Inspiration Bound September 9, 2007
Posted by Jen in : Journal , trackbackWoo! The sun’s shining and I’m sprawled outside with my books and filled inside with oomph. There are two reasons for this:
The Freelance Writer’s Handbook. This is such a good book, written in a no-fluff way which wheedles out potential and possibilities you didn’t know you had. Not aimed towards fiction particularly but essential if, like me, you’re keen on the whole article-writing lark. According to this book, there are over 8,000 magazines on the market in Britain. Why shouldn’t they get their material from us? But once you’ve been filled with creative fizzle, you need to know where to send the fruits of your labours. So…
The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook. Jam-packed full of opportunity – markets for writing, lists of societies and some corking articles by the likes of J K Rowling and Alison Baverstock. Jane Green’s fab article rang bells that have been tinkling with me recently. ‘Enlarge your life,’ she says, ‘the more people you meet, the more things you do, the more inspiration will strike.’ She also writes in the belief that every book she writes is ghastly until it’s been read and validated by her publishers. I’m still not sure that helps the fact that I think my half-novel is utter piffle but, hey, it’s encouraging, no?
There’s something biblical about this book; it contains so many of the essential ingredients of being a writer, you feel you can’t fail to make a saleable meal from it.
Writers’ and Artists’ also has a website – brimming with writing/agent snaffling advice and apparently about to be revamped. They’re also running a competition to become their official blogger. Please let it be me. Pretty please?
I’m feeling all ‘up’ today, can you tell? Perhaps I’ll start sleeping with these books under my pillow. I feel I have the tools I need now. I just need to gather up my reserves and get on with it even more than I have been!
Comments»
I ordered the Writers’ and Artists’ Handbook yesterday - good to hear your thoughts about it, am now looking forward to digging in!
Nice post Jen. Glad you’re feeling ‘up’ today. Am dying to get my hands on W&A Handbook.
BTW your word count is looking impressive:))
I love reading the W&A yearbook - all those weird obscure magazine titles you’ve never heard of. I’m sure I could write articles for the Ulster Grocer, Truck and Driver and Woodworking Monthly - well, I could give it a bash! Haven’t got my handbook yet - must get a move on. I’m hoping it will be jam packed with hungry new agents seeking fresh female talent (of the writing sort.)
Only 44% left to go - yay!!!!
Mya x
Oh Gawd, another book to buy. My husband is going to walk out. It does look like one I need though. Hang on. *Click*. ‘Tis in basket on Amazon. Ssh, don’t tell him.
I’ve got so many books to read…I am going to sort myself out tomorrow after 9am. That is going to be my first job. x
Hellojed, it’s great… you can’t fail to be inspired! Happy Digging!!
Lane, I look forward to my copy every year. Somehow I think I’ll get more use of it now than ever before. And thanks - am kind of thrilled that I’ve written over 50,000 words
Oh, Mya, I love all those obscure ones - I always want to buy them and wonder about the weird oddbods who buy such stuff. 44%. You gave me another zap of inspiration when you pointed that out. Cheers!
Helen - that’s me girl. Anyway, it’s well known that 1-click is free. Books or husband… hmmm… tricky one, that!
X
what a dream to make a living from writing, eh? Go for it.
hey - and your word counter is rising…yay! mine is stagnating again right now.
Beccy - It really would be a dream come true, wouldn’t it? Word counter’s creeping up, yes… mainly because I’m rapidly running out of time and money before I have to think about working again. Bleurgh. Why is yours stagnating? Get on with it woman! X
Sounds like a fabulous read….I wonder if Amazon ships out here? Glad you’re on an up
You sound on good form. And yeah, rocking word counter!
Books, books and more books, I love them.
(And Liz, Amazon certainly ships to Thailand, so I’m sure they will to Dubai.)
Liz, you must be settling in quickly if you’re already planning potential Amazon deliveries
JJ - I’m in panic mode! Writing as fast and as much as I can in between stressing about having to find a job pdq. Maybe I’ll set up a begging bowl on my blog