Post empty nest syndrome (read my article on the subject, won’t you? I took a writing course. I was the only person in the class who didn’t have a manuscript clutched to my bosom. My classmate friends thought that doing the course would teach them how to produce a publishable manuscript. The course only teaches you how to enhance the skills you already have.
I’d foolishly believed that taking a writing course was like studying to be a teacher or a nurse. I believed that at the end of it I would be a fully fledged writer. Spurred on by my friends I began a novel at school. It makes a dandy door stop.
I have won some short story competitions but short stories are just as hard to write well as novels and anyhow unless you’re already a famous novelist nobody wants to publish a collection of your short stories. Only now, years later, I am attempting to write a book for toddlers which is harder than it seems. Believe me. Everyone finds their niche, that’s what I’ve discovered. Mine seems to be article writing. I’ve had articles professionally published, but that’s a minefield too. You have to make sure your sending an article where it’s wanted and make sure that you’re aiming your article at the right market. I also make sure to push outside that square now and again.
A Wondering Minstrel I 
Dear Mary,
I find your honesty about the trials and tribulations of writing….. courageous, open and disarming. My own journey into writing also has its ups and downs. In my naivety some years ago I joined the Guild of Food Writers. I thought I’d find a good writer to buddy up with and offer to teach them more about cooking in return for help with my writing. Instead I found some established food writers resented a chef who wished to write, and guarded their territory and connections very closely. So through trial and error I worked on my english skills and developed my own style. As for my niche, as a freelance chef, slash food writer, slash restaurant consultant ,slash teacher…I’m still searching. 🙂
Best Wishes
Kevin
Thanks so much for those nice comments, Kevin. When you write something you think may be good, you hope someone will confirm it.
I love foodie websites,. People are so generous in sharing what they know. It’s great in particular because you have access to the author and can badger him with silly questions. (Not naming names)
As for the other, I think you must have had bad luck to choose people who may have seen you as younger competition and as a threat. You’re obviously proving that being successful is its best reward.
Thanks for stopping by! I’m a frustrated writer too and only did my Creative writing based degree when I was 44! My cookery blog is helping me scratch the itch but I’d still love to write more. My second book is still in progress and the first one unpublished. I’m following you as I think we have a lot in common 🙂
Cheers to your writing niche and friendly nature.
Thanks 🙂
Children’s books can be great fun to write and watch kids experience. One of my friends writes them and goes to local libraries doing live readings. The kids love it.
Keep it up.
Visiting local libraries is an idea. They do have special reading times, but I’ve not considered it in the context of author reading sessions.
One of our children’s authors also visits classrooms. Once you do one in a school, you often get other teachers who want you to come do readings as well. This works especially well if your books have a morality theme that is not explicitly religious. Having a lesson plan for the teacher is also a plus.
Just some ideas.
Thanks, Kevin. What do you mean when you say ‘one of our children’s authors.’?
I own a small publishing company.
Is that still a viable proposition these days?
Going to schools or owning a small publishing company? Both are.
What a great blog, Mary. I’ve never seen one quite like this. Will subscribe and visit often.
Thanks, Anne. I’ve visited your blog before and like it. I’m constantly looking out for like minded bloggers. It would be nice to have you drop in occasionally and set a spell. 🙂
I’ll definitely be back 🙂 Do you have a way for readers to sign up to be notified by email when you post? I can’t see anything on your site about this.
Anne, I used to have a follow button, then it disappeared. I have had another go at reinstating it. Hope you can find it now. And thanks, in anticipation. 🙂
I stopped by to see who you were after you left a comment. You’ve done a whole lot more professional writing than I have. I’ve done none. I took a writing class at the senior center and enjoyed one but not the second. You are doing quite well with it. I’ll peruse more.
If I’ve done more professional writing than you have, it’s probably because I’ve been at it longer than you have. I did tire and stop for a while, it’s also tempting to press your own publish button. But I’ve got my moxie back. Keep on keeping on is my motto. Thanks very much for dropping in. 🙂
hey i really like your blog so much but can you just view mine to it is called akblacklife please open it
I once walked straight past the classroom of my writing course because the guy taking the class looked more like Angry Anderson than Dan Brown. (FYI Angry Anderson is a short, solid, bald ex rock singer covered in tattoos!) There were no other classes so that must have been it!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Richard. Being an Aussie, I know who Angry Anderson is. My teacher looked quite mild, but wasn’t. How much do you think you got out of your writing classes?
Ah. Wasn’t sure so I thought I’d clarify that! 😉
Writing class for me was a mixture of some basic things I recalled from school and new things like scene structure and adding dimension to characters for a more believable story. That was it’s focus: writing believable fiction. I found it quite worthwhile, though it was a short 7 week course. There is a wealth of writing advice on many writer’s blogs these days. I find Kristen Lamb’s blog to be an excellent source of information.
Pleased to have discovered you here. Regards from Thom at the immortal jukebox.
So glad to be discovered, Thom. And thanks for commenting.
Just keep writing, which you surely know. First and foremost it’s a labor of love.
🙂 Thanks for the encouragement, Henry.
Good for you, to keep looking, keep writing! Finding that magic sweet spot between what we want to create and what the world wants can be quite a journey, can’t it? I’m so glad you visited, so that I could find you 🙂
Thanks Melissa. And thanks for following. Such kind words. But you know what that means, don’t you? I’ll have to live up to them now. 🙂
Haha! no worries, you are lovely just as you are 🙂
Lovely to have found your blog. I think your writing strength is your fascinating topics and how you jump in with both feet. So fun to read!
So kind, Rhonda that you like my writing. I do so appreciate a positive comment or any comment at all, really. You’re right, I tend to jump in with both feet, but in real life that often gets me into trouble. 🙂
I’m glad to meet you Mary. I also want to thank you for stopping by,.the group picture of your family is very attractive.
Most kind, Ranu. Glad to have met you too. That’s an interesting life you’ve led. You are a strong person.
I nominated you for the Liebster Award! You can check out the details here:
http://2bcreativeblog.com/2014/01/20/liebster-award/
Darling Jules,thank you so much. I’ll check it all out when my Pearlie granddaughters go back home (spent the end of year holidays with us). Hugs, Hugs Hugs, Hugs
one thing is for sure, we want you here in WP that’s why i nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. check this link http://kintal.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/belsbror-thank-you/
Dear Marlyn, I’m not sure about being inspiring but it’s so lovely to be wanted. Especially as I have my doubting moments. Thanks so very much for the nomination. Hugs.
http://2bcreativeblog.com/2013/05/20/sunshine-award/
I have nominated you! You make me smile!
That’s so kind of you. Saying that I make you smile makes me realise that some of my articles have become much too grim lately.
Pingback: Sunshine Award | 2bcreativeblog
Thanks so very much. A personal award from somebody who likes my work is an honour. Hugs xx
Hi Mary! I’ve missed chatting with you, and I’ll do my best to catch up soon. Awards ceremony at my place today. You have been awarded the One Lovely Blog Award. http://breezybooksblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/overture-curtains-lights/ 🙂
Mary I have nominated your for 2012 Blogger of the year award. Read more here 😀
http://wp.me/p2frs2-xG
I can’t believe it, how wonderful. Thanks so much Sandra. I’ve read the information on your blog and will see to things when I come home tomorrow night. (not sure how to go about a couple of things, but will email you to ask for advice . Thanks again. I’ve seen other people’s awads and certainly never imagined I’d have a chance at one myself. Yay! And Hooray! 🙂 🙂
Thank you for dropping by my blog!! Have a wonderful day!! 🙂
I loved dropping in on your blog and hope to keep doing it.
Thank you!!
YOur post resonated with me, I still have one lad at home, but barely see him. Empty nest, feeling a bit spare, that’s how I am too!! Hope you pop along to my blog and check it out. I don’t have any structure to my blog though. It’s like a journal for myself, thoughts, poems, articles, pictures. Anything goes!
Glad you could relate. I think all empty nesters can, even those whose sons are using our homes as a guest house 🙂
Haven’t seen your blog yet, but will visit soon. It might be like a journal, but it’s not of course as you’re providinhg your insights to the electronic community. Better than sticking your journal in the dusty proverbial bottom drawer. 🙂
I took about 1/2 of a Children’s literature writing course. (I’m a dropout… life got in the way) It certainly is not as easy as everyone seems to think it is. It took more of my time than I had to give…. Every blogger must struggle with the concept of having various blogs. Even in retirement, I can only handle one! I enjoy your blog as it is!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Ruth. Life does get in the way, doesn’t it? But there is a lot to be said for life experience. I’m betting you came away from that half a course with something. Finishing my course hasn’t made me famous, but I look back fondly on those days. I’m a great believer in learning for its own sake and that nothing is wasted.
I’ve also been sampling your blog and enjoying it very much.
Your blog title made me smile 🙂 I look forward to getting to know more about you through here!
Thanks. What I like about bloggers is that many are willing to advise and be supportive..Mary
“still deciding whether to organise a second blog and divide up the themes or stick to what I’ve got.” A tough decision! I almost always opt for theme-specific blogs, but the result is that you end up with four or five different blogs, inevitably end up giving attention to the one you’re most interested in in the moment, and the others languish. Spreading one’s self too thin, as they say. What do you think about more concentrated versus more inclusive blogs?
I think you’re right about theme specific blogs (although I will hook into whatever looks interesting) and I agree that if I divide my articles up I will probably end up giving one blog more attention over another. That’s why I’m agonising about it.
By the way, what do you mean when you say ”more concentrated versus more inclusive blogs?’
A blog that has a specific concentration, or focuses on a more narrow range of topics, versus an inclusive blog, which spans more and various topics. I’ve had many a blog fall by the wayside because I made it over-specialized and I found myself wanting to write about other things.