FundsforWriters - September 15, 2017 - How to Make Time for Writing

Published: Fri, 09/15/17

Volume 17, Issue 37 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2017

Message from the Editor

I was interviewed for a podcast this morning - Mark Dawson's Self-Publishing Formula - to be released on a future date. I so needed that...getting back into the swing of things. Though still battling with the financial, emotional, and physical efforts of relocating my parents into assisted living and handling their affairs, I hadn't realized how much I'd strayed from my normal life. Suddenly I noticed that my writing life had been sucked away. . . and I missed it.

Like some of you, I have a strong spouse who supports me. A couple others in the family do as well, but many others just do not. So I get where many of you come from when you seek that much yearned for validation. Therefore, when I was no longer writing or not writing as much, they did not care. After all, it's just writing, right?

But Wednesday, when we were supposed to record the podcast, I didn't have a headset that worked. Embarrassing. We had to postpone to today, and in between I headed to Best Buy for a new headset. A remarkable young man enticed me to go to the REAL headset department (not the computer side of the store), and purchase a gaming headset.

I've discovered a new world! I'm never one to listen to music while writing, but I can while doing FundsforWriters, answering email, and handling administrative responsibilities. These days I'm listening to Beauty and the Beast: Of Hope and Love, from the television series with Ron Perlman. Someone mentioned it to me as a fine example of recited poetry as well as good music. How did I not know this CD before? I fell into the orchestra, the soft, sandpapery voice of "Vincent" reciting verse.

Some sun has peeked through the clouds as I work to write again, with music in the background. We shall see how it goes, but I know one thing....it makes me smile again.

C. Hope Clark
Editor, FundsforWriters
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	Those who haven't read any of C. Hope Clark's books are short-changing themselves. You can't begin a C. Hope Clark book and then put it down." - Clay Stafford, author / filmmaker, founder of Killer Nashville and publisher of Killer Nashville Magazine.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Editor’s THOUGHTS

HOW TO MAKE TIME FOR WRITING

I may have written an article on making time for writing way back when, but I'm a tough love sort of gal, where I believe writers simply make the time. When someone thinks writing is about squeezing it into an already busy schedule, they've already discounted it.

Instead, writing ought to simply be more important than something they are already doing, and they stop doing that other thing because it just makes sense. Writing commands attention and ought to be revered more than just being the thing one tries to make room for. Make sense? I have the same attitude about writer's block. Don't believe in it. You write or you don't.

That doesn't mean writing has to rule your world if you don't want to be a fulltime writer. However, don't expect to make good money by working parttime. Fulltime money means fulltime writing, and even so, fulltime writers struggle making enough income to live on.

Sure, life throws curves at you. I've had two parents with Alzheimer's who've consumed most of my time since March. However, returning to the writing soothes my soul. I may not be writing fulltime every day, but damn if I don't try to sit down and ease back into that world that nourishes me.

Writing isn't just something you do . . . it's what helps make you who you are. Don't neglect it. Respect it, and give it the attention it's due.

And respect yourself by writing for you.

Hope's Appearances

--September 21 - 9:30 AM - Interview WKDK radio, Newberry, SC

--September 24 - 7PM - The Writers Chatroom with Hope

--October 9 - 3PM - Nonfiction Authors Association interview

--November 3-5, 2017 - Independent Writers Conference - Philadelphia, PA - and guess who is one of the presenters! I'd love to meet a herd of FundsforWriters followers while I'm there. Check it out.

WORDS OF SUCCESS

Tears are words that need to be written.

~Paulo Coelho

Success Story

Hi Hope -

I wanted to share my recent successes and offer thanks.

My guest blog post entitled "The Rejection Letter of Yore" is now live and posted on Submittable at https://blog.submittable.com/2017/09/the-rejection-letter-of-yore/. Also I just learned that I have a contract on the way for my short story "But Names will Never Hurt Me" in the PERCEPTIONS: BULLYING anthology set for release in early 2018.

I need to thank you again for your invaluable advice echoed by "some random writer dude" whom you quoted in your latest newsletter, Hope......

WORDS OF SUCCESS
"When your story is ready for rewrite, cut it to the bone. Get rid of every ounce of excess fat. This is going to hurt; revising a story down to the bare essentials is always a little like murdering children, but it must be done." -Stephen King, in Writer's Digest

And finally, thanks for these words to live by whether you've ever put a blasted pen to paper or not......

Defy anything or anyone who wants to tell you what to fear. Instead, take all that information you hear and weed out the sarcasm, negativity, and complaints. Retain only the good . . . the guidance that will take you where you want to be. ~C. Hope Clark

Best wishes, and as ever, Write On

John Smistad

https://thequickflickcritic.blogspot.com/
Twitter at @QwikFlickCritic
https://plus.google.com/+ThequickflickcriticBlogspotalwaysupdated
http://www.themovieblog.com/author/john-smistad/

How to Use your Profession to Develop a Writing Niche

By Shoshanah Shear

When you become a freelance writer, you can potentially write for numerous websites, blogs and magazines. How you decide which clients to approach depends on the niche you select. Your niche also helps with branding, which enables potential clients to find you.

The most effective and engaging articles, blog posts and books are those written by authors with a passion for their subject. Passion adds that extra spice and energy that encourages the audience to keep reading and to interact.

If you are passionate about your chosen career, you need look no further than your profession to develop your niche. Start by brainstorming to develop a list or mind map of all areas or aspects of your profession that you enjoy the most and can write about. Think about your successes, challenges, role models and any message you wish to impart. Think about the knowledge gained from courses you might have taken. Perhaps you have assisted a client in an unusual way?

Consider writing styles, too. This is especially important when it comes to length, type and tone of the article. A well-researched, lengthy article is quite different to an anecdotal, humorous one.

Some questions to ask yourself in deciding what types of articles to write include: Do you want to motivate readers to join your profession? Do you want to educate the public regarding issues you believe are important? Or do you wish to create a friendly discussion with readers in your industry.

Now that you have a list of ideas and styles, you can start looking for work. Firstly, source a few good websites and blogs about writing for a living. Two of my favourites are: Writers in Charge [www.writersincharge.com] and Make a Living Writing [www.makealivingwriting.com]. While you familiarise yourself with the various forms of freelance writing, I highly recommend joining a writing group for support, encouragement and feedback on your progress and your writing. GoodReads.com has many groups one can join including a writing group. There are many writing groups on FaceBook e.g. Freelance Writers [https://www.facebook.com/groups/2351373470/].

Don't have a blog yet? Start one! It helps you refine your niche and test different styles and subjects. It helps you connect with readers and potential clients, and learn what they wish to know. Blogging also provides social proof when you pitch for writing jobs, e.g. The Role of Occupational Therapy in Sleep and Wellness. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shoshanah-shear/the-role-of-occupational-_b_12673818.html?1477582471]

Extending your blogging activity to creating content for client blogs is a wonderful way to earn. Securing a paid opportunity to write a column related to your profession can also position you as an expert in your field. This is a valuable marketing tool for gaining private clients.

Lastly, search for websites, magazines and blogs related to your profession. Don't forget the trade magazines! This article of the top ten trade magazines [http://www.allyoucanread.com/top-10-trade-magazines/] can give you ideas of what to look for. Though most professional journals do not pay for articles, you might be surprised to find that some do! Trade publications can also provide many ideas for article topics or companies to approach for work. I have found that scouring the adverts in professional journals opens many doors, from providing client contact details to triggering ideas for original content.

In summary, writing articles, blog posts or books can provide an interesting addition to your profession. This can become a side income stream or a new way to use your professional knowledge. Most of all, love sharing your professional knowledge with others. Love writing. Love your profession and love knowing what an impact you can have on the lives of others.

BIO - Shoshanah Shear is an occupational therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, freelance writer, author of "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story" and co-author of "Tuvia Finds His Freedom" http://healingoccupationaltherapy.blogspot.com

COmpetitions

TAKING FLIGHT
https://www.reddragonflyproductions.co.uk/upcoming
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 1, 2017. We are looking for new and emerging writers from East Asian, South Asian and South East Asian communities* in the UK who are interested in contributing. For Taking Flight 2018 we are looking for a thirty minute to an hour stage play, the subject of which can be anything you want – from something contemporary to more traditional folk and fairy tales - as long as it is family friendly – and we mean the whole family not just small children. The play should be written for a cast of up to five actors – although they can double up on characters if you want. There will be a £1,000 fee paid to each writer whose play is performed at the festival.

WRITING PITTSBURGH CREATIVE NONFICTION PRIZE
https://creativenonfiction.submittable.com/submit/85784/writing-pittsburgh-book-prize
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline October 23, 2017. The Writing Pittsburgh Book Prize will recognize one book focusing on a subject of regional and national significance, by a writer with a meaningful Pittsburgh connection. The author of the winning manuscript will receive a $10,000 honorarium; publication of their book by CNF's independent book imprint, In Fact Books (IFB); national distribution; and a marketing and publicity campaign. The winning author will work with CNF/IFB's editorial staff to refine and polish the manuscript. Publication will occur between one year and 15 months from the announcement of the prize.

FRONTIER POETRY AWARD FOR NEW POETS
https://www.frontierpoetry.com/poetry-award/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 30, 2017. The winning poet will be awarded $2000 and publication on Frontier Poetry. Second and third place will win $300 & $200 respectively, as well as publication. The top fifteen finalists will also be recognized. We do not hold preference for any particular style or topic—we simply seek the best poem we can find. Submissions are open to new and emerging writers (poets with no more than two full-length published works forthcoming at the time of submission).

LASCAUX REVIEW CONTESTS
http://lascauxreview.com/contests/
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline September 30, 2017. The Lascaux Prize in Poetry is presently open for submissions. Poems may be previously published or unpublished, and simultaneous submissions are accepted. Winner receives $1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication in The Lascaux Review. The winner and all finalists will be published in the 2018 Lascaux Prize Anthology. Two copies of the anthology will be supplied to every poet appearing in it.

THE 27th ANNUAL MISSOURI REVIEW JEFFREY E. SMITH EDITORS' PRIZE
https://www.missourireview.com/contests/jeffrey-e-smith-editors-prize/
Awards $5,000 and publication to the prize-winners in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Now open for submissions! Deadline: October 2.

GRANTS

ICELAND WRITERS RETREAT
http://www.icelandwritersretreat.com/not-publish-iceland-writers-retreat-alumni-award-applications-now-accepted-2/
Deadline October 31, 2017. The Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award offers talented writers in need of financial support an opportunity to attend the Iceland Writers Retreat in Reykjavík, Iceland in April, 2018. Anyone who is aged 18 or over on April 11, 2018 is eligible to apply. The winning candidate(s) must demonstrate that s/he does not have the financial means to attend the conference without this award. Candidates do not need to be professional writers, but should be serious about the craft and interested in developing their skills and contacts. Their writing interests should fit well with the faculty for the 2018 retreat (i.e. literary fiction, non-fiction, memoir). Entrants can apply for either full or partial funding. Full funding covers all participation in the Iceland Writers Retreat, as detailed on our website (including accommodation). The scholarship also includes round-trip flights to Iceland. Partial funding covers the participant fee only, and neither accommodation nor round trip flights.

NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL ROSTER
http://nvculture.org/nevadaartscouncil/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/03/AISCRosterGuidelinesAUG2017.pdf
Deadline October 31, 2017. The Nevada Arts Council (NAC) invites teaching artists and ensembles of all disciplines to apply to the 2019 - 2022 Artists in Schools + Communities (AIS+C) Roster. The AIS+C Roster is designed as an online resource for schools, organizations and communities to broaden and diversify participation in the arts through the engagement of artists in educational and community cultural residencies and programs. The roster will offer two tracks - an Education Track for arts-based learning experiences in pre-K-12 settings, and a Community Track for arts-based learning experiences in community settings. Artists may apply in one or both tracks.

THE ERMA BOMBECK / ANNA LEFLER HUMORIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
http://www.humorist-in-residence.com/
$25 APPLICATION FEE. Deadline October 6, 2017. A writing residency specifically for emerging humor writers. Located adjacent to the University of Dayton — alma mater of legendary humorist Erma Bombeck — the Humorist-in-Residence Program gives two emerging comedy writers the opportunity to step away from their regular routines to live and procrastinate work as full-time writers. Where? At the University of Dayton Marriott, of course. That's the idea behind “A Hotel Room of One's Own” — private, uninterrupted time for two writers to dive into their comedy projects without restrictions or responsibilities. It's the luxury of time, and an experience that can change a career. Plus room service! If you are selected as one of the 2018 Humorists-in-Residence, you will receive complimentary registration to attend the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, the only national workshop dedicated to humor writing, at the University of Dayton (April 5-7, 2018).

MASSACHUSETTS FELLOWSHIPS
http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/applications/fellows_guidelines.asp
The Artist Fellowships provide direct, unrestricted support to Massachusetts artists in recognition of exceptional original work, to foster the creation of new art in the Commonwealth. The Artist Fellowships provide competitive grants of $12,000 and finalist awards of $1,000 (award amounts contingent upon legislative appropriation). The number of awards per discipline category varies according to the number of applications reviewed, the recommendations of each panel, and program funds available. Deadline October 2, 2017 for Drawing & Printmaking, Poetry, and Traditional Arts. Grants announced by February 2018. Deadline January 29, 2018 for Choreography, Fiction/Creative Nonfiction, and Painting. Online application available: December 15, 2017 with a deadline of January 29, 2018. Grants announced by June 2018.

FREELANCE MARKETS

GRAIN
http://www.grainmagazine.ca/submissionguidelines/
Grain Magazine is an internationally acclaimed literary journal that publishes engaging, surprising, eclectic, and challenging writing and art by Canadian and international writers and artists. Poetry: Individual poems, sequences, or suites up to a maximum of six pages. Fiction: To a maximum of 3,500 words. Literary Nonfiction: To a maximum of 3,500 words. All contributors, regardless of genre, are paid $50 per page to a maximum of $250, plus two copies of the issue in which their work appears.

SUBMITTABLE BLOG
https://blog.submittable.com/submit/
Pays $50 for 600 to 800 words. We're interested in anything to do with the publishing industry or digital media. We're also interested in book reviews and essays that are of high literary quality and are a good fit for our audience of writers, artists, and publishers. Nothing generic-sounding, please. We want to hear your own unique, authentic voice. Additionally, we'd love to hear from people with contrary opinions to any posts on our blog and/or critiques and criticisms of our services. We'll absolutely publish opinions that suggest there's a better way.

TEACHING TOLERANCE
https://www.tolerance.org/about/writing-for-teaching-tolerance
Teaching Tolerance provides several opportunities for writers to contribute freelance magazine feature stories, magazine departments, short articles and curriculum materials. Feature stories of 800 to 1,600 words pay $1/word. Also accepting submissions for short columns around 600 words that also pay $1/word.

RATTLE
https://www.rattle.com/submissions/guidelines/
Rattle publishes unsolicited poetry and translations of poetry. Submissions are open year-round, always welcomed, and always free. Despite their growing prevalence in the literary community, we do not believe in submission fees and never will. Rattle does not accept work that has been previously published, in print or online (we do consider self-publishing to blogs, message boards, or Facebook as publication if it can be viewed publicly without login). Contributors in print receive $100/poem and a complimentary one-year subscription to the magazine. Online contributors receive $50/poem. All submissions are automatically considered for the annual Neil Postman Award for Metaphor, a $1,000 prize judged by the editors.

JOBS

CONTENT WRITER
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/447761461/
Location Indianapolis, Indiana. Due to rapid growth, Quality Companies is currently looking to add a Content Writer to their team. As a Content Writer you will write and deliver insightful, impactful copy for assigned marketing communication projects to effectively communicate about services, programs, products, etc. Qualified Candidates will take ownership of our blog, reviewing submissions and/or writing posts of different topics and create copy for social media postings, and marketing communications, emails, flyers, and whitepapers to key stakeholders or prospective customers.

WRITER
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/445275656/
Location Malvern, Pennsylvania. Seeking someone to create multifaceted, creative communication campaigns that incorporate articles, visuals, Flash awareness ads, and new approaches to old subject matter for Strategy and Finance. To create accurate, high-quality copy in a timely manner that meets business objectives.

WRITER
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/443010154/
Location Ann Arbor, Michigan. The University of Michigan is seeking a qualified Writer to develop and execute a wide range of editorial projects for external and internal audiences including composing marketing communications, developing content for Academic Innovation Initiatives, and implementing communications strategies for the Office of Academic Innovation.

WRITER
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/387787521/
Location Boston, Massachusetts. The ideal person for this job is seeking a creative position and an opportunity to work with the world’s top B2B brands. The role offers an opportunity to devise creative content and oversee its successful implementation. Our talented and collaborative team will support the writer in succeeding in this role.

Publishers/agents

JENNIFER LYONS LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.jenniferlyonsliteraryagency.com/who.html
Jennifer Lyons seeks literary fiction and upmarket, commercial women's fiction. Narrative nonfiction. Children's books, especially middle grade and young adult. Jeff Ourvanseeks nonfiction, especially narrative nonfiction histories, biographies, international current events, finance, science and sports; fiction, particularly in the young adult, middle grade, mystery, sci-fi and thriller categories. Pamela Malpas seeks fiction (literary and upmarket commercial, crime and suspense) that examines moral problems, family dynamics, and human behavior. Narrative nonfiction in history, natural history, arts and culture. She does not consider nonfiction in the areas of pop culture, self-help or practical nonfiction, nor fiction in the categories of science fiction/fantasy, romance/erotica, juvenile or YA fiction.

BARRY GOLDBLATT LITERARY AGENCY
http://www.bgliterary.com/submission-guidelines/
Seeks speculative fiction of all stripes, especially innovative science fiction or fantasy that explores worlds we haven’t seen before; contemporary/erotic/LGBT/paranormal/historical romance; contemporary or speculative YA; select mysteries, thrillers, and urban fantasies. Please, do not send any middle-grade, chapter, or picture books, or nonfiction.

THE COOKE AGENCY
http://www.cookeagency.ca/submissions.htm
The Cooke Agency represents authors of literary and commercial fiction (including science fiction, fantasy and crime); narrative-driven nonfiction (specifically in the areas of health and well-being, popular culture, science, history, politics, natural history and personal reference); mind/body/spirit resources; and middle-grade and young adult books. We do not represent poetry, picture books, or screenplays.

THE GREENHOUSE LITERARY AGENCY
https://www.greenhouseliterary.com/submissions/
We specialize in writing for children: picture book author/illustrators with texts of less than 1,000 words; high-concept/character-led chapter-book series; middle grade novels; young-adult novels. Very occasionally, a non-fiction proposal will be considered. Please note: We are NOT looking for – and will delete without response – picture book texts (ie, by writers who aren’t also illustrators), short stories, educational or religious/inspirational work, poetry, pre-school/novelty material, screenplays or writing aimed at adults. Unless we have specifically requested them, we will also delete any emails sent with attachments or with links to work.