Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055 
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Post by Ria Stone on Aug 14, 2017 14:27:09 GMT -8
Hola SWFers:
I am currently working with a local online media outlet on several writing projects, for free.
One idea is a monthly Book Column featuring a review. The media outlet is in Yucatan, Mexico, so the books featured would need a topic tie-in to Mexico, and ideally the Yucatan, like travel, living in Mexico, Mexican recipes, mysteries set in Mexico etc.
Also, I am preparing a Usability Review as well as proposals for an Events Calendar and the Book Column as well as contacting writers who would like to submit articles on other topics like travel, living in Mexico or health topics.
The outlet does not pay, it can only offer a link to author's website, blog and book sales site.
From my perspective, I felt with just one book review or article, an author could have an international presence.
If you would like to participate with either a book review or an article, send the .doc you'd like to submit to me at meridayanqui@yahoo.com.
These ideas are still in review. Will post updates.
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chelsfield
SWF Writers
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Post by chelsfield on Aug 14, 2017 22:35:01 GMT -8
Sounds great. Sounds like a lot of work for you, wish you were getting paid....
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Post by djmills on Aug 15, 2017 0:05:34 GMT -8
Yes, a lot of work. Still, you will have your blog/web site in the articles, so readers can click through to your site or books. :-)
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Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
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Post by Ria Stone on Aug 15, 2017 7:02:53 GMT -8
Sounds great. Sounds like a lot of work for you, wish you were getting paid.... :-) me, too Chelsfield, but writing my novel illustrated to me I am not going to be a good fiction writer anytime soon. In order to write, I need outlets. While I blog about cooking, writing and publishing, I like to interact with readers and other writers. Plus, I am retired, so rather than join a "Garden Club", I choose to volunteer at this media outlet with the hopes of adding value to their publication while keeping my writing skills sharp and maybe getting some eyes on my blog etc. I don't knit, I write. |
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chelsfield
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Post by chelsfield on Aug 15, 2017 22:29:14 GMT -8
Good for you. What makes you question the quality of your writing?
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Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
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Post by Ria Stone on Aug 16, 2017 9:55:08 GMT -8
Good for you. What makes you question the quality of your writing? Hola Chelsfield, Thanks for the question. I am an avid reader, not always "literature", so I feel I can recognize good writing, fiction or non-fiction. I am better at writing non-fiction than fiction. But, writing my novel was and continues to be a glorious education. At this time in my life, I don´t have time to learn how to develop characters, organize a plot, capture a scene etc. Every good writer I have ever read, was not an overnight sensation, they spent their lives perfecting their craft. Writing my novel helped me appreciate a good novel or screenplay even more. I love digging into the details. I have watched BBC´s State of Play over 30 times and each time I learn more about character development, tight plotting and the absolutely crazy ways to use dialogue to enhance every aspect of the story. While I still work on my novels for my own enjoyment, I am focusing on writing reviews, summaries, commentaries, and helping others publish their work. |
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chelsfield
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Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
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Post by chelsfield on Aug 16, 2017 22:19:05 GMT -8
If it's something you really want to do for yourself, then wouldn't be good to make the time to do all those things, regardless of age? Although my writing is not perfect (whose is?), my biggest problem is that when I get stuck in a work or don't like where it is going, I give up. I let myself get distracted by other things (paying work for one!). The writing becomes a low priority.
The difference for good writers is not necessarily that they are better or even successful. It's that they have to write every day, no matter what. It may be damn difficult when they do it, but they do it. I don't know what you think about Stephen King, but before he "made it", didn't he do factory work full-time, then came home at night and wrote? How many of us would do that?
Climbing down from soap box now....
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chelsfield
SWF Writers
Posts: 700
Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
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Post by chelsfield on Aug 17, 2017 0:19:15 GMT -8
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Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
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Post by Ria Stone on Aug 17, 2017 9:04:51 GMT -8
If it's something you really want to do for yourself, then wouldn't be good to make the time to do all those things, regardless of age? Although my writing is not perfect (whose is?), my biggest problem is that when I get stuck in a work or don't like where it is going, I give up. I let myself get distracted by other things (paying work for one!). The writing becomes a low priority. The difference for good writers is not necessarily that they are better or even successful. It's that they have to write every day, no matter what. It may be damn difficult when they do it, but they do it. I don't know what you think about Stephen King, but before he "made it", didn't he do factory work full-time, then came home at night and wrote? How many of us would do that? Climbing down from soap box now.... Chelsfield, I understand your struggles and appreciate your support and encouragement. I have learned to watch for the "procrastination" flag. Every time, I hit a snag or want to avoid a task, I find myself organizing my pens or some such activity. Took awhile to figure out I was avoiding a problem. There are some tasks I procrastinate over every year like taxes. Wow, I become the world's best housekeeper, dusting every crevice and corner, as the tax deadline approaches, but now I know I avoid my taxes, so I start months in advance, so I don't panic when it gets down to the deadline. The same with writing, I struggled to create a "bad guy" for my novel. Shocked I could not describe on paper an evil person, I tried a fight scene, I tried every other approach and gave up. When I found myself cleaning the house, I knew I was avoiding the Bad Guy problem. My bad guy could not scare a gnat. But, I went ahead with the novel because the bad guy became a symbol of what my protagonist was fighting against. Like a river, when I hit a snag now, I go over, under or around it. I carry a notebook with me, so if I get an idea or see a scene I want to capture, I write it down. A notebook is easier to use than carrying around electronic devices. Then when I get home, I convert the notes to my "in progress" on my pc, I take the time to look at my notes to see where or how I can use or improve what I wrote. Trying to describe a person is a writing exercise for me, a way to jostle my brain into looking at the world a bit differently, to get moving, to push me to improve my writing. I am working on a novel that I have written scenes on - my dying iPad which I must move to another device, on my pc, in notebooks and on scraps of paper, the story is always in my mind. I use what I have learned and tried to see if I can achieve a certain effect or image. Find your writing heroes or heroines, like Stephen King. Even John Grisham´s first novel, A Time to Kill, was self-published, so I heard. One writing heroine for me is Barbara Neely, she wrote her first novels while working full-time. At night, she laid out her characters and plot on notecards and developed a system so she could pick up on the story immediately. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1062985.Blanche_on_the_Lam) I kept her in mind while I worked on my novels. Actually, this coming Monday, I will be taking film workshop, so I haven´t given up writing fiction, it just may be a screenplay. I just need to keep the gears greased with writing something :-) that´s why I am branching out to local media. If anything, I visualize all my novels as movies and try to capture the scenes and dialogue I invent to tell the story as it goes. Bottom line for me, is I need to find my writing niche and as the saying goes, "Do what you love." |
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Post by djmills on Aug 17, 2017 11:25:44 GMT -8
"The same with writing, I struggled to create a "bad guy" for my novel. Shocked I could not describe on paper an evil person, I tried a fight scene, I tried every other approach and gave up. When I found myself cleaning the house, I knew I was avoiding the Bad Guy problem. My bad guy could not scare a gnat. But, I went ahead with the novel because the bad guy became a symbol of what my protagonist was fighting against.
Ria, I believe that a bad guy is only bad to the main character, because they want something that is a conflict with the main character. :-) And it is conflict that drives the action in each story. So the conflict or "want/need" has to be big. Like rescue family member from drug lords, or save the world from something big and bad, or solve a murder or mystery. And the reader will associate with the main character, therefore want to see the MC achieve his "need/want" so will read on to see how he handles the obstacles in his way. :-)
The main difference between every character is their moral principles. So, how far will each character go to get what they want? Murder? Torture? Blackmail? Lie? Marry someone to get access to something, secrets, control of business, etc.?
The fun is creating each character's need, and principles, making sure most are opposite the opposing characters. :-)
I only figured this out after I was taught that the main character has to have a flaw. Of course, I called BS on that statement. :-) Which made me question what made the difference between the main characters and the "bad guys"!
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chelsfield
SWF Writers
Posts: 700
Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
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Post by chelsfield on Aug 17, 2017 23:21:24 GMT -8
I love it, Ria, afflicted with a bad guy problem! You could write a book just about that. I hear you about becoming the world's best housekeeper when actually it's procrastination. Taxes, yes, but writing is another reason, which is bad because my profession involves a lot of writing...
Thanks for the Barbara Neely reference. I just think writers like her really have what it takes to be a writer. I cannot imagine working all day, and then coming home and writing as well, especially if the writing is going badly. That takes a certain type of dedication.
Still, I'd take writing over promoting the writing any day....
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Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
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Post by Ria Stone on Aug 18, 2017 4:33:14 GMT -8
"The same with writing, I struggled to create a "bad guy" for my novel. Shocked I could not describe on paper an evil person, I tried a fight scene, I tried every other approach and gave up. When I found myself cleaning the house, I knew I was avoiding the Bad Guy problem. My bad guy could not scare a gnat. But, I went ahead with the novel because the bad guy became a symbol of what my protagonist was fighting against. Ria, I believe that a bad guy is only bad to the main character, because they want something that is a conflict with the main character. :-) And it is conflict that drives the action in each story. So the conflict or "want/need" has to be big. Like rescue family member from drug lords, or save the world from something big and bad, or solve a murder or mystery. And the reader will associate with the main character, therefore want to see the MC achieve his "need/want" so will read on to see how he handles the obstacles in his way. :-) The main difference between every character is their moral principles. So, how far will each character go to get what they want? Murder? Torture? Blackmail? Lie? Marry someone to get access to something, secrets, control of business, etc.? The fun is creating each character's need, and principles, making sure most are opposite the opposing characters. :-) I only figured this out after I was taught that the main character has to have a flaw. Of course, I called BS on that statement. :-) Which made me question what made the difference between the main characters and the "bad guys"! Agreed DJ...what I wanted my evil character to be just wasn't how he turned out. To me, an evil person is soulless and enjoys inflicting pain. In true crime stories, like Ann Rule's books, the criminal is truly heartless. When I read Rule's "The Stranger Beside Me", it unnerved me because she was trained as a police officer with some psychology education and she could not detect that Ted Bundy was seriously sick and she worked with him for a year, albeit part-time. But, in her book, she is able to describe his heartless, cruel behavior. |
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Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
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Post by Ria Stone on Aug 18, 2017 5:32:57 GMT -8
I love it, Ria, afflicted with a bad guy problem! You could write a book just about that. I hear you about becoming the world's best housekeeper when actually it's procrastination. Taxes, yes, but writing is another reason, which is bad because my profession involves a lot of writing... Thanks for the Barbara Neely reference. I just think writers like her really have what it takes to be a writer. I cannot imagine working all day, and then coming home and writing as well, especially if the writing is going badly. That takes a certain type of dedication. Still, I'd take writing over promoting the writing any day.... Chelsfield, just downloaded "Coracle: One Man in the Tub." What a marvelous book! Is this what you do all day? Wow, I would love that. I worked for a science research org as an assistant and helped research articles needed by the researchers. I loved being buried in information of all kinds. I can see why when you come home, writing does not seem attractive. I am also a print addict and maybe a hypographia, so researching, reading and writing for me is like breathing, still doesn't mean it amounts to making a living, freelance. P.S. wrote a short review on SW |
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chelsfield
SWF Writers
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Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
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Post by chelsfield on Aug 18, 2017 23:14:24 GMT -8
I was going to say: sadly, that's not what I do all day. But then again, if I had the chance to do it, I would probably procrastinate my day away....
Like you, I spend my days on another type of writing for work, publishing in my profession.
I do enjoy the little publishing I have with some colleagues, especially the book blog.
Thank you very much for your review of the book. It came to us as a very unfinished manuscript. A few of us had a hand in finishing it off. We have other works in the pipeline, but our paying work gets in the way!
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Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
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Post by Ria Stone on Aug 28, 2017 14:35:35 GMT -8
Hola SWFers: I am currently working with a local online media outlet on several writing projects, for free. One idea is a monthly Book Column featuring a review. The media outlet is in Yucatan, Mexico, so the books featured would need a topic tie-in to Mexico, and ideally the Yucatan, like travel, living in Mexico, Mexican recipes, mysteries set in Mexico etc. Also, I am preparing a Usability Review as well as proposals for an Events Calendar and the Book Column as well as contacting writers who would like to submit articles on other topics like travel, living in Mexico or health topics. The outlet does not pay, it can only offer a link to author's website, blog and book sales site. From my perspective, I felt with just one book review or article, an author could have an international presence. If you would like to participate with either a book review or an article, send the .doc you'd like to submit to me at meridayanqui@yahoo.com. These ideas are still in review. Will post updates. Here's an update on article submission. Dear author: My name is Alejandro Azcárate and I am the Content Manager for The Yucatan Times (TYT). The Yucatan Times serves the English-speaking community in the Yucatan Peninsula with information and advertising services that exceed the expectations of both readers and customers. As the undisputed foremost English language online newspaper in the Yucatan Peninsula, we are growing our business model to the level of franchise, targeting Mexican cities with a high concentration of English-speaking expatriate community. As of July 2016 we launched the San Miguel Times and in December 2016, The Riviera Maya Times, our two new online newspapers, (we have plans to open 5 more online journals at other strategic locations within Mexico). We currently average 10,000 visits a day, from all over the world, but mostly from the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Europe (in that order). The Yucatan Times wants to offer you the opportunity to advertise your books on our online newspapers. There are two options. You can submit: • an article in your area of expertise with a Mexico, or preferably Yucatan connection, or • a book review (book should have a connection to Mexico) for TYT’s “Book of the Week” column, include an image of the book cover, author contact information and links to online sales vendors or other information on how to purchase the book. The review can be about one of your books. As the author of an article or book review, include a brief bio about yourself, your contact information, links to your website, blog, social media and links to your books online. See this article as an example: Meet Merida’s Vanguards.Note, TYT will make a small commission of every online sale made through any of its web portals. If you are interested in writing for TYT, please contact me at editor@theyucatantimes.com. Thanking you in advance for your kind attention to this letter, we look forward to hearing from you soon. Alejandro Azcárate Varela Content Manager, The Yucatan Times |
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