I just mentioned on Facebook that I’m growing my hair long. I figure if I’m going to be a struggling writer I might as well look like one. LOL It’s all part of the five year plan my friends.
Welcome back to Artistry With Words, the blog by writers, for writers and about writers and writing. No fees or dues here; just discussions, observations and helpful tips.
And today we are going to talk about struggles….but first, a quote.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.”
Pope Paul VI
I hear often from new writers on HubPages who grow impatient because they are not receiving the number of views they expected. And my response is always the same: be patient and keep working on your craft and your plan.
You do have a plan, don’t you? I have mentioned before that I have a five-year plan in writing. Now five years may seem like a long time to some, and probably, since I’m now sixty-five and beginning Year Three of my plan, it should seem long to me as well, but…..Steinbeck went something like seven years before selling his first short story to a magazine….so I’m not feeling real bad about Year Three. The way I see it, I’m four years ahead of Steinbeck. LOL
If you are a person who simply wants to make some online passive income, then go to Bubblews and click away. If you are a writer who has a grander vision, then keep working and be patient.
TIP OF THE DAY
Write out a business plan for your writing endeavors. It will give you focus and a blueprint of success to follow. Otherwise you will be like so many writers first starting out, wandering aimlessly hoping to find success by osmosis. Is that really what you want to be doing?
CONTEST OF THE DAY
J.F. Powers Prize For Short Fiction, taking submissions of up to 8,000 words through November….NO ENTRY FEE! Did I mention there is no entry fee? First prize is $500 and national recognition. You can check out the submission guidelines here.
GET AWAY SITE OF THE DAY
Would you like a residency in Portugal for a few months? Check it out here.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
I’m still on the five senses kick. Write 200 words about this picture and appeal to all five senses. Great drill to help you relate to readers in a way they all can understand.
OPPORTUNITY OF THE DAY
Hey you recipe writers and food writers…Louisiana Cookin’ accepts queries and is a nationally recognized food magazine. Check them out here.
THAT’S IT FOR TODAY
I’m actually late and I apologize. I forgot to write this Monday so here I am at 9:03 PDT putting the finishing touches on it. I hope you found it useful. I’ll see you again on Thursday provided I remember.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 