Istoryan Writers

[diem]

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@vixen, did you sign up for the workshop with Larry Ypil? How did it go?

@tams, just a humble suggestion frustration can be fuel for writing.

[tams7154]

thanks Diem! I have to agree with that.

[beyee]

dang! just read abt the workshop and I am too late... It has always been my dream to join one..

[diem]

@beyee, please stay tuned to this thread~ will post future notices on writing workshops to be held in Cebu and in the Philippines.

[Evening Spark]

How's the group running? I've been popping this and it seems silent. Any ideas please?

[diem]

Writing is a craft seriously done best ALONE though from time to time, support is most welcome.

In the past, I and others have strived to set up meetings and such but in the end, people are really into their own preferences and priorities.

Like myself, I have my own personal projects to progress on and don't have the tendency to teach others. I just place some guide posts from time to time here if I find anything interesting.

Ultimately, I guess each one has to find his/her own way into writing.

Though if anyone out there is a budding short story writer or scriptwriter, please feel free to PM me for tips and suggestions.

[Evening Spark]

Writing is a craft seriously done best ALONE though from time to time, support is most welcome.

In the past, I and others have strived to set up meetings and such but in the end, people are really into their own preferences and priorities.

Like myself, I have my own personal projects to progress on and don't have the tendency to teach others. I just place some guide posts from time to time here if I find anything interesting.

Ultimately, I guess each one has to find his/her own way into writing.

Though if anyone out there is a budding short story writer or scriptwriter, please feel free to PM me for tips and suggestions.

I agree. How about stirring up their muses through our own writing challenges? In that way, although they (or we) are busy, somehow creating challenges could motivate us into writing.

[diem]

This month's edition of Writers Digest features a helpful article titled, "9 Ways to Write yourself out of a slump". Read it now via the imbedded link to the website since Writers Digest.com is not known to hold a consistent archive, I usually cut and paste articles I like into text files.

Back to the article, it's got good advice but the advice is effective if you're a freelance writer who drafts up content for newspapers, journals, magazines or webzines for a living however there are still some good tips in the article for aspiring writers eager to enter the fray of working writers.

I'll highlight these here:

WRITE ON-SPEC and GET INTIMATE WITH YOUR MARKET

So you want to be a working writer? You want to get paid for every word piece you write. Well it is possible but it is not going to be easy. First you have to show to the right people you've got the skill to write up the right stuff.

Start by finding which niche markets and topics you feel you could write for. Visit book stores and scout out magazines and journals then prepare material you'd think they'd accept. You can do the same thing for webzines. Usually magazines have contact information where writers can send in material for evaluation, the same goes for webzines. Seek and you shall find.

RECYCLE OLD MATERIALS

If you can't come up with new materials, best you review your cache of articles and pieces you wrote in college, high school or even in grade school. Read and reminisce your past efforts.

At best, you could find an article of yours that could prove publish-worthy with just a few touch ups.

At the very least, you get reconnected, revitalized with the joy of writing.

MAKE MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS

Once you submitted your articles/pieces to the editor for evaluation, take note at first you don't succeed, try and try again.

You don't even have to wait for the rejection letter or e-mail notice. Give it a week or two then submit your articles to another magazine/webzine for evaluation.

And still, if you haven't received that positive reply, it's time to get back to the grindstone and sharpen your skills through a fresh batch of articles.

ADVERTISE YOURSELF, FOR YOURSELF

If you want to be a working writer, you have to act the part. Start labelling yourself as a writer, for your family, your friends, and most importantly for yourself. Being a writer is more than just a career choice, it's a lifestyle, it's an identity and you better let the world know.

So draft out some attractive sales copy highlighting what makes you unique and special as a writer-- if that's too much of a stretch for you, then settle what makes you a good writer, who your literary influences are and what you hope to achieve.

To get work as a writer, you better do some personal marketing. It's easy now with the Internet where you can just post up a blog exclusively for your writer identity where you can post your works, your skill set, experience and contact information. If you build it, they will come.

COLLABORATE WITH ARTISTS

They say a picture paints a thousand words but I think it's a jumbled set of a thousand words. It's up to writers with our skills to put in structure, direction and a conclusion. In many glossy magazines, photos and images are attractive but words provide information and definition.

Parter up with an artist: a painter or a photographer either to provide visuals to your writing works or provide words to their images. For words and pictures are 'good' as themselves alone but can become 'better' when together, right?

Aside from that, images and photos can serve as inspiring writer prompts to let you write yourself out from your slump.

REQUEST FOR HELP

I think people are inherently kind and good, as long as they are asked nicely and politely with the right caress to their own goodness.

So believe in the potential kindness of others and request help/information/assistance from those in the know on how to get career opportunities or at least the chance to prove one's own worth in writing.

If you get a positive response to your inquiries and requests, don't fail to be grateful and be polite. Courtesy, both professional and personal, is an attractive quality to have, especially for a working writer. Whatever the case, humility is a virtue worth its weight in gold, couple that with determination and perserverance, it will win you the world.

[anaknitatay]

dang! just read abt the workshop and I am too late... It has always been my dream to join one..

yes, I wish there were more writing workshops here in Cebu!

[popoy2]

hi, na lang ko mga questions.

asa diay nato makita ang mga work sa palanca award winners??
labi na kang Leoncio P. Deriada or Elsa Martinez Coscolluela or bisan kinsa na taga visayas?
naa man gud mi critical analysis(thesis man guro ni) sa literature namo na subject about sa 1 ka palanca award winner na taga.visayas.niya mag.choose ra mig usa na tga.visayas..
please help me guys..thanks very much jud daan dako aug ikatabang nako inyo mga tubag.hehe thanks.