Midsouth Preconference Jitters

Counting down: four more days to go, that is if I can get through this day.
Goals to complete before that magical day:
1.Finish assignment 7 and send it in- still working on the query letter and thought of one more thing to cut from ms.

2. Polish my first page, it's getting better but I want it perfect. Then I think-it may not get picked- then, what if does get picked and it's horrible. Yikes!

3. Two more stories to critique for Listserve Critters- they are so good but with a little tweak here and a little tweak there- then I think "Hey, I need to do that to mine too!" It's such a help critiquing and learning from other great writers-can't wait.

4. Got to pack-already sent a box full of books to donate to the alternative school. What a great idea ...

Got to get started hope to see you all there real soon.

My Word Playground: Writing Advice/Writing Sea-crets from Author/Illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg

My Word Playground: Writing Advice/Writing Sea-crets from Author/Illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg

Upcoming Contests!

I am in between assignments for the moment. I have seven incubating and am about to send it out. while I am waiting though, I wanted to share some upcoming contests.
Children's book Insider has an awesome contest. No limit to the stories you can submit and no fee. The prizes are $100, $75 and $50. Fiction and nonfiction. Check it out at their website: http://www.short-story-time.com/short-story-writing-contest.html
Deadline is September 15, so hurry.

Then next up is Children's Writer wiring contest for Historical fiction. If you subscribe to the Children's Writer, then the fee is free. But get this, if you have to pay the fee, then you will get a years subscription to the Children's Writer and be eligible to submit to their other upcoming contests free.
Check it out at www.childrenswriter.com Deadline October 30.

Then just right around the corner is Highlights. the deadline for this is January 1-31, 2011.
the theme is "My Most Embarrassing Moment". You have time to write and rewrite for this one. Check it out at www.highlights.com/highlights-fiction-contest

ICL Assignment 6

I have officially passed the halfway mark. I can tell I am getting better. I can see what my stories need by finding it either in other stories I am reading or by what is missing in others stories.In the critique group I am in I find the words of a description that works well or that is missing all together and point that out. I try to find the holes in my own stories. I think the hardest thing for me right now is getting through the revision. For lesson six I wrote a story about the character I developed in lesson five. Moving n to lesson seven, I have the choice of revising lesson two, four or six or making a new fiction or nonfiction piece.

I am choosing to revise lesson four, a nonfiction piece. I really hope to have something publishable by the end of the year.