Publication and Other Ventures

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Crunchy Mama

My article accepted by Home Education Magazine is available in their March/April 2010 issue and can also be read online.  Check the left sidebar to a link to my writing resume’ and you’ll find the linked citation.  Many thanks to Jeanne Faulconer for such a magnificent editorial experience!

In other writing related news, I’ve joined the Secular Thursday project and will be writing regular blog posts at The Diosa Dotada Endeavor to contribute to that venture. I’m also working on another magazine article which is not homeschooling related, this time. It is a personal narrative piece and writing those always takes a bit out of you as the process requires you to leave a great deal of yourself on the page. Much less farther along is a project related to many of the issues that are cropping up on the education front at the state and national level. I’ve been reading and watching some inspirational and motivating content lately and need to figure out exactly what to do with it.

On the book related front, I have have woefully neglected the novel lately. Lilith and the rest of the gals have been whispering to me these last few days, calling my attention back to those pages. I almost feel a clock ticking of sorts on that project as I’d like to undertake the second book this November; most likely during NaNoWriMo again. I feel strongly about finishing most of the editing of the first book before that begins since edits in the first book could affect plot developments in the second. There is also the tiniest sliver of a chance that I could end up contributing to an education related anthology, but that new thread is only just a tenuous possibility in the tapestry that is my writing venture.

And the adventure continues…..

Kate the Writer

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Acceptance

Posted on January 15, 2010 by Crunchy Mama

My first article this year has been accepted.  It is exhilarating, to say the least.  I actually have a very high opinion of my skills as a writer, but the feeling that washes over me when I read overwhelmingly positive editorial feedback is still fantastic.  Motivating and encouraging, I feel infused with energy to continue pursuing other pieces.

I am also enjoying learning about the editing process and working with this editor.  Discussing the material, pulling together logistics and learning about formatting are all valuable skills I am gaining each day.  I know that each editorial experience will be unique as I pursue different publications and avenues, but I still think each experience will be valuable.  I am looking forward to what I just know will be an amazingly productive writing year!

When all the details are locked in, I will link to the publication and provide further details on the accepted piece!

Kate the Writer

Posted in Magazine Freelancing | Comments Off

Mind Full of Words

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Crunchy Mama

I think I slept last night.  I think.  Nights are like this when I begin to get deeper into a project.  I stretch out in bed after spending a few hushed, post-bedtime hours pursuing a bit of research or hashing out portions of a draft.  My body is exhausted, but my mind is still racing.  I turn bits and pieces of information over and around again and again, fitting them together to see the emerging picture of the writing like a jigsaw puzzle of words.  Sometimes, I swear I stay in that suspended state, body resting, mind hard at work through most of the night.

I am working on two magazine pieces that fill me with this sort of passion.  This is not the first time I’ve worked at getting a magazine freelancing thread woven into my writing portfolio.  But the mistake I made before was attempting to write just for the sake of getting something published in whatever magazine I could whip something up for.  The effort was neither successful nor enjoyable.  So I dropped it and focused more on my creative writing efforts.  But these two projects are different.  These are projects where I am motivated by a strong current of passion for the material I am researching and writing.  And projects that my intended market has expressed initial interest in.  They are fun to work on and the words fill my mind.  Even if I can’t seem to sleep.

Kate the Writer

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From Dreams to Reality: 2010 Writing Goals

Posted on January 1, 2010 by Crunchy Mama

I’ve never been an intense fan of the resolution tradition.  It’s charm just doesn’t speak to me effectively.  But this year, I’d like to set goals, which I see as different creatures than resolutions, for my writing.  Putting these goals “out there” somewhere like here forces me to actually be accountable to myself for them.  I am hopeful that I will spend this year doing just that; honoring my voice by being accountable to myself for the achievement of my own goals and aspirations.  Since this is the first day of a brand new year, the rhythm feels right to set and declare those goals now.  Time to really put them “out there.”  So take note, this year, my top ten writing goals state that I intend to:

1.  complete editing my novel (Lost & Found) submiting it for publication to potential agents and publishers.

2. write the second novel  in my Goddess Bless Trinity.  (Probably during November again.  NaNoWriMo was a great tool for me last year.)

3. complete at least one of the two the homeschooling-related, non-fiction book proposals I’ve been mulling over for a bit now.

4. finish editing a short story (“Daddy’s Little Girls”) and submit it for publication.

5. complete at least two more pieces of my Twelve Months Make a Life project.

6. complete and publish two non-fiction articles.

7.  use The Well-Educated Mind and Michael Clay Thompson’s material to return to poetry, so I can study, read and write it again. 

8. publish one poem.

9. read about writing and maintain this writing blog as creative outlets along the way.

10. write 350,000 words of content this calendar year between all book, short story, personal essay, non-fiction article, poetry and blog projects.

Wish me luck,

Kate the Writer

Posted in A Writer's Life for Me | 1 Comment

A Resolution of Sorts

Posted on December 25, 2009 by Crunchy Mama

This blog is a 2009 Yuletide gift to myself.  A declaration to the universe, to anyone who will listen.  2010 is the Year of the Writer.  2010 is the year I stop amassing piles of half-finished or finished and partially edited or finished but discarded writing projects.  2010 is the Year of This Writer; the year I become a successful published author, a writer by trade. 

To those who journey with me, welcome to my writing desk.  Welcome to the space where I keep words flowing, share the ups, downs and lessons learned of the publication path and generally live a writer’s life.  Thanks for joining me!

Kate the Writer

Posted in A Writer's Life for Me | 1 Comment