I know

It’s been a while.

I know, I’m not the only one to have had a baby. I’m cringing at my ambitious plans to go back to full time freelancing as soon as the baby was 3 months old.

He is now 9 months old, has 6 (sharp) teeth and is on the verge of breaking into a fast crawl. Time for writing? Are you kidding?

If you are a parent (or have kids around you), you probably knew that my plans weren’t going to go the way I hoped. You possibly had a quiet laugh when you read my to-do list. Yes, I haven’t crossed out many items on that one, either.

So, here’s what I’m up to now, writing wise. From my goals for 2009, one big one was accomplished – write for the Guardian Weekly. The others have just been, umm, pushed to the 2010 list.

Despite that apparent failure (not!), I have, in 2009, written for several new-to-me-publications, have been approached by a couple of big-name editors (who I had to turn down as the baby was about to make his appearance at the time, but must follow up again), have a half-baked journal of motherhood stories and circles under the eyes that are beginning to reflect the darkness of my hair.

Blogging. Sigh, what’s that?

I thought I’d have the time to write occasional, if not frequent posts for the four blogs I try to maintain actively at the moment.  I’ve only had some measure of success with my interiors/decor blog, probably because I can get away with merely posting pretty pictures and not doing any writing there.

It’s almost December and I’m working on my goals for 2010. Unlike this year, I’m going to have income focussed goals for the month which means my queries and submissions will not depend on number of articles sold, but on how much those articles are fetching me. Who knows, one or two articles could possibly see me lounging in the verandah for the rest of the month (and dying of smoke inhalation from all those traffic fumes).

There’s also a weekly newspaper column in the offing – the pay doesn’t even cover the cost of peanuts, but it is a subject I will enjoy writing about and this kind of opportunity may not arise elsewhere so soon (I think. I could be wrong). More on that later.

So, that’s it. Exciting stuff. This time in 8 weeks, baby’ll be walking, reading and taking four hour naps. I’ll get all this done, you’ll see.

Oops. He’s woken up. Gotta go!

 

Twitter for writers

Are you tweeting yet? Not yet on the Twitter bandwagon? Jump in, please.

I think Twitter is a very useful resource for writers. It’s really not about telling the world what you’re up to every single second of your day. Nobody cares about that – not even your mother. So, don’t even go down that road – it’s boring.

What do you use Twitter for, then? I use it to network with other writers, keep track of the latest news (in the writing and ‘real’ world), get to know people in industries that I might try out sometime in the future (bookshops, publishing, literacy), follow some politicians and witty stars like Stephen Fry.

With Twitter, I can, for example, ’follow’ Hope Clark of Funds For Writers. She posts updates on her newsletter releases, so I know when to look out for them. I can interact with her in a casual way that makes email feel stuffy and formal. You don’t have to reply to every ‘tweet’; that’ll soon get you blocked for being a pest.

Through Twitter, I have made several new connections in the writing world. I have got new ideas, discovered new markets, found out about world events before my local TV channel picked it up. It’s so easy – even my baby has a twitter account (updates currently limited to things like “sleeping now” ,”zzzzzz”, “will give Mama a break today” etc)

Do you tweet?

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If you’re still trying to understand what Twitter is all about, try Maria Schneider’s (formerly with Writers Digest, now runs ‘Editor Unleashed’) series of posts on Twitter.

 

Writing resources: Practicing Writing

One of my favorite blogs is ‘Practicing Writing’ written by Erika Dreifus. The blog is full of new markets, links for writers, information on retreats, book reviews and on the art and craft of creative non-fiction. Most of you may already be subscribers to Erika’s popular monthly newsletter. If you aren’t on her list, sign up today.

I have found many interesting markets (only paying markets here) through the blog. I enjoy reading Erika’s work and am always looking forward to updates on her ebooks. And whether you are a regular or casual reader, just browsing through the blog will open up a whole world of new people, resources, authors and events in the writing world.

Thank you, Erika, for all the work you put into your blog and newsletter.

 

Wednesday’s Writing Spaces

via I love reading and writing

Not having the perfect space to write is always one of our top excuses for not being able to write. I have experimented with many (I mean ‘many’) different layouts for writing. I have moved furniture around, tried the laptop on lap in bed, tried long hand then transferring to PC…

I now have access to a lovely room with a view to the river that I’m converting to a study. I did get some work done there before the baby arrived. Now, I’m kinda stuck to the bedroom. Having a wireless connection here helps, I guess. I’m longing to move out, though. The study is being dusted again, tables moved around, plans for the cork board are afoot. How does that help me write? Well, it makes me feel like a ’serious’ writer. I still write with my laptop on my lap on the bed, but I long to have a place of my own where I can pile up my notebooks, line up my pens by colour, hang a poster or two for inspiration.

I often look to the Guardian’s collection of writers rooms. Some are inspiring – all neat, tidy and motivating. Others are covered in paper, raucous collections of paraphernalia and dust. Both work.

I then remember Roald Dalh and his writing chair. He wrote on an old tattered chair with a board across the arms to support his paper. That’s it. I’ve seen (and sat in) the chair. Believe me, it’s pretty dingy and uninspiring. Yet, he wrote there. And wrote a lot.

I keep a postcard with a watercolour of the chair on my board for inspiration. It is a reminder to me that you can really write anywhere. I’ll think of this when I spend hours tidying up the study or dreaming about where to put my desk next.

Where do you write?

 

12 1/2 writing rules

How many do you follow?

via I love reading and writing

 

Now in Print

Since February, the submissions (and hence the published work) have been few and far between. Here’s what has appeared in print:

March 2009
Go beyond the guidebook in Goa: Windows & Aisles (inflight magazine)

April 2009
Surviving in a younger world: Windows & Aisles (inflight magazine)

May 2009
Honeymooning in Belgium: Bride & Style (national wedding magazine)

July 2009
Freecycle: Herald (Goa’s local newspaper)
Goa’s motorcycle pilots: DNA Pune (newspaper)

In the pipeline, two articles for a magazine and one for a newspaper that’s on my ‘dream markets’ list.

How’s your writing going?

 

Challenge yourself

The baby’s now almost 6 months old. I had such plans for these days – keeping a parenting/baby journal, coming up with ideas for articles, taking time to research new markets, catching up with my reading…

I can hear all you experienced parents stifling a laugh. Yes, so I was naïve. Not only have I not managed to do most of the above, I’m even struggling with (what I thought were the simple things) journaling and blogging.

I have managed to get some writing done, of course. A couple of newspaper articles, a national magazine piece, some interviews, blog posts…

So, in an attempt to get back into the writing habit, I’m challenging myself to NaBloPoMo this month. 31 posts in August. Between feeds, nappies, assignments and struggling to stay awake, I’m going to do this.

Come back for updates. Let me know if you have any questions or need information about something. I’m looking forward to the interaction.

Have a productive August.

 

Things to do # 23: Have a baby

Our baby arrived on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 3:28 am. Excuse the break in blogging while I figure out my new role as non-stop feeder and bottom-cleaner.

 

Guest Post: The Written Word

by Nupur Roopa

I do not remember when I lost myself in the land of books. As a child, I observed everyone reading in the family and unconsciously the habit was imbibed. The summer afternoons with fairy tales made my childhood almost magical.

For me, the sight of books in a bookshop or at a book fair is exhilarating. Somewhere all along I wanted to write as good as all that I had read. There have been so many who have inspired me with words, thrilled me, and startled me by the sheer beauty of verse and prose. Books have always been my best friends.

I remember penning my first poem when I was about 12 years. It was about a double rainbow; I had witnesses on a rainy afternoon near a lovely Himalayan river. The scene was very serene and is still etched in my heart.

Writing fiction and non-fiction came later. It was the habit of writing a diary that helped me to pen my thoughts. It also gave me an opportunity to pour out my feelings as I went through different phases in life.

On some days, the thoughts find their own words. On others, I have to coax them like a small sulking child. Then there are the days when some stories come in a flash. These are what I call my ‘aha moments’. These are rare, spontaneous and complete in themselves. I have observed that whenever I write fiction the characters choose their own names. Until they do, I cannot write the story.

I am new to writing articles. An article is a defined journey. The rough research notes, the first draft when you can see the shape emerging, the shape it is going to develop and the final outcome is amazing. The process is similar to cutting and polishing a diamond. To see a piece in print is the ultimate joy but the journey towards that goal is often more satisfying and interesting.

Nupur Roopa is a freelance writer based in New Delhi, India. She writes on travel, environment and food. You can see the samples of her writing at  http://nupurroopa.wordpress.com/

 

The Name Game

I’m looking for interesting names for two blogs on my to-do list. One is a travel blog that will explore places, events, happenings, colours and travel photography.

The second is a design blog that will be a home for interesting interiors, furniture and other beautiful things that I discover along the way.

The names can be of Indian origin or from anywhere – as long as it fits the concept.

I’ve run out of ideas. Perhaps you can help?

Due credit will be given. Promise.

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While you’re at it, perhaps you can recommend baby names (boy & girl) as well?