The importance of membership and subscription to industry newsletters and magazines

When I first started writing I felt guilty about spending money on anything but in particular on memberships and subscriptions until I realised that they are not only interesting but essential for your growth as a writer. If your passion was collecting coins or snow skiing you'd be investing in pieces or equipment so this is no different.

Benefits of joining your local writers' centre could include:

• Receiving a newsletter which usually contains information about courses, lectures, writing competitions.
• Gives you a chance to meet like-minded people and possible critique partners (maybe even a new great friend or two!).
• Facilitates writing and critique groups.
• Invitations to industry events and book launches.
• Some writers' centres even publish anthologies of members work which is great for your writing resume.
• Provide opportunities for volunteering your time on events or projects sponsored by the centre.

Similarly subscribing to industry magazines is also important. One that I love is the Buzz Words Magazine which is for writers of young adult and children's stories. It contains industry news, competitions, articles, book reviews, industry updates etc. It is delivered as a pdf twice a month to your inbox. It costs $48 for 23 issues and is very informative, keeps you motivated and aware of any competitions you could enter. For more information or a free sample copy see the website http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com/p/about-buzz-words.html

Happy Writing.

Interesting posts for aspiring authors...

Hi everyone, I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. It's very cold and windy here on the South Coast of NSW. Perfect writing weather!
 
I have been busy concentrating on two writing projects and having a lovely weekend catching up with things on my to-do list. It feels great to put a line through each task as it is completed. Shame I keep thinking up a heap more... Anyway here's some links to a few interesting articles and blogs I've read lately.
 
The one super power that all published writers have by Alison Tait
http://allisontait.com/2015/05/the-one-superpower-that-all-published-writers-have/?utm_content=buffer6bc64&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
 
8 Secrets to kick start your writing by Karen Tyrrell. You may have heard these tips before but it's good to remind yourself of the basics now and again. http://www.karentyrrell.com/

Here's some happy writing tips from Gabrielle Wang http://gabriellewang.com/happy-writing-tips/

Natasha Lester, author of several adult fiction books tells us about a day in the life of a writer and how she uses her time most productively. While you are there have a look around Natasha's blog, she's had some interesting articles lately about what happens when you get a manuscript accepted and wether or not you need an agent. http://www.natashalester.com.au/2015/06/04/a-day-in-the-life/
 
For more news on what children's and YA authors are up to check out Sandy Fussell's OZKYAI blog which scoops up articles from various authors and illustrators. http://www.scoop.it/t/australian-children-s-authors

And to finish off a quote from Dr Suess... “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

 

Happy Writing.

Writers reacting badly

How not to handle a bad review

Check out this interesting article on writers who reacted badly to a review http://listverse.com/2015/02/15/10-writers-who-took-themselves-way-too-seriously/?utm_content=buffer60440&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

So if you ever get famous, remember everyone is entitled to their own opinions and even though they might give you a negative review you need to be the bigger person.

Probably easier said than done, I know, but any reaction can be copied and go viral. The replies in these cases obviously got more attention than the books.



Mobile book store in Bali

Want to know where the phrase 'There's no such thing as bad publicity' originated? Check out this link http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/there-is-no-such-thing-as-bad-publicity.html




How to write a novel, 15 minutes at a time

Library made of lego

How to write a novel, 15 minutes at a time

People often say to me 'I don't know how you do it'. They are talking about my writing of course. Sometimes I agree with them (and tell them I need more sleep) but I truly believe  that if you really want to do something enough you will make the time for it.

I'm no different to someone who needs to lose 50 kilos, start a new business or decides to run in a marathon. You have to chop your goal into small pieces. Achievable goals will help you work your way up to the big picture.

I usually write in small chunks of time, usually early in the morning and late at night (when the kids are asleep and not interrupting me with 'Muuuuuuummmmm!'). I take my laptop on holidays, I often take it to work and write in my lunch break or while I'm waiting for my son to finish a sports lesson. I carry a notebook with me at all times.

Everyone is busy. We're all rushing around telling each other how busy we are and yes jobs, kids, partners, household chores, appointments, haircuts, visiting our families, attending Christenings and those pesky work events all take up our time but if your goal is worth dreaming about it's worth fitting it in.

Check out this article for some great advice on writing in small chunks of time http://thewritelife.com/how-to-write-a-novel-15-minutes/. For some of us that's all we can manage, but it's better than nothing. As Mia Freedman once said, 'You can edit bad words but you can’t edit no words.'

Good luck everyone.

Follow me on Twitter @SallyPHall         

CYA Conference

The CYA Conference competition for aspiring writers is now open for 2015.

There are categories for:

• Picture Book - Preschool aged children
• Picture Book - Primary aged children
• Picture Book - Non Fiction (for primary aged children)
• Chapter Book - Young primary aged children & older children categories
• Young Adult

Get writing people!

This is an excellent competition to enter because unlike many others you are provided with feedback on your work.

Feedback is generated for entries in the form of judges marking sheets and are emailed to all entrants. Getting an opinion from a judge is invaluable to a writer, especially for people just starting out.

I was lucky enough to receive third placing in 2011 and a highly commended in 2012 and attended the conference in 2012. The confidence boost from receiving a place is incredible and it gives you something to include on your writing CV but even if you aren't selected in the short list it is a good experience just to get your manuscript polished and follow the entry instructions.

The entry fee is $18. For more information check out the link below.

http://www.cyaconference.com/program-2014/competition-2015/aspiring-unpublished-2015/

Good luck everyone!

Be passionate but practical

Check out this post from Allison Tait about fitting writing into a busy life http://allisontait.com/2015/01/be-passionate-but-be-practical/


I also have a family and a job but I really, really want to be a writer! Fortunately, I have made the commitment and 'find' the time to fit it in. Yes, that might mean I miss out on some relaxation and tv time but at least I appreciate it when it does happen.

We all have the same 24 hours in the day, some people just use them more productively than others.

Happy writing everyone :)

Rediscovering the Library

Beautiful beach days in NSW Summer

I recently cut my work days from full time to four days a week. I now have a day at home to write! Yay, right? It is pretty amazing and I'm so lucky to be able to do it. However, it does have a few drawbacks. The main one being a loss of income for a day a week. My pay took a reasonable hit (ahh derr... I knew it would) so in an effort to make up for the shortfall I have introduced a few cost saving measures.

1. I have been doing the family grocery shopping at Aldi on Tuesday's straight after work. I love Aldi! I should be paid a retainer for telling everyone how good Aldi is as I do it on a regular basis. They have the best cheese, it's quick as there's no looking up an enormous aisle to see which particular brand of tinned tomatoes is on special, they use recycled bags and best of all they sell cans of Sugar Free V!

Shopping at Aldi saves me something in the order of at least $100-$150 a week. Also doing it on a set day means I am organised. I look what we actually need and having food in the fridge means I am not tempted to buy take away which was previously a regular occurrence because there was never any meat defrosted.

2. I have re-discovered the library. I used to take the kids to the library every week when they were little but not so much lately, instead I was buying books for myself which is great for the industry but not so good for my budget. I still buy books for gifts all the time but for my own reading pleasure I have been visiting the library every fortnight.

For those of you who haven't been to a library lately let me tell you they are amazing. They have magazines, CD's, DVD's, audio books and millions of regular books. I have been borrowing magazines and a heap of books. I have reserved books that weren't in and picked up things I wouldn't normally read. My horizons are expanding because the books are free and best of all if I don't really like it I don't read it. That's right. It was free so I'm not going to persevere with it like I would with a book I paid for.

3. I am planning more activities that are free or don't cost a lot of money e.g. taking my kids to the beach. We go when the flags are out and I take one of my library books with me. Win Win!

Check out Aldi here.