Published on December 1, 2004
Many of you have been tracking Blotch’s progress since we learned he had an aggressive tumor (fibrosarcoma) in the sinuses above his left eye.
Last Friday, I noticed something inside Blotch’s left nostril and, by Sunday, it appeared to have made significant progress toward the opening. I realized it was probably the tumor. The doc told us that the tumor might break through and reach his brain, but we never thought it would grow the other way. I hoped the children wouldn’t notice it, but Ali did and was distraught that she could actually see what was killing her best friend…
Published on December 1, 2004
This week I’m happy to share a letter I received recently from someone seeking slave labor, along with my response. Enjoy!
Published on December 1, 2004
This Week:
- Inspiration
- The Shy Writer
Published on December 1, 2004
Let’s talk about ideas. Ideas exist in a soup in your brain, and like all good soups, ideas need time to stew. The trick is to keep stirring. As the idea churns around in what passes for your creative capacity, you should periodically review it and ask yourself some questions.
Published on December 1, 2004
Having left full-time paid employment to become a mother, I still wanted to contribute in some way to the family budget. I saw that the local paper printed book reviews by a number of freelancers, and I felt that, with a degree in English and a passion for books, it would be a natural fit.
I checked out the most recently printed book available at my local library and began thinking about my sample review. And continued thinking about it for four months. I played around with openings and phrases, but it was impossible to actually commit anything to paper.
Published on November 23, 2004
Trying to get an early start on the holiday preparations, we put up some of our Christmas decorations last Sunday. Max doesn’t remember Christmas from last year (he turned three in September) so we’ve been having fun reminding him about the season. He seemed to understand the “Santa” concept and even said he’s going to ask Santa for a new train.
Published on November 23, 2004
Hi Angela,
Boy am I glad you published that shy writer story. I was so shy I used to write with a pencil that had an eraser on both ends.
I am doing the blog thing now, too.
See: https://tenniesup.blogspot.com/
Best wishes!
Kenny
Published on November 23, 2004
If you’re a shy writer, you should know that shyness is who you are, as much a part of you as eye color and lobed ears. Learn to incorporate it into your writing world. Learn how to recognize your limitations and your abilities and define your ills and your cures.
Published on November 23, 2004
Angela,
I was referred to you by Mark McCann, an author who published through your program. I am putting together a one-time literary magazine and I wasn’t sure how to get an ISBN # for the magazine. What is the procedure for doing so?
All the best,
Elizabeth
ISBNs are actually assigned to books. ISSNs are for periodicals.
You can apply for an ISSN at:
https://www.lcweb.loc.gov/issn/
You’ll be happy to know that, while ISBNs are quite expensive, there is currently no charge for an ISSN assignment.
Published on November 17, 2004
We did finally get a diagnosis on Blotch’s condition. The news was not good, but we are coping. The story is here: https://www.angelahoy.com/archives/002189.html
I have set a near-impossible personal goal to have all my Christmas shopping and gift wrapping finished before December 9th, which is when Richard’s grandmother is arriving for a one-month visit. She has diabetes, is almost blind and sometimes forgets things that happened yesterday, but she was a nurse in WWII, serving on a ship (and suffering from constant seasickness!), and the kids love hearing her war stories! In fact, she met her husband that way. But that’s a romance story for another day…
It’s always fun to have guests for the holidays and I’m looking forward to tricking her into sharing some of her secret recipes with me. Heh…
Hugs to all!
Ang
P.S. Want to read real query letters that landed these contracts? Woman’s Day – $2,800; Redbook – $3,500; Ladies Home Journal – $3,000; DiscoveryHealth.com – $2,000; Lifetime Magazine – $3,000; Life Extension magazine – $6,480; Natural Remedies $11,300; and many more! See: https://www.writersweekly.com/books/1409.html
