Writing

Ficlets

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I didn’t really like the idea of Ficlets when I first read about them on John Scalzi’s blog. Basically, you write a VERY short story, and others can add on the end (or beginning) of it, and make a big lego-like story. I thought it was odd, and didn’t write a ficlet for a long time.

I recently wrote a few myself, and I have to admit, it’s really fun. The one thing I’ve noticed about the site though, is there there are a lot of people in the world that are really bad writers! I’m not saying I’m Ernest Hemingway, but some are really bad.

Anyway, stop by and check it out. It’s very different from blog writing, and that alone is a good reason to try it.

Query Accepted!

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It’s very possible the editors at Linux Journal will read this post, and validate their concerns that I’m not a professional writer. I guess that’s OK, because I certainly never claimed to be so. 🙂

A few weeks ago, I sent a query letter to Linux Journal regarding an article I’d like to write for them. I won’t go into any detail regarding the content, because it might be breaching some contract if I do. Anyway, I heard back from them, and they wish for me to write the article! I even have a deadline, which for some reason makes it feel more like the real deal.

They’re under no contract to publish the article, because for all they know I might be a horrible writer that had his wife write the query letter. Nonetheless, they asked for the article, so you can bet your boots I’m writing it.

Another cool part? If they publish it, I actually get money for writing! I have no idea if I’m allowed to discuss the amount publicly, but rest assured, it’ll buy a whole bunch of Diet Coke!

Wish me luck everyone, I’m more excited than I care to admit. 🙂

How sweet she is…

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How sweet is my wife you ask? (Ok, you didn’t ask, but I’ll tell you anyway)

I’ve been talking to Donna about writing professionally for quite some time. Ok, more than “quite some time” — it’s been more like the entire 13 years I’ve known her. I always go on about how I’d like to be a writer, how it’s what I wake up thinking about in the morning, and what I go to bed thinking about at night. Yeah, I get pretty melodramatic. Anyway, after reading John Scalzi’s post on becoming a professional (meaning “getting paid”) writer, I ordered my copy of Writer’s Market, and started the rejection process.

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So what did Donna do while I skittered off to work yesterday? She set up a corner in our extra room into a writing sanctuary for me. It’s so cute, but more importantly, so supportive and sweet. Here’s a crappy photo of the corner taken with my cell phone. I was too lazy to get the camera, SD card reader, etc, etc.