Random Ramblings

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This could be painful. . .

Yikes!! I'm taking care of a feverish seven year old today and trying to fight off my own possible cold, but overall, things are good.

It's Friday, which always suggests unknown and exciting possibilities. I'm hoping my kid is feeling better by tomorrow; his best friend is having a birthday party and they've done nothing but talk about it all week.

Writing is a big part of my world these days, so forgive me if it gets mentioned every few days (or every few hours for my real life friends!!). It's even more so lately, because I am trying to meet a couple deadlines.

I've been seeking and getting really good advice from professional writers and artists and each agree that it's not enough to produce quality product. Professional writing is just like any other business, is a who you know game, less so than what you know.

That's fine; it's the same in my current career, so I'm trying to get myself into this game too. I know there are other aspiring writers out there, so I'll share a couple pearls of advice that have been offered up to me:

1) attend at least one writer's conference each year.

The value in this is not just an opportunity to improve your craft, but this is a major networking opportunity. Typically, authors, editors, agents and publisher's are congregating in one place. What better place to introduce your project and even receive feedback? I just registered for one in my region, hence my deadline.

2) join a writer's group.

it's a way of getting others to give you direct feedback on your current projects and assistance in working out plot or just picking up new ideas. I'm still searching for a writer's group in my local area, but I found a really good online writer's group. It's just been a full week, but I'm already benefiting.

3) write something daily.

Even if you feel yourself getting stuck on your current project, continue to write anyway. Whether it's a blog post, a haiku, a journal entry, SOMETHING! Ideas or inspiration can come from anywhere. Perhaps you just need to step away and gain a new perspective.

4) professional writing is a BUSINESS.

Get to know the business side of things and know it well. There is currently a big market out there for self-publishers. But as with anything, there are scammers out there too, so be certain to read the fine print. If you're seeking representation from an agent, be certain to read their ethical guidelines and learn the business standard in terms of fees and such. Some of them aren't right, either. If you decide to go the traditional route and seek publication from one of the major publishing houses, be certain to research their submission guidelines. Failure to follow even one of their steps could result in your work ending up in a mile high slush pile.

5) Seek out and enter contests

This one is kind of a companion to #1 and #3. If you seek to write daily, your work will continue to improve; by entering contests, you open your work up to possible feedback from your peers, which may also help to improve your writing. And if you start winning contest, then you gain the benefit of name recognition, which may push you even closer to your goal for publication.

Ok, had to get that out. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. . .

Thought-filled Thursday

I'm going to borrow from a few of my blog buddies and just ramble a few thoughts away today. I don't really have a lot on my mind; well, actually, I have quite a few things on my mind, that's part of the reason it's been so hard for me to post lately, I don't know where to start.

First, have any of you heard about Neenah, a young woman in New Jersey, who has set up a website in order to search for a husband? She has given herself 52 weeks of dedicated search to find a husband. She has apparently captured the attention of, if not a man, but of the media! Tom Joyner, Essence Magazine and others have interviewed since she first set up her site. I first heard about her yesterday from MzTeeJaye and then I went over to my favorite natural hair care site and there is a 3-page + discussion about her. I hope she will be successful in her search.

Reviews seem to mixed. I just wonder why it has come to this; that we (women) have to advertise our availability. In my parents and grandparent's youth, it seemed so much more simple. It was understood that people would seek careers and begin families; men pursued woman; that was their role. Something has been lost in the translation now.

I do believe that she may be going a little to the extreme in her efforts, but I will likely follow her through this "social experiment", her words and see where it takes her.

Second, can someone PULEEZE tell me, why? Many of you read and followed my Love List, right? Did any of you notice ANYWHERE in that list of 100 qualities, that I wanted to be involved with a MARRIED man??!!

No? I thought not. Well, I just ran into another EX, who is MARRIED. Who, when he saw me, pulled me into this INTENSE embrace and held on like I was the second coming of Christ. "I'm so happy to see! I'm so happy to see you!" He's EX for a reason, so I really don't get this.

Can someone please tell me when I will meet a SINGLE man, who is anywhere near this happy to see me?

Third, I don't like double-minded people! I'm a very direct person. I speak my mind, with tact, though, but no one ever has to wonder where they stand with me. And I appreciate when I meet people with the same life philosphy. It just makes like more simple and bearable for me.

So, it irks me to no end when people call themselves "friend" and then behave in non-friendly ways; and then have the nerve to look hurt and behave angry when I call you on it. Regardless of what you speak, your actions define you as "the enemy" and I will be dealing with you as such and from a long handled spoon.

Fourth, I am so happy to see my son settle down and become more peaceful. As hard as it is to work full-time, take on the full responsibility to educate him, write, and socialize in a 24 hour day period, it is well worth it to me, to see him smile more, the watch him sleep throughout the night without nightmares, to actually see him sleep beyond the sunrise and feel less need to fight his way through life, I don't even really have the words to describe how this feels.

And finally, I am still writing. I have finally settled on an idea for my first novel. I had a friend of mine crackin' up last night, as I described these "voices" in my head (the characters y'all!) and how they interrupt my sleep and concentration during the day. I am compelled to put their stories on paper as quickly as possible, just so that they can leave me alone!! I would like to introduce one or two of them here, just as soon as I've tightened a few things up.