FundsforWriters - January 12, 2018 - How Writers Can Become Songwriters

Published: Fri, 01/12/18

Volume 18, Issue 2 | JANUARY 12, 2018

Message from the Editor

I started the new novel - the crossover one. I've never been one to enjoy the beginning of a novel, but I adore writing last chapters. For some reason those flow right out of me.

In the meantime, I stutter and stammer through my fingers, fighting to gain purchase into the story. I don't care how much you outline, finding that voice and atmosphere takes time.

So what's a crossover? It's where two series overlap. In this one, Callie Jean Morgan meets Carolina Slade. Not nearly as easy as it may sound.

Do I make this a Callie book with Slade visiting? Or vice versa?

Do I write Callie in third person and Slade in first, just like their respective series? Or pick one voice?

Do I set the book on Edisto or not?

Whose sidekicks do I bring into the picture?

Which series do I place it in, the Edisto Island Mysteries or the Carolina Slade Mysteries?

How do they share the protagonist role?

Who finds the body?

Yep, it's proving a challenge. But like most challenges, I should learn a lot before this ordeal/opportunity is over. Then regardless which series you love, you'll have a new book to read!

- - -

As a reminder, Edisto Stranger, book 4 in the Edisto Island Mystery series, is on sale for $1.99 through Jan 15, 2018!

C. Hope Clark
Editor, FundsforWriters
Email Hope | Visit Website | Sign up for Newsletter
Newsletter: ISSN: 1533-1326
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Our subscriber list is NOT made available to others. Use information listed at your own risk. FundsforWriters gives no warranty to completeness, accuracy, or fitness of the markets, contests and grants although research is done to the best of our ability.

TWITTER - http://twitter.com/hopeclark
AUTHOR SITE - http://www.chopeclark.com
FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/chopeclark
GOODREADS - http://www.goodreads.com/hopeclark
BOOKBUB - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-hope-clark

Time to crank out some words! The goal is 500 per day. We'll see how long that lasts...hopefully as long as THE END.

As usual, Ms. Clark delivers a riveting ride, with her irrepressible characters set squarely in the driver’s seat. If it wasn’t so much fun to be re-united with Callie Jean Morgan and the rest of the Edisto gang I might have to scold Clark for keeping me up way past my bedtime. But lucky for her, this read is worth every lost wink."

- Rachel Gladstone, Dish Magazine

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

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EDitor’s THOUGHTS

THE WORTH OF NAYSAYERS

I cleaned out some files last week and stopped cold at a ten-year-old folder of agent rejections. I'm not sure why I kept them all these years, especially once I landed a contract for my first series. Maybe it was to show them somehow downstream. Maybe it was to let each one know that I managed to write a book decent enough to publish. . . in spite of them.

But my books haven't sold a half million copies nor have they been made into movies, so I'm not sure how much effect I would have on people who don't remember who I was nor recognize who I've become today. There's just too much noise in the world these days for agents to know all the great authors, much less the mid-list ones.

So I threw the folder on a stack to shred, and again, stopped. These responses altered my life. Some spurned me. Some were nice. Some called me boring. Some said I had no zing. Some encouraged me. Did I want to close this door or keep it open as a constant reminder of how far I've come?

Then I stumbled across this quote while hunting for quotes to add to my newsletters.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." – Mark Twain.

To me, that meant don't look behind you, wondering about that harbor you left behind. Instead, move forward, think future. "Explore. Dream. Discover."

I didn't need to waste energy thinking of my past failings. I shredded the letters. Now I have one more file to fill with acceptances, contracts, and congratulations from those who ride with me on my boat, heading forward.

PREVIOUS FAVORITE POSTS:

HOPE'S 2018 APPEARANCES:

May 1, 2018 - Noon, keynote, Newberry, SC Friends of the Library Luncheon
May TBD - Chapin, SC Chamber of Commerce celebration of the release of Newberry Sin
October (first week) - Edisto Bookstore signing, Edisto, SC
November TBD - Philadelphia, PA BookBaby Conference

WORDS OF SUCCESS

"Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right.' Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along."

~Napoleon Hill~

SUccess Story

Hope, thank you for all you do at the FundsforWriters newsletter. My "Success Story" has finally come after nine years writing the first three books of the Father Jake Austin mystery series. Coffeetown Press will release the first book (paperback and eBook), entitled DEROS, worldwide on February 1st 2018. The second book in the series, Miracles, should be released later in 2018.

I suspect is different for everyone, but I guess for me, Hope, your newsletter provided two main things in my journey:

First, the Message from the Editor, the Editors Thoughts, and Feature Articles often encouraged me to set goals and benchmarks, like meeting deadlines, the importance of writing partners (thank you to my Publish Or Parish writing group), and learning to "kill my babies" (to delete even the parts I "loved") when necessary. Some of your guest authors also helped me to look at writing from fresh perspectives. Initially, I had to force myself to write 300-500 words per day, but now I can't wait to get to the computer keyboard.

Secondly, the Success Stories & Words Of Success segments provided encouragement in the face of rejection, which all writers face. I slowly learned to take the positive suggestions from any rejections. Writing is a solitary sport, but you reminded me that I was not in it alone, and that a blank page is just opportunity knocking.

Thanks again.
Best, John Vanek
JohnVanekAuthor.com

eatured article

How Writers Can Become Songwriters

By Mella Barnes

I am lucky to make a living as both a songwriter and a “regular writer.” When I tell other writers about my songwriting, they typically respond with, “I wish I could do that!” My response is always, “Why don’t you?” I hear reasons like, “I don’t know how,” or “I can’t sing.” These excuses seem reasonable, but I’m here to tell you that if you’re a writer, you CAN be a songwriter and you CAN get paid for it! Here’s a step-by-step process to becoming a songwriter:

1. Analyze your strengths

If you’re someone who doesn’t use a lot of creative writing, you’ll want to start putting some work into this. Songwriting is all about emotion. Take your latest piece of writing and see how it could be a song. If you’re thinking, “nothing I write could be a song,” here’s an example: Let’s say you’ve written an article about online shopping. It’s a straight-forward, how-to guide. What if the person shopping is buying things to care for a sick loved one? What if they have a spending addiction and need to stop? Use imaginative stories to find your lyrics.

2. Practice lyric writing

Having a great story won’t matter if you can’t make it fit the music. This is the biggest issue with new lyric writers. They don’t know how to write in a way that will fit into a song. Songwriting is largely math-based. If line one has 6 syllables, line two should as well (you can play around with this once you’re experienced, but for now just keep it simple). Use a metronome and say your words out loud. Can you clearly speak them to a beat? If not, make edits.

3. Meet cowriters

Now you’re ready to put your words to music! If you already play an instrument, you’re a step ahead. However, you can easily meet potential cowriters at open mic nights. I saw a woman read a poem she wrote at an open mic. She was so good that several people asked her to co-write after she was done! Practice speaking your words and getting into a rhythm, then perform them in front of musicians. If you’re stage-shy, post them on your website and social media. Connect with other writers and offer your awesome lyric writing skills.

4. Get co-writing credit

This is where the money is. When you write a song with someone, whoever’s name is on the track gets paid. Determine how you’ll split royalties ahead of time (before the song is finished or released). Typically, if two people write a song they’ll split it 50/50. Decide how you want to split it and go from there. Do not give away your credit unless you are offered some type of up-front pay!

5. Get paid

Now you’re at the point where you’ll pitch your songs to publishers. You and/or your co-writers will attend pitching events or submit by mail or email. Sign up for a royalty tracking service (BMI or ASCAP are used in the USA) and register your songs. Use those companies to find pitches in your area, or find publishing houses through them to submit songs. You don’t need a big hit for decent money! If your song is chosen for a commercial, you’ll get a few cents every time it’s played. This adds up!

Hopefully these tips will inspire you to try songwriting. It can be a fun and creative way to earn income, and you might write the next big hit!

BIO - Mella Barnes is a singer/songwriter with writing featured in Songwriting Magazine and The Huffington Post. She blogs about the music business, giving advice to new songwriters at www.mellamusic.com

COmpetitions

TO HULL AND BACK SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-competition/
£9 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2018. Christopher Fielden’s Annual Short Story Competition “To Hull And Back” is a humorous writing contest. First Prize: £1,000. Second Prize: £500. Third Prize: £250. Three Highly Commended: £50. Fourteen Shortlisted: £25. All winners and shortlisted entries will be published in the To Hull And Back Short Story Anthology. This will be available as a professionally published, printed book and as a Kindle download. The book will have an ISBN number. If you’re published in the book, a writer’s profile will appear alongside your story and on the website.

BATH CHILDREN’S NOVEL AWARD
https://bathnovelaward.co.uk/childrens-novel-award/
£25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline November 2018. Opens in May 2018. The Bath Novel Award is a competition open to novelists, of any nationality, who have yet to sign a traditional publishing deal for a novel. Submit a novel extract (up to the first 5,000 words) and synopsis (one page). Novels can be in any genre written for middle grade or young adult readers. Picture books are not eligible. The winner will receive £2,000. One shortlisted writer will receive a £500 voucher from Cornerstones Literary Consultancy which may be exchanged for editorial reports and / or mentoring hours to the value of £500 in either of Cornerstones’ US or UK houses. There is no cash alternative to this prize. Shortlisted writers will also be offered the opportunity to be introduced to an individually tailored list of literary agents by email or other means. This is an entirely free and optional service.

FLASH 500 SHORT STORY CONTEST
http://www.flash500.com/index.html
£7 ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 28, 2018. This contest is for stories between 1,000 and 3,000 words. Prizes are £500, £200, £100.

REFLEX FLASH FICTION
https://www.reflexfiction.com/flash-fiction-competition-rules/
ENTRY FEE £7 / $9 / €9. Deadline February 28, 2018. Entries must be fiction but can be on any subject, and written in any style or form. We do not recommend poems and stories written for children. Please, no fan fiction or use of copyrighted material, characters, song lyrics etc. The flash fiction competition is international and welcomes entrants from all countries. Entries must be at least 180 words but no more than 360 words. Prizes: £1,000 first, £500 second, £250 third.

GRANTS

CHULITA LODGE
http://chulitnalodge.com/
Location Lake Clark National Park, Alaska. Chulitna Lodge Artist-In-Residence Program seeks to provide the time, space, clarity, and facilities for all forms of creative professionals to make and meditate. We encourage the gamut, from seasoned professionals to enthusiastic hobbyists, to apply for our various programs. Chulitna Lodge is 180 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska. The property is an inholding on hundreds of square miles of national park, so there are no roads leading in or out. The only access is by plane. Full scholarships include Room & Board plus flight from anywhere in the continental U.S. and commuter flight from Anchorage to Port Alsworth and require a minimum of six-week commitment between June 1 and September 30. Partial scholarships include Room & Board, but not transportation. Work study options are also available.

HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK RESIDENCY (MAUI, HAWAI'I)
https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/2019-apply-haleakala-nation
Deadline February 7, 2018. Term of residency August 1-31, 2019. This residency includes $2,000 plus any direct donations to artists (this can be upwards of $28,000), and housing inside the Park on the Island of Maui. A rare privilege! Free use of the Wilderness Cabins in the park for a seven-night maximum. Provides a venue for the artist's public presentation(s).

MENDOCINO COAST WRITER' CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS
http://mcwc.org/
The Mendocino Coast Writers' Conference (MCWC) is offering several scholarships to make MCWC 2018, August 2-4, accessible to writers from diverse backgrounds — and to reward writing of outstanding merit. Scholarship applications open on January 1 and close on February 15, 2018. MCWC is a vibrant writers' conference located on the beautiful Mendocino coast. Morning workshops are offered in a wide range of genres relevant to many experience levels. Afternoons are packed with craft seminars, one-on-one consultations, open mic readings, and more. Evenings are full of community and camaraderie. An add-on or stand-alone publishing bootcamp, taught by industry-leader Jane Friedman, will be offered the day after the main conference.

ELIZA SO FELLOWSHIP
https://blog.submittable.com/2017/12/the-2018-eliza-so-fellowship/
Deadline March 25, 2018. This month-long residency in Las Vegas will offer award recipients time and solitude to help them finish a book that is already in progress. The 2018 fellowships will include room and board at The Writer’s Block, along with a $500 food stipend and $400 toward travel. You must have a novel, collection of stories, memoir, or other prose work (fiction, nonfiction or hybrid) in progress (100 pages minimum) or poetry collection in progress (30 pages minimum). And you are either: a) A US immigrant (documented or undocumented), b) An indigenous writer with significant ties to Montana (either you are from Montana, live in Montana currently, or have another significant affiliation with Montana). (Thanks www.erikadreifus.com)

FREELANCE MARKETS

SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY WRITERS OF AMERICA BLOG
http://www.sfwa.org/sfwa-publications/sfwa-blog-guidelines/
The SFWA Blog is open to nonfiction submissions that might be of interest to new and/or established writers of science fiction and fantasy. Length 500-1,000 words. Pay six cents per word.

ATLAS OBSCURA
https://docs.google.com/document/d/148yIs0J9bsmN3guV9arbundXjvZAL_OLUk4BywX9tm4/edit
If you are pitching us a write-up of a place that you have visited or heard about, it is probably most suited to be an entry in the Places database. These are crowd-sourced submissions that go through an editorial process before being published. For the Stories section, we are seeking original journalism. Stories that will surprise us and article ideas that would never have occurred to us but that we won’t be able to stop thinking and talking about. We pay for stories, at rates competitive with other online-only publications.

CHICKEN SOUP
http://www.chickensoup.com

Christmas and Holiday Stories - Deadline: January 30, 2018.
The holidays have just ended, so write your stories while they’re still fresh in your minds. We want to hear about your holiday memories and rituals, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Share the funny things too: the ugly sweater, the gingerbread house that kept falling down, and the fruit cake disaster.

Stories about Moms - Deadline: September 30, 2018.
We are collecting stories and poems about your mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, or honorary mothers who are just “like a mom” to you. Share your favorite anecdotes about her. Do you still turn to her for advice? Have you become your mom even though you swore you never would? How has your relationship changed as you’ve gotten older? We are not looking for general tributes (we know your mom is terrific) or biographies or eulogies—we want compelling, interesting, entertaining stories.

The Best Advice I Ever Heard - Deadline: February 28, 2018.
Has anyone ever given you a piece of advice that changed everything? Something that was so obvious and rational that you’ve never forgotten it? It could have changed your life in a major way, or it could have been just the ticket for a little tweak to your happiness. Did you pass on the advice to someone else, too? Share it with our readers now, in a book that we’ll publish for New Year New You 2019.

The Miracle of Love ***This title was formerly posted as “Love Stories” - Deadline: January 15, 2018.
Tell us how you found love, especially if you have a story that will make our readers say “Wow.” New love, old love—please warm our hearts with your stories and poems. Please note this book is for adults, not for teenagers. We’re happy to hear about your high school sweetheart if you ended up together, but we are not looking for stories from current teens about teen relationships.

JOBS

FREELANCE HEALTH AND FITNESS WRITER - REMOTE
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=5c8990a9cf9c62c1
Cody is looking for content writers to craft original fitness and health content: our current focus is on blog articles and premium plan descriptions geared towards the practice of yoga. We seek those with a dedicated writing practice who can execute and elaborate on the ideas of our Marketing and Media teams. You will research content as needed, and write from the voice of our company. This is a remote position that is contracted for one year with a check in every three months to make sure the role is a good match for you. The position has potential for renewal. Although remote, you will have close and continuous contact with our Marketing team. If you believe you would thrive in this position, please submit a resume, cover letter, and one to three samples of your writing.

DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR - IRVINE, CALIFORNIA
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=d86f1b9ec11a99a4
Reporting to the Digital Marketing Manager, the Digital Content Editor serves as a functional and technical expert in developing, writing and editing content for UC Irvine Health's public digital channels, including organizational websites, social media, digital signage, online advertisements, mobile websites and applications, online portals and electronic newsletters. The editor is responsible for ensuring online content is fresh, relevant and compelling and consistent with the organization's strategic goals, brand and messaging. A solid understanding of web writing and best practices to ensure content is optimized for search engines is required.

STAFF WRITER - REMOTE
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=90ab15c9449634a8
Ballotpedia exists to build the encyclopedia of American politics . We build that encyclopedia by researching and writing about our areas of coverage, generating an unbiased resource for scholars, journalists, voters, and interested citizens. To succeed as a Staff Writer, you will have experience that enables you to communicate complex trends and opinions in a neutral, clear, and concise manner and have a propensity for innovation and flexibility. Four-year degree required.

SOCIAL MEDIA WRITER AND CONTENT CREATOR - HOUSTON, TEXAS
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=5e97ed557a549e55
Pop Ratio, a boutique communications firm specializing in public relations and social media, is seeking a Social Media Writer and Content Creator to work on a contract, remote basis. The first contract would be for six months, with the opportunity for an extension or growth into a full time roll in the future. Write copy that speaks to existing media – images and video, with provided content editorial calendar (approximately 50 unique posts per week for Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, divided into posts for three assigned clients).

Publishers/agents

HOLLOWAY LITERARY AGENCY
https://hollowayliteraryagency.com/submissions/
Based in Raleigh, NC and established in 2011, Holloway Literary is a full-service agency that represents writers in romance, women’s and southern fiction, mystery, thriller, historical, literary, science fiction and select young adult.

ZIMMERMAN LITERARY AGENCY
http://zimmermannliterary.com/submissions
I am currently concentrating my non-fiction efforts in health and wellness, relationships, popular culture, women's issues, lifestyle, sports, and music. I am also drawn to memoirs that speak to a larger social or historical circumstance, or introduce me to a new phenomenon. And I am always looking for a work of fiction that will keep me up at night!

GLASS LITERARY MANAGEMENT
http://www.glassliterary.com/submissions
Glass Literary Management is a full-service literary agency designed to take a hands-on approach with book authors at every stage of the development and publication process. We work with the top professionals in the industry to maximize our clients’ success, including film and television agents, managers, and producers; publicists and marketing experts; foreign agents; speaker’s bureaus; freelance editors; and writing collaborators. We do not represent picture books for children.