All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
Advice, Author, Book, Character Development, Characters, Creating Real Life Characters, Creative Writing, Editing

Books Books Books

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When I go to a used book store the first place that is sought out is the section on writing. There is usually something that can be useful. Lately I am finding that most of the books shelved are also on my bookcase at home. I am getting a nice collection of books on writing. In fact there are so many novels that I can run my own mini library if needed. Yes you would need to sign them out thank you very much. 🙂

Topics that I have books on:

-Two high school English books

-How to get a literary agent

-How to get your book published without an agent

-How to write for children

-How to write short stories

-How to get published

-How to write query letters/cover letters

-Every edition of Writer’s Digest for the past two years

-Writer’s Market for the last two years

-Children’s Market

The list goes on. I can not be alone on this right? The ones that I gravitate to and are within easy reach are:

-Story Engineering

-Stephen King On Writing

-Hook

-The Elements of Style

-Write Where You Are: How to Use Writing to Make Sense of Your Life

-The Essential Writer’s Companion

-MLA Handbook

There are so many books that one can get overwhelmed. Especially if you are just starting out. The fact I had to get a new bookcase just for these books said it all. Hopefully among the volumes of books you come across there will be useful information that you can apply to your own writings. If there are books out there that has helped you, let me know. What’s one more book, right?

Life, memories, Rocking Chair, Smiles, Yard sale

Rocking Chair

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My entire life has been surrounded by rocking chairs. Growing up we had two in the kitchen, two in the living room, two on the porch and quite a few in the shed that was connected to the house. Rocking was a way of life for our family and for the many generations before us.

When I went away to college in the South and came into contact with people they would look at me odd when I would say, “Man I miss my rocking chair.” I am not sure if it is a cultural aspect or not but it seems as the years go by, this thought is confirmed.

I have been through so many rocking chairs that my husband now refuses to buy me any more. He said I am hard on them which is so true. I rock fast and quickly to a beat in my head or thoughts that make me pulsate the chair at a rate that it was not meant to surpass. It is surprising that flight has not been taken over the last few years. Get me on a rocking chair on the porch is such a great feeling, especially if it is raining or there is a slight breeze. It propels you to a different state of mind and helps you forget any crap that might be occurring. It is like a good book that helps you to be free.

It has been a few years since I have had a rocking chair. Every time I would see one it would be a reminder to my childhood and memories that would always make me smile. It would also tell me of my promise to get myself another chair down the road when I had the time.

Going to breakfast yesterday my husband and I saw a couple of signs for yard sales and decided to stop at one of them. There in the front yard was a rocking chair. Without realizing it I had stopped walking and ended up blocking the pathway. Looking at it I asked the owner how much he was asking which was $20.00. Not having that on me I hoped that by the time the trip to the ATM and back had been done that the chair would still be there. My husband looked at me and forked over the money.

The instantaneous glee in my heart made it beat just a little faster. A rocking chair I had a rocking chair in my possession. Needless to say I have no room for one but room will be made somehow someway for my latest love. As I write this post it sits by me urging me to stop what I am doing and to go for a ride with it. That is a wonderful idea.

To people who have never felt the joy of rocking in a chair, give it a try. You have so little to lose and so much to gain.

Time to rock.

Book, children's book, Electronic submission, Manuscript, NaNoEdMo, Publishers, Publishing, Publishing House

Anticipation

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“Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin’ me late
Is keepin’ me waitin’ ”

Does anyone remember this song?

In February of this year I attended a free writers conference. From that contacts were made from small press publishers. I submitted my first novel to one in late March and within a couple of weeks the rest of the MS was requested. It was told to me that the time frame of hearing anything would be 4-6 weeks. Cool! Now I had to sit down and wait and not obsess over this every single hour of every single day. Piece of cake NOT well at first anyway.

In that time I completed the second volume to the book, edited 80 percent of my NaNoWriMo book of 2011 and now just a couple of chapters shy of another novel being finished. The days have gone faster since the concentration has been back on my writings and not waiting for the call whether the news be positive or negative. I don’t think of it daily like I use to thankfully for that made for some long days.

Though to be perfectly honest my mind has spread out into dream land if I get the call and receive the news most writers wait for. It is hard not to fantasize of getting one’s first book in print the traditional way. I do have two short stories that were published in an ebook anthology and that still gives me a little woohoo especially when I look at the book on line.

But to get one’s book in print and hold it in our hands well let’s just say I really really would love to know how that feels. It use to be when I started writing it was with thoughts of money. But over the last two years it has mellowed to just loving to write and homing in on my craft. Interacting with fellow writers whether that be on line or in real life gives me a burst of energy that is so hard to explain. For they get what I am trying to do and understand why I am doing it. They get me.

I just love to write. Hopefully some day down the road people will not only pick up one of my books but enjoy it to where it gives them a smile. If I can accomplish that then I am successful.