December 2010 Newsletter
Contents
From the Moderator | Writing Quote | Retreat Recap | NaNoWriMo Report
From the LDStorymakers | Book News | Good News | Spotlight: Gaynell Parker
Sharing the Gift of Yourself by Cathy Witbeck | Conferences & Contests
Encouraging Others' Talents by Marta Smith | Birthdays
Writing Tip by Ali Cross | Tech Corner | Recipe
December's Theme:
Giving the Ultimate Gift of Yourself
By Sharing Your Talents With Others
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
~Kahlil Gibran
~by Nichole Giles
An Unlabeled, Unboxed, Unwrapped Gift
This year as the holidays approach, I’ve given a lot of thought to what I am (or should be) contributing to the world and others around me. I think sometimes it’s easy to look at the things others are able to do and wonder why we don’t or can’t contribute the same as them. We might even give ourselves a hard time for not doing certain things.
Yes, we can try harder most of the time. But just as each one of us is different, we should remember that not every incredible gift is easily wrapped up in a box and packaged in pretty paper and ribbons. Not every gift will even be labeled as a gift at all, according to society’s standards. But that doesn’t make your contribution less important.
Creativity is the stuff from which geniuses are born. Never short change yourself for thinking outside the box, for shrugging off a label and choosing a road less traveled. Just because a gift doesn’t cost lots of money or come from a store or catalog doesn’t mean it isn’t of great value. Just because a person doesn’t fit inside a certain size box doesn’t mean they aren’t of great worth.
This holiday season, I encourage you to give of yourself, something from the heart that can’t be bought, sold, or even packaged. And don’t be surprised if you end up earning the pleasure of some grand rewards.
Merry Christmas my friends. From my heart to yours.
“The fabric of the story . . . is made up of actual events interwoven with invented ones; by combining what did happen with what might have happened, I have tried to show what should have happened.”
By Oakley Hall--a noted mystery and Western writer who also wrote non-fiction writing books like The Art and Craft of Novel Writing and How Fiction Works: The Last Word on Writing Fiction, from Basics to the Fine Points, and was a creative-writing teacher at UC Irvine for more than 30 years--wrote it in the introduction to his classic 1958 Western novel, Warlock.
~by Nichole Giles
Last month we held our first annual Authors Incognito writer’s retreat. We chose to hole ourselves in a cabin, tucked in the mountains near Park City, UT, where the 17 authors in attendance wrote our hearts out for three days and two nights.
Upon arrival, we started the day off with lunch and socializing, set up, claiming rooms, and plotting the demise of our fellow writers…er, um, I mean, planning how to help each other write better. Yes, that. *clears throat* Anyway, after most everyone had arrived we got right to work by starting with a timed writing sprint contest.
By the end of the first day, most attendees were several thousand words ahead of where they’d originally started, helping fuel the fires started by our furiously fast typing fingers. There were those who chose to go to bed early that night in order to get an early start Friday morning, thus earning them the Early Bird Award, as well as others who stayed up late into the night, bulking up their word counts in a semi-dream-like state, and earning them the Night Owl Award.
There was much socializing at mealtimes, laughter, a few Nerf-dart wars, a couple foosball playoffs, and a whole lot of writing in between. Even with visits from a few curious, but uninvited guests (mice, cabin owners, propane tank drivers) we had a very productive and extremely fun weekend, with a cumulative total of nearly 40,000 words.
But don’t take my word for it. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. Check out the gallery.
All in all, it was a huge success. And don’t worry. We’re already planning next year’s event. It promises to be even bigger and better. We hope to see you there!
AUTHORS INCOGNITO MEMBERS WROTE OVER ONE MILLION WORDS IN NOVEMBER!
That headliner just had to be in all capps! These were the stats as of 4:45pm November 29, 2010 I think it’s a safe bet that those close to the 50k mark will probably make it! You can see the up to the minute updates here. Way to go everyone!
That headliner just had to be in all capps! These were the stats as of 4:45pm November 29, 2010 I think it’s a safe bet that those close to the 50k mark will probably make it! You can see the up to the minute updates here. Way to go everyone!
Ali Cross 54957
Bill Tandy 19638
Canda Mortensen 16035
Christine Bryant 5488
Cindy Hogan 32252
Danyelle Ferguson 52762
Deanna Henderson 11935
Debbie Davis 51723
Gail Zuniga 53283
Gaynell Parker 51017
Heather Justesen 59341
Jennifer Wilks 39991
JoLyn Brown jolynb 29508
Jordan McCollum 23300
Karen Hoover 17010
Karlene Browning 10628
Kathlene Brebes 60810
Kristie Ballard 3800
Lisa Asanuma 3552
Melissa Cunningham 50115
Nichole Giles 60001
Rachelle Christensen 49103
RaShelle Workman 43507
Rebecca Talley 18953
Rebecca Blevins 41936
Sarah Anderson 25103
Stephanie Humphreys 10102
T.J. Bronley 11098
Taffy Lovell 45741
Tobyn 37842
Tristi Pinkston 23796
Wendy Swore 50700
~Submitted by Jamie Theler
Just the facts, Ma'am. Just the facts.
Who: You
What: LDStorymakers 8th annual conference
When: May 5-7, 2011
Where: Sheraton Hotel, downtown Salt Lake City
Why: Because it's more fun than a poke in the eye with a woolly mammoth.
We're excited to have local and national agents, editors, and authors join us for a fun-filled weekend packed with all things writing. Scheduled guests include:
Irene Kraas – of Kraas Literary Agent. http://www.kraasliteraryagency.com/
Marcia Markland – Senior editor with Thomas Dunne Books specializing in suspense fiction. http://us.macmillan.com/ThomasDunne.aspx
Larry Brooks – Author of five published novels, including Story Engineering: Understanding the Six Core Competencies of Writing. http://storyfix.com/
Sara Crowe – agent with Harvey Klinger, Inc. http://www.saracrowe.com/
Other activities include bootcamp, first chapter contest, pitch session, master classes, and more.
http://www.ldstorymakers.com/conference_2011.php
Who: You
What: LDStorymakers 8th annual conference
When: May 5-7, 2011
Where: Sheraton Hotel, downtown Salt Lake City
Why: Because it's more fun than a poke in the eye with a woolly mammoth.
We're excited to have local and national agents, editors, and authors join us for a fun-filled weekend packed with all things writing. Scheduled guests include:
Irene Kraas – of Kraas Literary Agent. http://www.kraasliteraryagency.com/
Marcia Markland – Senior editor with Thomas Dunne Books specializing in suspense fiction. http://us.macmillan.com/ThomasDunne.aspx
Larry Brooks – Author of five published novels, including Story Engineering: Understanding the Six Core Competencies of Writing. http://storyfix.com/
Sara Crowe – agent with Harvey Klinger, Inc. http://www.saracrowe.com/
Other activities include bootcamp, first chapter contest, pitch session, master classes, and more.
http://www.ldstorymakers.com/conference_2011.php
PLEA FOR WHITNEY NOMINATIONS
from Josi Kilpack
We would love to get some more official nominees for the Whitney awards so
as to overwhelm our judges with books to read--if you have an eligible book,
or love someone who does, feel free to drum up some votes! If you've read
some great books by LDS authors, don't be stingy--tell us about it!
Nominations can be sent via the website http://www.whitneyawards.com/
or to
Thanks much,
Josi Kilpack
~Danyelle Ferguson & Wendy Swore
Michael Knudesen’s 1st novel, a romantic coming of age comedy called The Rogue Shop will be published by Cedar Fort in December. Check out his blog for more info and prizes!
Rebecca Shelley’s spy thriller, Heroin Guns, is now out in e-book format under the pen name R.L. Tyler. Also look for her other ebooks: Crystal Coffin, Bees in my Butt, and We Flushed It Down the Potty.
Tristi Pinkston’s book, Dearly Departed, will be released in January. Her blog is filled with prizes and fun things all month long to celebrate.
Cheri Chelsey’s book, The Peasant Queen, is coming out in December 8th. Her launch will be at the Murray, UT Borders bookstore Wed, Dec 8th at either 6 or 7. Check out her blog for more info.
Marsha Ward’s last novel, Trail of Storms, was recently named the Finalist in the "Best Books 2010 Awards" in the category of Western Fiction. The competition is sponsored by USA Book News, a company that highlights news of independent books.
We Heard It Through the Grape Vine!
~by Wendy Swore
Authors Incognito News
(Awesome happenings in no particular order)
~by Wendy Swore
Authors Incognito News
(Awesome happenings in no particular order)
Connie Hall reports that her son’s brain surgery was a success and that they removed the entire tumor that originated in his brain. Also, her husband Jack has now been released from the hospital and been moved to a care center where he is doing much better. We are hoping for more good news for the Hall family soon.
Lisa Asanuma married her sweetheart on November 9th. Congratulations Lisa!!!
Michael Knudsen is hosting a book launch party on December 13th, 6-9pm at 500 E. 8680 South Sandy, UT. (Bicentennial Park Indoor pavilion.) There will be light refreshments, music,and plenty of holiday spirit. Bring your family and join the fun.
Cheri Chesley is also hosting a book launch party on Wednesday, December 8th at 6pm at the Murray, UT Borders. Be sure to stop by for your signed copy of her book, and congratulate her.
Michael Knudsen is hosting a book launch party on December 13th, 6-9pm at 500 E. 8680 South Sandy, UT. (Bicentennial Park Indoor pavilion.) There will be light refreshments, music,and plenty of holiday spirit. Bring your family and join the fun.
Cheri Chesley is also hosting a book launch party on Wednesday, December 8th at 6pm at the Murray, UT Borders. Be sure to stop by for your signed copy of her book, and congratulate her.
~Danyelle Ferguson
Gaynell Parker
Favorite Motto: Writing is life!
Blog: Musings from an LDS Writing Mom
I'm the wife of an amazing hubby for going on 25 years and mother of 7 -- so no worries about my sanity, there is none! We only have two left in public school. One son is leaving to go on a mission next month, and so we are spending much of December preparing for that wonderful moment. I am a new grandma, with two granddaughters who are so beautiful!
I've been writing since I was 12 and read The Diary of Anne Frank. It was like something clicked in my head that I could write too. My early stuff was pretty juvenile, and it's hilarious to recall the stories. I have just completed my seventh year of Nano, winning before the end, which is a plus for me. I also paint, and have done illustrations, including some for a book called Sorry the Stork Takes No Returns. It was a blast.
I used to love cats, but now I'm trying to figure a way to safely hide the bodies as they die off. We have a large dog that thinks it's a lap dog, and we live in one of the most gorgeous places on earth in Northern Utah between the mountains and a lake.
I also love to cook and have been working on lightening up recipes and figuring ways to cook low-fat to aid in my weight loss (In past year I've lost 83 pounds!) My biggest weakness is dark chocolate...yum!
My current writing project is the third in a 4 book trilogy of three women and their friendships and lives. I hope that one day you'll see them on the book shelves.
Gaynell Parker
Favorite Motto: Writing is life!
Blog: Musings from an LDS Writing Mom
I'm the wife of an amazing hubby for going on 25 years and mother of 7 -- so no worries about my sanity, there is none! We only have two left in public school. One son is leaving to go on a mission next month, and so we are spending much of December preparing for that wonderful moment. I am a new grandma, with two granddaughters who are so beautiful!
I've been writing since I was 12 and read The Diary of Anne Frank. It was like something clicked in my head that I could write too. My early stuff was pretty juvenile, and it's hilarious to recall the stories. I have just completed my seventh year of Nano, winning before the end, which is a plus for me. I also paint, and have done illustrations, including some for a book called Sorry the Stork Takes No Returns. It was a blast.
I used to love cats, but now I'm trying to figure a way to safely hide the bodies as they die off. We have a large dog that thinks it's a lap dog, and we live in one of the most gorgeous places on earth in Northern Utah between the mountains and a lake.
I also love to cook and have been working on lightening up recipes and figuring ways to cook low-fat to aid in my weight loss (In past year I've lost 83 pounds!) My biggest weakness is dark chocolate...yum!
My current writing project is the third in a 4 book trilogy of three women and their friendships and lives. I hope that one day you'll see them on the book shelves.
By Sharing Your Talents With Others
~by Cathy Witbeck
~by Cathy Witbeck
Recently I had the opportunity to help sew costumes for a high school play. Crinolines, skirts, pants, togas, alterations, shoe repairs . . .you name it, I did it. My husband said, “Who found out you could sew? Maybe you should have hidden your sewing machine under a bushel basket.”
What is your attitude about your talent? Do you hide your talent away, or do you share it? Just this October, Silvia H. Allred, 1st Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency spoke in conference and said, “Your gifts, talents, skills, and spiritual strengths are greatly needed in building up the kingdom.” Don’t ever doubt it. I am coming to see more and more the need for good literature. Read a few books written by Josi Kilpack, James Dashner, and Julie Coulter Bellon, then go back and read some mainstream fiction. I did this and after a few pages in one book I remember thinking “Why would I read this?” The world may be comfortable with what is out there, but to me it’s a breath of fresh air to read novels free of bad language and scenes that would make your grandmother blush.
In a talk by Anya Bateman, in the June 1991 Ensign, she quotes, “In speaking of talents, the Doctrine and Covenants says, “To some is given one, and to some another, that all may be profited thereby.” (D&C 46:12.) We render our best service by being ourselves and emphasizing the strengths we have. It is through our unique qualities and differences that we enhance our communities, neighborhoods, and church.”
What is the strongest aspect of your talent? What do you need to work on? What are you going to do to share what you have? You attended the Storymaker’s conference and now you are chatting with other authors and trying to improve your writing, right? You must be on the right track. For me it is a matter of making goals. A writer who has to write things down, ironic, eh? January is fast approaching. Perhaps now is a good time to set some writing goals to improve your talent and find ways to share it.
As I work on bigger projects, I have always found it a real kick to write smaller things and get them published. For example; stories, articles, poetry and illustrations that have gone into children’s ezines. I’d love to publish in the Friend one day as well.
Another way to boost your confidence and share your talent is to enter your work in a contest, preferably one where you get some feedback that will help you improve your writing.
When all is said and done, don’t forget where your talent came from. D&C 59:7 “Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.” Acknowledge his hand and continue to build upon the talents he has blessed you with.
You can find Cathy blogging away randomly at http://cathywitbeck-storypainter.blogspot.com/
~Tobyn DeGraw
19th Annual ANWA Writers Conference "Writing at the Speed of Life"
American Night Writers Association will hold its 19th Annual Writers Conference
in Phoenix, Arizona on February 25 & 26, 2011, with keynote speaker Chris Stewart.
David Farland's Million Dollar Outlines
March 7-12, 2011
Ramada Inn
Saint George, UT
Life, the Universe & Everything
Free science fiction and fantasy conference
Open to the public
BYU February 10-12, 2011
CONduit XXI
Radisson Hotel - Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah
May 27-29, 2011
Author Guest of Honor - Tamora Pierce
Workshop: Through the Looking Glass: Using Imagination to Write a “Memoir”
DATE: Dec 04 2010; Event Hours: Sa 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
PLACE: SLCC Community Writing Center; 210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City
Contact: Community Writing Center; Phone: 8019574992;
Admission: Free; Web Site: www.slcc.edu/cwc; Accessible to those with disabilities
In Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, the sequel to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,Lewis Carroll invites readers to discover a wild world of imagination, full of mystery and high adventure. This writing workshop invites you – the writer – to gaze “through the looking-glass” and use your imagination to create a “memoir,” a memor without the “I.” Join the CWC and discover this new writing genre—where the lives of people close to us are explored using the strategies of memoir. This workshop is presented in partnership with the Salt Lake Public Library’s Literary Luminaries Festival. This will be a 1-part workshop, held on December 4 (Sa), from 12-2 p.m. There is no cost, but registration is required.
LDS Women's Book Review
is looking for LDS authors with both fiction and nonfiction books being released from June 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 who are interested in participating in the LDSWBR Countdown to Christmas 2010. The Countdown to Christmas 2009 and Countdown to Summer 2010 were fun and successful events that left our blog readers asking us to keep theCountdowns coming.
LDSWBR Podcast- www.ldswomensbookreview.com
LDSWBR Blog- http://ldswbr.blogspot.com/
LDSWBR Twitter- http://twitter.com/LDSWBR
Find LDSWBR on Facebook!
Segullah Contest
Writings by Latter-day Saint Women annual personal essay, poetry and fiction contest is open through Dec. 31. Entrants must be female. They welcome unpublished entries that explore life's richness and complexity while reflecting faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The website is www.journal.segullah.org/contests/
Utah Valley Writers Winter Contest (League of Utah Writers)
Only a few weeks left until our Christmas party! We will be having a writing contest: Email your 250 word story with the theme of “Winter” to karynwrites@gmail.com. Make sure to put “contest” as the subject heading so I don’t miss it. We will have judges decide on a few favorites to read at the upcoming party
Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest
Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer any subject; and/or write a short story, 5 pages maximum any theme.
Poetry: $250, $125, $50; Short Story: $500, $250, $100.
Entry: $5 per poem, $10 per story. Postmark Deadline: December 31 www.dreamquestone.com.
100 Words or Fewer Writing Contest
Six. Prizes $500, $150, $100, $50. Entry $15, plus checkmark evaluation $21, plus critique $49. Deadline:December 18
www.100wordsorfewerwritingcontest.com.
Lucid Hills Spring 2011 Story Contest
short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, literary nonfiction, excerpts from longer fiction and nonfiction. Prizes $500, $200, $100, $25. Cost $15. Entries due December 31.
springcontest@lucidhills.com; www.lucidhills.com.
The James Knudsen Editor's Prize.
Submissions must be previously unpublished work, no longer than 7500 words. Awards $500 and publication. All other entries will be considered for publication. Fee: $15, includes a one-year subscription toBayou Magazine. December 31 Deadline
Info: www.cola.uno.edu/cww/bayou/bonanza.cfm.
6th Annual Writer's Digest Poetry Awards Competition.
$500 award and a trip to the Writer's Digest Conference in New York City, $250, $100, $25, $50 gift certificate for Writer's Digest Books. Entry $15 for the first poem submitted and $10 for each additional poem. Due December 15, 2010.
www.writersdigest.com/poetryawards
The Gemini Magazine Poetry Open.
Awards: $1,000, $100, $50, plus publication in February 2011 issue of Gemini.
Fee: $5 for each batch of three poems. Deadline: December 31, 2010.
www.gemini-magazine.com/poetryopen.html.
Northern Colorado Writers Short Fiction Contest
Uup to 5,000 words, open genre. Awards: $200, $100, $50. Also, winning entries will be published in an anthology. Entry fee: $10.Deadline: January 15, 2011. Info: www.northerncoloradowriters.com/writing-contests.html;
jennifer@northerncoloradowriters.com.
The Crazyhorse Fiction Prize
$2000 each and publication in Crazyhorse literary journal.
Fee: $16 per entry includes one-year subscription.Deadline: January 15, 2011.
www.crazyhorsejournal.org
orcrazyhorse@cofc.edu
Central Coast Writers Spring 2011 Writing Contest for poetry and short stories.
Award: $500 and publication (print and online) in the 2011 Homestead Review. All entries will be considered for publication. Entry fees: $15 per short story and $5 per poem. Deadline: January 15, 2011. www.centralcoastwriters.org.
Founders Circle Contest
Prose piece up to 3,000 words or a poem of up to two pages. Award: Publication in Soundings Review and $300. Entry fee: $7 or $5. Deadlines: January 15, 2011 and July 15, 2011. www.writeonwhidbey.com/Publications/ContestGuidelines.htm.
First Publication Contest
Open to national submissions nor in a publication advertised nationally.
Award: Publication in Soundings Review and $100.
Entry fee: $7 or $5. Deadlines: January 15, 2011 and July 15, 2011.
www.writeonwhidbey.com/Publications/ContestGuidelines.htm.
Snag Today Writing Contest.
Awards: Total $75; top prize $50. Entry fee: $5. Deadline:January 31, 2011.
http://snagtoday.com/dolph/blogs/entry/Snag-Today-Writing-Contest
University of New Orleans 7th Annual Writing Contest for Study Abroad.
Open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Award: One winner in each genre receives a complete fee waiver to our summer study abroad workshops in Edinburgh, Scotland (valued at over $3,000). Entry fee: $25. Deadline: January 31, 2011. Info:
http://unopress.org/writingcontest/.
Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award
December 17.
$8,000 cash prize for a novel or book of short stories by an American author who has not previously published a book of fiction.
$40.00 entry fee.
http://www.pen-ne.org/hemingway.html
Boulevard Short Fiction Contest for Emerging Writers
December 31
A prize of $1,500 and publication in Boulevard for a short story by a writer who has not published a book with a nationally distributed press
$15.00 reading fee includes subscription.
http://www.boulevardmagazine.org/partners.html
~by Marta Smith
I keep a mason jar and a soup can on my desk. The jar collects my spare change. The can holds pens and pencils. Books, papers, and pens may come and go. I'll trade out the computer eventually. I may even upgrade the desk. But the jar and the can are permanent fixtures.
The jar is painted a creamy white with red and green splatters, with a stenciled red heart and green checkerboard pattern around the bottom. A piece of black and red fabric is tied around the neck of the jar. It's the kind of thing you would find in a country themed Christmas boutique.
The can is covered with fabric in a black plaid on cream and accented with lace and teal buttons. It's a combination that I would never think to put together, but it works. In fact, I would love a jacket or dress made with the same materials.
My son gave me the jar for Christmas when he was in second grade. He had been instructed to take an old toothbrush to school for an art project. His teacher provided a quart canning jar, paint, sponges, stencils, and fabric. Nate did the rest (although he did confess that his teacher tied the bow). The heart is slightly off-center, but it's as well done as anything I've seen at a Relief Society craft day. I tried doing the same kind of thing years later. It looked like a second grade art project.
My daughter gave me the can. She made it in her Achievement Days class. Her teacher supplied the materials, and Sarah put it together. I can imagine the pile of fabric scraps and the box of assorted buttons she probably had to choose from. She chose a combination I wouldn't have thought of myself, but the total effect is so cute.
Nathan has been an artist with an eye for detail since he could hold a crayon. Now he plans to attend college in a graphic arts program. Sarah is our fashionista, with an real instinct for color and design. She has graduated from decorating soup cans to redecorating our living room, and is now campaigning to redo the kitchen.
I keep these two gifts where I can see them because they remind me of my children and I can picture their little hands carefully crafting something they hoped I would like. Their talents are not identical, nor are they the same as my talent. But each of them have a talent worth developing, and I encourage them whenever I can. So instead of family pictures, I keep a mason jar and a soup can on my desk.
The jar is painted a creamy white with red and green splatters, with a stenciled red heart and green checkerboard pattern around the bottom. A piece of black and red fabric is tied around the neck of the jar. It's the kind of thing you would find in a country themed Christmas boutique.
The can is covered with fabric in a black plaid on cream and accented with lace and teal buttons. It's a combination that I would never think to put together, but it works. In fact, I would love a jacket or dress made with the same materials.
My son gave me the jar for Christmas when he was in second grade. He had been instructed to take an old toothbrush to school for an art project. His teacher provided a quart canning jar, paint, sponges, stencils, and fabric. Nate did the rest (although he did confess that his teacher tied the bow). The heart is slightly off-center, but it's as well done as anything I've seen at a Relief Society craft day. I tried doing the same kind of thing years later. It looked like a second grade art project.
My daughter gave me the can. She made it in her Achievement Days class. Her teacher supplied the materials, and Sarah put it together. I can imagine the pile of fabric scraps and the box of assorted buttons she probably had to choose from. She chose a combination I wouldn't have thought of myself, but the total effect is so cute.
Nathan has been an artist with an eye for detail since he could hold a crayon. Now he plans to attend college in a graphic arts program. Sarah is our fashionista, with an real instinct for color and design. She has graduated from decorating soup cans to redecorating our living room, and is now campaigning to redo the kitchen.
I keep these two gifts where I can see them because they remind me of my children and I can picture their little hands carefully crafting something they hoped I would like. Their talents are not identical, nor are they the same as my talent. But each of them have a talent worth developing, and I encourage them whenever I can. So instead of family pictures, I keep a mason jar and a soup can on my desk.
Learn more about Marta by visiting her blog: www.martaosmith.blogspot.com
~submitted by Elizabeth Mueller
2 - Deborah Davis
9 - Keith Fisher
11 - Elana Johnson
15 - Becky Olsen
15 - Connie Hall
21- Deanna Henderson
21- Gail Zuniga
24 - James Blevins
24 - TJ Bronley
~by Ali Cross
And don’t you just hate it, too?
It’s the ugly side of our super-awesome writing community that no one likes to talk about: the resentment, jealousy and fear that resides in all of us when someone makes it and we’re still waiting.
And waiting.
We all know there’s no magic bullet for this thing we’re doing, this writing thing. There’s only hard work and, you guessed it, lots of waiting.
And that friend of yours who’s “made it”? She started out at the same place as you. She started out with a hope and a dream—and she got lucky. (Or maybe she worked a whole lot harder than you, or is a better writer than you, but for the sake of this article we’re going to assume we’re all awesome and totally 100% equal.)
Jonathan Winters said, “I couldn’t wait for success, so I went ahead without it.”
So come on. Get your head out of the sand, give your successful friend a high-five, and get back to work. The only thing standing in your way of being just like her, is you. If you’re working, you’re trying, you’re not giving up—you are successful.
~by Daron Fraley
Today I have a couple of suggestions for you bloggers which will make your readers much happier!
You don't want spam comments on your blog, right? Well, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:
1. You COULD use CAPTCHA image verification. Sometimes called "word verification", they are the boxes with the funny spelled words or numbers which are supposed to be hard for computers to decipher. But sometimes the images are difficult to read, even for humans. Most image verification programs have a button on the right to try a different image if the one you are looking at is too hard to figure out. But I still don't like them. My opinion: they are a pain. It greatly slows down the commenting process. I have heard from other bloggers who sometimes will not even leave a comment if they have to deal with image verification. I would recommend that if you currently use this system, that you disable it. If you don't know what this is, you can check to see if your blog requires it by logging out of your wordpress or blogger accounts (that means ALL google apps), and going to your blog to see if you can leave a comment. If it has image/word verification, you'll see it.
To get rid of it:
a. For Blogger, go to SETTINGS, then to COMMENTS. It is called "Show word verification for comments". Turn it off.
b. For Wordpress, if you are using word verification, it will most likely be a PLUGIN. Go to your plugins and see if you have one. If so, deactivate it.
2. A better option, in my opinion, is to do both of the following:
a. Screen your comments.
b. Use a plugin that catches SPAM automatically.
Screening your comments:
If you use Wordpress, go to SETTINGS, then to DISCUSSION SETTINGS, then set the "Before a comment appears" option to one of the two choices. I use the first one: An administrator must always approve the comment. If you use Blogger, you need to go under SETTINGS, COMMENTS, Comment moderation. Set it to "Always".
As for SPAM filters:
Blogger has added some filtering, but since I haven't used Blogger in almost a year, I don't know how it works, or how you go about vetting the comments to be sure comments from your friends didn't get placed in the SPAM trash. I am using a SPAM filter program called AKISMET in Wordpress. It is highly effective at catching rogue comments. In fact, it keeps stats, and shows that it has caught 1491 of them for me. This is a PLUGIN, so you have to search for it and install it. Once it is active, there will be a new SPAM category on the DASHBOARD. Easy to use!
And now for a little bit of humor . . .
Should you be a closet SPAMMER, and you want to have some help gaining internet stardom, check out my latest blog on the subject: http://www.daronfraley.com/2010/11/calling-all-blog-comment-spammers-new-product-offering.html
You don't want spam comments on your blog, right? Well, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:
1. You COULD use CAPTCHA image verification. Sometimes called "word verification", they are the boxes with the funny spelled words or numbers which are supposed to be hard for computers to decipher. But sometimes the images are difficult to read, even for humans. Most image verification programs have a button on the right to try a different image if the one you are looking at is too hard to figure out. But I still don't like them. My opinion: they are a pain. It greatly slows down the commenting process. I have heard from other bloggers who sometimes will not even leave a comment if they have to deal with image verification. I would recommend that if you currently use this system, that you disable it. If you don't know what this is, you can check to see if your blog requires it by logging out of your wordpress or blogger accounts (that means ALL google apps), and going to your blog to see if you can leave a comment. If it has image/word verification, you'll see it.
To get rid of it:
a. For Blogger, go to SETTINGS, then to COMMENTS. It is called "Show word verification for comments". Turn it off.
b. For Wordpress, if you are using word verification, it will most likely be a PLUGIN. Go to your plugins and see if you have one. If so, deactivate it.
2. A better option, in my opinion, is to do both of the following:
a. Screen your comments.
b. Use a plugin that catches SPAM automatically.
Screening your comments:
If you use Wordpress, go to SETTINGS, then to DISCUSSION SETTINGS, then set the "Before a comment appears" option to one of the two choices. I use the first one: An administrator must always approve the comment. If you use Blogger, you need to go under SETTINGS, COMMENTS, Comment moderation. Set it to "Always".
As for SPAM filters:
Blogger has added some filtering, but since I haven't used Blogger in almost a year, I don't know how it works, or how you go about vetting the comments to be sure comments from your friends didn't get placed in the SPAM trash. I am using a SPAM filter program called AKISMET in Wordpress. It is highly effective at catching rogue comments. In fact, it keeps stats, and shows that it has caught 1491 of them for me. This is a PLUGIN, so you have to search for it and install it. Once it is active, there will be a new SPAM category on the DASHBOARD. Easy to use!
And now for a little bit of humor . . .
Should you be a closet SPAMMER, and you want to have some help gaining internet stardom, check out my latest blog on the subject: http://www.daronfraley.com/2010/11/calling-all-blog-comment-spammers-new-product-offering.html
RECIPE
~Submitted by Karen Dupaix
Helen's Caramels
2 cubes of butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Melt the butter over low heat in a heavy 2 qt. sauce pan. Add the other ingredients except for the vanilla. Turn your heat up to medium and stir constantly with a flat bottomed wooden spoon (this burns really easily). Once it has come to a rolling boil, check occasionally by pouring a spoonful into a cup of cold water. It should be pretty firm, about the same consistency as you want your caramels to be once they are cooled. When you remove the pan from the heat, stir in the vanilla and pour the mixture into a flat buttered dish. Cool, cut, and wrap in wax paper.
~Submitted by Karen Dupaix
Helen's Caramels
2 cubes of butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Melt the butter over low heat in a heavy 2 qt. sauce pan. Add the other ingredients except for the vanilla. Turn your heat up to medium and stir constantly with a flat bottomed wooden spoon (this burns really easily). Once it has come to a rolling boil, check occasionally by pouring a spoonful into a cup of cold water. It should be pretty firm, about the same consistency as you want your caramels to be once they are cooled. When you remove the pan from the heat, stir in the vanilla and pour the mixture into a flat buttered dish. Cool, cut, and wrap in wax paper.
