KICKING OFF A NEW WEEK!

I love to keep busy - and I do. I think it's a part of my creative brain. I want to live every minute, sometimes forgetting to live in the moment. So much to do, no promise of time.

Last week, I took a 'live in the moment' opportunity to spend a couple of days in Springfield with my sister, Kitty (Dona acutally, but she's always been kitty, kitty, kitty to me) Her moments are going to come more frequently and she requested a sister outing.  We try to meet up in the city a couple of times a year - just the two of us. She lives about an our West and I live two hours East.

After 18 years at Sam's Club home office, she became officially retired - not by her own choosing. Too many job cuts and only a tenth of positions listed on the job force board. I spent our two days reminding her that now she can do all of the things she was always too tired to do - and at her own pace.

I took her to dinner at Hemmingway's Cafe in Bass Pro. They offer all you can eat snow crab legs on Thursday nights. We can eat our weight in crab legs LOL. Then we came back to the hotel and chilled. I spent part of the time building my potential entry list for the 2017 Ozark Creative Writers conference I told you about last week. For the price of conference registration, you can enter as many of the 30+ contests categories. Did I mention they all come with cash prizes? Check the list out HERE. Incidentally, if you're considering going, make your hotel reservation ASAP. The block of rooms fill up quick. Best Western Inn of the Ozarks 

I use the categories to write out of my comfort zone, try new ideas and if I make a little prize money, that's a bonus.😀 Well, I came up with 26 potential entries. Will I enter them all? Probably not. Especially since although the entry deadline is August 25th, I need to have mine turned in before the grandkids get here in June for 8 weeks. So I only have about 8 weeks to write like the wind. I will have time to polish after they leave but I'd rather get them turned in and out of the way.

With that deadline in mind, I also have four articles due for Saddlebag Dispatches magazine.

While my ideal would be to work on fiction right now, I have to focus on work and items that need done before the girls arrive. I've not seen them in almost four years. I don't want to miss a second of the time they are here.

Bob and I  also have things to get done in the yard before the girls arrive, like their chalk sidewalk and the new sandbox. And I'm finally going to have the gazebo I've wanted for three years. We'll have a shady spot outside to curl up with snacks and story time.

Speaking of story time, what are you reading? I just finished a classic by Leanne Banks - His Majesty, MD. Great, quick read.

CONFERENCES & CONTESTS - ORA 2014 Writing Competition Now OPEN!

ORA's annual Weta Nichol Contest is now open for submissions!

Weta Nichols Writing Contest
Ozark Romance Authors

Entries accepted April 8-July 15.

FINAL ROUND JUDGES: To be announced

GUIDELINES:
Submit the first chapter (up to 2,500 words) of your unpublished novel to win prizes and a chance to be read by one of the agents or editors serving as our final judges.

Contest is open to both published and unpublished authors, but the piece submitted must be:
- unpublished (traditional, self-pub, or e-pub)
- not under contract to be published.

Categories in which entries may be judged are:
- Historical
- Contemporary
- Paranormal/Sci-Fi
- Young Adult/Middle Grade
Entries are open genre and not required to contain romantic tones. Membership
in Ozarks Romance Authors is not required in order to enter.

There will be three prizes awarded in each category:
1st place: $75 and a 1-Year ORA Membership
2nd place: $50
3rd place: $25

Please read all guidelines carefully at
http://ozarks-romance-authors.com/annual-contest/2014-weta-nichols-writing-contest/

If you have questions about the rules,
please email us (with WETA QUESTION in the subject line) at
OzarksRomanceAuthors (at) gmail (dot) com

CURRENT PROJECT- Yes! The Fiction Flows

With all of my attention focused on the music industry and freelance of late, I have struggled with writing fiction. The characters are still talking to me but I just tell them to sit and wait their turn. They listened... for awhile.

With the deadline for the Arkansas Writers Contest drawing near ( entries have to be postmarked by April 18th), I opened up the floor for character discussion. I've revisited a couple of early pieces as well as dove into research for three new groups of folks.

One of those folks is the legendary Hank Aaron. I am sure I am in the minority (as opposed to the minors) when I say I don't enjoy baseball. I never have. So imagine my surprise yesterday when as I researched historical events over the past seven decades, Hank Aaron's name came up multiple times. By the time the afternoon was through I had learned more about the Home Run King than I ever thought I wanted to know. The poem I thought I was going to write morphed into something totally different. By the way, I'm writing this when I should be working on that poem.

The 'write what you know' thing comes into play once more because I now know enough about this baseball legend to write something with my own voice. Will this piece be a home run? I'd like to think it will at least place. But even if I do not, at least I learned something new on this journey.

Speaking of new... that fish bowl thing I talked about last week? The algae is clearing in the tank. I'll let you know when the water is free of gunk and let you see for yourself.

Creative Blessings!

WHODUNNIT? Contest - Sponsored by Sleuth's Ink Mystery Writers

Do you like a little Mystery and Suspense with your Romance? Or do you just like to write Mystery? Either way, I have the perfect contest for you!

Join the ranks of mystery writers and try your hand at writing a mini-mystery. If you've never written this genre, we suggest you read Woman’s World magazine, which publishes a new mystery weekly. The mysteries are located near the back, are always 700 words, and a solution is provided.

These mysteries are fun and interactive. And who doesn’t like to solve a whodunnit? Put on a Columbo trench coat and try your hand at this genre.


Guidelines and Word Count:
Simply write a short "solve-it-yourself" mystery of 700 words. That count must include the narrative and the solution. Stories should be fun and entertaining with an ending that challenges to the reader to figure out whodunnit or howdunnit.

Submission information:
Send your entry to Sleuthsink95 [at] gmail (dot) com.
Write "Contest Submission" in the subject line.

Payment information:
Include a $5 entry fee per entry. (You may enter as many times as you want, but you’ll need to mail $5 for each entry.)

Mail your entry fee to:
Stephanie Jarkins
Sleuths' Ink Treasurer
6911 N. 23rd Street
Ozark, MO 65721


You will receive a confirmation once we’ve received your entry and your fee.

Cash Prizes for first, second and third place winners.

Additionally, all entries will receive feedback by at least two published WW authors! What have you got to lose?

Deadline: May 31, 2014 (winners will be announced in early July)

Note: This is a contest sponsored by Sleuths' Ink Mystery Writers, and has no affiliation with Woman’s World Magazine. We do, however, encourage you to submit your finished story to WW. Remember, you are eligible to win cash prizes, plus your stories will be judged and critiqued by at least two published Woman’s World authors.


Questions? Email us at Sleuthsink95 [at] gmail (dot) com and good luck!

ON TO THE NEXT ROUND! - Somewhere Down the Line moves forward

WE DID IT!

My novella, Somewhere Down the Line has moved into the next round. Thank you all for voting many times for this story. Just as Alana and Trey deserved their chance, so does their story.

Now that the book is in Round Two at Boroughs Publishing What's In A Name contest, I'm back asking for your votes. Yeah, it's that 'American Idol' or 'TheVoice' thing. Without your continued support, Somewhere Down the Line may not see the digital recognition their story deserves.

Please go to... www.boroughspublishinggroup.com 
For Round Two, they have posted the first page of the novella. You can vote Once Per Day through July 7th.

Let's work together!
Love and Hugs
Angela

COMING OUT OF HIDING - Heavy Edits come to an end

About six weeks ago I found out about an amazing submission opportunity offered up by Boroughs Publishing Group, thanks to writer bud Mia Marlow.

Boroughs Publishing Group is looking for novella submissions inspired by song titles and must be reflected in the title of the book. Some of you may recall my Nano 2012 project - Unchained Hearts. Well, originally the manuscript was titled Somewhere Down the Line but I wasn't sure of the logistics of using an actual song title. The good folks at Boroughs Publishing Group have assured me this is not a problem. So Unchained Hearts has officially become Somewhere Down the Line... a song I fell in love with back in the mid 1980's when it was recorded by country recording artists, James & Michael Younger. You can hear the original version performed by T.G. Sheppard HERE.

Since then I have been in serious edit mode. I've taken my 55+k novel down to 40k. The story is better for it and I'm happy with the end result. As the deadline approaches on Thursday I have one task left... a 2 Paragraph Synopsis. I'm not worried about this. I never have problems with synopsis or back blurbs, which is essentially what they are asking for.

My husband has been a gem. In the past four days we've added our two granddaughters to my approaching deadline. He has helped with them almost constantly as I worked to perfect what has become the second book of my heart.

My other partner in crime, whom I could not have done this without is my Nano buddy of six years, Lar. With the book set in Texas, Lar has been my logistics person. I know the Texas music scene and can point you to the best honkytonks and food you'll ever want to experience. Having never been to Texas, it was nice having on-sight help from a local.

So tomorrow, I write the 2 paragraph synopsis, hit the send button and pray my synopsis is sparkly enough to put me in the running.

For now... I need sleep.

ARKANSAS WRITERS CONFERENCE - and contest

I'm getting back on track with this week's Wednesday post about Conferences and Contests. The Arkansas Writers Conference offers both.

Held May 31 - June 1, 2013 in Little Rock Arkansas, this conference is celebrating it's 69th year. Arkansas Writers was founded and is hosted by The Arkansas Pioneer Branch of the National League of American Pen Women. Thanks to the generosity of benefactors, patrons and sponsors,  AW is able to provide top quality speakers and a wide variety of contest categories.

Although I've not been able to attend the conference yet, I have entered the competitions over the past several years. I know when I enter these contests I am up against some of the best writers in the country. I also know sometimes I win (last year I placed in two money categories), sometimes I take a couple of Honorable Mentions (as I did in 2008 and 2009) and other years I don't place at all. That's just how it works.

Contest Categories (scroll down to Literary Contests) are divided into three categories:
#1-#5 categories are limited to those who will be attending AT LEAST one day of the conference.
#6- #28 categories are open to anyone
#29-#40 are limited to Arkansas Residents only.

So if you take out the first 5 categories and the final 11 categories, that leaves you with 23 contests you can enter.... ALL FOR ONE $15 Entry Fee! And ALL offer Cash Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place entries.

PLEASE read the guidelines carefully. One thing I see as a contest judge with other contests is entrants being so focused on the Perfect Entry they fail to follow the guidelines... resulting in their hard work being disqualified.

I have looked over the Speakers for this year and the roster is one of the best I've seen that matches MY particular interests. For now it's all about time and cash flow for me. But I'm still thinking on it. If anyone is going and would like a roomie, it might move my marker to the GOING side of the line a little closer.

In the mean time, I have some entries to start working on!
Happy Writing!
Angela

Conferences and Contests!

One of my GOALS for this blog was to keep you updated on conferences and contests you might want to be aware of. Most of what I share with you will come from personal experience or at least knowing the people involved.

CONFERENCE:

There is a great 1-day FREE conference coming up March 10th in Fayetteville AR. Here are the details:

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS WRITERS WORKSHOP FREE CONFERENCE

MARCH 10, 2012

OZARKS ELECTRIC ON WEDINGTON ROAD - 1 MILE WEST OF I 540 EXIT ON THE LEFT

9 a.m. Greetings from Dusty Richards

9:15 a.m. *Marilyn Collins*

*Get More for Your Money at Writers’ Conference *

Maximize your time and money when selecting regional or national writers’ conferences. Learn ways to save money, get more visibility for yourself and your books (or to-be books), and make more face time with speakers.

Learn to be “pitch perfect” during 10-minute sessions with publishers, editors, and agents. Consider 12 conference “Do’s,” smart ways to handle the spouse or friends who come with you, and much more. Great workshop for new conference attendees and experienced folks may learn new tricks as well.

Marilyn H. Collins is an award-winning author of nonfiction books and over 100 magazine/newspaper features.

Website: Marilyn Collins

10:30 a.m. *Doug Kelley *

*Adventures in Writing *

A career as a corporate pilot allowed Doug to visit many museums in researching his book, The Captain's Wife. He will speak about the adventures of his researches, and the adventures of writing in general.

As Jack London said, "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club."

Website (goodreads) : Doug Kelley

11:30 a.m.

*The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pens: A Panel discussion *

*Linda Apple* Writing from the Soul, Speaking from the Heart. Author of Inspire: Writing from the Soul, Connect

Website: Linda Apple

*Ruth Weeks* writes it all from ghosts, cowgirls, rooks and ravens. Author of Soldiers From the Mist; The Rook and the Raven

Website: Ruth Weeks

*Claire Croxton* will rip your heart out and tickle your funny bone. Author of The Redneck Ex

Website: Claire Croxton

*Pamela Foster* catapults the reader into the heart of her quirky, funny characters.

Author of Redneck Goddess

Website: Pamela Foster

Don't tell anyone, but Jan Morrill learns the secrets of her characters, then shares them with her readers. Author of Broken Dolls

Website: Jan Morrill

12:15 - 1:30 Lunch $7.00

1:30 - 2:30 *Velda Brotherton*

Building Your Platform-Before and After Publication

Velda is an award winning author of numerous historical fiction and

nonfiction books, articles and short stories. Her latest releases are Wolf

Song and Stone Heart's Woman.

Website: Velda Brotherton

2:30 - 2:45 Break

2:45 - 3:45 *Dusty Richards* Writing 101

Dusty is an award winning author of more than 110 western fiction novels and numerous short stories and anthologies. His latest releases are:

Between Hell and Texas; Outlaw Queen

Website: Dusty Richards

For further information email Dusty at dustyrichards@cox.net or Velda at

vebrotherton@gmail.com

CONTEST:

Although I've not had the opportunity to attend the conference, one of the contests I enter every year is associated with the Arkansas Writers' Conference in Little Rock AR. The conference takes place the first weekend in June each year with some great literary speakers and a wide variety of contest categories to challenge you.

The contest categories are broken down into three divisions:

1) May enter categories 1-4 if you plan on attending at least one day of the conference

2) Open to all writers

3) Open to Arkansas residents only

#2 consists of 16 categories ranging from rhymed/ metered poetry to short stories and everything in between. Each carries it's own theme and requirements that must be met.

Here's the BEST part. You may enter AS MANY of the categories you are eligible to enter for ONE $10 bill! And all the categories offer a CA$H PRIZE for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

If you attend the conference, you'll receive your award during presentations. If not, they'll mail any certificates/ checks you have won usually within about two weeks after the conference.

Some people ask me why I bother with these types of contests if they aren't going to garner the attention of an editor or an agent. I have two reasons.

1) These give me the opportunity to flex my writing muscles with things I might not normally play with. To try out new ideas to see if they'll fly before I work on a full-blow project

2) Cash. Padding the writer resume with contest wins doesn't hurt, but padding the bank account has it's own rewards.

I'm working on getting better about posting here. I've just been busy .... writing :-)

Creative Blessings!

Angela