I devoured every page of my favorite magazine–the one I dreamed of seeing my byline in. Since divorcing and entering a new, sizzling relationship, even the Dear Amy column intrigued me.
A reader asked, “How can I get my boyfriend to stop kissing me in public?”
The answer I read would change my writing career.
Max and I stopped at the pet store to get crickets for Max’s lizard, Cool, yesterday. When we left, Max said, “Look at the cute puppy, Mommy!”
I looked to my right and there was a small puppy resembling a tiny Beagle in the car next to us. He was scratching on the window. I said to Max, “Come on.” We both immediately got out of the truck.
Every once in awhile, I write an article with the sole purpose of having a place to send people later on, when a specific situation arises. This one’s for the deadbeats who try to silence their victims.
If you’ve ever threatened to expose a publisher for non-payment, you’ve probably heard this one.
This Week:
You’ve decided to write your memoir, anticipating the writing of mud pies, toilet papering the high school Principal’s yard on Halloween, that first kiss, a wedding day, births of kids, and so on. You will write about dad’s alcoholism, brother Billy dying in the war, or other sad memories.
Then there are secrets; dark secrets which might have impacted our lives forever. Secrets that our loved ones might not know exist. You often hear after someone publishes their memoir that it was “so cathartic.” There are others not so lucky. You need to consider how writing about dark times might affect you.
Have a Freelance Success Story to share? We pay $40 on acceptance, non-exclusive electronic rights only. Success stories run around 300 words but we’re very flexible. Our guidelines are here: https://writersweekly.com/misc/guidelines.php
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We went to the rheumatologist last week because Richard’s vasculitis is still coming and going, despite the fact that he’s on Prednisone. The rheumatologist and the emergency room doctor had the same diagnosis, which we had to look up online.
After we ran last week’s article, Library “Gifts” And Copyright Harvesting – AUTHOR BEWARE!, by Heather Vallance, we received an anonymous email from a librarian. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Let me begin by saying I truly enjoy your newsletter. I have learned many things about writing since I began subscribing.
I did however, want to make a few comments about Heather Vallance’s recent article.
I thought the article was excellent and insightful. Writers ALWAYS need to be vigilant when they are asked to sign any forms, particularly if there is any mention of “copyright”. So I commend her for pointing out this issue.
If you’re over the age of twenty-five, chances are you look back on your teen years with fondness. Ah, the days of football games, proms, and pep rallies. Do we really forget so soon the hours spent agonizing over wearing the right outfit, the tears spilled in the restroom over a hastily scrawled break-up note, or the searing pain of finding your name omitted from the list of players who made the team? Add to that college applications, drug use, and bomb threats; today’s teens face serious issues every day. But there are many ways you can write about weighty issues without increasing their burdens. If you can jump back into those high school days while addressing the concerns of today’s teen, the challenges they face can provide you with endless topics for articles, fiction, interviews, quizzes, and more.
