About
Since I have been getting a few new visitors here the past few days, I thought I would share a little about myself. I work as a computer programmer during the day. In my spare time I play hockey in the winter and softball in the summer. I also love to read. What I have been reading currently is anything by Terry Pratchett, especially the hilarious Discworld novels. I don’t have any formal writing training other than the required Creative Writing class in college. I have picked up fiction writing in the past year or so as a hobby and hope to someday finish a novel. I would like to someday be publishe and get paid for it, but that isn’t my determining factor for success. I call myself The Struggling Writer because I have a bit of a procrastination problem. Welcome to my blog.
View this post to read about why i write.
The header image was acquired at http://www.imageafter.com/index.php and cropped by me.
I wrote a series of posts in response to questions from readers about myself. Here are the links to those:
SW,
Yes, it’s nice to know that people are reading your work, which is why I like the blog. The writing itself can be so gratifying that publication sometimes seems superfluous, or as Robert Boswell the novelist once described it to me, “a necessary evil”.
I just read a good quote in Poets and Writers by Ha Jin (”Waiting”). He said a teacher of his once told him, As long as a book is good, it will be published, if not by a trade publisher, then by a small press. Jin thought of this whenever discouraged, and also said, “..a book has its own life, its own power, and all I need to do is believe in the story.” I like this because it returns the anxious writer (me) to his or his work which should be the focus.
I also attended a great panel discussion on publication with a bunch of editors and agents, and they all agreed that the biggest problem with the work they see is that it is not as good as it could be, that it has been submitted too soon.
kg
Thanks for the blogroll! You rule.
No problem Kaitlyn. Thanks for the comments!
Yeah! More of my ilk (or is that ink?).
So glad I found your blog - your writing links and posts are excellent.
Ms Cin - Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the compliments. I will check out your site.
Hi Struggling Writer and readers - wanted to let you know about a little contest we are having:
Rusty Axe Games is sponsoring the “Pump up the Purse” writing contest.
Don’t worry; It’s free to enter and you retain all rights to your work, although contestants who progress in the contest will have some of their work serially presented on our website.
Here’s how the “Pump up the Purse” system works:
The base pot of $200 USD grows by $2 for every story added to the contest until we either hit 150 stories or April 30th, 2007, for a maximum purse of $500. We are looking for fiction in the 17,000 to 40,000 word range. Any genre is acceptable, although entries featuring gratuitious violence or sex may be disqualified at the juge’s discretion. More details at http://www.RustyAxe.com/writing_contest.php
A great blog. You are a thoughtful writer with much to offer. And, you are actually writing! Fantastic.
I look forward to reading more of your words.
Maria
Thanks Maria. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll have to check out your blog. By the way, how did you find me?
SW,
Nothing shy of a great piece to read; moreover, I enjoyed it because it brings back so many of the little memories we often forget. Remarkably what really caught my eye and heart is the notion of how one feels the first time they see their script in print and published.
Additionally, I loved the bit about the proverbial Creative Writing course one negotiates whilst navigating every conceivable matter as a freshman in college. I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment by having to take the course so early in one’s youngest period during the collegiate experience. Now I believe I have heard this assessment from everyone. It seems when we are seniors there is so much more to write about!
Finally, there is just an extra something when we read prose from those who love it and are constantly striving to be better. Well done indeed and good form. With compliments,
Onemorecup
Struggling writer, how do I contact you?
Knightman - I have added a Contact Me link on the top bar just for you. Just fill out the form and you can contact me. Thanks for stopping by.
Procrastination, I think it comes with the territory!!
I’m excited to hear that you’re interested in writing fiction. I too am interested. I’m in the early stages of writing my first novel.
Trevor - yeah, I’m trying. I have a first draft. It’s a slow process.