Getting Better Mileage

photo by ladybugbkt

      
         This week at our writing critique meeting, one of the WWWPs had a problem. A sticky wicket was in her hands. She was faced with a dilemma.

       One writing piece that could be sent--in its entirety--to a literary magazine (it was that mind-blowing) and then if she chooses to use her mental scissors and glue and red pen, she has at least two other pieces.

      One is dark and delicious, like the Grimm brothers on crack? meth? loads of Nutella? and the other is frothy and feminine and sweet (but not even on the same continent as syrupy).

       As writers, we need to get as much mileage as we can out of our writing. Not long ago I got my head caught in the sink at work (I was washing my hair, trying to save the $5 shampoo fee when I got my hair cut after work). True story. It was published by the Publishing Syndicate's Not Your Mother's Book On Being a Woman.

      Because that story had a pathetic ending in real life (I ended up looking like Christopher Walken with $5 in his pocket) I rewrote it, with a horde of hunky firemen to finish up the story...Muuuuuch more satisfying...A happy ending. That story was published by Mozark Press (A Bad Hair Day).

       To ensure you don't run out of gas, to make sure you don't sputter and shudder and have to pull off to the side when it comes to your writing, try to get the most mileage out of each piece. Rewrite it from a different perspective. Make a nonfiction piece fictional. Change it from prose to poetry.

       Just keep moving forward with your writing...

I'm a Woman...W-O-M-A-N, I'll Say It Again

      How much mileage can you get out of a scraped scalp? Apparently a lot.

     A year or so ago, I got my head caught in the sink at work. I was trying to save $5. Washing my hair so I wouldn't have to pay my hair stylist an extra fee... After the shampooing was finished, I was going to drive quickly to my appointment, so my hair would still be damp when I arrived.

      That was the plan, anyhow. Since the sink was incredibly small, the faucet was huge (and apparently I was incredibly cheap), it ended up a bit of a mess.

        Because.

        My head.

        Got.

        StuckanditwasaonestallbathroomandIhaddeadbolteditsoIwasREALLYstuck!

         Within the last week, I've gotten the news that Mozark Press is publishing my fictionalized story of this hair-raising experience. My blogging buddy Lisa Ricard Claro and my fellow WWWP (Wild Women Wielding Pens) Linda O'Connell also have stories in this anthology. 

          Today I got an email telling me my nonfiction version is going to be part of Publishing Syndicate's first book in the Not Your Mother's Book series; it's titled On Being a Woman and will be released on October 9.

           See? A bit of flesh left on a faucet goes a long way...

         What kind of tidbit of life experience have you used in several ways--morphing it for various publications or contests? Or What was the stupidest thing you ever did?(Getting my head held hostage by a faucet is not one of my brighter moments, for sure.)

Bad Hair x 2

         Yesterday I got an email. My bad hair day story has been accepted by Mozark Press' Bad Hair Day anthology. It's a rollicking, riveting tale that includes a close encounter with a sink and some hunky firemen.

          Sadly, it's fictional...

photo by NetAgra

           Today I actually had a bad hair day...on purpose. Holly, my teaching teammate, and I had a rap-off. I was "Reddicaless Redd."  Wearing a shirt that had been embellished, lovely rap-style pajama bottoms, and sporting major bling (a hubcap--on a chain around my neck --hat had shiny stones hot-glued all over it), I was quite a sight. I spray-painted highlights of bright red into my hair. It looked wretched. It looked tacky. It looked just right.

 

                  Surprisingly, this old dog had a few tricks up her sleeves. I'm old enough (with even a few extra years) to be Holly's mother, but victorious I was.

          If you were a rapper, what would your name be? Or What good news have you received recently?

     

       

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...



         Yes, every day for me is a bad hair day. This photo was taken in France, several years ago. After this picture was circulated around Pau and around the Pyrenees, I am now banned from the country continent. Sigh.

         But hey, ladies, you can turn your embarrassing coiffures into credit--publishing credits, that is. Mozark Press is interested in your stories about your unruly hair. Or your stories about a dye job gone bad.

        Donna Volkenannt has had a story or two (perhaps more) published by Mozark. She frequently sings their praises. Mozark's books are high quality and chocked full of wonderful tales.

      Write quickly and send it soon. The deadline is July 15.