Tag Archives: The Muffin

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off To Write We Go (After We Visit the Cows)

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ImageA few posts ago, I mentioned that writing–and writing often–begets better writing. And that inspired me to pen “Becoming a Better Writer: Easier Than You Think” for my last Muffin musing. ICYMI, you can check it out here. (Public Service Announcement: ICYMI stands for In Case You Missed It. It’s embarrassing how long I stared at those letters till I figured it out.)

And for those of you struggling to become a better “tell-a-story-in-an-essay” writer, I’m passing along Linda O’Connell’s excellent tips, over at the Pen and Prosper blog. I read on her blog that she’s giving away a Chicken Soup book to one of the lucky commenters at her Pen and Prosper post. And in my experience, there is nothing like reading 100 Chicken Soup stories to get the feel for writing a Chicken Soup type story/essay.

I’m also including a heads up to the Green River Writers Contest. I like to support writers’ groups and Kentucky is a lovely state. Plus, whatever you’ve been working on to become a better writer is sure to find a category in this contest. (Check out the guidelines for fees and publishing rights.)

Lastly, because all (writing) work and no play makes Cathy a dull girl, I took Cathy-on-a-Stick out on a, uh…uh…whatchamacallit.

(Now see? Writing a sentence like that makes me realize I need to get back to work.)

Writing Buddies and How They Inspire Us

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ImageI can’t tell you how important it is to have writing buddies in this business.

For critique partners, for commiserating over rejection, for celebrating success, for understanding the ups and downs of a crazy business .

Um…I guess I actually can tell you how important it is to have writing buddies. But I left out one important reason to have writing buddies.

Inspiration.

When I see a friend’s success, it inspires me to keep at it. I know the journey’s long, but I’m encouraged when friends make it. It proves that the hard work pays off.

So when I saw that a long-time writing buddy of mine had garnered a two-book deal from a big-time publisher, I was well and truly thrilled for her! She and I…

Um…you know what? I’m just going to send you over to The Muffin to read my post about the lovely and prolific Beth Cato. You’re going to love her advice–and I guarantee you’ll be inspired!

Writing buddies. Don’t start in this business without ’em.