I got tired of opening up my blog and seeing that blessed big hair, so I am writing a new post.
It's not been a very eventful week, which explains my lack of posting...but in addition to lack of eventfulness, I've also been looking at/researching/contemplating/praying about/freaking out about a new project.
A couple of years ago (I think three, to be exact) I wrote a little project that I love so much. I've been trying since then to publish it...and that adventure has yet to be successful. Granted, I could have tried harder. My writing buddy Jody (link on the side) has had an awesome year of writing, complete with a book contract, and I am ecstatic for her. She deserves everything she's been blessed with this year because she worked hard to get there. I, on the other hand, spent quite a bit of time enjoying outings with friends and time in the kitchen and time at work...well, maybe that part wasn't so much enjoyed, but it was necessary. And as a result, the publishing pursuit didn't receive quite the attention it should have.
I've toyed with the idea of self-publishing, but it can be scary to think about. The writing conference I attended last year did not - much to my surprise - put it down. I figured in a room full of agents and editors and publishers, the very idea of doing it yourself would not be encouraged. On the contrary, they said it was a viable option to pursue.
In my prayer time about it, I've not had any giant stop signs from God, so for now I'm moving forward. It is possible that the moving will be fast...and I'm not one to normally love a fast-moving process. I am far too cautious for my own good.
So that's what's going on in Bekahland. I'm home on a miserable (yet perfect) rainy evening, curled up on the couch, eating soup and proofreading at a frenzied pace.
MAMA!
1 hour ago
6 comments:
Hi Bekah -
I've been lurking on and off here for a few years but now I'm curious enough to leave a comment. What is your project about?
I recently worked up the courage to start writing an historical novel that I've had in my head for more than 10 years, so I guess the "easy" part is almost done. I know how daunting even the thought of the next stage can be. Good luck and I hope you'll share more about it.
- Whitney Bailey (Kramer)
How exciting (and terrifying)!
You will do just fine. I always wished that I could write...that I could actually come up with a good idea and then transfer that from my mind to the paper, but it's the idea department that gets me every time.
You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. What an exciting time in your life!
Whitney - I am so glad you left a comment! I always wonder who out there might be lurking. It's good to find someone who does!
My project is actually an Advent project...a daily reading sort of thing for the first 25 days of December. I needed such a thing one Christmas and couldn't find something like it, so I just wrote my own.
I hope you go forward with your writing project, too! If you've not lurked your way over to Jody's blog, you should check it out. She writes historical fiction too, and she has a lot of writer blogger friends. All kinds of inspiration there!! :)
Christina - Yes, very scary! Maybe we could just swap jealousies...because oh how I wish I could sing and play! :)
Miss you!! Hugs.
I remember that you published that week of devotionals when we were in Magazine Writing (one entry involved losing a ring - correct?) If memory serves me I think you were the only one from the class who published that semester.
I've been doing freelance magazine writing for the past few years - before deciding to write this book - but it took me years before that to get started just due to the fear of rejection.
Have you considered pitching your project to a website? One that might be interested in publishing one devotional a day through the Advent season? I know it's not as exciting as seeing your work on paper, but it could open up an opportunity to self-publish and sell to those requesting hard copies. Just an idea.
I am personally struggling to find others who will be honest in their assessment of my copy. Hearing "It's great - these are the parts I like" is not as helpful as "It stinks - these are the parts I don't." I just want some old-fashioned, pull-no-punches,criticism. Ahhh - the burdens we bear as writers.
I wish you luck on your publishing endeavors. Remember, you were once published before all of us!
AAHH!! WHITNEY KRAMER!!! I absolutely remember you! I was reading Whitney Bailey and didn't make the connection. (Like how I'm so not formal once I realize I know you??)
Yes, I did write about losing a ring - wow, I'd forgotten all about that. Little washing machine nightmare.
I'm so with you on the fear of rejection. In fact, I tried...oh, half a dozen times or so...to get agent representation and finally my little self-esteem couldn't take any more rejections (or just plain ignoring) so I stopped trying.
Are you still freelancing for magazines? I wish I would have stuck with that kind of writing a little more. I'm just too wordy for my own good (as this comment will tell you).
I miss the editing we used to do in class. I was scared to death of some of everyone's abilities, but I coveted what they said.
Do you keep up with any of the rest of the people that were in there? Susanna came back to campus last year for a poetry reading, and I bought her book, and I read through Mark Moore's book as well.
I'm glad that I stopped being an idiot and realized who you were!!
Ha! Well I guess I should have signed my name "Whitney (Kramer) Bailey" to be more helpful.
I have not done any freelancing in the past few months. I wrote for a magazine and copy edited for two for about two years (in addition to my corporate job) but after awhile it felt like I wasn't pushing myself. The articles were almost too easy to write after awhile (not too difficult to crank out 500 words if you know your audience), and I was becoming very complacent. Good money, nice to have some publishing credentials, but not very rewarding.
As for copy editing, I'm a terrible copyeditor! I know AP Style Guidelines up and down, but that's about it. Plus, I felt like I was editing the same 10 articles over and over (both magazines were for kind of niche markets) so it quickly became a chore to read them.
That said, I think you CAN get into freelance magazine writing if you wanted. There can be quite a shortage of good writers, especially for small specialty magazines. Half the articles I wrote were on subjects that I had little interest or knowledge in, but I'm a good researcher and I turn copy over within a few days so I can make a short deadline. The biggest mistake I saw (no - not too wordy!)was the writer not understanding that magazine articles are conversational. I think you already have that kind of voice in your blog posts. And as you can see from MY response, I'm good at the wordy thing, too.
I also appreciated editing in class - and the more brutal the better. I think I've accepted the fact that I will have to pay someone to read part of my novel in order to receive honest feedback.
I don't keep up with anyone from class, except that I know Heidi writes technical articles. I should have made attempts to keep in touch a LONG time ago. That said - look at me! I commented on your blog.
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