How to Grow as a Writer

Creating a great, complete piece of writing is one of the most difficult tasks there is. Many people – most in fact – have unique experiences and a unique voice that could be turned into a quality piece of writing. Many new writers and those sitting down to the task for the first time discover that the process isn’t as straightforward as it may seem, however. While it is difficult, the rewards are great once you have a piece of polished work in your hands that you can feel proud of. With this in mind, here are a few these steps for growing in the art of writing.

• Read Widely – Read, read, read, everything you can get your hands on. Read classics, genre novels, nonfiction, and the morning news. One of the main ways writers learn about language and structure is simply through seeing how others have done it before.
  Reading as a writer is a bit different than reading for pure pleasure. You want to examine the art and technique of what you’re reading to see how it works. Examine how the sentences are structured, what diction is chosen and the effect it has. See which characteristics you can borrow for your own work.
• Join a Writer’s Group – Nothing is quite as stressful as having a group of people read your work and offer constructive criticism. For better or worse, it’s a vital process most writers use for improving. This process will be helpful on specific issues you’re working through in a piece and it will help you look critically at how other writers approach the task. Remember that you don’t have to incorporate all suggestions or critiques into your work, but that you should consider feedback with an open mind.
• Learn about Your Craft – The nuts and bolts of writing aren’t hocus-pocus dreamed up in the writer’s mind. For the most part, they are techniques that have been honed by hundreds of writers over the centuries. It’s best to learn these concrete techniques straightaway, so don’t try to reinvent the wheel.
  Books are a great place to learn about craft. The “Modern Library Writer’s Workshop” by Stephen Koch and “Making Shapely Fiction” by Jerome Stern are both geared towards beginning writers looking for advice. You can also consider learning about writing through formal education, whether through continuing education classes or a full-fledged English degree.
• Revise, Revise, Revise – Great writing doesn’t happen through a freak lightning strike that sets the writer at his keyboard for hours on end, resulting in a perfect final draft. For most writers, it’s an arduous and long process, although it can be quite enjoyable. For the most part, you will have three stages of writing and revision: The initial “blurt” of your story onto the page; the secondary refinement of scenes and development of character; and the final polishing of the piece. Each step can require several drafts.
• Search Out Good Readers – Your writing group can provide good readers for your work, but other places in your life may turn up good readers as well. What makes a good reader? It should be someone who respects you, but who won’t be afraid to give you honest feedback (for example, most writers’ mothers are too sentimental about their children to be up to the task). Being well read is a good sign that someone could be a helpful reader, as is an open mind. Consider asking other artists and friends who you think fit the bill to give you honest criticism. Offer to do the same for their work if it’s appropriate.

Sources

Purdue Online Writing Lab (2012)

University of Denver (2012)

Being a woman is one thing. Being a female writer is another. Throughout history we’ve had to take a backseat to male writers, oftentimes writing under male names in order to get our works published. To a great degree, those days are gone. But there is something that lingers still. It is the feeling that there is a great portion of the population that sees women writers are merely feminists trying to make a point or push a cause, rather than women writers seeking to tell their stories, their way. We don’t want our stories to only be read, we want them to be understood, to be felt, to be loved. From this place our anthology pushes its way into the world of literature, expressing our voices to the wider public in ever more creative ways.

Our team is made up of women who are serious about the craft of writing. We are all avid readers who read across several genres. We take pride in what we read and what we write. In truth, it is from the various works we’ve read that our writing is able to flourish. Our anthology will join the ocean of works in hopes that we won’t get caught up in the flotsam and jetsam of literature, but shine through, showing our innate love for the written word and our love for readers who appreciate fine literature.

All women are welcome to submit. Come, create with us.

-  Zaji, B.A & M.S., Our Design and Editorial Consultant

Our Creative Director, Sharon S. Gray, M.P.A., speaks:

This project is my brainchild and something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. I want it to be everything woman is. Of course it will be a representation of the diversity of Essentially Woman Writing Group, but it will also be that still small voice of women from around the globe. Our group was founded on the principal that good writing matters.

Our desire to encourage growth through words among our sisters is the root of Essentially Woman Writing Group.  It is to be a safe haven; a forum of understanding, compassion and truth; a place where African American women; often expected to be strong and unmoved, could share their dreams, their stories and their fears.

In July 2003, Essentially Woman Writing Group was born. We started out with a few members and have blossomed over the years. Members are comprised of published authors, novice writers, editors, spoken word artists, journalists, television producers, self-published authors and writers—in truth, every woman, regardless of her literary background, has a place at Essentially Woman…as long as your passion to create, drive for expression and love for words are alive.

Sisterhood, creativity and expression are the true enchantments of Essentially Woman Writing Group. Our spirited atmosphere nurtures the artist within. We pride ourselves in our past, present and future. Essentially Woman Writing Group is about us. As quoted by Cyril Connolly, it’s ‘Better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self’.

Our Acquisitions Editor, Tzynya Pinchback, speaks:

It’s a real honor to be a member of the team of femme fatales charged with curating the stories for Our World: Life is Essentially This.  As one of the readers, I serve as a gatekeeper, of sorts, reading through each of the e-mail submissions with another editor, and selecting the pieces to be forwarded to the editorial team.  I will also get to send out those glorious letters of acceptance.  So, what I am reading for?  Narratives – whether fiction, nonfiction prose, essay, or poetry – that slink up the coat’s sleeve, sink like stones in a river, or cling to the braid like dandelion weeds.  Comic book heroines, sluts, fairy God-mothers and wicked step-mothers and carpool-driving single mothers, all-girl chain gangs spray painting Bible verse on the wall behind abortion clinics, women who laugh, shout, and sing, and those without speech are all welcome here.  Let us make community; let us spin a tale.

Our Editorial Director, Nena Collier, speaks:

Writing – a secluded art with a predisposition to subjectivity.

Editing – the art of pen strokes redlining manuscripts to ensure the first impression is a permanent one. ~Collier Lunn

Editors are responsible for ensuring print-ready work.  As an editor, I review manuscripts closely – deconstructing the construction. I do not rewrite the story. In some cases, I rework parts of the story to enhance sentence structure, sustain character and voice consistency, syntax and more.

Essentially Woman Submission Guidelines for
Our World: Life is Essentially This
an anthology

We are seeking publish-ready stories about the everyday lives of women. We want to read
works that are from the core, undiluted and fearless–writings that touch the private spaces
of womanhood, reminding us of how amazing it is to be alive and be a woman, with all the
joys and hardships that come with it. We want the real lives of women and those they love
or hate. Send us the very best of you.

Send your original, not previously published work to essentially.woman@yahoo.com as an attachment
only. Do not send work in the body of an email.

Include a cover letter with your name, address, e-mail, phone number,
and genre of your submission (poetry, or prose, or both) in the following format:
Angella Doe
3650 Harper Row
Bronx, NY 10469
angelladoe@yourdomain.com
718.123.4567
Genre: Prose

Page two of your submission begins your prose or poetry which should include the title of your work,
byline and word count in the following format:
The Title of Your Work
by Angella Doe
Word Count: 3,564 words

Your prose or poetry begins with this first sentence.

Include your last name in the header on each page of your manuscript and include page numbers in the
footer. Please use Microsoft Word’s built in formatting for header/footer.
Poetry: Send 2-5 poems, one poem per page, 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins all
around. Do not include images in submission.
Prose (Fiction, Non-ction, Essay): Send prose up to 4,000 words, double-spaced,
12 point font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins all around. Do not include images in submission.
All manuscripts must be sent as a Microsoft Word .doc document or .txt document.

Deadline: June 30, 2012
If you have any questions, contact us at: essentially.woman@yahoo.com.
Please note that submission does not guarantee acceptance.

By Shelia M Goss

I received an email from a guy thanking me for publishing advice I gave him. He wanted to send me an autographed copy of his first book. To be honest, I don’t remember communicating with him but I must have. Most of us try our best to respond to every email that we get within a timely manner, but with deadlines and re-writes and life, we get busy.

Below are commonly asked questions received from aspiring writers. Hopefully, it’ll answer some of your questions. If you’re not a writer but know someone who is interested in becoming one, please refer them to this post.

I have a good story. I’m learning fast that people don’t or won’t help you. Why is that?

I don’t want you to have the misconception of authors not wanting to help…many of us do. You also have to keep in mind of your approach. Have you ever contacted this particular author before? Have you ever bought one of their books? My question is, why would you ask for advice from an author if you’ve never purchased or read one of their books? I don’t ask for advice from just anyone. You best believe any writer I approached in the past, I’ve read their entire book; not just an excerpt off their website.

Will you read my unpublished manuscript and give me feedback?

For legal reasons, a lot of authors will not read the work of people they don’t already have a relationship with in some capacity. As a writer, we have to protect ourselves because there are too many “sue-happy” folks out there. Please keep that in mind the next time you ask the question and don’t get the response you want. Don’t hold it against the writer. Also, most writers do not have the time to read other people’s manuscripts because they are too busy working on their own and trying to meet deadlines. I would suggest joining a writing group where some of the members may be able to assist with critiquing your work.

Can you help me write my life story?

Yes, for a price; but most people don’t want to hear that. They expect you to do something for free. Writing is a passion for most of us but it’s also a business. Don’t get upset if you get turned flat down because you’re not willing to pay for the writer’s time.
Also, keep in mind that if you live long enough, there’s a story within all of us; but not every life story is meant to be told (meaning, just because your life is interesting to you doesn’t mean we all want to read about it). That’s one reason why I write fiction. Nobody wants to hear about the ins and outs of my life (that’s what blogging is for…lol).

Will you write a blurb for my book?

It depends. Have we ever communicated before? Belonging to literary groups is great for networking so don’t forget to join a few online and offline. You don’t have to wait until your manuscript is finished to do it.
Depending on the author’s schedule, he or she will want to read the entire manuscript before attaching their name to your book. At the very least, they will want to read several chapters if they are unfamiliar with your writing style. If said author doesn’t write a blurb, do not hold it against them.

I’ve finished my book. What’s next?

This is a dreaded question. Why? Because there are so many things you could do next. #1, I would ask, what do you want to do next? Are you looking for an agent or a publisher? If you are looking for either one, you will need to know about the submission process. Most require a query letter, synopsis, and the first three chapters.

Are you looking to self-publish? If so, then there are other things you need to consider. For example, will you outright self-publish or will you be using a Print on Demand (POD) service.
Be sure you’ve done your homework and know exactly what you want to do. You will probably get more responses if you ask specific questions, such as “How do I write a query letter?” or “How do I get an ISBN?” than asking a generic question.

How can I find an agent?

Agents are found via conferences, referrals or by using other resources such as books like the Writer’s Market and online websites. Bookmark the following website because it gives information on what agents are looking for and their contact information: http://www.agentquery.com/
Be sure to only send them what they are requesting.

When should I start marketing my book?

I would start marketing the moment I knew the book was going to be published. Once you have an official publishing date and your ISBN from your publisher, I would suggest submitting your galleys to print publications and reviewers. The goal is to inform or make book readers and book buyers aware of your book. You want them to be familiar with the title so once it’s released and they see it on the shelves or while browsing on the Internet, they may take a chance and purchase it. Click on the link below for more information on promoting your book.

Does paying for reviews help or hurt your review rating?

I’m really not sure. I submit my book to publications and sites that read books in my genre; whether their actual review of my book makes it to the publication or site is at their discretion. I don’t, however, pay for book reviews. Most of the reviews I’ve received lately are from individual readers who purchased the book and either liked or disliked the book. I personally tend to shy away from review sites that charge; however, there are several reputable sites that do charge. Hopefully that answered your question.

How do you find time to write?

I don’t. I make time. Life is what it is. If you wait to find time to write, you never will. Something can or will get in the way if you don’t make a conscious effort to fit writing into your schedule. You have to make time. Set aside a certain amount of time a day or a week to write. Even if you only write an hour a week, you’re closer to your goal than waiting to find time to write.

Please note: The Internet is your friend. Use any one of the search engines and it will pull up a ton of information on any topic.

The more specific you can be when asking a question to an author, the better chances you’ll get a response. It shows that you’ve done your homework and you’re really interested in pursuing a writing career.
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Shelia M. Goss is the Essence Magazine & Black Expressions Book Club Best-Selling author of Delilah, Ruthless, My Invisible Husband, Roses are Thorns, Paige’s Web, Double Platinum, His Invisible Wife, Hollywood Deception, Savannah’s Curse, Montana’s Way and the teen series The Lip Gloss Chronicles: The Ultimate Test, Splitsville, Paper Thin and Secrets Untold.  Besides writing fiction, Shelia is a freelance writer. She’s also the recipient of three Shades of Romance Magazine Readers Choice Multi-Cultural Awards and honored as a Literary Diva: The Top 100 Most Admired African American Women in Literature.

I’m trying to beat a writing deadline so I won’t be blogging this week. My main focus will be on completing the next book in the “Bad Women of the Bible” series.  I must admit writing Bathsheba and David’s story has been challenging yet fun.

I will be taking a break on Wednesday to go speak at Career Technical College on my favorite subject: writing

Hope you have a good week and I’ll chat with y’all later.

Wednesday will probably be the only day you’ll see me on any of the social networks as well since I’ll have some downtime before and after my speech.

I’m a guest blogger on Novel Spaces this week. Check out the post when you get a chance:

The relationship between a writer and a reader can equate to a love affair. First it’s the courting period. Before the first date, the writer must introduce themselves and their book title. The title should be catchy; something easy for the reader to remember. Don’t be shy. Tease the reader with a short synopsis about your books.

To read the entire post, go to: go to http://novelspaces.blogspot.com/2009/12/relationship-between-writers-readers.html

Romance author spotlight on Michelle McGriff

Click on the link to read the interview: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-28527-Dallas-Romance-Examiner~y2009m11d4-Interview-with-romance-author-Michelle-McGriff

Authors in Search of Extra Income

Many writers I know are always on the search for ways to make extra money. Time constraints and not knowing where there’s available freelance opportunities have been the two biggest complaints I’ve heard from my writing buddies. Many places have cut back on hiring new writers; however opportunities to make money is still out there.  Beware of some online sites who prey on writers. Always ask around and do your research before signing up. Through networking, I’ve found out about these legitimate sites so if you’re looking for supplemental income, writing for. To read the rest, go to: http://www.blogginginblack.com/2009/11/authors-in-search-of-extra-income.html

6 Tips for Parents:Encouraging Your Teen to Read by Shelia M. Goss

As parents or guardians, finding ways to encourage your teenager to read may be difficult but it’s not an impossible task.  To read the tips, http://www.rawsistaz.com/articles-workshops/6-tips-for-parentsencouraging-your-teen-to-read-by-shelia-m-goss/

Encourage the teens in your life to read.

October 20, 2009
Mooretown Library
1:00 p.m.

October 21, 2009
Atkins Library
1:00 p.m.

October 22, 2009
Cedar Grove Library
4:00 p.m