Hiring an editor can be one of the hardest things to do as a writer. It often means: trusting someone to understand what you are trying to portray in your writing, leaving yourself open and vulnerable to critiques, biting your tongue when the editor tells you something about your story doesn’t work and the hardest of them all, the idea of someone cutting sections of your book (which often feels like someone cutting chunks out of your heart). Because for most writers, writing can often feel like opening up a vein—it’s a big part of whom we are.
However, I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a professional editor look at your book once it’s finished. And by finished I don’t just mean that you’ve finished the writing but you’ve also gotten it as tight as you can (spell check, grammar, story structure). And I’m not just talking about self-help publishers with the purpose of offering you an editing service for signing up for one of their publishing packages. I’m speaking of an editor who can be a grammatical and story editor as well as someone you can hopefully build a relationship with.
Even with hiring an editor, it’s important that you do your homework. The editor I used for my first book asked me to send them my first 150 pages and based on the feedback she would provide, I would be able to use those notes to edit my last pages.
That process has helped me to become a better writer but it took awhile. My first big-girl job (and by big-girl I mean for a large company in a large city, i.e. New York) was at Citibank on Wall Street. My manager begin to let me write memos to the department but before they were sent out, they had to first go through the red-pen test and those red marks scared me. But eventually I begin to look forward to them because they helped me to become a better business writer.
However, years later when I decided that I wanted to be a writer, seeing red marks throughout my novel were frightening and overwhelming. My first thought—there is no way I can do these changes that she’s asking and it took over a year for me to get over that fear.
But now I know that what she did as an editor: the changes, the cutting, even the scolding of my continuing habit of telling and not showing or the over usage of adverbs has made me a better writer. And now with the beginning of my 2nd novel I know what to watch out for.
Editors can be expensive and as writers we often don’t have a lot of money especially those like me who’ve decided to leave a well paying job to finish that novel. But these days searching the Internet can also provide help.
Though I am not a huge Facebook person, often I can find free advice from editors on the site. Only a few months ago, I ran across an article from an editor on suggested ways look for small errors and mistakes by using the Ctrl F button to find over use of words, such as; believe and felt or words ending in ly. But any great editor, one who is going to turn your story into a sellable book, is worth more than their weight in gold.
Bounty paper-towel let’s you know that their towel is better than the cheaper brand—it can pick up a mess with one swipe. The same goes for a great editor. A great editor can help you create a great product to send to agents or publishers. But if you decide to go the less expensive route--no editor at all or doing it yourself, you may end up with a cheap product or in this case a poorly written book. So I implore you when it comes to your success as a writer, don’t short change yourself!
Monday, December 8, 2014
Monday, October 20, 2014
Good Writing or Sensationalism
I recently came across an article on Facebook about the sex scenes or specifically, the gay sex scenes in two of the shows on the ABC’s roster this season, Scandal and HTGAWM (How To Get Away With Murder) and although the article was well written, I became more interested in the comments. While some cheered the scenes, others jeered and while a few made valid points, there were others who simply got angry, even going as far to telling viewers that if you don’t like it, don’t watch it. But I don’t think not watching is that simple.
I’m a Black woman—I’m a black Christian woman—I’m a black Christian woman that writes. This means that when I watch television or read a novel, I’m viewing with what I like to call my four senses: as an African American, a Christian, a woman and finally as a writer.
While I have no problem watching gay relationships on the TV (I loved Will and Grace and still watch the reruns and I am a big fan of Modern Family), I do however have problems with scenes that may have been written for shock value only.
Shows that draw me in must have writing that is exceptional, that can pull me in as a viewer, have a great story line and lastly, makes me care about the characters.
Scandal is a well written show but most importantly, I care about the characters. Though it’s filled with sex and violence, these individuals have redeeming qualities and I’ve never once felt that a scene was written just for shock value or sensationalism. But what I love about Scandal has me on the fence with HTGAWM. I have yet to connect with any of the characters or even the storyline. This makes me sad because I am a HUGE FREAK when it comes to murder mysteries. I LOVE THE GENRE.
Not every sex scene, curse word or even violence helps to move a story along. Sometimes it even halts the story. For instance, when Viola’s character was removing her makeup and her wig, it was such a powerful scene on its own. Did inserting the word, penis help… in my opinion not so much.
Sensationalism seems to be the motivation in so much of what we do and see these days, even with the news. I remember watching a clip of a news anchor stating how the ‘powers that be’ were becoming more interested in what sells than reporting the news—hence what’s happening with a celebrity may trump important news say, another drop in unemployment or what’s happening in Israel.
I had a fellow writer say that because my stories lacked vulgarity, how could I expect to call myself a writer. That made me sad. I want my writing to entertain and maybe even surprise and shock but in doing so, do I need to conform to that type of writing to be successful? I hope not and I know a lot of famous and successful writers that don’t.
Sex and violence definitely sells but so does a great story with strong characters. Take, The Good Wife. One of my favorite characters is Kalinda Sharma who is bisexual. She’s a badass who can kick butt when wearing heals… Love that. Does Kalinda use sex to get what she wants? You betcha. But when it happens, it’s not thrust in your face and it moves the story along. Each time you learn a bit more about what motivates her.
Another good example recently was a scene on Gotham with Jada Picket’s character, Fish Mooney and a woman who was auditioning to sing at her club. When Mooney asked the girl to seduce her, the scene was sexual. It hinted at sexuality, peaked our curiosity and spoke volumes. Like a man who doesn’t need to stand in front of me naked to be drawn in, I want the same when I’m looking at a show. To me that’s the sign of good writing.
Telling an audience to like it or lump it is not always that simple and I think might be a little sad. Especially when people may want to support the show because of the actor or actress or what that show may even represent. We watch for different reasons. Several watch because they want to support a show that has a strong woman who happens to be black. Because although we may feel that there aren’t enough shows that portray gay relationships (and that may be true), there are fewer shows that portray strong African American, Indian, Hispanic or even Asian woman who are also sexy and desirable. (btw, thank God for The Mindy Project) And more than a few want to watch because we hope the show has a great plot and characters we can relate.
Raw violence and sex may have its place in a story but is it more important than the story or characters themselves? These are the questions I’m asking myself when I watch shows like, How to Get Away With Murder. Is it titillating my four senses? I’m still tilting on that fence. What about you?
I’m a Black woman—I’m a black Christian woman—I’m a black Christian woman that writes. This means that when I watch television or read a novel, I’m viewing with what I like to call my four senses: as an African American, a Christian, a woman and finally as a writer.
While I have no problem watching gay relationships on the TV (I loved Will and Grace and still watch the reruns and I am a big fan of Modern Family), I do however have problems with scenes that may have been written for shock value only.
Shows that draw me in must have writing that is exceptional, that can pull me in as a viewer, have a great story line and lastly, makes me care about the characters.
Scandal is a well written show but most importantly, I care about the characters. Though it’s filled with sex and violence, these individuals have redeeming qualities and I’ve never once felt that a scene was written just for shock value or sensationalism. But what I love about Scandal has me on the fence with HTGAWM. I have yet to connect with any of the characters or even the storyline. This makes me sad because I am a HUGE FREAK when it comes to murder mysteries. I LOVE THE GENRE.
Not every sex scene, curse word or even violence helps to move a story along. Sometimes it even halts the story. For instance, when Viola’s character was removing her makeup and her wig, it was such a powerful scene on its own. Did inserting the word, penis help… in my opinion not so much.
Sensationalism seems to be the motivation in so much of what we do and see these days, even with the news. I remember watching a clip of a news anchor stating how the ‘powers that be’ were becoming more interested in what sells than reporting the news—hence what’s happening with a celebrity may trump important news say, another drop in unemployment or what’s happening in Israel.
I had a fellow writer say that because my stories lacked vulgarity, how could I expect to call myself a writer. That made me sad. I want my writing to entertain and maybe even surprise and shock but in doing so, do I need to conform to that type of writing to be successful? I hope not and I know a lot of famous and successful writers that don’t.
Sex and violence definitely sells but so does a great story with strong characters. Take, The Good Wife. One of my favorite characters is Kalinda Sharma who is bisexual. She’s a badass who can kick butt when wearing heals… Love that. Does Kalinda use sex to get what she wants? You betcha. But when it happens, it’s not thrust in your face and it moves the story along. Each time you learn a bit more about what motivates her.
Another good example recently was a scene on Gotham with Jada Picket’s character, Fish Mooney and a woman who was auditioning to sing at her club. When Mooney asked the girl to seduce her, the scene was sexual. It hinted at sexuality, peaked our curiosity and spoke volumes. Like a man who doesn’t need to stand in front of me naked to be drawn in, I want the same when I’m looking at a show. To me that’s the sign of good writing.
Telling an audience to like it or lump it is not always that simple and I think might be a little sad. Especially when people may want to support the show because of the actor or actress or what that show may even represent. We watch for different reasons. Several watch because they want to support a show that has a strong woman who happens to be black. Because although we may feel that there aren’t enough shows that portray gay relationships (and that may be true), there are fewer shows that portray strong African American, Indian, Hispanic or even Asian woman who are also sexy and desirable. (btw, thank God for The Mindy Project) And more than a few want to watch because we hope the show has a great plot and characters we can relate.
Raw violence and sex may have its place in a story but is it more important than the story or characters themselves? These are the questions I’m asking myself when I watch shows like, How to Get Away With Murder. Is it titillating my four senses? I’m still tilting on that fence. What about you?
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Can a Sista Get a—Hey Girl or Somethin’…
I’ve been missing in action from my blog for the last two months because I’ve been working on my manuscript and finishing the last of my edits. It’s pretty exhausting but a necessary part of being a writer and I thank God everyday for my editor. But more grueling then working on edits is preparing a query to send to agents.
I’m very diligent before I send out my letters: researching their websites, reading the guidelines, ensuring they accept my genre and making sure they accept unsolicited materials. But most importantly my queries and manuscripts need to be free of grammatical errors. So it confuses me when I receive responses/rejects that have errors and are often impolite.
Believe me, I am no newbie to the world of rejects. I respect and understand that these agents and publishers receive piles of queries and I give props to the ones who take the time to respond. But is it asking too much for these responses to have some sort of decorum?
Recently, I received two rejects via email. The first one wrote, 'not intrasted' and the second, 'no thannks'. This is their spelling not mine. They also didn't respect me enough to add a salutation.
Experts suggest that when we receive these rejects we should not respond in kind. Basically keep our mouths shut and move on. But come on. I’ve received my fair share of form letters and I’d rather have one of those then a response that has no thought put into it.
But as they say, ‘three is a charm’. The third email I received, though it was also a reject, restored my faith that there are agents out there who are not just kind and considerate but they also understands how hard it is for any writer to put themselves out there. I thank her and all agents like her. Below is the email I received minus the name of the agent.
****
Thanks for writing to me about your work.
I'm sorry, this is a pass for me.
Right now my list is very full, and I'm fortunate that business
is very good so I have to pass on projects that are not only
good and publishable but ones I really like. That's a good
problem for me, but it just stinks from the writer's
viewpoint, yes indeed it does.
I strongly encourage you to query widely. Other agents have more wiggle room
on their lists and are able to take on more than I can.
Please think of this as redirection to another agent, not rejection.
Very best wishes to you!
But I also want to point out that even if I had not received the third email I was not daunted by the first two. I actually chuckled.
If you believe that you have a good, no great story (and I believe that I do), keep putting your work out there.
You only need one yes.
I’ve been missing in action from my blog for the last two months because I’ve been working on my manuscript and finishing the last of my edits. It’s pretty exhausting but a necessary part of being a writer and I thank God everyday for my editor. But more grueling then working on edits is preparing a query to send to agents.
I’m very diligent before I send out my letters: researching their websites, reading the guidelines, ensuring they accept my genre and making sure they accept unsolicited materials. But most importantly my queries and manuscripts need to be free of grammatical errors. So it confuses me when I receive responses/rejects that have errors and are often impolite.
Believe me, I am no newbie to the world of rejects. I respect and understand that these agents and publishers receive piles of queries and I give props to the ones who take the time to respond. But is it asking too much for these responses to have some sort of decorum?
Recently, I received two rejects via email. The first one wrote, 'not intrasted' and the second, 'no thannks'. This is their spelling not mine. They also didn't respect me enough to add a salutation.
Experts suggest that when we receive these rejects we should not respond in kind. Basically keep our mouths shut and move on. But come on. I’ve received my fair share of form letters and I’d rather have one of those then a response that has no thought put into it.
But as they say, ‘three is a charm’. The third email I received, though it was also a reject, restored my faith that there are agents out there who are not just kind and considerate but they also understands how hard it is for any writer to put themselves out there. I thank her and all agents like her. Below is the email I received minus the name of the agent.
****
Thanks for writing to me about your work.
I'm sorry, this is a pass for me.
Right now my list is very full, and I'm fortunate that business
is very good so I have to pass on projects that are not only
good and publishable but ones I really like. That's a good
problem for me, but it just stinks from the writer's
viewpoint, yes indeed it does.
I strongly encourage you to query widely. Other agents have more wiggle room
on their lists and are able to take on more than I can.
Please think of this as redirection to another agent, not rejection.
Very best wishes to you!
But I also want to point out that even if I had not received the third email I was not daunted by the first two. I actually chuckled.
If you believe that you have a good, no great story (and I believe that I do), keep putting your work out there.
You only need one yes.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Thick Skin—Learning to Handle Critiques and Criticism
I was recently invited to join a conference call by my friend and author, Martha ‘Marti’ Tucker, owner/operator of Urban Classic Books, a self-publishing company in Culver City. For a couple of weeks after, I’ve been thinking about what it means to have your worked critiqued.
During the call, writers were allowed to read from their works (no more than 2-pages) and then get feedback from their fellow writers. Normally when I am a guest, I try not to say too much unless asked, but I felt a need to comment on one of the writer’s works. Though I felt his chapter was well written, I had a minor suggestion—to rework or move a sentence that I believed did not help the flow.
I thought I was giving a very minor suggestion but unfortunately it caused not just comments from the other writers, but it also left the writer feeling his work was being criticized. I explained that it was more of a critique but to that writer it felt like his work was being disparaged. But I feel there is a difference between the two words. To critique ones work means to give a review or commentary on that person’s work; to criticize is the act of criticizing, mainly adversely which was not my intention.
I’ve been on both sides of the fence being a writer and an editor. I’ve even run across writers who’ve asked my opinion about their writings, for instance, the structure or flow of the story, etc., but then too often when I am honest, I don’t hear from those writers again and I can’t help but wonder—did they really want an honest opinion?
When I received my manuscript back from my editor Jean, I was miserable. Forget the fact that she believed my book was sellable. The only thing I could think about for weeks was the red marks.
Successful writers, authors and editors will tell you to let your friends read your work but getting feedback from them can come with a double-edge sword. Some friends may feel that they can’t be honest because they don’t want to hurt your feelings and will use the standard, “it’s great”, while others may just be poor at evaluating your work because they aren’t readers or even fans of your genre. And still some may just be haters and give you nothing but negative feedback. Yup, even your friends can be haters. Blah!
And what about the editors that we pay to edit our work? Do we handle those critiques any better? I’m not saying that I love to have my work critiqued or even criticized but I do try to stay open especially if I am in an environment where my work is being critiqued or if I’ve asked a friend or paid an editor. But then there are so many other ways writers and screenwriters have to go through this agonizing albeit necessary process. How many?
Stay tune for Part II – Thick Skin.
During the call, writers were allowed to read from their works (no more than 2-pages) and then get feedback from their fellow writers. Normally when I am a guest, I try not to say too much unless asked, but I felt a need to comment on one of the writer’s works. Though I felt his chapter was well written, I had a minor suggestion—to rework or move a sentence that I believed did not help the flow.
I thought I was giving a very minor suggestion but unfortunately it caused not just comments from the other writers, but it also left the writer feeling his work was being criticized. I explained that it was more of a critique but to that writer it felt like his work was being disparaged. But I feel there is a difference between the two words. To critique ones work means to give a review or commentary on that person’s work; to criticize is the act of criticizing, mainly adversely which was not my intention.
I’ve been on both sides of the fence being a writer and an editor. I’ve even run across writers who’ve asked my opinion about their writings, for instance, the structure or flow of the story, etc., but then too often when I am honest, I don’t hear from those writers again and I can’t help but wonder—did they really want an honest opinion?
When I received my manuscript back from my editor Jean, I was miserable. Forget the fact that she believed my book was sellable. The only thing I could think about for weeks was the red marks.
Successful writers, authors and editors will tell you to let your friends read your work but getting feedback from them can come with a double-edge sword. Some friends may feel that they can’t be honest because they don’t want to hurt your feelings and will use the standard, “it’s great”, while others may just be poor at evaluating your work because they aren’t readers or even fans of your genre. And still some may just be haters and give you nothing but negative feedback. Yup, even your friends can be haters. Blah!
And what about the editors that we pay to edit our work? Do we handle those critiques any better? I’m not saying that I love to have my work critiqued or even criticized but I do try to stay open especially if I am in an environment where my work is being critiqued or if I’ve asked a friend or paid an editor. But then there are so many other ways writers and screenwriters have to go through this agonizing albeit necessary process. How many?
Stay tune for Part II – Thick Skin.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Brother Can You Spare a Dime?
In 2002 when American Idol first appeared on Fox, many of my friends suggested that I should try out. I opted-out stating that I was no longer in love with the idea of singing and that I had found a new passion, writing. But I could not help wonder how well I would do on a show like Idol. Back then, I definitely had the chops to compete and maybe even make it past the first couple of rounds with the judges but what about when it came time for the audience participation.
In the 80s when we had shows like Star Search, the only people you had to wow were the judges. These days you have to not only wow the judges, but hope that you can also win favor with the audience. So I ask the question—for the ones who won was it all because of their talent?
I’m sure there were factors on why singers like Jennifer Hudson or Clay Aiken didn’t win and I wonder if one of those factors had anything to do with the amount of family or friends, or friends of family they had or didn’t have. Winning by popularity has been around for a long time. In the 1930s, the Apollo Theater was one of the first venues to have a talent show winner be picked by an audience and most times it had a lot to do with how many friends and family you've invited.
Now, what does this have to do with writing…?
Take self publishing. Although I went that route with my non-fiction, Seasons of Writing, I decided that I do not want to go that route with my novel. When you self publish you have to take care of everything including: design and interior of your book, formatting, pricing, distribution but most of all, marketing and public relations. And yes I know there are writers, who have been successful with self publishing, but I also believe the old adage—it’s not what you know but who you know that often applies.
Self-promotion is extremely hard and for a writer it’s even harder. Unlike a singer who is often given a couple of minutes to do a song, a writer may only have the opportunity to put what might be a 300-page novel or a two hour script into a short synopsis or a logline or if you’re even luckier, show a short trailer with hopes that you’ve grabbed your audiences attention.
Screenwriters and filmmakers can now utilize sites such as, YouTube and Kickstarter but you still need to promote. I am not good at self-promotion and if I’ve already said that a couple of paragraphs ago please forgive me, but it bears repeating. But I have no problem in helping others like director, Graham Cribbin and writer/producer Roger Lewis and producer Clinton Allen promote their work, Grisly. I know what type of labor it takes to putting together a short-film or trailer. Hell, I even know what it takes to put together a Kickstarter package. But even if I were not a writer I would still be able to understand what it takes to work on a passion and for that alone I will donate and help whenever I can. I hope you will do the same.
Please donate at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1611058915/grisly-the-movie
In the 80s when we had shows like Star Search, the only people you had to wow were the judges. These days you have to not only wow the judges, but hope that you can also win favor with the audience. So I ask the question—for the ones who won was it all because of their talent?
I’m sure there were factors on why singers like Jennifer Hudson or Clay Aiken didn’t win and I wonder if one of those factors had anything to do with the amount of family or friends, or friends of family they had or didn’t have. Winning by popularity has been around for a long time. In the 1930s, the Apollo Theater was one of the first venues to have a talent show winner be picked by an audience and most times it had a lot to do with how many friends and family you've invited.
Now, what does this have to do with writing…?
Take self publishing. Although I went that route with my non-fiction, Seasons of Writing, I decided that I do not want to go that route with my novel. When you self publish you have to take care of everything including: design and interior of your book, formatting, pricing, distribution but most of all, marketing and public relations. And yes I know there are writers, who have been successful with self publishing, but I also believe the old adage—it’s not what you know but who you know that often applies.
Self-promotion is extremely hard and for a writer it’s even harder. Unlike a singer who is often given a couple of minutes to do a song, a writer may only have the opportunity to put what might be a 300-page novel or a two hour script into a short synopsis or a logline or if you’re even luckier, show a short trailer with hopes that you’ve grabbed your audiences attention.
Screenwriters and filmmakers can now utilize sites such as, YouTube and Kickstarter but you still need to promote. I am not good at self-promotion and if I’ve already said that a couple of paragraphs ago please forgive me, but it bears repeating. But I have no problem in helping others like director, Graham Cribbin and writer/producer Roger Lewis and producer Clinton Allen promote their work, Grisly. I know what type of labor it takes to putting together a short-film or trailer. Hell, I even know what it takes to put together a Kickstarter package. But even if I were not a writer I would still be able to understand what it takes to work on a passion and for that alone I will donate and help whenever I can. I hope you will do the same.
Please donate at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1611058915/grisly-the-movie
Monday, June 9, 2014
You Are What You Read
I love to read. Anyone who truly knows me knows that I love reading almost as much as I love writing second only to watching the Golden Girls. When a BFF buys me a book or a gift card from Barnes & Nobel or any other book franchise (sadly, I can’t think of any that are still in existence), I cherish that book.
One of my BFFs recently treated me with a ticket to see bestselling author, Walter Mosley give a reading and book signing for his latest book, Debbie Doesn’t Do It Anymore. I love when other writers talk about their writing process but it’s especially thrilling when it’s someone as time-honored as Mosley. I had the honor of seeing him 12 years ago, but it was more rewarding now since I finally made a conscious decision to write fulltime.
Usually the type of questions asked at these events are typical: what motivated you to become a writer, how do you come up with your stories/characters and my favorite, what author inspired you to become a writer? And since I love to read, I am always curious about their answer. Most times, the writer will be modest and come up with a few names instead of just one. I’m assuming they do this as to not show favoritism for a particular genre or writer.
However, Mosley did not give the typical answer. He stated, and I’m loosely quoting, […no one author can ever say what writer inspires them. Those writers typically like to name authors that they may simulate: genre, style, even ethnically]. For instance, you may think that since I am a black women writer I would say, Zora Neale or Toni Morrison.
I thought about his answer a few hours after I got home. I wondered if I were to be asked that question, would I say James Baldwin, Langston Hughes or even J. California Cooper or would I be honest and say Mary Higgins Clark or John Grisham. I do love reading books by Baldwin and Hughes and even a Terry McMillan book once in awhile, but my all-time favorite genre is mysteries and legal thrillers—genres that both Grisham and Clark write.
I can’t help but to think about my two nephews, Marcus and Maison who both love to read. But I was more surprised by the type of books they were reading when I visited with them in New York a couple of months ago. Marcus at only 15 is reading, The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (to be honest I have never heard of this play and I have read a few of Shakespeare's work) and Maison at age 10 is reading, Poem Depot by Douglas Florian. And I don’t know who was reading, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, a book that deals with the spiritual journey of self-discovery. I think I need to find that out.
When I was their age, I was reading romance novels from writers like Daniel Steel and in my late teens my preference changed to Jackie Collins whose books are more risqué. But I can’t imagine reading these types of books anymore let alone, writing them. But I do believe the books that we read when we are younger do mold us a bit when we become adults.
No matter what Walter Mosley says, I’m sure some of the writers he’s read when he was younger had some influence on him and still does today. Both Steel and Collins still inspire me in some way although I may not admit this in front of hundreds of people.
I’m not sure if either of my nephews will become writers when they get older but I like to think that what they are reading now will help mold them into the men they will one day become.
Mosley also stated that he didn’t think reading was important to becoming a writer but I strongly disagree with him. I’ve always felt that studying and reading the craft of writing is very important to ones growth as a writer just as studying films are to a screenwriter. If you decide you want to write a graphic novel but don’t know where to began or how to start, you may want to read a book like, Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman, or if YA books are more your speed, study The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. When I read a John Grisham book or another favorite of mine, Patricia Cornwell, I’m not reading to copy their style but like any good traveler, I want to explore their style of writing.
I’m a mystery writer. It’s not the only genre I plan to write in my lifetime as an author but if readers want to place me in that genre with other mystery writers, I’m good. After all, if I am what I read, then let the story begin…
One of my BFFs recently treated me with a ticket to see bestselling author, Walter Mosley give a reading and book signing for his latest book, Debbie Doesn’t Do It Anymore. I love when other writers talk about their writing process but it’s especially thrilling when it’s someone as time-honored as Mosley. I had the honor of seeing him 12 years ago, but it was more rewarding now since I finally made a conscious decision to write fulltime.
Usually the type of questions asked at these events are typical: what motivated you to become a writer, how do you come up with your stories/characters and my favorite, what author inspired you to become a writer? And since I love to read, I am always curious about their answer. Most times, the writer will be modest and come up with a few names instead of just one. I’m assuming they do this as to not show favoritism for a particular genre or writer.
However, Mosley did not give the typical answer. He stated, and I’m loosely quoting, […no one author can ever say what writer inspires them. Those writers typically like to name authors that they may simulate: genre, style, even ethnically]. For instance, you may think that since I am a black women writer I would say, Zora Neale or Toni Morrison.
I thought about his answer a few hours after I got home. I wondered if I were to be asked that question, would I say James Baldwin, Langston Hughes or even J. California Cooper or would I be honest and say Mary Higgins Clark or John Grisham. I do love reading books by Baldwin and Hughes and even a Terry McMillan book once in awhile, but my all-time favorite genre is mysteries and legal thrillers—genres that both Grisham and Clark write.
I can’t help but to think about my two nephews, Marcus and Maison who both love to read. But I was more surprised by the type of books they were reading when I visited with them in New York a couple of months ago. Marcus at only 15 is reading, The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (to be honest I have never heard of this play and I have read a few of Shakespeare's work) and Maison at age 10 is reading, Poem Depot by Douglas Florian. And I don’t know who was reading, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, a book that deals with the spiritual journey of self-discovery. I think I need to find that out.
When I was their age, I was reading romance novels from writers like Daniel Steel and in my late teens my preference changed to Jackie Collins whose books are more risqué. But I can’t imagine reading these types of books anymore let alone, writing them. But I do believe the books that we read when we are younger do mold us a bit when we become adults.
No matter what Walter Mosley says, I’m sure some of the writers he’s read when he was younger had some influence on him and still does today. Both Steel and Collins still inspire me in some way although I may not admit this in front of hundreds of people.
I’m not sure if either of my nephews will become writers when they get older but I like to think that what they are reading now will help mold them into the men they will one day become.
Mosley also stated that he didn’t think reading was important to becoming a writer but I strongly disagree with him. I’ve always felt that studying and reading the craft of writing is very important to ones growth as a writer just as studying films are to a screenwriter. If you decide you want to write a graphic novel but don’t know where to began or how to start, you may want to read a book like, Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman, or if YA books are more your speed, study The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. When I read a John Grisham book or another favorite of mine, Patricia Cornwell, I’m not reading to copy their style but like any good traveler, I want to explore their style of writing.
I’m a mystery writer. It’s not the only genre I plan to write in my lifetime as an author but if readers want to place me in that genre with other mystery writers, I’m good. After all, if I am what I read, then let the story begin…
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
What Comes First--The Chicken or the Egg?
This old riddle has puzzled generations and philosophers for ages. Which came first—the chicken or the egg? Intellectual references to the question try to identify the first case of a basis and eventually an end result. The plain answer would be the egg since according to some, egg- laying species pre-dates the existence of the actual bird while still others argue the chicken came first. But this blog is about writing not arguing philosophical equations.
But I couldn’t help thinking about this riddle a few nights ago after attending a happy hour function thrown by Producer, Clinton Allen and Writer/Producer, Roger Lewis, following the screening of their short-film, Grisly, a sci-fi/horror short.
Having been on the short-film circuit myself, I wondered what would be next for the dual so I asked Roger. He stated that their next step would be to write a graphic novel. I was surprised by his answer. After all, convention dictates that the novel is written first then it is adapted into a script not the other way around. I was quick to point this out to him—proud that I knew the ins and outs of how to get a film made. But isn't thinking outside the box more conventional these days?
It doesn’t matter anymore what comes first. There have been plenty of movies that have been turned into graphic novels for instance, Star Wars, X-men and even Star Trek. It’s a great way to market your project. Take fiction and non-fiction. You no longer have to go the traditional publishing route to get your book out there. You can now self-publish.
Spending thousands of dollars on video equipment when you can now click a button on your iPhone or iPad to make a film is in and uploading your video to YouTube is another way for your work to be discovered.
Even if you have a great idea but have no funds, you no longer have to sell your belongings and live in your car. You can now get funding from places like Kickstarter.
These days it can take just a simple idea or concept to get a picture made in Hollywood as long as you know how to market your product. If you feel like everything needs to be in place before you can even start, you may be waiting a life time.
Taking advantage of social media tools like Facebook, KickStarter and Youtube is the way of life and life is ever-changin’. Like it or not, you have to be ready. Can you keep up?
If you want to be involved with an awesome project right at the start, then please type www.Kickstarter.com in your search engine and search for, Grisly: The Movie
But I couldn’t help thinking about this riddle a few nights ago after attending a happy hour function thrown by Producer, Clinton Allen and Writer/Producer, Roger Lewis, following the screening of their short-film, Grisly, a sci-fi/horror short.
Having been on the short-film circuit myself, I wondered what would be next for the dual so I asked Roger. He stated that their next step would be to write a graphic novel. I was surprised by his answer. After all, convention dictates that the novel is written first then it is adapted into a script not the other way around. I was quick to point this out to him—proud that I knew the ins and outs of how to get a film made. But isn't thinking outside the box more conventional these days?
It doesn’t matter anymore what comes first. There have been plenty of movies that have been turned into graphic novels for instance, Star Wars, X-men and even Star Trek. It’s a great way to market your project. Take fiction and non-fiction. You no longer have to go the traditional publishing route to get your book out there. You can now self-publish.
Spending thousands of dollars on video equipment when you can now click a button on your iPhone or iPad to make a film is in and uploading your video to YouTube is another way for your work to be discovered.
Even if you have a great idea but have no funds, you no longer have to sell your belongings and live in your car. You can now get funding from places like Kickstarter.
These days it can take just a simple idea or concept to get a picture made in Hollywood as long as you know how to market your product. If you feel like everything needs to be in place before you can even start, you may be waiting a life time.
Taking advantage of social media tools like Facebook, KickStarter and Youtube is the way of life and life is ever-changin’. Like it or not, you have to be ready. Can you keep up?
If you want to be involved with an awesome project right at the start, then please type www.Kickstarter.com in your search engine and search for, Grisly: The Movie
Monday, June 2, 2014
Life Experience vs. Educational Experience
A few months ago, I went to a happy hour/networking social event in Beverly Hills thrown by a couple of friends. Since they were working on a movie project and I’m a writer, I thought it would be a good way to meet people who have similar interest.
As the evening progressed and conversations became more relaxed (alcohol was involved) a few begin to speak about their alma-mater. These guys were talking about some heavy duty schools: Chapman, UCLA, USC, and NYU and for a few seconds it crossed my mind that I might not belong here.
I attended a small college in North Carolina right after high school. I majored in Secretarial Science (what the hell was I thinking) but I ended up dropping out before I was done and for a couple of years I was embarrassed by that fact. I remember attending a job fair at a company and during the application process when I got down to the ‘list your education’ section, I left because I just knew I was the only one who did not have a college degree. A year later, I went back to the same company and was hired and during my 5 years there, I was promoted twice. Even after that validation each time the fall season would roll around, I would dread the idea of young college students joining the company with the fear that I would be replaced.
It took me a long time to get over not having a degree. When colleges advertise to students on the importance of getting an education, the selling point is how much salary a college student can make vs. just having a high school diploma. I remember speaking to a friend about returning to school and she commented on how much more money I could make and how it would help me move up in the company. I didn’t want to tell her that I made a lot more than some of my friends who have a BA.
What about the arts? For acting, music and writing is a degree necessary? This question haunts me once in awhile. In the last 10 years, I’ve gone back twice but I had to drop out because of finances.
I personally love being in school. Not so much when I was young but as an adult, I find college very rewarding. However, I’ve had teachers who’ve read my scripts and/or short stories ask me why I was attending school. My answer was that I felt it was necessary to learn the technical skills of writing since I felt I already possessed the talent. I now have learned those skills from attending Cerritos College for two years and a year at LMU. I am in no way a grammatical perfectionist but I know enough to string together a sentence or two. Plus, I’ve worked with enough college graduates in senior positions who are terrible writers and spellers.
I’d like to think my passion and creativity would be enough to become a published author or to get an agent but I can’t help but wonder. Nonetheless, I know that there are many ways to get an education. My life in itself has allowed me to become worldly-wise. My plan is to go back to school. Why? Simple. I’m always looking on ways to grow and to challenge myself. However, I will not let not having a degree stop me from writing.
Being a writer is not mechanical or technical. It’s spiritual and imaginative. It’s inventive in its artistic realm. It’s a written-word inflection on life at its very core.
As the evening progressed and conversations became more relaxed (alcohol was involved) a few begin to speak about their alma-mater. These guys were talking about some heavy duty schools: Chapman, UCLA, USC, and NYU and for a few seconds it crossed my mind that I might not belong here.
I attended a small college in North Carolina right after high school. I majored in Secretarial Science (what the hell was I thinking) but I ended up dropping out before I was done and for a couple of years I was embarrassed by that fact. I remember attending a job fair at a company and during the application process when I got down to the ‘list your education’ section, I left because I just knew I was the only one who did not have a college degree. A year later, I went back to the same company and was hired and during my 5 years there, I was promoted twice. Even after that validation each time the fall season would roll around, I would dread the idea of young college students joining the company with the fear that I would be replaced.
It took me a long time to get over not having a degree. When colleges advertise to students on the importance of getting an education, the selling point is how much salary a college student can make vs. just having a high school diploma. I remember speaking to a friend about returning to school and she commented on how much more money I could make and how it would help me move up in the company. I didn’t want to tell her that I made a lot more than some of my friends who have a BA.
What about the arts? For acting, music and writing is a degree necessary? This question haunts me once in awhile. In the last 10 years, I’ve gone back twice but I had to drop out because of finances.
I personally love being in school. Not so much when I was young but as an adult, I find college very rewarding. However, I’ve had teachers who’ve read my scripts and/or short stories ask me why I was attending school. My answer was that I felt it was necessary to learn the technical skills of writing since I felt I already possessed the talent. I now have learned those skills from attending Cerritos College for two years and a year at LMU. I am in no way a grammatical perfectionist but I know enough to string together a sentence or two. Plus, I’ve worked with enough college graduates in senior positions who are terrible writers and spellers.
I’d like to think my passion and creativity would be enough to become a published author or to get an agent but I can’t help but wonder. Nonetheless, I know that there are many ways to get an education. My life in itself has allowed me to become worldly-wise. My plan is to go back to school. Why? Simple. I’m always looking on ways to grow and to challenge myself. However, I will not let not having a degree stop me from writing.
Being a writer is not mechanical or technical. It’s spiritual and imaginative. It’s inventive in its artistic realm. It’s a written-word inflection on life at its very core.
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
The Importance of Networking
My close friends and family would probably drop and roll with laugher if they were to read this but I am very shy when it comes to meeting new people. But as a writer it is necessary to network especially in a city like Los Angeles.
Even though I am inhibited when it comes to meeting people, I still love networking. There is nothing like being around people who have the same passion as I do—writing and storytelling. Back in 2007, I had the pleasure of being asked to co-write a short film called ‘Spin’ with writer/producer, Camille Tucker (who also starred in the film) and writer/producer, Keta Brown.
The film was well received and showed in numerous film festivals including winning The Global Art Film Festival Hollywood award for outstanding writing. I enjoyed going to the many festivals not only to support our film but because I was able to see other amazing shorts from various writers. This also helped me to be privy to other events such as; award shows, women writer and director symposiums and special screenings.
Going to school for writing also helped. When I attended Cerritos College, my advanced screenwriting instructor, Steven M. Hirohama, not only hosted established writers and directors in the entertainment industry at the school, but he also sponsored fieldtrips to places like the Director’s Guild.
Unfortunately, when I began working fulltime, all that stopped and I lost contact with that unique circle or when I was invited to attend functions, I couldn’t go because of work. But now that I’ve decided to write fulltime, I’m working my way back into that circle.
Yesterday, I attended a screening of Grisly, a Sci-Fi/Horror short film written and produced by Roger Lewis along with his longtime friend and business partner, Clinton Allen. Grisly, an idea that has been forming for the past couple of years, made its debut in the popular *IFS (Independent Film Showcase) at the historic Laemmle theater in Beverly Hills. I was happy to be included in the invite to preview this film, one because of its various story lines (this short has the potential of becoming, in my opinion, the next X-files) two, I will be able to brag that I knew of it at the beginning but lastly, because Clint and Roger know the importance of networking.
Since meeting these two (I worked with Clinton at Activision, a video game company in Santa Monica, CA, and met Roger through Clinton) I’ve met a cornucopia of writers, actors, etc. who are not only well established in the biz but who also understand the importance of networking.
I’m sure people network not only to make contacts in their field of industry but they are also hoping to meet someone who can get them to the next level. But for me it’s so much more than that. As I said numerous times, writing is a lonely art. You’re held up in a room often for hours hoping to get at least one page done before you can move from that chair and if you’re really on a roll you can go for days not answering your phone or checking your email because you don’t want to move for fear of losing that momentum.
But I also have to say that out of the many places or people I’ve had the pleasure to network with, these guys are my favorite. Why? Because they love to give you props on other projects that you might be working on even if it has nothing to do with their own. They don’t have massive egos and they don’t mind sharing information. And because of their unselfishness, I plan to do whatever I can to help plug their project. After all, that’s what I believe networking should be about. Sharing ideas, stories and contacts whenever possible. These two guys have the mindset of ‘if we make it’ come join us for the ride. Isn’t that what networking should be about?
I implore you to share your networks and contacts. Be selfless…
*IFS is an organization founded to promote and support the creation and distribution of quality independent filmmaking.
Even though I am inhibited when it comes to meeting people, I still love networking. There is nothing like being around people who have the same passion as I do—writing and storytelling. Back in 2007, I had the pleasure of being asked to co-write a short film called ‘Spin’ with writer/producer, Camille Tucker (who also starred in the film) and writer/producer, Keta Brown.
The film was well received and showed in numerous film festivals including winning The Global Art Film Festival Hollywood award for outstanding writing. I enjoyed going to the many festivals not only to support our film but because I was able to see other amazing shorts from various writers. This also helped me to be privy to other events such as; award shows, women writer and director symposiums and special screenings.
Going to school for writing also helped. When I attended Cerritos College, my advanced screenwriting instructor, Steven M. Hirohama, not only hosted established writers and directors in the entertainment industry at the school, but he also sponsored fieldtrips to places like the Director’s Guild.
Unfortunately, when I began working fulltime, all that stopped and I lost contact with that unique circle or when I was invited to attend functions, I couldn’t go because of work. But now that I’ve decided to write fulltime, I’m working my way back into that circle.
Yesterday, I attended a screening of Grisly, a Sci-Fi/Horror short film written and produced by Roger Lewis along with his longtime friend and business partner, Clinton Allen. Grisly, an idea that has been forming for the past couple of years, made its debut in the popular *IFS (Independent Film Showcase) at the historic Laemmle theater in Beverly Hills. I was happy to be included in the invite to preview this film, one because of its various story lines (this short has the potential of becoming, in my opinion, the next X-files) two, I will be able to brag that I knew of it at the beginning but lastly, because Clint and Roger know the importance of networking.
Since meeting these two (I worked with Clinton at Activision, a video game company in Santa Monica, CA, and met Roger through Clinton) I’ve met a cornucopia of writers, actors, etc. who are not only well established in the biz but who also understand the importance of networking.
I’m sure people network not only to make contacts in their field of industry but they are also hoping to meet someone who can get them to the next level. But for me it’s so much more than that. As I said numerous times, writing is a lonely art. You’re held up in a room often for hours hoping to get at least one page done before you can move from that chair and if you’re really on a roll you can go for days not answering your phone or checking your email because you don’t want to move for fear of losing that momentum.
But I also have to say that out of the many places or people I’ve had the pleasure to network with, these guys are my favorite. Why? Because they love to give you props on other projects that you might be working on even if it has nothing to do with their own. They don’t have massive egos and they don’t mind sharing information. And because of their unselfishness, I plan to do whatever I can to help plug their project. After all, that’s what I believe networking should be about. Sharing ideas, stories and contacts whenever possible. These two guys have the mindset of ‘if we make it’ come join us for the ride. Isn’t that what networking should be about?
I implore you to share your networks and contacts. Be selfless…
*IFS is an organization founded to promote and support the creation and distribution of quality independent filmmaking.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Fear of Success, Rejection and the Unknown...
I’ve wanted to write a blog on fear for awhile. Fear is such an important makeup of our lives. We learn to be fearful early. As children, we are fearless: running, playing and experimenting. But then we hear our parent’s voices saying things like, do not touch, you’re running too fast or come into the house before it gets dark. They are fearful that we could get hurt. I remember my mother would repeatedly tell me when we were in the car to lock my door. “I don’t want anyone to snatch you,” she’d say. I now repeat the same to my friends when they are in my car.
As we get older, there are fears that can cripple us. I remember watching a Seinfeld episode. During his standup, one of his jokes began with him reading about a public poll that was taken on fear. The number one fear was public speaking and two, death. The running joke was that the average person would rather be dead then being the person doing the eulogy.
During the time I was pursuing a singing career, I had a good friend say to me that they felt that if I became successful, that I would change in a bad way. Although I couldn’t imagine that happening, I was fearful that if I did become successful, I would lose my friends. Now that I’m older, I don’t worry about that anymore. One, because that was their fear not mine and two, I’m pretty solid of who I am.
But as a writer I do have a couple of things I am fearful of—rejection and what success could mean for me. I’ve given up a lot when I left my job. Getting rejects when you have money coming in is not good but at least you know that you’re still getting a check and you can pay your bills. Getting reject notices when you know that ‘yes’ means everything, is a whole new ballgame and it can be crippling. Meaning, it can stop you from finishing those last couple of pages to that book or screenplay. It can keep you from tackling writing projects or genres that you’re not comfortable with because you might suck. And just because I was bold enough to leave my job, doesn’t mean I’m bold enough to take the next step.
My car was recently broken into. They stole my iPod, beats by Dre earphones (both were presents) and my house keys and although these things can be replaced, my peace was gone. For days, I had problems sleeping because the place where I always felt safe (my home) was now replaced with fear. Fear that they could enter my house even though the locks were changed. I was fearful of the unknown because I didn’t know if it was someone who lived or even worked in my complex.
Nevertheless, I am not the type of person that lets fear or anything else stand in my way for too long. At this specific time in my life, I can’t afford to let it stop me or even delay the work that I need to get done. So even though I’m afraid of rejection, I need to finish that screenplay and that book. And even though I may be afraid of success because it will take me out of my comfort zone; I might have to travel, meet different people and more importantly if that book and/or screenplay becomes successful, I will need to prove that it the first one wasn’t a fluke, I need to keep pushing.
What are your fears keeping you from achieving in your life?
As we get older, there are fears that can cripple us. I remember watching a Seinfeld episode. During his standup, one of his jokes began with him reading about a public poll that was taken on fear. The number one fear was public speaking and two, death. The running joke was that the average person would rather be dead then being the person doing the eulogy.
During the time I was pursuing a singing career, I had a good friend say to me that they felt that if I became successful, that I would change in a bad way. Although I couldn’t imagine that happening, I was fearful that if I did become successful, I would lose my friends. Now that I’m older, I don’t worry about that anymore. One, because that was their fear not mine and two, I’m pretty solid of who I am.
But as a writer I do have a couple of things I am fearful of—rejection and what success could mean for me. I’ve given up a lot when I left my job. Getting rejects when you have money coming in is not good but at least you know that you’re still getting a check and you can pay your bills. Getting reject notices when you know that ‘yes’ means everything, is a whole new ballgame and it can be crippling. Meaning, it can stop you from finishing those last couple of pages to that book or screenplay. It can keep you from tackling writing projects or genres that you’re not comfortable with because you might suck. And just because I was bold enough to leave my job, doesn’t mean I’m bold enough to take the next step.
My car was recently broken into. They stole my iPod, beats by Dre earphones (both were presents) and my house keys and although these things can be replaced, my peace was gone. For days, I had problems sleeping because the place where I always felt safe (my home) was now replaced with fear. Fear that they could enter my house even though the locks were changed. I was fearful of the unknown because I didn’t know if it was someone who lived or even worked in my complex.
Nevertheless, I am not the type of person that lets fear or anything else stand in my way for too long. At this specific time in my life, I can’t afford to let it stop me or even delay the work that I need to get done. So even though I’m afraid of rejection, I need to finish that screenplay and that book. And even though I may be afraid of success because it will take me out of my comfort zone; I might have to travel, meet different people and more importantly if that book and/or screenplay becomes successful, I will need to prove that it the first one wasn’t a fluke, I need to keep pushing.
What are your fears keeping you from achieving in your life?
Monday, May 19, 2014
The Joy of Rejections
I think most people would be able to relate to being rejected. We learn it at such an early age—we’re hurt when we are not invited to eat with the cool kids at their table for lunch, when we hear they are having the party of the year but we never received an invite/evite, when we audition for that part in the school play and our best friend gets it instead or when that girl who says no when you invite her to the high school prom. But they’re growing pains of adolescents and we eventually get over these types of rebuffs.
When we get older, rejection can become a little bit harder to come to grips with. That job or promotion that we worked our asses off to get only to be told we don’t have what it takes. That expensive engagement ring you brought only to be told, in the nicest way of course, that they can’t see themselves spending the rest of their life with you. That Broadway call-back that you didn’t get (btw, that happened to me). But how do you come back from that?
I’ve heard a few writers comment that the reason why they never send out their manuscripts is because they are scared of rejection. But my question to them is why even bother writing?
I am not new to being rejected. As a one-time singer, I had my share of sending out demos and most of the ones I sent out, I never even got so much as a form letter but I think that’s how it is in the music industry. Rude!
But when you send out query letters to literary agents and you get rejects, at least you are not left hanging. Most will send you a form letter. Some may even send you a personal note. But a reject letter is a reject letter no matter how it’s stated. Even if that letter says you have potential. The only thing we see is the: but, however and nevertheless. It all spells rejection to us.
So why should we continue to write? That is a very good question. I’m sure if my friends, family and associates knew how many rejects that I have received over the years, they would think I was crazy and probably tell me to give up.
I can give you a list of established writers who’ve received many reject letters before they got that yes but you know it’s not about that. It’s about believing that I do have that gift called writing. That I am a damn good writer and I know I will get that contract.
Rejection letters just make me stronger. When I get that yes, I’ll be able to say, “See, I told ya I was good.” Of course if you knew me, you would know I couldn’t do that. I’m not a ‘told ya so’ type of person. But if I don’t believe in myself and I believe what those letters say, then I will fail as a writer and I will end up like many of those other writers—having a draw full of scripts and books that no one is ever going to see and to me that would be a waste. I’m not ready to give up yet.
How many rejects would you be able to handle before you decided to quit?
When we get older, rejection can become a little bit harder to come to grips with. That job or promotion that we worked our asses off to get only to be told we don’t have what it takes. That expensive engagement ring you brought only to be told, in the nicest way of course, that they can’t see themselves spending the rest of their life with you. That Broadway call-back that you didn’t get (btw, that happened to me). But how do you come back from that?
I’ve heard a few writers comment that the reason why they never send out their manuscripts is because they are scared of rejection. But my question to them is why even bother writing?
I am not new to being rejected. As a one-time singer, I had my share of sending out demos and most of the ones I sent out, I never even got so much as a form letter but I think that’s how it is in the music industry. Rude!
But when you send out query letters to literary agents and you get rejects, at least you are not left hanging. Most will send you a form letter. Some may even send you a personal note. But a reject letter is a reject letter no matter how it’s stated. Even if that letter says you have potential. The only thing we see is the: but, however and nevertheless. It all spells rejection to us.
So why should we continue to write? That is a very good question. I’m sure if my friends, family and associates knew how many rejects that I have received over the years, they would think I was crazy and probably tell me to give up.
I can give you a list of established writers who’ve received many reject letters before they got that yes but you know it’s not about that. It’s about believing that I do have that gift called writing. That I am a damn good writer and I know I will get that contract.
Rejection letters just make me stronger. When I get that yes, I’ll be able to say, “See, I told ya I was good.” Of course if you knew me, you would know I couldn’t do that. I’m not a ‘told ya so’ type of person. But if I don’t believe in myself and I believe what those letters say, then I will fail as a writer and I will end up like many of those other writers—having a draw full of scripts and books that no one is ever going to see and to me that would be a waste. I’m not ready to give up yet.
How many rejects would you be able to handle before you decided to quit?
Friday, May 16, 2014
I’m Ready For My Cigar…
How many of you have heard the saying, ‘Close But No Cigar’? If it’s new to you, then let me simplify the meaning. Say you are an advent lotto player and one night while you’re watching them call the numbers on the tele, you realize that with each number they pick you’re getting closer to becoming the big winner. You’re on the edge of your couch. Three numbers left and you’re now crawling to your set with your ticket clutched in your hand. Your palms are sweating because it’s so close you can taste it. Like a horse that you’ve bet on at the races you can see it getting closer to the finish line—come on… come on… Aw darn. Better luck next time.
I thought about this when I was in New York this past week. I was on the Metro North train heading back upstate from Harlem when I met what I thought might be my soul-mate. You know what I mean—that first glance and your heart skips a beat. You can’t help but sneak a peek at him as he reads his paper and you just hope like in the movies he might ask you for your number and when he does, you just know you’ll have a great story to tell your grandkids. But then seven days later he doesn’t call. What the what?
I’ve come so close to getting that cigar many times as a writer. In 2004, when I was halfway thru writing my first novel, I began sending out query letters to literary agents. Like many first-time writers, I was anxious to get a contract. I just knew I had a bestseller in my hands.
Not long after mailing around 10 queries, I got a response back from an agency in New York. The sequence was the following:
1. Please send us a synopsis
a. No problem. I can write one immediately
2. We like your synopsis. Please send us first 3 chapters
a. No problem. I have 3 chapters and I can send them immediately
3. We like the first couple of chapters. Please send us the whole book
a. Ooops. I better finish my book.
I rushed the last of my chapters and sent it off only to receive a form letter soon after telling me that my novel was too short.
After getting that letter, I put my novel away for a few years. But after awhile I took it back out and started to work on it again.
There have been many other times when I’ve come close to signing a deal but for some reason, it fell through. In 2010, that same novel became a quarter-finalist in the Amazon.com’s Breakthrough Novel Award competition. That’s 6 years later.
I will continue to draft and redraft my novel until I get it right. Recently I had it edited by a wonderful editor by the name of Jean Jenkins and I’m absolutely sure that when I send it out this time, I’ll get a yes and will finally be able to light that cigar.
Here’s smoke in your eyes.
How many of you have heard the saying, ‘Close But No Cigar’? If it’s new to you, then let me simplify the meaning. Say you are an advent lotto player and one night while you’re watching them call the numbers on the tele, you realize that with each number they pick you’re getting closer to becoming the big winner. You’re on the edge of your couch. Three numbers left and you’re now crawling to your set with your ticket clutched in your hand. Your palms are sweating because it’s so close you can taste it. Like a horse that you’ve bet on at the races you can see it getting closer to the finish line—come on… come on… Aw darn. Better luck next time.
I thought about this when I was in New York this past week. I was on the Metro North train heading back upstate from Harlem when I met what I thought might be my soul-mate. You know what I mean—that first glance and your heart skips a beat. You can’t help but sneak a peek at him as he reads his paper and you just hope like in the movies he might ask you for your number and when he does, you just know you’ll have a great story to tell your grandkids. But then seven days later he doesn’t call. What the what?
I’ve come so close to getting that cigar many times as a writer. In 2004, when I was halfway thru writing my first novel, I began sending out query letters to literary agents. Like many first-time writers, I was anxious to get a contract. I just knew I had a bestseller in my hands.
Not long after mailing around 10 queries, I got a response back from an agency in New York. The sequence was the following:
1. Please send us a synopsis
a. No problem. I can write one immediately
2. We like your synopsis. Please send us first 3 chapters
a. No problem. I have 3 chapters and I can send them immediately
3. We like the first couple of chapters. Please send us the whole book
a. Ooops. I better finish my book.
I rushed the last of my chapters and sent it off only to receive a form letter soon after telling me that my novel was too short.
After getting that letter, I put my novel away for a few years. But after awhile I took it back out and started to work on it again.
There have been many other times when I’ve come close to signing a deal but for some reason, it fell through. In 2010, that same novel became a quarter-finalist in the Amazon.com’s Breakthrough Novel Award competition. That’s 6 years later.
I will continue to draft and redraft my novel until I get it right. Recently I had it edited by a wonderful editor by the name of Jean Jenkins and I’m absolutely sure that when I send it out this time, I’ll get a yes and will finally be able to light that cigar.
Here’s smoke in your eyes.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Married or Divorced
During my college years, I had to write short stories, screenplays and poetry. Because those writings were primarily graded, I had to make sure I followed the instructors’ assignments. Fortunately, most of my teachers would allow me some creative license. But now that I am writing purely for myself, I have the freedom to write what I want and how I want. Or do I?
There are tons of literary agents and publishers out there and we writers are hoping to connect to at least one that is able to relate to our words and understand the story we're trying to tell. But what if that agent or publisher loves 98% of what you’ve written but wants you to change a percentage of your story. Just a small 2%. That’s not a lot is it? But what if that one piece anchors the whole story? Would you divorce the idea or fight to stay married to it?
I wrote a screenplay a couple of years ago called, Close-up. When it was done, I entered my script into screenwriter’s contests and was excited that I made it to the quarter and semi-finalist portion for a few. After getting close but never winning, I began to think that maybe I should make some changes to my script. I decided to take a writing class at UCLA. UCLA screenwriting classes are known to be taught by instructors whom have a body of published or produced work.
I took a class for 8 weeks and the format was the following:
1. Student would send the teacher a script or a script idea
2. Student would send teacher an outline of a script or idea
3. Student would read pages of the script in front of the class
After reading the script in front of the class, you would get critiques from each student on what they liked, disliked, worked or did not work with your script. Seldom there may be students in your class that are really good at giving constructive criticism. But some may have never written a script or studied screenwriting while others are just not remotely interested your genre. But what about the instructor?
I liked my instructor. Though we argued back and forth about the first 30 pages along with the use of flashbacks, I decided in the end he was right and rewrote most of the beginning of my script. Excited about my changes, I sent it out again but to my surprise I never got even an honorable mention. Was it the changes to my script? I don’t know.
I recently started watching a show called, The Writers’ Room. The show interviews writing staff from popular television shows. A couple of weeks ago it had Shonda Rhimes, executive producer and creator of Scandal. She spoke about how she came up with the idea for the show—a political series about a woman who owns a crisis management firm. When Shonda was selling the idea to the network, they loved it but were not keen that the main character would be having an affair with the President of the United States.
She stood firm to that premise and if you are a fan of the show you know that story line is pivotal to the whole series. But Ms. Rhimes has established herself as a screenwriter, producer and director and I have not. Did she ever have to change a story or concept even though she didn’t want to at the beginning of her career? I’d like to know. I’m not sure what will happen when I'm given that choice. I can’t wait to find out.
What would you do?
During my college years, I had to write short stories, screenplays and poetry. Because those writings were primarily graded, I had to make sure I followed the instructors’ assignments. Fortunately, most of my teachers would allow me some creative license. But now that I am writing purely for myself, I have the freedom to write what I want and how I want. Or do I?
There are tons of literary agents and publishers out there and we writers are hoping to connect to at least one that is able to relate to our words and understand the story we're trying to tell. But what if that agent or publisher loves 98% of what you’ve written but wants you to change a percentage of your story. Just a small 2%. That’s not a lot is it? But what if that one piece anchors the whole story? Would you divorce the idea or fight to stay married to it?
I wrote a screenplay a couple of years ago called, Close-up. When it was done, I entered my script into screenwriter’s contests and was excited that I made it to the quarter and semi-finalist portion for a few. After getting close but never winning, I began to think that maybe I should make some changes to my script. I decided to take a writing class at UCLA. UCLA screenwriting classes are known to be taught by instructors whom have a body of published or produced work.
I took a class for 8 weeks and the format was the following:
1. Student would send the teacher a script or a script idea
2. Student would send teacher an outline of a script or idea
3. Student would read pages of the script in front of the class
After reading the script in front of the class, you would get critiques from each student on what they liked, disliked, worked or did not work with your script. Seldom there may be students in your class that are really good at giving constructive criticism. But some may have never written a script or studied screenwriting while others are just not remotely interested your genre. But what about the instructor?
I liked my instructor. Though we argued back and forth about the first 30 pages along with the use of flashbacks, I decided in the end he was right and rewrote most of the beginning of my script. Excited about my changes, I sent it out again but to my surprise I never got even an honorable mention. Was it the changes to my script? I don’t know.
I recently started watching a show called, The Writers’ Room. The show interviews writing staff from popular television shows. A couple of weeks ago it had Shonda Rhimes, executive producer and creator of Scandal. She spoke about how she came up with the idea for the show—a political series about a woman who owns a crisis management firm. When Shonda was selling the idea to the network, they loved it but were not keen that the main character would be having an affair with the President of the United States.
She stood firm to that premise and if you are a fan of the show you know that story line is pivotal to the whole series. But Ms. Rhimes has established herself as a screenwriter, producer and director and I have not. Did she ever have to change a story or concept even though she didn’t want to at the beginning of her career? I’d like to know. I’m not sure what will happen when I'm given that choice. I can’t wait to find out.
What would you do?
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Fall back or Struggle...
I’m probably one of the few people who have been gifted with more than one mother. My biological mother gave me up when I was born. I don’t remember my first foster home. I believe I was only there for a few months. Soon after, I was sent to another foster home with parents by the name of Brown until I was nine. When I turned ten, I was sent to live with the Brooks family. They adopted me which is the surname I now go by.
My mother, Marjorie Brooks, died many years ago at the age where mothers and daughters finally turn the page from adversaries to best friends. I’m often jealous of my close friends who still have these relationships and although their mothers consider me like a daughter, it’s not the same.
Part of that jealousy is the advice they now get from those mothers. When we are young, most of us fight with our mothers but when we become adults with grownup responsibilities, we often crave that motherly advice.
I don’t remember my mother giving me much advice when I was growing up. You see, my mother was a bit of a social butterfly and although she came home every night I was already in bed. And on the weekends the time we spent together was me helping her pick out an outfit then watching as she got ready. However, I do remember a particular time when she gave me advice. I didn’t give much credence to it then but I do now. That advice was to learn how to type.
My mother brought home an old electric typewriter from her office. This was before people started realizing the importance of having a computer in the home. I was taking a few business classes in school and one of the requirements was to take a typing class (I hope they still teach this skill in school). By this time, I was probably up to 35 or 40wpm.
As I was clicking away on the keys, my mother commented that I was already a good little typist. She then said, “Typing is a great skill to have. You can always use it to fall back on.”
Being able to type has been a blessing. While working on my novel and other writing projects, I’ve been able to secure secretarial and administrative positions because of that skill. Plus, since I am a writer, once I have an idea I don’t have to hen and peck. When my ideas start flowing, my fingers can keep up on the keys.
But what about using the skill of typing to fall back on? Can this skill or any skill that keeps food on the table and the bills paid and a roof over your head become more than just a backup plan?
There have been many times I have worked at companies where I could have made a conscious decision to stay. From secretarial, to admin, to coordinator and managerial positions my typing skills have helped me to grow.
I’ve met so many writers and other creative types who have just given up. Mainly, they took that skill that was only meant as a backup and turned it into a full-time job. That’s fine if what you are doing has become satisfying and you’re content. But what if it’s not and you’re stuck?
The word fall means to; drop, go down, plummet, collapse and descend. That’s why having a skill to fall back on is not always the best.
I wonder what my mother would say today. I’d like to think that she would feel that my skills of typing have served me well but it was time to use that typing skill to create a masterpiece.
If you have a desire to be a writer then make sure you do everything you can to become that writer. I’d rather struggle as a writer than to fall into a job. At least when you are struggling, you’re fighting or using some type of exertion to propel you to the next level. When you fall you just… fall
What have you fallen into?
My mother, Marjorie Brooks, died many years ago at the age where mothers and daughters finally turn the page from adversaries to best friends. I’m often jealous of my close friends who still have these relationships and although their mothers consider me like a daughter, it’s not the same.
Part of that jealousy is the advice they now get from those mothers. When we are young, most of us fight with our mothers but when we become adults with grownup responsibilities, we often crave that motherly advice.
I don’t remember my mother giving me much advice when I was growing up. You see, my mother was a bit of a social butterfly and although she came home every night I was already in bed. And on the weekends the time we spent together was me helping her pick out an outfit then watching as she got ready. However, I do remember a particular time when she gave me advice. I didn’t give much credence to it then but I do now. That advice was to learn how to type.
My mother brought home an old electric typewriter from her office. This was before people started realizing the importance of having a computer in the home. I was taking a few business classes in school and one of the requirements was to take a typing class (I hope they still teach this skill in school). By this time, I was probably up to 35 or 40wpm.
As I was clicking away on the keys, my mother commented that I was already a good little typist. She then said, “Typing is a great skill to have. You can always use it to fall back on.”
Being able to type has been a blessing. While working on my novel and other writing projects, I’ve been able to secure secretarial and administrative positions because of that skill. Plus, since I am a writer, once I have an idea I don’t have to hen and peck. When my ideas start flowing, my fingers can keep up on the keys.
But what about using the skill of typing to fall back on? Can this skill or any skill that keeps food on the table and the bills paid and a roof over your head become more than just a backup plan?
There have been many times I have worked at companies where I could have made a conscious decision to stay. From secretarial, to admin, to coordinator and managerial positions my typing skills have helped me to grow.
I’ve met so many writers and other creative types who have just given up. Mainly, they took that skill that was only meant as a backup and turned it into a full-time job. That’s fine if what you are doing has become satisfying and you’re content. But what if it’s not and you’re stuck?
The word fall means to; drop, go down, plummet, collapse and descend. That’s why having a skill to fall back on is not always the best.
I wonder what my mother would say today. I’d like to think that she would feel that my skills of typing have served me well but it was time to use that typing skill to create a masterpiece.
If you have a desire to be a writer then make sure you do everything you can to become that writer. I’d rather struggle as a writer than to fall into a job. At least when you are struggling, you’re fighting or using some type of exertion to propel you to the next level. When you fall you just… fall
What have you fallen into?
Monday, April 28, 2014
Fine-Tune Your Writing Voice
When I used to take singing lessons, my music teacher would play a chord on the piano and I had to make sure that the note coming out of me sounded exactly the same. It was fairly easy for me since I’d been singing in church and school at a very young age.
However, it became more challenging when I would perform. Since my shows consisted of songs from major artists, I wanted to stay true to the song but also include my own personality. But let’s be honest, unless you have a lot of your own material and a huge following, the audience is going to want to hear their favorite songs sung as close to the original and if you do anything different, you better make sure you bring it.
Being a writer is different. In school you may study legendary writers in Eng. Literature like Hemmingway and Virginia Wolfe or in Screenwriting classes like Robert Benton and Francis Ford Coppola but when you write that essay, etc., it should have your tone.
But how do you find your own voice?
As my Bishop says frequently, “You ask good questions on Sunday morning”
To be honest, I’m not sure if I have the answer to that. I’m all about studying my genre, not to copy but to see what’s selling. And if I had to take a stab at an answer, it could be as simple as writing, writing and writing. But I’d also like to believe that a lot of writing is mixed with that author's individual personality and character traits.
I wonder what my writing would have been like if I‘d started much earlier? When I was growing up I was quiet and shy and I didn’t say much unless I was spoken to. But the older I became, the more vocal I became.
Now, instead of being quiet, I’m more introspective (I like to people watch) and instead of shyness, I use wit to break the ice. And some may even say I can be a little dark but that trait I try to keep hidden and only pull it out when I’m writing. Over the years, I’ve been able to unbolt a lot of my inner voices.
So what do you need to unlock to find yours?
However, it became more challenging when I would perform. Since my shows consisted of songs from major artists, I wanted to stay true to the song but also include my own personality. But let’s be honest, unless you have a lot of your own material and a huge following, the audience is going to want to hear their favorite songs sung as close to the original and if you do anything different, you better make sure you bring it.
Being a writer is different. In school you may study legendary writers in Eng. Literature like Hemmingway and Virginia Wolfe or in Screenwriting classes like Robert Benton and Francis Ford Coppola but when you write that essay, etc., it should have your tone.
But how do you find your own voice?
As my Bishop says frequently, “You ask good questions on Sunday morning”
To be honest, I’m not sure if I have the answer to that. I’m all about studying my genre, not to copy but to see what’s selling. And if I had to take a stab at an answer, it could be as simple as writing, writing and writing. But I’d also like to believe that a lot of writing is mixed with that author's individual personality and character traits.
I wonder what my writing would have been like if I‘d started much earlier? When I was growing up I was quiet and shy and I didn’t say much unless I was spoken to. But the older I became, the more vocal I became.
Now, instead of being quiet, I’m more introspective (I like to people watch) and instead of shyness, I use wit to break the ice. And some may even say I can be a little dark but that trait I try to keep hidden and only pull it out when I’m writing. Over the years, I’ve been able to unbolt a lot of my inner voices.
So what do you need to unlock to find yours?
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Sell, Sell, Sell
A few days ago, a friend asked if I’d gotten into a routine now that I’ve been working from home (day 16). I said yes. That basically I do. I'm writing at least 4 to 6 hours a day and trying to stay off the couch. After a few rough patches, it’s been working just fine.
She said she understood that it’s probably challenging to sit at a computer every day and try to come up with something creative to write about. I told her that’s never really been my problem. Not that every time I sit down the words flow easily or that it even comes out perfectly the first time but usually if I have a day or less of lapse, eventually the words began to pour.
You see, I’ve been working on my writing(s): books, short stories, poetry and scripts for 10+ years and when I decided to finally leave my job, there was never a struggle on what I’d do first. I already had it mapped out:
a) Finish my romantic comedy (40 or more pages left to go)
b) Rework a ½ hour comedy pilot
c) Start querying for an agent (I’d use my 3 scripts and 1 spec already completed)
d) Work on the edits of the last 150 pages of my novel, and after that’s done;
e) Query literary agents (novel)
And after the above items are completed, I still have outlines for other book ideas and scripts that can take me into another 10 years, maybe even longer.
So what is the problem if I have all this writing just pouring out of me? I need to sell at least one of them. The words, ‘Sell, Sell, Sell’, dance in my head a lot and now that I’ve left my job, they replay in my head like a broken record.
This reminds me of two different films; the 1992 movie Glengarry, Glen Ross, a famous moving staring Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris and a very young, sexy, albeit heartless Alec Baldwin and the movie scene from Trading Places with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd at the New York Stock Exchange.
One focused on the art of real estate (the ABCs – Always Be Closing) while the other focused on the rat race of selling stocks. Although different story lines, in the end both are lecturing on the same topics; if you don’t sell, you will lose.
At this point, I can’t afford to lose. I’ve been working since I was 16 and in corporate America since I was 21. That’s, blank, blank years (apologies if you were expecting to see a number) of working and not doing what I love. So I need to sell, sell, sell. How will I do that?
To be continued…
She said she understood that it’s probably challenging to sit at a computer every day and try to come up with something creative to write about. I told her that’s never really been my problem. Not that every time I sit down the words flow easily or that it even comes out perfectly the first time but usually if I have a day or less of lapse, eventually the words began to pour.
You see, I’ve been working on my writing(s): books, short stories, poetry and scripts for 10+ years and when I decided to finally leave my job, there was never a struggle on what I’d do first. I already had it mapped out:
a) Finish my romantic comedy (40 or more pages left to go)
b) Rework a ½ hour comedy pilot
c) Start querying for an agent (I’d use my 3 scripts and 1 spec already completed)
d) Work on the edits of the last 150 pages of my novel, and after that’s done;
e) Query literary agents (novel)
And after the above items are completed, I still have outlines for other book ideas and scripts that can take me into another 10 years, maybe even longer.
So what is the problem if I have all this writing just pouring out of me? I need to sell at least one of them. The words, ‘Sell, Sell, Sell’, dance in my head a lot and now that I’ve left my job, they replay in my head like a broken record.
This reminds me of two different films; the 1992 movie Glengarry, Glen Ross, a famous moving staring Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris and a very young, sexy, albeit heartless Alec Baldwin and the movie scene from Trading Places with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd at the New York Stock Exchange.
One focused on the art of real estate (the ABCs – Always Be Closing) while the other focused on the rat race of selling stocks. Although different story lines, in the end both are lecturing on the same topics; if you don’t sell, you will lose.
At this point, I can’t afford to lose. I’ve been working since I was 16 and in corporate America since I was 21. That’s, blank, blank years (apologies if you were expecting to see a number) of working and not doing what I love. So I need to sell, sell, sell. How will I do that?
To be continued…
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
I Dont Get It!
A couple of weeks ago, I received an odd email from a friend of a friend that said, “I don’t get it,” referring to my blog. I thought about it for a few minutes or probably a little bit longer then I needed to. My first thought was that it felt rude. Why would someone send an email like that? After further reflection, I just shrugged it off.
I mean after all, she wasn’t very specific, she didn’t leave this comment on my blog and she didn’t reference any specific blog that I wrote and in the end it just left me wanting to throw the comment right back to her, “I don’t get it.”
It reminded me of the first short story I ever wrote. I had only dabbled in poetry and song lyrics but I’d never thought about writing anything beyond that. Never even considered poems or music lyrics as real writing but one night I had a dream that was so colorful and felt so real, I had to write it down.
I gave it to a coworker and after she read it she said, “I don’t get it.” I couldn’t understand why she would say that, so I went into this long explanation on what the story meant. A co-worker who happened to be listening said that if she didn’t get it, then maybe it wasn’t her and that maybe it was the way I had written the story.
For days I thought about what he’d said. He could be right. I mean after all, it was my first time writing anything like that.
But over 10 years later after studying the craft of writing at Cerritos College and LMU and not to mention the many, many stories I’ve written since—a couple of contests where I was quarter or semi finalist, the articles I’ve had published or the ones where I actually won for my writing—what does this comment now mean to me?
Not a lot. Why? Because there have been books I’ve read from famous writers or movies I’ve seen from established screenwriters that have made no sense to me and where I’ve said those same words, “I don’t get it.”
A few years back, I used to wear ties as belts and I remember a couple of people looking at me and making comments about how it looked weird. Then a couple of years later, I saw the style on an actor. I wear my hair natural because I just don’t want to straighten my hair anymore plus I just like the way I look. I wear blue eyeliner and mascara because I like how it looks on me instead of black. I’ve always danced to my own rhythm. People don’t always get that.
Different opinions, views, attitudes and beliefs make the world go round. I’m not saying that everything I write will be good and that it will be for everyone. I do value other people’s opinion—certain editors and writers and even friends who are critiquing my work in order to help my writing grow. But we also know people who never compliment anyone’s work no matter how good it is and people who are just plain negative.
Either way, my blog is not that deep. It’s a diary of a woman who has dreams of becoming a successful writer and the daily struggles that go along in making that dream come into fruition.
Not everyone understands someone else’s journey. They may not understand why you want to be a writer or why you quit that job. And they may never understand why you decided to move to another part of the world or why after all those years you’re returning back to school. There will always be many naysayers you will meet on your journey but just make sure they don’t try to jump on the bandwagon when you become a success.
I mean after all, she wasn’t very specific, she didn’t leave this comment on my blog and she didn’t reference any specific blog that I wrote and in the end it just left me wanting to throw the comment right back to her, “I don’t get it.”
It reminded me of the first short story I ever wrote. I had only dabbled in poetry and song lyrics but I’d never thought about writing anything beyond that. Never even considered poems or music lyrics as real writing but one night I had a dream that was so colorful and felt so real, I had to write it down.
I gave it to a coworker and after she read it she said, “I don’t get it.” I couldn’t understand why she would say that, so I went into this long explanation on what the story meant. A co-worker who happened to be listening said that if she didn’t get it, then maybe it wasn’t her and that maybe it was the way I had written the story.
For days I thought about what he’d said. He could be right. I mean after all, it was my first time writing anything like that.
But over 10 years later after studying the craft of writing at Cerritos College and LMU and not to mention the many, many stories I’ve written since—a couple of contests where I was quarter or semi finalist, the articles I’ve had published or the ones where I actually won for my writing—what does this comment now mean to me?
Not a lot. Why? Because there have been books I’ve read from famous writers or movies I’ve seen from established screenwriters that have made no sense to me and where I’ve said those same words, “I don’t get it.”
A few years back, I used to wear ties as belts and I remember a couple of people looking at me and making comments about how it looked weird. Then a couple of years later, I saw the style on an actor. I wear my hair natural because I just don’t want to straighten my hair anymore plus I just like the way I look. I wear blue eyeliner and mascara because I like how it looks on me instead of black. I’ve always danced to my own rhythm. People don’t always get that.
Different opinions, views, attitudes and beliefs make the world go round. I’m not saying that everything I write will be good and that it will be for everyone. I do value other people’s opinion—certain editors and writers and even friends who are critiquing my work in order to help my writing grow. But we also know people who never compliment anyone’s work no matter how good it is and people who are just plain negative.
Either way, my blog is not that deep. It’s a diary of a woman who has dreams of becoming a successful writer and the daily struggles that go along in making that dream come into fruition.
Not everyone understands someone else’s journey. They may not understand why you want to be a writer or why you quit that job. And they may never understand why you decided to move to another part of the world or why after all those years you’re returning back to school. There will always be many naysayers you will meet on your journey but just make sure they don’t try to jump on the bandwagon when you become a success.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Seasons - Getting Rid of Crap or Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning is a nice way to say that you need to get rid of crap once a year. When I was living in New York, it seemed spring cleaning was more out of necessity. During the winter months, there is a need for bulky clothes and boots, quilts and electric blankets and other winter provisions. As soon as there is a touch of warmth in the air, it’s time to throw out and pack away these items so you can prepare for the spring and summer months.
When I lived in New York, I had a small studio apartment and because of its size, I had a lot of clutter in many corners. At least I told myself that was the reason for the mass collection of stuff. But the truth is I may be a bit of a hoarder. Not as bad as some of the people on the show, Hoarder, but there have been times when it’s gotten out of hand.
Since moving to California, I’ve moved 8 or 9 times and with each move my car has become a place of storage for some of my smaller items. I try to have enough space in my trunk where I can place my groceries but because I am constantly writing and rewriting and editing and redrafting (I knows it’s not eco-friendly but I need to see my writing on paper in order to do any type of edits) my trunk gets even more cluttered. It reminds me of the old fridge my parents had. You know the ones I mean? They didn’t have the no-frost technology yet and the longer you waited to defrost, the more the ice would accumulate. Eventually, you had to do a manual defrost because you couldn’t fit anything else in the freezer.
When I left my job, I decided to do some spring cleaning in my car. While flipping through some of my old writings, I had mixed emotions. Several of my writings were good and I couldn’t believe it came from me. Truly God had been with me. But then there were others that stunk. I couldn’t help to wonder what I was thinking at the time. I also wondered why I was so obsessed with verbs and adjectives.
Hoarding may not be healthy but I do think that holding onto some of your old writings, at least for awhile, can be educational. You can see where you’ve grown and not make the same mistakes. Old writings can also inspire you to come up with a new twist. But I think the jewel to going through your old writing is coming across old rejection letters.
As writers we are told to never throw away these letters. At first, I never understood why. I mean, they are reminders from publishers and agents whom we respected enough to send them our writings, that we are not good enough.
But then I’ve read stories of writers like John Grisham and Kathryn Stockett who were rejected. And writers we not only grew up reading but who we studied in classes like English lit. Writers like, Plath, Kipling, Dickinson and Hemingway.
So although I’ve promised myself to no longer be a hoarder, there will be some items I will keep like those rejects. At least until I get that ‘YES’ letter in the mail.
When I lived in New York, I had a small studio apartment and because of its size, I had a lot of clutter in many corners. At least I told myself that was the reason for the mass collection of stuff. But the truth is I may be a bit of a hoarder. Not as bad as some of the people on the show, Hoarder, but there have been times when it’s gotten out of hand.
Since moving to California, I’ve moved 8 or 9 times and with each move my car has become a place of storage for some of my smaller items. I try to have enough space in my trunk where I can place my groceries but because I am constantly writing and rewriting and editing and redrafting (I knows it’s not eco-friendly but I need to see my writing on paper in order to do any type of edits) my trunk gets even more cluttered. It reminds me of the old fridge my parents had. You know the ones I mean? They didn’t have the no-frost technology yet and the longer you waited to defrost, the more the ice would accumulate. Eventually, you had to do a manual defrost because you couldn’t fit anything else in the freezer.
When I left my job, I decided to do some spring cleaning in my car. While flipping through some of my old writings, I had mixed emotions. Several of my writings were good and I couldn’t believe it came from me. Truly God had been with me. But then there were others that stunk. I couldn’t help to wonder what I was thinking at the time. I also wondered why I was so obsessed with verbs and adjectives.
Hoarding may not be healthy but I do think that holding onto some of your old writings, at least for awhile, can be educational. You can see where you’ve grown and not make the same mistakes. Old writings can also inspire you to come up with a new twist. But I think the jewel to going through your old writing is coming across old rejection letters.
As writers we are told to never throw away these letters. At first, I never understood why. I mean, they are reminders from publishers and agents whom we respected enough to send them our writings, that we are not good enough.
But then I’ve read stories of writers like John Grisham and Kathryn Stockett who were rejected. And writers we not only grew up reading but who we studied in classes like English lit. Writers like, Plath, Kipling, Dickinson and Hemingway.
So although I’ve promised myself to no longer be a hoarder, there will be some items I will keep like those rejects. At least until I get that ‘YES’ letter in the mail.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Bring in the Noise, Bring in the Funk
My neighbor who lives above me is home today. Why is that a big deal? Because as nice as my neighbor is, he has the walk of a Sasquatch and I’m worried I won’t be able to get much done today if he’s stumping around.
I’m sure most or all writers have an idea writing place or spot where they can go to write. Some need music, some have to use earphones. There may be some who can only write at a sea shore while others need to be in an isolated location in the mountains to get the juices flowing.
My preference would be sitting in the living room of my 3 bedroom loft, my laptop cradled on my lap where I lie cozily on my lounger. And every now and then when I look up, I can see the sun glistening off the ocean’s waves outside my huge bay window. One day…
I love writing when the world is still, and the sky is a tinge of indigo and there is calmness around me. I’ve been writing for over 10 years now and during those years, I’ve lived at 8 are 9 different apartments, worked about the same amount of jobs and I’ve been able to write in most of those places. I’ve written at the lowest and most painful times of my life.
During a Sex and the City episode, one of the characters, Charlotte, was trying acupuncture, a traditional Chinese procedure, that some believe can cure a number of symptoms. I’m a big believer. With the needle method, which is the one Charlotte’s character was doing, the doctor may leave you in a dark or soft lit room so that you can breathe deeply, relax and hopefully free your mind.
Charlotte’s doctor’s office was in the middle of Manhattan and if anyone knows anything about the city, it never sleeps. She had a hard time letting go and she kept complaining to the doctor about the noise. Eventually he told her that she had to learn how to relax no matter what was going on in and around her life.
The same thing is necessary when writing. You may not ever have the right place or the right time to write. Sometime you got’ a block out the noise and the funk and just do it.
I’m sure most or all writers have an idea writing place or spot where they can go to write. Some need music, some have to use earphones. There may be some who can only write at a sea shore while others need to be in an isolated location in the mountains to get the juices flowing.
My preference would be sitting in the living room of my 3 bedroom loft, my laptop cradled on my lap where I lie cozily on my lounger. And every now and then when I look up, I can see the sun glistening off the ocean’s waves outside my huge bay window. One day…
I love writing when the world is still, and the sky is a tinge of indigo and there is calmness around me. I’ve been writing for over 10 years now and during those years, I’ve lived at 8 are 9 different apartments, worked about the same amount of jobs and I’ve been able to write in most of those places. I’ve written at the lowest and most painful times of my life.
During a Sex and the City episode, one of the characters, Charlotte, was trying acupuncture, a traditional Chinese procedure, that some believe can cure a number of symptoms. I’m a big believer. With the needle method, which is the one Charlotte’s character was doing, the doctor may leave you in a dark or soft lit room so that you can breathe deeply, relax and hopefully free your mind.
Charlotte’s doctor’s office was in the middle of Manhattan and if anyone knows anything about the city, it never sleeps. She had a hard time letting go and she kept complaining to the doctor about the noise. Eventually he told her that she had to learn how to relax no matter what was going on in and around her life.
The same thing is necessary when writing. You may not ever have the right place or the right time to write. Sometime you got’ a block out the noise and the funk and just do it.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Help a Sistah Out!
It’s been a week and a day since I left my job. I now have everything in place to write. My Internet, laptop, printer and phone are working properly.
This is the day I’ve committed to start writing. I’ve done all of the organizing, ran all my errands, have searched the Internet for great deals and have watched enough television. No more excuses. It’s time to start on my projects.
But of course there is always something to take you off track. As I sat down to work on my script and inserted my Final Draft CD (6.0) into the CD driver, it wouldn’t work. This is a problem since I’m not ready to shell out another $200 for an upgraded version.
After getting frustrated and feeling stressed for a few minutes, I went online and did some shop comparisons. Instead of shelling out for the newest version 9.0, I would settle for 7 or 8. But those are still quite high.
But low and behold, I noticed a link for free 30-day trial download. I’m saved. So I’m back in business.
There are so many creative people in the world. Whether you want to be a singer, screenwriter or author, the price to attend special programs, to buy tools or software, attend classes, or even entering contests can become very pricey.
And unfortunately there are so many programs out there that know there are people like me who are trying to break into the biz and they constantly increase their prices with each change of the seasons. It’s a little sad but it’s the world we live in.
Is 6.0 better than 9.0? I don’t really see a difference. Maybe for the real hardcore screenwriters but I don’t need all those bells and whistles. I’m just a writer who wants to make sure my format is right, that there is enough white-space in my script and I spelled everything correctly but most of all that my script is good.
Unlike when using PowerPoint (my favorite software btw—good job Microsoft) where I can use transitions, slideshows and fancy fonts, my screenplay and even my fiction writing has to fit the industries standard; courier, 12pt, 1.5 inch margins, etc.
Today is tax day and there are all types of companies offering discounts and freebies. It would be ever so nice if Apple, Microsoft, and the telephone companies would jump on board.
After all, who couldn’t benefit from a discount? Come on guys; help a sistah out once in awhile.
PS: I think I'll head over to Boston Market. They got a good chicken dinner deal.
This is the day I’ve committed to start writing. I’ve done all of the organizing, ran all my errands, have searched the Internet for great deals and have watched enough television. No more excuses. It’s time to start on my projects.
But of course there is always something to take you off track. As I sat down to work on my script and inserted my Final Draft CD (6.0) into the CD driver, it wouldn’t work. This is a problem since I’m not ready to shell out another $200 for an upgraded version.
After getting frustrated and feeling stressed for a few minutes, I went online and did some shop comparisons. Instead of shelling out for the newest version 9.0, I would settle for 7 or 8. But those are still quite high.
But low and behold, I noticed a link for free 30-day trial download. I’m saved. So I’m back in business.
There are so many creative people in the world. Whether you want to be a singer, screenwriter or author, the price to attend special programs, to buy tools or software, attend classes, or even entering contests can become very pricey.
And unfortunately there are so many programs out there that know there are people like me who are trying to break into the biz and they constantly increase their prices with each change of the seasons. It’s a little sad but it’s the world we live in.
Is 6.0 better than 9.0? I don’t really see a difference. Maybe for the real hardcore screenwriters but I don’t need all those bells and whistles. I’m just a writer who wants to make sure my format is right, that there is enough white-space in my script and I spelled everything correctly but most of all that my script is good.
Unlike when using PowerPoint (my favorite software btw—good job Microsoft) where I can use transitions, slideshows and fancy fonts, my screenplay and even my fiction writing has to fit the industries standard; courier, 12pt, 1.5 inch margins, etc.
Today is tax day and there are all types of companies offering discounts and freebies. It would be ever so nice if Apple, Microsoft, and the telephone companies would jump on board.
After all, who couldn’t benefit from a discount? Come on guys; help a sistah out once in awhile.
PS: I think I'll head over to Boston Market. They got a good chicken dinner deal.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Stepping Out - III
I was talking to an ex-coworker a couple of weeks ago about her breakup. It had been a few weeks but she was still going thru withdrawals. Since they had lived together for awhile, she now had problems being at home alone. She was constantly living inside her head—meaning she couldn’t stop the negative voices.
As an only child, I knew firsthand what she met. I am constantly in my head (happy, sad and sometimes crazy thoughts) and as a writer it becomes more so than the norm. I continued to listen as she said, “Work is a welcome diversion.”
That threw me. I thought I was the only one who felt that way. I knew what it meant to use work as a distraction. No one had ever said that to me before. I thought I was the only one who felt like that and I was always ashamed to admit it to anyone for fear of people feeling sorry for me.
For the last 4 years, I used work as a diversion. I’d stay late and come in on the weekends and although people would scold me for working long hours and weekends, I welcomed the moments where I wasn’t sitting at home. I’d get home about 9ish, eat dinner and watch a little comedy and two hours later I’m in bed asleep and able to shut out the world and not have to think about life for 7—9 hours.
Not to say I don’t have friends. I have plenty and get invited to my share of social events. But it’s easier to stay home, lie on the couch and not move until you have to.
I grew up mostly as an only child. That probably doesn’t make sense to most but I’m not in the mood to explain what ‘grew up mostly’ means right now. Suffice it to say, I can be comfortable spending time with myself. I’m sure some would say too comfy. But I also love to be surrounded by people.
I recently had a friend stop by and drop off a CD and when I asked where they were going they said they had to run some errands.
I jokingly asked if I could tag along. You see, I know my friend and I could tell he wanted some alone time. But for a few minutes after they left, I felt alone and the thought of traveling only a few feet to an office every day depressed me.
Unless you have a writing partner, it’s a lonely talent. It’s what I love and hate about writing. I think the loneliness part of writing scares me the most about my new season. But it’s also what makes me a great writer. And once I’m able to share my writing with the world, I know that part of the loneliness will disappear. I can’t wait.
As an only child, I knew firsthand what she met. I am constantly in my head (happy, sad and sometimes crazy thoughts) and as a writer it becomes more so than the norm. I continued to listen as she said, “Work is a welcome diversion.”
That threw me. I thought I was the only one who felt that way. I knew what it meant to use work as a distraction. No one had ever said that to me before. I thought I was the only one who felt like that and I was always ashamed to admit it to anyone for fear of people feeling sorry for me.
For the last 4 years, I used work as a diversion. I’d stay late and come in on the weekends and although people would scold me for working long hours and weekends, I welcomed the moments where I wasn’t sitting at home. I’d get home about 9ish, eat dinner and watch a little comedy and two hours later I’m in bed asleep and able to shut out the world and not have to think about life for 7—9 hours.
Not to say I don’t have friends. I have plenty and get invited to my share of social events. But it’s easier to stay home, lie on the couch and not move until you have to.
I grew up mostly as an only child. That probably doesn’t make sense to most but I’m not in the mood to explain what ‘grew up mostly’ means right now. Suffice it to say, I can be comfortable spending time with myself. I’m sure some would say too comfy. But I also love to be surrounded by people.
I recently had a friend stop by and drop off a CD and when I asked where they were going they said they had to run some errands.
I jokingly asked if I could tag along. You see, I know my friend and I could tell he wanted some alone time. But for a few minutes after they left, I felt alone and the thought of traveling only a few feet to an office every day depressed me.
Unless you have a writing partner, it’s a lonely talent. It’s what I love and hate about writing. I think the loneliness part of writing scares me the most about my new season. But it’s also what makes me a great writer. And once I’m able to share my writing with the world, I know that part of the loneliness will disappear. I can’t wait.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Stepping Out - Part II
I left my job less than a week ago. A company I’d been with for 6 years and two days. A job where I made a comfortable salary and worked with some of the most incredible people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with in my corporate career.
Yup. I stepped out. Now what?
During my 6 week notice (instead of the standard 2), I was constantly asked if I was excited about leaving. I think most people expected me to jump up and down and say, “Hells yes.” But I couldn’t. I was tired and stressed.
One, I’ve always had problems sleeping but it had now gotten to only 3 to 4 hours a night. I couldn’t believe I had given notice. What the heck was I doin’? Two, I wanted to make sure I got all my work done to make it easier for the next person(s). It took a village to do my job even though in the last 2 years, it had become a department of 1 and I needed to train that village. Three, did I have enough money saved? And 4, what if I failed?
Another question that was asked--, “What will be the first thing you’ll do when you leave…” For that, I gave the standard answer. I’m going to write. But for my close friends and family who needed more, I gave a detailed outline; mediation and prayer in the morning, workout for 30-40 minutes every other day, write 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon with the goal of getting up to 6 hours a day of writing. Most days, I’ll stay home and once or twice a week to keep it exciting, I’ll go to a coffee house or library.
But I have to be honest. An outline is just that, an outline. Like my writing, I can outline a story from the beginning to the end but when I began to write, it never comes out the way I expected.
I’ve been here before and working at home is a struggle. For the first few days, you start counting the money and wondering how long it will last because you realize it takes money to have a home office. I needed a new cell, a home phone, printer and the Internet. Plus, I wanted to make sure my place was not only desirable for me to want to work 24/7 but for people to come and visit.
For the first few days I had a burst of energy and began cleaning and organizing my work space-- throwing out the old with hopes of bringing in the new.
A couple of days later I started noticing that I was visiting the fridge a lot then--
I need to interrupt my writing flow to ask a question?
Why when you are on a budget does it feel like you can’t get enough to eat and you start craving everything?
--I started sitting on my couch a lot and turning on the television.
“I’ll just watch a little.”
A couple of hours later... I can start tomorrow. Then tomorrow turns to Monday.
I’ve been leaving my job to write for 6 years and 2 days basically the day I started. I stressed when the Head of Production told me that they wanted to hire me permanently and I cried when I had to write work goals for the first time in 8 years (I’d been a temp forever when I moved to Cali). I would have to lie and make up goals for a job I didn’t want (I don’t like lying) but needed. Plus, I was fearful that this would be it for me.
Nevertheless for 4 years, I wrote goals and went through performance reviews and became a fixture in the company. And during those years, I began to like what I did. I grew in my position, learned and was promoted but mostly I fell in love with the people I worked with.
During my 4th year I began to feel a shift and for awhile I tried hard to get back to how I felt those initial years. But the more I tried to bring myself back, the more I kept hitting a wall. I’m all about signs and I knew what they were telling me. It was time to go.
So for two years, I prayed, fasted, meditated and read and reread affirmations until finally I was able to release, to let go and to let God. I left.
Now, here I am. And God help me I am terrified. I’m right at the beginning with no idea on how it will end.
Stay tuned…
Yup. I stepped out. Now what?
During my 6 week notice (instead of the standard 2), I was constantly asked if I was excited about leaving. I think most people expected me to jump up and down and say, “Hells yes.” But I couldn’t. I was tired and stressed.
One, I’ve always had problems sleeping but it had now gotten to only 3 to 4 hours a night. I couldn’t believe I had given notice. What the heck was I doin’? Two, I wanted to make sure I got all my work done to make it easier for the next person(s). It took a village to do my job even though in the last 2 years, it had become a department of 1 and I needed to train that village. Three, did I have enough money saved? And 4, what if I failed?
Another question that was asked--, “What will be the first thing you’ll do when you leave…” For that, I gave the standard answer. I’m going to write. But for my close friends and family who needed more, I gave a detailed outline; mediation and prayer in the morning, workout for 30-40 minutes every other day, write 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon with the goal of getting up to 6 hours a day of writing. Most days, I’ll stay home and once or twice a week to keep it exciting, I’ll go to a coffee house or library.
But I have to be honest. An outline is just that, an outline. Like my writing, I can outline a story from the beginning to the end but when I began to write, it never comes out the way I expected.
I’ve been here before and working at home is a struggle. For the first few days, you start counting the money and wondering how long it will last because you realize it takes money to have a home office. I needed a new cell, a home phone, printer and the Internet. Plus, I wanted to make sure my place was not only desirable for me to want to work 24/7 but for people to come and visit.
For the first few days I had a burst of energy and began cleaning and organizing my work space-- throwing out the old with hopes of bringing in the new.
A couple of days later I started noticing that I was visiting the fridge a lot then--
I need to interrupt my writing flow to ask a question?
Why when you are on a budget does it feel like you can’t get enough to eat and you start craving everything?
--I started sitting on my couch a lot and turning on the television.
“I’ll just watch a little.”
A couple of hours later... I can start tomorrow. Then tomorrow turns to Monday.
I’ve been leaving my job to write for 6 years and 2 days basically the day I started. I stressed when the Head of Production told me that they wanted to hire me permanently and I cried when I had to write work goals for the first time in 8 years (I’d been a temp forever when I moved to Cali). I would have to lie and make up goals for a job I didn’t want (I don’t like lying) but needed. Plus, I was fearful that this would be it for me.
Nevertheless for 4 years, I wrote goals and went through performance reviews and became a fixture in the company. And during those years, I began to like what I did. I grew in my position, learned and was promoted but mostly I fell in love with the people I worked with.
During my 4th year I began to feel a shift and for awhile I tried hard to get back to how I felt those initial years. But the more I tried to bring myself back, the more I kept hitting a wall. I’m all about signs and I knew what they were telling me. It was time to go.
So for two years, I prayed, fasted, meditated and read and reread affirmations until finally I was able to release, to let go and to let God. I left.
Now, here I am. And God help me I am terrified. I’m right at the beginning with no idea on how it will end.
Stay tuned…
Friday, April 11, 2014
Stepping Out On Faith, Part I
February 10, 2012. It was the last time I’d written anything on my blog. I remember being so excited about that last post. I was going to market my non-fiction book, Seasons of Writing. After all, it took work to write it, I already had it up and running on Amazon, I enjoyed writing it and I thought it was a good first try coming out the gate. But mostly, I felt it would be helpful to other writers.
My strategy was perfect. I would visit local bookstores, hit up a few book clubs and create a KickStarter fund to raise money to get more books printed. I began with finding the perfect bookstore. I reached out to an old acquaintance that I used to work with who had a friend who just opened a bookstore in Manhattan Beach. After a bunch of calls and emails to one of the owners, I was finally sent a waiver which I excitedly signed. In a couple of days, I was on my way to Manhattan Beach with my little 28-page book. Unfortunately, after meeting the owner, she didn’t seem overly excited about me or my book and I left feeling let down that my small but powerful book would be tucked away into Never-Never Land—tossed in a corner where no one would be able to see it.
Not one to stay down too long, I looked to KickStarter. I would start a fund to get more books printed so I could go to other bookstores that would hopefully make me feel more welcomed. I created a beautiful PowerPoint slide with music and VO (voiceover). Thirty days later and 40 bucks richer (it might have been less) I realized that I am not the kind of person to reach out to my friends to ask for help in funding my own project. I mean why should they? Forget about all the other people I knew who’ve raised thousands of dollars for their projects. But was that the reason or was my book just not that interesting?
Two years later and I haven’t done much with my book and I can’t remember why. Did I get discouraged? Did I become too busy with work? And what happened to writing on my blog daily? After all, I kept telling myself and others that I wanted to be a writer. And if that’s true what’s the holdup? Don’t get me wrong. I’ve definitely done a ton of writing between 2012 and now. I got myself an editor for my novel. I took a class on screenwriting at UCLA. I wrote a pilot. I finished a screenplay and started work on another. I’ve entered numerous contests; submitting short stories and screenplays. I’ve accomplished a lot. But with all that, I still haven’t been able to break into that career called ‘writer’ that I so desire. So what did I do next? Stay tunned for part II of Stepping Out...
My strategy was perfect. I would visit local bookstores, hit up a few book clubs and create a KickStarter fund to raise money to get more books printed. I began with finding the perfect bookstore. I reached out to an old acquaintance that I used to work with who had a friend who just opened a bookstore in Manhattan Beach. After a bunch of calls and emails to one of the owners, I was finally sent a waiver which I excitedly signed. In a couple of days, I was on my way to Manhattan Beach with my little 28-page book. Unfortunately, after meeting the owner, she didn’t seem overly excited about me or my book and I left feeling let down that my small but powerful book would be tucked away into Never-Never Land—tossed in a corner where no one would be able to see it.
Not one to stay down too long, I looked to KickStarter. I would start a fund to get more books printed so I could go to other bookstores that would hopefully make me feel more welcomed. I created a beautiful PowerPoint slide with music and VO (voiceover). Thirty days later and 40 bucks richer (it might have been less) I realized that I am not the kind of person to reach out to my friends to ask for help in funding my own project. I mean why should they? Forget about all the other people I knew who’ve raised thousands of dollars for their projects. But was that the reason or was my book just not that interesting?
Two years later and I haven’t done much with my book and I can’t remember why. Did I get discouraged? Did I become too busy with work? And what happened to writing on my blog daily? After all, I kept telling myself and others that I wanted to be a writer. And if that’s true what’s the holdup? Don’t get me wrong. I’ve definitely done a ton of writing between 2012 and now. I got myself an editor for my novel. I took a class on screenwriting at UCLA. I wrote a pilot. I finished a screenplay and started work on another. I’ve entered numerous contests; submitting short stories and screenplays. I’ve accomplished a lot. But with all that, I still haven’t been able to break into that career called ‘writer’ that I so desire. So what did I do next? Stay tunned for part II of Stepping Out...
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