Lesson learned

A couple of months ago I entered a first paragraph contest, and after editing that paragraph about 30 times, I sent it in and waited for the top prize and the accolades to roll in. In reality, it took fourth place. Of course, when I sent it, I thought the paragraph would win, and an agent would read those few sentences and offer me a publishing contract with a huge advance. After I entered it, I read it again and realized why it didn’t win.

Every sentence was about the same length, with identical formatting. Each one was divided by a comma in the middle, pretty much like this sentence and the one before.

Why didn’t I see the pattern BEFORE I sent it in? You can bet that the next time I write or edit a paragraph, I will look more closely at sentence length, structure and patterns. I also reminded myself that it's never too late to learn a valuable lesson.

Write soon,
Mary   

Rankovic to speak on "Holy States of Authorhood" May 25

Catherine Rankovic will speak at the May 25th meeting of Saturday Writers. She is the author of Meet Me: Writers in St. Louis, Island Universe: Essays and Entertainments, and Fierce Consent and Other Poems. She is also a contributor to Walrus Publishing’s Flood Stage: An Anthology of St. Louis Poets.

Her essays have appeared in The Missouri Review, Iowa Review, The Progressive, and Natural Bridge. Her poetry has been published in numerous journals, including River Styx, and Boulevard. She has taught creative writing courses at Washington University and Lindenwood University, and helps authors prepare their books for publishing through her business, Bookeval.com. 

When did you first know you were a writer?

I first knew I was a writer at age five when I wrote a two-line poem and read it to my mother. She said, "Such poetry!" and I felt proud of myself.

Why is writing important?

Writing is the breath of humanity. It is how we most precisely transmit human history, intelligence and spirit. Music does that too, but music can be reduced to mathematics. Dance could do that too, but dance can be reduced to mappable repetitive motion. Each piece of writing is unique and irreducible.

How has studying journalism helped (or hindered) your creative writing?

If I ran an MFA program, all students would take a course in basic reporting. Journalism professionalizes a writer. I was a fully developed writing pro at age 21; no BFA program would have given me that. No MFA program will give you that. It trains your eye and ear to sort out what's important, and forces you to write precisely at high speed. It teaches fundamentals: how to earn the attention and trust of a variety of audiences, and to respect facts and truth. A journalist learns there is a big world out there with no mercy and issues far more important than one's own. A journalist also receives constant critiques from editors and the readership, and therefore never makes the same mistake twice. (Or one loses one's job.)

Describe your writing process.

My process for nonfiction is to be obsessed and study a subject from all possible angles. For months I was obsessed with Elvis's recording of "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" for no reason I knew. I had never been a big fan. (The recording, released in 1956, was his second #1 hit.) I watched videos of Elvis singing this song, read biographies, bought the sheet music, went to Memphis to see the studio, found that Life Magazine had done a photo story on this particular recording session showing what he wore and who was there. Writing the essay finally released me from that obsession. The essay was published in The Missouri Review. It wasn't about my obsession; it was about the recording, down to the details of when and why he took breaths between phrases. I have also been obsessed with African-American comedy, seashells, the spice trade, bodybuilding, and all sorts of things. My process for poetry is to play around with ideas and never to judge a first draft. I have an "idea box" full of scraps of paper with ideas for poems. I pull one out and draft. I pull another out and write a draft. If it ignites something in me I turn serious and keep crafting it and hammering at it and maybe it will become a real poem.

Which books or authors do you recommend to people who want to be better writers? 

Books recommended: Choose one author, your favorite, and get to know every scrap of anything he or she ever wrote. Spend years at this. Read letters, journals, interviews, academic criticism; find and study original manuscripts if you can. This will give you a valuable 360-degree view of a writer such as you'd like to be. A good writer is one who is prepared for the writing life. That's why journalism training is so valuable. How-to books and magazines give helpful tips about how to write a short story or sell it, but they will not teach you how a writer lives or thinks, and more importantly, how a writer keeps writing.

What are you working on now?

Right now I'm finishing a novel, but I have a rule that I may not discuss it in any further detail until I'm satisfied. That's called "practicing containment." Artists never finish the works they speak about.

Your presentation, titled Holy States of Authorhood, is set for the May 25 meeting of Saturday Writers. What can we expect from such an interesting title?

What can you expect from my talk? Inspiration.

Thank you so much for your time, and we look forward to hearing you speak on the 25^th.

Write soon,

Mary

Nielsen interview, Part 2

As promised, here's the second half of the interview with Sheree Nielsen.

 

5) What would you like to accomplish as a writer? (or, what is your dream project?)
Of course, I’d like to be a New York Times bestselling author.  Who wouldn’t?  But more importantly, I’d like to leave a legacy behind for friends and family, who I often write about. 

I suppose my dream project is the ultimate coffee table book, pairing stunning photography with my essays and poems.

My book “Temperate Travels of the Soul – One Woman’s Journey through Life” weaves universality through travel, nature and family.  A collection of twenty-four essay and six poems, it’s complemented by a lyrical introductory photo taken by me.  My goal is to show how we’re all connected to each other.

A second book, “Beach Dances” highlights beach photography from our favorite coastal town, Folly Beach, South Carolina.  (I won’t give away the premise of this book just yet.)  Hubby and I collaborated on this project.

I am seeking representation for both. 

6) I know you have several projects in the works. What can we look forward
to reading next from you?
An upcoming Missouri Life article due out this June showcases an inspiring woman.  Another story due out this fall is an architectural tribute to a historical home in Missouri. Well-Versed Literary Works has accepted an essay and two of my poems for inclusion, with a June publication date. 

Three local authors and I will be hosting a book-signing at Barnes and Noble, St. Peters, on June 1 in conjunction with Not Your Mother’s Book on Travel by Publishing Syndicate. The book’s co-creator, Terri Elders, is flying in for the occasion.

Other than that, I’m slowly editing a beach essay, and working on an idea for a children’s book.

7) Is there anything you'd like to add?
Just keep writing! Don’t get discouraged.  Dad used to say, “Everything in due time.” Four years ago, one of my dreams was to freelance for a travel publication and I’m doing it! (AAA Midwest and AAA Southern Traveler)

Also, I’m pysched about this month. While vacationing in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, I’ll be meeting resident and local author Jacqueline DeGroot.  She’s taking me to the Kindred Spirit Bench near Bird Island. A mailbox at the bench is filled with notebooks, pens and pencils of all who’ve journeyed there and left thoughts in the journals.

http://sunsetnc.com/kindred-spirit-mailbox-repaired/

Thanks, Sheree, and good luck with your projects!

Write soon,

Mary

Author Bio – Sheree K. Nielsen
A Missouri Writer’s Guild and Columbia Chapter of Missouri Writer’s Guild member, she’s served as Membership Chair, Photographer and Publicity Chair for Saturday Writers.  Publications include: Not Your Mother’s Book on Travel, AAA Southern Traveler, AAA Midwest Traveler, Winghaven Life, The Abaconian, The Eleutheran, Missouri Life, AOL/Patch.com, Whispering Angel Books Nurturing Paws Anthology, Storyteller, C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dogs, Cuivre River Anthology IV and V, Folly Current, St. Charles and Monroe County Suburban Journals, among others.

Author interview with Sheree Nielsen

Here’s part one of an interview with Sheree Nielsen, freelance writer and blogger. She’s written for several publications, and frequently can be seen riding around town with her Doggle-wearing Australian shepherd, Sabrina!

1)      When did you become a writer, and what do you write?

      I suppose I had the desire to become a writer as early as nine or ten years old.              Back then, I wrote poetry.  I stopped writing for awhile, but picked up the pen again about eleven years ago after a life-changing event.

Some of my freelance contracts include architectural tributes, travel stories, food reviews, fun things to do in the area, historical and sporting events, inspiring people, and even a series of articles on local gardeners and their gardens.  I am constantly challenged by my assignments.

Just for me, I write inspirational essays and poems about scuba diving, beach adventures, amazing animals, my family and church.

2)      Your company, Ocean Spirit Photography, http://www.oceanspiritphoto.com features beautiful images you have taken in your travels. How does being a photographer help your writing?

I think the two go hand-in-hand.  I can’t imagine doing one without the other.

What color was the sand before sunset?  What did the seagull’s wings look like before landing?  How did the dolphin’s body feel as I skimmed my hand across its side? Pictures tell a story and the images re-create colorful details. 

Last fall I taught a workshop to veterans with PTSD at Jefferson Barracks VA Hospital that touched on the importance of photography in writing.  In one of the exercises, I used a picture to prompt the veteran’s creativity.  At the end of the afternoon, they walked away with an essay or a poem they could polish in their own time.
http://warriorsartsalliance.com/187-2/

3) Your spirituality is evident, is that the source of your creativity?

Yes, my spirituality plays a part in my writing.  Something deep within me changed creatively when I put my faith in God’s hands.  This may sound cliché, but I feel that everything happens for a reason. There are no coincidences in life.  Instead, I say, “It’s a God Thing.”  We’re all connected to each other in this world, and it’s our job to pay it forward. 

Everything seems fresh in the world around me. The ocean, birds, trees, our pets, friends and family are the source, as well as the fuel, of my creativity.  An admitted treehugger, nature’s splendor cast a spell on me. I’m mesmerized by dragonflies, and even take crickets and spiders outside if they get in the house. 

4) Who is your favorite writer and why?

Boy, that’s a hard question.  I suppose I have more than one.  Looking at my bookshelf of favorite reads in my guest room, a few authors come to mind.  In fiction, I suppose I love it when a character is vulnerable and complex.  In non-fiction, a writer’s inspirational quality, honesty and openness come to mind.

Harper Lee, for her portrayal of life and racism in the South in “To Kill a Mockingbird.”  Scout is one of my favorite characters of all time.

Garth Stein.  His novel told from the viewpoint of the dog in “The Art of Racing the Rain” is one of my top five reads.  I ran through so many emotions while reading this book – laughter, sadness, surprise, joy, and more.

And I’m a sucker for beach reads.  I love Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s honesty and openness in her memoir “A Gift from the Sea” and the magnetic pull the beach and the ocean played in her life.  Also, author Karen White has a way of linking the past with present in her “beachy” romance/mysteries.

Stay tuned! Part two will be posted by Thursday.

Write soon,

Mary

Author Bio – Sheree K. Nielsen

A Missouri Writer’s Guild and Columbia Chapter of Missouri Writer’s Guild member, she’s served as Membership Chair, Photographer and Publicity Chair for Saturday Writers.  Publications include: Not Your Mother’s Book on Travel, AAA Southern Traveler, AAA Midwest Traveler, Winghaven Life, The Abaconian, The Eleutheran, Missouri Life, AOL/Patch.com, Whispering Angel Books Nurturing Paws Anthology, Storyteller, C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dogs, Cuivre River Anthology IV and V, Folly Current, St. Charles and Monroe County Suburban Journals, among others.

Opening paragraphs

I took fourth place in the Best Opening Paragraph contest sponsored by SoWrite.Us.com. Here's the paragraph, it's from my upcoming novel Eminent Domain.

Jake Terry didn't want any trouble, but trouble was knocking on his front door. The horse he had liked in the fifth race didn't like him back, so now he owed some cash to a bookie named Cal. Jumping through a window from the eighth floor wasn't an option, so he had no choice but to open the door to a couple of Cal's associates. When he did, they lunged toward him. Jake pushed back, but the larger one grabbed his right hand and pulled the door shut on his fingers.

I’ve included a link to their website. They’re sponsoring a spam contest this month! Check it out for more information!

Thanks, Jim Bessey!

http://sowrite.us.com/dawn-hawkins-wins-best-opening-paragraph-contest/

Write soon,
Mary

Moms who write

My first blog tour features two books by three moms. Authors Malena Lott and Jill Martin wrote Dance Mom Survival Guide, and Heather David is the author of TMI Mom: Oversharing My Life. Each of them shares a story about the best mom-gift they ever received.  

Jill Martin - When one of my girls was about five years old, she gave me a plate to replace one she had broken. It’s slightly different than the set, and I love that because it always reminds me of her soft, sweet, repentant heart.

Heather David - My husband gave me a weekend free from laundry once. It was so nice to just sit around and do nothing but jump just a little bit when the dryer buzzer sounded. I think I wore the same yoga pants and sweat shirt all weekend long because I wanted the clean clothes to still be fresh and neatly hung by the time Monday rolled around. The thought of not doing laundry was worth more to me than a hand full of diamond rings.

Malena Lott - I really love when my kids make things at school and give them to me, or if they’ve said something sweet in a card. It’s something so unique that I know I’ll treasure all my life. That happens rarely now that my kids are older!

About the books:

Two dance moms. One crazy dance world. DANCE MOM SURVIVAL GUIDE is a humorous and helpful guidebook for parents of dancers, written by two dance moms who have not only “been there,” but “are there!” Lott and Martin talked to dance moms across the country, dance professors, a psychologist, and instructors to bring the stage lights directly on the difficulties and joys of raising a dancer. Moms with dancers of all ages and stages will find useful information to help on the journey from dance class to stage star.

 

Ever wish you could say what you were really thinking? TMI Mom Heather Davis does just that. With her trademark dry wit and knack for storytelling, TMI Mom goes where no mom has been (at least in the pages of a book), with stories about the crazy things that can happen — in the minivan, the bedroom, and out in the big, bad world.

“TMI Mom: Oversharing My Life is LOLZOMG.
 Heather Davis serves up hilarious tales of family-life insanity that are never mean (except when skewering herself) and never leave the reader screaming, ‘I’m boooooooored!’ TMI Mom FTW!” — Linda Erin Keenan, author of Suburgatory

Find out more at www.buzzbooksusa.com

Moms Rock Prize package! 

Comment for a chance to win the Moms Rock package: a $20 gift card to your book retailer of choice; a TMI Mom t-shirt, a Dance Mom Survival Guide tote bag, bubble path and spa slippers! $75 value. Winner picked from all entries in the Moms Rock Blog tour.  Announced Friday, May 10th. Follow this link to find out how to gain points to win!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZTkxZTgwMTE5ZDg3YTZkOTI1ZGUxYjJiZjA2ZjBiOjE=/ 

Write soon,

Mary

(disclaimer - all content for this post was provided by the authors)