Sunday, August 11, 2013

Idea Overload, part VI/Call for Submissions

If you have more story ideas than you know what to do with, try these tips:

Make a “Writer’s To-Do List.” If you’re working on a manuscript, plan for the next writing session. When you finish for the day, briefly write “continue with chapter 2” or something specific to the plot, such as “loses key.” When you return for the next writing session, you’ll see the to-do note and hopefully, that will keep you focused on the continuation of chapter 2 or writing a scene about losing a key. Know what you’re going to do during the session as soon as you begin.

Work on one manuscript at a time. If you hit a roadblock, try different scenarios to keep the story flowing. The key is to stay focused. Force yourself to complete the manuscript. Four half-finished manuscripts does not equal one finished, polished story. A story cannot be polished unless it’s finished. Editors want a manuscript to be finished before a contract is offered, especially with writers who are not published.

Call for submissions for adult writers:

FrostFire Worlds is a quarterly magazine for younger readers published by Alban Lake Publishing in February, May, August, and November. The first issue was released on 1 August 2013.
 
Check out more contests on my blog: http://nancykellyallen.blogspot.com/

 
 
 



 

 
 

2 comments:

  1. Focus, focus, focus. Always the hard part for me. I tend to be all over the place. Thanks for the reminder post.

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  2. If I'm writing a chapter book and stop at the end of chapter 3, I begin the next writing session by reading chapter 3 to get me in the mindset of the story. If I'm writing a picture book, I start at the beginning of the story to reestablish the focus.

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