How to Develop Character-Tips to Success

A GUEST POST BY: IMOGEN REED

A skilled writer can paint a vivid picture of their character with few words, yet other writers can produce pages about a character’s history without leaving the reader with any real sense of what that character is like.

When writers create characters, they often create detailed backstories for them too. Some even go as far as writing down their character’s history, including details as varied as where they were born to what their favourite food is. The ‘character interview’ is also another tool used – asking your character questions to see how they would respond can give a writer a much deeper understanding of them.

This is all acceptable, and can make the difference between your character being a three-dimensional being or a cardboard cut-out. However, while it may be tempting to include all of this information when you actually sit down to write your story, it’s often not wise.
Information dumping should not be mistaken for good character building.

Rookie Mistakes

It’s a common problem with fledgling authors: They want to create realistic, flesh and bone characters and so they tell us everything about them – where they went to school and what they studied, where and how the character's parents met, all about their previous marriages or their kids or their pets or the colour of their shoes… You get the idea.

It’s not bad to include these details in your story; in fact they can be crucial, depending on your plot.
Yet an experienced fiction writer will know how to thread information throughout a story. Telling the reader everything about your character's backstory all at once in the opening chapter is more likely to put them off, rather than intrigue or excite them.

As award-winning scriptwriter, Robert Kernen explains:
"Exposition can be one of the most effective ways of creating and increasing the drama in your story. It can also be the quickest way to kill a plot's momentum and get your story bogged down in detail. Too much exposition, or too much at one time, can seriously derail a story and be frustrating to the reader or viewer eager for a story to either get moving or move on."

Boredom is the worst reaction your reader could have. It’s crucial that you present your characters in a way which is interesting, vivid and succinct.

What Does Your Reader Need To Know?

Knowing that a character was born in London, England doesn’t really tell you anything about that person. It certainly doesn’t tell you as much about who they are as, say for instance, knowing that they never eat meat.

Learning that a character’s parents met at Harvard doesn’t reveal as much as knowing the character witnessed a car crash when they were five years old.
Take a look at the two examples below – which do you feel gives a stronger impression of the character, Carrie?

1)      “Carrie’s aunt had become her guardian after her parents had died. She was too young to really remember much from that time, but she does recall how Aunt Linda’s country house had seemed strange and cluttered after the neat-and-tidiness of her parents’ city dwellings. The hand-me-downs, the thrift store furniture, the crocheted throws and hand-crafted pottery, all contrasted sharply with the luxury and opulence of the lives of Carrie’s late parents. She banks with a small local savings bank that offers the best savings accounts in her area. Despite the differences she’d had with her sister, Aunt Linda had relished taking on her niece as a new daughter. She even took Carrie with her to her part-time job at the local beauty parlour.”

2)      “The women gathered around the water cooler stopped chatting as Carrie approached. One by one, they drifted back to their desks, and she watched them with disdain. Had any of them been brave enough to return her stare she would have seen an equal amount of scorn reflected back. The office was too full of women for someone to sleep with the boss and it not be known throughout every cubicle.”

While the first might be interesting, it doesn’t tell the reader much about who Carrie is. The second says much more about her character.

To create interesting characters you need to have a sense of what the reader needs to know, and what they don’t. Which details will leave the biggest impression? And which details create unnecessary blocks of text for the reader to wade through? As with most things relating to judging quality (especially if you're intrinsically involved as the creator), it's all about taking a step back and assessing it in an almost clinical way; almost down to every single clause and word, the key question should by 'what is this here for?' and if the answer isn't immediately apparent or you have a hard time explaining it away, it can nearly always be safely removed. As a result, you'll be left with a tighter, more refined piece of prose...

... and isn't that what we're all looking to achieve?


BIO:
IMOGEN REED is a full-time professional writer and researcher.

Thoughts?

Image: Stock Photo

5 Things Writers Can Learn From Gardening

It’s spring.
A time when the divinity in nature is beautifully displayed.
I love how this season is embraced by every fiber of our being and through all the senses.
How the warmth of the sun caresses the skin, while the melodic chirping of the birds cheerfully signal their arrival.
The vivid colors of the trees, grass, fruits and flowers provide a feast for the eyes.
Peering out my window, I witness many of my neighbors starting their yard work.
They really go all out! :-)

As I reflect, I am reminded of just how many parallels there are between the gardening activities this season ushers in and a career in writing.

See if you would agree.

1. Sometimes you have to get “down and dirty”.
Many times writing is mistakenly glamorized. But those of us that are in the trenches know, you have to get “down and dirty”. Whether it’s being buried in mounds of research for a feature piece, digging for a missing check, or pounding the pavement to track down a source, it ain’t always pretty or easy.

2. Writing, like gardening, requires patience.
You plant seeds then you wait. And you hope. Sometimes it’s four weeks, six, or even months before your efforts will bear any fruit. Such is the case with writing. You send a query or complete manuscript, then wait with crossed fingers for editors and publishers to connect, bestow a byline and pay. It’s one of my least favorite things about this line of work. But, I’m working on developing more patience with the review and acceptance process.

3. You reap what you sow.
For each endeavor, there is a direct correlation between what is put forth and successful yield. The more you give of yourself, the more you’re likely to get back. Whether it’s in pay for your pieces, or karma paid back through good deeds to others.

4. You have to take the thorns with the roses.
Writing, for me, is extremely gratifying. And I feel honored to have it as my life’s work. Still there is “stuff” that makes me wanna’ scream from time to time: computer glitches, unfair wages, politics, and sore eyes. But in more than a decade of doing this, I can still say that the pros outweigh the cons. And I’m grateful.

5. Nurturing is needed for optimal results.
Seeds need watering. Plants need pruning. Gardening doesn’t operate on an “auto-pilot” principle. Neither does writing. Rewrites. Cultivating relationships with editors. Updating blog posts. Backing up files. Record keeping. Reading the works of others to learn more.
Going the distance truly means tending to the little things, as well as the major ones.
It means constantly growing, weeding and renewing.


Would you agree? What else would you add here? Do you garden?

Image: Andrea Brill

The "Roar" Series Continues With Author & Poet Yasmin Morais

Half the Sky

They say we hold up half the sky,
yet every day
daughters sigh
mothers cry.

Misogynistic rants
tear us down.
Boundaries are set:
“You can’t do that yet!”

Hold your head up,
square those shoulders.
Let your smile shine through.
Be your own you.
Don’t apologize,
just strategize.

This is your day;
this is your time.
Princess, you can cross that finish line!

Bio:

Yasmin Morais is a librarian and poet. She is the author of From Cane Field to the Sea, and Mommy and Daddy are Soldiers, and blogs at Poets of the Caribbean (http://poetsofthecaribbean.blogspot.com)

Trade Secrets Revealed! Insider's Tips to Why You Should Write for Trade Publications

It only stands to reason that most of us writers pen pieces for the glossy publications we view with starry eyes at the local supermarkets.
The covers captivate us with celebrities we worship, while the titles draw us in with promises of quick fixes for common problems that plague us.

Additionally, these reads are widely circulated. You’ll likely find general consumer publications everywhere---from doctor’s offices, to coffee shops, to bookstores and local libraries.

But concentrating solely on submissions to these types of magazines can stunt your career growth and your earning potential. If you want to elevate your career and work smarter, not harder, here are a few things you should know.

A Trade Journal is simply a publication devoted to a particular industry or occupation. They range from magazines devoted to the wine and food industry, to teaching, to insurance, to writing, to agriculture.

And though these publications have been around for ages, here’s why they merit new consideration for today’s savvy writer.

5 Reasons you should write for trade publications:

1. Today’s writing climate is extremely competitive.
Blame it on a high unemployment rate, the ease of entry the Internet provides for those seeking to make money, and the “hype” that makes people believe that anybody can be a writer. But, truth is, writing has become as competitive as professional sports! Comparatively speaking, trade publications are less competitive, because fewer writers are aware of these journals, and for those that are, there’s the misconception that you have to be an expert in order to write for them. Less competition often leads to greater odds of acceptance for your work.

2. Trade publications afford writers greater flexibility and more options.
Many of these publications allow simultaneous submissions, accept previously published materials, and take complete manuscripts as well as queries. This saves today’s busy writer time and mental wear and tear. For example, Writers Journal
(http://www.writers journal.com/) doesn’t require queries to break in. While Yoga For Everybody (http://yoga4everybody.com/) accepts simultaneous submissions.

3. Often trade publications have a higher rate of pay than consumer publications and other writing opportunities.
Tired of penning blog posts for ten bucks? Or laboring over research-laden articles that yield the equivalent of minimum wage?
Writers can expect to earn anywhere from $50.00-$1200.00 for their efforts.

4. Trades frequently pay quicker.
While recently scouring over writing markets, I discovered that there were a great number of these magazines that offered “payment upon acceptance”, as opposed to “payment on or after publication.” Which is another added perk to consider. The Old Farmer’s Almanac and Family Fun Magazines are some noteworthy examples.

5. Trade publications have a higher percentage rate of “freelance written” materials accepted.
In consumer magazines, conversely, a lot of the departments and columns are written and reserved for in-house staff. Breaking in can be harder-- requiring clips, a resume, and writing that rivals a Pulitzer winner. Tip the odds in your favor by favoring trades.

Keep in mind that in today’s writing game, being "competent" isn’t good enough.
Take the me out of (me)diocre. The more strategic and resourceful you are, the greater your competitive edge and your bottom line!

Thoughts?

Image: Stock Photo

Weekend Announcements!

Would you like to learn more to earn more? Interested in getting paid for your blogging passion? Are you struggling with time management in an effort to balance your writing career?

The answers to all these dilemmas and more can be answered through online instruction provided by the Coffeehouseforwriters.com.

Receive insider's tips that will take your writing career to a whole new level in 2012.

Popular classes include:
Blogging for Profit or Pleasure
Bootcamp for Writers
How to Quit Your Day Job
Writing Historical Fiction
How to Create Ebooks

And more!
The new, fun and informative spring session begins March 26th, Monday. Early registration starts today!
Paypal, credit cards, and checks are accepted.
Register now at www.Coffeehouseforwriters.com

My writing pal, Linda Oconnell, over at Write from the Heart has a few goodies in the way of "Calls for Submissions" including an anthology project she is co-partnering
on with the theme of mothers.

Pay her a visit and get the whole 4-1-1 at Write From the Heart.

April is National Poetry Month.
Pen and Prosper will be featuring poetry from an array of poets, from around the globe. Like to be one of them?
Send your submissions to Gemsjen@yahoo.com.

Have a great week ahead! Thanks for reading.

Please feel free to share any writing-related news or success stories in the comments section.

10 Ways to Reconnect With Your Writing Core-The "Roar" Series Presents Noelle Sterne

Depressed about your writing? Buried under an avalanche of rejections? Ready to unsubscribe from your own email and pursue a career in dry wall?
What you need is to reconnect with your writing core.
If you feel you don't have one, you do. If you feel you haven't written enough to deserve one, you qualify anyway.

Your writing core doesn't care how much or what you write—poetry, publicity releases, or plumbing manuals. It doesn't test, screen, require a resume, or demand membership dues. It never asks hard questions like how much you've published, what awards you've won, or what you've earned this year from writing.

How do you get to your writing core? You don't need to meditate bare-chested in frigid temperatures. Or trek through some brow-scorching wilderness on your knees. Or walk without socks on a bed of nails even an enlightened master would reject.
It's much simpler. Wherever you are—right now—you can find your writing core. Even though you may not yet be certain what it is, like every other writer, you have experienced it.

But this doesn't mean your writing core is accessible at the snap of a pencil. It's more than our fantasies of book tours and talk shows, more than our January sworn oath to write 20 pages a day, and more than the uncontrollable grin when we manage to get something published. Our writing core hides beneath all our reasons, promised self-discipline, and dreams of reward.

Our writing core is different for each of us, and we may not easily be able to label it. But when you reach it, you'll recognize it like a longlost childhood doll.
Our writing core is what makes us write.

Sometimes we don't need to invoke it consciously. It bubbles up joyfully, sending us bounding to our computer, typewriter, clipboard, yellow pad, spiral notebook, or the nearest used napkin. Other times, our core knocks, nudges, pulls, or shames us into punching off the TV, despite the hot new cable movie, and go tussle with our manuscript.

But at more desperate hours, our core seems to dive deep underwater, allowing only tantalizing glimpses, like lightning fish darting through coral. Our core submerges when yet another rejection arrives of that most cherished, labored-over piece. Or we've inexplicably lost all interest in the work that so fired us up last week. Or we get a great idea but haven't a clue where to begin.

At such times, to get going again, we must tap more consciously into our writing core. How?
          
Most of the time, our connection is haphazard, the result of combined lamentation, supplication to the god of abandoned writers, and decimation of a two-pound bag of corn chips. But this approach can take days, weeks, or months, and gain you 30 pounds.

There's a better, more conscious way to reconnect with your writing core. It's much less damaging and much more quickly reviving than all that weeping and munching.

1. Stop trying to write. Stop telling yourself you have to. If you miss a few days, you won't be destroyed or condemned to eternal block.

2. Go to a quiet spot, with no disturbances of kids, neighbors, phone, stereo, or reality shows. Take a few deep breaths. Relax.

3. Let your mind go back to a time you really enjoyed writing. Maybe it was two years ago, last month, or yesterday. What were you working on? What materials were you using?

4. Reconstruct that experience. Where were you? What was the physical setting like? How were you dressed? See yourself writing in that environment. Replay it.

5. How did you feel? Don't try to force the memories or bully them into being. They haven't been lost. If you're quiet and patient, they'll emerge.

6. Live those feelings. Re-experience them. Feel your ideas flowing, fingers again moving, singing on the page.

7. As you allow these thoughts, pictures, and feelings to surface, you'll start sensing something. It will stir in you, as excitement, maybe, a physical sensation, a desire, a word, phrase, or image.

8. Whatever arises, give it time. You'll know it . . . .
You've reached your writing core.

9. Bask in your core. Let it move you, as naturally as a cat stretching in the sun.

10. And then, gently, without hurry, listen as it tells you what to write. No judgments. If it's a current project, fine. If it's a journal entry, fine. If it's a long-delayed letter, also fine.

You’ve reawakened your writing core. And whatever your lapses, it cannot be lost. It's always within you, ready to support, sustain, and guide.

So, when you feel frustrated, bored, hopeless, or any of the other buzzing self-disparagements that swarm in our heads, don't despair. Wherever you are, just stop, sit quietly, breathe, and let yourself remember. And as surely as you blink in the first morning light, you’ll reconnect with your writing core.


Bio:
Author, editor, writing coach, and spiritual counselor, Noelle Sterne writes fiction and nonfiction, with specialties in writing craft, spiritual self-help, and personal essays. She has published over 250 pieces in print and online venues, with many guest posts. Noelle’s Ph.D. is from Columbia University, and for over 28 years she has helped doctoral candidates (finally) complete their dissertations. In her book, Trust Your Life: Forgive Yourself and Go After Your Dreams (Unity Books), Noelle draws examples from her practice and many other aspects of life to help readers let go of regrets, relabel their past, and reach their lifelong yearnings. Visit Noelle at www.trustyourlifenow.com.

Arresting Developments! 6 Savvy Lessons Writers Can Learn From Courtroom TV Shows

Okay, so I admit that I’m a sucker for men in uniforms; courtroom bailiffs are no different. But bulging biceps are not the only reason that courtroom TV shows are among my guilty pleasures.
Over the years, glued to the “boob tube,” I’ve picked up some pretty useful tips on homeowner liability, statute of limitations, tenets of the Fair Debt Practices Collection Act, labor law and a host of other useful tidbits.

But, perhaps equally important, are all the lessons they impart to today’s writers and bloggers seeking success. From Judge Judy, to Divorce Court, to People’s Court, to Judge Mathis, to America’s Court with the sexy “Boss Ross,” there are numerous practices and principles to be applied to help you to operate ethically, strategically, profitably, and wisely.

Here are the most important six:

1. Credibility is important.
Are you who you say you are online? Is your image consistent? Do you have the “expertise” and experience to offer others advice, or are you just “fakin’ it ‘til you make it?"
With the Internet and the availability of various search engines, it’s extremely easy for folks to research your words, your vocational background, your social media profiles, and a host of other avenues to determine if you’re legit. With this in mind, don’t embellish to impress. Keep your word. And refrain from saying unkind and untrue things that will serve to tarnish your image in the future.

2. Humor helps.
Even serious matters can be handled with humor and a little comic relief. Judge Greg Mathis is a great example. Not only is he easy on the eyes; he’s sometimes easy on offenders when they appear before him in his courtroom. A former “criminal” himself, he often uses empathy and offers funny anecdotes and amusing punch lines to lighten the mood and get others to be more receptive to his advice. You can too.

3. Get things in writing.
I can’t count the number of times when someone has been victimized by a slum landlord, a Don Juan who reneged on paying back a loan, an employee who was terminated unfairly, or someone, who in ignorance loss the proverbial “shirt on his back” and his court case, for lack of proper documentation of his arrangement with others. Don’t be one of them.
As a freelancer, make sure that you work with a written contract that outlines deadline dates, payment terms, scope of duties, and cancellation policies so that you won’t have to appear before a “real” court judge.

4. Pictures help to enhance your position or illustrate a point.
Often, when the judge is trying to determine liability, (particularly in tenant disputes) before and after photos can seal the deal. For writers and bloggers, images help to draw readers in, serve as a visual aid, and make points clearer. Depending upon how they’re used. Make sure to give proper attribution for works that are not your own.

5. Pro Bono work has value.
As a veteran freelancer for many years, I am an advocate for writers earning fair pay for their say. Over the years, I have earned thousands of dollars, authoring hundreds of articles. But, when the cause is important, and the need arises, I still write for free. Some writers feel that this devalues our profession, but I strongly believe that this should be evaluated on a case by case basis. And if lawyers can do it from time to time, why can’t we?

6. Freedom of speech isn’t totally free.
Social media, email and the Internet have been used for bloggers and the general public to “share thoughts”, slam clients, vent about bad bosses, gossip, and air their dirty laundry to a global audience. But, don’t think that your First Amendment rights are absolute; there can be dire consequences in the way of defamation of character, improper disclosure, and the violation of employee confidentiality agreements. Tread carefully.

There you have it, folks. Would you agree or disagree? Any of these resonate with you? Who's your favorite TV judge?

Image: Stock Photo

Pen & Prosper Presents Publisher Vicki Ward of Nubian Images Publishing

1. Can you tell us a little about who you are and your background?

I can remember enjoying writing all my life. I wrote essays, and chronicled events. In my 40s I took creative writing courses, joined writing groups, and attended writers' workshops. I interned as a writer for a regional entertainment magazine and wrote monthly articles for two years. My duties included writing stage play reviews, writing music reviews and interviewing artists Jonathon Butler, Earth Wind & Fire, Gill Scott Herron, Ruth Brown, Freddie Jackson and others. My career background is working in the criminal justice system for 34 years retiring from the position of Juvenile Court Administrator. In the last years of my employment I launched my publishing company and producing my first book which won three awards. The focus of my writing is on women of color, mature women, and the empowerment, esteem building, and education of women and girls.

2. What was the inspiration behind starting your anthology series for women?
The inspiration for the anthology series "Life’s Spices From Seasoned Sistahs" came from my observations of the lives of women in my family, my sistah friends and their families. As women we evolve; we have jobs, take on partners, and give birth to and raise children. Added to this mix are parents, siblings, other relatives, and all the drama life can conjure up with this great mix. I had heard the stories of the past where big mama would hold court in the kitchen with her sistahs aunts and other women friends. In these kitchens some were busy cooking pots of greens, shucking beans, and frying chicken. Others were braiding hair, or placing that well worn straightening comb on the stove and easing the natural curl out of a sistah friend’s hair. In the sanctuary of these settings no men were allowed, and no subject was off limits. Women suggested remedies for health, issues with their children and the subjects of their husbands and men in general. These were bonding sessions where women could get no-nonsense advice about many of the important issues in their lives. No matter what the culture, these sessions have taken place all over the world. It struck me that with today’s busy lives women do not have the opportunity to share their pressing issues, to gain insight from other women, and to bond recognizing they are not experiencing many of life’s travails alone. That’s when I knew that Life’s Spices From Seasoned Sistahs could be that bonding opportunity. Women tell of their issues, offer advice and suggestions; readers see how other women handle life’s obstacles.

3. How would you define success?
I have a framed card I received upon a promotion to a very prominent position within the Superior Court over 18 years ago. It says simply: Success is doing more than you need to, before you’re asked to, not because you have to…but because you want to.
The simplicity of this truth is why I have it hanging prominently on my office wall. It becomes a motivator, a litmus test, a self check for what I do. It leads me to consider what really constitutes success for me. Success and accomplishment are now intertwined for me. Being presented with three awards for my first book, Life’s Spices From Seasoned Sistahs was euphoric! It provided a great feeling of accomplishment and success at meeting my goals. Getting offers to lead workshops and speak to women’s groups, professional organizations, church groups, and senior centers also makes me think of accomplishments and success. Having this book used in colleges and universities was another measure of success, but one college took it over the top as it has been used for the past 6 semesters. To sum it up, It’s not so much about success, but that I am reaching my audience, that I am accomplishing my mission to write books with a subject matter that is timely, needed, useful and relevant to the lives of the people for whom it is targeted.

4. What has been your most rewarding accomplishment thus far?
I have long prayed to know just what it is I am supposed to do in this life. Yes, I married and have a wonderful son who has given me 5 beautiful grandsons. I enjoyed my career and over the years, I was successfully promoted from an entry-level clerk to a Court Administrator, yet I wanted to do something more. I have a different feeling about my writing and publishing career, because through the work I do I can encourage women, lift them up, cause them to question their lives, and yes make them laugh. When I present workshops, or give speeches about women’s issues, about empowerment, about writing…they get it and that is so rewarding to me.

5. What would it surprise others to know about you?
They may be surprised to know that I have found that turning 40 unleashed other creative endeavors too. I craft African dolls and create African mirrors and picture frames from recycled materials and creative boxes from African tapestries. I have developed a separate company to create and distribute these, but my writing leaves little time for this endeavor.

6. Who has been the biggest influence in your career?
My mother has been a huge influence in my career because I watched her as a battered wife separate from my father and carve out a new life for herself and her four children. She was uneducated without a high school diploma, yet she went to work finding a job, then a better job, getting her high school equivalency diploma, and never lost sight of the goal of self-sufficiency for herself and her children. She also had a creative side I saw at work all my life, and yet I believed for so long that the creative gene had skipped me, only to find it waiting for me to discover it was there all along and I just needed to walk into it.

7. What types of stories have the greatest chance of success for inclusion in your series?
The stories that have the greatest chance of success for inclusion are those that show how a woman has faced an issue in her life-- be it a death, or involving her mate, her children, or family. Those are surefire sources of stories that bring out strong emotions. The best stories show her emotions and explore her options. We are privy to the emotional roller coaster she may be travelling on. Through her frank and open disclosure the reader gains insight into the problems she may be reading about while allowing her to compare an event possibly similar to something she may be facing, or has faced. These stories are challenging, engaging, and thoughtful. Many are humorous, and all encircle women who read them and confirm they all share similarities in life.

8. Who are some of your favorite authors?
I’ve been reading more independent and new artists recently, but an old favorite author of mine is Diane McKinney-Whetstone. She is a great storyteller. In her books she creates a broad picture of the neighborhoods, houses, inhabitants, protagonists, and neighborhood characters. ReShonda Tate Billingsley is another author whose work I have enjoyed in the past.

9. What‘s the biggest myth you think others have about writing or publishing?
I believe a common myth about writing is that anyone can do it. You hear so often, “I want to write a book, it can’t be that hard”, or “I need to write a book about my life cause I know I got a good story to tell”, or “anyone can write a book.” Many people have a story, but most aren’t skilled enough as writers to know how to write a compelling body of work that captures the subject matter and keeps the reader interested. There is not just a story to be told, but there is a lot of developmental skills involved with presenting a body of work that meets all the target points for good literature. Most do not know how important it is to tell a story that draws the reader in, enticing them to continue wondering, to keep on reading. In this age of witnessing so many people utilizing vanity presses to get their books published, it’s easy to see they know nothing about the most important aspect of marketing their book, to a niche audience over and over again.

10. How do you think women benefit from telling their stories?
The women who tell their stories receive valuable validation for their experience. In this life, many things occur that are expected, unexpected, welcomed, shunned, and feared. That’s just life. As we grow and mature we react differently to life’s hills and valleys, and begin to use the storehouse of past events to help motivate through new challenges. It provides a look back, confirmation for the journey taken, and an awakening of some things forgotten, recalling how strengths were gained.


And, last but not least…

Can you share a little about your upcoming book and future projects?

EMBRACING CHANGE,the most dynamic decade of your life will be
Published in 2012. The focus of this book is the decade of 60 to 70. As the subtitle implies, this is the decade that most people will go from working to retirement, from having a daily schedule to now having the vexing question of what to do with their time. During this decade folks will down size their standard of living, maybe their houses, they will become eligible for Medicare, and will find slightly slower aging bodies and may become infirm. We have included health and fitness information, finance and retirement planning. Individuals experiencing this phase of live offer their comments to the questions, What does embracing change mean to you, and how do you embrace change?

More of Life’s Spices, the sistahs still keepin’ it real will be published in 2012. For all the reasons that the first volume of women’s stories has been successful and continues to sell, women are still vulnerable to life conditions and will always need to find camaraderie in the sistahood. We continue to believe that as experiences are shared, women and men who read and bond with these very real experiences learn a little more about the lives of women, and the women in their lives.

Uncovering Hidden Treasures-Where to find Ideas for your writing!

I don’t get writer’s block. I can’t afford to.
As an online columnist, feature writer for a monthly lifestyle magazine (for 15 years), and veteran freelance writer, my professional reputation and my livelihood require that I produce regularly! On average, I crank out about 7-12 articles a month, and successfully place about 90% of them, in addition to other creative projects.
Not bad, wouldn’t you say?

The challenge, over the years, however, has been infusing my work with fresh, innovative, marketable ideas, over and over again. I’ve written 100s of articles on relationships, dozens on the craft of writing, and God knows how many on other topics from time management, to money management, to health tips.
But, let’s face it, so have other writers!

So from where do all these ideas emerge? And how do I bring them to life in a way that allows me to be consistent, clever and compete with other scribes?
Read on and discover the clues to uncovering everyday ideas from some often overlooked sources!

Over the last decade, here are 7 ways I have successfully sleuthed my way to lucrative leads, landed monthly paychecks, and lasted in this business. And you can too!

HIDDEN TREASURES

THRIFT STORES--- It’s often said that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. But for me, the thrift store provides much more than unique antiques! It’s a treasure house of new ideas and themes for my writing. For example, one day while browsing their video section, I came across a library of exercise videos priced at about a buck a piece. I purchased six of them which included Richard Simmons’ SWEATING TO THE OLDIES, Regis Philbin ON FITNESS, the ever-popular TAE BO, and a few others. Am I a fitness nut? Not hardly. I took them home, briefly viewed them, and wrote a review on the best fitness videos for busy singles!
I sold the review, made 50 bucks, and every now and then, dust them off and dance my blues away! The same concept works for their bargain books. Additionally, their magazine section often provides a peek at publications that are not found at my local bookstore. This gives me a wealth of ideas and untapped markets!

CHURCH SERMONS---“In the beginning there was the word.” Preachers are powerful orators! And if they’re really good, it’s hard not to be inspired by their eloquent speeches on how to live better and deal with our own demons. The next time you’re attending a weekly service, pay attention to what’s being said, and what’s not. Jot down a few scriptures and quotes
(discretely on a church program, or in between your bible), and deliver your own message of deliverance to the masses!

YOUR “9 TO 5”--- Most writers have regular gigs. Often these settings provide as much drama as your daily soap opera! Whether it’s the boss from hell, the co-worker who’s sleeping her way to the top, or water cooler conversations, take note! Just be sure to change the names to protect the guilty.

RELATIONSHIP REVELATIONS—--Love is big business. And unlike other subject matters, you don’t need any special “credentials” to write on matters of the heart. Articles on how to improve your relationships, survival strategies for being dumped, and how to please your mate, are staples in consumer magazines across the country. An added bonus is that you don’t have to have previous clips to break into many of these markets.

ADVICE FROM YOUR MOM---I don’t know about your mom, but if she’s like mine, she’s got plenty to say! Why not capture her “words of wisdom” in a memoir, funny story, intriguing essay, or character in a creative work?

RADIO TALK SHOWS---Tune in while you’re driving or doing some other multi-tasking. They typically cover everything from celebrity news, to sports, to politics. Do you agree or disagree? Weigh in!

DIARY /JOURNAL REFLECTIONS—--Oprah Winfrey calls them “AHA MOMENTS”. What have yours taught you? What has your emotional and spiritual growth uncovered over the last few months or years? I’ve had a few of my diary scribblings evolve into essays that were later published in popular anthologies. Don’t dismiss your thoughts and feelings as silly or trivial. You just never know!

Whether you’re new to writing or a seasoned vet, these buried treasures should bring you a pot of gold in your quest for success! Happy hunting!

Thoughts? Ever tried any of these methods?

The "Roar Series" Presents Phenomenal Women Writers

Finding a Good Fit: In Shoes and Men
By Stephanie J. Gates

In my early 20s I had a pump fetish.
I had red ones, purple ones, and of course no wardrobe is complete without the requisite black pump. Paired with a spandex sable dress and silky midnight sheer panty hose; I was ready for a night out. Standing in front of the mirror I would look at myself—first getting a full frontal view of the total package, then turning to the side to get a good look at my profile. I especially liked the way pumps complimented the calf muscles I worked so hard to develop.
When I was wearing my pumps, I thought I put the “S” in sexy.

Pumps were stylish, yes. Practical, no. They made me look good, and feel good but at what price? Pumps have a maximum wear time of 2-3 hours, and at $85.00 and up a pair, I wasn’t getting much bang for my bucks. You only live once, I tried to convince myself every time I bought a new pair. My mother warned me all the time about investing in things that didn’t offer much on the return, but I didn’t always listen.

Pump! The very word is used to describe a driving force or a drain. From Payless to Prada we love those good-for-nothing-but-make-me-feel-sexy shoes. Pumps are the bad boys of shoes—the ones we want but can only have for a short period of time. So, what is that draws women to these stylish, costly high heeled, no-useful-purpose shoes?

With pumps we feel young and sexy. We want to take risks—do things that take us out of our normal sensibility. Pumps give us that little extra sway in our hips allowing us to feel confident and not clumsy. With them we are able to create an illusion and step outside of ourselves. I think it has something to do with being fed too many fairy tales as girls. When we have an ugly stepsister moment, we think sliding our foot into the right pair of shoes will take us away from our miserable existence. Too often our self-worth is tied into the belief that pumps promise a “happily ever after” once we’ve found the perfect pair.

But the problem with pumps is we have to be “on” all the time. Tiptoeing around pretending all is well while forcing our feet into ill-fitting shoes. Pumps dictate how far we can go, and trying to wear them all day saps our energy and makes everything ache, and yet many of us endure even to the point of becoming immune to the damage caused by these shoes we think we can’t live without.

I remember a couple of pumps in my life. They were packaged well: good looks, good jobs, and intellect, but once I took them out the box and tried them on for size, I found they didn’t provide the support I needed.

Phillip was an engineer and a pretty boy---beautiful banana crème complexion, light brown wavy hair and a killer smile. We started going out after meeting at a party for some engineers. I thought things were progressing well. But after a few months I found him to be selfish and self-centered So, I tried to go along to get along because I thought our incredible chemistry would make up for everything else that was missing. It didn’t.

Jose was a caramel Latin cutie--a fireman who parked his fire truck in front of my house to give me his number. Needless to say I was impressed and called him despite my better judgment. I had met him on a double date with his friend; I was his friend’s date. I reasoned that it was ok because his friend lived out of town, and it was our first date. I wasn’t interested in a long distance relationship, so I thought our first date would probably be our one and only. The fire with Jose went out quickly when I learned not only was he spoiled and selfish, but had an enormous ego to boot.

For years I liked my men like I liked my shoes. I had a weakness for good looking men. I liked handsome faces, pretty faces, and cute faces. I liked broad v-shaped backs, chiseled chests and amazing abs. I liked tall. Bald. Fades or Locks. And truth be told, I still do. But I’ve learned to appreciate them from afar because I know “everything that glitters is not gold.” Age has taught me to be more discerning when admiring shoes or men.

Now those “sensible” shoes, the ones with the lower heels that allow the toes to spread out just didn’t have the same attention grabbing appeal as a sexy pair of pumps. Unlike the whiplash appeal of pump-like men sensible men require a slow and steady turn of the head—a second look. If we’re not careful, we might even overlook them. Some are our height or even shorter. Sometimes they wear glasses, and may even be sporting a comb-over to disguise their bald spots. Instead of abdominal six packs, their bellies probably look more like kegs of beer. But they’re wonderful when it comes to being supportive and dependable; they just don’t excite us much. They’re the good guys, the nice guys. The ones we find boring like the loafers stashed under our desks at work.

Paul was one of the sensible men in my life. He was just an all-around good guy. He never forgot my birthday. He called to check on me when I was ill or just to say hello. He was a perfect gentleman when we went out. But trying to spark something with him was like trying to light a wet fire cracker—no sparkle, no sizzle no nothing. And while I know he was not the good guy for me, being with him gave me a better understanding of the qualities I was searching for to sustain me in a relationship.

Pumps are pretty, but I don’t think they’re built to last. We know sensible shoes are the better choice because we can breathe. We can be ourselves. They’re comfortable, and we know they’re in it for the long haul. But too often we toss them under the bed, in the closet or anywhere as long as they’re out of the way when dusk falls. Nights are reserved for pumps. We foolishly believe if we wear them long enough we’ll break them in, but instead they break us down. We end up with bad backs, bunions, corns and calloused hearts.

So, why is it we continue hurting ourselves trying to make pumps sensible, instead of appreciating the pump-like qualities of sensible men? Can’t we find traits like kindness and thoughtfulness sexy? This is not to say that all tall, good-looking men are like pumps. There are plenty of tall/and or good looking “sensible” men, and there are plenty of sensible looking men who think they’re pumps. So if they look and/or feel like pumps; don’t be fooled. They’re pumps. Accept them for what they are: good time shoes. Know they’ll wear you out before you wear them down.

So, the next time you’re out shopping, take a closer looker at those sensible shoes.
They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors to satisfy the needs of even the pickiest women. Try one on yourself and see how sexy sensitivity can be!

###

Please note the names of the men in this story have been changed.

BIO:
Stephanie J. Gates is an educator, freelance writer and editor. Publishing credits include: Being Single Magazine, N'Digo Magpaper, Mahogany Magazine and several popular anthologies. Visit her site at Stephaniesepiphanies.

Thoughts?

Image: Stock Photo

Calling all Fierce, Female Bloggers-The Roar Series Continues!

As many of you are aware, March marks National Women's History Month.
A time to celebrate our awesome strength, wonderful wisdom, and collective gifts.
For the last few years, I've taken this opportunity here to feature essays, articles and poems from women Bloggers that help to empower and enlighten.

I've been pleased at the response, as I have received works from award-winning journalists, noted authors, business women, and females from all walks of life, from across the country.

Here's your time to tell your stories of hope, love, renewal, healing, overcoming obstacles, and even your "aha-moments."

Pen and Prosper welcomes submissions of 250-800 words on a variety of timely topics.
Poetry is also accepted.

For consideration, email your entries to Jenniferwriter@yahoo.com
Be sure to include a photo and a Bio. Let your voice be heard.

I look forward to sharing your stories and making quality connections!

Jennifer


Image: Stock Photo