Erica Hanson's blog for writers, readers, and educators

Inspiring Teachers

2011-06-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

Photo from Best Colleges Online

Best Colleges has published an article titled “15 Incredibly Inspiring Women in Academia.” Given the Republicans' attack on teachers that is occurring around the country, this is a timely read to remind them of the importance of education. Find the article at http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/2011/06/05/15-incredibly-inspiring-women-in-academia

Recently read: Donald E. Westlake’s Watch Your Back

2011-06-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

I always enjoy Westlake’s comic crime books, especially the ones with Dortmunder and his cronies. In this one, Dortmunder’s fence, the offensive Arnie, is home from his “intervention” at Club Med with news of a billionaire’s home sitting defenseless. So Dortmuncer gathers his crew of Kelp and Stan and Stan’s mother and Tiny to battle on two fronts: the removing of the billionaire’s possessions, and saving the O.J. Bar & Grill from a Mafia takeover. A treat to read!

Recently read: Cara Black’s Murder in the Sentier

2011-06-08T14:15:00.001-07:00

Black’s books are good contemporary detective novels set in contemporary Paris, featuring private eye Aimee Leduc. I’ve read and reviewed several of the books over the years, and all are worth reading. This one is too, although I thought Leduc’s driving motivation was too forced. In this book, a mysterious woman appears with knowledge of Leduc’s mother, who vanished when Aimee was very young. Leduc tracks down elderly terrorists from 60s and 70s Europe (remember the Red Army?), becoming more and more concerned that her mother abandoned her for political motives. As ever, lots of descriptions of the underworld of Paris.

Another birthday

2011-06-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

Carl's birthday martini

We spent the entire weekend celebrating Carl's birthday, starting on Friday with a visit to the Denver Art Museum to see the Cities of Splendor: A Journey through renaissance Italy, with lunch at the museum's elegant restaurant, Pallettes. Yesterday we explored the northern suburbs and desolate lands between Boulder and Arvada, lunch at Bloom's, and cocktails and pizza at Abrusci's Italian restaurant. Today we are lolling, but still eating!

Recently read: Ines de la Fressange’s Parisian Chic

2011-05-30T12:18:00.000-07:00

I love books about style and beauty and fashion, and this is a particularly fun one. Chanel icon de la Fressange still looks as chic as in her modeling days. This style guide, co-authored by Sophie Gachet, explains lightheartedly how the rest of us (all who do not live in Paris) can emulate Parisian Chic. Divided into four parts, the book discusses how to dress like a Parisian, French beauty basics, what distinguishes the Parisian home, and concludes with a guide to all of de la Fressange’s favorite stores, boutiques, neighborhoods, museums, spas and hair salons, restaurants (naturellement!), nightclubs and hotels. In addition to the beautiful photographs, the book is lavishly illustration with delightful drawings by de la Fressange herself—I was so impressed and immediately wished I was able to draw as well. A good book to add to your collection.

Recently read: Ruth Rendell's Portobello

2011-05-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

Rendell is a long established master of the British thriller, whether writing as Barbara Vine, as herself in the Inspector Wexford series, or her dark psychological works such as this one. In this suspenseful work, a well-meaning and prosperous middle aged man discovers a cash filled envelope lying in the street near Portobello Road. He posts an ad for the owner, despite the misgivings of many of his friends as well as his fiancée. Thus a series of events are unleashed that reveals secrets, sickness and sorrow. As are all Rendell’s books, this is a must read.

Recently read: Tami Hoag’s Deeper than the Dead and Secrets to the Grave

2011-05-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

I like Hoag. Her books are easy reads with good plots and characters, much suspense, and well written. These two books are set in the mid-1980s in a prosperous California town. Deeper than the Dead is the first book. A school teacher, Anne, and an FBI investigator, Vince, team up when several of Anne’s grade school students find a dead woman in the park. More bodies show up. Vince is asked to help the community track a serial killer using a new technique: profiling. In the second book, Secrets to the Grave, a respected single mother is found brutally murdered in her home with her four year old daughter unconscious. Anne and Vince (now happily married) again work to find the killer. You really need to read these books in order, because for some reason in the second book Hoag discusses the serial killings of the previous book in great detail, including the killer’s identity. So unless you don’t mind knowing all the answers ahead of time, you’ll want to start with Deeper than the Dead.

Colleges that paved the way for women

2011-05-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

Photo of Moravian College in Pennsylvania from www.onlinecolleges.net

In recent years, women have comprised the majority of college students at all levels from undergraduate to post graduate. See http://www.onlinecolleges.net/2011/05/09/10-american-colleges-that-paved-the-way-for-women for information on ten colleges that paved the way for women. I am missing teaching, but not quite enough yet to check out the opportunities in the many colleges and universities in the Denver area.

Recently read: Jo Nesbo’s The Redbreast

2011-05-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

This is the first book I’ve read by this highly acclaimed Norwegian writer, and I’m looking forward to reading the two more books by him I’ve bought. His detective, Harry Hole, is in the pattern of my favorite protagonists like James Lee Burke’s Robicheaux and Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse (the books, not the TV shows). This book slips between contemporary Norway, and Nazi Germany, examining Norway’s role in World War II, which I knew little about. This is a fascinating history with excellent plot, and complex characters, and narrative that is well written by Nesbo and well translated by Don Bartlett. This is a memorable thriller that follows a small group of elderly Norwegians who had served on the Eastern Front for Hitler’s army. And one of them may be about to kill again.

Lakewood Cultural Center Annual Juried Holiday Show & Sale

2011-05-09T10:06:00.001-07:00

Photo from

http://www.lakewood.org/comres/page.cfm?ID=18&LakewoodCulturalCenter

One of the many great things about living in Lakewood, CO, is the Lakewood Cultural Center and its sisters, the Heritage Center and the Washington Heights Arts Center. Every year, the Cultural Center hosts a juried exhibition and sale of artwork by Colorado artists and artisans. This year, applications digital images of submitted art must be postmarked or emailed no later than July 15. The judges decide based on quality, originality, and salability. There is a $20 jury fee, with a 40 percent commission on all work sold, with the Cultural Center being responsible for the collection and payment of sales tax. If you are a Colorado artist, this is an excellent venue for your work. Contact Jeff at 303-987-7756 or via email at holidayshow@Lakewood.org for information and applications.

The Nation magazine is looking for student writers

2011-05-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

The Nation, the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the U.S., is looking for high school and college student writers for their Student Writing Contest. All students are eligible. Entries answering the question, “What do you think is the most serious issue facing your generation?” are accepted through June 30. Winners will be published in The Nation, receive $250, and a subscription. See http://www.thenation.com/students

Recently read: Terry Taylor’s The Artful Storybook

2011-05-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

Like Taylor’s book of paper dolls, this is lush with splendid photos of artists’ stories made visual. Taylor asked a number of artists to “explore the storybook form.” The results are mixed media, three-dimensional pieces of art that inspire individually as well as collectively. Taylor also provides use with practical advice on creating our own, including how to choose a book format and tips on bookmaking. He includes the Working Process of each artist’s work, which gives a fascinating glimpse into how a creative project is conceived, planned, built and finalized.

Writing Life Contract

2011-04-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

I'm in the final stage of completing the Literary Living Program (see link at left side of blog). One of the things we did during the course was to develop a six-month Writing Life Contract. I have finished mine and am busy and happily writing away. Because I can't resist adding visual elements nowadays, I wrote my traditional computer/print version and also did a six panel mixed media collage version to have on my desk to inspire me.

Cookie the baby penguin

2011-04-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

Just in case there's someone out there who did not see the video on the news or YouTube of Cookie being tickled, here it is! This is too cute for words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyKZtpT4F-U

Read an article about Cookie here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1378361/Cookie-penguin-tiny-internet-star-loves-tickled.html

Recently read: William Kent Krueger’s Red Knife

2011-04-21T07:04:00.000-07:00

This St. Paul author continues to produce well-written, fast-paced books about life in rural Northern Minnesota, the complex relationships between the whites and the tribes, the poor and the wealthy, and the way violence can ricochet between them. This is a Cork O’Connor book, with O’Connor once again the former sheriff. Gangs have come to Tamarack County, and the Red Boyz, an Ojibwe gang, seems to be at the heart of a wave of drugs and death. O’Connor has to tread carefully between vows of vengeance and further violence. As ever, a page-turner.

Sites worth seeing

2011-04-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

When you explore, it helps to have your Idle Muse inspire you!

Here are some great web sites, articles and blogs I’ve discovered recently and thought I’d share:
http://www.rightbrainbusinessplan.com/
http://www.gwenbell.com/ (currently in transformation, but worth a look in the mean time)
http://www.goddessguidebook.com/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/series/writersrooms (let’s you be a legal window peeper!)
http://blog.crescendoh.com/crescendoh/
http://acartwrightstudio.blogspot.com/

Summer Writers Colony in New York City

2011-04-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

This sounds fabulous! From June 6 through 23, you can live a writer's in the mecca for writers for three weeks. Participate in workshops in fiction, nonfiction and poetry in a supportive atmosphere with other writers. Attend readings, take literary tours of Greenwich Village, and participate in literary salons where you can meet professional and award winning authors and journalists. See http://www.newschool.edu/summerwriters/ for more details.

Recently read: Lynda LaPlante’s Cold Shoulder

2011-04-11T09:14:00.001-07:00

LaPlante, whose book Prime Suspect was the basis of the British television series starring Helen Mirren, has a number of other series books that are also gripping. This one features Lorraine Page, a Pasadena homicide detective whose alcoholism and its resulting behavior gets her kicked off the force. That doesn’t stop her from tracking down a serial killer—or are there more than one? Excellent read.

Poetry Forum on the Old Farmer’s Almanac

2011-04-07T10:13:00.001-07:00

The Old Farmer's Almanac is the oldest continuously published periodical in the U.S. Since 1792, it has been informing its readers of weather forecasts, tides, astronomy data, and planting guides. It literally has something of interest for everyone, of every age. I love that it’s online as well—talk about adapting to the changes in media. Visit http://www.almanac.com/ to sign up for its email newsletter. Also, click on Blogs and Forums then scroll down, click on More Forums, scroll again until you find the Poetry Forum. Note that the Poetry Forum is only for amateur writers and photographers.

2011-04-04T09:33:00.001-07:00

Photo from Wikipedia

Please go to this site and watch the short video in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and the workers of America who are again fighting for their rights: http://www.afscme.org/april4

April’s Script Frenzy

2011-04-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

Spring bulbs image from Dover Publications at http://store.doverpublications.com/

Script Frenzy begins today. Sign on at http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/ to write your TV show script, your film script, or your screenplay script during 30 April days. And any young people you know can go to http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/ for the Script Frenzy Young Writers Program. Like NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), this gets your writing muscles going and that idea that’s been hanging out in the back of your head actually out into the spring air!

Recently read: Kelly Rae Roberts’ Taking Flight

2011-03-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

The subtitle of this book is Inspiration & Techniques to give your Creative Spirit Wings, which sums of the content of the book nicely. I have encountered Roberts’ art in a number of books which include a variety of artists’ works. Her mixed media paintings are instantly identifiable with their pensive female faces and richly textured surfaces. She includes easy instructions on how she and the artists she interviews create the featured works. Her essays, self-exploration questions, and advice are helpful tools, whether you are considering expanding your artistic work or just want to discover more ways to free up your creativity.

Art Journals

2011-03-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

One of my colleagues taking the Literary Living program with me (see http://www.literaryliving.com/ )
asked me for some suggestions on creating art journals. As writers, whether or not we also consider ourselves to be artists, an art journal is a good way to express your creativity. There are as many ways to create art journals as people making them. The examples above show some of my art journals in a variety of formats. All are mixed media mainly using ephemera (like tickets or vintage ads), photos, magic marker, acryllic paint, varieties of papers, and watercolor. From the top: a collaged journal page in process; a journal page where I have sketched and written using magic markers; mailing tags that I've collaged and tied together (great way to save space on your bookshelves), an altered book where the pages serve as my journal, and a single unbound collaged journal page. Click on each image to enlarge it.

March 23 is Democracy Day

2011-03-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

The National Education Association, representing more than three million teachers, support professionals, and administrators aross the country, is sponsoring Rock the Vote, a celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the 26th Amendment. See http://www.democracyday.org for more information.

Recently read: T. Jefferson Parker’s L.A. Outlaws

2011-03-17T12:42:00.000-07:00

I have read Parker’s books for years, and find them always well-written, with gripping plots. Of his many works, this one was not up to the masterful levels of his earlier works, but it is still worth reading. The people and the media of Los Angeles are fascinated by a woman outlaw, Allison Murrieta, whose outrageous robberies, charitable donations after each “job,” and her penchant for stealing fancy cars, have entertained everyone but the police for months now. Until one day ten gangsters are found dead and a fortune in jewels is missing. Suddenly Murrieta is in danger herself.

10 ways nationwide teacher cuts affect you

2011-03-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

Here is an excellent article that sums up why cuts to education will hurt all Americans: http://current.com/1dkn14c It makes no sense to me (other than corporate and individual greed), why vital programs must be cut so that the wealthiest people in the country don't have to pay taxes.

Recently read: John Sandford’s Phantom Prey

2011-03-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

Lucas Davenport isn’t involved at first in the case where a wealthy widow comes home to blood on her walls and a missing daughter. He is drawn in as a series of grisly murders of friends and acquaintances of the missing daughter—all young people involved in the Goth scene in Minneapolis—cause panic. Then the daughter’s body is found in a ditch, a mysterious Goth “fairy” hovers at the edge of each victim’s last hours, and even Davenport’s life is in danger. Excellent as usual.

Too much going on!

2011-03-03T13:39:00.000-08:00

My latest Vision Board, created as part of a Literary Living assignment

I know, I've not been posting as often as is my goal. Bear with me as I complete a mountain of tasks. I hope to post at least three times a week soon. I will keep the contests up to date, and post at least two new jigsaw puzzles a week in the interium.

Recently read: Louise Penny’s Still Life

2011-02-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

This is the first in the series of Chief Inspector Gamache books, and is as enjoyable as the rest are. Set in the picturesque village of Three Pines in the countryside of Quebec, Gamache and his team are called in to investigate the shooting death of an elderly woman on Thanksgiving Day. The village folk desperately want it to be a hunting accident, but too many things strike Gamache as suspicious.

Using collage to create a vision of your future

2011-02-17T11:25:00.001-08:00

Joan Dempsey, the developer of the Literary Living program (http://www.literaryliving.com/ ), asked me to write a piece on using collage to create vision boards for the program. In addition, I have posted a selection of my vision board collages above. From top to bottom, the images are my vision board for creative space (acrylic, photos, ephemera, sketches, stamps and handwriting), vision board for moving to Colorado (words and images from magazines, poster paint), and journal pages to inspire creativity (poster paint, ephemera, handwriting, stickers, art paper, and stamps). Click on each image to enlarge for details.

America Indian Art at the Denver Art Museum

2011-02-13T10:40:00.000-08:00

Grand Procession: Contemporary Artistic Visions of American Indians by Lois Sherr Dubin

This weekend, Carl, our friend Cathy and I went to see the expanded exhibit of the Denver Art Museum’s permanent collection of American Indian art. It was stunning, with ancient art and artifacts, clothing, traditional work and contemporary art beautifully displayed. My favorites were the doll sculptures created by contemporary artists. These sculptures are fully clothed with traditionally made beaded clothing, two feet tall, each representing the garments of the eighteenth and nineteenth Plains and Plateau Indians. I bought the book about them at the museum shop. Fascinating stuff.

2011-02-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

In my quest to break my Internet news addiction to the Huffington Post, CNN and NPR, I've been doing a lot more recreational surfing. I recently saw this web site, which is a job listing for professional bloggers (or those wishing to be). Check it out http://jobs.problogger.net/view/258

Recently read: Norma V. Toraya’s Paper Puppet Palooza

2011-02-04T13:44:00.000-08:00

In my ongoing quest to play with and create paper dolls, I found this book that not only has all sorts of fun art dolls made of paper, but also explains how to use sticks and brads and string and other things to make the dolls into moving puppets. Toraya is an animator for videos, commercials and television, and is the creator of Crankbunny. I love her mystical, funny and dark creations like Zahmoo the Puppet Shaman and Ms. Ananushka Puppehklova. These puppets are not for kids!

Recently read: Leonardo Padura’s Havana Gold

2011-02-02T13:16:00.001-08:00

This is the fourth in Padura’s Havana Quartet series with Lieutenant Mario Conde. I am fascinated with Padura’s descriptions of life in modern Cuba. In this a school teacher is brutally murdered, drugs seem to be involved, as do some of her students. It was interesting how Padura describes the use of marijuana as rare and extremely scandalous among high schoolers—not what we would expect here where even grade school kids seem to have access to a buffet of drugs. Worth reading, yet I wish the translator would not sprinkle the text with outdated British slang words.

The Appreciative Inquiry Process

2011-01-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

My collage titled "Celebrating Lives Well Lived."

This week in the Literary Living Program we are engaging in the Appreciative Inquiry Process, which I hadn’t heard of before, but it is exactly in line with my own world view. Instead of focusing on problems, the process focuses on what is working. It can be applied to an individual, a system, or an organization. To learn more, visit: http://appreciativeinquiry.case.edu/

Recently read: Donald Westlake’s Don’t Ask

2011-01-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed Westlake’s novels years ago and for some reason lost track of him. To my delight, I rediscovered a number of more recent books about Dortmunder and the gang. This one was originally published in 1993 and has been reissued, thank goodness. Westlake’s characters are each unique gems, his plots are solid and fast-paced, and his writing is hilarious. In this one, Tiny Bulcher’s cousin from the old country needs a small favor, and who else to tackle it but Dortmunder, Andy, Stan and the other specialists in burglary? The demise of the Soviet Union has, among other things, resulted in a feud between the tiny country where the Bulchers are from and another tiny country. One of the things at stake is membership in the United Nations. The decision of which one gets the membership is up to an old archbishop, who says it will go to whichever country has the medieval relic of the femur of Saint Ferghana. So Dortmunder and his gang embark on a multinational caper. Love it!

Literary Living and the writing self

2011-01-24T11:22:00.000-08:00

One thing that surprised me—my writing personality likes a tidy, organized office, and I guess mine COULD be messier!

I am very much enjoying the Literary Living Program, and the community of writers who are participating. This week, we took an online personality test based on Jung and Myers types (most of us have taken the Meyers-Briggs personality test in school). The only change I’ve ever had is that, up until now, I was slightly more introverted, and now—after teaching for a number of years and participating in a variety of public speaking programs such as Dale Carnegie and Landmark, I have crossed the line and am slightly more extroverted. I am, if you are curious, an ENFJ (extrovert, intuitive, feeling, judging), which is the Teacher personality. To take the online test, go to http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

One of the things that interested me about Literary Living is that the creator, Joan Dempsey, asked Dawna Kemper to write a book that takes each of the personality types and identify what the types mean when applied to writers. For more information on the program, see http://www.literaryliving.com/

Batalugu: helping you create children’s books

2011-01-20T12:23:00.001-08:00

The program manager at the online publisher, Batalugu, contacted me about their product, which I think sounds really fun. Batalugu is a tool for creating children’s books, and can be used to write and illustrate personalized or general books by writers, parents, and even kids themselves. Check it out at http://batalugu.com/

Recently read: Alexander McCall Smith’s Tea Time for the Traditionally Built

2011-01-18T08:39:00.000-08:00

I love this series, and is that the greatest title or what? The gentle adventures of Precious Ramotswe, her husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni (never do they call each other by their first names), and their friends, family, clients and employees all have their problems. And as we expect in this well-ordered world, all find the solutions, from the strange losing streak of Mr. Molofololo’s football club, to banishing Mma Makutsi’s dreaded rival, to saving Mma Ramotswe’s treasured tiny white van.

Read a winning short story from Creative Competitor

2011-01-13T15:31:00.000-08:00

One of the things I always recommend writers do is to read as many winners of the various essay, poetry, creative nonfiction and fiction contests as possible. The purpose is not to think you have to duplicate the styles or the content, but because it will give you a sense of what the judges--who are writers and editors and publishers and teachers--feel is good writing. I have mentioned Creative Competitor in previous blogs, as well as listed the contests in the Money Corner. Here is a link to the winning short story for one of the recent contests: http://creativecompetitor.com/competition-winners/mid-life-crisis-fiction Take a few minutes to read it (it's very short) and analyze why you think the judge believed this was first-prize work. And while you are on the site, sign up for the newsletter for more insights into what makes one piece of writing a winner.

Recently read: James W. Hall’s Blackwater Sound

2011-01-11T09:22:00.001-08:00

The more I read of this author, the more I admire him. This book, like so many of his others, contains both poetic descriptions of the sea and the Florida Keys, in-depth characters, and some brutal action. In this, Thorn and his girlfriend of the moment are having fishing in Blackwater Sound when a passenger plane on its way to Rio plummets into the water with no sound until the splash. As Thorn tries to rescue as many of the survivors as he can, he notices a boat with three people watching. His intuition tells him something is wrong and he starts sniffing around over the next few days and discovers two of the three people are the only two siblings remaining of the powerful Braswell family, who deny being near the wreck. The horrific death of their older brother ten years before still casts a strong shadow over the present. Hard to put this book down.

Vote for your hero dog

2011-01-09T15:09:00.000-08:00

My own hero dog: Sharpie

You've read about Ricochet the surfer service dog who works with disabled children in earlier posts. For more information, see her web site at http://www.surfdogricochet.com/ I received the following email from Ricochet's trainer:

"We just found out that Ricochet was nominated for USA Today's Most Heroic Dog of 2010. We're not sure who nominated her, so thank you whoever you are!
These contests give us another platform to raise awareness of her causes, so we really appreciate you help in getting the word out about them, and voting."

I had no sooner posted about this, when I got another email. Ricochet and Sparky the Fire Safety Dog, one of the other hero dog nominations, were asking all their fans to vote instead for Target, the dog who saved so many soldiers only to end up euthanized at the dog pound. Vote for Target to help Target's cause, called Target's Bunker, a no-kill shelter. Learn more, and donate, at http://www.targetsbunker.org/ Click and vote here:
http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/pets/dogs/2011-01-06-vote-most-heroic-dog_N.htm

Literary Living Program

2011-01-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

I’ve spent the first week of 2011 pondering what I want to do this year, figuring out what my next project will be, and lolling around pretending I was thinking about these momentous topics. A week or so ago I signed up at Literary Living for the free e-books and information on the 12-week program that helps you design your writing life. I have just now enrolled in the program and am so excited about it. To get your e-books, get more information, or enroll, see http://www.literaryliving.com/ The program starts January 15, with enrollment closing on January 12.

A great year ahead

2011-01-01T17:31:00.000-08:00

My collage titled "Enthusiasm Muse."

After a year of exciting changes as we packed up in Wisconsin and settled into Colorado, I'm looking forward to exploring more, writing daily, creating art, and listening to my muses. And doing it all with enthusiasm. Happy New Year everyone!

Recently read: John Harvey’s Rough Treatment

2010-12-27T08:51:00.000-08:00

I’m working my way through Harvey’s books and enjoying them very much. In this, two bumbling burglars discover a kilo of cocaine in the rented house of a TV director who is filming in Nottingham. Not only did they discover the kilo, but the director’s wife was unexpectedly home. Detective Inspector Resnick has to root around in the seedy world of British TV as well as city crime to find out who has done what to whom.

Happy Holidays

2010-12-24T10:33:00.000-08:00

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend! Yesterday Carl and I prepared by stocking up on goodies from Lonardo's Italian Meat Market & Deli, La Dolce Sicilia Italian Bakery, Scandinavian herring and cheeses at Gold's Market, an apple strudel and doggie milk bone from the Rhinelander Bakery, and of course, buying everything else essential to Christmas at our house from Whole Foods. We even have cookies and the traditional Yulekaka baked by our friend Leslie, which arrived in the mail yesterday. We'll worry about calories in 2011. Merry Christmas!

National History Day

2010-12-21T15:00:00.000-08:00

Image from Dover Publications (see http://www.doverpublications.com)

At the end of November, I was contacted by Taylor Radford, a student at Swansboro High School in North Carolina. She had read my book, A Cultural History of the United States: The 1920s, and wanted to interview me for her National History Day project on women’s fashions during the decade. I was so delighted to help. I provided her with some other references as well as my “take” on the historical significance of clothing in the 1920s. To see the web site she created, go to http://70662319.nhd.weebly.com/index.html For more information on the National History Day, see http://nationalhistoryday.org/Contest.htm Lots of luck, Taylor!

Recently read: Christi Phillips’ The Rossetti Letter

2010-12-20T08:06:00.000-08:00

I love mysteries that bounce between the past and the present, weaving clues and facts and characters. In this one, Phillips provides us with a compelling story of a beautiful (fictional) courtesan whose role in the Spanish plot to overthrow the Republic of Venice in 1618 (fact) has intrigued a PhD candidate, Claire Donovan, whose dissertation attempts to clarify the role of the elusive Alessandra Rossetti. Donovan, meanwhile, has to fight her way through jealous academics and romance in contemporary Venice. Fun to read and well-done.

Western Wisconsin’s Year in Review

2010-12-16T09:08:00.000-08:00

My friend Barb, the editor of the Dunn County News, is one of the featured guests on today’s “The West Side,” a call-in radio program on Ideas 88.3, WHWC public radio out of Menomonie-Eau Claire. Dean Kallenbach hosts. Click on this link at 5:00 this afternoon to listen to the show here: http://www.wpr.org/regions/eau/westside.cfm

Recently read: Peggy Wynne Borgman’s Four Seasons of Inner and Outer Beauty

2010-12-13T11:25:00.000-08:00

Written by the owner of a California spa, Borgman’s book provides exactly what its subtitle states: Rituals and Recipes for Well-Being Throughout the Year. She includes much more than the typical “mash an avocado for a facial” advice; instead drawing on modern and ancient healing arts, including aromatherapy, the ancient traditions of Ayurveda from India, detoxifying baths, massage, and even good old fashioned advice such as walking in the sand during the summer months. I’ve enjoyed picking out some of the seasonal rituals to do for spring (eating arugula, exfoliating) and summer (eating red foods like watermelon and doing the sun salutation), welcomed fall with soups made from root vegetables, and dry brushing and detoxifying for winter.

Leslie Norris—the Foodie Chronicles

2010-12-10T09:19:00.000-08:00

Four generations: Marge, Leslie, Heather and Lynne

For a number of years while I lived in Wisconsin, I wrote a variety of articles for the Dunn County News, whose editor is my dear friend Barb. Leslie, another dear friend, has been writing the newspaper’s food column for a while. I was so touched by her Thanksgiving article that I wanted to share it: http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2010/12/09/variety/doc4cffdb6dbbb02750638308.txt

Recently read: Louise Penny’s A Rule Against Murder

2010-12-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

I’m working my way through these wonderful books sent in the rural countryside in Quebec. The detective, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, reminds me (other than their mutual “Frenchness”) of one of the most compelling detectives of the 20th century: Georges Simeon’s Inspector Maigret. As are all the books in Gamache’s series, this one is takes him to the picturesque village of Three Pines, where a dead body turns up at a family reunion.

Watercolors by Stephen Coates

2010-12-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

One of my favorites: Veiled Sunset

My cousin-in-law, Stephen Coates, lives in Chicago, where he has been creating splendid watercolors of peaceful nature scene for years. Now, in addition to public and private showings of his art, he has opened an online gallery. Browse the gallery at http://www.stevecoatespaintings.com/ I always feel rested and calm after looking at Steve’s paintings. Another one of my favorites is Rising Moon at Sunset.

King Tut Exhibit—a Must See

2010-12-03T15:59:00.000-08:00

Today we went to the King Tut exhibit at the Denver Art Museum—an event we have been looking forward to for months. If you can either get to Denver or have the exhibit coming to a city near you, you should see it. Awe-inspiring, informative, and just plain beautiful, you can get a sense of the show at http://www.tutdenver.com And if you come to the Denver exhibit, have lunch afterwards at the museum’s restaurant: Pallette.

Recently read: Leonardo Padura’s Havana Gold

2010-12-01T15:04:00.000-08:00

This is the fourth in Padura’s Havan Quartet series with Lieutenant Mario Conde. I am fascinated with Padura’s descriptions of life in modern Cuba. In this a school teacher is brutally murdered, drugs seem to be involved, as do some of her students. It was interesting how Padura describes the use of marijuana as rare and extremely scandalous among high schoolers—not what we would expect here where even grade school kids seem to have access to a buffet of drugs. Worth reading, yet I wish the translator would not sprinkle the text with outdated British slang words.

I did it!

2010-11-28T13:15:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, despite many computer and Internet access problems this weekend, I finished my 50,000 words—50,192, to be exact—for National Novel Writing Month. I entered my completed pages into the NaNoWriMon validator and have officially been declared one of the winners, winning meaning you complete the challenge and crank out 50,000 words before midnight on November 30. This has put me about half way through my new novel. It was an interesting and fun challenge. I plan on continuing to write daily (after a short break this week). And I’ll be doing this again next year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

Have a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving! And eat a lot! I plan to.

Job Series: being a writer. Part 4 Corporate and GovernmentWriting

2010-11-22T10:55:00.000-08:00

Sharpie is always working!

One of the more profitable forms of writing is to be a staff writer for a corporation, organization, or government agency. These jobs not only come with paychecks, but also usually with health insurance, retirement, and other amenities. Competition is stiff, however, so be sure your resume is not only top-notch (absolutely NO typos), but also includes a clear description of your credentials.
Generally, corporate writing jobs will be one of the following: technical writing, proposal writing, copywriting, customer service, or marketing. A college degree in a related field is almost always required.

Locate corporate or government writing jobs through traditional classified ads in newspapers, job web sites such as career builder or monster, associations you belong to (for instance, I belong to AWP and have access to their job site), or through your college. For government jobs, you can also check the web sites for the units of government or go to www.usa.gov

Recently read: Martin Edwards’ The Cipher Garden

2010-11-17T09:42:00.000-08:00

Edwards is a new discovery to me, and a fine one. The books are set in the Lake District of England and are in the manner of the traditional British police procedurals. Detective Chief Inspector Hannah Scarlett has been put in charge of the Cold Case Review Team, a position she worries signals her career is stalled. A vicious unsigned note sent to the police ends up triggering a reopening of the unsolved murder of a landscaper and womanizer. One of Scarlett’s team members was on the original investigations, which had too many suspects and not enough proof. Many of the suspects then and now were just as nasty as the murdered man, and all still have strong reasons to have used the scythe to slice the man up. This has a complicated and compelling plot, good character development, well-written and very worth reading.

NaNoWriMo

2010-11-15T06:23:00.000-08:00

My 30 days of novel writing for National Novel Writing Month are half over. I cleared more than 25,000 words yesterday, making me ahead of schedule for the total word count of 50,000 by November 30. It has been fun and surprisingly easy to do. My daily goal is 1,700 words, which—depending on if the ideas are flowing, takes me between one and one and a half hours (note I wrote all that out instead of keying 1 or 1.5. That helps pad the word count!). Since I started with a minimal plot and no background material, sometimes I have to pause in my writing to do some research for information or ideas. Right now my protagonist is in England, heading for the Chunnel, so I spent a lot of time yesterday surfing British travel sites.

Recently read: Tim Dorsey’s Atomic Lobster

2010-11-10T13:39:00.000-08:00

I continue to LOVE Dorsey’s books, and Serge A. Storms still delights me. Serge and his semi-comatose buddy Coleman, continue to wind their way through Florida’s faded neon past, accompanied this time by a female psycho named Rachael. Characters and events from other books turn up, as families on vacation, government agents, cruise ships, dope deals, smuggled artifacts, and little old ladies having a grand time all merge and diverge in southern Florida. Among them, a vicious murderer is released from prison, bent on revenge—fortunately, Serge is there to protect the innocent and provide his own inimitable form of justice.

Guest Post: Creating Characters for Children's Books by Maria Rainier

2010-11-08T09:25:00.000-08:00

As an adult, writing for children may be one of the hardest things you’ll attempt. The idea seems simple enough—use smaller words, add a puppy to the mix, steer clear of racy bits. Still, the old writers’ adage, write what you know, is significantly more difficult when most of us, despite what we may think, have forgotten what it’s like to be a kid.

One of the easiest ways to a reading child’s heart is through a story character. Not all children’s stories are character-driven, but everyone remembers Peter Pan, the cat in a hat, and a certain wizard by the name of Harry. Likeable characters come alive because the reader cares about them, and a living story is the best kind. It’s the kind that gets published, sold, and loved for years to come.

Know Your Audience
Surprisingly enough, some successful children’s book writers don’t have or even like children. If they’re successful, however, it’s at least partly owed to the fact that they know children. They know who to target with their writing and their characters. They know what will grab their audience’s attention, what will lose it.

This tip is an obvious one: get to know a few kids. If you don’t have any of your own, visit a park with your dog and watch children at play. Talk to a few friends and family members with children and listen carefully to their conversations. You can even go to a kid-friendly restaurant like Chuck E. Cheese and observe a birthday party.

Create Active Characters
Active characters are doers—not the likes of Hamlet, who broods around and wins the disapproval of high school students across continents. Children are drawn to doers, someone who doesn’t let someone else tell them what to do. Kids have to listen to their parents, so why would they want to read about someone who has to listen to theirs? The very premise of Where the Wild Things Are is that a child disobeys his mother.

Create Likeable Characters
No matter how active a character, if the reader doesn’t like him or her, the story won’t appeal. Children often get bullied in real life, so if a story is about a mean kid, why would they want to read about him or her unless it was his or her journey to becoming nice?

Neither, however, can main characters be perfect. Kids aren’t dumb, no matter what you’ve been told, and they don’t like being treated like they’re dumb. Nobody is perfect and they know it, so forget the knight in shining armor and make him afraid of sharp objects.

Create Character Through Names
Make characters distinguishable from one another by giving them distinct names—no John and Jake—and backgrounds. Unless you’re going the Dr. Seuss route with rhymes and alliteration, similar names can mildly confuse and even frustrate readers.

Moreover, think about what goes into a name. Many readers pull out baby name books to search for name meanings; others create nicknames, which are especially telling. Make a habit of writing down interesting names in your notes through daily life. Some sources include street and town names, films, religion and mythology, history, and the like.

Create Habits
What makes a character recognizable and real is the tags that the writer gives him or her—things that this character and only this character does, like stammer or chew gum. Showing a character through mannerisms, dress, speech, and actions is much more revealing and interesting to read than simply telling the reader that Sue is a Southern girl or Jack is an avid athlete. A dull character sketch makes for a dull story especially in children’s literature.

Bio: Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education, researching areas of online degree programs over at her blog. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

2010-11-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

I have been a member for a number of years of the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP), which is sponsored by George Mason University. Its mission, as stated by David Fenza, Executive Director, on the web site, is “to foster literary talent and achievement, to advance the art of writing as essential to a good education, and to serve the makers, teachers, students, and readers of contemporary writing.”

If you are a writer by trade or are serious about becoming one, I recommend joining this organization. The membership fee is reasonable, you will receive their magazine, the Writer’s Chronicle, and are eligible to compete in their contests, as well as a number of other benefits. In addition, you get access to their database and job list. See http://www.awpwriter.org/ for more information. If you are interested in going back to school for a degree in a writing program, see http://guide.awpwriter.org/ for AWP’s free, web-based guide to graduate and undergraduate programs across the country, as well as around the world.

Recently read: Lisa Kettell’s Altered Art Circus!

2010-11-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

I am so addicted to beautifully printed books of altered art. This one takes us off the flat page or canvas, and into three dimensions, as described by its subtitle, “Techniques for Journals, Papers Dolls, Art Cards, and Assemblages.” The circus theme provides the background for a variety of artists to express themselves objects ranging from pocket posies to jar fairies to secret lanterns. Kettell also provides a good basic introduction to these art forms.

Clearing the decks before NaNoWriMo

2010-10-28T12:13:00.001-07:00

View from Lookout Mountain, CO. Photo by Gale O’Connell

Monday, November 1, marks the start of National Novel Writing Month (affectionately referred to as NaNoWriMo). During this period, writers all over the world focus on putting 50,000 words on paper or in their computers. By not worrying about quality or pausing to find the perfect word, writers can bust through creative blocks and get momentum going.

The web site http://www.nanowrimo.org gives this description: “Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly. . . . As you spend November writing, you can draw comfort from the fact that, all around the world, other National Novel Writing Month participants are going through the same joys and sorrows of producing the Great Frantic Novel. Wrimos meet throughout the month to offer encouragement, commiseration, and—when the thing is done—the kind of raucous celebrations that tend to frighten animals and small children.”

One of the friends I made at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ conference encouraged me to join, and we are designated writing buddies for it. I’m really looking forward to the experience. In the meantime, I’ve been busy cleaning up as many tasks I can after a summer of procrastinating. I’ve almost finished my latest polishing of my novel, The Pine Tap Bar & Bait Shoppe, and will put my agent search on hold until after November 30 (the end of NaNoWriMo).

Recently read: John Dunning’s the Sign of the Book

2010-10-24T10:19:00.000-07:00

Yet another one of Dunning’s erudite masterpieces featuring Cliff Janeway and plenty of books. Janeway and his lover, attorney Erin D’Angelo, head west from Denver to the tiny backcountry town of Paradise, Colorado. D’Angelo’s old friend, with whom she hasn’t talked since college, is in jail, accused of murdering her husband—who was once D’Angelo’s fiancé. The dead man was a collector with quite a library, and Erin convinces Janeway to suss the situation out as well as to get a sense of the worth of the books. A hometown lawyer provides invaluable assistance, a vicious deputy turns into a loose cannon, a weird preacher and his two redneck assistants seem to be connected to the victim, and the old friend confesses, but no one believes her because wouldn’t a mother confess to save her emotional disturbed son? Hard to put this one down.

KK Brees’ latest venture

2010-10-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

Karen Brees and I met years ago at the San Francisco Writers Conference. At that time, she was primarily writing nonfiction. Her books include a variety of topics ranging from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Preserving Food to The Everything Guide to Depression. I recently got an update from her and she’s now branched out into historical fiction set in the WWII years—one of my favorite eras. In Headwind, Professor Katrin Niessen becomes an OSS agent to stop the Nazis before they reach Norway. Check out her web site for more information on Brees and her books at http://www.karenkbrees.com/fiction.htm

Recently read: Margaret Maron’s Winter’s Child

2010-10-17T15:32:00.000-07:00

I first discovered Maron years ago when she was writing her Sigrid Harald books. This one is part of her series featuring Deborah Knott, set in North Carolina. Knott, now married to Sheriff’s Deputy Dwight Bryant, finds herself in some troubled circumstances as Bryant tries to cope with his son, his ex-wife who has disappeared leaving their son alone. As they try to find out what happened, family dynamics become increasingly complex. A pleasant read.

The wild whirl of life in the mountains

2010-10-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

Couldn’t resist posting this photo of Carl on our patio! The photo was taken by Gale O'Connell.

Recently read: William Lashner’s Bitter Truth

2010-10-11T09:54:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia lawyer Victor Carl has a new client. For once, the client, Caroline Shaw, is not a member of the criminal classes. Quite the opposite—Shaw is Main Line Philadelphia with a pristine pedigree. And instead of hiring Carl to prove someone is innocent of a crime, Shaw wants him to prove that her sister did not commit suicide. Carl follows the clues all the way to Belize, discovering along the way that a Main Line family and an organized crime family seem to share some members.

Miami Book Fair International

2010-10-08T11:33:00.001-07:00

Image from http://www.miamibookfair.com/

One of the bigger book fairs in the country is this 26th annual fair from November 14 through November 21, which calls itself an eight-day literary party. It includes a Street Fair, a Festival of Authors, Comix Galaxy, and Children’s Alley, speakers who range from Margaret Atwood and Barbara Kingsolver to Al Gore and Ralph Nader, 250 publishers and booksellers, not to mention lots of BOOKS. For more information, see http://www.miamibookfair.com/

Recently read: Andrea Camilleri’s The Smell of the Night

2010-10-06T12:19:00.000-07:00

Another book in my favorite series set in contemporary Sicily, Inspector Salvo Montalbano quietly does his job in the political and Mafioso world of Sicilian law enforcement. Emanuele Gargano, a wealthy financial pundit, has vanished. With him went a lot of money, mainly from retirees who gave Gargano their entire life savings. As Montalbano uncovers the financial scam and searches for both the man and the money, he is going through a rough patch in his personal life. His lover, Livia, continues to be miffed at him and Montalbano’s boss has shut him out of the case. Camilleri is a beautiful writer with a vivid sense of atmosphere, and his books are splendidly translated by poet Stephen Sartarelli.

Job Series: being a writer. Part 3 Grant Writing

2010-10-04T07:22:00.000-07:00

A big field now is grant writing. This would be another good avenue if you want to ultimately enter the technical writing field. Non-profit companies, educational institutions, and most corporations have staff positions. In the 12 years I lived in rural Wisconsin, I saw dozens of job openings for Grant Writers, including for employers such as Chippewa Valley Technical College, West CAP, Mayo Health Systems, Globe University, and UW-Stout. I wasn't looking for jobs, so I suspect if I've noticed that many without reading the ads or actively working my networks, then there are probably quite a few out there, especially in more urban parts of the country. Another thing is that if you apply for a nonprofit in a professional position of any kind, the position will include grant writing whether that is part of your title or not.

Again, if you haven’t held a position as a grant writer, you will need to have experience in the field listed on your resume. One way to do this is to do some volunteer (that means unpaid) grant writing. Think of it as a form of apprenticeship.

Even though I have a long list of credentials on my resume for all types of technical writing, including grant writing, I still do regular volunteer grant writing as a way of helping the communities where I live. Recent examples of grants I’ve write as a volunteer include four applications on behalf of the Menomonie Public Library for grants from the Wisconsin Center for the Book as part of their “Wisconsin Authors & Illustrators Speak” program and a grant for a local non-profit to fund a project related to the area farmers’ market.

If you are associated with a group that needs grant money, such as a food pantry, church, performing arts organization, or just about anything else that serves a community, chances are there are grants out there at the local, county, state, and federal level. If your group serves children or a multicultural population, the number of grants available increases tenfold. The group may already know of grants and you may as well be the one to write them. Other places to look are the government portal web site at http://usa.gov which not only provides links to federal grants, but if you do some navigation, you can reach state and local sites through usa.gov as well as grants based on your specific topic (e.g., grants for education, art, music, etc.). And hey, you may even uncover a grant for writers!

Recently read: John Lescroart’s A Plague of Secrets

2010-09-30T12:26:00.000-07:00

I’ve been an avid reader of Lescroart’s courtroom thrillers for years, and his books just keep getting better and better. I read this 500-page book in less than 24 hours—I literally couldn’t put it down. The complex plot, richly drawn characters, and perfect pacing are brilliant. In this book, attorney Dismas Hardy, his partners, his best friend, and San Francisco politics are all shielding secrets. The manager of a coffee bar at the corner of Haight and Ashbury is found shot to death with a backpack full of pot. An ambitious detective and special assistant U.S. attorney are sure the murderer is the shop’s owner, who just happens to be the niece of the Democratic mayor and the wife of a prominent liberal builder. A nightmare of legal jousting begins.

Job Series: being a writer. Part 2 Writing credentials

2010-09-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

Like any other occupation, you need to have credentials to convince an editor, publisher, or reader that you can deliver that article, that story, or keep their interest. To get writing credentials, you must write. No matter what occupation you have now, including student, start writing. Write a journal, write product reviews for everything you buy, write for your neighborhood association’s newsletter, volunteer to write press releases for your local animal shelter, whatever—just get writing credentials. Contact the editors of online and print media and ask if they need freelancers. Start a blog. Offer to help your friends write resumes. All these will become part of your writing credentials. You may want to collect them (called "clips") into a portfolio (print or electronic). Publish links on your Facebook page or web site or whatever tool you use. And that tool should be professional looking, have NO typos or inappropriate language, and NO party pictures. It will serve as your online Writer Persona for employers, editors, and everyone else.

Digh’s Four-Word Self-Help book is out

2010-09-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

Patti Digh’s latest book is available. In this small work, subtitled “Simple Wisdom for Complex Lives,” advice contained in four words accompanied by art is presented on twelve issues: community, love, stress, travel, soul, wellness, success, green, activism, children, generosity and endings. I received my complimentary copy last month, and love it. I got a complimentary copy because I had submitted artwork for it, which wasn’t used (however, my art will be in her next book!). Visit Digh’s blog at http://www.37days.com/ You can also buy the book through the site.

Recently read: William Kent Krueger’s The Devil’s Bed

2010-09-22T07:19:00.001-07:00

This book features Secret Service Agent Bo Thorsen rather than Krueger’s main detective, Cork O’Connor. Thorsen under Krueger’s masterful control is just as engaging as Cork. In this conspiracy thriller, Former Vice President Jorgenson, retired to his farming estate along the Mississippi outside St. Paul, Minnesota, is injured mysteriously and is in a coma. As his daughter, the First Lady, rushes home from D.C., protective services gather. One of the agents, a friend of the Jorgenson family, starts to wonder if there isn’t more behind the accident than a farming mishap. Another excellent read by Krueger.

Last weekend’s RMFW’s Colorado Gold Conference

2010-09-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

I love writers’ conferences! Any environment where you get to spend three days with hundreds of people who all love the written word is inspiring. This conference was particularly well-managed, as was the Renaissance Denver Hotel, which had excellent conference facilities and provided good food quickly and efficiently.

I had submitted ten pages plus an overview ahead of time as a prerequisite for participating in the editor review sessions. As a result, the conference for me started in a meeting room with Amanda Bergeron, editor at Harper Collins and seven other novelists. We had all critiqued each other’s work prior to the conference, and now discussed what we liked best about each piece, where an improvement might be made, and suggestions, if appropriate. It was a valuable three hours.

Rumba Lessons

2010-09-17T08:03:00.000-07:00

Washington Heights Arts Center at http://www.lakewood.org/comres/page.cfm?ID=19&WashingtonHeightsArtsCenter/

Carl and I had our second rumba lesson last night. We’re really enjoying the small class at the Washington Heights Arts Center in Lakewood. The old school house is a registered historic landmark, with rooms dedicated to dance, pottery, weaving, and other art forms. A pleasant break toward the end of the week, although we have a ways to go before we’ll remind anyone of Fred & Ginger!

Recently read: John Sandford’s Heat Lightening

2010-09-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

Another work from this master of thrillers, this one features investigator Virgil Flowers. A murder in Stillwater, Minnesota, seems like a ritual killing. When another man is murdered. Flowers sees a pattern—the hard part is figuring what the pattern means before more men die. Somehow there is a connection between the victims, the scared survivors, and Vietnam. Excellent plot and writing makes this one a keeper (as opposed to going in the give-away box).

Guest Post: Advice for New Freelancers by Angelita Williams

2010-09-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

Whether you’d like to make a few dollars on the side or wish to try your hand at freelance writing full time, you’ll want to read over these few bits of advice for new writers. Also, when you’re done reading, consider visiting Freelance Writing at http://www.freelancewriting.com/ and The Freelance Writing Jobs Network at http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ These sites offer far more resources and help than I can in these few paragraphs.

Although you might pick up your first few gigs through friends and coworkers, eventually you’ll have to strike out on your own. Finding jobs is perhaps the least rewarding aspect of freelancing, because there’s no guarantee that the search will lead to a paycheck.

In order to make this process less time-consuming, I recommend creating a basic gig-seeking routine. Take a day to set up a feed reader that will collect every job posting from sites like the two I’ve linked above as well as Craigslist. That way, you’ll be able to scan these postings once a day and “favorite” any jobs that seem worth your time. Also, you’ll want to have a good idea of how quickly you work and what your rates are for various tasks. If you can establish these early in the process, that will make your bidding less stressful. Then write a basic email template that you can use when introducing yourself and bidding on the job.

Once you do land a gig, be sure to communicate with your clients as clearly as possible. They might know exactly what they want, or they might expect you to show them through the process. If you can determine your client’s expectations quickly, then you can serve them accordingly. Establish deadlines, agree upon rates and a billing schedule, and never hesitate to ask for clarification if you don’t understand an assignment. Finally, be sure to explain to your clients that writing is a process and that they are now a part of that process. I’ve found it is helpful to emphasize this aspect when a client seems worried about an initial draft.

As you work on the project, make sure you are as organized as possible. Know at what points during the day you are most productive and schedule your writing time to take advantage of your productivity. Track the time you devote to certain tasks, either using a writing notebook or task management software. The more detailed your logs, the easier it will be to prepare your invoices. Deliver your invoices as scheduled, and insist upon being paid promptly, just as your client would insist that you submit your work on time. Finally, back up all of your writing and records.

And, of course, write! The more you write, the more income you stand to make, though you’ll want to be careful not to take on too much at one time. Find a level of work at which you are most comfortable writing. The key is to balance all of the above tasks so as to make a decent income without overwhelming yourself.

This guest post is contributed by Angelita Williams, who writes on the topics of online college courses. Read more of her articles on her blog at http://www.onlinecourses.org/blog She welcomes your comments at her email Id: angelita.williams7@gmail.com

Conference, wildfire, and my first guest writer

2010-09-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

In an hour, I’m heading to the east side of Denver for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Gold Conference at the Renaissance Hotel. I’ve revised my pitch (think of the blurb on a book’s back cover) and packed my new business cards so I feel as ready as I’ll ever be. Next week I’ll provide news on what I learn from the conference as well as posting an article from my first guest writer, Angelita Williams. A freelance writer, Williams has excellent advice for succeeding in this competitive field, and her article will be Part 2 of my job series on writing.

In the meantime, the wildfire continues to burn outside of Boulder, 20 miles from our house. The smell of smoke is strong as the winds blow from the west with the possibility of the fire reaching Boulder itself.

Creative Competitor

2010-09-08T12:42:00.001-07:00

Annette Young, of the Creative Competitor website, is a good source for information for help if you, like me, periodically have a flurry of contest submissions and usually don’t quite make the cut. There are a variety of services including critiques, links, and e-books. Be sure to sign up for the free newsletter. Check it out at http://creativecompetitor.com/ Also note the current competitions sponsored by the site listed in this month’s Money Corner (scroll down).

Recently read: M.C. Beaton’s Death of a Gentle Lady

2010-09-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

These books set in the Scottish Highlands featuring Constable Hamish MacBeth are always fun. An incomer, an elderly lady named Mrs. Gentle, settles herself and her family into the old mansion perched on the coast. Mrs. Gentle and her money are welcome in the village, from her generous promise of money to the church, to her interest in the town’s doings. Hamish, however, is less welcoming, with his worries about her threats to close the police station. So he is the only one who seems not to be surprised when Mrs. Gentle is found murdered.

Job Series: being a writer. Part 1 Technical Writing

2010-09-02T09:22:00.000-07:00

In 1990, I was asked to serve on the board of the Council for Wisconsin Writers (http://www.wisconsinwriters.org/ ). The other board members were university faculty, editors, and a literary agent. I was completely intimidated by all these high-powered people, and wondered how I ended up being asked to serve with them. At my first board meeting, when I explained that I was a technical writer for the State of Wisconsin, everyone gasped. That made me feel even more intimidated—but just for a moment. Almost immediately, everyone started talking at once, saying things like, “you are so lucky. . . we need someone on the board who actually earns a living writing . . . how did you get this job?”

I have earned a good living as a writer for 35 years. I've written for the private sector as an employee and as a freelance consultant, and also for state government as an employee. And I still am asked how did I get so lucky as to be able to earn a living as a writer, and what is my advice for becoming a technical writer.

When I was in college in the 1970s, there was no field or education program called “technical writing.” Technical writing as a field evolved from the computer industry, where understandable manuals and instructions were needed so people could use their PCs and Macs. My degree is in English, with a minor in Journalism, which served me well then, and would still serve anyone today. A degree in technical writing is also available now on undergraduate and graduate levels in many universities and colleges. If you have writing credentials and want to branch out into technical writing, taking workshops or college classes on the subject will help as well.

Recently read: David Baldacci’s The Simple Truth

2010-08-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

I am getting fonder of this thriller writer with every book of his that I read. As you would expect, this one is a page-turner with plenty of action. What makes it great is that the characters have depth, the plot is complicated and well thought out, and the writing is excellent. In this novel focusing on the processes of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Fiske, a former cop who is now a lawyer, tries to uncover the mysteries behind his brother’s death. The threads unravel as they lead to a prisoner wrongly imprisoned, military powers misused, and too many important people for the truth (and justice) to be safe.

Getting back into the business of writing

2010-08-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

My first scanned photo! The happy family unit (Sharpie is 3 months) in November, 1998, five days after he adopted us.

Slowly but steadily, I’m getting my processes and accoutrements set up to get officially back in the business of writing. I picked up my new business cards this morning. And I’ve finally learned to scan items, a necessary new skill needed for art submissions. Now, once I perfect my elevator speech for my novel, I should be all set for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Gold Conference in two weeks (yikes, that is coming up fast)!

Recently read: Arnaldur Indridason’s Jar City

2010-08-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

These are good times for books by Scandinavian authors in America (and probably everywhere else as well). This is the first one I’ve read by this Icelandic author, whose work is admirably translated from Icelandic by Bernard Scudder. Set in Reykjavik, the characters, setting and plot are gripping, making the book a hard one to put down. Inspector Erlendur and the rest of the team are puzzled over a three-word note left by the body of a 70-year-old man found dead in his apartment. The dead man kept himself to himself, so little is known of him other than years ago he was accused but not convicted of rape. Erlendur, aided by forensics, uncovers bits and pieces of the mystery surrounding the man’s death and life.

Job Series: being a writer

2010-08-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

My collage titled "Show up on the page." Click on the image to enlarge.

I regularly am asked how I got started in writing as a career. It is a line of work with infinite variations, and I have done most of them. As I would tell my classes, I’ve written everything from state legislation to bad poetry. A recent email from a student, plus a barrage of questions from a poll-taker when she learned I was a writer, reminded me this is a subject worth posting about again. Over the upcoming weeks, I’ll discuss specific types of writing, including Grant Writing, Technical Writing, Corporate Writing, and Journalism (print and electronic). You can write for a company, a publication or on your own as a freelancer. I’ll discuss fiction later this fall after I’ve refreshed my credentials at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ annual Gold Writers’ Conference.

First, allow me to rant: being a writer means you WRITE—not that you sit and moan about how one day when you have time you’ll be published and well-known. This maxim is true no matter what type of writing you want to do, whether it is the Great American Novel, a prize-winning essay, a computer manual, a feature article for a business website, or a textbook. This sounds elementary, but it is often overlooked by so many people.

A friend of mine has had a number of novels published. I personally do not care for them, but hey—many people do! Someone who is an aspiring writer who had never written anything brought up the novels and said, “I can’t believe how bad they are. I can write better ones.” My unspoken thought was, “yes, but he has WRITTEN them and seen them through the slow tedious process of finding an agent and a publisher. And how many books have you written?”

Another friend of mine was the editor of a medical journal for the medical association of his state and a published poet. Every evening after dinner he would go to his study and write poetry (his were good poems) for four hours. He wrote, rather than whining about how he’d write poems once he had the time.

So the first thing you need to do if you want to write, whether it is purely for self-expression or as a career, is "show up on the page." Start writing!

Recently read: Tim Dorsey’s Nuclear Jellyfish

2010-08-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

I love Dorsey’s books! Again, we are off on a wild ride across Florida, stopping at every site of 20th century kitsch along the way, as Serge A. Storms and his mostly comatose buddy Coleman gather information for Serge’s new Internet travel service. Along the way they collect a gorgeous woman who can definitely take care of herself. Also dogging their heels are a sleazy salesman, a man with a really strange tattoo, and, of course, Agent Mahoney. And a host of other oddities, both human and otherwise.

This time, it was my computer that was sick

2010-08-17T09:34:00.001-07:00

I’m back online after a virus struck my computer. My anti-virus software did its stuff and blocked it, but it also blocked me from accessing the Internet. In the meantime, I was able to struggle through more than a week without email, blogging, or checking the Huffington Post. While offline, we had friends visit from Wisconsin, I reviewed the critiques (one good, one excellent) of my novel from the upcoming Colorado Gold Conference sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and we ate out a lot—including at Joe’s Crab Shack with Pam and Jilli.

Recently read: Jean-Claude Izzo’s Chourmo

2010-08-05T09:20:00.000-07:00

This book is part of Izzo’s Marseilles Trilogy and is as gripping as the first. Fabio Montale has quit the police force in disgust at is corruption. Living in the tiny town nearby where he grew up, fishing in the sea, relishing his meals and his wine—Montale is happy to let the crime of the big city pass him by. Crime nevertheless finds him as his cousin turns up at his house and pleads with him to find her missing son. Racial tensions, religion, organized crime, and murder are connected by the frail thread of the missing boy.

My artwork will be in Patti Digh’s next book

2010-08-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Digh’s life is a verb, published in 2008 by skirt!

In April, I wrote about the fun my friend Heidi and I had creating artwork to submit for consideration for Digh’s book, Four Word Self Help, and it was still a wonderful experience even when our art was not accepted. So when we each were contacted to submit artwork for her next book, we did. And BOTH of us were accepted! How great is that? I will post more information, including how to purchase the book, later this year when it is published and available. In the meantime, visit Digh’s web site at http://37days.typepad.com/37days

Enhanced Ebooks WEBcast

2010-07-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

Cost is only $39. See http://e2bu.com/webinars/enhanced-ebooks-for-authors

I subscribe to the Writer’s Digest emails about upcoming events, workshops, and courses. This week, I received an announcement of the Enhanced Ebooks for Authors, a live, hour-long WEBcast on August 11. Enhanced ebooks seem to be yet another form of digital media publishing, with even more complications regarding permissions and other legal and financial matters (don’t quote me on that definition—I did a tiny bit of quick research and that seemed to me to be part of it, but I suspect it is much more complex).

If you are currently or planning to produce ebooks, or have traditionally published books and would like to learn more about other opportunities, you may be interested in this WEBcast sponsored by Enhanced Ebook University. For more information on the WEBcast, see http://e2bu.com/webinars/enhanced-ebooks-for-authors The cost is only $39, which strikes me as money well spent if you think you’ll be venturing into this medium in the near future.

Recently read: The Marvelous Album of Madame B

2010-07-26T10:08:00.000-07:00

This delightful book, subtitled Being the Handiwork of a Victorian Lady of Considerable Talent, is a recreation, with commentary by Elizabeth Siegel and captions by Martha Packer, of a scrapbook created circa 1870. The Victorian Lady who created the album used formal portraits and photographs which she then decorated with such things as blossoms, branches, garlands, elaborate drawings, paintings, etc, all done by hand. Madame B is thought to be Blanche Fournier, whose husband was a French career diplomat. During the period of the album, they lived in Sweden. Many of the people in the photos have been identified as other diplomats and their families, the Fourniers themselves, and members of the Royal Family of Sweden. Besides being fun to look at, it is inspiring to look into the pages of an early mixed media artist.

Recently read: Lisa Reardon’s The Mercy Killers

2010-07-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

This was one of the books from my father’s bookshelves and it was a 2004 advance reader’s copy, which means he was asked to read it before it was officially released to the bookstores. The published version may have some changes in it, and should also have caught some of the proofreading errors and mistakes. Nevertheless, this is an extremely powerful book, brilliantly written, and masterfully paced. It takes place from 1967 to 1970 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The book tells the story of a group of friends who grew up in the neighborhood: the boys who went to Vietnam and the girls who stayed home. This is not a romantic glimpse into the past, nor a love story—domestic violence, substance abuse, and murder all circle the past, present and future. I was disappointed to see Reardon has only written two other books, and I WILL be reading them!

Playing with paper dolls

2010-07-21T12:17:00.001-07:00

One of Tierney's American series: the 1950s

In addition to reading Taylor’s Artful Paper Dolls (see April 30, 2010 posting), I found the wealth of paper doll books at Dover Publishing. Taylor mentioned Tom Tierney in his book. Tierney is important in the history of twentieth century paper dolls. To my delight, I discovered a slew of his books at Dover. I bought several of them, as well as others including dolls based on Godey’s Lady’s Book (a mid-nineteenth century fashion magazine that is a TREAT) and even color-and-cut dolls. What will I do with them? Use them in art, use them as inspiration, and, of course, play with them! See http://store.doverpublications.com/ for beautifully printed and inexpensive books of all sorts.

Recently read: D.W. Buffa’s The Judgment

2010-07-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent courtroom drama by an author I have not previously encountered. Portland Defense Attorney Joseph Antonelli feels no grief over the murder of his career-long enemy, Judge Calvin Jeffries. In fact, few people miss him and his evil manipulation of the laws as well as his vindictive use of others. A call to the police results in the arrest of a homeless man, who then commits suicide in his cell. Case closed . . . until a second judge is murdered in the same way. Again a tip results in the arrest of another homeless man. Antonelli defends the accused, and discovers a conspiracy of malevolence that extends over decades. I’m going to be reading as many other books by Buffa as I can find.

PolitiFact

2010-07-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

I've added a widget from the Pulitzer Prize winning PolitiFact website. Truly bipartisan, they are real journalists (as opposed to bloggers and groups with strong opinions) who check the facts of everyone, regardless of political party. Scroll to the very bottom of my blog for the latest three facts checked on the Truth-O-Meter. To read all the current ones, visit the site at http://www.politifact.com/

Back on my feet

2010-07-12T10:04:00.001-07:00

I’ve been laid low the past two weeks, first by an allergic reaction, and then by a bad cold. Now I’m back on my feet and digging into the boxes that were piled in our guest room. An old friend is coming for a visit this weekend, and we’d like to have the guest bed cleared off. I can't procrastinate any longer!