Bayou Writers' Group

Author Interview: Sylvia Ney

2012-01-28T13:06:00.003-06:00

Sylvia Ney resides in southeast Texas. She is a published author who sometimes ghost writes for others. Her poetry, short stories, essays, articles and photography can be found in journals, anthologies, newspapers, and online. She keeps a regular blog: Writing in Wonderland. Sylvia taught both elementary and high school students over the last twelve years. She is currently a stay-at-home mom to two preschoolers and editor of GATOR TALK newsletter.

1) What are you reading now? I’m always reading several books at a time. Right Now - How to be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of your Life by Pat Williams with Jim Denney, Stephen King’s On Writing (again), Writer’s Digest: February issue, and Shadow Music by Julie Garwood.

2) Classic you’ve been meaning to read? War and Peace - I might cheat and watch the Audrey Hepburn movie version to get motivated.

3) The last book you finished in a single sitting? The Napping House by Audrey Wood – my daughters love this book.

4) Book you borrowed and never returned? Only heathens would do such a thing! ;-)

5) Favorite book from childhood? The Fire Cat by Esther Holden Averill and then the Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene.

6) Best thing you’ve read online recently? There are a number of blogs and sites I visit continually, but one of my favorites is Author, Jody Hedlund. She is a talented author who is never afraid to expose herself and share what she has learned. I’m always learning something and finding nuggets of inspiration on her blog.

7) What do you do when you have writer's block? Exercise, read a book, watch a good movie, listen to great music, travel – anything that gets me away from the work and relaxed. Then I can return with a fresh mind and renewed energy.

8) What is your writing process like? Certain hours that you find more productive, a routine, a set amount of time or a number of pages you make yourself write every day etc. I don’t have a set goal or defined process. I’m a stay-at-home mom to two preschoolers so I write when I have time or am inspired. When the children are in school, I hope to develop a more defined daily schedule.

9) When working on your current MS did you complete an outline first or did you just start writing? I never preplan. I always start out with an idea, scene or emotion and write until I can’t go anymore. When I run out of steam, I take a break and then write out an outline or sets of goals for the story and its characters.

10) Are there any tips you would like to share with new writers? Read and write every day. Read a variety of genres, read books on the craft, read blogs of other authors. There is a multitude of information and contradictory advice out there. Weed through and find what works for you. Our minds don’t work the same and we all have different interests and strengths. Be willing to learn and find your own process for success.

McNeese Leisure Learning for Writers

2012-01-21T10:30:00.000-06:00

McNeese University is offering four leisure learning classes for writers. For more information or to register: here.

1) Journaling the Poetic Experience: A Beginner's Entry into Poetry Writing
    Instructor: Kevin Thomason
    Location: McNeese Library, Meeting Room A
    Date: Tues, Feb 28, Mar 6, 13, 20, 27
    Time: 6-7 pm
    Cost: $45/$49 after Feb 14

2) Memoir: Writing Your Life Story
    Instructor: J.D. Hibbits
    Location: McNeese Library, Meeting Room C
    Date: Thurs, Mar 8, 15, 22
    Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
    Cost: $39/$45 after Feb 23

3) Non-Fiction Boot Camp (Online)
    Instructor: Jessica Ferguson (info) This course covers the basics of nonfiction writing. You will learn by doing, discuss and research markets for your work and come away from this class with the fundamentals of being a freelance writer for magazines and newspapers.
   Location: Online
   Date: **Tuesdays** Feb 7, 14, 21, 28 and Mar 6, 13
   Time: 6 - 7 pm
   Cost: $69/$79 after Jan 24

4) The Short Story
    Instructor: J.D. Hibbits Do you enjoy reading and writing? Are you looking for something new and intellectually stimulating? This introductory course will examine short fiction through readings, class discussions, and creative writing exercises. You will learn some of the “tricks of the trade” to help you polish up a writing project or begin a new one. So bring your love of language and come prepared to experience a new approach to literature!
   Location: TBA
   Date: Thur, Jan 26, Feb 2, 9, 16, 23
   Time: 6:30-8 pm
   Cost: $59/$69 after Jan 17

Sidenote: This post was provided by Sylvia Ney.

Members Celebrate First Anniversary With Poetry Reading

2012-01-12T17:21:00.001-06:00

January sixth was the first anniversary of the poetry reading at The Porch on Common St. BWG members celebrated with a repeat performance. Seven members read their poems this year.

Sherry Perkins started the evening with several striking poems from her collection. Beth Savoie read some delightfully funny short stories and Rebecca Stelly received many encores for her own work. Becky’s mother contributed an impressive poem Rebecca wrote as a child.

There was such a friendly and receptive group in attendance that one of the customers asked to read her poem as did one of the staff.

The Porch hosts readings on the first friday of each month. February 3 will be a fiction reading. The time slots may all be full, according to Erica McCreedy the coordinator from Arts & Humanities, but anyone can come listen. And you never know when a spot may become available. Readings will begin at approximately 7 pm.

Sherry Perkins, BWG President

Marcia Dutton

Beth Savoie

Rebecca Stelly

Luke Saucier

A special thank-you to Marcia Dutton for providing these pictures.

Did Someone Say Writing is Relaxing? by Marcia Dutton

2011-12-05T21:58:00.000-06:00

It’s been another one of those nights when I awakened after only four hours sleep as countless thoughts began flitting around like moonbeams. If I could only harness them into a web and gather them into one thought, possibly I would go back to sleep. The easy solution would be to read until I get sleepy, but I would rather write, ridding myself of thoughts in that manner.

My step-grandson Jonathon visited us when he was the age of six. I was impressed with how much knowledge this kid had. Sometime later, when his mouth was running at top speed, an elder said “Johnathan, hush for awhile, you talk too much.”

“But” he replied, “I am a smart boy and I have a lot to say.” Well, I have a lot to say also. Not that I am all that smart, but because, at an advanced age, I have traveled, seen a lot and experienced much.

Mankind has always wanted to communicate with others what they desire to say, whether it be with smoke signals, drums, morse code or by word of mouth. I am not good at verbally expressing myself, often not able to find the right word, substituting the wrong one, badly pronounced as well, and jerkily wandering off into tangents. I find it easier to collect my thoughts in writing. Thinking at a slower pace and using a dictionary or Google suits me much better.

When asked recently by another woman,” what do you do with your time?” I replied “I write and sometimes paint.” “Oh” she said, “You must find writing relaxing.”

Relaxing my foot! Writing is hard work, especially when you have just recently been introduced to it. Trying to get the grammar, punctuation and spelling right is of the first order. There is the research of that and the information one wishes to impart. Organizing the prose, trying to make it flow, have rhythm, getting a first paragraph of strong impact and a satisfying ending to match, is only a small portion of of the writing skills I am trying to learn and execute. I presume this will always be a challenge. Good for the mind though.

Physically, there is the arthritis in one’s back and the requirement to keep the legs elevated which make sitting at the computer painful at times. The eyesight starts to get blury too, but the passion to get it on paper forces one to continue regardless. If the outcome is what I wanted to share after many revisions, then it is all worth it. Hopefully someone, somewhere, will read what I wrote and find it informative, enjoyable or at least worthwhile. And I will have communicated. With this off my chest, I’m going back to bed.

Award-winning artist Marcia Dutton has published letters to the editor in the American Press and the only English newspaper in Saudi Arabia. She was a newsletter editor in Saudi Arabia and sent numerous letters home to family members about life in the various countries she lived in. Marcia is writing a book of memoirs about her days in the U.S. Navy and her many adventures abroad.

Blog Tour with Pamela Thibodeaux

2011-11-26T21:58:00.000-06:00

BWG is excited to celebrate the release of The Visionary by Pam Thibodeaux.

Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

You can keep up with Pam at her website, her blog and through the Bayou Writers’ Group.

ABOUT THE VISIONARY:

A visionary is someone who sees into the future Taylor Forrestier sees into the past but only as it pertains to her work. Hailed by her peers as “a visionary with an instinct for beauty and an eye for the unique” Taylor is undoubtedly a brilliant architect and gifted designer. But she and twin brother Trevor, share more than a successful business. The two share a childhood wrought with lies and deceit and the kind of abuse that’s disturbingly prevalent in today’s society. Can the love of God and the awesome healing power of His grace and mercy free the twins from their past and open their hearts to the good plan and the future He has for their lives? Find out in…The Visionary ~ Where the power of God's love heals the most wounded of souls.

EXCERPT:

Pam took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. “I love you, Trevor. Why won’t you talk to me? Tell me what’s wrong.”

“You have no idea what love is.” He hissed through teeth clenched as tightly as the fists by his side. “Most people have no inkling as to what true love is. True love is sticking together when your whole world is falling apart, trusting each other when you can’t depend on another living soul, and being willing to die or kill for each other.”

You can purchase The Visionary at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

For everyone out there who needs and extra shot of encouragement, here’s what Pam says when asked: When do you feel like it all began to come together for you as a writer—was there a particular moment?

Answer: After years as a closet writer, penning stories in 5-subject notebooks, I'd have to say when I purchased my first, USED word processor and started typing in all those handwritten manuscripts I really began to feel like a writer.

Congratulations, Pam! The Visionary is a keeper.

BWG Conference - 2011

2011-11-19T18:42:00.000-06:00

Saturday, November 12, 2011, is a day I won't soon forget. It was one of our better writers' conferences, the annual Bridge to Publication sponsored by the Bayou Writers' Group, Inc. Really, I can't think of a Bridge to Publication conference I've attended that was bad. Plus, good food, schmoozing with other writers, and spending a whole day away from the computer screen. What more do you want?

Okay, actually, you want quite a bit more. You want speakers worth hearing and information that'll help you be a better writer, help you get published and understand things about writing and publishing you didn't get before. If you have a finished book, you want an agent or editor willing to hear about it. All this and more happened for me at Saturday's conference.

I've been to a few big conferences, including the Santa Fe Writers' Conference and the one at Sewanee, Tennessee. Big names at both, several days of seminars, readings, conferences, and writerly fellowship. Enjoyed myself no end. I'm willing to say I enjoyed this Bridge to Publication Conference as much as I enjoyed either of the big ones. Anita Mumm (the Nelson Literary Agency), D. B. Grady, and Mark Harris were three of the most interesting and generous speakers I've ever heard. They gave their all in their talks and took every question seriously, pausing to ponder sometimes and make sure every one got a thorough answer.

Mark Harris gave a disclaimer that he wasn't used to speaking at such events, and then went on to give a riveting talk about his take on writing in general and writing about pop culture in particular. When asked to define pop culture, he said it's the thing we all share, the movies and TV shows we've seen, books we've read, music we've loved, as opposed to the fine arts, like opera and ballet. When I told him he was a great speaker and should do it more often, he laughed and said, "Maybe not."

Anita Mumm put a human face on what often comes across as an anonymous and indifferent industry: literary agency. She said how eager most agents are to see new work by new writers; at the same time, nearly one hundred percent of the work they're pitched is rejected. It's not personal and is in the writer's interest as well as the agency's. Agents aren't gatekeepers, Mumm emphasized. No one can sell your work if they don't have the contacts to pitch it to or if they don't like the work. We writers put down books we don't like all the time. We must allow agents to do the same, no matter how much someone else might admire it. An agent who rejects your work isn't pushing you away but moving you along to someone better suited to your needs.

D. B. Grady's disarming humility and charm didn't mask the keen, observing mind behind it. He's a conference-goer's hero. His first conference was a Bridge to Publication several years ago. He followed every bit of advice he heard and is now a published, prize-winning author and correspondent for The Atlantic. If we all followed his example, we'd be running the publishing industry. BWG is so proud of David, we're bursting.

I don't know what BWG will or can do to top the quality of 2011's conference, but I can't wait to find out.

Jan Rider Newman is a published, prize-winning writer of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, currently writing a fantasy novel. She co-edits and publishes Swamp Lily Review, An Online Journal of Louisiana Literature & Arts (http://swamplily.com); contributes articles and book reviews to LitStack (http://litstack.com); edits the Gator Talk newsletter for the Bayou Writers' Group; and is the group's current webmaster.

More Than Just Writing by Sherry Perkins

2011-11-07T18:07:00.000-06:00

Although I love to write, it’s more than that. I want to share how a love of writing and reading continually enriches my life.

My involvement with Bayou Writers’ Group has given me such mind-blowing experiences. I’ve heard great insight from experts such as Bill Sherman, Brett Downer, and Linda Yezak to name a few. Along with Jan, I helped judge a student poetry competition. My husband even drove three hours to Biloxi, Mississippi, so I could speak to the Gulf Coast Writers’ Association. Just last month as a volunteer at the Louisiana Book Festival, I added a few more experiences in my bag.

I met Edwin Edwards and the writer of the prior governor’s story, Leo Honeycutt. I met Mr. Edwards’ book publisher, former Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Brown. I met ABC Political Analyst Cokie Roberts, and heard her speak. She is funny! I even introduced George Rodrigue, the famous blue dog painter. Yet, as the day wore on the ultimate experience awaited me.

My mom and I perused the books inside the Barnes and Noble tent. Since my maiden name is Taylor, when I saw Taylor on the cover of a book alongside a football player, I said to my mom, “Look, this guy played professional football.” A well-dressed lady stood near. She overheard my comment and said, “If you want to meet Jim Taylor, he’s right over there,” she pointed. We jumped on the chance and followed her. As his wife, she introduced us to the famed LSU football player and subsequent Green Bay Packers player. Then, she did the wildest thing!

She took her husband’s right hand and removed the largest ring I have ever seen. Grinning, she held it up and asked, “Would you like to hold a Super Bowl ring?” My jaw hit the floor. My eyes bulged out. I didn’t know what to do except hold my hand out. Then, she placed the ring in my hand! Taking up a third of the palm of my hand was a 1966 Green Bay Packer’s Super Bowl ring. She added, “It’s from the very first Super Bowl.” Like two star-struck idiots, we had our pictures made with Mr. Jim Taylor, said our “thank yous” and grinned for the rest of the day.

You see, our love of reading and writing spans more than just physical writing or curling up with a good book. Both my parents loved to read. Like me, my mom reads vigorously. My dad also loved to read. Their love of reading passed to me. It’s a gift I’m most thankful for. But, my love spans more than reading and writing. Being around others who share the same interest lifts my spirit. I visited with Curt, Colleen, and Rodney at their respective booths, and bought a book from each.

My hope is you get to the place in your life where it’s more than just reading and writing. It’s enjoying others and experiencing new things. It’s living!

Sherry Perkins has been published in magazines and newspapers across the state of Louisiana. She loves speaking to people, organizing, being supportive of others, and working hard. Sherry is the 2011 President of Bayou Writers Group and conference coordinator for the November conference--A Bridge to Publication.

Louisiana Folklore: Myths, Legends, and Folktales by Angie Kay Dilmore

2011-10-16T22:20:00.000-05:00

I recently attended a lecture by Keagan LeJeune, Associate Professor of English at McNeese State University, on the topic of Louisiana folklore. I’d never given much thought to the differences between myths, legends, and folktales – I think I always considered these words to be somewhat interchangeable. But according to LeJeune, there are distinct differences.

The umbrella term – folklore – encompasses the traditions, literature, knowledge, art, dance, and stories of a particular culture. It is what defines us, and can be found in music, paintings, quilts, and of course, words.

Myths imply the traditional sacred stories of a culture, of gods and heroes. They often strive to explain natural phenomena or the beginnings of time. Native American Indian folklore is richly mythical. An example is the story of Earth Diver, where a crawfish digs up earth from the water so that land animals have a place to live.

Legends are stories that reside in our believable past. The stories may not be 100% true, but they are rooted in historical reality. Examples of Louisiana legends are the many tales told of Jean LaFitte and Huey Long.

Folktales have a once-upon-a-time ring to them. They are often told to children in an attempt to teach a moral or life lesson. They are often humorous and have surprise endings. Examples of Louisiana folktales would be Blanche and Rose and Compair Lapin, Louisiana’s version of Br’er Rabbit.

And if we wanted to, we could make a fourth category of Louisiana folklore stories . . . Boudreaux and Thibodeaux jokes.

Mr. LeJeune has published a book, Always For the Underdog: Leather Britches Smith and the Grabow War.

Angie Kay Dilmore is a freelance writer originally from Pittsburgh Pa., and has lived the past several years in southwest Louisiana. She freelances for various local magazines, the children’s magazine market, and contributes regularly to Boys’ Life. Angie reviews books for LitStack, a literary website featuring publishing industry news, essays, reviews and commentary. She also writes picture books, poetry, and is working on a middle grade historical fiction. You can find Angie blogging at The Trials and Triumphs of a Transplant.

Perseverance by Linda F. Todd

2011-10-09T21:21:00.003-05:00

I've been suffering from the What-Do-I-Write-About blues. The blogs were waiting for my immortal words, but that closet needed cleaning. The laundry was piling up. I had errands to run, so I took myself off to the Dollar Store and the library. Post Office, next stop. I pulled the endless catalogs out of my crammed up box, deciding which ones would not make it home. Next came my latest copy of the Writer's Digest magazine. Who was staring back at me from the cover but my favorite author of all time. James Lee Burke. "The bestseller on battling through rejection" were the words under his name. I couldn't wait to get home and read it. I knew a thing or two about rejection. Or so I thought.

This man is a rare two-time Edgar Award winner, recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship, and three of his books have been made into films. He published his first story at age nineteen. His latest novel, Feast Day of Fools, is his thirtieth book and has been nominated for the National Book Award. By the age of thirty-four he had three mainstream novels published.

His fourth book, The Lost Get-Back Boogie, was rejected 111 times in nine years. He was rejected for the Guggenheim fourteen times before finally being accepted. LSU Press finally picked up Boogie and it was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

This article is not so much about rejection as it is about perseverance. I thought I had cornered the market on rejections. I have one each from Alfred Hitchcock, Ellery Queen, Great Mystery & Suspense, Asimov's Science Fiction, Fantasy and Science Fiction, and two from Byline. A total of seven. I am not even in the ball park.

Here's Burke's advice: Never keep a manuscript longer than 36 hours. Listen to what a publisher or editor has to say about changes. DON'T EVER QUIT. Believe in yourself.

My novel, Wild Justice, is at The Permanent Press being looked at by an editor, but I have at least ten stories sitting in a drawer. The next time you see me ask if I've sent anything out lately. I'll do the same for you.

Linda Todd is a retired librarian who is taking advantage of her free time to write. A short story, "Waylon's Trophy," appeared in Nicholls State University Jubilee Anthology in 2005. Her fiction and poetry have won awards in regional contests. Her novel, Wild Justice is being shopped to publishers and agents.

Slushpile by Jan Rider Newman

2011-09-06T01:15:00.002-05:00

At one time I’d never have considered self-publishing. I wanted, and I still want, the legitimacy of a big publisher who accepts, edits, and releases my novel, that official industry "A" for my efforts. Any writer worth a book deal knows how to deliver a well-written, well-edited manuscript. But that last mile to the hard-copy book in your hand, I still believe, needs a professional escort. And yet, according to Katherine Rosman and her January 2010 Wall Street Journal article, "The Death of the Slush Pile," the dream has a less than 1% chance of coming true.

Since reading the article, I've begun to look at self-publishing as an avenue worth examining. If you're unknown and end up with a publisher who won't finance much promotion, how much more expensive and troublesome can it be to do all of it on your own?

The self-publishing I reacted violently against isn't today's model, though it can be—one must be careful. But the same technology that stole readers' attention from printed pages has proved to have legitimate uses. After some gnashing of teeth, writers took another look at that LED screen and saw a new world of options—POD, e-zines, Kindle, iPad. Many e-pub options don't cost a great deal. All writers now take advantage of ways to publish and market their work that didn't exist five years ago, or existed only as fringe possibilities.

We’re in an exciting phase. The slush pile is dead; more and more writers are driven to seek publication; the agency model is in flux; and the need to publish is almost as great as the need to write. Technology, once seen as part of the problem, has made the process easier and less expensive. More importantly, it's helped self-publishing gain respectability. Look at the horizon. As you read this, writers are inventing new ways to get readers, promote themselves, and pocket more earnings. I look forward to seeing what will turn up next and to being part of it.

Jan Rider Newman is a published, prize-winning writer of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, currently writing a fantasy novel. She co-edits and publishes Swamp Lily Review, An Online Journal of Louisiana Literature & Arts (http://swamplily.com); contributes articles and book reviews to LitStack (http://litstack.com); edits the Gator Talk newsletter for the Bayou Writers' Group; and is the group's current webmaster.

Hold On To Those Flashbulb Memories--and Write! by Stan Weeber

2011-07-24T16:43:00.000-05:00

Flashbulb memories are very vivid and long lasting memories of the delivery of shocking news. The news is so important that we clearly remember the context in which the news was heard in great detail – where we were, what we were doing and the people present at the time. The memories tend to be long lasting because the news delivered may have important historical or personal significance. The unexpected deaths of a family member, a President, or a politician we admire are examples. Our emotionally charged reactions to unforeseen events such as the attack on Pearl Harbor or the September 11 attacks upon America also serve as examples.

My purpose in writing today is to encourage you to hang on to these memories and to write about them if you are so inclined. The initial drafts of your work come easily because you simply write down in narrative form, or poetic form, what you remember about the flashbulb event. Then, you contextualize your memory based upon an audience that you want to reach.

For example, I was so distraught at the news of President Kennedy’s death on November 22, 1963, that I vowed to find out why someone would do such a dreadful thing. Forty years later, I published a biography of the accused assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald. The first chapter was based upon my own flashbulb memory of that horrible day. The remainder of the book was an academic study of Mr. Oswald’s life.

I was so saddened over the loss of life in the Oklahoma City bombing of April 19, 1995, that I once again vowed to peer inside the mindset of someone who would act in such a horrific way. When the New York Times reported on April 21 that accused bomber Timothy McVeigh had attended militia meetings in Michigan, I dug deeply into the mental makeup of people who join militia groups. The result: thirteen academic studies about the militia movement.

My third flashbulb memory came ironically enough on another November 22, this time in 2002. This was not a day that everyone remembers. It had more significance to me as an individual than for most people. The news flash on this day was that yet another woman was now missing in South Louisiana, this one in Lafayette. I immediately thought of the South Louisiana Serial Killer case. If confirmed as a victim of the serial killer, it would be his fourth victim. I was greatly concerned for the safety of my female students – I am a professor in Lake Charles – and now there was a victim about an hour away from where I live and teach. My fears about the case led to my book, In Search of Derrick Todd Lee, which was about online activists trying to coordinate information about the killer.

As you can see, my flashbulb memories were about major newsworthy events, but flashbulb memories do not always require such a high profile. The death of a relative, a pet, or the horrendous aftermath of a violent storm are also examples. Or, you win an award and life changes forever for the better. Some flashbulb memories are positive. .

One reason that flashbulb memories are remembered is because these memories tend to be retold over and over again. Because of that, accuracy tends to be lost over time, and the details are not necessarily accurate. Don’t worry, the memory is still vivid to you and deserves to be told as you remember it. Readers will bond with your account if they’ve been through something similar.

Stan Weeber is an Associate Professor of Sociology at McNeese State University. He has written or edited 20 books, including In Search of Derrick Todd Lee: The Internet Social Movement that Made a Difference (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2007).

The Secret of the Written Word by Marcia Dutton

2011-07-17T21:53:00.000-05:00

“Marcia, it is two a.m. and you have to be up early in the morning. You need to get to bed” admonished my husband.

“I can’t, I just can’t. I’m reliving that glorious trip we made through Europe on the Eurorail trains. Remember that year of the Achilles Lauro terrorist attack when that guy was thrown overboard? Everyone was afraid to travel and we had entire compartments to ourselves and no tourist crowds to contend with.”

Normally, I don’t live in the past. I have moved so many times; there is only the present for me. However, joining the Bayou Writer’s Group got me into writing my past adventures and what fun it has been remembering all those experiences.

With our three week Eurorail passes we were able to come and go practically any time of day or night, staying at favorite places as long as we pleased. We could leave extra baggage in railway lockers, take day trips or excursions without waiting in line for tickets or going through the hassle of restrictions. Boat trips across lakes in Switzerland and cog trains to mountain tops were included. We took ‘Sound of Music’ bus tours through Austrian Alps, watched the Lipizzaner dancing horses in Vienna, toured the blue Danube, walked through vineyards and enjoyed watching passersby at outdoor cafes. Venice, Paris and Barcelona were near enough to be explored.

Now because of my writing I am able to not only remember these places but share them with others who are interested. How often does one get to do that in everyday conversation? Ah, what a discovery this little secret of the written word.

Award-winning artist Marcia Dutton has published letters to the editor in the American Press and the only English newspaper in Saudi Arabia. She was a newsletter editor in Saudi Arabia and sent numerous letters home to family members about life in the various countries she lived in. Marcia is writing a book of memoirs about her days in the U.S. Navy and her many adventures abroad.

McNeese Leisure Learning - Writing Classes

2011-07-06T16:02:00.011-05:00

To the Bayou Writers,

McNeese Leisure Learning offers the following writing courses starting this week:

Query, Synopsis, and Book Proposal Workshop

Instructor: Janice Repka J.D./M.A./M.F.A.

Location: Frasch 106
Date: Thursdays: July 7 & 14
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Cost: $45

Do you want to be a published author? Get guidance on how to write a successful query letter, book synopsis, or book proposal by studying real ones that worked. Then, get personalized feedback and critique on your own query letter, book synopsis, or book proposal. come join us as we explore how the publishing world works and how you can become a part of it.

Writing Your Life Book

Instructor: Janice Repka, J.D./M.A./M.F.A.

Location: Drew 110

Date: Saturdays, July 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug. 6

Time: 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Cost: $68

Would you like to create a keepsake to preserve all of the wonderful family stories floating around in your head? Participants in this introduction to memoir writing class will take part in exercises and enrichment activities designed to immortalize their life stories on the page. Whether you’d like to create a lasting memory about your life for your children, grandchildren, or for your own reflection, you are welcome to join like-minded writers on this exciting story telling and memory preserving journey. Price includes supplies for creating your Life Book.

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Additionally, McNeese Leisure Learning offers over 300 online courses, www.ed2go.com/mcneese. ;

Offered are many writing courses, such as:

beginning writer’s workshop

beginner’s guide to getting published,

introduction to internet writing markets

write your life story,

mystery

travel

writing fiction like a pro,

write and publish your own non-fiction book

advanced fiction writing,

The courses which begin monthly are 6-week courses available online 24-7. New lessons are released each Wednesday and Friday.

The Romance Writing Secrets course will be offered in July and August only. So, if anyone is interested, August will be the last time the course is offered.

Romance Writing Secrets

Learn the secrets of writing romance novels that get publishers excited. Facilitated by a bestselling, multi-published romance author, this course will guide you on your road to writing your first romance and getting it published.

Romance writing is the hottest fiction genre going. From Nora Roberts to Jayne Ann Krentz to Linda Howard, readers gobble up romance novels to the tune of $1.2 billion a year. This course starts with the fundamentals of organizing your book, beginning with the overarching theme, and moves on to the basic elements of good storytelling—character development, structuring your plot, internal and external conflict, and point of view. The class then proceeds to the specifics of romance—the importance of writing emotions, love scenes, witty banter, and romantic imagery. The course concludes with hints and tips on getting published within the romance market.

Students will be exposed to real-life examples from popular romance novels and from the instructor’s 12 years of experience as a published author of 39 romance novels.

6 – week course

$99

Session Start Dates:
July 20
August 17

To register for a Leisure Learning Course.

1. Pay with a Visa, MasterCard, Discover by phone, 475-5616, 475-5130 or 800-622-3352, ext. 5616.
2. Fax Registration Form to 337-475-5172.
3. Mail Registration Form to
MSU Leisure Learning
Box 92375
Lake Charles, LA 70609
4. Pay in person at Smith Hall between 7:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

5. Students may register for online classes at www.ed2go.com/mcneese

May Poché Gray

Coordinator, Programs & Short Courses

McNeese State University

337-475-5130

800-622-3352, ext.5130

Fax: 337-475-5172

mgray (at) mcneese.edu

www.mcneese.edu/conted

THE BLANK PAGE by Stanley Klemetson

2011-06-27T20:16:00.000-05:00

As I sit at my desk in my new office at Utah Valley University I realize that I have a blank page to be filled. How will I fill it? How will I take the experiences that have brought me to this point in my life to write the story of my life to come? Will I always make good choices? Will choices from the past come back to haunt me? How will I fill that blank page? And as a writer, how will these experiences affect the lives of my characters as I write their stories?

I attended a two day writer’s workshop by Orson Scott Card last summer. We were assigned to interview someone in the community to obtain a backstory for our writing. My partner and I found a women sitting at a table in the coffee shop of the book store. After a moment’s hesitation at being approached by two unknown men she decided to join us at our table. For the next 20 minutes she told us her life story, including her children, ex-husband, and work experiences. Armed with that information both of us wrote a story for the next day's class. As you might expect, our stories were different versions of her future even though we had the same starting point. We never gave her copies of what we wrote, but I wonder what she would have thought of the futures we had created for her.

As a novice writer I have to continually experiment with the craft to evaluate what works and what does not. I recently finished reading several books and tried to evaluate the "show not tell" structure of the writing. I tried to determine if the story was believable. There was good and bad writing in the books that I read. Last week I submitted several poems to a contest. I wonder how my writing will be judged. I was not happy with my short stories yet so I have saved them for future contests.

I decided to experiment with the recent story of my own life to see it if makes sense. About two years ago I moved to Lake Charles to work at McNeese State University in the Department of Engineering with a new blank page. The community and people were all unknown. I had never lived that far south. What I found shaped my life and set me on a new path. The people of the south were extremely friendly and quickly drew me into their circle of friends. I sure can't complain about the food. In the Bayou Writers Group I found very supportive friends that encouraged me to write. I enjoyed my writing classes at McNeese, and I wrote poems and short stories that I had always wanted to write. l submitted some of the writings to contests and read one of my poems at a coffee house. At McNeese I was asked to be the Department Head and had a great faculty to work with. I became involved throughout the campus and community. Then I was invited to apply for an Associate Dean position at a large university in Utah, a job that I would not have gotten if had not been the Department Head of Engineering at McNeese State University. Since returning to Utah I have joined a writer’s group with more confidence than I had two years ago.

Let’s go back to my blank page from just two years ago. While the entire story is true, does it sound believable? The whole story sounds unbelievable to me, but I have great memories of Southwest Louisiana and the people I have met. I will miss all of you.

Thanks for the memories.

Stan is an Associate Dean in the College of Technology and Computing and is responsible for the School of Applied Technology and Construction at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. His e-mail address is sklemetson (at) uvu.edu. His phone is 801-368-6476.

NO OPTIONS AVAILABLE by Georgia Downer

2011-06-20T17:36:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning, June 5, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Harry Bernstein, whose acclaimed memoir of an English childhood haunted by anti-Semitism, “The Invisible Wall”, was published when he was 96, has died at 101.
-30-

After receiving 40 rejections, and burning most of his manuscripts, he did write successfully. In 2008, at the age of 98, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship to pursue his writing. I cannot get that first AP sentence out of my mind. I read the rest of those two columns a few minutes ago. They are a testament to perseverance.

Pursue his writing? At 98 years old? Bravo, Mr. Bernstein.

How embarrassing for those of us who despair at our first, tenth, twenty-first rejection. I have no illusions about my writing skill. I enjoy it and find some satisfaction in what I’ve accomplished so far. How much longer should I keep trying; I am, after all, seventy years old. I’ve decided that wallowing in sorrow and disappointment for more than one week, over a rejection slip, is a waste of time. The odds that I could create a best selling novel, or wildly popular magazine/newspaper column are not good. Especially if I never try again.

So I will listen to our writing group’s speakers. I will read up on articles in Writing, and The Writer, search Amazon for yet another new tome on Creative Non-Fiction. I will share writing thoughts with fellow writers. I will learn to trust my own judgment about my stories, hang the rejections slips on my black “Ribbon of Despair,” and keep writing and enjoying it.

There are no options available.

Georgia Downer is BWG Treasurer. She writes essays and short fiction and has won prizes for her work. She's currently working on a novel.

Affecting Others by Sherry Perkins

2011-06-13T14:28:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, I secured a second job. When someone I knew came in, she was surprised to see me and asked, “How do you make time for writing?” I smiled and replied, “When it’s something you’re passionate about, you make time.” She nodded in agreement.

No matter how many hours in the day slip away, I find time to write. For me, it’s more than a passion – it’s an obsession. Not only is it an obsession, it’s my responsibility to nurture whatever talent God mercifully gave me. Unlike going to the grocery store or filling in for me at work, no one can do it for me which brings me to my point.

Zig Ziglar came out with a book of quotes titled, “Zig Ziglar’s Little Book of Big Quotes.” It’s more of a mini-book, maybe three inches by four inches but I keep it in my purse and have for years. Although it is filled with motivational pieces, my favorite is, “You are the only one who can use your ability. It is an awesome responsibility.”

Please don’t keep your passion bottled up. Remove the lid, pour it out, and let it water your soul and the souls of others. For you never know how, or when, your writing will affect someone. Let your stories and your poems be a light in someone’s darkness. Let your paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, quilts, or other projects bring a smile to a stranger’s sad heart. Believe in your talent and develop what the Lord gave you! If not for yourself, do it for others and blessings will overwhelm you.

Sherry Perkins has been published in magazines and newspapers across the state of Louisiana. She loves speaking to people, organizing, being supportive of others, and working hard. Sherry is the 2011 President of Bayou Writers Group and conference coordinator for the November conference--A Bridge to Publication.

Shakespeare's Critique Group by Jan Rider Newman

2011-06-05T18:55:00.000-05:00

"Henry V?" says Thomas Kyd. "Seriously, Will? Don't you realize how bloody tired people are of sequels? How far do you plan to take this – Henry VI? Henry VII? Henry the bloody X, for pity's sake?"

"I agree," says Christopher Marlow. "For what 'tis worth, Will, and only in my humble opinion, of course, but plays about royalty are so overdone. Do you not agree? Everyone?"

"All the same," says Robert Greene, "I rather like that 'band of brothers' bit you've thrown in here. That whole speech gives me a lump in my throat."

"Bearbaiting give you a lump in the throat," says Marlow. "The point is, comedies are the hot trend now. The Comedy of Henry V? Hm."

"God knows, the French are a ridiculous bunch," says Kyd, "especially when fighting or making love. Make more use of that. You never exploit enough potential in your work."

"True, Will." Marlow nods. "You know 'tis true. Again, in my opinion. Take it for what 'tis worth."

"I thought some parts of Henry's dialogue were quite amusing," Greene says. "But why are all of Falstaff's scenes offstage? Your audience loves Falstaff. You cannot let him die in bed offstage. You'll lose your audience."

"Falstaff," cries Kyd. "There was never anything funny about that buffoon! Kill him off in Henry IV is what I wish you'd done."

"The thing about comedies," says Kyd. "'Tis the trend for plays being produced this month. We need to predict the trends coming up a month from now. Ben, you've been unusually silent. What is your take on Will's play? Should it be a comedy?"

"Eh? Is it my turn? Well, I've no problem with the play as a drama, but grammar and punctuation –" Jonson sighs. "Will you never learn to do it properly? I don't think you're even trying. Let's begin with Act I, Scene i, line 5 . . ."

Jan Rider Newman is a published writer of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, currently writing a fantasy novel. She co-edits and publishes Swamp Lily Review, An Online Journal of Louisiana Literature & Arts (http://swamplily.com); contributes articles and book reviews to the Best Damn Creative Writing Blog (http://bestdamncreativewritingblog.com); edits the Gator Talk newsletter for the Bayou Writers' Group; and is the group's current webmaster.

2011-05-20T11:35:00.000-05:00

Bayou Writers’ Group

2011 Members-Only Contest

BWG presents its third Members-Only Contest. Categories are fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Judging will be done by qualified professionals and may include comments and suggestions on each entry and score sheet. Rules are below. Submission deadline is JUNE 4, 2011. Winners will receive a certificate and free BWG Membership for 2012 (from January 2012 to December 2012).

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES (RULES)

Poetry: rhymed or unrhymed up to 25 lines

Fiction or nonfiction up to 3,000 words

COVER SHEET: Use a separate cover sheet for each entry. Put your name, complete address, telephone number, and email address (if applicable) in the upper left-hand corner. In the upper right- hand corner, list category and number of words or lines (whichever is applicable). Double space six times and center the title. Double space again and type the first line of your story/poem (to avoid confusion in case of a title being used by more than one member). DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON ANY OTHER PAGE! Cover sheets will be kept in a special envelope by the President for identification of the winning entries and will not be sent to the judges with the submissions.

ALL ENTRIES

This must be your original unpublished work. Publication on the Internet is publication. Use font size 12 and Times New Roman only. Text should be on one side of each page. Each member may enter ONE PIECE IN TWO SEPARATE CATEGORIES, for example: one fiction and one poem, or one nonfiction and one fiction, but not two fiction pieces! Each category must have at least five entries or the category will be cancelled.

FICTION AND NONFICTION: Entries must be typed and double-spaced with one-inch margins. For the first page, double space eight times from the top of the page, center the title, double space again, and begin the story. On each succeeding page of story, type title and page number in the upper right- hand corner WITHOUT AUTHOR’S NAME.

POETRY: Poems must be typed but may be single-spaced and may begin at the top of the page. List number of text lines in upper right-hand corner. On each succeeding page, type title and page number in upper right-hand corner WITHOUT AUTHOR’S NAME.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS NOON (12:00 PM) AT THE JUNE 4^TH, 2011 MEETING!

Emailed entries are not accepted. If a member lives out of town, he/she may mail in their submission(s). Fasten cover sheet and three copies of your submission with a large paperclip. DO NOT STAPLE ANYTHING! Entries which do not conform to these rules will be disqualified and not judged. Judges often write comments directly on the submission. Each entry will be judged but we cannot guarantee all judges will write comments on either the score sheet or submission. Decisions of the judges are final.

WINNERS AND AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE SEPTEMBER 2011 MEETING!

Ten Hot Tips for Writing Non-Fiction by Angie Kay Dilmore

2011-04-25T09:40:00.001-05:00

I recently attended Houston’s Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) conference. Several hundred conferees packed a ballroom at the Merrill Center in Katy. Six out of eight speakers were either an agent or editor. Because so many traditional publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts, conferences like these are essential for getting your foot in the door of publishing houses. It takes time and money to attend conferences, but if you’re serious about your writing, they are definitely worth it.

Brenda Murray, Senior Editor at Scholastic, spoke to us on writing non-fiction. Naturally, she geared her talk to writing for children, but most of the principles apply to any non-fiction writing. Listed are Ms. Murray’s suggestions.

1. Know your audience. Know their reading level and what they enjoy reading. Then speak their language. Include a glossary if appropriate.

2. Research the competition. How is your book different? Is there room in the market for another book on that subject? If there aren’t other books out there on that subject, is there a reason why?

3. Make it interactive. Include quizzes, puzzles, experiments, games, and activities. (This would be more applicable to children’s writing.)

4. Keep it brief. Say what you need to say in as few words as possible. Follow word count guidelines.

5. Focus your subject. Can you narrow a broad general topic to create a more interesting subject?

6. Consider narrative in your non-fiction writing. Rather than merely stating facts, tell your reader a story, with a beginning, middle, and end.

7. Introduce a new concept. Tell your reader something he/she does not already know. Or add a new twist to a familiar subject.

8. Use exciting language, strong verbs, and interesting word choices to grab your readers’ attention.

9. Don’t assume your reader has prior knowledge of a subject. Add clarification or explanation in your story where necessary.

10. Include bonus material with your non-fiction work, such as maps, photos, illustrations, websites, etc. (Often the publisher takes care of this. Depends on where you’re submitting.)

If you consider yourself a fiction writer, don’t dismiss non-fiction writing, as I did when I first started writing. Any prolific published author will tell you, non-fiction sells way easier than fiction. I once heard a remarkable statistic at a writers conference. I wish I could remember the quote exactly. Though the specific numbers escape me, the powerful message did not. But it went something like this (I’m making this up, so do not quote me.) There are ten fiction writers for every two non-fiction writers. And there are ten works of non-fiction accepted for every two fiction pieces accepted. The odds are definitely in the favor of non-fiction writers!

Angie Kay Dilmore is a freelance writer originally from Pittsburgh Pa., and has lived the past several years in southwest Louisiana. She writes for the children’s magazine market and contributes regularly to Boys’ Life. Angie reviews books for The Best Damn Creative Writing Blog, a literary website featuring publishing industry news, essays, reviews and commentary. She also writes picture books, poetry, and is working on a middle grade historical fiction. You can find Angie blogging at The Trials and Triumphs of a Transplant.

Stimulate Your Muse and Stay Focused by Pamela S. Thibodeaux © 2006

2011-04-05T22:13:00.000-05:00

Okay, so you’ve jumped off the deep end and quit your job to stay home and write. You researched all the possibilities, you know that it sometimes takes up to two years for freelance writers to make a significant amount of income, and you’re prepared. Your office is set up; you have an ergonomic keyboard and comfortable chair, plenty of office supplies and an empty filing cabinet. What now? Where do you start? How do you find enough writing projects to begin earning that income? Better yet, how do you know what to write and where to submit?

Here are a few tips and ideas:

• Read. This should go without saying, but if you’re interested in writing for publications like the ‘True’ magazines, Guideposts and Angels on Earth or even Chicken Soup, then read those publications.

• Research. Another given when it comes to freelance writing. Visit different writing sites and newsletters and check out their “current needs” section, you can often get your articles/essays accepted easily because what you’re writing is exactly what they are looking for. Checking out the current needs of a publication will stimulate your muse should you be in a slump.

• Blogging has become not only a fun thing to do, but informative and for some, lucrative. Sites like Blogitive and PayPerPost are just a few places, but a web search on “get paid to blog” revealed over 39,000,000 links. The freedom you have in blogging is another way to get your creative juices flowing.

• **TIP** Once you sign up at one or more blog sites, check out their “high dollar words” and use these words to create your niche and build your readership.

• Freelance Sites offer numerous opportunities to write. Some like Freelance Writing.Com, Freelance Work Exchange, Guru.com, and Elance have programs where you can bid on jobs, but there are hundreds maybe thousands of other sites out there. Most of these sites offer a free newsletter that keeps you informed of the latest jobs available.

• Newsletters like Writers Gazette, Funds for Writers, Scribe & Quill and others are FREE and always include writing opportunities.

• There are millions of writers’ ezines, websites, and writer groups’ newsletters who are always looking for content. Writer Success, Writer2Writer, Byline, and Novel Writer Magazine come to mind.

• Become an Instructor: Places like Inspired Author, Universeclass.com and Onlinecourse.com need instructors to teach writing courses.

• Become a Topic Editor. Inspired Author is a site that offers professional help on various writing topics. A TE for IA will receive tons of promotion plus opportunities to write and earn money.

• Become an Expert! Sits like Lifetips.com, Helium Knowledge and Associated Content pay for expert advice or ‘tips’ as well as offer writing opportunities.

• Write Ebooks: Writing and self-publishing ebooks through places like Lulu.com is quickly becoming a way for freelance writers to make money. People buy “How To” ebooks that are short, concise and informative.

• Check out Writing Schools like Longridge Writers Group who often pay for interviews and chats as well as purchase articles for their website and newsletter content.

• Rewrite/revise/resubmit. Once your article or essay is accepted for a publication, make a list of other places where you can submit it as a reprint or revise/rewrite and submit to an alternative market.

So now that you know what to do, what do you do with all of those leads, links, and guidelines?

There are several ways to keep track of the information you receive but I have found that if you save it in a file on your computer or bookmark the different sites, you’re going to spend as much (if not more) time reading than writing. One thing that helps is to print the guidelines for different sites you’d like to write for and file them alphabetically in an expandable file folder. If you receive writing opportunities via newsletter or ezine, print and file them according to deadline dates.

These are just a few ideas on stimulating your muse and staying focused. Remember, Freelance writing is a business and should be treated as such. Schedule regular work hours, take routine breaks and keep accurate records for tax purposes.

Award winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-founder and lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction and creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.” Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Quotes (and more) for Writers

2011-03-24T17:17:00.012-05:00

I love quotes by (and for) writers. Before I bought a laptop, post-it notes with wise words from writer friends decorated my desktop computer. We can learn from them, if we will. We can call on them for encouragement or we can use them as wise counsel. Here are a few interesting quotes for you.

You pay your dues—which takes years. ~Alex Haley

No one knows exactly HOW long but I can tell you with some certainty that it depends on how much you're writing. If you write every day, you'll learn faster; if you're sending your material to publishers, you'll pay your dues a little faster than someone who writes and mails out when the mood hits.

The task of a writer consists of being able to make something out of an idea. ~Thomas Mann

An idea isn't a plot and usually doesn't hit us as a full-blown book. I get more ideas than I know what to do with; the hard part is creating a story with a beginning, a middle and an end from that skimpy little idea.

The difference between reality and fiction? Fiction has to make sense. ~Tom Clancy

Unfortunately, this is too true.

No, it's not a very good story—its author was too busy listening to other voices to listen as closely as he should have to the one coming from inside. ~ Stephen King

This is a wonderful quote by Stephen King and one we should all remember. Who's voice do you hear in your head? Who's screaming at you to watch what you say and how you say it, and telling you that you can't do that? Who are you trying to please?

Nothing leads so straight to futility as literary ambitions without systematic knowledge. ~H.G. Wells

Do we know the correct way to write a novel, short story, poetry? Is that what Wells means by systematic knowledge? Have we educated ourselves in the genre of our choice and about the publishers to whom we wish to submit? There are a hundred different ways we need to educate ourselves in this publishing world.

You must want to enough. Enough to take all the rejections, enough to pay the price of disappointment and discouragement while you are learning. Like any other artist you must learn your craft—then you can add all the genius you like. ~Phyllis A. Whitney

In a nutshell, learn the rules before you break them, and get used to being pummeled with rejections because that's part of the learning process.

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. ~Sylvia Plath

Amen and Amen.

I try to leave out the parts that people skip. ~Elmore Leonard

Good advice but I might love what you will skip and vice versa so what do we learn from this? Anything goes: write from your heart.

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. ~Toni Morrison

Go for it but realize that it might not find a publishing home--ever. How do you feel about writing two, five, eight books and never selling any of them? Is your love for storytelling so strong and fierce that you don't care whether you sell anything or not? Good! Come share whatever drives you with the rest of us.

BWG is where we find encouragement and fellowship. BWG is our support group. The speakers we bring in, the fellowship we experience once a month or in our weekly critique groups, gives us what we need to continue this path we've chosen.

If you haven't submitted something to the newsletter, please do. You may have words of encouragement someone in our group needs to read.
If you haven't submitted a blog post, please do. Your experiences and thoughts might help someone climb out of their writer's block.
Have you paid your dues? Please do. Someone in BWG might look forward to visiting with you each meeting.

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Solomon, Proverbs 11:14

Bayou Writers' Group is a writer's safe place.

Jessica Roach Ferguson is a novelist, writing instructor, and editor/co-owner of Swamp Lily Review, a journal of Louisiana literature and arts. Because of her husband’s work, she bounces back and forth across the Texas-Louisiana line with one fun jaunt to Scotland. She blogs at http://jessyferguson.blogspot.com/

Tax Deductions for Writers by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

2011-03-16T10:34:00.008-05:00

Variations of this article have appeared in print and e-publications including but not limited to SpiritLed Writer Ezine, Longridge Writers Group Website, and Romancing the Skyz print magazine.

Writing is more than creating the ‘great American novel’; writing is a Business and a business requires record keeping and tax preparation. Many have already begun gathering information and getting things in order. Most will wait until the last minute then be in a panic. Don’t be one of them, be PREPARED!

IRS rules state that you can claim a loss for business expenses even if you’re unpublished as long as you can “prove you are actively pursuing a career in writing” and as long as the expenses are considered “necessary business expenses.”

Most writers will use a Schedule C or Profit and Loss statement to file their business tax. This form is found in your 1040 forms and instructions book or from your local IRS office. You can file a 1040 form with a Schedule C and still take standard deductions in lieu of itemizing. Use your social security number and your name unless writing under a pseudonym then it’s your name DBA (your pseudonym). The “Principal Business or Professional Activity Code” (711510) is listed in your 1040 book under the Performing Arts section.

How do you prove you’re “actively pursuing a career in writing” and what are “necessary business expenses”? Here are a few examples:

1). Send letters to agents, editors, publishers. Postage is deductible as well as return postage on your SASE. Do this via email? Print out a copy of your email query and their response.

2). Office supplies (paper, ink, envelopes, business cards, etc.) are valid expenditures. If you have an office set up in your home you may be able to claim a portion of your rent or house note and utility bills for the use of this room. Also, long distance phone calls that are writing related are deductible as well as Internet service fees if you’re using the Internet to develop your craft and/or promote yourself and your work.

3). Membership dues, conference fees, hotel expenses, gas mileage and meals are all deductible expenses even for unpublished writers.

5). Fees related to the creation, development and maintenance of your website are tax deductible.

6). Professional fees and services (CPA, Tax Consultant, professional evaluation or critique, attorney fees, etc)

How do you keep track of all those expenses?
Spreadsheets and receipts. Keep receipts in a standard manila envelope or organized by category in a pocket sized file folder. Spreadsheets are easy to set up and easy to maintain. Most programs like Windows come with a standard spreadsheet application. One column (or page) for Income and one for Expenses. What about all those formulas? Simple. Most spreadsheets have an Auto Sum ( feature for the addition of a column or you can manually do this by using the formula =sum(cell+cell) or =sum(cell:cell) for a range of cells. Need to subtract, divide or multiply? Formula would be: =Sum(cell*cell) to multiply; =sum(cell/cell) to divide; and =sum(cell-cell) to subtract.

Additional items that can be written off as expenses for published writers.

1). Promotional expenses (brochures, flyers, press kits, press releases, etc.)

2). Books donated to libraries or given away for promotional purposes may be deducted at retail value.

3). Books bought for research.

4). Dry-cleaning those nice clothes you wear for speaking engagements, book signings or other author appearances.

5). Postage and/or shipping fees for books sent to wholesalers, retailers, readers, reviewers, etc.

6). Agent fees and commissions.

7). Set up costs, cover art, and the charge for producing (or buying) your self or E-published books. Occupational or Resale License fees are also deductible.

Remember, if it falls under “Necessary Business Expense” it is deductible!

Worried about being audited? Don’t. Be careful and be honest.

One more note; IRS suggests that you keep all tax records for a minimum of seven but up to ten years. Remember, tax laws change yearly. For more information visit the IRS website @ www.irs.gov or call them toll free at: 800-829-3676 and request publications such as # 334 (Tax Guide for Small Businesses and Individuals who use Schedule C or C-EZ), #535 (Business Expense –this guide tells you what you can and CANNOT deduct), and #552 (Record keeping for Individuals).

For more information on deductions available to you, check out: Tax Tips for Freelance Writers, Photographers and Artists by Julian Block. Julian Block is a nationally recognized attorney who has been singled out by the New York Times as a "leading tax professional" and by the Wall Street Journal as "an accomplished writer on taxes." E-mail him at julianblock@yahoo.com or telephone (914) 834 3227. His address is 3 Washington Square, #1-G, Larchmont, NY 10538 2032.

Pamela S. Thibodeaux has been a bookkeeper for over twenty years. She is the co-founder and a member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She is the author of the 4-part ‘Tempered’ series from ComStar Media. In addition to the series, her single title novel, The Inheritance and 4 short stories are available from White Rose Publishing. Pam’s writing has been tagged as “Inspirational with an Edge!” and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.” All full-length novels are available in print from Amazon.com or through Pam’s website. All titles available in Ebook also from All Romance Ebooks.

A Love of Reading - Nature or Nurture?

2011-03-07T19:46:00.007-06:00

I recently read a dedication in a book that said, “For my mother, who took me to the library.” What a lovely sentiment, attributing his success as an author to his mother. Then I thought of my own mother and my own upbringing. I love my mom dearly; I can’t imagine a better mother. But I have no memories of her taking me to the library. I don’t recall with fondness sitting on her lap as a youngster listening to her read to me. And yet, I grew up loving books, reading, writing. Where did I get this, if not from the way I was raised? I have to assume I was born with a love for words.

I have several childhood memories related to books and reading. I recall in elementary school, one of my favorite things was when the teacher passed out the Scholastic book order forms. Mom would always allow me to buy one or two books. I would pore over the selections, fill out the form, checking the books I wanted. Then I couldn’t wait till they arrived at the school; the teacher would pass them out, I’d carry them home on the bus, run home and to my room and delve in.

I read everything with printed words. I remember reading every word on the cereal box as I ate breakfast. I read Highlights For Children in the dentist office. I read my Grandpa Drummer’s Field and Stream magazine. Billboards, street signs, the instructions on the forced air hand dryers in public restrooms . . .

And there was my fifth grade teacher, who liked a story I’d written and read it aloud in class. I credit that moment as the first time I knew I wanted to be a writer, even though I didn’t pursue that dream till 30 years later.

In the church we attended when I was a kid, there was a closet of a library with a scant few shelves of books. But every Sunday after the service, I’d find myself there, perusing the titles, and always found something I thought might interest me. Before I even knew how to read, when I was in kindergarten and just learning, in order to occupy myself in the pew during the service, I’d circle all the words I recognized in the church bulletin.

I don’t remember receiving many books from my parents as gifts – oh, surely I did, they knew I loved to read – but I absolutely remember the Christmas they gave me my first Bible; a King James Version, red faux leather cover, tiny print on thin fragile paper. My own Bible! I loved it. I still have it.

And then there was my great-grandfather Umble. He had been a country school teacher, and in his small country cottage, he had a library. I was fascinated with this room, a long narrow rectangle, one wall lined with shelves of books, and his small desk at the far end in front of a window. Great-grandpa knew I loved to read, and despite the fact that he surely had several dozen great-grandchildren, he gave me a few books over the years. Of course, I still have them.

What creates an avid reader/writer? I believe it can be nurture. I started reading to my own sons before they were even born. When they were babies and toddlers, story times were always the highlight of our days. And now as teenagers, they are both voracious readers. But it must also be nature. If someone is born with a love of reading, they will find their way to books.

Angie Kay Dilmore is a freelance writer originally from Pittsburgh Pa., and has lived the past several years in southwest Louisiana. She writes for the children’s magazine market and contributes regularly to Boys’ Life. Angie reviews books for The Best Damn Creative Writing Blog, a literary website featuring publishing industry news, essays, reviews and commentary. She also writes picture books, poetry, and is working on a middle grade historical fiction. You can find Angie blogging at The Trials and Triumphs of a Transplant.

Ten Do's and Don't for Organizing Your Writing by Linda W. Hurst

2011-02-27T23:03:00.008-06:00

Is your writing space so cluttered you can’t find the desktop, let alone write anything worth printing? Do you feel like screaming, throwing things, or worse--calling the Clean House television show to come to your aid? Take heart…help is just ten steps away. Just follow these ten simple Do’s and Don’ts—and you’ll discover that your writing muse has returned—along with your sanity!

1. Do set aside space that will only be used by you—and dedicate that space, however tiny, to your writing. Make sure you have good lighting, a comfortable chair, and a shelf for your Writer’s Market Guides, dictionaries, etc.

2. Do purchase several loose-leaf notebooks, and plastic storage tubs or file boxes. Use these to organize writing projects. (I use a notebook for each writing project, keeping notes, research, manuscripts, and query letters together in one place.) Organize notebooks with tabs—number chapters, notes, etc. The plastic tubs are perfect for keeping notes, photos, artifacts, etc. for individual projects together.

3. Do invest in an Organizer. This could be the traditional type (Day-Runner) or try using technology to keep your life orderly. Whichever you choose, use it to keep your schedule, i.e. writing groups/ conventions/ contests. Use it to file contest information/guidelines behind the deadline month so that you never miss an opportunity to submit. (I personally use my Smart Phone, which I keep glued to me like an appendage. I love using the reminder tool—it is persistent and never lets me forget important dates/times.)

4. Don’t be a clutter bug! Throw away or shred paper files and research if this information can be located on the Internet. There is no reason to clutter up your space any more than necessary.

5. Do utilize your computer to make your life easier. For example, Use a spreadsheet (Excel) to keep tabs on writing expenses and sales. Keep a basket on your desk to contain receipts until you have time to enter them into your spreadsheet and file them away. (NOTE: You can use an Excel file to keep up with your submissions/rejections too!)

6. Do use Microsoft Power Point (or just plain paper stapled together in a booklet form) to create dummies for picture books. This will help you visualize what your book will look like and even to determine the appropriate word length. Remember, picture books come in specific page lengths—32 pages is the norm.

7. Don’t let old magazines stack up. Save important articles by removing them from the magazine and storing them in a file designated for that purpose. If you choose to save a copy or two of a magazine, make sure these copies are current. Remember, magazine styles and needs change, as do their editors.

8. Do keep a submission/rejection notebook. (I use an Excel spreadsheet.) Visit this a minimum of once per month so you will remember what you have out and what/where you need to resubmit. This will save you from sending the same piece to the same editor more than once! After all, editors are human too…really!

9. Do keep a portfolio of your best pieces. If it becomes cumbersome, pare it down to your favorite pieces.

10. Don’t take chances! Invest in a couple of “thumb” (sometimes called “flash” or “jump”) drives. Use one for saving your writing—and the other for a back-up. You won’t clutter up your hard drive—and you can carry your writing with you wherever you go. For peace of mind, keep one flash drive in your purse/pocket and one at home. Another idea—create an e-mail site for the sole purpose of storing your writing—that way you have access to your writing regardless of your location or the condition of your hard drive!

So, if you really want to increase your writing productivity, consider these ten items. You can have an organized work space with just a little effort. It will save you time—and make you money in the long run. What are you waiting for? Get up, get busy, and get organized for success!

LINDA WHITTINGTON HURST has written articles in several professional journals, including the Kansas Journal of Reading, The International Reading Association’s Language Experience Forum, and Collaborations: the Journal of Louisiana Early Childhood Education. Her first college textbook, Making Connections for lifelong learning: A step-by-step guide for developing thematic units that work came out in the fall of 2009. Two of her short stories appeared in an anthology entitled, Veterans of Freedom and Other Stories. Two more were included in The Storyteller with a third, entitled You’ll Never be a Writer, scheduled for publication in the April/May issue. Her middle-grade novel entitled, The Seeing Eye Detectives: Case of the Missing Dog, coauthored with her best friend, Linda Lee won the 2009 Bloom Honor Book award. It is scheduled to be published soon. Recently, the Rowlett Writer’s Workshop Anthology entitled, Quills and Crossroads (available on Amazon.com) featured four of Linda’s short stories.

Making It Right with The Last Word by Jessica Ferguson

2011-02-23T12:44:00.012-06:00

When I was a kid, my mom popped me in the face many times because I’d poke my chin toward her with ‘a last word.’ So here I am again—right or wrong—having my last word.

In December Pam and Randy told the new officers that they’d received complaints that BWG wasn’t meeting the needs of the members. Pam shared this with me during our three-hour coffee at Starbucks a few weeks ago. Of course, when I defended my reign as prez and my exceptional board of officers, Pam assured me she wasn’t talking about my two year reign. I’m not sure when BWG didn’t meet the membership’s needs, but I’ll address my two years in office only.

When I became BWG president, I was determined to do everything different from previous years. My plan was to throw the kitchen sink at you—make everything so available and at your fingertips that you couldn’t help but learn, be energized and motivated, write, get published and rush to bestseller lists.

We had regular speakers. Please note: the speakers we bring in are not for our entertainment. Their purpose is to share their experiences with us, answer our questions so that we can learn from their successes and mistakes. They aren’t there to sell their books though that’s one way we repay them for their preparation and spending their Saturday with us.

We also started the Members Only contest. Some of you know I don’t believe in contests with only two entries and awarding the best of the worst. Our guidelines were specific and stated that each of our three categories must have no less than five entries. I deemed the contest a success because we had a few more than 20 entries and each one received critiques from three judges from various parts of the country. Whether or not you got good comments, something you could use from your judges, is another matter altogether. The point was for you to take advantage of entering a contest, learn to follow specific guidelines and see critiques from someone other than close friends.

Market information (hard copies) was furnished to each member at every BWG meeting—at no expense to BWG.

We also started the BWG blog so our members could experience writing short blog posts in an encouraging, non-threatening environment. The purpose of blogging isn’t for our own entertainment; it’s to get your name out there and to prepare you for promoting your work.

During 2010 we repeated much of what we had done during 2009 with the addition of Gator Bites, a way to get each of you a byline, and promote BWG and our writing at our conference.

While doing all of the above, we also started a critique group that meets each Thursday from 10-12 at Stellar Beans. A second critique group meets in the evenings at Village Coffee for those of you who work during the day.

In hindsight, at least in my eyes, Bayou Writers’ Group looks like a very professional organization—a group any writer would want to join and particpate in. It looks like a group that nurtures its members--and meets their needs.

So, in a nutshell, here’s my last word: If BWG did not meet your needs during my reign as president, then I’ll critique you, edit you, encourage you, send you market info, and be your writing coach for the next two years. BUT FIRST, I will check your attendance record (yes, I have it) and review your involvement in BWG. After all, if you don’t put anything into the writing jar, then you sure as heck don’t get anything out of it.

So there you have it. If you faithfully participated in BWG activities and events during my reign as president, and we didn't meet your needs, honestly, something is wrong. I want to make it right. Let me hear from you.

Jessica Ferguson is the author of The Groom Wore Blue Suede Shoes w/a Jessica Travis. She is published in Chicken Soup for the Chocolate Lover's Soul, Daily Devotions for Writers and a number of regional magazines and newspapers in Louisiana and Texas.

A Writer's Testimony by Rachel Windham

2011-02-15T09:01:00.009-06:00

Exactly one year ago, I became a BWG member. Surrounded by wonderful people who share my love of writing, I have been encouraged, inspired, and challenged.

I came to the group feeling timid about myself as a writer. Although I had written for years, even had a few things in print, I was only beginning to share that hidden part of myself that admitted I wanted to write…to BE a writer. Joining BWG was a moment of vulnerability for me, an exposure of my innermost, sacred “me-place.” The minutes that I spent waiting my turn for introductions during that first meeting were tremulous ones for me. Palms sweating and heart pounding, I stated my name and gave a little history about myself, but my attendance was the greater declaration, the proclamation that my secret passion for writing was going public. This launched me into a new phase of my writing life.

I knew I was a novice among veterans, but I was never made to feel like one. Instead, I felt included, warmed by the openness of the group and the practical advice both speakers and members so readily shared. There was security in having others reveal their writing stories, for often it was similar to my own--fraught with uncertainty and frustration as well as sprinkled with moments of success. This common ground gave me courage to take steps I otherwise would have avoided. I joined a social network. I entered a couple of contests- even becoming a finalist in one. I attempted to set up a web site. I had a book signing for a newly self-published a book. I read at a poetry reading.

Still, I’m not where I want to be as a writer. All I have to do is listen to my fellow BWG members read their impromptu writings or share their writing achievements, and I realize that I have a lot to learn and just as much to experience, but that keeps me challenged…and incredibly humbled.

It’s true that I am, more often than not, a bundle of nerves, that I continue to hesitate to fully commit, that I’m still sluggish when it comes to motivation, that I remain addled about marketing my work, that I’m slow to the draw and even slower to pull the trigger, but I no longer feel immobilized by my deficiencies. Instead, as a part of SWLA’s best writing group, I feel hopeful, for I am guided by fearless writers who have walked this path before me, and I am supported by their mutually shared faith in their fellow BWG members…and I am one of those members!

Rachel Windham refers to herself as a Pen of Praise poet and author. Her book, A KINGDOM TO CALL HOME, is a children's devotional book. To order her book, go to her website HERE or talk with her at our BWG meetings.

Writing: Pain or Pleasure by Marcia Dutton

2011-02-07T21:51:00.006-06:00

Before a friend got me writing and I joined The Bayou Writer’s Group, I was a busy artist trying to find enough time to paint. I now discover that writing has become an addiction, something like email communication. My life is no longer my own and I don’t know where to allot my precious time.

It appears that writing has surpassed my desire to paint. There is so much I want to say and tell young family members of their ancestors, of whom they have little knowledge, but a keen desire to know. Now as the eldest in my extended family, I feel an obligation to tell some of the stories that fascinated me.

Additionally, having lived and traveled around the world, there are experiences I wish to share with them. As I write, I have found such pleasure in remembering incidents long put on a back burner as present day life takes control.

BWG is a joy to belong to. In the usual social everyday life, how often does one get to learn the thoughts and experiences of other people? Believe me, you hear some fascinating stories. And, how often do people ask about you or your experiences? Very rarely. In such a group, you get the opportunity to share as well as learn.

Just the act of writing is beneficial to the mind. Writing is as much a science as an art form, and like so many things, is ever-changing…good exercise for working those old gray cells.

All in all, even if, like me, you are no professional, you can still find writing to be a pleasure.

Award-winning artist Marcia Dutton has published letters to the editor in the American Press and the only English newspaper in Saudi Arabia. She was a newsletter editor in Saudi Arabia and sent numerous letters home to family members about life in the various countries she lived in. Marcia is writing a book of memoirs about her days in the U.S. Navy and her many adventures abroad.

Gems of Wisdom by Pat Marcantel

2011-01-30T22:32:00.007-06:00

Do many of you save gems of wisdom from writers and/or artists? My own personal "gem" on writing is that it is so ingrained in my psyche that I have to do it. It doesn't matter if it's never published or even read by anyone else. I first wrote poems to my mom and dad and to my brother. Then I wrote letters to that same brother when he went off to war. And so the writing never stopped. Here are some gems that I've picked up along the way from writers far more prolific and talented than I will ever be.

"One of the questions a writer is most often asked is, 'Where do you get your ideas?' If a person does not have ideas, he or she better not even think of becoming a writer. But ideas are everywhere. The daily newspaper could keep you writing for years. Ideas are all about us, in the people we meet, the way we live, travel and how we think about things. It's important to remember that we are writing about people. Ideas are important only as they affect people. And we are writing about emotion. A few people reason, but all people feel."

"There are only a certain number of plots (as value patterns are limited) and they are very basic. A plot is nothing but a normal human situation that keeps arising again and again. Shakespeare's work has lived as long as it has because he dealt with normal human emotions such as envy, ambition, rivalry, love, hate, greed, and so on. These are basic drives among and are with us forever."

"Start writing, no matter what about. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on." ~ Louis L'Amour

Will Durant said: "A book is a friend that will do what no friend does--be silent when we wish to think."

And Gustave Flaubert said, "Talent is nothing but long patience."

A. H. Maslow: "...[we assume that] creativeness consists of lightning striking you on the head in one glorious moment. The fact that the people who create are good workers tends to be lost."

Last is Sidney Harris: "Self-discipline without talent can often achieve astounding results, whereas talent without self-discipline inevitably dooms itself to failure."

To wrap all of this up: Write because you want to, have to, care to, or just because. Become a people watcher and listener and a newspaper reader. Do not wait until lightning strikes you on the head to begin writing, turn the faucet on now. Develop patience and self-discipline in your writing and in your life.

Finish what you start. How many neglected, half (more or less) finished works do we have stashed in our poor computers, or languishing in notebooks stacked ever so neatly? Don't you dare lie and say, "Oh, I don't have any writing hanging around like that." I know I can't be the only one who has neglected children.

"Consider the postage stamp. Its usefulness consists of its ability to stick to one thing until it gets there." ~Henry Wheeler Shaw

Artist/Author Pat Marcantel can be found blogging and hanging out on Facebook and Twitter any day of the week. Her poetry and photographs can be found in Swamp Lily Review. She's the author of Oberlin: The First 100 Years. If you'd like a copy, contact Pat.

Choices by Georgia Downer

2011-01-21T18:59:00.005-06:00

I submitted a short story for inclusion in a local library publication. Today I was asked to read the story at the yearly awards program. I agreed. I then remembered that all stories submitted are included in a bound collection of that year’s submissions.

Before I committed to the library, I intended to submit the story to several publications, all of which require “unpublished” material.

Do I honor the first submission and have it become published material or withdraw the story from the library contest and submit as “unpublished” to other sources?

Georgia Downer is BWG Treasurer. She writes essays and short fiction and has won prizes for her work. She's currently working on a novel.

Are You Telling The Truth or Writing Fiction? by Stanley L. Klemetson

2011-01-07T21:02:00.003-06:00

As I sit at my computer on this cold winter evening in Orem, Utah, with the temperature outside at about 2 ⁰F and frozen snow on the ground, my mind travels back over my journey in this life. I have just finished reading ‘Turning Life into Fiction’ by Robin Hemley and I am preparing to write about my adventures either as fiction or as family history. Mr. Hemley said that “…most autobiographic books stretch the truth from time to time, exaggerating and bending events to fit the story or the characters.” He also says the most outlandish fiction stories often contain a bit of real life experiences.

Each of us has interesting stories that we would like to share with our grandchildren. Do we have a responsibility to record the events of our lives for our descendants in a diary or journal as we think they happened? Or do we leave our family with a few short accurate paragraphs about ourselves and then use everything else as fodder for fiction stories that they might enjoy reading more. But what is the truth we want to tell? Is it accurate? Tell a story of a time you shared with a spouse or a friend and then have that person retell the story. Is it the same story or does point of view impact the details of the story. And what if your version of the story does not speak in glowing terms about the other person?

On January 22nd I am taking a class from Dr. Delma Porter at McNeese on Creative Non-Fiction Writing. For that class I read the book ‘Bird by Bird’ by Anne Lamott. She talks about taking major events or small episodes from our lives and shaping or exaggerating things to capture what life felt like. This leads me to think about another way to present our life’s experiences, or at least use them as a basis for stories.

I have prepared long detailed lists of episodes that come together to form major events. It is tempting to include everything, ‘because it really happened,’ but that does not always make a very interesting story and even I have to ask, ‘is it believable.’ Are all of the people important to the story or would a composite person be better to convey the feeling of the story. I am currently writing stories loosely based upon real events, but with characters, dialogues, and time frames modified to convey the stories, conflicts and resolutions.

Should I write my stories at all or just use the characters, circumstances, and settings that I use to bring life into the stories. Once those elements are in place then I am just the recorder of the truthful stories of those characters. At a workshop I attended last summer with Orson Scott Card we were assigned to interview someone. My partner and I interviewed a women in a book store to gather details about her life that I could use as a starting point of my story. In my life and travels there are many other starting points for stories. Of course these would be pure fiction stories as compared to the stories based upon personal past experiences.

Since it is unlikely that I will ever make a living at writing I still enjoy writing for my family and I also enjoy seeing my name in print. It is a conflict that I will continue to have as I search to find out what is truth and what is fiction.

A Day To Remember by Stanley Klemetson

2010-11-20T21:34:00.013-06:00

Bayou writers’ group conference,
A bridge to publication;
You were rewarded for your presence
On listening to their presentations,
Underdown, Goldstein and Coen

Words printed upon the page
Recorded for all to read;
Interesting stories to share,
Tall tales of fiction to hear,
Enthralled and entertained,
Relishing in the synergy,
Speakers energized us all.

Stanley Klemetson, Ph.D., is head of the Department of Engineering at McNeese State University. Most of his writing experience has been for technical publications and books. He served as editor for a college magazine and had previously worked with a publisher for a proposed text book on technical writing. One of his goals is to complete that task. Stan also serves on the Advisory Board for the Write to Excellence Center at McNeese and is taking a class on creative writing. He has started submitting works for contests and is currently working on several poems, short stories and a book.

NOTE: If you are interested in an evening critique group, contact Stan at
stanley.klemetson (at) gmail.com

Poetry Can, and Does, Matter by Jan Rider Newman

2010-11-14T18:05:00.010-06:00

(Jan with poet Stella Nesanovich)

In an issue of the Atlantic in 1991 Dana Gioia asked: "Can Poetry Matter?" His article was the lead essay in his book Can Poetry Matter? Essays on Poetry and American Culture. If you have somehow or other missed that wonderful essay, please read it here. In summary, the answer is "Yes." Of course. It has to.

Speaking to a poet friend once, I wondered how people live without poetry. Many people, if asked, will probably answer, "Very well, thank you," but I think such an answer comes from lack of understanding what poetry, what all art, is about and is supposed to do for us.

Dana Gioia's philosophy of poetry, simply stated, is that it be accessible to everyone, not only college professors and intellectuals, but plumbers, farmers, homemakers, secretaries, and store clerks. Poetry won't get you out of debt -- ask a poet. A painting won't repair a troubled marriage. A novel won't keep a house out of foreclosure. One thing art will do is show us that we're not alone in our turbulent lives. Our feelings and our losses and gains aren't only our own. So often, if we bother to look, we see them in a poem like "The Lost Garden," a painting like "Girl with a Pearl Earring," or a novel like Cannery Row.

Art doesn't enrich our pocketbooks; it enriches us. I think more people used to understand that. Educators used to grasp and base their teaching on that concept, so that students were prepared not only for the job market, but for life.

The best poetry doesn't live in an ivory tower. Give it a chance, and you'll find out. If you pick up a poem and find it too deep or too dull, put it down and look elsewhere. It doesn't matter if you like Shakespeare or John Donne or Joyce Kilmer. Give poetry a try and see if you get what I'm saying, and what Dana Gioia said better than I.

Jan Rider Newman is a published author whose poetry, short fiction, and nonfiction have appeared in the New Orleans Review, Louisiana Literature, Oasis Journal, Yellow Flag Press, and Sweet Tea and Afternoon Tales, a 2009 anthology. She earned an M.A. in English and an M.F.A. at McNeese State University. She is a contributor to The Best Damn Creative Writing Blog and owner/editor of Swamp Lily Review.

My First Author Visit (The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly)

2010-11-07T19:39:00.005-06:00

I recently experienced my first author school visit. It was a day long visit in which I was asked to speak to students in grades three through eight. It was in conjunction with their book fair taking place on campus.

Now, being a teacher for over thirty years, you would think this would come to me naturally right? WRONG!! I stayed away from teaching students with raging hormones all these years for a reason. I tend to gravitate to the ages where you still seem smart in their eyes and because you are their teacher they love you.

I wasn’t expecting to be asked to be a visiting author this quickly, but it came and I took advantage of the opportunity. Since my book is on a lower level than jr. high students would be interested in, I knew I better add something to my presentation or I would lose them for sure. I came up with something and had it approved by the school’s librarian and one of the eighth grade teachers who happens to be a friend of mine. It was ready to go. Two days before, I found out the presentation time was half the amount of time I was first told. So back to the drawing board I went to chip away at my presentation.

The day of the visit began with an unexpected fire drill and a relocation of where I was to make the presentation. That didn’t bother me. That’s how things go at schools sometimes and I was used to that thank goodness. I was nervous when I first began but soon became comfortable with speaking and really enjoyed it. I changed the presentation some with each age group who came to hear me speak. Even the teenagers gave their attention to my presentation.(Yes!)
At the end of the day, I survived my first author visit. I felt pure elation. It was one more thing on my bucket list I could check off if I actually had one.

I know this won’t be my last author visit. I actually have another one scheduled next month. I am going back to the drawing board to make my visits even more hands on and appealing to the students. I better work on making that bucket list too!

Peggy Clement is the author of a newly released children’s chapter book, Queen of the Castle and contributing author to an anthology, It’s in the Gulf. She is a member of Bayou Writers’ Group and Golden Triangle Writer’s Guild. She resides in Lumberton, TX.

WHAT'S YOUR DREAM? by Sherry Perkins

2010-10-31T20:56:00.006-05:00

Forget bustling New York, glamorous California, picturesque Oregon, breezy Oklahoma, or mountainous Colorado. Being born and reared here, I am totally committed to Louisiana; although, some say we are inbred. Since inbred actually means innate or natural, we are inbred from the time we are babies with certain characteristics like manners, graciousness, calmness, and a fiery gumption in our spirit.

Recently, I proudly and quietly displayed each trait. First, I sat in an audience for over an hour. I then stood in line for a long while, too. “Why?” you ask. I received an invitation for a Louisiana Veterans’ Medal from Governor Bobby Jindal, and this was my experience.

I showed my manners by attending although I did not know anyone there. I knew it would be rude not to go. Graciousness came next when I finally received my medal, met the governor, shook his hand, and said, “Thank you, Governor Jindal.” Although he is young, and is not a veteran, he is our governor and you should have seen the prideful eyes of the hundreds in attendance! It was a humbling and gracious experience.

Sitting alone without my husband, my mother, or any other family member, I watched and listened to the activities around me. Yes, it could have been nerve-wracking for anyone, but I quietly and calmly absorbed my surroundings. Not only had the governor’s presence humbled me; but also the presence of the younger veterans, the veterans from Vietnam, the Korean Conflict, and ultimately from World War II which almost overwhelmed me. Some World War II men had to be in their 90s! I had to be calm, or I would have exploded.

Speaking of exploding, most Southerners have a fiery gumption inside of us. Our determined spirits are a result of many different factors. I do not know if it comes from our ancestors’ fight in the lost cause of a Confederacy. Or, were they beaten down as they drifted further into despair in the Depression? From where did their grit come? As I approached the governor, proud thoughts of my deceased family members flooded my mind.

Had I not gone, I would have let them down. Had I chose to ignore the occasion I would have erased their efforts in the Civil War. I would have spit on their determination to survive the gloomy Depression. Ultimately, I went for my ancestors who could not go. I went for my ancestors who never had a chance to meet a governor. I went for my ancestors who never received a thank you for their service! Sometimes a thank you goes a long ways.

I would not trade living in Louisiana for any other place. Yes, we have manners. Yes, we have grace. Yes, we are a fun-loving, family-oriented, calm people. Mostly though, we have a determined iron will that runs deep in our souls.

For without determination we have no dreams. Everyone has a dream! Bobby Jindal dreamed of being governor. What is your dream?

Sherry Perkins has been published in magazines and newspapers across the state of Louisiana. Her article, Liberty, won Honorable Mention in the BWG Members Only contest. Sherry loves speaking to people, organizing, being supportive of others, and working hard. She recently tossed her hat in the ring for president of BWG.

Learn by Listening by James Tate

2010-10-25T09:37:00.006-05:00

Hello. My name is James Tate and I’m addicted to audio books on CD.

This is where you say, “Hello James. Tell us about your addiction.”

Unlike many addictions, I’m not ashamed to say that I listen to several books a week on CD while driving around in my truck. I know your probably thinking that’s a lot of time to spend in my truck. You see, my job requires me to run across town, or bolt to Beaumont, or span the bridge into Bridge City to check out a cabinet job. I drive way too much. But instead of using the time to listen to songs I’ve heard a thousand times, I catch the latest chapter of a James Patterson novel. Instead of listening to the same news, (most of it depressing anyway) I relive my nightmares with Stephen King. How many opinions can you hear on the radio about why the Cowboys need to fire their coach? (Did I just say that?) Sorry bout that, Cowboys fans. The point is, the time could be better spent listening to a book by a new author, someone I’m not sure if I want to spend ten bucks on without trying them out first. This way, if I don’t like the first chapter or two, I return the unused portion to the public library for a full refund. (Hint! It was free to check it out)

Anyway, back to the addiction thing. When I first started listening to these audio treasures, I wasn’t sure if I’d like them. Then a funny thing happened. I found them to be very engrossing. Now don’t get me wrong. My return ratio is about 50/50. Some I barely make it through a track or two, some a chapter or two, because if it gets to rambling—or just plain bogs down with too much detail, I hit the eject button faster than…than…my last rejection letter. That hurt. But the ones that make the cut can keep me entertained for miles of blacktop. *Warning* If you tend to get engrossed in a good story, the road may blur into a movie scene from the Paramount Studios in your head—you know, the place where the words from the page are converted into visions in your minds eye. Be sure and keep one eye on the road.

From a writer’s point of view, these audio books can also be great learning tools. We’ve all heard that one of the best ways to edit our work is to read it out loud. You would be amazed at how much you can learn from listening to a complete novel being read to you. Pay attention to the tone, the pace of the story. What did you like or dislike about the way it was presented? How do your scenes, characters, dialogue compare to what you’re hearing. Try it.

Okay, I said I wasn’t ashamed of my addiction, but there was this one time I sat in the Walmart parking lot for ten minutes waiting to find out if the killer was who I suspected it was. I know. I know. Pitiful! Maybe I’ll start a support group. ABA. (Audio Books Anonymous) What do you think?

James R. Tate is the author of Hot Rod Jones & the Mystery of Gut Shot Creek. He's published in print magazines, and is currently marketing his first full length adult novel while writing his second. His goal is the top of the heap, not the top of the slush pile.

Critiques & Consultations w/Harold Underdown

2010-10-18T10:15:00.011-05:00

If you write young adult or children's books and have been undecided about getting a critique from our conference speaker, Harold Underdown, now is the time to make up your mind. We have a few slots left. The first manuscripts for his critique will be mailed to him this week. We've added a second deadline for a second batch. November 1st. Please email me if you want to take advantage of this opportunity. Remember, to participate in this critique you must be registered for the conference and the critique is an extra $35.00. The instructions are below:

First: We also have a couple of scholarships left. Please don't miss this conference because you can't afford to come. I realize $40 is a lot of money when we aren't selling our work. Sometimes we can't rationalize investing in our writing because we don't feel like a "real" writer. I promise you, this conference will be worth your time. You'll learn a lot and you'll come away energized and motivated. You'll come away KNOWING you're a writer. Don't miss this opportunity.

Let me hear from you if you have questions. Manuscripts will be mailed this week to Mr. Underdown but it's not too late to be included. Second batch of manucripts will be mailed on November 2nd. That could be yours! Read the instructions below CAREFULLY.

Jess
jessy31writer at aol dot com
bayouwritersgroup at gmail dot com

CRITIQUES & CONSULTATIONS

Harold Underdown will meet with writers about their manuscripts for 15 minutes. You may submit one picture book manuscript or up to ten standard pages of a longer manuscript, along with a cover letter written as if you were submitting the manuscript to a publisher, but including notes on its revision or submission history as well. Include a one-page synopsis of the entire manuscript if submitting part of a long manuscript.

Harold will look at any material, from picture book to YA, either fiction or nonfiction.

PLEASE NOTE: Manuscripts must be received no later than than November 1st. When sending the manuscript, please specify: a critique or a consultation.

Critique: Manuscripts for critiques can be rough or unfinished drafts, or something you believe is ready to send out. In his meeting with you, Harold will focus on ways to improve the manuscript and will give you written comments as well.

Consultation: Manuscripts for consultations should be polished manuscripts, perhaps one already sent out to a publisher, which you believe have no significant writing problems. Harold will focus on "marketing" issues in his meeting with you; possible publishers and how to approach them.

If a manuscript submitted for one option needs the other, in Harold's opinion, that is what he will provide.

What are the Odds? by Sherry Perkins

2010-10-03T23:41:00.005-05:00

I learned about odds in a college statistics class. I learned that odds are the chance of one particular thing occurring out all possible chances. For example, since there are six sides on a die, the odds of rolling a three are one in six (16%). Since there are four suits in a deck of cards, the odds of drawing a heart are one in four (25%).

Recently I left a situation wondering, “What are the odds?” when I had several random occurrences unexpectedly. Occurrence number one: I found myself at an “entertainment” establishment where I had not been in years. Occurrence number two: While there, I ran into a friend who has been living in Pennsylvania for 20 years and this was her first time there! Occurrence number three: It was September 11! Now, each of these occurrences could be coincidence, right?

Yet, what are the odds that on that particular night, I went to that particular place? I’d say that’s 1 out of 365 since there are 365 days in a year (not counting Leap Year.) The same odds apply to the date being September 11, 1 out of 365. Additionally, since the place opened sixteen years ago, and this was my friend’s first visit, it means one out of 5,840 (sixteen years times 365.)

Furthermore, if you add each odd together, the combined odds for those situations are three out of a possible 6,570 chances (one plus one plus one, and 5,840 plus 365 plus 365). What are the odds? I’ll tell you! It’s only .0004 percent.

Were we meant to see each other? After all, it had been years since we last visited. Isn’t the new meaning of September 11 remembrance? Coincidence you say. I say fate, because would you bet if the odds were only .0004 percent of something happening?

Now, you may be wondering, “What do odds have to do with writing?” Well, we increase our odds of being published each time we submit a piece. On the other hand, we have absolutely no chance when we sit and wonder and leave the piece alone in a notebook or in a computer file.

Our pieces cry out to be published! They are begging to be read! Wait, don’t you hear them? I hear them. They are yelling out like crackling thunder, “Read me! Read me!” Therefore, the point of this is to motivate and encourage you to not only be active in your reading and writing, but also to be active in your submissions. Let your words breathe, let them live, set them free and allow them to be read (and not only by you and your family)!

Don’t smother and hide your stories, your poetry, your essays, or your ideas. Take control. Steer them, mold them, nurture them, and love them! We wouldn’t keep our children hidden from the world would we? Why do we do it to our writing? Don’t be the one to wonder “what if?”

Sherry Perkins has been published in magazines and newspapers across the state of Louisiana. Her article, Liberty, won Honorable Mention in the BWG Members Only contest. Sherry loves speaking to people, organizing, being supportive of others, and working hard. She recently tossed her hat in the ring for president of BWG.

The Case for Longhand by Linda Todd

2010-09-26T21:41:00.012-05:00

"What's that you say?"

"You're kidding. Right?"

Eye rolls. Head shakes.

These are reactions I get when I say I write my first drafts in longhand. What can I say? I'm addicted to pen and ink. I love watching words appear on the lines. Thanks to years in penmanship class doing ovals and push-pulls my handwriting is somewhat legible. Ah yeas. Penmanship. They obviously don't teach that one anymore. I mean, we even got a grade in it.

One can often find me skulking along the aisles of Office Depot. I hang out there a lot. Journals of all kinds cause my heart to beat faster. Bound ones. Spiral ones. I have quite a collection. Those black and white marbled composition books, college-ruled, of course, are special favorites for me. Also, an assortment of legal pads - letter and long. I also go down to Books a Million to see what they have on sale in the journal section.

What do I use to put my immortal words on paper? The pen of choice is the Pilot Precise V5 Rolling Ball, Extra Fine, in assorted colors - black, blue, green, purple, and red. All of these I purchase by the box.

The advantages of longhand are many. A tablet and a pen weigh hardly anything. I can take it anywhere. No worrying about plug-ins for the laptop. No worrying about dying batteries. I can write anywhere - even in the bathtub. Try that with a computer and you could wind up dead. If I get tired of writing I can start doodling. All over the tablet if I so desire. Can't do that on the screen. Last, but by no means least, I can't quit in the middle of a gut-wrenching scene for a quickie game of Solitaire. Email will just have to wait.

The only disadvantage for me: I have a tendency to daydream while writing. But what's wrong with that? The world needs more dreamers.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Did I write this in longhand? Do I want "Wild Justice" to make the New York Times best seller list? What do you think?

Linda Todd is a retired librarian who is taking advantage of her free time to write. A short story, "Waylon's Trophy," appeared in Nicholls State University Jubilee Anthology in 2005. She won first place in the Bayou Writers Members Fiction Contest and honorable mention for poetry in the same contest. She is currently working on a novel as well as short stories and poetry, some of which are out in contests.

Tell Me About Your Book by James R. Tate

2010-09-20T06:49:00.008-05:00

I’ve recently been confronted with one of the most difficult tasks in my somewhat young writing career; coming up with a PITCH for my novel. When first given this enormous task, with what was surely a look of complete confusion on my face, I blubbered, “How can I possibly whittle my ninety-thousand word novel down to a few paragraphs?”

What really scared me the most is the realization that the industry is changing, and you'd better be prepared to sell your book with a pitch. It very well may be the only chance you get to impress an editor or agent.

So, I took a deep breath and did what any sensible person of the twenty-first century would do. I Googled it. And like so many things on the internet, there were many opinions but few examples. You noticed I said ‘few’ examples. On one site I noticed a highlighted section proclaiming, “look here for samples.” Ahhh! Jackpot! But oh, not so fast. The first one was a pitch for an eighteenth century romance. Not much help for my murder mystery. The next was a WWI docudrama. Again, not much help. On the third sample I hit the mother lode; a who-done-it recently published. I quickly read through the pitch and scribbled down notes on layout, tone, and style. I got this!

Wrong.

The next site I looked at had more examples. Examples that looked totally different from the ones I'd just looked at. What in the name of Stephen King’s millions was going on here? Where was the sample of the murder mystery just like mine that I could insert my character names in the place of theirs and fill in the blanks with my plot points? I never did find it.

But seriously, I DID pick up many, many actual paper books and read the back cover--even those not in my genre--and I studied them, finally coming up with something that resembled a BLURB designed to get the attention of the BIG DOGS.

The next step was to let my work simmer, pick it up a few days later, and read it to myself, asking the question, “Does this make me want to read this book?” How the heck should I know. I’ve looked at this book every way but sideways for three year now! One day it’s the best thing I’ve ever written, the next, I’m offering the pages to my neighbor to line his birdcage with. How can I possibly be subjective? But according to several articles on the internet, this is a normal thing for a writer. I should know, I Googled it.

Next week I’ll be headed to New York City with my polished Pitch. I pray that I don’t come home and have to line the birdcage with it.

James R. Tate is the author of Hot Rod Jones & the Mystery of Gut Shot Creek. He's published in print magazines, and is currently marketing his first full length adult novel while writing his second. His goal is the top of the heap, not the top of the slush pile.

PARTING WORDS by Lena V. Roach

2010-09-12T16:01:00.029-05:00

Be a writer? Bah, humbug. Call me a quitter. Who needs the heartbreak of rejection?

All my great novels lie cold and unwanted in a desk drawer, their merit wasted on unwise editors.

Who is to blame for this tragedy, you ask?

I am.

Years ago I came upon sterling advice. In his “My Papa,” Lloyd C. Douglas quotes his parent:
“If at first you don’t succeed, give up.” Why didn’t I listen and boldly inscribe those words above my computer?

Misguided egotist, I struggled to become a published novelist as if punishing myself were a virtue. And lost, time after time.

But now, those delusions have passed, like a fever. That latest rejection slip did it.

Do I want your sympathy? Absolutely negative. Rather, be exceedingly glad for me.

No more the fear of approaching the mailbox, slave to clammy hands and racing pulse. No more the aching shoulders or the bloodshot eyes from too many hours at the computer. I’ll join a smug audience of “discerning” readers: “Oh, I could do better than that if I tried!”

Ah, freedom from want to be published!

Freedom to be creative in other ways. Handicrafts, for instance. My home will run over with wall hangings and knickknacks. I’ll enroll in cooking school and throw dinner soirees for admiring guests. I’ll get my picture in the paper as co-chair of the Weeders Club, and maybe even join an exciting protest march. My telephone will ring again with social offers to have fun, fun, fun. All of this, and no more feelings of guilt for neglecting my family. They will shower me with hugs and call me blessed.

Oh, did you say something? You’re still reading me?

What’s that? You think it would be a mistake to throw the novel out with the bath water?

Well, I do have a confession to make. Only last night a great plot idea came to me as I slept. The opening chapter takes place on a moonlit patio. A “dream-walking” but tortured male protagonist is telling the sympathetically bewildered heroine, “Happiness? It’s like moonlight. You wake up in the morning and it’s gone.”

Now here’s the premise: “’Tain’t necessarily so,” despite the tragic unfoldings of their love fighting for life and moonlight without end….

But enough talk. I lose. You win. Excitement rages inside me. The computer beckons. Shirk my duty to try to entertain and inspire you, dear reader? Not in this lifetime.

Lena Roach’s published credits include: short story, Glamour, England; poetry, Philadelphia Young People's Magazine, Kansas City Poetry Magazine, Oasis Journal; Dear Teacher column in 19 newspapers; articles in local and regional newspapers and educational journals.

BAYOU WRITERS' GROUP CONFERENCE

2010-09-05T12:34:00.042-05:00

Our conference brochure has been printed and will hit the post office on Tuesday, September 7th. Getting the brochure on our website has been a challenge. Please bear with us as we continue to wrestle with it. You should find everything you need to register for our conference posted right here. If you have any problems or questions, don't hesitate to leave a message or email bayouwritersgroup (at) gmail (dot) com. We are so sorry for any inconvenience. We promise you an excellent conference and a lot of fun. ~BWG Conference Committee

A BRIDGE TO PUBLICATION
Writer's Conference
November 13, 2010
Location: University Methodist Church
2401 Patrick Street
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601

Speaker Bios:

Harold Underdown is a children’s book editor/freelance editorial consultant, and the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Children's Book Publishing. He has worked at Macmillan, Orchard, and Charlesbridge, and has experience in trade and educational publishing. He founded and runs "The Purple Crayon," a web site about the children's publishing world at www.underdown.org. Critiques/consultations are available for $35 - Scroll down for details.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is an author and award-winning journalist. Her fiction includes Kensington historical romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her nonfiction books include the cookbook travelogue Cooking in Cajun Country (2009) and the upcoming Magic's in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris and Sachets (2010).

Gary Goldstein, Senior Editor, Kensington, acquires and edits both non-fiction for Kensington’s Citadel Press imprint and fiction (military and political thrillers, westerns, suspense), among them NY Times and USA Today bestselling authors William W. Johnstone and Michael Walsh.

Self/E/Small Press Published Author Panel

Lesa Boutin is a children’s author who started her own publishing company, Boot in the Door Publications, in 2006, followed by the release of her YA novels, Amanda Noble, Zookeeper Extraordinaire in 2007, and Amanda Noble, Special Agent in 2008. Lesa is a writer with Writers in the Schools Houston.

Author Wendy Lanier will share her Write for Hire experience. Her writing experience includes titles for Lerner Books, Capstone Press, Lucent Books, KidHaven Press, and contributions to such publications as Focus on the Family's Clubhouse, CBN.com, MOPS.org, DevoKids.com, and The Amazing Bible Factbook for Kids (a publication of Time Inc. Home Entertainment and the Livingstone Corp.). Her educational and professional background includes a B.S. in Speech Communication Disorders and a M.Ed. in Elementary Education followed by over 18 years of service in Texas public and private schools. She is a member of SCBWI and the Bayou Writers' Group.

Curt Iles is a Southern writer and speaker with seven books to his credit. His recent release is A Good Place. Curt’s mission in life is “to walk closely with Jesus, be a man God can use, and be respected by my wife and family.” His life verse: the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Pamela S. Thibodeaux is a multi-published author in creative non-fiction and romantic fiction. Her novels and short stories are available in ebook & print from White Rose Publishing and Com Star Media. Pam has numerous articles, essays, & devotions to her credit. Her writing has been tagged as “Inspirational with an Edge!”™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

8:00-8:45 - Registration
Continental Breakfast
Read Contest entries

8:45-9:00 - Welcome & Announcements

9:00-10:00
Harold Underdown – Preparing your children’s or young adult book for publication

10:00-10:315: Break

10:15-11:15
Chere’ Coen – Developing the nonfiction book proposal/Selling your ideas to the nonfiction market

11:15-12:45 - Lunch

12:45 -1:45
Gary Goldstein: What Editors and Kensington expect from Authors

1:45-2:00- Break

2:00-3:00
Panel Discussion: Lesa Boutin, Curt Iles, Pamela Thibodeaux, Wendy Lanier

Our bookstore will be open all day.

REGISTRATION FORM
(Please Print)

NAME_________________________________________

ADDRESS______________________________________

_______________________________________________

PHONE________________________________________

EMAIL________________________________________

PUBLISHED__________ UNPUBLISHED_________

________$40.00 MEMBERS/$45.00 non-member

________$50.00 AT DOOR

________$25.00 STUDENTS (Full Time)

________First Page Contest Entry-FREE
Please note: No refunds after November 6, 2010

On The Wall
First Page Contest
(Win Free 2011 Conference Registration)

You have to grab an editor or reader’s attention on your first page. Send us your best first page (250 words max, double-spaced). Put your name on the back. Conferees will vote on their favorite. Mail your first page with your registration and conference fee to by November 6, 2010 to:

Bayou Writers’ Group
P.O. 1402
Lake Charles, LA 70602

CRITIQUES AND CONSULATIONS BY HAROLD UNDERDOWN
(PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
Harold Underdown will meet with writers about their manuscripts for 15 minutes. You may submit one picture book manuscript or up to ten standard pages of a longer manuscript, along with a cover letter written as if you were submitting the manuscript to a publisher, but including notes on its revision or submission history as well. Include a one-page synopsis of the entire manuscript if submitting part of a long manuscript.

Harold will look at any material, from picture book to YA, either fiction or nonfiction.

PLEASE NOTE: Manuscripts must be received no later than three weeks before the conference. Your $35.00 critique and conference registration fee must be received by October 13th by BWG Conference Coordinator. Only the first 20 entries will be accepted. When sending the manuscript, please specify: a critique or a consultation.

Critique: Manuscripts for critiques can be rough or unfinished drafts, or something you believe is ready to send out. In his meeting with you, Harold will focus on ways to improve the manuscript and will give you written comments as well.

Consultation: Manuscripts for consultations should be polished manuscripts, perhaps one already sent out to a publisher, which you believe have no significant writing problems. Harold will focus on "marketing" issues in his meeting with you; possible publishers and how to approach them.

If a manuscript submitted for one option needs the other, in Harold's opinion, that is what he will provide.

Mail to:
Bayou Writers’ Group
P.O. Box 1402
Lake Charles, LA 70602

_______________________________________________

Writing Quotes to Think About

2010-08-29T23:57:00.003-05:00

The best time for planning a book is while you're doing the dishes. ~Agatha Christie

A good style should show no signs of effort. What is written should seem a happy accident. ~W. Somerset Maugham, Summing Up, 1938

I think it's bad to talk about one's present work, for it spoils something at the root of the creative act. It discharges the tension. ~Norman Mailer Writers at Work, 3rd series, PMB

You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what's burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke. ~Arthur Polotnik

It is impossible to discourage the real writers - they don't give a damn what you say, they're going to write. ~Sinclair Lewis

A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author. ~G.K. Chesterton

Four Great Words--I'm a Published Author by Peggy Clement

2010-08-16T09:12:00.009-05:00

After about ten years of beginning my children’s chapter book, I can put those four words together- I’m a published author. (Ah, finally!) I must admit, not all those years were spent writing on the book. I actually lost it for about a year or two (that’s another story for another time). My husband was quite ill for several years which reduced my time to work on it. And despite even the setbacks with the publishing company once the contract was signed, I am proud to say that I just recently received the first complimentary copy from my editor.

It’s difficult to put into words the feeling of holding your published book in your hands for the very first time. To see something which started as a spark of one’s imagination come full circle is quite exhilarating. Despite the joy it brings me now, I know firsthand it can be discouraging at times because it can be a long and even lonely process.

If writing is your passion and your dream, I urge you to not give up. It was my dream for a long time. It wasn’t for the fame, and it certainly wasn’t for the fortune. But because I have been a reading teacher for over thirty years, I wanted to offer children who like reading one more book they could enjoy, and just maybe create a little change in attitude for those children who don’t like to read. With all the hurdles I had to jump, it would have been easy for me to give up and give that job to someone else. But I didn’t want that job to go to anyone else. I wanted to be the one to do it. The marketing and self promoting part is upon me now. This is a whole new avenue for me. I am getting guidance through my publisher, but it’s true what they say.

The ball is in the author’s court when it’s time for promotion
to begin. Being rather shy, “tooting my own horn”, is not something I am comfortable with. I am stepping out of my comfort zone, however, and tackling this endeavor head on. The love and support of my family, friends, and fellow writers is a huge help. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Continue your writing and make it happen so that one day you too can use those four great words: I’m a published author.

Good luck with it!

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up-The most certain way to succeed is
always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison

Peggy Clement is the author of her newly released book, “Queen of the Castle.” She is a contributing author of an upcoming anthology, “It’s in the Gulf.” Peggy is a member of Bayou Writers’ Group, Golden Triangle Writers Guild, and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She is a teacher and lives with her family in southeast Texas. Visit her website @ www.peggyclement.com

Hey, What a Great Idea!

2010-08-03T18:47:00.010-05:00

At St. Davids Christian Writers conference this past June, I attended a storytelling workshop led by creative and inspiring author David Pierce. As writers, we often struggle to come up with good story ideas. Where do good story ideas come from? Pierce offered the following suggestions.

• Write about things you know. A doctor might write medical mysteries, a lawyer might write legal thrillers. If you’re an alien, write sci-fi.

• Study billboards and other advertising. See a good-looking model on a Calvin Klein underwear ad? Might it inspire you to write a romance story? View a commercial that makes you laugh out loud? Mull it over and write a humor essay.

• Think about your possessions. What do they mean to you? What can you do with them? What if someone stole your favorite (fill in the blank). Stand in your garage and randomly focus on a garden tool, a woodworking saw, a tattered beach chair. Allow your mind to wander.

• Ever come across a new word that fascinates you? Look it up. Can you write a story based on the definition?

• Have you recently been impacted by a concept – truth, justice, love, insanity -- and you can’t stop thinking about it. Can this concept inspire a story?

• You’re driving down the road or strolling along a sidewalk when you see something that causes you to do a double-take. A man pushes a grocery cart carrying everything he owns. Children giggle and shriek as they run through a gushing fire hydrant. A woman sits on a park bench and feeds her dog with a baby spoon. Unusual unique sightings can spark an idea for a story.

• Think about current fads. Pierce used the example of the “ . . . For Dummies” books. What if there was a book called “How to Kill Your Spouse for Dummies”? What might a character do with that?

• Take an established story and change the point of view. For example, tell Cinderella’s story from a step-sister’s perspective.

• Re-tell an old tale in modern day times. What would The Great Gatsby look like in 2010?

• Combine concepts from two different established stories. Think Robinson Caruso meets Hansel and Gretel. Would you dream up Island of the Witch Doctor?

• Watch the evening news, read magazines and newspapers. Current events provide continual story fodder.

• Sit in a crowded restaurant, an airport gate, a doctor’s office waiting room, or a hotel lobby and listen to the dialogue around you. Nonchalantly zero in on your children chattering away in the backseat of the car. Cell phone conversations can be especially interesting as you imagine what the other person is saying. Eavesdropping can be a most rewarding avenue for story ideas.

• Above all, in any situation or potential idea for a story, play “what if.” What if a chef at Kyoto loses control of his knife at a crowded table? What if you miss your exit on a highway in west Texas and the next exit is 235 miles away? What if, what if, what if . . . you get the idea?

My Editing Machete by Lori Hebert Leger

2010-08-02T09:18:00.008-05:00

My WIP needs work. I have to admit I’m pleased with it. I’m hoping to launch it as the first in the sequel WHEN some bright, talented, agent/publisher with excellent taste realizes what a gem he’s got.

First I have to shorten the word count. This first draft is around 116,000 words – 16,000 to many. So, should I use the highlighter method where you highlight conflict and dialogue scenes in yellow, characterization in pink, and setting in blue? Then go back and delete or cut back scenes with too much pink or blue. That should eliminate any pages that don't contain enough white space/dialogue, right? Not as easy as it sounds.

I've adopted my own method of eliminating words. Once I finish the first draft, I read the entire thing again from the beginning. At first it’s difficult to switch gears from the create/write mode to the slash/edit mode. The first edit pass is where I find the obvious mistakes I've made; those pesky typos that my selective dyslexia seems to allow over and over again. You know, typing a V when I need a B or vice versa...agian instead of again, or God forbid I have to type the word Calcasieu. Inevitably, I'll type a y instead of a u…Calcasiey Parish? Must be a case of lazy fingers. That’s what my old spinster high school typing teacher, Miss Nora Saltzman would call it. Yes, I said TYPING classes…on a real electric Olivetti typewriter. ddd aaa ddd, dad dad dad. I’m that old.

Sometimes my laptop conspires against me. If my thumb touches the pad, the cursor will jump four lines and cause me to delete text I shouldn’t have deleted or add dialogue where it doesn't belong. A big problem, especially if I get distracted before I fix it. I go through the entire thing, and make the obvious corrections. When I’m done, I do it again. I start from the beginning and go all the way through it to catch even more wasted words and typos. Then what? I go through the whole thing at least one more time and read it aloud. If it doesn't sound natural, I fiddle around with it until it does. Or I cut it out, whichever gives me the best results.

It used to kill me to cut out complete sentences, but trimming two manuscripts of 140,000 words down to 95,000 and 100,000 words cured me of that little problem. Now when I edit, I eagerly look for paragraphs, or better yet, entire scenes that I can delete using my editing machete. There's nothing more torturous than getting rid of 40,000 words by deleting 4 or 5 at a time. I must admit it’s made me a better writer. It forced me to tell the story without all the extra weight and wasted space. I now find editing to be a piece of cake. Need to slash 5,000 words? Easy cheesy, folks; just let me get my machete.

Happy Writing…and Editing,
Lori Hebert Leger
Lori Leger has only been writing seriously for two years. In that time she's completed five full length novels in the Women's Fictional Romance genre. Visit her website HERE.

Choosing an Audience by Lori Hebert Leger

2010-07-26T01:06:00.006-05:00

Okay, I admit it. My first try at writing was horrible. I know this, because after writing four more manuscripts I went back and re-read the first one. Awful, awful, awful…thank goodness I didn’t have the cahonas to send that one off or enter it in a contest. (I’m still editing that one.) I want to let you in on a little secret. When I first started writing, I thought I wanted to write R rated books. You know the kind I’m talking about. Where people cuss, fuss, and…other things.

Eventually, I had to stop and ask myself, who do I want to write for? Do I want to write for younger women who are looking for romance novels with hot, steamy, love scenes? Well folks, I tried my hand at writing a few scenes...really hot ones. It made me realize that, although I can write them, I don't want to. Frankly, just the thought of people reading a scene like that and knowing that I wrote it is embarrassing to me. I'm not a prude, and believe me, I'm no saint…I’ve read plenty of books like that over the years; but I am a Catholic, although I’m a lazy one. As a Catholic, I have a confession to make. I use my 84 year old mother as a thermometer for my writing. There, I’ve said it. If my mom, who's had eight children, and doesn't have a shy bone in her body, can't pass my manuscripts around to her friends in the garden club and Ladies' Alter Society without making excuses for my style of writing, then it's too hot. I don't care if my mom lives to be 110 and I'm a spry 77 years old, I still wouldn't want to disappoint her.

So, I’ve chosen my audience. I'm shooting for the middle age women, or men, who won't mind reading a book with only the occasional s.o.b., damn, or hell instead of the eff word. Someone who won't be disappointed when the hero and heroine don't rip each others' clothes off and make mad, passionate love on their first date. Oh, there’ll be sparks between them, don’t you worry. They may want to do those things, but I won't allow it...Not as long as mama's watching. ;-)
Happy Writing,
Lori

Lori Leger has only been writing seriously for two years. In that time she's completed five full length novels in the Women's Fictional Romance genre. She works full time in the Design section of the Department of Transportation and Development as an Engineer Technician 4 in Lake Charles. Lori is currently unpublished but hopes to rectify that situation in the near future.

The Story of Me by Lori Hebert Leger

2010-07-18T23:10:00.000-05:00

I just finished the first draft of the ‘new and improved’ version of my very first manuscript, Some Day Somebody. This is the story I wrote about me...or the new me...the one with a degree, a new career, the courage to walk away from a bad marriage, and the self confidence to find the love of my life. I never intended it for publishing because it was my life. So much so, that once I finished, my daughters refused to read it because of its personal nature.

After completing it, I immediately began a second manuscript, my head filled with ideas and characters. I used the two original characters and created new ones – coworkers and family friends from the original heroine’s hometown, a fictional town of Gardiner, taken from a real person, old Doc Gardiner. Doc Gardiner delivered so many babies in my hometown of Gueydan that they had a Doc Gardiner Day for him one year, with a parade and everything. He delivered me and all my siblings, as well as both my parents.

Okay, so I finished the second book, then began a third, using secondary characters from the previous book, then a fourth, and even a fifth. About halfway through the fifth book, something began to eat at me. The first story, Sam and Carrie’s story (I’ve changed all names to protect the innocent – and the guilty) never left me. It kept insisting that it needed to be told. After all, Carrie is the cornerstone of the five books - she’s the hub. Every character in my books either knows her or knows someone who does.

I jumped back on it, changed or removed the personal nature so that my daughters can read it and still face me afterwards, and added some drama and suspense to make it much more interesting. I revamped the story, in some ways telling it as I wish it had happened instead of as it did happen. I made Carrie wiser, less prone to losing her temper than I am, and infinitely more patient than I was at thirty-five years old when it all came about. I can almost see my daughters rolling their eyes at the nearer to perfect version of myself.

Seeing my life laid out in black print on a white page, I’ve come to accept something about myself. Doc Gardiner and my mom may have birthed me back in October of 1958, but ultimately, God and I are responsible for my re-birth back in December of 1993. In writing this story, I’ve come to realize that God presented the opportunities for me, but he also gave me the courage to step up and accept each and every one of them. Once I accepted the challenge, He closed doors and opened windows, essentially herding me to the destination He’d chosen for me. This time, instead of fighting Him and choosing my own path, I followed His lead and ended up exactly where I should be.

Happy Writing! ~Lori

Lori Leger has only been writing seriously for two years. In that time she's completed five full length novels in the Women's Fictional Romance genre. She works full time in the Design section of the Department of Transportation and Development as an Engineer Technician 4 in Lake Charles. Lori is currently unpublished but hopes to rectify that situation in the near future.

Writer's Lair by Georgia Downer

2010-07-11T22:23:00.000-05:00

Writer’s Lair is the presumptuous label for my writing space at home. I love this room. It’s filled with books, pictures, 3-ring binders containing hard copies of my stories, and a metal Whitman’s Sampler can stuffed with receipts from exotic adventures at Wal-Mart, JC Penney’s, Popeye’s, and other reminders of exciting daily living. A poster-sized tempera painting of 2 deer hangs in here. I did it in 7th or 8th grade and won 2nd prize in the art contest. Competition was light that year.

Much of my time here is spent not writing. I pay bills online, read way too much email, and browse the ‘net. Or work with Bob on his video about the 75 cars he’s owned. I chat with Katy, our 10-year old granddaughter who lives in Illinois and types faster than I do. I often cruise through the twenty-five cookbooks at my elbow for a new recipe for dinner. Or pick up my all-time favorite book from the bookcase behind me and read “Beautiful Joe” by Marshall Saunders one more time.

These are a few of the things that inspire (such an elegant word) me to set down mundane events and thoughts now and then. A polite prompt from Jessica for a BWG blog offering never hurts either. Recording those experiences will never make me a great writer, but doing so has created a happy one.
Keep writing!

Georgia Downer is BWG publicist. She writes essays and short fiction and has won prizes for her work. She's currently working on a novel.

REVISION, OR MAYBE SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS by Harvey Honsinger

2010-07-02T22:46:00.000-05:00

I'm going over my "baby"- -the first novel I wrote, and trying to re-format it (one space at the end of each sentence, punctuation-stuff like that) as well as rewriting awkward and unclear sentences and situations. I find stuff to correct, only to find that the next sentence clears it up. Is this bad? I read it 8 times, 4 in each version, and the more I do it the more neither seems correct nor better.

Show, don't tell. EVER? This is when the first shark appears. Will he eat the scene? Will he eat the author? Will he look at it and decide, "I wouldn't eat either on a bet." If he swims off and leaves the scene, have I been passed or passed over?

The dialogue shark swims over to look at the conversation carrying the action. Should it be ultra correct grammatically? Who talks like that? Realism rears its ugly head and repeats into my ear what I heard my character say in the vernacular of those about whom (gotcha there, didn't I?) I write. They don't talk like that. Y'all know it. Anybody who's been there'll set you straight on it. They won't correct you, but you'll get a side wise look wondering just how many days you rode the turnip truck before you fell off with your funny way of talkin'. Dialect can bog you down right up to your eyeballs which the dialogue shark will want to eat up and try to spit out as proper, sterile speech. Now what? Scratch his tummy or spread shark repellent? I lean toward the latter, but wonder if I have already leaned too far, fallen off the boat, and am both overboard and up to my eyeballs in dialectic speech and ready to fight the shark.

Now I wonder about the sharks. Am I relying too much on outside influences? Am I (quoting my wife) wringing all the flavor juices out of the work by jumping through other people's literary hoops and not relying on my own instincts?

Write what you know. I've heard this a bunch. I know how the people I write about sound. Grew up with them. Worked with them. Was loved, reared, and cherished by them- -black, white, and mixed, and loved and cherished them in return.

I'll borrow from Admiral Farragut at the Battle of Mobile Bay (Civil War), and paraphrase him:
"Damn the sharks. Full speed ahead." He won his battle.

Now, if the sharks don't get me, maybe I'll win mine and get published some day. Hope springs eternal.

Harvey Honsinger, a 6th generation Texan, has six completed novels--westerns and historicals--and is actively marketing them. His short stories and poetry have been published in Arena Literary magazine. Harvey is an active member of the Thursday BWG critique group.

The Writer by Bryan Coleman

2010-06-20T12:47:00.000-05:00

I moved at a steady pace through the large bulky back room that housed the printing press. A single light hung over this gigantic apparatus, now silent. I made my way through the double doors into the paste room....

I had just started at the local newspaper a few weeks before. I settled into a routine that consisted of shuffling through the early part of the day, going home for supper then hitting the road on game nights before drifting back to the office to write.

I was (and still am to a degree) very discreet about writing, well . . . as much as I can be. Sitting down for those few moments, staring at the blank screen, I prayed earnestly for the words to come while the IBM 8086 computers hummed their evening vespers.

But then it happens . . . I start to write, mostly because I have to, but partly because I love a good story. I didn't learn anything earth shattering in those early days at the newspaper, nothing I could pass on to you. I liked writing but I loved telling a story. There was a sense of accomplishment in those early days when "just completing the work" was something I cherished. It reminded me of my high school days when I was a varsity basketball player. I hated practice but I loved the game. I loved the game enough that I tolerated practice. Now, later in life, I work at practice. I still don't like it but I've learned to tolerate and understand the process. So it is with writing. I tolerate writing because I love the story.

Recently I started to write again and began writing the bones down for "City of the Dead" (which isn't about zombies). As the process would have it, I ran into some old, run-of-the-mill writers block. I found myself sitting in front of the computer, just like in the early days, waiting . . .

So I decided to changed things up a bit. I balked the computer for a yellow note pad. I drew out the story much like I was writing a letter--some parts love, some parts bitter. I'm not innovative, just following the orders of an old drill instructor, "improvise, adapt, overcome." I'm still working on the last part.

Countless stories were started on my old Dell and countless died there. I decided to smooth the edges on my weakness and try a different approach. I finished "City of the Dead" in a little over 3 months. It now sits on my top shelf . . . cooking.

So there it is . . .

In the beginning the newspaper demanded that I follow through, and I did. Now, at 45 years old, there is no editor, no deadline. I have to look at the paper and write. Inspiration has played a part and yet I am still learning to do the hard things. Reading good books and writing down things I care about has made the hard things doable.

I promised myself when I was in my twenties whatever I did with my writing would be done with a degree of honesty (to the best of my ability, of course) so as not to betray myself or my reader. I believed, and still do, that honesty in writing is what makes it believable. I know, yea, that's nothing new but I heard it somewhere and believed it like the gospel.

I hope that you find out what makes your writing work, what makes it honest, what makes it believable.

Bryan Coleman is a former newspaper journalist turned novelist. He writes full time and is a regular contributor/photographer to CSN, Christian Star News.

International Travel and The Writer by Curt Iles

2010-06-14T00:43:00.000-05:00

I'm very thankful to have the privilege of traveling out of the United States. I've come to realize there are various benefits as a writer in my travels.

I want to make it clear: I travel for the purpose of sharing about my personal faith in Jesus. Going to the "hard places" (i.e. difficult to reach, tough conditions, great physical/spiritual needs example: Democratic Republic of Congo, the neediest place I've ever seen) always softens my heart. I learn much more from new friends in these countries than I could ever teach them.

Here are a few benefits I see as a writer:

1. Traveling abroad always gives me Perspective on Life. I see the world in a new way. I see myself in a new way. I return with much greater appreciation of the freedom and opportunities I have as an American.

2. Traveling abroad provides Perspective on my writing. I step back from the canvas and can "see" my current work in a new light. Where I'll be for the next 2 weeks (Congo and Rwanda) has very limited and slow internet, little phone service, and no TV in English. I don't take my laptop. It's a chance to step back, refresh, and reflect.

I always return with a journal full of ideas and a clearer mind about the writer I want to be.

3. Traveling is a great way to hear/see new stories in a new culture. I've come to believe that human nature is very similar throughout the world. A story from Ethiopian or Honduran culture is just as powerful as a story from Cajun, Piney Woods, or Southern culture.

I go to help.
I go to learn.
I always come back fuller.

My goal in this trip is "Return with an empty suitcase and a full heart."

CURT ILES writes from his hometown of Dry Creek, Louisiana. A lover of stories, nature, history, and dogs, he writes of the wonders of the woods and the memorable people who live there. Curt's new novel, A Good Place, is now available at www.creekbank.net

Are Reviews Important? by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

2010-06-06T23:13:00.000-05:00

As a reader, I don’t always rely on reviews or word-of-mouth in order to buy a book. After all, reading is subjective and not every book someone recommends is something I enjoy. Besides, I’ve been disappointed too many times.

But as an author, I love to receive those glowing 4 or 5 star reviews! This validates my work and builds confidence that I truly AM a writer. Even in a not-so-glowing review, I can normally find something positive to focus on.

Recently I found out just how important reviews are to an author’s recognition.

I heard through the grapevine that the more reviews a book or story on Amazon has, the more potential it has to become a “recommended read” when people do searches for specific genres, thereby increasing exposure. In researching I discovered that White Rose Publishing titles were not very easy to find while searching Amazon unless you knew the title and/or author. And then, the book(s) were buried so far in pages of other similar titles and authors, most folks would get tired looking for them.

So some of the White Rose authors banded together and began reviewing each other’s work.

Within days of this happening, most of the authors had 10 or more reviews. A few actually reached higher than twenty reviews before a week was up. But that’s not the best part.

The best part is, within days of us posting reviews of the books we’d already read and tagging each one with terms like White Rose Publishing, Inspirational Romance, and other identical words, White Rose titles began moving up in the ranks and were listed as an “also reviewed” or a “suggested product” similar book to some well known publications! If a search is done in the Kindle Store for “Christian Romance” about a 1/3 is WR titles where before you'd only get bonnet books and ones written by people whose last name was Christian.

This means that Amazon is automatically showing WR books to people who search, which may encourage them to buy our books!

So do your favorite author a favor and review his or her book on Amazon.

Award-winning author Pamela S. Thibodeaux is Co-Founder of Bayou Writers Group. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, "Inspirational with an Edge!" Visit her website at http://pamelathibodeaux.com and check out her blog at http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Why Do You Write? by Jim Ferguson

2010-05-28T20:27:00.000-05:00

I went to a writer’s conference several weeks ago—the first conference I’ve attended in 25 years. The first session consisted of two agents and one editor who addressed what is hot in the market and some of the dos and don’ts for getting representation and submitting a proposal. While the conference sessions were filled with information to help us develop our writing skills, there seemed to be one overriding concern from many of the attendees and that was getting published—not learning the craft of writing.

That started my thinking about why I write. I thought about the books that I’ve read that have stayed with me through the years and why. They’re books that triggered my interest in a subject, produced memorable characters or told a story I can’t forget.

I read my first memorable book when I was in the 5th or 6th grade. It was called The French Foreign Legion by Wyatt Blassingame. This book created an interest in the French Foreign Legion which has taken me from the poem “Rendezous with Death” by Alan Seeger written during World War I, to the French Indochina war (1946-1954). Reading The French Foreign Legion set me on the path of a life time of studying history which foreshadowed many of the significant crises of my generation—including Vietnam, and our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Finding The French Foreign Legion in my elementary school library propelled me on a course that led me to the outstanding author and one of the greatest historians--Bernard Fall.

Yes, I want to be published but I want to write something that creates in the reader a desire to learn and a desire to see more in the lives of others and in themselves.

Jim Ferguson won first place with his novel, Beginner's Luck, co-written with his wife. He is working on a nonfiction book.

An Itch You Can Scratch by James R. Tate

2010-05-24T01:22:00.000-05:00

A recurring itch recently found its way back into my hand and arm, but I don’t think it started there. I believe it originated in my heart. If you’re a writer, you know what I’m talking about-the itch to write. No matter what happens in our lives, no matter how far we go to get away from it, the itch will find us. We’re not talking about a job, or a duty, or even a fleeting whim. What we are talking about here is a passion deeply rooted in our souls.

Now, I can speak from experience and tell you that this ‘itch’ can go dormant for long periods of time, sometimes seeming to disappear entirely, hidden behind an impenetrable wall of work, and kids, and honey-do chores around the house. But I promise you it is still there, waiting for the right moment.

What is the right moment and how will you know? I’m glad you asked. An early indication will be when you’re reading your favorite author's latest book and you begin to notice the format of the paragraph, or the number of times he or she uses the word ‘was’. You may even start to daydream about a storyline you might have used to improve the current chapter.

Another indication might come when you notice the grocery list you wrote out this morning has prose like-two pounds of bright yellow squash glistening from the morning dew, or a loaf of harvest wheat bread pounded from the grains of a thousand wheat fields, lightly buttered with the strands of hair from a roman goddess. One time, I even wrote a ten page story to remind myself to pick up the dry cleaning. I know! I know! I couldn’t help myself.

The point is, if you really, really, REALLY love to write, as I do, don’t let the itch stay gone too long. And cherish it when you have it. Life passes us by very fast. We cannot recapture time lost. If you say, “I’ll get to it when…”, you never will.

Earlier this evening I spent two hours pounding out five pages in my second novel. I was in the zone, deeply engrossed in a story running on film reels in my head. Nothing else around me—the dog scratching to go out, the neighbor playing his eighties music at a hundred and ten decibels, not even my wife coming in from the grocery store—put a dent in my zone armor. And there was one other thing I remember quite clearly.

My arm was itching like crazy.

James R. Tate is the author of Hot Rod Jones & the Mystery of Gut Shot Creek. He's published in print magazines, and is currently marketing his first full length adult novel while writing his second. His goal is the top of the heap, not the top of the slush pile.

The Fellowship of the Round Table by Jan Rider Newman

2010-05-16T23:09:00.000-05:00

Every time I read the legend of King Arthur and his knights, or see a movie based on it, I hope the story will turn out differently. I want Camelot to live forever, as it does in the Prince Valiant comic strip. I want Guinevere to chose Arthur. For some reason, the necessity of her finding true love and fulfillment with Lancelot instead breaks my heart. I think it’s supposed to. That’s the way the tale is written, and forever it shall be.

Several years ago I found Persia Woolley’s trilogy based on the Arthurian legends. It ended the way it had to, of course, but told a wonderful story through the eyes of Guinevere.

Child of the Northern Spring (Poseidon Press, New York, 1987) introduces us to the Celtic princess destined to be the High Queen of Britain and wife of the High King, Arthur. The girl we meet is a tomboy, no stately, elegant lady. She is lively, passionate, intelligent, and the king she marries loves her very much. Unfortunately, he is more king than husband, which is a constant in the legends. The royal couple have no children, and he isn’t a very satisfactory lover.

In the first book we also meet other key figures: Merlin, Morgan le Fey, Mordred, Gawain, and all the other knights. In this first book a united kingdom is established, and the marriage is happy if somewhat unfulfilling.

In Queen of the Summer Stars (Poseidon Press, New York, 1990), the tomboy Guinevere grows into her role as queen and wife. The grand castle of Camelot is raised, the Round Table established. Wars, adventures, and romances keep the pace breathless. And Lancelot rides onto the scene, bringing Arthur a steadfast friend and advisor and Guinevere the romance and passion her marriage is missing.

Guinevere (Poseidon Press, New York, 1991), opens with the kingdom well established. Peace reigns in Britain under the excellent leadership of Arthur and his right hand, Lancelot. Guinevere loves both men, and both love her. But even the most outstanding ruler has enemies. The most stable kingdom has pretenders. The best marriages and friendships are flawed. All falls apart. Again. Gloriously.

Whether you love myth and legend, adventure tales, romances, or historical novels, you’ll find something to love in this trilogy. Vividly told and characterized, the story will make you wish you’d lived at Camelot, been friends with the king and queen and their knights and ladies, and had a hand in building the greatest kingdom of all time.

Jan Rider Newman is Vice President and Gator Talk editor of BWG. She has published short stories, poetry, and nonfiction, and has earned prizes for her work as well as grants from the Louisiana Council of the Arts. Her work has appeared in the New Orleans Review, Denver Quarterly, Louisiana Literature, Oasis Journal (2007, 2008, 2009), and Sweet Tea and Afternoon Tales (anthology). Read her personal blog HERE.

I Love Writer's Conferences

2010-05-08T23:07:00.000-05:00

I recently attended the East Texas Baptist University Christian Writer's Conference in Marshall. There were quite a few workshops to choose from. The ones I chose to attend during those two days were worth their while. I thank Terry Burns, John Barry, Becca Anderson, Miriam Hees, Lexie Smith, Viola Palmer, and Pamela Dowd for sharing their expertise. After reviewing my notes and handouts, I have compiled some suggestions I thought were the most important. Even though I heard a few of these before, they were important enough to hear repeated. I wanted to share them with all of you.

• Be very careful of what you put on social media sites. Once it's out there, it's out there. It can come back to hurt you later on.

• Establish a separate email address for business purposes. If you are a fulltime freelance writer and can afford it, consider getting a separate phone line as well. You want to be as professional as possible.

• Never tell an editor, "I write like___________________". It is better to say, "I write for readers who read books from____________". (Don't use big name authors. It is more realistic to compare yourself to mid-level authors.)

• 85% of writers will never be credibly published. That's bad news. But the good news is that we are only competing with 15% who work hard and continue to improve their craft.

• Don't write about the hottest craze. It may take as long as a year for some books to be published. By then the craze may be over. Write about what you know.

• Never burn bridges. Editors talk to one another.

• Read your manuscript out loud and listen for any awkward parts. It is even better to let someone else read it out loud who is not familiar with it.

• Walk backwards while trying to work out your story. It gets your mind to think differently. (This sounded strange to me, but attendees agreed it works.)

This was my second time to attend this particular conference. It is scheduled for April of next year and I plan to attend again. In fact, I love all conferences. I love the feeling I get when I come home, feeling rejuvinated, ready to tackle the next chapter. I am also planning to attend a one day Writing for Excellence seminar in Keller, Texas on June 19th, sponsored by the North Texas Christian Writers.

Peggy Clement is a children's book writer living in Southeast Texas. She is a former freelance contributor to The Daily Comet, a newspaper in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Her first book, Queen of the Castle, is scheduled to be released later this year. Peggy is a member of Bayou Writers’ Group, Golden Triangle Writer's Guild, and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

The Long Learning Process by Marcia Dutton

2010-05-02T21:14:00.000-05:00

It has occurred to me how alike writing is to painting, or anything else creative. There is a long learning process. I am just beginning to learn something about writing since I joined BWG. It reminds me of when I first started learning to paint. I was in a watercolor workshop in Italy with some very advanced and even some professional artists. Like most writers, they were warm, kind and encouraging, as bad as I was. When we were being roasted at the end of our stay, it was remarked that I actually did quite well in spite of my one-haired brush. Artists in both mediums are interesting, giving and invigorating to be with. I feel very fortunate to be among them.

I have multiple interests and was never what one would classify as a dedicated artist. Therefore, it took me years of practice, reading, art classes, and many workshops to have arrived at the point I am now in painting. When it comes to writing, I can’t help but wonder if I have enough years ahead of me to attain a semblance of where the rest of you are. Will I be able to sit that long at a computer without getting the resulting side effects?

If I can learn the fundamentals of writing and present day grammar and style, I think I can come up with some decent memoirs considering the many experiences I have had living abroad for twenty-five years. Being too left brained, I paint well what I can see, be it from still-life, from photos, landscapes from plein aire, or my forte, portraits. Not as creative, I lack the imagination to paint abstracts or from my mind. Likewise to write fiction like many of you do, I would be at a loss.

Award-winninng artist Marcia Dutton is creating a book of memoirs about her days in the U.S. Navy and her many adventures abroad. She is a dedicated member of BWG Thursday Critique group, and her paintings can be viewed at Gallery By The Lake.

My Love Affair With My Computer by Harvey Honsinger

2010-04-26T05:55:00.000-05:00

Love affair with my computer? I'm calling it that, because it seems to be working out like all the love affairs I had before I met the long suffering, patient, intelligent, beautiful girl who too late discovered that she had believed all that I had told her. Enough of that.

Let me say that I am working on (with?) my third computer. Idiot box #1 was a "double floppy disk" model, with one disk telling the box what it wanted it to do and the other disk recording what the operator prayed he had told it to do correctly. The thing actually worked and made its typewriter-like printer set it down on paper, which came in a folded pile in a box with perforated holes on each side. I hated that damn thing, both in parts and in totality.

Then I got a new computer. My son was still home at the time, and he could make it do many wonderful things. If the weather was right, correct incantations said, and a multitude of keys struck in some cabalistic order, I could get it to turn on. Sometimes I could even get it to write and print an approximation of what I thought I had told it. It survived because of the big Number One Rule laid down by my dear, cautious wife. No weapons may be fired in the house unless human life is being threatened.

It was fickle. Just like a couple of my long lost loves. Ran hot and cold like a couple of others. It dished pleasure and pain at its personal whim, like another two or three females remaining nameless because of my personal creed of not speaking bad about the female species, having had two which were magnificent retrievers.

Now I sit before #3 having tried to figure how to get information off of a mini-floppy disk reader attached (successfully, by golly) which has on it a completed novel (hurray for our side) that cannot be transferred to my new 4 gigabyte usb stick-looking-thing which computer #3 tells me is plugged into the right hole (I always knew that 2-headed quarter would come in handy some day) and the stick is WORKING!!!. Working for who? (I know--for whom) How do I get the info to go on there? The disk being bigger than the stick, I cannot take the hammer and drive it in like a nail.

It's like girlfriend #13--tells me all is fine on the phone (let that read screen), but eyeball to eyeball is an ongoing lost cause. I never thought I could be as stupid about computers as I was about girls (and women).

I just checked. Dear wife is in the living room, so this infernal machine has survived for another day. Is there a sporting goods store close by that sells silencers for shotguns?

Harvey Honsinger, a 6th generation Texan, has six completed novels--westerns and historicals--and is actively marketing them. His short stories and poetry have been published in Arena Literary magazine. Harvey is an active member of the Thursday BWG critique group.

On Writer's Block and Unblock by Pat Marcantel

2010-04-18T22:16:00.000-05:00

Every writer I know has trouble writing. ~Joseph Heller

One of the best investments for this writer was the purchase of a funny-looking book/block called The Writer's Block by Jason Rekulak. It fits nicely on a shelf above my computer, easily within arm's reach. The introduction to this blocky gem is a lesson in contrasts:

"There is so much contradictory advice within these pages on writing, I don't think a how-to manual on writing could ever be written. Frederick Forsyth says, 'Write about what you know,' and Ken Kesey says, ' Write about what you don't know.' Isak Dinesen let her characters run wild and take over the story; Vladimir Nabokov refers to his characters as 'guilty slaves.' Ernest Hemingway says talent is a necessity; Gordon Lish says talent is irrelevant. The contradictions go on and on and on."

With the above quoted and hopefully intriguing you, here is my take on the beast of writer's block. Non-fiction is much easier than fiction. In the only book I have ever had published, writer's block wasn't a factor. This is what I've concluded as to why I escaped: my book was on the history of Oberlin, LA, my home town. It was a collection of chapters practically written by the people I interviewed. The main creativity I had to call upon was the beginning and ending chapters, and the structure of the book itself. The rest was making each story as well put-together as I possibly could. Oh, and of course, finding an artist who could illustrate it, an expert calligrapher for the cover and beginning of each chapter, a reliable typesetting company and a publisher was at times daunting.

One thorny problem did appear in the writing. I had to get the "fog" factor cleared up and see that the comprehension level was at that of newspapers--sixth grade. It was drudgery. As one of my sons told me early in the writing: "You're going to have to get rid of these complex and compound-complex sentences! By the end of some of them, I've already forgotten what you were talking about!" (So much for my--I hope-former Victorian style of writing). I soldiered on for four months and sent the book to the typesetting company who then sent it on to the publisher. The Oberlin Chamber of Commerce paid for the publishing. The people of Oberlin and many others in Allen Parish were pleased with Oberlin, the First 100 Years and it went into a second printing.

Other writings of mine are poems, articles and short stories, all based on either experiences from my life or my reading. Some have been published and some have won awards--no not the Pulitzer--just teeny awards but I am thankful for them. They encourage. I have a children's book that is written and 1/3 illustrated. My artist's block is far worse than any writer's block. I currently have two blogs I maintain which are both running commentaries on politics, life and the Lord. These keep me writing almost every day and that's a great thing for any writer. Visit me HERE and HERE.

Any last words? Of course--each a suggestion to overcome WB from that "blocky book": TATTOO, WAITING, SHORT FUSE, HOMELESS, 9/11, SEDUCTION, BAD HAIR DAY...

Now WRITE!

Artist/Author Pat Marcantel can be found on Facebook and Twitter any day of the week. When she isn't chatting online with friends, she's penning humorous stories that win contests. She's the author of Oberlin: The First 100 Years. If you'd like a copy, contact Pat.

Conferences - Making Contacts & Setting Goals

2010-04-11T18:43:00.000-05:00

At a writer’s retreat two years ago, I had the privilege of having Cherry Adair as one of my instructors (Natalie Collins was the second). Cherry had a lot of advice concerning the commercial end of the writing business that I found helpful. She encouraged us to set goals for the upcoming year and made us write them down. STONE. It was frightening, an instant monument. Needless to say, some of mine crumbled to dust, but I realized she was right. We can’t just imagine goals. Folded away in our imaginings, goals are mere fiction, but in black and white they become novel ideas. Pun intended.

One goal I have this year is to attend at least one major and two minor conferences. I find that attending conferences helps the learning curve, and makes personal contacts that are invaluable in this electronic and impersonal world. It’s much easier to send a manuscript to an agent or publisher when my query letter states, “speaking to you last month at the blah blah conference….”

Two major events (major meaning money) within driving distance, that I have taken part in the past, are the Pen 2 Press Writers Retreat that I mentioned earlier, and the Writers’ League of Texas Agents Conference. Both of these opportunities are worth the time and provide exactly what they advertise.

P2P, as the host Debbie LeBlanc likes to call it, is an intimate, five day, hands on, writing experience. You take your laptop, have homework, and practice your pitch before you are given the chance to field your work to numerous agents and publishers. This year P2P will be held at the Hotel Monteleone in downtown New Orleans, May 25-29.

The Writers’ League of Texas Agents Conference held in Austin at the Hyatt Regency Hotel will be on June 26-27 this year. A much larger event with a conference setting, the WLT Agents Conference is just what its name implies. Everyone who registers is given a short interview with an agent or publisher of their choosing, but there are considerable opportunities to pitch your work at breakout sessions and informal gatherings. The Austin conference is large, but still has lots of southern hospitality. wlt@writersleague.org

A terrific example of an affordable small conference is our own annual BWG - Bridge to Publication on November 13th. I’m marking my calendar, immediately, right after I write my goals. Ewe.

A member of BWG and current secretary, born-again Southerner Chris Baldauf enjoys writing fiction set in Southwest Louisiana. A passion for justice and the underprivileged prompted Chris to weave social issues into the lives of the quirky characters that inhabit her mainstream and women’s lit fiction.

What Bayou Writers' Group Means to Me by Angie Dilmore

2010-04-05T09:13:00.000-05:00

When my family and I moved to Lake Charles three years ago, I had two primary goals. First, to find a church. And second, to find a writers’ group. In Pennsylvania, I had been writing intentionally for seven years and belonged to two different writing groups. I always said I couldn’t be a writer without my critique partners. I knew I’d miss these folks. I hoped I’d find a writers’ group in Lake Charles, not only for help with writing, but to make new friends, as well.

Through a little annual daily devotional called Penned From the Heart, I found Pam Thibodeaux. By contacting her, I discovered BWG. I’m so glad I did. I found not only a terrific group of writers, but lots of friends, too. Over the past three years, I’ve watched BWG grow from a small quiet gathering to a formidable force in the writing life of Lake Charles. We’re about to burst the seams of that Carnegie Library room. If you’re a writer in the Lake Charles area, come visit us!

For me, belonging to a writers’ group is important for so many reasons.

• Writing is a lonely profession. We need the camaraderie of other writer friends who understand the ups and downs of the business; people who can commiserate with the rejections and rejoice with the acceptances.

• A writers’ group provides support, inspiration, and education. BWG regularly schedules excellent speakers who both motivate and instruct us in our writing life. And of course, there’s our annual conference.

• BWG has a weekly Thursday morning gathering at Stellar Beans coffee shop which focuses on critiques. This is the part where I say I couldn’t be a writer without my writer friends. I need feedback on my writing, constructive criticism, to know what works, what doesn’t, and how I can make my writing better, stronger, more publishable. I keep in touch with several of my writing partners from home in Pa., but it’s not quite the same as face to face interaction.

• Having writer friends offers company in the car, companions for the road trips to ridiculously far away conferences. Being a city gal, I’m accustomed to most everything being practically at my doorstep. Since my move, commutes in general, to basically everywhere, have been a major culture shock.

• All the little things that make BWG special; the writing contests for both members and young writers in the community, the support we give to a few local charities, our post-meeting lunches a Piccadilly’s, the fun annual Christmas party . . .

• BWG is simply a great bunch of people. They’re warm and welcoming, encouraging to all writers from the novice to the professional. They’ve proven to be not only writer friends but friends in time of need. When my son was sick last year and in the hospital, several BWG members brought meals to my home, sent cards and gifts, offered advice, visited us in the hospital, and most importantly, prayed. I thank all of you for all you do.

Angie Dilmore is an award winning freelance writer who sells regularly to Boy's Life and other children's magazines. She's coordinator of the 2009 BWG conference, and is working on her first novel. Visit her blog HERE.

I LIKE TO WRITE by RR DOWNER

2010-03-28T13:53:00.000-05:00

I scribbled out the better part of a novel, “Johnny”, on tablets with pen and pencil, while aboard ship in 1956. Then a slight time lapse of approximately forty-two years passed, where I not only didn’t write, but never opened a book, other than Newsweek. After serious prodding and arm twisting from my loving wife, I sat down at a computer and banged out a memoir of my Navy experiences to pass on to my two children. Since then I have written a few novels and started several others. Also numerous short stories and memoirs of different periods of my life.

Encouragement from peers has driven me onward.

For this let me first thank my spouse, who is a better writer than I. Also, I offer my appreciation to several others I join forces with on Thursday mornings, and once a month on Saturdays, for their support and sharing of knowledge. I was reluctant to join at first, but belonging to the Bayou Writers Group has been a positive, stimulating experience.

Bob Downer delves into short stories, family histories and is currently working on a novel. He loves to write and is an active member of the BWG Thursday critique group.

Banjo Pickin' by Georgia Downer

2010-03-21T09:18:00.000-05:00

I've always loved banjo pickin' music. When I turned 30, Bob gave me a beautiful rosewood 5-string and I signed up for lessons the next day. I could read music, the result of 5 years of piano lessons. The local music store found an instructor for me and I was off and running.

Sol, about 60 or so, plinked away on my banjo during our first session. He showed me how to tune it and presented me with a new red book of banjo chords and techniques and led me though Lesson One.

"Here y'are. Now you take this book and banjo home and practice. Since you can read music, it shouldn't give ya much trouble. See ya next time now."

Next week, I showed up with sore fingers from pressing on the strings, short fingernails, and full of complaints. "I can't do this. My fingers hurt, I can't balance the banjo on my lap or in front of me."

Sol again led me though the lessons; even practiced with me on his own banjo. I did learn the basics and mastered "Boil That Cabbage Down." Eventually. The last time I saw Sol, I again moaned, "I'll never get any better. How did you ever learn this?"

"Well, I'll tell ya. My Pa taught me to play the banjo and he said it was just like anything else in life. Ya just keep pickin' until ya get it right. Might take a long time, but ya to keep pickin."

That turned out to be the end of my formal banjo lessons, but I've never forgotten what he told me and I've used that mantra many times when things weren't going well.

"Ya just keep pickin' until ya get it right. Got to keep pickin'."

Georgia Downer writes essays and short fiction. She's won prizes for her work and is currently working on a novel.

On Butler by Cliff Seiber

2010-03-15T00:59:00.000-05:00

Pulitzer Prize winning fiction author Robert Olen Butler was entertaining during his annual (except for last year) reading in the McNeese Banners Series on Friday, Feb. 26.

He read from his latest published novel, Hell, which is humorous fantasy, satirical commentary on modern culture. He explained he has employed the “new media” (namely Twitter) in promoting the book and proceeded to read from his account, “Tweets from Hell.” You can catch up on them at http://twitter.com/tweetsfromhell and sign up for future installments.

Butler also read the first part of his next book, confessing that upon hearing himself read the piece to its first outside audience, he marked at least one a page for revision.

Also Butler on the Web: I am still trying to decide if the author is again self promoting and putting us on with his email picked up by the site gawker.com, the Washington Post and National Public Radio. The Gawker site is headlined “Elizabeth Dewberry Left Robert Olen Butler To Join Ted Turner's Collection,” novelist Dewberry being Butler's wife from 1995 to 2007. I also wonder if some of the very literary follow-up comments on Gawker may have been written by Butler himself.

News of the divorce does help explain a line from the McNeese program notes, “He lives in Capps, Florida, population one.”

The next reading co-presented by Banners and the McNeese master of fine arts in creative writing program will be by poet Allen Braden at 7 p.m. Friday, Apr 30, at McNeese. The readings are free of charge and are usually followed by a nice spread of donated refreshments. Braden is a graduate of the McNeese MFA program and teaches at Tacoma Community College in Washington. His first book will be released in the spring.

Cliff Seiber has written about Southwest Louisiana for most of his years as a newsman. His reporting and photojournalism have won many first-place awards from the Louisiana Press Association.

Time Keeps on Slippin' by Peggy Borel

2010-03-07T22:53:00.000-06:00

“Stop that darn clock!” I don’t know how many times over the past several years I have cried out in frustration that there are not enough hours in the day. Life has been evolving and shifting on me since moving back to Louisiana in 2009, and most days, I feel like a pirogue rocking to and fro on the bayou. I’m ready to plant my feet on solid ground again!

With resolve, I am determined to regain control of the hands on my watch. To achieve this, a schedule must be created and adhered to. Sounds pretty good here on the blog, but who will ever know if I follow through on this commitment? In reality, no one will really care! It has to matter to me, and I have to want to rekindle my writers’ passion for the written word.

There are several steps that I feel are necessary to find quality time as a writer:

Rediscover personal goals - Regain control of time, become a successful published author of a full-length novel within the next year, and find a publisher for my children’s picture book.

Schedule each hour of the day - Create a personal calendar that I keep with me at all times. Must be flexible, however, because life will still worm its way into the day. I recommend a pencil with a good eraser.

Make time to write every day - Can the alarm clock go off an hour earlier? How about lunchtime? Is there an extra thirty minutes between posting messages to friends and family on Facebook and bedtime? Instead of sleeping in on Saturday, how about writing instead? Was the sermon on Sunday a good inspiration for an article?

Decide what I want to write - Novels? Short Stories? Articles? Children’s stories? What genre’? You have to write what you like. Give me a well-written romantic suspense and top it off with homemade fudge and popcorn any day.

Invest in a small notebook - Keep it in your pocket or purse for those brainstorming ideas that jump into your head at the most inopportune moments. I don’t know how many times I have put off writing down the ideal sentence only to forget it by the time I arrived back at my desk. The perfect ending to a chapter has dissolved away, and I’m left with an okay hook instead of a firecracker of an ending for my readers.

Get involved - Join a writers’ group, attend conferences, and find a critique partner. These are all motivational and inspiring. While sipping a latté at the bookstore, listen and watch people, and find a character description that has been evasive!

Read - How many times have you said, “I could write something better than that?” Well, quit saying it, and do it! Motivation and determination are important keys to success. Giving procrastination a swift kick in the butt and out the door is reenergizing and invigorating!

Peggy Borel is an artist and a writer. Visit her website HERE to learn more about her novella, The Bluebonnet Cafe.

On Blog Tours by D. B. Grady

2010-03-01T08:19:00.000-06:00

Blog tours are all the rage in literary self-promotion, so I figured I'd take a stab at it. It has the virtues of everything I like in publicity -- it's free, involves writing, and reaches a lot of people. Like most rages in literary self-promotion, however, my expectations are kept in check. As the saying goes, half of all book publicity is a waste of time; the problem is nobody knows which half.

Instead of hiring a book blog tour organizer (it seems there's money to be made everywhere!) I decided to do it myself. I have a healthy following on Twitter, threw the subject out there expecting a few bites, and was overwhelmed by the response. (Illustrating the importance of a strong social networking presence as a launch platform for other ventures.)

Few of the people who responded write literary blogs. This has its positives and negatives. On one hand, readers read literary sites, and readers buy books. On the other, such readers are inundated with suggestions every day. So maybe by reaching out to a new audience, I might snag a few book sales I might otherwise have missed, or at the very least, get my name out there. Aside from my mom, I doubt D.B. Grady rolls off the tongue of most readers when they hit Barnes and Noble. My thinking is long-term, and long-tail.

The blog tour was proposed with the following conditions: I will write on any subject for any blog, regardless of readership. Some people get three hits a day. Some get thousands. But even on the smallest blog, Google registers keywords and links back to my website, and to Amazon, improving my search ranking. This is important because when someone types "science fiction" into Google, I'm likely to appear on page 4,000. (In other words, I may as well not even exist.) But if I'm on page 20, or page 2, I'm in the game.

The "any topic" idea appealed to people. It engaged them. In all honesty, the plan was to somehow link the topic back to my book, and end with a sales pitch. But people had fun with the topics idea. "I'd like you to write a concise analysis of flaws in recent theories of quantum physics, using real world examples, in 500 words." That's an exaggeration, but only by degrees.

It's not easy to bring a freewheeling essay on physics back to an anachronistic, hardboiled mystery set on Mars. (See what I did there?) And it goes without saying that I am completely ill-equipped to write on a great many topics suggested. But that's half the fun, isn't it?

On March 30th, I'll report my findings and bad lessons-learned on BWG president Jessica Ferguson's blog. With any luck, I'll be writing from my new beach house on Bora Bora. But even if I don't sell a single book, I'll have written a solid 20,000 words, made a few new friends, and lost 15 lbs. stressing over deadlines. Now can someone please explain this quantum physics thing to me?

Tomorrow at developer Robert Gremillion's blog, I'll be writing about what authors can learn from computer programmers. I hope to see you there!

D.B. Grady is the author of Red Planet Noir.
He can be found on the web at http://www.dbgrady.com/.

A Bridge to Publication - November, 2009

2009-11-21T17:26:00.000-06:00

Our Bayou Writers' Group conference was a huge success. Take a look at our pictures and make a note to join us next year.

Bayou Writers' Group 2009 Conference

2009-09-13T22:04:00.001-05:00

Bayou Writers' Group will hold its annual conference on November 14, 2009. Take a look at our speakers, visit their websites and plan to join us for an exciting one day affair. We're also having our On The Wall First Page Contest. You can go TO OUR WEBSITE to download a conference brochure and learn the details. If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a message in the comments section below. Thanks!

Charles McGrew is editor and publisher with Brown Street Press, an independent publishing company that has released their first titles in 2008, including several authors in Louisiana. Charles has worked in publishing since the mid-90s. He wrote and developed a line of adventure and role playing games prior to working in fiction.

Kathryn Casey is a Houston-based journalist who has written for Rolling Stone, TV guide, Reader's Digest, Texas Monthly and many other publications. She is the author of six acclaimed true crime books and one novel titled Singularity, the first in a series.
Nonfiction titles are: EVIL BESIDE HER (formerly titled THE RAPIST'S WIFE), A WARRANT TO KILL, SHE WANTED IT ALL, DIE, MY LOVE, and DESCENT INTO HELL.

Trent Angers is editor and publisher of Acadian House Publishing and Acadiana Profile, The Magazine of the Cajun Country, one of the longest running regional publications in the U.S.
Trent, who was nominated twice for the Nobel Prize in Literature (2000 and 2001), is a veteran journalist who has authored thousands of published news and feature stories, as well as five books, in a writing and editing career that has spanned four decades. Acadian House Publishing publishers non-fiction titles ranging from biographies and histories to books dealing with psychology, philosophy and theology. The company also publishes Louisiana-related titles focused on the state’s history, heritage, food and culture.

Melanie Rigney is the former editor of Writer's Digest. Earlier in her career she worked for Advertising Age, Macmillan Computer Publishing, Thompson Financial Publishing, and United Press International. Melanie is the owner of Editor for You, a publishing consultancy that has helped more than 200 hundred authors, publisher and agents. She writes for Living Faith, a leading devotions publication and she lives in Arlington, VA. Melanie will speak on Memoir Writing.

UPDATE: MEETING DATES AND SPEAKERS

2009-01-19T14:46:00.000-06:00

We meet from 10-12 on the first Saturday of each month at Carnegie Library in downtown Lake Charles, Louisiana. Join us when you can.

2009 Officers

President - Jessica Ferguson
Vice President – Jan Rider Newman
Secretary – Chris Baldauf
Treasurer - Beverly Martin
Historian - Hillene Deaton
Publicist - Pat Marcantel
Newsletter Editor – Mindy Blanchard
Member @ Large – Lena Roach

Meeting dates/Speakers

JANUARY 3, 2009
business & discussion
Speaker: Jan Rider Newman

FEBRUARY 7, 2009
Speaker: Marymarc Armstrong
Critiques

MARCH 7, 2009
Writing prompts/critiques

APRIL 4, 2009
Keaghan Kane - Poetry Out Loud
Writing prompts/Critiques

MAY 2, 2009
Speaker: Novelist Sylvia Dickey Smith

JUNE 6, 2009
Speaker: Norman German
Note our BWG CONTEST DEADLINE

JULY 11, 2009
Business and Critiques
please note the date change

AUGUST 1, 2009
Speaker: Erin Cormier
Assistant fiction editor of Sotto Voce

SEPTEMBER 5, 2009
BWG CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Speaker:Stella Nesanovich, retired Professor of English from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is the author of A Brightness That Made My Soul Tremble: Poems on the Life of Hildegard of Bingen (Blue Heron Press, 1996) and Vespers at Mount Angel: Poems (Xavier Review Press, 2004) and editor of Points of Gold: Poems for Leo Luke Marcello (Xavier Review Press, 2005).

OCTOBER 3, 2009
Elections/Critiques

NOVEMBER 7, 2009
conference discussion/Critiques
CONFERENCE IS SET FOR NOV. 14

DECEMBER 5, 2009
CHRISTMAS PARTY

Meet our 2009 Conference Committee
Angie Dilmore, Conference Coordinator
Chris Baldauf
Beverly Martin
Walt Dutton
Curt Iles
Keaghan Kane
Linda Todd
Pat Marcantel

Bayou Writers Conference Pictures

2008-11-25T20:09:00.000-06:00

Our conference was a huge success.

Welcome to Bayou Writers' Group Blog

2008-09-17T18:42:00.001-05:00

We are the Bayou Writers' Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. We were founded seven years ago by author Pamela Thibodeaux and Randy Dupre'. We're excited about our annual writers' conference held each November. This year the date is Saturday, November 15th.
Scroll down to check it out.

Our speakers will be:

Novelist Randy Denmon

Boy's Life Editor Paula Murphey

Publicist PJ Nunn, owner of BreakThrough Promotions

Editor David LaBounty, The First Line Literary Magazine

SEE OUR CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

8:00-8:45 - Registration/Bookroom/
Continental Breakfast/Read Contest entries

8:45-9:00 - Welcome & Announcements

9:00-10:15
Randy Denmon – Keys to Selling Your First Book

10:15-10:30 - Break

10:30-11:45
Paula Murphey - Writing for and Selling to Magazines

11:45-1:00 - Lunch

1:00-2:15
PJ Nunn - Promoting You—Before You Sell

2:15-2:30 - Break

2:30-3:45
David LaBounty - For Love or Money: Why Writing for Literary Journals Won't Make You Rich, but May Save Your Soul

3:45-5:00 - On The Wall winner announced
Reception & Browse Bookroom

ABOUT OUR CONTEST:
On The Wall First Page Contest
You have to grab an editor or reader’s attention on your first page. Send us your best first page (250 words max, double-spaced). Put your name on the back. Conferees will vote on their favorite. Mail your first page with your regisd conference fee to A. Dilmore, 2177 W. Gabriel Sq., Lake Charles, LA 70611

REGISTRATION FORM
(Please Print)

NAME_________________________________________

ADDRESS______________________________________

_______________________________________________

PHONE________________________________________

EMAIL________________________________________

PUBLISHED__________ UNPUBLISHED_________

________$40.00 MEMBERS

________$50.00 NONMEMBERS OR AT DOOR

________$25.00 STUDENTS (Full Time)

______First Page Contest Entry-FREE

The winner will receive a free conference in 2009!