My writing review 8/13 - 8/28

First I acknowledge that this is a larger than normal amount of time to account for, but life threw some larger than normal distractions at me this part week and I am slowly recovering my breath. Thankfully because of the regimen of blogging I have, I knew that I was falling behind and was able to eke out something of worth this week.

Crit Group
I received my second round comments back from the Crit group this week. They were helpful and I am still incorporating them into my story - Jennie's dance. Once I am done with the comments, I will leave this story alone for a little while so that it can cool off a little.

ICL
I re-wrote assignment six, taking all my instructors comments into account. Boy was my punctuation bad in this assignment! I sent in my seventh assignment and I am working on a non-fiction piece now.

Blue boards
I've not been able to read a lot on the blue boards lately. I will catch up on my favorite sections this week.


Personal Writing
I received my first rejection this past week. It was not as bad as I thought. I am sending out three submissions this week.


Books I read this week
What teachers can't do
Click Clack Moo, Cows that type
Once upon a tide
We're going on a Bear Hunt


Okay, I hope life keeps the curve balls at bay for a little while. Here's to writing posterity!

My writing review 08/06 - 08/12

So here's my week in review.


Crit Group
I reworked my magazine article submission (Jennie's Dance) and sent it back to my critique group. I feel really good about this re-write. I can't wait to see what my crit group members think about it.


ICL
I've been working on my non-fiction assignment. I received the last 3rd of my curriculum. It's kinda sad, but exciting. Sad because I'm going to miss the correspondence I have with my instructor and all the perks of ICL. It's also exciting for me however to know that very soon, I'm going to be on my own, flying free in the world of publishing. Can't wait! Can wait!
Also regarding my non-fiction submission, I've been working on it. This past weekend, I found a very good resource at my local bookstore for voice and tone. I'm going back to read and write at the bookstore this week.


Blue Boards
This week, I got some very interesting information of the blue boards. I learned about high Concept pieces, writing a great query letter and got some more organizational tips. I love the blue boards.


Personal Writing
I wrote 1000 words this week.


Books I read this week:
The New Girl and Me
Massachusetts (State Shapes)
Chika Chika Boom Boom
Froggy Goes to School

Jennie's Dance

Currently working on a short story. Making crit edits and tweaking it for crit review on Friday. I'm very excited about this piece and I cannot wait to send it in for an updated review on Friday.

More ideas coming to me. Actively writing is really keeping my juices flowing. I am working on two non-fiction pieces and can't wait to get them sent it.

Life is good

Dottie Enderle ICL Chat

There's a chat a-coming!

August 17, 2006: Dotti Enderle
"Things I've Learned About Being An Author"
http://forums.institutechildrenslit.com:6080/chat/world/html/index.html
9-11 p.m. Atlantic/ Canada
8-10 p.m. Eastern 7-9 Central
6-8 Mountain
5-7 Pacific'

08/07/06 -

Today, I went to the bookstore to read (and entertain my children). It was a good day. I read Tightrope Poppy, Sundipta's new book. It is a very cute book and I got great insight on what a picture book rhyme looks like.

I also started my BNU writing class. Requested required books from library and I'm starting on lecture one.

I'm getting a lot done. I am going to enter into the Pockets contest this week and update two stories:

Jennie
Moving Rhyme.

Saturday -

I submitted my critique for the week and I will be reviewing other members submissions later on tonight.

Right now, I'm gearing up for a day of house cleaning and maintenance. I just can't wait!

Waiting to hear back from my sub is excrutiating. Perhaps it's because this is my first one, but I should probably have more irons in the fire. Hopefully I will make another submission this week.

My writing week review 07/31 - 08/04

With my brand new schedule in place, I figured a writing week in review would be a great way to ensure that I am sticking to it. If I have nothing to report on Friday, I've been a pretty bad girl all week!

ICL
I received my assignment back from my ICL teacher and I received another "good job". Can't complain about that! My biggest concern is that I still am yet to master punctuation. Seriously, this woman must be wondering if I know what commas look like. I know how to use commas for business writing, but for dialogue use, it appears I have no clue. I've got to find a way to master this. It would be pretty ridiculous for a submission to be rejected because I can't properly use commas.

So now I'm off to complete assignment seven. My goal is to send it out before the end of the month. I'll give myself two weeks - August 18th, send assignment out to ICL.

BLUE BOARDS
This week, I really delved into the blue board this week, reading all the posts and posting myself. I've been considering joining SCBWI and who better to inquire about membership benefits than my blue boarders? So I asked and I got a lot of reactions, some enthusiastic and some not so much so. One particular poster, harrietthespy, must know me personally because she appealed strongly to the financial part of me with a cost breakdown showing what the cost of membership could buy me in place of a membership. Now I'm not saying I'm cheap, but I am very watchful of my purse strings and her breakdown was very convincing I must say. I am still in limbo, but veering towards signing up and experiencing membership for myself. The one common theme in all the posts about SCWBI was the unique experience everyone has had. It's been different for everyone, I'd like to see what it would be like for me.

CRIT GROUP
Today is submission day and I have to get my submission in today. My first rhyming work. Based on my last review, I'm a little nervous about submitting. There were some strong opinions expressed about my work and to keep from getting upset, I had to remind myself that this is why I submit for review. So I'm prepping my next piece. oy!

PERSONAL WRITING
I have about 4 pieces of work going right now and I can't seem to focus on one or the other. Every time I hit a block, I open up another and start writing on that. Should I push through and keep working? Or is my side-stepping technique better?


Hooray for Friday! Time to relax and re-charge!

My Schedule

August Goals

Here are my goal for the month of August.

Submit Assignment 7 for ICL
Start research for assignment 8
Write 1000 words a week
Send out two queries
Shed 10 pounds (thanks to Vijaya my blue boarder for the inspiration, this means I need a scale now)
Make business cards for my new inspiration

So that's what August is looking like.

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!