Time flies

It's almost been a month since my last post. The season is picking up here at the shop. We have to carve new bears every day just to keep up with demand. That is good.

I still write every day. That is good too. Writers should write. Bloggers should blog. When something has to be put on the back burner, it's the blog.

That's all for now. I'll be back in a few days, or maybe a month. Just know that I am still writing and sending submissions out. Sent one this morning!

Have fun and keep writing.

Artist at work!

We live and work in a part of Gatlinburg called the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community. My day job is consists of chainsaw carving, demonstrating magic tricks in our magic shop, and retail sales of our crafts. The Community is an eight-mile loop of shops and crafters. I have noticed on a few shops a sign that says - "Artist at Work". I feel lucky because I get to make a living with my chainsaw art. We have bears all over the country and a few in other countries. One day I hope to make some of my living, if not all from writing. The "Artist at Work" signs made me wonder how many other businesses could hang the same sign. How many McDonald's, Walmarts,  Burger Kings, Best Westerns, and millions of other places could put this sign up? I think just about all of them could. Whether it's writing, singing, sculpting, painting, or any other art form there are artist at work everywhere.

Where do you know an artist at work?

First draft or revision?

Okay, you've written your article, story, or novel. Now it's time for revision. Do you like writing the first draft, or doing revisions? I like revisions. I already have something to work on.

New Children's Writer contest

The current Children's Writer contest is all about exploring. As writers, we get to explore how to write a winning fiction story for ages 5-7 in 150 words.

I'm glad I save my issues of High Five. Great reference material.

Good luck to all who enter!

Explore the possibilities.

Writing Place

In the morning I write at the kitchen table. Usually, my little dog is on my lap. At 6 a.m. I have quiet time. In the evening, I usually write while sitting on the bed with the TV on. When my wife is ready to go to sleep, I sometimes go into another room, or just read. Quiet time again.

My day job includes chainsaw carving. The chainsaw is loud, so I wear noise cancelling headphones and listen to audio books on my mp3 player. Other carvers I have talked to have said that they would not be able to considerate on carving while listening to a book. I have done it so much, it is no problem for me. I think that this is one thing that has helped me be able to write with a TV on, or other noisy places.

When you write, do you have to have a quiet place? Do you listen to music? If so, what kind?

Article Ideas!

The library is full of books. Full of ideas. Full of people.

Just met a person at my local library who has a very interesting job working with animals. After talking, was given permission to contact her for an interview for possible magazine article. With photos!

Where did your last surprise story/article idea come from?

Win a full MS edit!

Win a full MS edit at www.deareditor.com today!

Win a free edit at Dear Editor! Day 2

Hey, check out Dear Editor for a chance to win a free edit! www.deareditor.com

Win at Dear Editor!

Hey, writers, this is revision week at www.deareditor.com. Check them out for a chance to win!

Writer's diet

Sometimes words are slow to appear on the page or screen. Some days are so hectic, it's hard to even get a chance to write anything. Some suggest to reward yourself if you meet your daily word count goal. Some say to punish yourself if you don't make your goal. Hmm.

Of all the topics to write about, I have never thought about writing a diet book. Sometimes writers may have a good idea, or an off the wall idea.

How do daily word counts and diets go together? To sum it up, if my daily word count dictated the number of calories I could have that day, I would be skinny! Or dead. So, this is my writers diet. Write or starve. I wonder if I can add my blog post count or if it has to be on my WIP.

Oh, well. My crazy thought of the day.