish Essays That Pay
I teach essay writing and I've also been pretty successful having my own personal essays published. But I know that I (and my writing students) can always improve our odds of getting our work into paying publications. So today, I'm recommending a book I believe will be useful for us (and you) in … [Read more...] about Publish Essays That Pay
Who Do You Write Life or Family Stories For?
If you are writing about your life or your family, whom do you envision as your audience? Are you writing for family and friends or for a larger audience? Are they old, young, or in between? Men or women? Working or retired? Like to travel? Enjoy romance novels? Prefer mysteries? Addicted to reading … [Read more...] about Who Do You Write Life or Family Stories For?
Writing Contests: Are they Worth the Hassle—and the Cost?
Considering the Value of Writing Contests I’ve been absent from this blog while polishing up my essays and memoir opening to submit to contests. Entering these contests has provoked several questions with answers, some good, others not so much. In a blog post several years ago, I asked my site … [Read more...] about Writing Contests: Are they Worth the Hassle—and the Cost?
Why Should I Publish My Work?
Those of you who write manuscripts—that is full-length books—might be eager to find an agent and publisher for them. But not every serious writer feels that way. To see a different point of view, take a look at my essay, Writing As Self-Indulgence: Is Publishing Really Necessary? After you … [Read more...] about Why Should I Publish My Work?
An Approach That Could Work for Your Memoir
I've been asked a number of times to share information about my favorite memoirs and why I cherish them. One post is too short to cover them all, so today I'll just tell you about one: Three Dog Life. This is a big favorite of mine. It was written by Abigail Thomas, whose work I admire a … [Read more...] about An Approach That Could Work for Your Memoir
Answer to Another Memoir and Family Story Writing Question
Remember I asked you to send me your questions about writing memoir, stories from you life or about your family? Well, a reader asked the following: Something I struggle with is knowing when to ask for feedback on my writing (or more honestly, being willing to show others something that I … [Read more...] about Answer to Another Memoir and Family Story Writing Question