Writing Forums

I recommend you take a look at this post by Sally Quiller. I must admit that I have not really joined writer forums, rather business forums as I prefer to frequent places where potential clients may hang out.

I know that some writers can be very bitchy and jealous of others' success. It can also seem easy to put other writers down because they are more successful, but what has made them more successful?

Could it be that they actually sat down and wrote that novel? Rewrote it several times? They've done the round of submitting it to agents and collected rejections that sit framed on the wall or lined a litter bin? They have worked hard to be published. Have you?

They have sent queries to magazines, contacted editors, written and rewritten articles. In short, they have got up off their backsides and done something about becoming a writer. They have written.

I look forward to the day when I can be so productive. Go Sally, and many others like you. Being published is not just the means to an end but can be a beginning to a beginning.

If you want to be published too, then never stop writing, never stop learning, always be generous to others and publication may one day come your way too.

Photo Credit: Pen and Paper by Mike (Inbet 1979)

Writing When Distracted

Today is the first day of school half term. There are two young people to be entertained as well as the usual house tidying, meal cooking and washing, washing, washing! The only bright side is the lack of a school run which usually severely cuts into my writing time.

There's no real answer to this - every family is different. I'm between jobs right now, but that doesn't mean I have plenty to do. I set up a strict blogging schedule on my own sites at the beginning of the new year and it's beginning to pay dividends in terms of increased traffic. I also write for Suite101 and Hubpages and would like to increase my articles at both places.

My answer is to leave the computer set up and write in short bursts. If I have a chance at night, then I might plan out the articles I want to do, leaving the actual writing until morning. Otherwise thinking time takes away from writing time.

One thing I do want to do is enjoy the children. We will still get outside every day (even when it's cold and wet) and do some interesting activities. I got into this writing life so that I could take time off and things will slow this week for this very reason. On the other hand, it's what keeps life interesting!

How do you organise your writing life?

Five Top Blogs to Help You with Your Writing Career

Here are my top five blogs that helped me when I was starting out on my writing career.

1. Anne Wayman About Freelance Writing

This is a superb blog which publishes jobs every day and offers some great articles on starting freelance writing to boot!

2. Copyblogger

The information on this website is truly staggering. To learn how to write great copy, then follow this blog and get involved in the great discussions following the posts.

3. Lis Sowerbutts Passive Income Online

Lis lives in Australia and tells it like it is! She has some great tips for making passive income and for using Hubpages as a way to make money.

4. Felicia Williams No Job for Mom

A feel-good blog about making passive income by writing online. Felicia leads by example and always has some interesting posts about the writing life.

5. Carol Tice Make a Living Writing

Carol is up and coming and very informative about how to approach editors and find writing jobs. She offers interesting discussions and has done a couple of webinars with Anne Wayman.

One more that I couldn't resist:

6. Ken Crawford - The Freelancer Today

Again fairly recent on my radar, but Ken's website offers all the information you need to know about setting up a website and making money from it. He also offers perspectives on writing for upfront income.

These are bloggers who are bookmarked and I go back regularly to read their new content.

Who are your favourite bloggers? Have you found any other really informative posts? Let me know.

Photo Credit: Photo on Flickr by 2careless