Monday, April 27, 2009

What Kind of Environment Do You Like to Work In?

Today, I have two questions for you, and they apply to anyone who works. First one, what kind of environment do you prefer to work in?

Here are some sample answers from authors below to get you thinking.

I need noise and interruptions and irritation: irritation and discomfort are a great starter. The loneliness of doing it any other way would kill me.
by Anita Brookner

The actual process of writing. . .demands complete, noiseless privacy, without even music; a baby howling two blocks away will drive me nuts.
by William Styrom

Second question is do you want to have a view while you work?

Once again, there are some interesting answers.

I like a room with a view, preferably a long view. I dislike looking out on gardens. I prefer looking at the sea, or ships, or anything which has a vista to it.
by Norman Mailer

The ideal view for daily writing, hour on hour, is the blank brick wall of a cold-storage warehouse. Failing this, a stretch of sky will do, cloudless if possible.
by Edna Ferber

As a writer, I can’t work unless it’s absolutely quiet. My desk is in front of the window, and I always have the blinds open, so I can see outside. The daily changes in weather can forecast the scenes for my stories, especially, if they are set in that season.

Okay, I’ve told you what some authors need for their work environment, and I have told about mine. Now, I’m dying to hear your answers.

See you next week.

Sandy

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Be Careful What You Write On Your Websites

Most writers either have a website, or a spot where they post blogs. I’m here to warn you that anyone can look at your website and read your blog. One thing writers should never do is post the number of publishers that have rejected your story. Why you say?

The why is because these days’ editors, who receive proposals from you will go to your website to check out your work and read your blog before they look at what you submitted. If you sent X-Story to editor at Y-Publishing and she/he reads that the story has been to three or more publishers and been rejected by all of them, the editor is going to think there’s no way I want this work.

It would be far better to say that you have done extensive rewrites based on comments given to you by an editor whom you submitted your work to. Or, if you only received a form letter, then say you have finished comprehensive edits on the story based on comments from your critique group, a published author or etc.

If you have totally rewritten the story, then say that, but don’t post all your rejections. Unfortunately, there are aspiring authors out there who have been caught doing this not realizing that they are being rejected for this reason and not for their work. Think before you blog.

See you next week.

Sandy

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

New Website

Hi Everyone,

I'm so excited to finally get my new website up. It took weeks of work and help from many people. I owe huge thanks to Lee R. Morris, my hubby, the support group at GoDaddy, and Microsoft Support. Without all of these people my website could never have gone live.

Last year my blog at my old site was attacked by hackers and had to be closed down. During that time, I kept hoping I could save my old website and get my blog back up but I decided it would never happen. Once, I made that decision I decided to build my own website even though it took a tremendous amount of time from my writing.

Now, that's it done I can finish my wip (work in progress for you non-writers). I will be back to blogging every week starting next Monday.

Thanks for your comments on my website.

Sandy