Writer's Corner by K.C. Grant: 2012

10/15/12

A Writing Prompt for Halloween

I have to confess Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year and I've gone a little overboard on classic movies lately. Let's pretend that all of the classic "villains" have met for dinnner. (The Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Swamp Thing, Blob, etc.) Write a paragraph describing what they'd be eating and drinking, what they'd be wearing to "dress up" and then present a dialogue between them as they discuss the pros and cons to being their particular persona.

8/9/12

Olympics for Writers

In honor of the Olympic games, I'd like to propose "Olympic" terms for writers!

Long jump: when a writer has submitted a manuscript several times and been rejected and then submitted again and...success!

Hurdles: the obstacles of lack of time, energy, money and confidence that appear when you take your eye off the goal

Synchronized: when you find out that another book with a similar context is coming out the same time as yours

Decathalon: the minimum number of times that you'll end up editing your manuscript

Gymnastics: all of the manuevers you have to do to get your work published

Vault: the only way to get over all of the criticism on Goodreads

100m Dash: how fast you'll have to work when your editor finally gets your last edit to you

Gold medal: the feeling you'll get from holding your first book in your hands

6/26/12

The soul of a writer

Hello Readers. I'm sorry I didn't follow up on my posts like I said I would. There were some issues that prevented me from keeping up on a few things. But in coming back and getting my feet "wet" again, I'd just like to talk a little about being a writer.

When you're a writer, writing can feel like a lifeline when the world kind of spirals out of control around you. It's like a breath of normalcy when nothing seems normal. On days when I stop writing and get caught up in all of the other craziness that life brings I start to feel that "drift" away from myself. And I ask myself "why don't things feel right?" Then I begin to write and the clarity that comes is amazing! It's a pressure valve release, an inhalation after holding your breath. I feel like myself again.

If you're a writer, that's what writing is to you. It's hard for other people to understand--and it can be hard even for you to remember. But it's not just WHAT you do, it's WHO you are. To be, you have to write.

5/1/12

LDStorymakers Conference

I'm off to the LDStorymakers Conference this weekend. I'm sure it will be a GREAT experience and I'll be sure to share some of the highlights here next month!

4/9/12

The Courage to Write

If you were to ask the average person about something that it would take courage to do, you’d probably hear answers like, “Parachute out of an airplane,” or, “Travel on your own to a foregin country.” Maybe even, “Get up and speak in front of a large group.” But I’d propose something else that takes at least that much courage: writing. Because in my mind, putting down your thoughts into words and presenting it to the world to be examined for the first time is every bit as thrilling as jumping out of an airplane, as new as venturing into unknown territory and as frightening as standing in front of a group of strangers.

So it’s probably why so many people don’t even bother.

It’s not that they don’t have the desire. In fact, one study proposed that nearly 80% of all Americans want to write a book–so whoever you are reading this, that probably includes you–but the bottom line is only 1% even attempt it. It appears that the same fears and doubts that keep us from doing a variety of new things also keep us from writing. “I can’t do something like that.” “I wouldn’t be good enough.” “I don’t know where to begin.” Well, I can’t make you a list of steps that will automatically take you from A to B and help you succeed when it comes to writing, but I can give you a little nudge by reminding you that achieving your dreams isn’t dependant upon when you finish, but when you start.

So find that courage to start . . . and write!

3/29/12

Our Giveaway winner!

Congratulations to Holly J. for reading 10 books for our Read-a-thon. Wow! I hope there weren't any lasting repurcussions. Of course, trying to catch up on Whitney finalists is creating my own dilemma. I doubt I'll be able to read them all this year. I hope this was a fun month for all of you readers and I'll have an informative post on having the courage to write posted soon!

3/28/12

'Read-a-thon' over!

The 'Read-a-thon' giveaway ends at midnight, so post your reads in the comment section. Winner will be announced tomorrow morning! Don't forget to include your email address for me to alert the winner. Thanks again for entering.

2/27/12

'Venom' giveaway

My blog tour is now officially over, but it was so heavy on the reviews that I decided to do my own giveaway! I'll call it the "Read-a-thon Giveaway" So here's the scoop:

1) You need to be a member of Goodreads. It's easy to sign up. Just go to http://www.goodreads.com/
2) Contest will run from February 28th to March 28th.
3) Simply spend this next month reading! Then record the books that you've read on Goodreads with a "read" date between Feb 28-Mar 28.
4) Report back in the "Comments" section of this blog the number of books that you read--honesty appreciated! The person with the most will win! (ties will be decided by drawing names) The winner will be announced March 30.
5) Be sure to include an email address where I can let you know the winner. I'll also post your first name and last initial on the blog so you can double-check.
6) Twittering and/or posting this link on Facebook will be much appreciated! Spread the word!

(This blog is not associated with 'Goodreads' in any legal, ethical or moral way. The author will not be held accountable if there are any problems that develop from anyone attempting to read an unreasonable number of books! This contest is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.)

2/15/12

'Venom' blog tour

1/5/12

A New Year of Success in Writing!

I've touched on this topic before, but as each new year rolls around, it just seems like the perfect time to address the idea that success in writing depends upon mainly one thing: YOU!

The goals you set for yourself will mean the difference between being a dreamer and becoming an author. Put all failures in the past and look ahead to your potential, whether that includes actually becoming published or simply starting the framework that you'll need to move in that direction. That framework will includes things such as:

1) Network with other writers--especially successful ones! Learn from their experiences, but be genuine in your interest. Authors have paid their dues and don't like to simply be "picked" for info.

2) Write your goals down. If they're only in your head, that's where they'll stay. Make them tangible. Write them and put them on your mirror, on the dashboard of your car. On your cell phone. Make a fake book cover with your title and name on it and SEE it happening.

3) Commit to write. You have to prioritize your writing. If you treat it like a hobby that comes after every other responsibility, big or small, it will fade away with your enthusiasm. Writers don't write because they like to all of the time, they do it because they want to succeed and to succeed they have to write.

4) Celebrate your successes. From an editorial in the newspaper to writing that Christmas letter, put your heart into it and be proud of your ability to do something that most people struggle with. Expressing yourself through words is a true gift, so be proud of it and others will, too.

Writer's Corner by K.C. Grant