Merry Go Round Blog Tour - My take on the state of Publishing

This is my first post for the Merry-Go-Round blog tour.  I’m quite excited about being part of this process.  This month the discussion is on the state of Publishing.  Since I’m a new writer, only a year since I started, I wasn’t sure where to begin. 

Continue reading on my blog...

The state of the industry

Okay, we all know the publishing industry has been going through drastic changes these last few years. When I first started publishing on line in 1998, people were shocked to learn there were even places you could find stories to read on the computer. Never mind ebook readers and the entire change they've brought about a few years later. We are in a whole new world for publishers, authors and readers.

 

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The State of the Art

So, this month's Merry-Go-Round blog tour subject is on the state of the publishing industry. When I started to think about what one struggling writer could possibly contribute to this conversation, given how many industry blogs and articles are out there in the world, I started to think about one of my favorite musicals: Sunday in the Park with George.

There's a song in the second act where George, the great-grandson of George Seurat (the pointillist) is trying to sell his newest artistic production and he sings a song called "Putting it Together." Some of the lyrics include:

Art isn't easy.
Every minor detail
Is a major decision,
Have to keep things in scale,
Have to hold to your vision-
Every time I start to feel defensive,
I remember lasers are expensive.
What's a little cocktail conversation 
If it gets the funds for your foundation,
Leading to a prominent commission,
And an exhibition in addition?

(Continue reading "The State of the Art" on Once in a Blue Muse)

I am not the person to ask about the state of the publishing industry.

I was going to try to pretend I am. Post some pointers to good websites, summarize my opinions, and so forth. But I would be faking it if I did. The truth is, I pay very little attention to the state of the industry.

read the rest at Cowgirl in New England.

The Consummate Professional

I suppose when most people think of professional writers they think of people like Stephen King, Nora Roberts, and J.K. Rowling. Successful writers with more than one title on a bestseller list. My own idea of a professional writer is far more...elastic.

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When You've Gone Pro

Being a professional writer means different things to different people.  In the writing world, some writers have come to define professional as qualifying for membership in a professional writing organization. This often means you have to have been published by an approved publisher or magazine paying professional rates.

I'm going to be up front for a moment. I  do not believe you can solely judge professionalism based on who someone's publisher is or what magazine they were published in. How many of you, for example, consider Snooki a professional author? She would absolutely qualify for membership in one of those professional writing organizations.

Continue reading HERE.

MGR: Professional Writer

I had a little trouble with this month's topic, but I created something "on the fly."  Check it out, if you dare.

Man in a hut

I have thought long and hard over this month’s topic. For days I just wanted to pass this one, because if there is one thing I’m sure of, it’s that I’m not a professional writer. Differently from everybody else, I’m not sure if I’d ever want to be. But then I think I should elaborate the thought a bit more so we could all be on the same page on this.

You can continue reading here.

The Professional Writer

Professional Writer - there’s a nice title, huh? I’ve always wanted to be one, but it’s only been the last few years that I’ve discovered what the title means.

As a high school student, I had visions of lolling about the typewriter (yes, I’m that old) and attending conferences in a tweed jacket.
Come to think of it, that’s about all I could see at the time… Hmmm…

I considered myself a better artist than a writer, though, so my young adulthood was all about pen & ink, graphite and Prismacolor pencils. When I hit college in my late 20’s I fell in love with airbrush. I dropped my psychology major for a fine arts major in a hot minute.

(No, not really. It took three terms of serious soul-searching before I made that decision. I’m nothing if not anal retentive.)

To continue reading, head over to Redhawk's site, In Shadows

Professional Is as Professional Does

 The topic of being professional is one that I return to again and again. Not because I'm some great sage able to impart my wisdom to writers far and wide, but because in writing about it, I continue to refine my own thoughts about what it means to be professional.

In my prior life as a Physical Therapist, being professional meant holding to ethical practice, advocating for patients and their goals, contributing as a member of a health care team, and seeking out opportunities for assessment and continued learning.

For over 20 years, I practiced as a professional PT, learning and growing as a clinician, performing my job to the best of my abilities.

When I made my career shift from clinician to writer, many aspects of my life changed. Certainly, my commute got easier, if you don't count the traffic jam of two dogs trying to trip me up on my walk across the living room. Particularly hazardous when holding coffee! I can go to work these days in sweats or even PJ's. Hooray for writers working at home without dress codes! Everyday is casual Friday!
(Continue reading on Once in a Blue Muse) 

Defining a pro

I've talked about pro levels of sales on my blog before. Today, I'm just pointing out behaviors that make anyone professional, regardless of where they stand on the publication ladder. Read more on my blog

Blowing Your Own Horn--Or Not

   In our culture we are taught that we should not brag about our accomplishments.  We even have an old saying, “Don’t blow your own horn.”  (to continue click here)

Strengths and Weaknesses

 Over time and with great effort every writer strives to have more strengths than weaknesses.  Naturally the first step is to acknowledge your weaknesses and define your strengths. That being said, you are usually your own worst critic. Keeping this in mind I will list what I think are my most prevalent weaknesses. Naturally I think there are many so I will save you the boredom and only list three.

Come read the rest on my blog!

Excellence in Writing

Having been asked my strengths in my writing, I imagine the whole list of my weaknesses. I have decided to look at the areas I excel at with writing to keep my mind on the positives. There is a time to explore where we need to improve by all means. When I begin a project, I want to be in the best frame of mind that I can be. This is the way I overcome my inner critic that loves to mess with us all. Undermining our confidence, making us edit as we go or making us just plain give up, the inner critic is a tricky little bugger....  Continue reading...

I Could Carry About 20 Books + My Kindle

Sorry for the title (which would make sense if this was about reading), but I didn't want to title it, "My Strengths As A Writer" because it sounds like one of those back-to-school reports we used to have to write in elementary school. "What I Did During Summer Vacation."

Continue reading on my blog.

It'll Knock Your Socks Off

We writers are often a mixed lot when it comes to how we see our strengths and weaknesses. I've met the raging egomaniacal writer who thinks "everything I write is a gold nugget of perfect prose" and "I'll knock your socks off with my awesomeness." On the flip side, I've met the self deprecating nervous Nellies who insist that everything they write is Read more...

My strengths as a writer

The fact that an elephant can learn how to balance itself on a small cabaret chair is probably just as hard to explain as is what I consider myself to be strong at.

Continues here...