1 | Cathy C. Hall Writes

Before I write an F & K post, I check my Favorites (on Precious the Laptop). That’s where I keep all the links to websites or blogs of interest. Often, I share those favorites with you. Like today, for instance.

Originally, I’d marked The Storyteller’s Scroll (a blog by Gayle Krause) for a poetry contest. Usually, I save a specific post. But for some reason, I threw Gayle’s blog address into the Favorites file. So what came up today was a post about a colorful critiquing method wherein one uses different colors to highlight different elements in a manuscript. Say, red for tension/conflict and blue for dialogue. Or you can highlight descriptive phrases or “telling” phrases. What you end up with is a manuscript where you can quickly and easily find your strengths and weaknesses.

Now, I’ve used this method before, but it’s been a while back. The funny thing is (at least, to me) that I’ve seen this technique mentioned several times now. And I don’t believe in coincidences. So I figure my muse is trying to tell me something.

I grabbed a few colored pencils and a manuscript to show you how this technique might work for you. But I think I’ll keep my colored pencils handy. Because when Gladys the Muse Goose talks…I listen.

Writing for no compensation is an individual choice. Sometimes, it may be worth the exposure; sometimes, it may be a way of giving back. And sometimes, it may have everything to do with where you are on your writing journey.

When I saw this paragraph from the Underneath The Juniper Tree submission guidelines, I decided to share the market here:

*All of those at Underneath The Juniper Tree are volunteers and therefore we are unable to compensate writers and artists with money or abundance of gifts for their work. We will, however, put many hours into helping with editing and suggestions with pieces so that you’re best work can be displayed in Underneath The Juniper Tree if it is accepted. We love new work and want to see emerging creative people succeed.

Hours of editing could be a very useful tool for an emerging children’s writer, especially if you’re looking to try your hand at something a little outside your regular genre. Think of it as an opportunity, like an internship. It’s true that you won’t be compensated in dollars and cents, but you will learn something about children’s writing that perhaps only experience can give you.

So, you might want to take a closer look at this online magazine. If you’ve been working on something a smidge scary, a tad terrifying, or just drop-dead dark, this might be the perfect market for your creepy story. Here’s the details for submitting, and here’s the link to the contest they’re running.

Now all you have to do is decide whether to keep this market…or not.