Notes From October 21, 2009

When I was very young, perhaps seven or eight years old, and had only recently discovered science fiction via a box of used paperbacks books in the office/waiting area of my Dad’s auto-shop, my much-adored older sister gave me a boxed set of Ursula K. LeGuin’s The Earthsea Trilogy My young mind made one of … Read more

Working at Writing

By Moushumi Chakrabarty Making a commitment to yourself as a writer often falls into the waiting traps of washing machines, meals and procrastinations — specially if you are a work-at-home type of person. I am. Corporate chit-chat is definitely not what turns me on, writing-wise and in other ways. So when I quit the entire … Read more

By Ursula Vogt Are you familiar with the Report on Pay Rates for Freelance Journalists recently issued by the National Writers Union? You can read a copy at the National Writers Union and you should become very familiar with it. It’s nothing less than an outline of your professional future. If the ability to provide … Read more

Writing Lesson

By Barbara G. Francisco I know I can write. In school days, my star shone brighter than the others when the gauge was writing compositions and winning essay contests. But ten years after college, I am nowhere near the status that famous writers enjoy. More than a skill, writing is an art. It is unlike … Read more

Writing Between Diapers

By Mayra Calvani Nothing has a stronger influence psychologically on their environment and especially on their children than the unlived life of the parent. —C. G. Jung After a bad night of hardly any sleep, you’re sitting at the computer staring at the blank screen. You wonder if you’ll be able to do it—inish that article, short … Read more

No Time to Write?

By Sherryl Clark It’s a familiar complaint. Everything else seems to get in the way—family commitments, work, sports, the need to sleep—and nowhere is there time to sit down and write. People often say to me, “How do you find the time? You’re so prolific.” Well, no, ‘m not. A lot of the time I … Read more

No Rules, Just Write

By Jeanne M. Fielding 1,000 words a day or more? You’ve got to be kidding! As if writing a story wasn’t daunting enough, published writers have killed many a tree imparting the “writing is a discipline” mantra. You must commit to writing five gazillion words a day—no matter how long it takes you. My reply … Read more