Writer's Digest Yearbook is on Newsstands Now
If you've never read a copy of Writer's Digest, or even if you have, now is the time to buy the Writer's Yearbook 2008. This is always the best issue of the year with "100 Best Magazine and Book Markets for Writers" plus other useful articles on getting published. It's $5.99 for a copy on most newsstands, or check your library.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Communicating on the Road
We just made another step forward in being able to communicate while on the road in the RV. We purchased a USB720 connection for our Verizon broadband access to the Internet. We already had broadband/nationwide access with a PCMCIA card, but the USB connection allows us to use it with either the laptop or the desktop computer—although not at the same time—and costs the same as the original access. What a giant leap from the modem connection through our cellphone just two short years ago. Talk about slow!
Access to the Internet is even faster than with the PCMCIA card, although we’re still only receiving Nationwide access where we’re parked right now. Still, it’s a little faster and is just one more step towards making it possible to communicate with the world via the Internet from almost any location.
We just made another step forward in being able to communicate while on the road in the RV. We purchased a USB720 connection for our Verizon broadband access to the Internet. We already had broadband/nationwide access with a PCMCIA card, but the USB connection allows us to use it with either the laptop or the desktop computer—although not at the same time—and costs the same as the original access. What a giant leap from the modem connection through our cellphone just two short years ago. Talk about slow!
Access to the Internet is even faster than with the PCMCIA card, although we’re still only receiving Nationwide access where we’re parked right now. Still, it’s a little faster and is just one more step towards making it possible to communicate with the world via the Internet from almost any location.
What makes a good writer?
I’m not talking about great! Shakespeare and the classics authors have stood the test of time, so can be fairly judged to fit the term, “great.” I’m discussing contemporary writers here.
Among contemporary writers, what makes their work stand out among their peers?
We each have our favorite writers, whose books we must believe are good or we wouldn’t read them. They string words together well and their writing holds our attention. They’re articulate and they don’t make grammatical errors. However, what specifically distinguishes a good writer from the rest of the crowd?
Here are a few thoughts on the subject.
The writing is engaging. It captures readers’ attention and holds it all the way through the story or book. It probably even leaves readers wanting more.
The writing is grammatically correct. Good writers’ novels are properly punctuated. And outside of dialogue, the language is grammatically correct. If it’s a novel about an illiterate character, then it might be okay to ignore some rules. To be good, the character’s dialogue must be written in the language he or she would use—no matter how fractured their verbal skills might be. If a real person living in the setting the character appears in would commonly use ain’t, then the book’s character should use it.
Good authors can put their thoughts and feelings into words. Some writers are much better at this than others. They can describe ordinary places, people, and objects in words so that you understand exactly what they’re saying. You as a reader can visualize the scene as if you were there. You can feel the subject’s emotions.
Among contemporary writers who can do this, William Least Heat-Moon stands out as one of the best. He can take everyday situations and make you part of the action. When he describes people, his words sing.
Here is a brief quote from his book, Blue Highways that tells you exactly what he sees, but he describes things in words most of us would never think to use to express our thoughts. But they’re perfect. “The waitress wore threads of wrinkles woven like Chantilly lace over her forehead...”
Another wonderful passage describes another waitress, this one young and rude.
“Early in life she had developed the ability to make a customer wish he’d thrown up on himself rather than disturb her.”
Good authors can make their readers either laugh out loud or cry a flood of tears. Sometimes they can do both. Readers feel the emotions of the lead character. The writer makes every scene and circumstance come alive. Sometimes good writers pop up where we least expect them.
Janet Evanovich is a contemporary writer who has created her own best-selling niche that appeals to millions of readers. Her heroine, Stephanie Plum, is a bounty hunter, and as such, is a giant accident waiting to happen. Her antics are in turn hilarious and frightening. And when I grab one to read, I can’t put it down until it’s finished. Some people would categorize her books as chick-lit, but my husband loves them, too!
A good author is popular. I’m not sure this is a fair category because I’ve read some books by popular writers that weren’t all that great. At least I didn’t think so. But if their books consistently make the bestseller lists, then their fans are certainly finding the books interesting and entertaining. But will they stand the test of time?
Good writers are not always the most popular, but their work will remain popular through the decades and even centuries.
John Steinbeck’s works evoke strong emotion and have stood the test of time, so he falls under my description for a “good” writer—maybe even a "great" one. His beautifully descriptive words have caused readers to laugh and cry, feel happy and sad, and his writing evokes great empathy for his characters. It is a very special writer who can challenge the status quo, and inspire people to act for the betterment of those less fortunate.
The question you may be asking yourself is do I (Kay Kennedy) think I’m a good writer? P-l-e-e-e-z-e! I wish! My goal is to someday be a fairly good writer who can entertain readers, inspire people, and give hope to the hopeless, but I’m still a long way from there. But I keep plugging away.
I make grammatical errors sometimes and I am guilty of typos that slip through. My worst problem is writing a sentence that I’m sure won’t make sense to readers, so I re-write it and while erasing the previous sentence, accidentally leave a stray word in from my previous thought. Or I accidentally erase a word that should have been there. And somehow, these mistakes escape notice during proofreading or editing.
Every writer worries about mistakes slipping through, but I try not to focus on them. If I did, I could never put my thoughts and feelings into words. I would never manage to help readers see what I see. I have a feeling this is something good writers don’t worry about either. They leave that until last, after their words are down on paper and already successful at telling the story.
So until I can get every word perfect, make my writing interesting to readers and maybe even inspire them, I’ll never consider myself a “good” writer. And maybe that will never happen, but I love writing and I’ll keep on trying until the day I’m pushing up daisies.
And that’s what I want you to understand. If you like to write—especially if you love it—keep doing it. Everyday! Even if you think you can’t sell a story or article, write for yourself, or your friends and family. Some good writers are never discovered until after they’re gone, just like famous artists. Who knows? You and I may someday be remembered as great writers.
I’m not talking about great! Shakespeare and the classics authors have stood the test of time, so can be fairly judged to fit the term, “great.” I’m discussing contemporary writers here.
Among contemporary writers, what makes their work stand out among their peers?
We each have our favorite writers, whose books we must believe are good or we wouldn’t read them. They string words together well and their writing holds our attention. They’re articulate and they don’t make grammatical errors. However, what specifically distinguishes a good writer from the rest of the crowd?
Here are a few thoughts on the subject.
The writing is engaging. It captures readers’ attention and holds it all the way through the story or book. It probably even leaves readers wanting more.
The writing is grammatically correct. Good writers’ novels are properly punctuated. And outside of dialogue, the language is grammatically correct. If it’s a novel about an illiterate character, then it might be okay to ignore some rules. To be good, the character’s dialogue must be written in the language he or she would use—no matter how fractured their verbal skills might be. If a real person living in the setting the character appears in would commonly use ain’t, then the book’s character should use it.
Good authors can put their thoughts and feelings into words. Some writers are much better at this than others. They can describe ordinary places, people, and objects in words so that you understand exactly what they’re saying. You as a reader can visualize the scene as if you were there. You can feel the subject’s emotions.
Among contemporary writers who can do this, William Least Heat-Moon stands out as one of the best. He can take everyday situations and make you part of the action. When he describes people, his words sing.
Here is a brief quote from his book, Blue Highways that tells you exactly what he sees, but he describes things in words most of us would never think to use to express our thoughts. But they’re perfect. “The waitress wore threads of wrinkles woven like Chantilly lace over her forehead...”
Another wonderful passage describes another waitress, this one young and rude.
“Early in life she had developed the ability to make a customer wish he’d thrown up on himself rather than disturb her.”
Good authors can make their readers either laugh out loud or cry a flood of tears. Sometimes they can do both. Readers feel the emotions of the lead character. The writer makes every scene and circumstance come alive. Sometimes good writers pop up where we least expect them.
Janet Evanovich is a contemporary writer who has created her own best-selling niche that appeals to millions of readers. Her heroine, Stephanie Plum, is a bounty hunter, and as such, is a giant accident waiting to happen. Her antics are in turn hilarious and frightening. And when I grab one to read, I can’t put it down until it’s finished. Some people would categorize her books as chick-lit, but my husband loves them, too!
A good author is popular. I’m not sure this is a fair category because I’ve read some books by popular writers that weren’t all that great. At least I didn’t think so. But if their books consistently make the bestseller lists, then their fans are certainly finding the books interesting and entertaining. But will they stand the test of time?
Good writers are not always the most popular, but their work will remain popular through the decades and even centuries.
John Steinbeck’s works evoke strong emotion and have stood the test of time, so he falls under my description for a “good” writer—maybe even a "great" one. His beautifully descriptive words have caused readers to laugh and cry, feel happy and sad, and his writing evokes great empathy for his characters. It is a very special writer who can challenge the status quo, and inspire people to act for the betterment of those less fortunate.
The question you may be asking yourself is do I (Kay Kennedy) think I’m a good writer? P-l-e-e-e-z-e! I wish! My goal is to someday be a fairly good writer who can entertain readers, inspire people, and give hope to the hopeless, but I’m still a long way from there. But I keep plugging away.
I make grammatical errors sometimes and I am guilty of typos that slip through. My worst problem is writing a sentence that I’m sure won’t make sense to readers, so I re-write it and while erasing the previous sentence, accidentally leave a stray word in from my previous thought. Or I accidentally erase a word that should have been there. And somehow, these mistakes escape notice during proofreading or editing.
Every writer worries about mistakes slipping through, but I try not to focus on them. If I did, I could never put my thoughts and feelings into words. I would never manage to help readers see what I see. I have a feeling this is something good writers don’t worry about either. They leave that until last, after their words are down on paper and already successful at telling the story.
So until I can get every word perfect, make my writing interesting to readers and maybe even inspire them, I’ll never consider myself a “good” writer. And maybe that will never happen, but I love writing and I’ll keep on trying until the day I’m pushing up daisies.
And that’s what I want you to understand. If you like to write—especially if you love it—keep doing it. Everyday! Even if you think you can’t sell a story or article, write for yourself, or your friends and family. Some good writers are never discovered until after they’re gone, just like famous artists. Who knows? You and I may someday be remembered as great writers.
CAMPING AT WALMART
This time I want to talk about something serious. I promise that next time, I’ll resume telling about some of our humorous RVing moments.
I’m sure you’ve seen RVs parked at Wal-Marts and wondered why they’re there. Well, there are probably a couple of reasons why RVers stop overnight courtesy of Wal-Mart.
1. They are trying to save money. If an RVers wishes to stop for a brief nap, they may not think it’s worthwhile to pay $25-$40 plus for a place to park their RV for a few hours when they don’t plan to use any of the park’s amenities.
2. They can’t find an RV park nearby. Maybe they’re exhausted and need to catch a few hours sleep before heading out again, and they really don’t want to leave the Interstate and travel (maybe for miles) searching for an RV park. We’ve found this to be the most common reason RVers stop in Wal-Mart lots.
One time we were traveling the Interstate through Phoenix on a hot 100 degree-plus evening and needed to stock up on groceries and gas, so we pulled into a Wal-Mart & Sam’s hoping to fill both our pantry and gas tank. A security guard rushed over as we pulled off the road and said “you can’t park in this lot.” We told him we really needed groceries and gas, and asked if we couldn’t park on the outskirts of the lot and hike to the store to get groceries? “Oh sure,” he told us, “but then you’ll have to leave. The city doesn’t allow overnight parking in our lot, and cops patrol and ticket RVers.”
Well, we got our groceries, but while we were doing that, the gas pumps closed down for the night. So already low on gas, we had to make our way miles further down the freeway to fill up. If we could have spent the night there, we would have filled the gas tank first thing before we left in the morning. As it was, it took a couple of hours to find a rest area where we could stop. We hadn’t passed a single sign for an RV park along the way.
So, you wanna know, what’s up? You see RVs park in Wal-Mart all the time. There are two reasons that RVers might be turned away.
1. Some RVers set up camp for a few days, and they sometimes leave a mess behind. Those types give all RVers a bad name and destroy parking possibilities for us all.
2. Usually it is because nearby RV park owners raise a commotion about Wal-Mart letting RVers park there, and talk local authorities into forbidding it.
We worked for two RV parks back when we were work-camping that actively tried to prevent local Wal-marts from allowing RVers to stay overnight. In one park, there were two seasons when an available camp site couldn’t be found anywhere within 50 miles, but even then, the owner couldn’t stand to see RVers parking at Wal-Mart.
The other owner was much more militant. He wanted to prevent non-commercial camping anywhere in his state. He was president of his state’s campground owner’s association, and his group was actively lobbying the state legislature to pass a law that would prohibit State and National Parks from having campsites! Wal-Marts were also on their "search and destroy" list. Without competition to keep them honest, our greedy park owner and others could charge as much for rundown, bare-bones facilities as they wished. And that’s exactly what they would have done!
If you decide to park overnight at a Wal-Mart, always check with a manager first. They can tell you if it’s permissible and where it’s best to park. Thank them, and be sure to spend some money in their store. Then be sure to keep your parking site clean, and don’t extend slide-outs or awnings, or set out your lawn chairs and barbeque. And don’t stay more than one night. If you need to stay longer, find a nice RV park where you can spread out and enjoy your visit.
Many Wal-Marts offer excellent parking opportunities for when you are in a hurry and want to stop for a couple of hours or so to rest, or for when you can’t locate a nearby RV park. But RVers should never abuse their generosity by making the parking lot look like a disorderly homeless camp.
Just like in any civilized society, courteous behavior is a requisite if we want to keep emergency parking spots available to all of us. Surely, each of us can do our part to ensure the continued cooperation of Wal-Marts and communities across the country.
This time I want to talk about something serious. I promise that next time, I’ll resume telling about some of our humorous RVing moments.
I’m sure you’ve seen RVs parked at Wal-Marts and wondered why they’re there. Well, there are probably a couple of reasons why RVers stop overnight courtesy of Wal-Mart.
1. They are trying to save money. If an RVers wishes to stop for a brief nap, they may not think it’s worthwhile to pay $25-$40 plus for a place to park their RV for a few hours when they don’t plan to use any of the park’s amenities.
2. They can’t find an RV park nearby. Maybe they’re exhausted and need to catch a few hours sleep before heading out again, and they really don’t want to leave the Interstate and travel (maybe for miles) searching for an RV park. We’ve found this to be the most common reason RVers stop in Wal-Mart lots.
One time we were traveling the Interstate through Phoenix on a hot 100 degree-plus evening and needed to stock up on groceries and gas, so we pulled into a Wal-Mart & Sam’s hoping to fill both our pantry and gas tank. A security guard rushed over as we pulled off the road and said “you can’t park in this lot.” We told him we really needed groceries and gas, and asked if we couldn’t park on the outskirts of the lot and hike to the store to get groceries? “Oh sure,” he told us, “but then you’ll have to leave. The city doesn’t allow overnight parking in our lot, and cops patrol and ticket RVers.”
Well, we got our groceries, but while we were doing that, the gas pumps closed down for the night. So already low on gas, we had to make our way miles further down the freeway to fill up. If we could have spent the night there, we would have filled the gas tank first thing before we left in the morning. As it was, it took a couple of hours to find a rest area where we could stop. We hadn’t passed a single sign for an RV park along the way.
So, you wanna know, what’s up? You see RVs park in Wal-Mart all the time. There are two reasons that RVers might be turned away.
1. Some RVers set up camp for a few days, and they sometimes leave a mess behind. Those types give all RVers a bad name and destroy parking possibilities for us all.
2. Usually it is because nearby RV park owners raise a commotion about Wal-Mart letting RVers park there, and talk local authorities into forbidding it.
We worked for two RV parks back when we were work-camping that actively tried to prevent local Wal-marts from allowing RVers to stay overnight. In one park, there were two seasons when an available camp site couldn’t be found anywhere within 50 miles, but even then, the owner couldn’t stand to see RVers parking at Wal-Mart.
The other owner was much more militant. He wanted to prevent non-commercial camping anywhere in his state. He was president of his state’s campground owner’s association, and his group was actively lobbying the state legislature to pass a law that would prohibit State and National Parks from having campsites! Wal-Marts were also on their "search and destroy" list. Without competition to keep them honest, our greedy park owner and others could charge as much for rundown, bare-bones facilities as they wished. And that’s exactly what they would have done!
If you decide to park overnight at a Wal-Mart, always check with a manager first. They can tell you if it’s permissible and where it’s best to park. Thank them, and be sure to spend some money in their store. Then be sure to keep your parking site clean, and don’t extend slide-outs or awnings, or set out your lawn chairs and barbeque. And don’t stay more than one night. If you need to stay longer, find a nice RV park where you can spread out and enjoy your visit.
Many Wal-Marts offer excellent parking opportunities for when you are in a hurry and want to stop for a couple of hours or so to rest, or for when you can’t locate a nearby RV park. But RVers should never abuse their generosity by making the parking lot look like a disorderly homeless camp.
Just like in any civilized society, courteous behavior is a requisite if we want to keep emergency parking spots available to all of us. Surely, each of us can do our part to ensure the continued cooperation of Wal-Marts and communities across the country.
FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS!
One of the greatest gifts we can give to someone we love, especially a child, is the love of reading. Youngsters don’t normally discover books without a guiding hand from a parent, grandparent, or an adult they respect.
I was taught to love books early and remember hungrily scouring the library’s bookshelves as a kid, searching for that special book with which to spend a hot, lazy summer afternoon.
And then one day I realized books have the power to provide a complete education to anyone willing to learn. Want to know how to hunt for wild game, then dress it and prepare it? That information is available in a book. Want to know how to write a computer program? You’ll find that in a book, too. No matter what anyone wants to learn, it’s all there on the bookshelf.
When I wanted to learn how to make a living as a writer, I searched every library within a 100 mile radius, looking for information that would educate me. Stacks of books lay about my feet and I greedily devoured them all, searching for the clues that would make me a successful writer and making notes to keep for later reference.
After almost twenty years of practicing what I learned, I wrote a book about making money from writing titled “Portable Writing: the secret to living your dreams with 25 projects to fund your freedom.” You see, the secret I discovered from books is that writing could fulfill all my dreams. I can live where I want, travel where or when I desire to, and make money while pursuing the pleasures of life. Not a bad way to live.
So to all you aspiring writers out there, I recommend that you read my book to learn how you can live your own fulfilling life and pursue your own dreams on your own terms. And think about others on your shopping list this Christmas who would love to learn from a simple, easy to understand book how they can lead a successful life as a writer. You can order a copy by clicking on http://www.booklocker.com/books/2461.html or at www.Amazon.com.
For those aging boomers on your list who might be interested in recalling the turbulent ‘60s, or the civil rights movement, or any other profound moment that has happened during their lifetimes, why not buy them a copy of “Looking Back: Boomers Remember History from the ‘40s to the Present.” You can buy it at: http://www.booklocker.com/books/3256.html or www.Amazon.com.
Give the gift of books this Christmas! Clothes wear out or go out of fashion, electronics become outdated, and food gets eaten and then is quickly forgotten. Books are the most lasting and meaningful gifts you can give to someone you care about.
One of the greatest gifts we can give to someone we love, especially a child, is the love of reading. Youngsters don’t normally discover books without a guiding hand from a parent, grandparent, or an adult they respect.
I was taught to love books early and remember hungrily scouring the library’s bookshelves as a kid, searching for that special book with which to spend a hot, lazy summer afternoon.
And then one day I realized books have the power to provide a complete education to anyone willing to learn. Want to know how to hunt for wild game, then dress it and prepare it? That information is available in a book. Want to know how to write a computer program? You’ll find that in a book, too. No matter what anyone wants to learn, it’s all there on the bookshelf.
When I wanted to learn how to make a living as a writer, I searched every library within a 100 mile radius, looking for information that would educate me. Stacks of books lay about my feet and I greedily devoured them all, searching for the clues that would make me a successful writer and making notes to keep for later reference.
After almost twenty years of practicing what I learned, I wrote a book about making money from writing titled “Portable Writing: the secret to living your dreams with 25 projects to fund your freedom.” You see, the secret I discovered from books is that writing could fulfill all my dreams. I can live where I want, travel where or when I desire to, and make money while pursuing the pleasures of life. Not a bad way to live.
So to all you aspiring writers out there, I recommend that you read my book to learn how you can live your own fulfilling life and pursue your own dreams on your own terms. And think about others on your shopping list this Christmas who would love to learn from a simple, easy to understand book how they can lead a successful life as a writer. You can order a copy by clicking on http://www.booklocker.com/books/2461.html or at www.Amazon.com.
For those aging boomers on your list who might be interested in recalling the turbulent ‘60s, or the civil rights movement, or any other profound moment that has happened during their lifetimes, why not buy them a copy of “Looking Back: Boomers Remember History from the ‘40s to the Present.” You can buy it at: http://www.booklocker.com/books/3256.html or www.Amazon.com.
Give the gift of books this Christmas! Clothes wear out or go out of fashion, electronics become outdated, and food gets eaten and then is quickly forgotten. Books are the most lasting and meaningful gifts you can give to someone you care about.
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