Life has been rather busy around our house lately, we had the colossal task of giving our kitchen a much needed update. We had 10 days in which to complete and I am happy to say that the major work has been completed. We are left with the back-splash and some finishing touches to complete.

During the renovation process, I discovered that I really enjoy home renovating. This brings me to the topic of this blog post, finding inspiration for your writing.

I am taking the Comprehensive Writing Course with the Writer’s bureau and have been making a slow go of it for about six months. To date I have completed the first two assignments and have been procrastinating at writing the third. Whether it was out of fear or insecurity I kept putting off writing it.  All I kept thinking was what if I didn’t take the right slant on the article? What if I never get published? This thought started to really bring me down. I realised that I need to write about topics that I enjoy or interest me.

Finally I said to myself “Okay, Allison, enough of this you want to be a writer so be one!” I realised that I was doing anything and everything to avoid doing the one thing that I have always wanted to do. Why? Because I was afraid of rejection. 

Overcoming these negative thoughts can prove difficult at times, but the most important thing is “Don’t Give Up” and remember You can Do it, just keep writing.

Until next time

Happy Writing Adventures

Allison

It has been a while now since my last blog post. I have been busy learning though, and that takes time. I have just posted a new article about Tetanus…yes I said Tetanus. A friend of mine stepped on a nail and her misfortune turned a light bulb on in my head. Haley is right, there are gillions of article ideas in every day occurrences.

I posted this article of 865 words on Constant Content. This site has become a thorn in my side, so to speak. I think that the editor on CC must have a masters in english because ed is tough! That is the primary reason I want to write for this site, because they demand the best.

Fortunately for me, I have discovered an on-line writing course designed to teach me “How to write for the Internet.” I can already see the difference in my writing. I first bought Haley Writers e-book about CC for a measly 10 bucks. Even I can afford ten dollars, and it was well worth it. She even critiqued the article for me.

It occurred to me though, after having a few of my attempts at articles, and their rewrites rejected; that I was missing something.

I finally realized that I have some issues with grammar, and well… all sorts of writing issues really. It was then that Haley’s newsletter from her site , ExpandingCreations.com arrived in my e-mail inbox.

Haley offers the Newbie Writer all sorts of learning material on her web site, and for the Paltry discounted price of twenty five bucks, I received her course ..”How To Write A Winning Article Online”.

I am working my way through her course, and I can tell you that it is well worth the money. In fact, as I told my husband recently, Haley is working way too cheap. I am glad she is though, because I would not be able to afford her expertise if she charged more. Now, lets see if CC agrees that my writing is improving. I will let you know. In the mean time, as Dawn say’s, just write something…….

EcoSalon Calls for Submissions ——————————– How do you go green without sacrificing style? This is the question that defines EcoSalon. They believe that environmental consciousness doesn’t have to mean granola, that style and sustainability belong in the same sentence and that living green is fun, not frumpy. Eco-salon are always happy to consider professional writers with experience in social media and journalism, but if you don’t have that, a strong voice can get you far. View website to apply.

http://www.ecosalon.com/about/#getagig

The Herb Companion Calls for Submissions —————————————– The Herb Companion, published by Ogden Publications, Inc., is a bimonthly magazine devoted to the interests of vocational herb gardeners, cooks, crafters, natural health enthusiasts and herb aficionados. A typical issue will include practical horticultural information, original recipes illustrating the use of herbs, thoroughly researched historical insights, step-by-step directions for herbal craft projects, profiles of notable individuals in the field, natural health how-to, recent research findings, helpful hints and occasional book reviews. Articles should display in-depth knowledge of the subject matter based on experience and thorough research. View website for more info.

http://www.ogdenpubs.com/writers/hcp.html

Stories for Girls Wanted ————————- Girl’s Life publish fiction and features for young girls (12 and under). Focus on stories from the girl’s point of view dealing with situations from school, family, friends, etc. View website for more details.

http://www.girlslife.com/page/writers-guidelines.aspxt

Dark Recesses Calls For Submissions ———————————— Dark Recesses is known for some of the strongest horror and dark fiction being published today. Apart from fiction, they welcome nonfiction articles, essays, and briefs bringing news of the strange, odd, or just plain scary to their readers. Please read the complete guidelines on the website. http://www.darkrecesses.com/?page_id=7

When you first start writing, you write for yourself – you write because something inside of you would just burst if you didn’t let it find its way out onto the paper (or computer screen). Whether you start writing a novel, a poem, short fiction stories, or articles, you write because you love it.

With all the submission opportunities Dawn has been posting lately, you will know there is more to writing than just writing for yourself. However, when you start writing for money, writing is not always as easy. Writing for someone else’s requirements means you may have to modify your writing style to suit a particular audience, write to a schedule to meet a client’s deadline, or learn new writing tricks.

Writing can become like any other job – sometimes enjoyable, and sometimes just a hard slog. Maintaining your passion for writing can be difficult at times, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are three ideas for renewing your passion for writing:

Take a Break

Everyone needs a vacation or a holiday sometimes. Take a couple of days off from writing and see if you feel refreshed for writing again. If you can’t take a couple of days off, give yourself a mental break when the going gets tough. Go for a walk and get some fresh air and exercise. When you come back to the computer, you’ll find the writing flows again.

 Write Something for Yourself

Give yourself just 15 minutes to write for yourself to start each day. This gets your creative juices flowing and helps you to settle down to writing other things.

 Find Your Passion for What You ARE Writing

Write for jobs that you find interesting. As a freelancer, you are free to choose which jobs you accept and which to ignore. Find jobs on topics you personally find interesting. Sometimes though, it is better to pay the bills than to turn down writing gigs. If you cannot find the topic interesting in itself, focus on the craft of writing. Put your creative energy and passion into writing the most interesting article you can by using language and writing techniques.

Whatever it takes, remember the passion you first felt for writing and renew your passion for what you doing.

 HayleyWriter

http://www.expandingcreations.com

Pet Magazine Calls for Submissions
Animal Wellness, a natural pet magazine in North America, take pride in providing readers with the information they need to make wise health care choices for their animal companions. The publication embraces the entire holistic spectrum, from physical health issues to the emotional and spiritual well being of our animals. They welcome unsolicited articles and story outlines. Articles may range in length from 500 to 1,500 words. View website for contact details.

http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/p/awsubmit.htm

Scottish Home & Country Call for Submissions
Scottish Home & Country accept articles on a variety of subjects. Readers enjoy features on crafts, personal histories, social history, health, travel, cookery, general women’s interests, etc. Instructional craft articles are also welcome but must include clear illustrations. They pay £20-£60 for up to 1000 words. View website for details.

http://www.swri.org.uk/magazine/contributors.html

Motley Fool Seeks Finance Writers
Fool.co.uk seeks freelance writers for the research and writing of substantial elements of online Fool content with a particular focus on share/company analysis and investing strategies. The writer will balance factual analysis with the Foolish mission of education, amusement, and enrichment. The writer must be able to take complex investing issues and translate them through clear language with a touch of humour, fun, and pizzazz when appropriate (and that’s most of the time). Ideally, they prefer writers who have at least a few years’ (successful!) experience of running their investment portfolio, that can generate the majority of their article ideas and have the capacity to regularly produce between 2-4 articles a week of 600-800 words. View website for more details.

https://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=TMF&cws=3&rid=189

Call for Self-Sufficiency Articles
BackHome is the magazine that delivers useful do-it-yourself information on sustainable, self-reliant living. Since 1990, BackHome has been the authority for those interested in taking control of their own lives. The bi-monthly issues are packed with clear, practical information on mortgage-free building, solar and renewable energy, chemical-free gardening, wholesome cooking, home business, homeschooling, small livestock, vehicle and workshop projects, and family activities. In general, they will consider any article that will help readers improve the quality of life—for themselves, their families, their community, and their environment. At present base rate of pay is $35 a printed page, payable upon publication. They pay extra for good clear photographs. View website for contact details.

http://www.backhomemagazine.com/guidlines.htm

Woman Alive Call for Submissions
UK Christian magazine, `Woman Alive’, seeks to encourage and inspire women in their faith. Editor, Jackie Stead, welcomes articles on a variety of topics from relationships to health and well-being. Pay starts at £70 per page. See website for submission guidelines.

http://www.womanalive.co.uk/static.aspx?k=about

Stylus Media Group Seeking Global Freelancers
———————————————
London, UK based Stylus Media Group are looking for global freelance contributors to support their dynamic new online business and a growing global team for the interiors, design + lifestyle industries. Whether you’re dedicated interiors, architecture or design reporter, visual arts and culture writer, a travel specialist or an expert within the trend forecasting business with knowledge of consumer and lifestyle trends, they would like to hear from you. Please send your CV and a cover letter to jobs@stylusmediagroup.com

Mother Earth News Seeking Contributions
——————————————
Mother Earth News is a bimonthly magazine that promotes more self-sufficient, financially independent and environmentally aware lifestyles. Readers range in age from the early teens to 90-plus. They welcome articles and quality photographs for two departments: “Country Lore” and “Firsthand Reports from the Field.” “Country Lore” presents handy how-to tips of 100 to 300 words; payment is $25 to $50 per published item. “Firsthand Reports from the Field” are first-person stories (1,500 to 2,000 words) about sustainable lifestyles of all sorts; payment is $150 per published piece. View website for details.

http://www.ogdenpubs.com/writers/men.html

Wend Calls for Submissions
—————————-
Wend is namely interested in first person accounts of literate adventure travel with a social/anthropological/environmental awareness that permeates throughout the story. Stories are about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, not extraordinary people doing ordinary things. All departments pay 25 cents a word, plus photos. View website for contact details. http://www.wendmag.com/writersguide