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Cathy C. Hallhttps://cathychall.wordpress.com/I write, write, write. Then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. THEN I submit all those polished-up words out into the world and sell 'em. It's a plan that's worked pretty well.

Tuesday Tips on (What a Surprise!) Writing

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So I grabbed a stack of writer magazines to have on hand while I was waiting around last week (after what I’m calling “The Great Mom Fall of ’11”). And I happened to pick up two Writer’s Digests, both with the list of 101 Best Websites. One issue was from 2010, the other 2009.

I recognized most of these websites; they’re still around and going strong. Many of these best websites I’ve already discussed and passed along. And then I saw an unfamiliar one about contests and thought, I’ll just check this one out: Creative Writing Contests.

If you’ve clicked on it, you may have had the same second thought as I had. Hmmmm…the last post was in April. What happened? Had a cataclysmic earthquake swallowed up the admin? Did a truck barrel through his office where he posted daily updates? Had zombies busted through the door and eaten him? Well, you know, the usual horrors that happen to us went through my mind.

Or maybe his wife just had a baby. The point is, maybe you should let a trusted someone know how to post on your blog in case zombies eat you.

Perhaps my imagination went a little wild because I’d been over at this writing prompt generator. There’s something about a dancing pencil that I can’t resist. So I checked out a few of the prompts. If you’re having trouble with whatever you’re working on, try writing something completely different. Just for fun. Just to get some creative juices flowing. You’ll come back to your purposeful writing refreshed and ready to go.

Finally, I saw this reference site for IPL (internet public library), where all kinds of frequently asked questions are answered. And if your FAQ is not there, you can ask a librarian and off he/she will go to get your answer! Isn’t that exciting? Haven’t you always wondered what was on Carl Jung’s tombstone?

Maybe that’s just me. Still, research goes hand in hand with writing, whether you’re penning historical fiction or just a short essay. Check your facts, and check them quickly starting with a reliable resource like ipl2.

I might ask them a question I’ve been wondering about for a long time: If the zombies eat everyone (or turn everyone else into a zombie), how long will the zombies go on? I mean, really. How long can a zombie survive if a zombie’s already dead? It’s a real brain buster. (Ugh. Sorry about that.)

Finding Something Friday on Irony and Falls

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I’ve been with my parents this week, hanging about while my mom recuperates from shoulder surgery. She had a fall, getting up from a chair too quickly after her foot fell asleep.

Today, the Beneficent Mr. Hall called and said my copy of Modern Senior Living came in the mail. That meant my column would be available online. It’s a piece about me taking a spill or two while on a canoe. It’s called “Pride Goeth Before the Fall(s)”.

Isn’t irony funny?

(P.S. Um, my mom’s not exactly laughing yet. But I’m sure in a week or maybe six years from now, she’ll find getting her ball and socket joint replaced a real hoot.)