The Paper & Quill

Christmas Chaos

Allison — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:25:25 +0000

It’s December 2nd, there are only 23 days until the jolly old elf – St. Nicholas arrives. Like every year, I plan to have all of my Christmas shopping completed by the first of the month to avoid the Holiday Shopping craziness and like every year… my shopping is no where near completed.

I will be lucky to be able to write for 10 minutes a day this month… the queries and writing ideas will have to be put off until the first of the year I suppose. We will see.

Assignment 2

Allison — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:37:29 +0000

It has taken me some time to decide on the topic and theme of my next assignment. I chose a topic that was of interest to me. I researched the topic and came up with what was a very informative piece. I took an angle that I thought was something I could write.

I was told that although my piece was fluently written, my topic was too general and common for a seasonal piece. Okay so I didn’t win with this article. I am not going to grumble and cry and say “Who does she think she is criticizing my writing that way.” Who? Why my tutor of course. Someone who is skilled in the freelance writing field.

If I did that I wouldn’t learn anything, and that is why I am taking this course right? In hopes of becoming published. I need to learn all the ins and outs of publishing and what the editors will or won’t accept. So with that said, I am not discouraged, I am moving onward and upward and in search of my next two articles (1000 words each).

Forever learning

Allison

First Assignment – complete success

Allison — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 05:59:47 +0000

It’s been over two months since I’ve completed and submitted my first assignment to the Writer’s Bureau. A few weeks later it was returned by snail mail to me – corrected and complete with a page worth of notes from my tutor Heather Cooke. The comments were constructive and very helpful. Included in my package was the third assignment – though it is recommended not to stray from assignments and to complete the assignment in order as they correspond with the different modules.

The next assignment corresponds with modules 4-6 which are conveniently found in book two.

Module 4 How to Develope Your Writer’s Craft

Module 5 How to Sell Your Writing

Module 6 Presenting Your Work

This is the first assignment where it is possible to submit it for publication. With the summer as busy as it was I decided to take the summer off and start in back in full swing in September once all vacations have been completed. Until then happy writing adventures.

Allison

Challenge yourself – write something

Allison — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:38:05 +0000

With August and the summer quickly drawing to a close, I have come to the realization that I have not reached any of the writing goals from the beginning of 2009 with the exception of signing up for a writing course. I could say that with the demands of running a household and raising two children I’ve had to put my writing on hold, but I am not going to. This would be a cop out. The reason why I haven’t been had any writing successes this year isn’t important. What is important is I need to get back on the writing bandwagon and write something on a daily basis.

Dawn Copeman, the founder of Newbie writers.com says “Just write something.” It is with determination that I place this out into the cosmos. I challenge myself and other newbie-writers who are unable to find the motivation to write daily to put your butt into your chair and just write something.

Beginning September 1st, make every attempt to write for an hour a day for the next month. Keep track of the total mount of time spent writing per day as well as the number of words. They say it takes 3 weeks to make a habit so just think at the end of the month you will be in the habit of writing something – anything every day and on your way to becoming a published writer.

finding the time to write

Allison — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:17:38 +0000

I’m writing this while the kids are still asleep and before we head off for a camping weekend on Vancouver Island.

Have you ever had so many ideas milling around in your head that you can’t get a single idea down on paper? For the past month, this is what has been happening to me. My husband says “It is painful to watch you going in all different directions, with nothing happening on paper.”

I have my newbie-writers forum – I spend time there daily. I am a Facebook junkie (admittedly), I am taking a writing course and then the kids pull me in various directions. When do I have time to work on my novel? I am not complaining mind you – it is just difficult to find the time to put seat in chair and write. I realize that in order to find the time – you have to make the time. So I am putting this out in the universe – once this writer comes back from her camping vacation – I will put my seat in the chair and write.

I intend to divide my writing time between getting my children’s novel ready for sale, complete my novel and proceed with my course. With the business of home life – this is about all I can do and keep my sanity intact.

Until we meet again, happy writing adventures,

Allison

A writer’s journey

Allison — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:36:16 +0000

In January 2009, I decided to develop my skills and start a career as a freelance writer. To date I have been published by a couple on-line sites but my quest for publication has proved trickier than I had anticipated.

I have started this web-blog to cronical my journey to publication. This will include my ups as well as my downs.

I have read a lot of articles by fellow writers on developing your craft on article that discussed taking a writing course. After much consideration I decided to take one. Now that I decided to take a course, which one should I take?

I searched the internet for the one best suited for my needs and have decided to take the Writer’s Bureau Comprehensive Writing course. It had everything I was looking for and offered a guarantee. Great!

I signed up and soon received my course information in the mail. I have submitted and received feedback from my first assignment – it proved very useful. I will be using this blog as to journal my progress throughout the course in the hopes that it would help my fellow newbie writers with their struggles.

Until then happy writing adventures.

Allison

Procrastination, Friend or Foe

Allison — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:53:18 +0000

Procrastination? Are you friend or foe?
You come to me at the most inconvenient times,
When the laundry is piling up,
when the dishes are stacked in the sink,
when the vacuum cleaner needs to come out.
You come to me in the form of creativity.
A thought or writing idea,
that requires immediate attention.
When procrastination comes for a homemaker
it is a friend to the writer.
When procrastination comes for the writer
it is a friend for the homemaker.
Do you come to me in the form of my children
requiring my attention?
Do you come to me when the telephone rings,
Do I answer or let the machine pick up?
Procrastination you are my friend.
You are always with me –
Sometimes I listen to your voice
pressing me to leave what I am doing.
Sometimes I refuse
Procrastination is a choice
something that I choose.