Going Places

by Gary Fearon, Creative Director, Southern Writers Magazine
 

A few years ago I accepted the occasional invitation to be a guest reader at elementary schools for Community Reader Day. Upon arriving, the teacher would have a book already picked out for me to read to the kids.  I was surprised at how often the book of choice was Dr Seuss' Oh, the Places You'll Go!

It was always a pleasant surprise, since I enjoyed revisiting this pint-sized pep talk by the good doctor, and the kids seemed to get a lot out of it too.

I was even more pleasantly surprised to learn recently that Oh, the Places You'll Go! is popular not just with grade school children, but is a perennial favorite of adults who give it as graduation gifts, wedding gifts, and to others embarking on any new path of life.

In this classic tale, the protagonist (you) get to take a symbolic trip into your future, a land of unfamiliar trials and triumphs and ups and downs, always with the assurance that you will emerge the conquering hero.  In the encouraging words of Dr Seuss, "And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! 98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed!"

The most famous and powerful scene is one in which you come to a land called The Waiting Place, where everyone is just ... waiting.  Waiting for the mail, or for Friday to come, or for a yes or a no, etc.  In this city of stagnation, nothing ever happens because nobody takes action.

As we look back at the past year, how many of us can say that we didn't waste time in that Waiting Place?  Did we stay true to our commitment to write every day?  Did we keep regular submissions going out?  Did we stay connected through writers groups and conferences?  Or did we put off our writing goals, waiting for conditions to be just right (which of course they never are)?

With many of us coming up with new year's resolutions this week, I can't think of a better premise than to promise ourselves that we will not be victims of self-imposed inertia.  Action does speak louder than words, and when we writers combine action with words, great things happen.

Southern Writers will do our best to help keep you motivated in 2014, beginning with this week's new January/February issue.  Bestselling authors like p.m. terrell, Bob Mayer and Haywood Smith are just a few examples of those who make their writing dreams reality by perfecting their craft, and they gladly share their secrets with you.

This year we'll also be introducing an exciting new way for authors to enhance their online presence and attract new readers. Like Mic Nite, Must Read TV and Take Five, this new promotional tool will be free to all subscribers.

Each of us at Southern Writers wish you a new year filled with joy and success. Together we'll make great things happen in 2014. And that is 98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed!

My Best Writing Tool

By C.L. Roth

As the mother and caregiver for a disabled adult son, I have some unique difficulties in maintaining a writing schedule. No matter what my goals are, I always have to consider his goals too.

My son has cerebral palsy, he’s in a wheelchair, non-verbal, and needs help in all areas of his life. He’s also a talented artist. He requires time for his art with the same drive and enthusiasm I have for my writing.

In order to meet my writing goals, I have chosen to get up early. I’m usually up and at the computer by 5:30 in the morning. I am able to work until 9am. The rest of the morning I use for his needs, running errands, whatever household chores need done.

In the afternoon, my son paints. Using this schedule, I’m able to get in about twenty hours a week for my writing and my son will manage about ten hours for his painting. This works fine until I have a deadline. Deadline’s change everything.

When a deadline looms the first item I look for is the timer. I use one that I bought at the cooking section of the grocery store. The cheapest one they sell. When I need to work during the day, I set the timer for one hour. I work hard during that hour editing, revising, or whatever job is needed at that particular moment.

The bell rings and I set it for another hour only this time the hour belongs to my son. And he paints, or does whatever he chooses to do. My time and attention is his until the timer rings. Using a timer keeps us fair. It allows me to get my time in without forgetting his time.

So my how-to tools are the alarm clock that wakes me up in the morning allowing me to maintain regular working hours. Consistency gets me farther than any other tool. And the kitchen timer that allows me to divide my time and make sure I share my energy with the ones around me who need it.

There isn’t any magic when it comes to writing. You just get up, and you do it.

____________________________________________________________________ 

C.L. Roth is a wife, mother, grandmother, artist, and author. She lives in Illinois with her husband, son, two dogs, and a cat. She writes Middle Grade fantasy, Young Adult paranormal mysteries and SF, and adult cozy mysteries. Website: www.clroth.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/CL-Roth/174724449371585?ref=hl

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/CLRoth

Lost as Last Year's Easter Egg?

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

While enjoying the Easter festivities with our family and watching the kids hunt for Easter Eggs, I was reminded of the expression, “as lost as last year’s Easter egg”. I have heard this for most of my life. Its uses refer to a person actually lost or being frustrated and not knowing what to do next. We all have been there with last year’s Easter egg at one time or another. When we are what do we need to do?

If you find you are lost or frustrated with where you are in your writing that may not be a bad thing. It could be a wake-up call. Tiger Woods said, “I think that’s a good thing you get frustrated. Because obviously you have expectations of what you can do, what you can accomplish. And I think that’s good.” As Tiger said you may be there due to your clear vision of where you want to go, want to be or what you want to accomplish and find yourself coming up short. Recognizing your position is important to your work. You recognize you aren’t there yet and need more because you expect more and know you can accomplish more.

Once you find yourself there take time to evaluate what it is that is missing. What is bringing your frustration?  Pick it apart and in detail write it down and begin working on the concerns. Many times I have found what I thought was the source of frustration was not the problem at all. The problem was something else altogether. Once the problem is identified we can address it and move forward.

Just as Easter comes regularly and eggs are lost, we must remember that our frustration will come regularly as well. We will again find ourselves lost or frustrated and again will need to search for the source of this frustration. Remember the process and take the time to identify, address and move forward. Use your frustration as a measuring tool for your accomplishments. If they come up short of your expectations you will know it and will have work to do. My hope is you find all your eggs.