Results after 25+ submissions on Submittable in one year

For 2021, I wanted to get more of my writing published, building up that writing platform. So, I made a goal to submit something on Submittable two times every month. I actually ended up starting this in February cause the idea came to me a bit late. But I still submitted twenty-six pieces in total … Continue reading Results after 25+ submissions on Submittable in one year

What credentials should you put in your query letter?

At the end of a query letter, it's important to write something about yourself. But...what do you write? Some people write about where they got their college degrees from. Or perhaps how long they've been working on this manuscript. But is that necessary? Let's find out! Degrees (BA OR MFA) Degrees are usually only necessary … Continue reading What credentials should you put in your query letter?

Turning out

“He’ll scour the land for you,” society told me.They always whispered delicate words.“He’ll turn over every single stoneUntil he finds you, his one and only.” But boys didn’t even turn my way.They kept their eyes pinned onto the girlsWho change everything they canTo make themselves stars in the skies. Do I need my own spinning … Continue reading Turning out

How a doctor’s appointment helped me think about marketing

My phone buzzed. Reminder: your doctor’s appointment is scheduled for tomorrow, March 27th, at 2:00 p.m. I nodded along, half paying attention. I already had two different reminders from my wall calendars. I opened up another tab on Google Chrome when my laptop dinged. Doctor’s appointment is tomorrow. Thanks. My laptop ran slow though since … Continue reading How a doctor’s appointment helped me think about marketing

Writing every day

Writing every day used to be an ideal, a goal. I thought I must be getting somewhere if I improved my skill every day. I had to be. How else was I going to get better? I'd write even if it wasn't good writing. To practice was to improve. It didn't matter what was on … Continue reading Writing every day

Your rejection

The first time I realized something is wrong with me— No. Hold up. Is it wrong of me to say that? When you break me into pieces over something I created, can I— No. I’ll start over. Reset. Words on pages have always been my passion. No matter if I write it or not, it’s … Continue reading Your rejection

Writing nothing

Do you ever feel like you want to write but can’t? You stare at the screen for ten minutes before you decide, “Well, this isn’t going anywhere.” You look up what other people wrote online, but your mind says something like: “I can’t copy what she wrote. But would people notice if we wrote about … Continue reading Writing nothing

A writer’s journey (part five) – small publications

Eventually the editing has to stop, right? All the hours to days to months to years of editing that one certain story cannot keep going on. It's difficult to stop. It's more difficult to get your stories out there and known however. Many literary agents love to accept writers that already have a name for … Continue reading A writer’s journey (part five) – small publications

Oh. You want the truth?

Oh. You want the truth? It’s a bit messy. It’s the joke your friends make that you laugh off. It’s the smiles and tears that come when someone finally sees the end. It’s the hours upon hours of sitting in one place, hoping the mixture of words turn out better, while knowing you’ll be sitting … Continue reading Oh. You want the truth?

#1 writing mistake

Over the years, I've read hundreds of novels and short stories. One mistake sticks out the most: showing the story instead of telling it. Telling is when a writer states their story rather than shows it through the details. An example would be: There was mist over the lake. Showing your story is when actions describe what's … Continue reading #1 writing mistake