Social Media Woes?

I’m on Facebook and Myspace.  I only have the former because of my best friend and the latter has become a music-laden wasteland where my personal bits of interest go to disappear.  Even still, I am on them, though not for networking.

 I can’t have multiple accounts on one social site.  It often goes against the terms of use and sounds more consuming than helpful.  But, if you use a few for personal relationships, how do you use the sites to their fullest potential when you need professional places as well?  (And, before you suggest it, I am VERY uncomfortable with Facebook’s idea of “lists” among your contacts and creating more than one account is a huge no-no anyway.)

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For “business”, I have this blog.  I can meet new people, exchange ideas, include the URL(s) when I get published, and spread my thoughts around like the common cold in an elevator.  But is it enough?

Nearly every writer I meet has a list of social media links the size of Santa’s Naughty List.  Perhaps they’re going overboard.  Or, maybe I’m the one who needs to change.

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So, how many social sites are YOU on?
Which one do you find the most valuable?  Which one is the easiest for you to use?  Am I missing out on anything? 

Two Links to Published Poems

Hello everyone,

Just stopped by to post links to two of my poems that are on the web right now. 

http://www.diversevoicesquarterly.com/minute-time-travel-of-a-lover-pained

http://www.abilitymaine.org/breath/spr13c.html

Let me know what you think!

Contest Update

According to the rules, the winners had to e-mail me by this time. I have only heard from one person regarding their prize. Because of this, new winners have been notified, and the other people have forfeited their prize. I'm sorry I have to do this, but it's the rules of the giveaway. Thank you everyone.

Announcing the winners!

Thank you, all who entered.

The winners are:

Fraction of Stone- Sheena-kay Graham
Frosted- Susana F (Sorry commenting didn't work. Thank you for e-mailing me.)
Nightfire- E.J. Wesley
Amazon Gift Card- Lorelei

Winners please e-mail me within a week's time at everythingitntales@hotmail.com.

Both Panster and Plotter

By

Lena Winfrey Seder

There is a lot of talk about whether writers are ‘pansters’ or ‘plotters’.  I can’t answer for other writers, but as for me, I am a bit of both. How can one be both? It depends on what type of writing it is.

Non-fiction writing requires more planning, researching and plotting. It needs to be more organized than fiction. I write both fiction and non-fiction. I used to do some newspaper reporting. There has to be some planning, even for a short article.

Non-fiction and fiction both have a lot of things in common like the fact there has to be a beginning, a middle and an end. Fiction also needs a bit of planning as well. However, it depends on how much research one wants to put into fiction. Also, it depends on the writer’s style of writing.

I know some writers who use elaborate character descriptions and backgrounds before they even begin a book. They plan out the plot and do a lot of pre-writing. Other writers let a story develop on its own and take them on a journey. I do a bit of both. I loosely outline a book or story.  I choose some characters with basic descriptions and a basic, loose plot, but then I jump in and develop the story. The story will grow and change; sometimes it will detour from the plot to something more interesting. The story comes alive.

With both fiction and non-fiction, I have to either have an interest or a driving passion for it to go well. My best writing is from something I’m passionate about. Books and characters are like our children.  We love our favorite characters.

I don’t chain myself to one genre; I write what I like or I’m inspired to write. I write poetry, short stories, novels and screenplays as well as both fiction and non-fiction. My current work in progress is a paranormal novel.

I am thankful for my basic talent in writing; it has helped me when I’m on the spot with a tight deadline. I have been able to push myself to come up with amazing ideas in short periods of time and under pressure, and the results have been great! However, this is not always the best way, but at times it is needed. Writing is part raw talent while the biggest part is hard work. There are many talented people in the world, but if they don’t work hard they will not see good results. Success doesn’t fall out of the sky; it has to be earned with ‘sweat, blood and tears.’

I have been writing since I was in high school. I did some teaching of English for years. I suddenly realized one day that writing was not a hobby but a career. I love writing. To me, it is like breathing air; I can’t live without doing it.

And as writers, we cannot pretend to know everything. When we have doubts or questions about how to do something in writing, formatting, marketing, etc. then we must go and research. We must constantly work on strengthening our skills and abilities. No one is perfect, but at the same time we must strive to continuously improve the quality of our writing. Learning never stops; it continues until the grave.

You can find me on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lena-Winfrey-Seder/205263366234430

My blog is:  http://PearldropsonthePage.blogspot.com

WMD (Writers of Mass Distraction) group blog (I am a member):  http://wmdgroup.wordpress.com

My published non-fiction novel can be found at:

http://www.amazon.com/Metamorphosis-Muslim-Autobiography-Conversion/dp/6035010873/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356645626&sr=1-1&keywords=the+metamorphosis+of+a+muslim

Good luck and good writing!

 

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Comment for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card

Alyson Burdette's Take on Writing

As a writer, I spend a lot of time researching ideas, thoughts, and things in general. Google is my best friend. I read lots of books, magazines, and newspapers. I watch a ton of movies and television shows. I do a lot of this is because I enjoy doing it, but the more I write, the more I find myself analyzing everything I take in. Entertainment is more about learning and understanding stories for me now.

When I watch films, I study the characters, the plot development. I try and spot all the little pieces that make each movie work (or fail.) When I read, I’m not just doing it for pleasure anymore. I tear apart the pacing, the dialogue, and every bit of a story in a way that’s really not fair to the author. I want to understand why a story is successful and enjoyable, so I can emulate that in my own work.

Of course, the problem with this is that it’s easy to get lost in other people’s ideas and techniques. There’s a little piece of unique author voice that can get lost in the shuffle of trying to do things in a way that is pleasing to the reader. Writing can be a careful balancing act between art and science. Really successful authors are those who have mastered this process. Anyone who has ever written anything can tell you that writing is hard work. Sure a lot of it is fun, but it takes real time and effort to put together a functional story.

Every time I read something, I hope it helps me become better as a writer. I think most people in general read to improve themselves in some way. They read to distract themselves from the strain of everyday life and cope with their personal struggles, or to educate themselves on whichever topic catches their interest. Stories (whether that be books, or movies or whatever else) generally improve and enhance our lives. That’s why it’s so important for writers and people in general to take in as many stories as they can. They make us better writers and better people.

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Visit Alyson's writing blog:  http://alysonburdette.blogspot.com

Enter the drawing for a copy of Alyson's novel Nightfire by leaving a comment on this post.

Wendy Sparrow Talks Frosted Inspiration

What Dreams May Come

 

Most authors get asked the source of their inspiration. While some authors get tired of the question, I’m curious about that, myself, when I read interviews from other authors. Some of what I’ve written has a murky provenance, and I couldn’t tell you how it formed and grew. It often builds from various sources and when it won’t get out of my head, I write it.

Frosted had a clear start. I had a dream one night that a woman was walking along avoiding the snow and then she stopped and peered down into a frozen puddle…and there was Jack Frost, looking frustrated and arrogant because he wanted her back as his queen but he couldn’t reach her. Voilà! Frosted was born. The first sentence in Frosted is: Kate skirted the snow as if it were boiling, bubbling lava.

This isn’t uncommon. I’ve spoken with other authors who’ve said their seed idea came from a dream. Usually, it’s just a plot point, a character, or a scene.  Two of my other manuscripts were inspired by dreams. You’ve probably read books that were inspired by dreams. The one that comes to mind first is Twilight. Stephanie Meyers dreamed about the scene in the meadow from the first book in that series. Other well-known dream inspired books: Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Stuart Little, and Misery were all supposedly inspired by dreams.

Robert Louis Stevenson said in Chapter on Dreams: When he lay down to prepare himself for sleep, he no longer sought amusement, but printable and profitable tales. (Actually, I’d rather not have the dream that inspired Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to be honest. And I’m not sure I’d have tried to recall it long enough to write it down…though I’m glad he did.)

Most of my dreams aren’t inspiring. I still have those dreams where all my teeth fall out or I’m at high school and I’ve forgotten to attend classes…all semester. Then, there are the dreams that leave me staring at the ceiling long after I’ve woken up thinking, “What if?”

I’ve currently got an idea keeping me awake that, ironically, came to me while I was asleep. It involves giant bugs. I’m still not sure if I’ll write it.

So, do you know of any other authors who dream up their ideas and do you find a story’s source as interesting as I do? Or do you have the dream where your teeth fall out?—I hate that one. (Answer in the comments.) And I’d love to hear your thoughts on Frosted, winter, and the King of Winter either here or on Twitter (@WendySparrow.)

Thanks for letting me guest spot on your blog, Jennifer.

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Visit Wendy's Blog:  http://ladybugsroar.blogspot.com

Comment on this post for the chance to win a copy of Frosted!