Stylish Blogger Award!

A nice surprise awaited me on Monday—my first-ever blog award, gifted to me by Mel Chelsey over at Writings, Musings and Other Such Nonsense. I’m not sure my blog is “stylish”, exactly, but hey! I’ll take it!

The rules seem to be 1) I get to pass this award along to five other bloggers, and 2) I need to tell you seven random things about myself.

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Fear and Success and Keeping On…

I promised myself that there would be NO MORE BLOGGING—or Tweeting or random researching, or any of the other ways I distract myself and procrastinate—until I began the much-dreaded rewrite of my latest YA, VOICE.

  I usually love to rewrite, but this round has been unexpectedly difficult to begin. Why, you ask? For an unanticipated reason: an editor or two actually LIKE the manuscript.

Intellectually, I know this is a Very Good Thing. The problem is that now it’s up to me to sift through advice and suggestions, dive back into the story, and turn around a rewrite that WOWs…and that’s a little scary. I’m close, but I’ve been this close before. I’m afraid I’ll screw it up.

I think my inner 6-year-old is holding onto the logic that, if I don’t ever turn in the rewrite, I can’t possibly fail. It’s the same logic that keeps writers from submitting manuscripts, because that which is not submitted can never be rejected, right? Surely I’m not the only writer to struggle with gut-level illogic?

I know, I know: the solution to this problem is to trick my subconscious into moving on, which is what I’ve been working on this week. I’ve made enough progress that I’m allowed to blog again and maybe even write a Tweet or two.

If I’m a good girl and keep on writing that story!!

:) Cheryl

How I write blog posts

Blogging inspiration seems to be feast or famine for me. It seeks like if I sit down thinking “I have to write something to post today,” my blogging brain remains empty. If, however, it’s past midnight, I have to get up early the next day, and I’m supposed to be sleeping, suddenly I have five million ideas that MUST BE WRITTEN DOWN RIGHT AWAY OR THEY WILLO BE LOST FOREVER!

Just thought I’d share.

:) Cheryl

PS: Anyone else out there love Spring? I guess nature supports the feast/famine ideology, because right now I’m reveling in a feast of flowers. It’s heavenly….

Entropy

Have you noticed that just about everything in life requires time for upkeep? I credit it to entropy, which is, according to Merriam-Webster online, “a process of degradation or running down or a trend to disorder.” Entropy often refers to the universe at large, but is more readily visible in my sons’ bedrooms.

And the kitchen. Definite trend to disorder in the kitchen.

But how can a blog get disorderly? Because that’s how I’m feeling: that my blog could use a good Spring cleaning, to declutter the ever-expanding list of categories, remove any broken links, add new books to my list of faves, etc. I guess entropy applies its force even to the online world.

That’s okay. It’s a lot more fun to clean up a blog than, say, a teenager’s bedroom (which I am NOT going to clean. That’s on the aforementioned teen’s to-do list.) Hmm. And when I’m done, I can light a nice candle, maybe add a few flowers….or whatever the online equivalent might be.

Cyber-chocolate, anyone?

:) Cheryl

Picture Sources

Pictures. They’re fun.  They make a piece of writing more appealing, make a blog post look more professional. But…most images you find on the Internet are the result of someone else’s creativity. Just as you and I don’t want to be plagiarized, neither do the artists and photographers who share their images on the web.

If you’re *not* an artist or photographer, though, where the heck do you find photos to spice up the appearance of your blog? Here are a few places to look.

1. On the Flickr Creative Commons, a number of photographers offer their work for free—as long as you give them credit.
2. iStockPhoto offers a wide variety of stock images for sale. If you’re looking for a specific and hard-to-find photo, this is a good place to look. You can purchase an extra-small image for 1 credit, or about $1.50.
3. iStockPhoto* also offers a free image of the week, such as the one above, and free vector images of the month. What, you ask, is a vector image? It’s a graphic image made up of shapes and lines—which doesn’t sound nearly as cool as it looks. Here’s the November free vector: 
   
   
   These guys are a little tricky to use—you have to have vector editing software such as Adobe Illustrator, Freehand, or CorelDRAW if you want to change the image at all. I went the low-tech route: downloaded the file (it’s a .zip file), unzipped it, and opened the “.jpg” thumbnail image instead of the actual vector using Picasa photo software. I’m sure there’s a better way, but this worked and took zero extra time!
4. stock.xchng is another stock photo site—on which most of the images (or all?) are free. (with certain restrictions. See the fine print here.) I haven’t used this site but might have to start doing so. Despite their somewhat alarming fine print, they’re affiliated with another well-known stock image company, Getty Images, which gives them the stamp of legitimacy.

* There are numerous stock photo websites; iStockPhoto is the one I’m most familiar with.

Kate Gale on blogging

One of the best aspects of the Writing Away Retreat is the opportunity it provides for writers to pick the brains of all those lovely keepers of the keys in the New York publishing industry. Or the LA publishing industry, as in the case of poet/editor/publisher/(unofficial) stand-up comedian Kate Gale.

Kate was one of the two folks I asked to critique my nonfiction children’s books projects…a conversation that quickly evolved into a discussion of the future of the children’s nonfiction book market. Since I’ve devoted years of my life to working on these two nf projects, you can imagine this is a subject near and dear to my heart.

See, here’s the deal: I started on the nf projects years before because nonfiction, theoretically, is easier to sell; I have a science background; and I actively enjoying researching and writing about my latest obsession in the nf world. The problem is this: now I’m a bit farther along in my writing career, and I’ve done quite a bit of market research, I’m realizing that the children’s nf book market is actually much smaller that I’d first believed. And most of the nf market is educational publishing, which is fun and all, but my two pet nf projects (the almost-finished, I’d-like-to-send-them-out-soon projects) definitely don’t fit most educational publishers’ lists. And I’m not sure they appeal to a wide enough audience to appeal to many trade publishers.

Wisdom from Kate: the future of children’s nf lies in online content associated with the book. Science teachers want the kind of stuff I’m writing—but I have a much stronger platform if I can offer online content to augment material in an actual book. For instance, can I include additional info on the books’ topics in my website? How about a choose-your-own adventure approach to expanding the material? An hour critique appointment transformed into an hour-and-a-half brainstorming session and ongoing conversations throughout the weekend on ways to add value to my book concepts.

What’s the blogging connection? Well, Kate authors a smart, funny blog that covers everything from her latest speaking engagement to her thoughts on news, education, and nude beaches. It also includes pieces that will appear in one of her own nf book projects. She sees the blog as a way to discipline herself to produce the material for her book as well as building a platform on the topic.

Hmm. One of my ongoing blogging concerns is what value I add to the blogging community. I mean, sure, I love blogging, I love reading about other writers’ ups and downs in their writing lives, and I love collecting my thoughts on how the heck we thrive in the crazy writing life some of us choose—but I also want to reach beyond my circle of writers to the folks who might, someday, become my readers. I want my writing to reach a wider audience. I’ve never had a good idea how to do that.

Thanks for the food for thought, Kate! And for my fantastic readers, I’ll add this: someday, somewhere, find a time and place where you can ask smart people in the publishing industry smart questions about writing, career, marketplace, and so on. Those conversations are valuable beyond measure.

Plus people who share this weird writing life have GOT to be the best, most interesting people in the world, so you’ll have a darned lot of fun, too :)

Cheryl

The Conversational Shoplifter reports on all things retreat….

In case you’re interested in a different perspective on the retreat thus far—or if you just want to laugh your socks off for a bit—check on new friend Deb C’s hysterical observations on characters, conversations, and the happy mix of writers, editors, agents, hot tub, and fine food and drink we have here at the 2009 Writing Away Retreat.

Plus she manages to overhear some of the funniest bits of dialog I’ve ever heard anywhere. And yes, I’m officially joining her team of conversation spies. What can I say? She’s irresistible!

:) Cheryl

Changing Blogs...

I'm wondering if I made a mistake, switching blog titles and moving to a new address. I love the new address--it reflects what I want to do here. The problem is that people have to re-find me, and I already have readers at my old location.

I'm tempted to "move" back to my original blog address, while keeping the same new theme and goals. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Cheryl

A New Direction

First off, thanks and an apology to all you faithful readers who have been visiting my blog only to find it rather sparse on content of late. Between a flurry of deadlines and end-of-school madness and a bout of illness (pneumonia! Who gets pneumonia in sunny, gorgeous May weather?), this blog has definitely been on a downward slide.

But that slide has prompted a bit of soul-searching, the kind that almost every blog writer undergoes sooner or later. What's the purpose of this blog? Who am I trying to reach? What am I trying to provide for them?

I started this blog July 2007, almost two years ago. When I did, I envisioned it as a place to post my thoughts on the writing process--and the process of being a writer. Fine goals, those, but I think there are plenty of other writers/bloggers out there doing the same thing.

Since then, I've delved more into the blogging community. I've discovered blogs that I love, like the Shrinking Violets, targeted toward introverted writers; Yat Yee's blog, with its focus on book reviews and fostering a community of writers; and, of course, the quintessential children's writers' blog, Cynsations. I find that the blogs I keep reading are those with a focus or perspective no one else offers.

I want to do that.

So...next week this blog will set out in a new direction. Don’t worry—I’m not planning massive changes—but I want to hone my focus. It’s time to shake things up a bit!

:-) Cheryl

Great tool for bloggers

I have to give a great big THANK YOU to fellow blogger Casey McCormick for turning me on to Windows Live Writer. This blog-writing application has made blogging a ton easier. It does everything Blogger does…but it’s a step or two more intuitive for someone like me, who doesn’t exactly live and breathe html. Plus, when I check the source code the program creates, it doesn’t seem to be adding a ton of clunky code that would slow down the blog.

In fact, Casey’s blog—Literary Rambles—is my discovery of the week. CWIM’s Alice Pope featured her as Blogger of the Week Friday, and I bet a she’s introduced a new favorite blog to a lot of other writers, too. Literary Rambles is a great source for agent profiles, inspiration, and grins.

Oh—and she has a really cool photo. Visit her blog and enjoy!

:) Cheryl

Writing and Blogging

Sometimes, I can't figure out how my blog and non-blog writing relate. That is, when my current WIP is going really well, I hate stopping to work on anything else--like blogging and laundry--because I don't want to interrupt the flow. When my current WIP isn't going well, I hate to stopping to work on anything else--like blogging and laundry--because I only pursue non-WIP writing after I've accomplished something in the world of my WIP.

Makes you wonder how I ever manage to blog, doesn't it?!

Most of my blog posts come to me somewhere in that place in between perfect flow and perfect block: you know, when you're getting something accomplished, but your brain is ready to be distracted--I mean, rest--by doing something else. I'll be researching dangers to llama herders in the Peruvian highlands...and have a sudden blog post inspiration. Or I'll finish one chapter but haven't quite geared up to tackle the next, and a blog post inspiration will hit.

Sigh. I wish I could schedule inspiration for blog posts to show up when they won't interrupt my other work and vice-versa.

Anyways, the reason posts have been rather scant is that I've been madly writing the first draft of my current WIP, the oh-so-creatively-titled Peru Book. I'm currently on p. 176 and very happy with where it's going...but even when you're on a writing roll, it takes time to write an entire novel, so my writing roll is interfering with my blog.

There. Now you know. The blog-o-sphere comes second to mad forward progress on my WIP. Don't worry, though--I'm sure I'll slow down soon. If for no other reason, I'll have to reach the book's end eventually!!

:) Cheryl

Advice on blogging

Alice Pope, editor of the Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market has started writing "Blogger of the Week" posts about up-and-coming children's writers. They're fun reads (and she writes a darned informative blog), but I thought this week's blogger-of-the-week was particularly wonderful. Alice interviewed Laurel Snyder who offers this cogent advice:

...a blog is published material. So we should all remember--it is one thing to be a crazed maniac online, and quite another to be a DUMB crazed maniac. If you want to say crazy things, try to sound smart and funny. Smart funny writers can get away with almost anything.

And please, for the love of Mike, do not tell us anything you don't want your boss (or your husband) to know.

:) What more can I say? Check out the whole interview here for your daily dose of wisdom and humor.

~Cheryl

Comment Challenge, Revisited

My earlier posts (here and here) about the Comment Challenge sparked a lot more discussion--and heat--than I anticipated. My apologies to the illustrious Mother Reader, who set the Comment Challenge ball rolling, so to speak. I think the challenge is a wonderful idea and a great way to encourage writers to connect with each other.

But I still think we each need to ask ourselves if participation is beneficial or a waste of time. Not that I think the answer is cut in stone: it will be different for each person. For me, it meant taking a hard look at how much time I was spending on the challenge--and why--and whether I was accomplishing that purpose. At the outset, I found myself spending a TON of time going through posts, trying to find something on which to comment, and yes, wondering if it was the best use of my time.

It wasn't. BUT--asking myself that question let me change my strategy. Has the Comment Challenge been a waste of time for me? No, but it could have been, if I'd participated without changing course midstream. Comments for comments sake aren't so useful (altho, as a goal-oriented person, I'm quite capable of collecting my 3/day for the sole sake of meeting that goal); but comments for the purpose of continuing a conversation or making a connection or saying thank you for someone's effort--those are useful.

Mother Reader addresses this question in her Nov. 19th post, where she answers the question "Is the Comment Challenge an insidious waste of time?" as follows:

Yes, as are blogging, blog-reading, and commenting in general — except where those things focus your writing, present fresh ideas, spur new thoughts, make helpful connections, form lasting friendships, and promote your work, blogging or otherwise.

Really, the best answer for each person is contained in two questions:

• How can I maintain balance?
• Why do I blog?

Lovely answer--because she pinpoints the fact that each of US needs to ask those questions of ourselves. The answers won't be the same for everyone. Some of us should be participating full steam; others, perhaps, will find they need less time on blogs and more time on other priorities.

Me? My life is totally out of balance, in all the best ways. But I guess that's another post!

:) Cheryl

PS--Yes, the photo is totally random :). What can I say? I think the emu is cute!

The 4-Hour Workweek

I know, I know: this 4-Hour Workweek book sounds like total hype. In fact, it's the kind of book I wouldn't even read if it weren't that half a dozen people I respect have recommended it to me. I started it, I confess, with the predisposition to dismiss it as so much sales-talk garbage.

But. It turns out that this book is hitting the crux of some things I've been considering lately. I've been asking myself some tough questions, questions like:

1. Is it the best use of my time to kidnap, hug, throw Jedis at people, etc., on Facebook?


2. When does blog reading move beyond a helpful tool for keeping up with the industry and connecting with other writers--and move into a time sink?


3. Why do I blog?


4. Whatever that reason is, am I accomplishing that purpose?


5. What about this Comment Challenge ? Is it a valuable way to build community or an insidious waste of time?

Sigh. I'm afraid that I'm offending bloggers, Facebook-ers, and writers everywhere, but when a writer has exceptionally limited time (isn't that most of us?) how much of our time should we spend on Internet connection?

Please--all thoughts and opinions are welcome.

~Cheryl

The Comment Challenge

Last week, bloggers Mother Reader and Lee Wind began a Comment Challenge for fellow bloggers. I jumped in this week--better late than never--and it's been a valuable experience. Not exactly what I expected, but valuable.

The purpose of the Comment Challenge is to encourage community among writers and bloggers. To network. I love that idea. The question is, is that what I'm accomplishing by posting more comments on more blogs? I'm still deciding. Here's what I've noticed so far:

1. I'm reading a lot more blogs. (Yay!)


2. I'm posting on my own blog less frequently! (Bummer)


3. By commenting on others' blogs, I'm drawing readers to try out this one. (Yay!)


4. This takes a lot of time. (Bummer)


5. I'm discovering some blogs that I love. (Yay!)


6. ...but my list of unread blogs in Google Reader is growing faster than I can read them. (Crimeny!)

Maybe the key, for me, will be a happy medium. Hmm. I'm sounding like my mother!

But then, she turned out to be a pretty smart lady after all.

:) Cheryl

Should you blog? --continued--

Yesterday, I told you to look at why you wanted to blog when thinking about whether you should blog. Well, here are a few "why's" to consider:

1. Establish a web presence: blogging is an easy, inexpensive way to showcase your writing and establish a professional-looking web presence.


2. Build a platform: for the nf writer, blogging is a great way to establish credibility in your subject. An online following gives a boost to any book proposal.


3. Sell something: if you're selling an e-book, coaching, editing, etc., blogging lets you showcase your work and tempt people into buying more.


4. Writing discipline: blogging calls you to come up with and develop ideas on a regular basis--a terrif writing discipline!


5. Create a record: some people blog to record a school experience, the publication journey, a backpacking trip through Europe... Some topics are more exciting than others. Consider your target audience and write for them.


6. Get a job: If you have great, tight writing on high-interest topics, who knows? You might land yourself a column or other writing gig.


7. Give back to the world: some writers (bless them) blog to share their insight with those of us who aren't quite as far along in our careers. If you have info to share just because you're a great person, that's an awesome reason to blog.


8. Connection: blogging is a great way to connect with other people--readers, writers, poodle owners. This can be an unexpected blogging bonus or it can be your primary blogging purpose.

:) Cheryl

Reasons to blog

It seems as if I've been hearing lots of blog-related discussions lately--in critique groups, in online groups, in writing workshops. The question I hear most often is: should I blog?

So Lily (inspirational poodle extraordinaire) and I are here to answer that question. Should you blog? Maybe--but you're asking the wrong question. The real question is: Why should you blog (instead of, say, rubbing the poodle's tummy?)

Writing a blog takes a fair bit of time and effort, so if you're going to make the commitment you need to understand your reasons. Besides, no one wants to read a blog that doesn't have a clear purpose (except maybe your mother.) The best blogs are those that know what they're about. Here are some examples:

• Anastasia Suen's Children Book Biz news blog (http://asuen.wordpress.com/) As its name suggests, this blog offers bite-sized bits of info about the children's book-writing business, from where to find great books to read to editors' whereabouts to agent profiles.


• Cynthia Morris's Original Impulse blog (http://vivelaslink.typepad.com/) provides creative insight and inspiration.


• Guide to Literary Agents Editor's blog (http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/default.aspx) gives regular updates on various literary agents.


• Caryn Swark's Weblog (http://carynswark.wordpress.com/) offers Caryn's humorous opinions on teaching, writing, art, religion, and more.

Okay--I've given you a random list of blogs-with-a-purpose. They're successful blogs because they offer something to readers: information, humor, industry news. What's that have to do with why you want to blog?

Well, take a deeper look. What do the authors of these blogs gain in return for their effort?

A. Suen gets name recognition in the children's writing field, which has to be a good thing for someone who teaches children's writing. Cynthia Morris's blog helps her establish her credibility as a creativity coach. If you read her blog, you see she knows what she's talking about. Hey, maybe you'll even buy one of her e-books. (And she's building a platform...but I'm avoiding that buzz word for today.)

The Guide's blog? Well, they sell those hefty Guide to Literary Agents books, so if you like what you find online, maybe you'll order the guide.

Caryn gets a regular writing discipline from her blog, a place to share her writing, a web presence, and--because someone read her blog who was looking for a writer--she got a writing gig as a bonus.

So...should you blog? Maybe. First, you should figure out why--and if blogging can help you achieve that aim, go for it!

Otherwise, take the poodle for a walk. She's feeling neglected!

:) Cheryl