Feedback from readers

For a freelance writer, getting direct feedback from one’s readers (for magazines and newspapers) is somewhat unusual. Any letters or responses to your articles are likely to go directly to the publication unless your contact details are included, and they rarely are.

So, I was pleasantly surprised, while browsing through my freelancers copy of this national bridal magazine that I write for, to read not one, but three ‘letters to the editor’ commenting on an article I wrote in the last issue. The feedback was all very lovely and it was heartening to read nice things about your work by strangers. 

The article really touched my heart…I really loved this issue.

The article was informative and made me nostalgic…

This refers to your well-researched article…

Feedback like this means a lot to us writers. So, please, if you like something in a magazine or newspaper (or even a blog – hint, hint), let the writer/publication know. It makes all the difference.

crossposted here

 

Writing Prompts make you verse

Okay, so that was a bad title.

Readers of Lisa Romeo’s blog are lucky to be receiving a daily writing prompt from her this month. I signed up, hoping that a prompt would kick me into writing a little more spontaneous stuff. Stuff that required no research, no quotes, no statistics. Stuff straight from the heart.

I was surprised, however, to find myself responding in verse. It was instantaneous – like magic. Or like a delicious, unexpected sloppy kiss from my baby. I find myself looking forward to her daily emails – they reach me around 10pm Indian time. Within minutes, most of my poem is down on paper or screen. Like I said, delicious.

If you want to read some of my poetic musings, here’s where they are. Go on, indulge me.

 

I meant to say this earlier…

I’m busy with deadlines, baby and, umm, life. Managing four blogs (yes, you heard that right) is getting a little tricky at the moment, so I’m focussing on just a couple for now.

If you’d like a more general perspective from me (in addition to writing), hop on over to my other blog. If you are a bit mad about interiors and decor (a new passion for me), I’ve got a blog there too

For this blog, writing about writing is taking a (brief) backseat. I’m writing furiously, though – there’s more than enough work coming in at the moment.

Hope you are writing furiously, too.

Come over to the other side and say hello.

Happy New Year!

 

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.