Talkin' Trash

          Little known fact about me: I used to be a professional wrestler.

          This was in the 60's, way before female wrestlers were thin and tanned and gorgeous. In the old days, women wrestlers had lots of hair--true--but most of it was between their nose and their upper lip.

photo by sabreliode

           In my era, when I reigned in the ring, women "rasslers" were bulkier. They were brawnier. They were tough. Sadly, I still eat like I am bulking up for a bout, so the only "ring" I see these days is caused by the over-strained elastic in my pants...

         This week, I tried to encourage Cathy C. Hall to submit a story to Mozark Press. They're looking for fictional bad hair day stories. And my intention? Just some gentle prodding. Some writerly encouragement.

        Well, Cathy threw me against the ropes with a roar. She accused me of "talking trash" (which I never do--I am always genteel and demure) and then challenged me to a game of Donkey Kong. I immediately retreated into the corner, whimpering.

       What kind of teasing/prodding/encouraging do you do or receive that helps others/you as a writer? 

       And as for how I will answer the fierce competitive spirit of Cathy C. Hall? Perhaps we need to settle it with sticks. (And Cathy knows what I'm talkin' 'bout.) 

           By the way, if you live in the St. Louis area, next Friday (June 29), Jodi Picoult will be a speaker at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters. She, along with her daughter, has written a book. (And since Linda O'Connell has a previous engagement, she won't be in front of me in line, waiting for the doors to open.)  If there are any friends who would like to join me, let me know...
         

                                                photo by dcnerd
                        (Picoult writes wonderful novels---"Sing You Home" is one
                          of my favorites, along with my all-time favorite of hers,
                                          "Handle With Care.")

Switch It Up

photo by saralonde

        No, this is not me having a bad hair day. Actually, if this was me, it would be a good hair day. My hair is notoriously uncooperative.

        However, I have been working on a "bad hair day" story for Mozark Press. The deadline is July 15.

         When I got the information about the guidelines, I failed to read it carefully, because I was quite excited. I had the perfect story--I had a wild experience that involved a sink--so I started writing it.

        Then Alice Muschany reminded several of her blogging groupies that Mozark wants fictional stories. Ooooh.

        However, I proceeded full-speed ahead anyway, figuring the story could be told in first person.  But it just didn't feel right.

        Last night, I switched it up. No longer told in first person, this story is about Maggie (which happens to be my go-to name, since it was the name I was given at birth) and the story just came together. Or at least I think it's a new cure for insomnia halfway decent. 

       So, check out the Mozark's call for submissions. You'd be in good company if you get your story accepted. Cathy C. Hall has been published by them, along with Donna Volkenannt.

        And if you're having trouble with a story, switch the perspective. If it's longer story or a novel, you could even alternate the perspective. (Jodi Picoult uses this technique a lot.) That might be all you need to get the story flowing...