A Look into the World of One Novelist

This is a movie short about 15 minutes long. It's a bit scary but very well done:

The Importance of Goals

One of the main themes of BIW is setting a goal and working to achieve it. A lot of great philosophers and writers knew the importance of having goals and working toward them. Here's what they had to say:

Aristotle:

"Man is a goal seeking animal. His life only has meaning if he is reaching out and striving for his goals."

Fitzhugh Dodson:

"Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination."

Viktor Frankl:

"Life can be pulled by goals just as surely as it can be pushed by drives."

Doug Larson:

"Establishing goals is all right if you don't let them deprive you of interesting detours."

C. S. Lewis:

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

Anna Pavlova:

"To tend, unfailingly, unflinchingly, towards a goal, is the secret of success."

Henry David Thoreau:

"We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal, and then leap in the dark to our success."

Zig Ziglar

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."

***
Source - Dr Mardy's Newsletter which I highly recommend for inspiration

Increasing Traffic to Your Site

One of the best ways of increasing traffic to your website or blog is increasing your Google rating. The Google rating you have pretty much decides whether you get listed in any search engine as a relevant choice.

You can increase your Google rating by having links back to your site. I'm not talking about link farms which actually hurt your rating. I'm talking about authentic links like those that appear in the comment section of a blog.

Take a look at the different options Blogger offers as an example of a way to leave a message and a link, it's a powerful tool. To the right is a screen capture (click image to enlarge) of part of the comment screen to this blog (not all blogs offer the same options). The best option to choose whether you have a blogger account or not is the Name/URL option.

When you click on it two more boxes open up, one for your name and one for your URL (your web address). After you fill these in, write your comment in the box and publish. Simple!

When the comment gets accepted it automatically adds a lovely link back to your site or blog through your name which is beneficial whether someone clicks on it or not.

The important thing when doing this is not to spam the blogs you go to. You want to leave relevant comments to the discussion or post. Give it a try and then check out your link. Spending some time doing this a few times a week will increase your rating and eventually lead to more traffic and ultimately more readers. Quicker than any link farm or link exchange program ever could.

Marie Sultana Robinson - BIW Member Interview

Moe: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Marie Sultana Robinson: I grew up in a family of voracious readers. In my family there were several kinds of professions: (Patented Loom) Inventor, Lawyer, Chemist and Writer. I grew up reading lots of books including my family's work - Alice Davis Crompton, Mrs. Chetwood Smith, Ethel Cook Eliot, Anne Eliot Crompton, and Alexander Eliot. From my elders I heard about the writer's process, both good and bad. Uncle Alexander was senior art editor at Time Magazine, so I also heard about the business end and crazy writers. Remember, I was child with large ears, so the info was a bit skewed.

I spent a couple of summer's stomping around America's Stonehedge and other prehistoric sites around New England, while my Aunt Patience was researching her book, The Sorcerer. I read the work-in-progress as well, and saw the changes, subtle and large. On my wedding day I had the standard reception line, word whispered that my Aunt Patience (who wrote as Anne Eliot Crompton) was attending. Her book A Woman's Place had been featured on the cover of Redbook the year before. Various members of the wedding vanished only to reappear with the old copy to have her sign. People in the restaurant did the same.

A few years passed. And my birthday came around and I got several copies of a book with the title "Marie" (a name thing). At the time I was living in Florida, a long way from my New England home. Something about that book made me say. "I could write something like this."
And I started writing. I moved back to Cape Cod, and joined a writers group with writers who were far more advanced and published than I was, Pulitzer and Pushcart winners. It was the original Twelve O'clock Scholars. Petronelle would sit and talk with me about writing and encourage me, give me suggestions. We shared a fascination with ancient cultures. After two years of being at Scholars, she talked one day about a possible movie deal about her book Marie. I didn't know she wrote under the name Margot Arnold. She had written the book that gave me that nudge to learn to write.

For me, wanting to write wasn't a moment, but a life long series of things that pushed me and nudged me. I wrote journals and letters much of my life, but there's a quantum leap between those and writing a novel or an article. Then there's a quantum leap to publish and then another quantum leap to 'career'.

Moe: Describe three lessons you have learned about writing?

Marie Sultana Robinson:
1. Writing is a process. It is never easy, because as soon as you master one element, something else comes up. It is however, challenging, and fulfilling. You need to learn how others do it, but adapt it to your own life, situation and project. Learning the craft is vital. There are so many pieces to writing, it's like pebbles on a beach. A suggestion: Stop once a week, once a month at least and ask yourself the question. "What do I need to learn now, to improve my writing, or my ability to write?" Be honest with yourself about the answer. Ask it enough and magic starts to happens.

2. My writing mentor Gary Provost often said "Writers write. Published writers rewrite."

3. BIC HOK TAM it's not just a cute anagram. It's the short hand of number two. Every once and while, I've gotten 200 plus pages on a BIW and I get off list emails whispering "how did you do it?" My behind in the chair, brain engaged, hands on the keys, typing away madly. Life gets rough and I chant BIC HOK TAM (which can be embarrassing in a public place and worse when I'm at a stop light in traffic with the windows rolled down).

Moe: What are you working on now?

Marie Sultana Robinson: I never have just one WIP. My brain doesn't work that way. Once one goes stale, I move to something else. But I do have a sort of writing dance I do.
1. Monday - Friday: I do a 10 - 20 minute prompt. I belong to a group and the energy is wonderful. The prompts make me stretch as a writer and deal with stuff I wouldn't.
2. Blogging Postcards: I have finally figure out how to create my website and decided on the branding of the writing for the blog/postcards. It's astrology/astronomy/nature/gardening. And starting May 1st 2008 will be daily. I'm hoping the click-thrus will keep me in coffee and muffins.
3. I have several articles and article/series I'm writing for a variety of places.
4. Novel-in-progress: Sea Glass Dreams. Premise: Mary Tattersall loses her creativity and her family. Her life is forever shattered when she breaks a jar of sea glass and releases a bottled fairy who was part of her childhood. Sometimes when we lose all that we love, we get to do it better the second time around, like sea glass. It's a story of loss and redemption.
5. Novels in the line up: Since I live near Mystic Seaport, I've found some amazing resources for researching some of the history of the area. I'm collecting a banker's box of info. For now it's a few scribbles and stuff I toss in the box.

Moe: Do you have a favorite writing related book?

Marie Sultana Robinson: The Complete Notebooks of Henry James give great insight into how a great writer's mind works. Tedious but interesting.

Moe: What's the hardest thing about writing?

Marie Sultana Robinson: Getting everything else done. I suffer dreadfully from housework block.

Moe: What is your favourite writing website?

Marie Sultana Robinson: Well aside from Book-in-a-week, Informed Ideas, for writing related news.

Moe: Do you have an important BIW tip you'd like to pass along?

Marie Sultana Robinson: Write. Read. Communicate with other writers. Ask. Don't show your work too early to anyone who isn't a writer. Always carry a notebook and scribble. First, you write. Period. Write. Later you figure out marketing, editing, and selling to a publisher. First and foremost, you always write. Or as we say here in war cry mode -- BIC HOK TAM!

***
Marie Sultana Robinson is a former creativity and business coach among many other professions including running an electrical contracting company, insurance agent, baker, and model. She never ever buys a purse, unless a notebook can fit in it. And she tends to buy skirts that have pockets for the same reasons. She enjoys quilting, sailing, gardening, nature watching, bellydancing, mermaid swimming and eavesdropping on conversations in public. She is formally owned by five cats, who think writing is great as long as cat treats are near by. She has a husband who is a Master Electrician and professional cat treat server.

Websites for Writers - Critiquing

The Internet Writing Workshop works on a similar premise as BIW through email groups, except on a grandeur scale. They have three categories, each with a specific goal -- to critique, to discuss and to educate. The critiquing and discussion categories are further divided for specificity.

The critique groups are divided into genres: Fiction, Lovestory, Nonfiction, Novels, Poetry, Practice, Prose/Flash-fiction, Script-writing, and Child/Young adult. The discussion groups are divided into Writing, Creative Nonfiction, Market Chat and Speculative Fiction Chat.

The Internet Writing Workshop welcome all manner of writers, over the age of 18, regardless of their experience or publication prowess. There is a huge resource for writers to tap into here but you also have to be willing to participate and of course, receive criticism.

***
Topic Links
* Visit The Internet Writing Workshop

Something to think about

"If you must begin then go all the way, because if you begin and quit, the unfinished business you have left behind begins to haunt you all the time." ~Chogyam Trungpa

Writer's Digest Mention

Thank you Elaine for pointing out that Writer's Digest gave BIW a mention in their creativity section of the June Issue of 101 Best Sites. Here's the blurb if you didn't see it:

This site's motto is "butt in chair, hands on keyboard, typing away madly" - and you'll need to adhere to it if you want to live up to the challenge. You have one week to put all excuses in your sock drawer and write as much as you possibly can. It's definitely fun - and rewarding." They also included the symbols for blog, contests, critiques, forums, markets, and e-newsletters next to the website.

***
Topic Links
* Subscribe to Writer's Digest

Rita Lorraine Hubbard - BIW Member Interview

Moe: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Rita Lorraine Hubbard: I knew I wanted to be a writer at a young age, after I read Charlotte's Web and discovered (quite surprisingly) that I could be reduced to tears over something as hairy and disgusting as a spindly-legged spider. Soon after, I discovered Pearl S. Buck's book, Peony, and was head-over-heels in love with reading and writing from then on. My brain and my fingers just wouldn't be still. Oh, the notebook paper I went through in those days!

Moe: Describe three lessons you have learned about writing?

Rita Lorraine Hubbard: 1. You're probably better than you think... but you'll never know if you don't get your work out there.

2. You have to be deadly serious about your writing, but you must not forget to have lots of fun with it, too.

3. Writing is not for the lazy or faint of heart. If you're looking for something easy or guaranteed to bring in fast money, your best bet is to go out and get a job.

Moe: What are you working on now?

Rita Lorraine Hubbard: I'm working on a middle grade historical fiction (based on true fact) set in 1943, in which a teenager stumbles upon an isolated cabin in the Chickamauga Battlefield.

Moe: Do you have a favorite writing related book?

Rita Lorraine Hubbard: The Romance Writer's Phrase Book, by Jean S. Kent, is definitely my favorite. I'm more aware of details because of it; I've learned to really see facial expressions, body movements, hair and eye color, and so forth. It taught me (and is still teaching me) the power of a well turned phrase. Best of all, I've found that its lessons are not confined to adult romances, but can be used in young adults's, middle grade's and even picture book's. No writer should be without it, no matter the age of his/her audience.

Moe: What is your favourite writing website?

Rita Lorraine Hubbard: SCBWI is my favorite writing website. Not only does it keep me abreast of what's going on in the world of children's book writers, it also connects me with other writers, offers some pretty wonderful grants, and even has discussion boards where I can ask questions and get answers to specific queries, or lurk in the shadows and read what other writers have to say.

Moe: Do you have an important BIW tip you'd like to pass along?

Rita Lorraine Hubbard: "Just Do It" isn't just a Nike(tm) phrase. It applies to writing, too.

***
Rita Lorraine Hubbard is a former teacher living in Tennessee. Rita's first nonfiction trade book, African Americans of Chattanooga: A History of Unsung Heroes, debuted in December 2007. Currently, she writes full-time and produces a line of historical calendars called Shades of Greatness.

Something to think about

A wonderful quote from Julia Cameron:

"I have learned, as a rule of thumb, never to ask whether you can do something. Say, instead, that you are doing it. Then fasten your seat belt. The most remarkable things follow." ~ Julia Cameron

Something to think about going into next week's BIW.

Greta Browne - BIW Member Interview

Moe When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Greta Browne: As a young teenager I thought of myself as a writer, and secretly named myself Inky because of the smudges from the fountain pen that I loved to use. Living in the boondocks of Brazil as the daughter of missionaries, I avidly consumed books that came in boxes and barrels from the churches that supported missionary families. Lorna Doone, Girl of the Limberlost, The Book of Knowledge A - Z, these helped create my mental universe, and somehow I was aware of the authors that nurtured my imagination. Wasn't writing the noblest of occupations!

Moe: Describe three lessons you have learned about writing?

Greta Browne: One of the first things I learned about writing was that for me real life trumps writing, as long as life is engaging and rewarding. A second learning was that wonderful things happen when I make myself spend the time it takes to write an idea or story all the way to the end. I learn so much; my imagination leaps to new places; I understand myself better. My third lesson would have to be that I'm not as great a writer as I thought when I was 14, but I don't have to be great to make it worthwhile, and I can work at honing my skills and developing my art.

Moe: What are you working on now?

Greta Browne: I am working on my life record as a basis for memoirs I hope to write, and on a novel that allows me to travel with my characters on their futuristic sailboat, between the U.S. and my beloved Brazil, without increasing my carbon footprint.

Moe: What is your favorite writing related book?

Greta Browne: I love to read about writers and am often inspired by their stories and lives. For a couple of years, long ago, I read from The Letters of Virginia Woolf. I learned about her loneliness as well as the importance of the friendships she was able to maintain.

Moe: What is your favorite writing website?

Greta Browne: Other than BIW, I don't use the internet much for my writing tips. I suppose I could access writing magazines online instead of reading them at the library.

Moe: Do you have an important BIW tip to pass along?

Greta Browne: I found that at first I was shy about sending in comments and sharing my observations with the listserv, especially when no one acknowledged them. But I persevered and now I feel entitled to welcome people, congratulate them, and tell them (briefly) what's going on in my writing life.

***
Greta Browne, mother of three and grandmother of three, lives in Bethlehem, PA, with her husband and two cats. She is a therapist, a chaplain, a peace and justice activist, and a writer in a line of writing women. She lived in China and Brazil as a child and in Niger as well as the United States as an adult.

Getting Emotional

It is not unusual to laugh, cry or feel anger when we are reading. How about when you write? Do you cry, laugh and get mad along with your characters?

I have always been an emotionally charged person so having an emotional release when I'm writing is not uncommon. In fact I quite enjoy that aspect of writing. On some level it is probably cathartic.

If I know I'm going to be writing a particularly emotional scene I try to schedule it when I know no one else will be around. A - to avoid scaring the heck out of someone and B - to avoid being interrupted. I would hate to transfer any anger or aggression on the wrong person!

How about you? How do you handle emotional writing?

Cristina A. Montes - BIW Member Interview

Moe: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Cristina A. Montes: When I was in grade school, the system for joining after-school clubs was that you list your three choices, and then the teachers and the guidance counsellor will put you in the club they think is best for you. In sixth grade, I wrote the science club as my first choice and the writing club as my second choice. The guidance counsellor then had a talk with me and told me to consider being placed in the writing club instead of the science club. I agreed.

Moe: Describe three lessons you have learned about writing?

Cristina A. Montes:

1. Just keep on writing. Even your worst pieces are worth the effort because they give you a chance to experiment with language. And sometimes, it takes several bad pieces before you come up with a good one.

2. Anything can be a potential subject for a story/poem/article/essay.

3. A writer should observe a lot and read a lot.

Moe: What are you working on now?

Cristina A. Montes: Having written non-fiction and poetry all my life, I'm trying to venture into fiction. I'm taking down notes, making sketches of characters, settings, etc. Hopefully, by the end of this year, I will have enough material to start writing a draft of a novel.

I still write occasional short non-fiction articles whenever I get an idea for an article worth writing. And I might write a few poems this week because it's Holy Week, and the Holy Week religious devotions always inspire me. I also aim to have a scholarly article published by the end of the year.

Moe: Do you have a favorite writing related book?

Cristina A. Montes: I just bought this book, The Writer's Workshop by Gregory Roper. The subtitle is "Imitating your way to good writing". It has writing exercises which encourage you to imitate excerpts from the great books, and in the process develop your own voice.

Moe: What is your favorite writing website?

Cristina A. Montes: I like the Writer's Digest website.

Moe: Do you have an important BIW tip you'd like to pass along?

Cristina A. Montes: I found that spending the rest of the month planning helps me do the BIW better.

***
Cristina A. Montes is from the Philippines. She works as a Court Attorney at her country's Supreme Court and loves writing in her spare time.

Something to think about

Three quotes to ponder:

"How do you expect to arrive at the end of your own journey if you take the road to another man's city?" ~ Thomas Merton


"By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be a boss and work twelve hours a day." ~ Robert Frost


"On the outskirts of every agony sits some observant fellow who points." ~ Virginia Woolf

Have a wonderful holiday!