OUT WITH THE OLD

So it's New Year's Eve, and I keep thinking about what Pa used to say in the Little House books: "All's well that ends well." It's been a good year, full of ups and downs and all arounds. But I am ready for some new numbers and eager to add some color to the pristine calendar sitting on my kitchen desk. I will leave you with a timely quote by my all-time favorite author:

"Little by little the time flies by - Short if we laugh...long if we sigh."

- Laura Ingalls Wilder

THOUSAND WORD THURSDAY

"Love actually is all around."
- from the movie LOVE ACTUALLY

(pic taken June 2007 on a trail in the Smokies)

HOW TO PLEASE AN AUTHOR

It really doesn't take much:

"There are three infallible ways of pleasing an author... 1, to tell him you have read one of his books; 2, to tell him you have read all of his books; 3, to ask him to let you read the manuscript of his forthcoming book. No. 1 admits you to his respect; No. 2 admits you to his admiration; No. 3 carries you clear into his heart."

- Mark Twain

WE ARE CUPS

Merry Christmas! May your cup runneth over with beautiful words.

"We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out."

- Ray Bradbury

DEAR SANTA

Finally it is Christmas Eve. The little people at my house are bright-eyed this morning, already counting down the hours AND keeping track of Santa via NORAD's Santa Tracker. (Right now Santa is in Siemraeb, Cambodia.)

My youngest son Eric's faith in Santa is so steadfast he inspires the rest of us to love each other in ways we might not otherwise. It is a day for miracles, and a day for being grateful.

"Where there is great love there are always miracles."

- Willa Cather

I WONDER

There is so much to discover in this world, so much to marvel. How miraculous is a spiderweb or shooting star? Writing, for me, is about allowing myself to be in that place where I wonder.

I found today's quote in a wonderful anthology called Staying Alive, edited by Neil Astley. (Thanks, Suzanne!)

"Poems come out of wonder, not out of knowing."

- Lucille Clifton

It's A Wonderful Life

"What do you want, Mary?" This is one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies. I want the moon and the moonbeams and the stars, too.

WORD LOVERS UNITE!

My new blog is for word lovers just like you. Come visit!

THOUSAND WORD THURSDAY

It has been said that "a picture is worth a thousand words." It's true! So I will devote Thursdays to sharing a picture.

This one was taken about a month ago at Cloudland Canyon State Park in the northwest Georgia mountains. Nice to remember all that color now that the trees are bare.

'TIS THE SEASON

It really is a wonderful time of the year, filled with love and giving and holiday cheer. But it's also a stressful, frustrating time ripe with small annoyances that make you wonder why we do this to ourselves.

The key is to focus on the positive. Find the good in people and things. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Remember we were put on this earth to love.

“I need to put up with two or three caterpillars if I want to get to know the butterflies.”

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery, from his book, The Little Prince

TAKING OUT THE TRASH

Ever since I sold THE WITCHES OF GEE'S BEND, people have been asking, "How long did it take to write?"

Well, I'll tell you. It only took about three months to write the first draft of that particular novel. But don't be too impressed, because I am still revising. And all of those months of revisions count, too.

And what about the four novels set in Gee's Bend I wrote in the four years prior to WITCHES? Surely they count. Because without them I would never have discovered the story I really wanted to tell.

So many words wind up in the trash can. But the beautiful thing is, that's what it takes. If you want to be a published writer, you need to write a whole bunch of words. Many of which will never be read by anyone but you. But every single one of them makes you a better writer.

"The Wastebasket is a writer's best friend."

- Isaac Bashevis Singer, 1978 Nobel Prize in Literature

NO TURNING BACK

Life, it seems, it full of roadblocks. The same is true of writing. One day I can be cruising along, going above and beyond my word count, and the next I am stuck in a wordless rut. Then it becomes a question of commitment.

Whatever the problem, you have to be committed to solving it. Or at least committed to seeing it through, no matter what the outcome.

"From a certain point onward, there is no turning back. That is the point that must be reached."

- Franz Kafka

A WINTRY SUNDAY

After a few flip-flop days in a row, today it finally looks and feels like winter. It is a day to read and write and be quiet with yourself. It is also, unfortunately, a day to go to a funeral.

Grief is such an individual thing, yet universal, too. My heart is with everyone who grieves today for Leah.

"If you're going through hell...
keep going."

-Winston Churchill

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF MOTHERS

My sister's kids are now ages 7, almost 5, and 15 months. When we spoke yesterday she was waiting with the two younger ones in the school carpool line. I could hear kid-chatter and the rustle of paper. My sister said she was wrapping presents as she waited and we talked. Isn't motherhood like the best training ever for multi-tasking?

"If it takes two hands, it's probably not worth doing."

- Lynn Baker

I THINK I CAN I THINK I CAN

I have often said to groups that being a writer is a lot like being The Little Engine That Could: you spend most of your time trying to get up the mountain. The key is not to give up. Here's a quote along the same lines:

"I'm extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."

- Margaret Thatcher

TEN ANGELS SWEARING

My parents have been popping up quite a lot in my writing lately. Maybe it is a stage-of-life thing. Here is a quote my father knows by heart:

"I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference."

- Abraham Lincoln

IN TIMES OF SORROW

A poet-friend of mine is going through a really tough time right now. There is nothing I can say to help or to change things or to make everything all right. All I can do is let him know that I am here thinking of him.

"When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."

-Kahlil Gibran

FIRST THINGS FIRST

This blog is a Christmas gift to a much loved fellow word lover. You know who you are. So I'll start with my most favorite quote on writing:

"Love. Fall in love and stay in love. Write only what you love, and love what you write. The key word is love. You have to get up in the morning and write something you love, something to live for."

- Ray Bradbury

100 WORDS

Today marks the hundredth and final post for Daytips for Writers. Thanks to all of you who have visited here -- it has been my pleasure sharing some of the bits of wisdom that have helped me on my own writing journey. I wish all of you much writing success, whether you measure that by publications or words on the page. Everyone has a story to tell, and I look forward to reading all of yours. May the Muse inspire you, and when all else fails, remember all it takes to be a writer is to write. Good luck to all!

TIMING AND HARD WORK

According to a BE&K advertisement in the Alabama Symphony Orchestra's magazine Opus, the two things that make any worthwhile endeavor successful are timing and hard work. It's true of writing, too: the harder you work at perfecting craft, the better the results. And there's a little piece of timing/luck involved as well. Today, work hard. Luck will follow.

BUILDING A POEM

Check out SouthLit.com, particularly the article entitled "Building a Poem." Remember that every writer's process is different, but we can learn from each other. Today, try something new for you. And if the Muse knocks, give her the best seat by the fire and place in her hands a steamy cup of tea.

FORCES OF NATURE

It's an inclement weather day here in Shelby County, which means the kids are out of school (but wouldn't have been had winter not been so tame here this year). Today, write something weather-related. Perhaps you've got a Katrina story you haven't been brave enough to put on paper. Or something about global warming. Or maybe what's tripping your trigger is not actual weather but the metaphorical variety. Whatever it is, today, write it down.

QUOTE FROM MAYA ANGELOU

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." -- Maya Angelou
Today, where ever you are on your writing journey, remember where you've been.

SECRET LIVES OF POETS

No one sees the world the same way you do. While it's not always easy to share personal emotions and observations, that's exactly what a poet should do. Readers want poems that show us an honest glimpse into life. Today, write something only you can write.

ALL YOU NEED

Writing is, more than anything else, about conveying your passions to the world. Today, give yourself a Valentine and consider my most favorite writing quote ever:

"Love. Fall in love and stay in love. Write only what you love, and love what you write. The key word is love. You have to get up in the morning and write something you love, something to live for."

- Ray Bradbury

BREVITY IS BEAUTIFUL

Today, check out my friend (and publisher) Dale Wisely's online literary mag Right Hand Pointing. And if you've got any short pieces (under 20 lines), submit them!

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

Raymond Inman said "If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking." Today, brave the elements and find inspiration outdoors.

THE PROBLEM WITH POETRY

In his poem "Introduction to Poetry," Billy Collins writes

"I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.

But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it."

I assume Collins is talking about the reader, here... but who reads poetry but other poets? Today, examine some of your own writing to determine whether you're trying too hard to achieve some purpose. Instead of trying to force an idea or viewpoint on the reader, simply invite the reader in, offer her a cup of tea. Let the conversation evolve as it will.

WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW?

"The world of reality has limits; the world of imagination is boundless."
-- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Today, consider how this quote might apply to your writing. If you're feeling blocked, escape the confines of your limited life experiences and just dream something up.

WRITING FROM YOUR WHITE-HOT CENTER

Thanks to Wordswimmer, I found out about a book on writing by one of my favorite authors, Robert Olen Butler: From Where You Dream. I am about three chapters in, and already can say I highly recommend it. A few years back, I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Butler and his wife who is also an excellent writer, Elizabeth Dewberry, author of one of my favorite books ever Many Things Have Happened Since He Died, and at the time, the couple directed me to Mr. Butler's internet project on the creative process, particularly on how to write a short story. The site still exists, here. Today, see what you can learn from Robert Olen Butler and Elizabeth Dewberry (used to be Vaughn).

THIRTEEN WAYS

Wallace Stevens' poem "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" provides a great framework for other writers to work with. In fact, in a recent Alabama State Poetry Society student contest, I received a dozen or more poems on the "thirteen ways" theme. The thing the judges noticed when considering these poems is that some things cannot withstand the scrutiny of thirteen looks. For instance, one poem was about a muffin. It just didn't hold up. Today, try to write a "thirteen ways" poem. But if your subject can't go the distance, be willing to let it end where it ends.

WEIRD

I've been tagged by Julia to 'fess up and say five things that are weird about me. It's just a fun little game, so why am I feeling all self-conscious? My first impulse is, no way. But I love Julia, so I should play, shouldn't I? More than that, I should want to, right? Weird. So that's #1 on my weird list.
2. I live in the suburbs, drive a van, organize carpool, and probably look like a very ordinary soccer mom. But I'm a poet whose heart is in the wild somewhere, who dreams of solitude and silence and love, surrounded by acres and acres of woods.
3. I was named for my great-grandmother, who by all accounts "never said anything bad about anyone." For a long time I thought she was a saint whose name I couldn't possibly live up to; now I've decided she was just a human, like me, who had her opinions but didn't feel the need to spread them around. That I can respect; that I would like to live up to.
4. I have an affinity for old men. I love being friends with them, love hearing their stories, love who I am when I am with them.
5. I think yes is the scariest word in the English language. Which makes it my favorite.

Today, write something weird for you, something out of your comfort zone. And if you're feeling really brave, post it here. (Mary and Anna, I'd love to hear from you.)

BIG FISH

Is there a great storyteller in your life? For Gabriel Garcia Marquez it was his grandfather and grandmother who would recount "the wildest things with a completely natural tone of voice." Garcia Marquez used that style of storytelling in much of his writing, including his Nobel Prize winning One Hundred Years of Solitude. Today, think about storytellers you have known and loved, then try to write a story or poem using that same style.

DEFINITION OF A POEM

Robert Frost said, "Poetry is a fresh look and a fresh listen."
Samuel Coleridge said, "Poetry is the best words in the best order."
Percy Bysshe Shelley said, "Poetry is the record of the best and happiest moments of the happiest and best minds."
I think Frost and Coleridge are right on target. Shelley, on the other hand... huh?!
Today, think about how you define poetry.

WORDSWIMMER

Just discovered a wonderful blog on the craft of writing: Wordswimmer. It's a great watering hole for thirsty writers. Check it out!

YEAR OF THE DOG

It's a new Chinese year... today, check the Chinese zodiac and determine which animal hides within you. Then write something about that animal.

THE REAL THING

Today, consider what Czelaw Milosz said when he won the Nobel prize for literature: “In a room where people unanimously maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot."

FREE LUNCH

One of my favorite literary journals is Free Lunch, edited by Ron Offen. It's a journal that welcomes unpublished poets and publishes them right alongside the big names. The editor has good taste in poetry and also offers wise words in each issue regarding the State of Poetry. Best of all, even if he rejects your poems, he offers specific feedback guaranteed to make you a better writer. Today, check out Free Lunch, and send in a submission. Good luck!

LO-LEE-TA

I was just thinking about some of my favorite opening lines in novels, and one of the first that comes to mind is Vladimir Nobokov's Lolita:

"Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo-lee-ta."

It's poetic, don't you think? It's got rhythm, alliteration, sensuality, a certain playfulness... before you know who she is, or who he is, you want to be her, or him. Which is what, I think, makes it a great start. Today, think about some of your own favorite openings. Figure out what it is that draws you in and makes you want to read on. Then try to use those qualities in a start of your own.

IN MEDIA RES

It means "in the middle of things." If you're looking for a way to engage your reader quickly, it helps to start in the middle of something. Today, instead of explaining background information to the reader, begin right in the middle of an argument or meal or checkout line. Then resist the urge to backtrack -- just keep pushing forward.

KICK IT UP A NOTCH

Readers want to see not just contemplation, but action. This is true even in poems. Readers want to know what did the speaker/narrartor do? To strengthen your writing, don't bore the reader with long section of exposition. Today, spice things up by including more dialogue, more movement.

GONE FISHIN'

Be back Sunday!

DEAR MARTIN

They say letter-writing is a lost art. Yet Sue Walker, Poet Laureate of Alabama, has written an entire book-section of poems in the form of letters to an imaginary brother named Martin. The book's title is Blood Must Bear Your Name. Today, write a letter. Or write a poem that's a letter. Or have a character in your story write a letter. You get the idea. :)

MY POINT OF VIEW

Sometimes you can save a piece of writing just by changing point of view. When you want to build a climax and compress time, use an omniscient point of view. When you want to move in a little closer and make things more personal, switch to 3rd person. When you're feeling really brave, try 1st person, the point of view for character-driven stories and often the most challenging simply because it narrows the focus so dramatically. Today, experiment with point of view. Change an existing work to a different point of view, or write from a point of view you don't usually use.

FALSE START

One of my favorite poets, Jerri Beck, has given me permission to share two lines she has never been able to find the poem for:

Come and listen to the wind
as it plays the night in a minor key.

Today, let Jerri's false start jumpstart a piece of your own.

NO EXCUSES

I just received my SCBWI Bulletin yesterday, and at the top of the page that lists all the members' recent writing accomplishments, there is this great quote:

"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardon da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein."
- H. Jackson Brown

Today, create the time you need to write.

DEFINITION OF A WRITER

This one's for Anna:
If you write, you are a writer. It's that simple.

FRONT PORCH

Editors complain that sometimes we writers don't know when to start a story -- we give too much background information. Editors call this the "Front Porch. " All the experts say to start a story or poem with action, something to immediately engage the reader, THEN go back and give some background info. However, experts also say when writing for children, don't use flashbacks, as kids respond more readily to a story that is chronologically straightforward. (Are you as confused as I am?) Today, write something that gets right inside the front door. I'll meet you for iced tea on the front porch later. :)

FINE LINE

Good stories involve making choices. Sometimes these are clear right/wrong issues, but real life is often more complicated. Rumi wrote "Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." Today, use that quote as a jumping off point for a story that involves making choices that are more muddled and complex.

PERSISTENCE THAT PAYS

When I was in high school, I co-wrote an article with the above title for our school newspaper. The article was about all the kids in our graduating class who had earned academic scholarships. It applies to writing do: you just can't give up. And eventually, all your effort will pay off. Today, remember the dream only comes true if you keep chasing it.

WHO EVER HEARD OF AN ELEPHANT-BIRD?

Like many kids, I was brought up on Dr. Seuss. Horton Hatches the Egg has always been my favorite story. But Dr. Seuss isn't just for kids; check out this great-for-all-ages quote: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Today, remember this applies to your writing, too.

HOLY TRINITY

I read somewhere that the holy trinity for writers is Write, Network, and Promote. Most of us do okay with the Write part but have more difficulty with the Network and Promote. Writing we do because we love it, or because we can't not. Those other two? They require getting out of the bathrobe and putting on a happy face and are therefore slightly less appealing. Today, do what it takes. Put some energy into Network and Promote so that your words will have the audience they deserve.

LOVE IN AN ELEVATOR

Today, write something that involves an elevator. This could mean anything: ups and downs, feeling stuck, trying to get somewhere, or it could be an actual elevator experience you've got tucked away in your psyche. (If you don't have an elevator story, just make one up.) Or, if you're writing a longer prose piece, get to know your characters better by putting them in an elevator. :)

SELF-DOUBT

As I have been struggling through a ms revision, I have been reminded of how many of us have this idea that when we become successful writers -- meaning, when we get published, get paid, etc. -- we will no longer be plagued by the self-doubt that plagues us now. The truth is, no matter how successful, writers are simple human, and self-doubt is a part of the human experience. Today, remember that doubt is natural. The key is learning to live with the doubt and to keep writing anyway.

STORY VS. PLOT

Ever heard the difference between story and plot? I heard it explained like this: In a story, you get "The king died. Then the queen died." If you've got plot, it goes something like "The king died. Then the queen died of grief." So to thicken your story, add plot, which is basically just a cool word for feelings, depth, and motivation for why the characters do what they do. Today, look at your own work and see if you've got plot.

LISTEN TO THE KING

A master storyteller, Stephen King has also written a great non-genre-specific book for writers entitled On Writing. One of my favorite quotes is this one: "Talent is a dull knife." Today, do something to sharpen your knife -- read a book on writing, read a great story or poem, or sign up for a class.

BAKE AT 350 DEGREES 'TIL GOLDEN BROWN

If only it were as simple as reading a recipe to know when our stories or poems are done! Sometimes we undercook, sometimes we revise so aggressively that we suck the flavor right out of the thing. It's just hard to know. Especially when even published work (eventually) can seem to need a tweak or two. Today, try to see the revision process as one big experiment. Maybe it'll be the best meal ever; maybe it won't. But we all gotta eat.

GETTIN' LUCKY

Friday the 13th seems the appropriate day to address the lottery-like nature of getting published. Published authors will tell you that getting in print is not just about the writing; it's also a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Today, be encouraged by other writers' lucky breaks. Know that someday you'll hit the right numbers.

ROAD NOT TRAVELED

Think back to a time in your life when you were at a crossroads. (Or think of the last scene in the movie Cast Away when Tom Hanks is looking at all those empty highways.) Where would you be now if you had chosen to go another direction? Today, wonder "what if?" and write about what might have been.

COPY CAT

Ever worry that your "style" is merely an imitation of your current favorite writer? Well, don't despair. Reading work that you like then writing work that is similar is a part of the writer's growth process. Just keep at it, and eventually your work will begin to sound more like your own and less like something you just read. Today, be open to the process. Allow yourself to imitate, then allow yourself to move through it. Every step will bring you closer to telling the story only you can tell.

POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE

A friend of mine confessed recently that when she is out of town, she sends herself postcards with inspiring photographs on one side and on the other her own handwritten message: You are a good writer. You tell good stories. You have such good ideas. When she receives them, she feels good about herself, and then she sits down to write. Today, write down an affirmation and post it near your workspace. Or go on a trip and send home a postcard. :)

A FEW WORDS ABOUT CRITIQUE GROUPS

As writers we all need feedback. And not just from our spouses, children, or best friends, who of course love our work simply because they love us. We need feedback from other writers. Yet it isn't as simple as that, either. There is a certain balance that must be struck between all members -- each must be committed to honesty, openness (by this I mean the ability to take criticism), and respect for all types of writing styles. It's not always easy -- we writers can be picky and defensive and terribly self -centered! But in my experience there is no better way to improve your writing skills than to put your work forward and really listen to the way other writers respond to it. Today, if you don't already have a writing critique group, try to find one. And if you are in one, remind yourself that the point is not to show up your writer friends; the point is to become a better writer.

LIKE KILLING BABIES

That's the way I heard it, but the actual quote from English critic Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch in a 1914 essay On the Art of Writing is "Murder your darlings." Often it's that phrase we are most proud of, that character we have fallen in love with that needs to be cut. It's tough because it feels personal, and indeed, it is a loss. But it must be done. Today, self-edit a piece and be brave enough to cut what needs to be cut.

ON ENDINGS

Don't you hate it when you read a book that seems all along to have been one long set-up for the sequel? Or worse, an ending that comes abruptly, just when you were really getting to like the characters. And though I enjoy some ambiguity with endings, what about those endings that are so ambiguous that they fail to satisfy? Well, I mention all this because I just received a letter from an editor requesting a re-write of one of my middle-grade fiction mss, and one of the things mentioned was the ending. Today, channel your muses my direction and help me get this one right!,

REVISITING THE COW

Remember what Mama told you about men and their "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free"? The same wisdom applies for writing and other works of art. If you make it neat and tidy, if you leave no loose ends or room for possibility, your reader will get fat and uninterested. Today, write something more open-ended, something that gives the reader some credit and leaves him or her with something to think about.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO IMAGINATION?

There seems to be a lot of material out there that is a mere re-telling of actual events. There's nothing wrong with that, except, who cares?! Today, go back to your childhood and pull out some make-believe. Write something we've never seen before.

TEACHER MAN

Frank McCourt is one of my favorite storytellers, and he has just written a new book entitled Teacher Man. I haven't read the book yet, but I did have the opportunity a few years ago to hear McCourt speak about his first teaching experiences in America. We've all played these roles: student, teacher, or both. Today, draw from your own experiences to write about an aspect of the student-teacher relationship.

A PRIEST AND A RABBI WALK INTO A BAR

We all love to laugh. And many of us write (or try to write) things that make people laugh. Today, think about your favorite jokes. Figure out what it is that makes them funny to you-- physical humor, impossible situations, clever words... then use this discovery to write your own funny joke or skit or scene or poem.

SURVIVING FAILURE

Who would I choose to be stuck on a deserted island with? A writer who has learned how to survive failure. Continuous rejection tends to whittle away our spirits, and some give up. Others like children's author Diane Z. Shore keep on going, and after 8 years and 300+ rejections, finally sell something. Today, remind yourself that failure is an essential part of learning and a huge aspect of being a writer. Expect to fail, and expect to eventually succeed.

RESOLUTIONS

Write more.
Write better.
Be honest.
Take risks.

Happy New Year to all my writer-friends!

GOOD POEMS

If I had to choose one poetry anthology to recommend to both poets and non-poets alike, it would be Good Poems edited by Garrison Keillor. (I understand Keillor has a new one out entitled More Good Poems, but I haven't had a chance to read it.) A poet-friend and I have spent a great deal of time dissecting the poems in Good Poems, and we love how the poems are organized in practical sections and how each poem makes us feel something unexpected. So if you want to read some good poems (and then write them), check out Good Poems!

SHE'LL BE COMIN ROUND THE MOUNTAIN

One of the things I love about being a writer is the excuse it gives me to travel. I mean, writers need material, right? Writers need to research. So I go a lot of places, and ask myself this question: where am I most who I am? Today, write something that answers that question.

JUDGE ME NOT

I recently had the opportunity to judge a poetry contest for an organization that wanted to make the contest more objective, so they attached an evaluation sheet to each poem. I was asked to rate the poems on factors such as fresh imagery, evocation of feeling, originality, use of language, and grammar/typos/punctuation. At first I was really resistant to the idea of using a form to evaluate a poem, but through the process I unearthed some of my own prejudices about writing: punctuation that slows a poem, poems that tie everything up in a neat little bow, tired language, and weak rhymes. And I found that the poems I liked the best by gut instinct were in fact the poems that received the highest scores according to the form. All this to say, it doesn't hurt to use a checklist to evaluate a poem. Today, examine one of your own pieces by the above standards. Know your prejudices, and be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.

EVOLUTION VS. INTELLIGENT DESIGN

Have you ever had the experience of sitting down to write one thing but then wound up writing something entirely different than you had expected? Once I was given the challenge to write a poem about a photograph of a little girl with a big cast on her arm. It started out about the broken bone but evolved into a much deeper, more meaningful poem about a woman with emotional paralysis. Today, relinquish some control and let your Muse guide you.

THE ART OF NAMING THINGS

I've been reading Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude. Early on in the book, the entire village falls victim to an insomnia plague, and the residents fear that their sleeplessness will make them forget what things are. So they decide to label everything by name: fork, chair, pillow. Then they decide to also write the purpose and function of the item, just in case the words, too, become meaningless. The passage reminded me of how important it is for us as writers to be precise in our writing - to call things by their proper name. Not just tree, but live oak, sycamore, cottonwood. Write so that your reader will know exactly what you mean. Write to remember.

THE DAY AFTER

The day after a big event, whether it be Christmas, a death, a diagnosis, a birth, the day after you left or he left, the day after you got something or didn't...it's all about transitions, and the in-between is a great place for writers. In fact, it has been said that all good stories begin with someone leaving home or coming back. Today use this in your own writing-- write about the day after.

YES, VIRGINIA

My favorite part of the New York Sun's response to Virginia O'Hanlon's question about Santa Claus is this: "Nobody can conceive of or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world." It's true. But as writers, one of the ways we can make a difference in the world is to try to conceive and imagine those wonders and then share them with others. Merry Christmas!

A GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Don't feel bad if during this busy season you are not getting words down on paper. The writer's brain is always writing. When you do return to your pen or computer, the words will be there. It just might take some time to unwrap them. Be patient with yourself.

DON'T FORGET TO SKINNY-DIP

Most writers start out writing about their own lives -- straightforward, narrative, autobiographical, "confessional" writing. This type of writing is important, but what we really want to see is what's underneath: For instance, are you an ocean, a river, a blade of grass? Step out of your everyday clothes and use metaphor to show us who you really are.

USE YOUR WORDS

It all comes down to word choice, and as writers we have often been admonished to "Show, Don't Tell." Did you know that in the book Jaws the word "shark" does not appear at all in the first chapter? (I learned that recently from an editor at a Southern Breeze conference.) Today, be inspired by that kind of writing. Write about something important to you, but never tell us what that something is. Show us.

PARTY TRICK

If family and friends know you're a writer, chances are that at some point this holiday season someone is going to ask you to share some of your writing. This year, instead of pulling up that Word file or unfolding that tired piece of paper you keep in your wallet, really wow 'em by reciting something! My friend Suzanne who is a performance poet as well as a page-poet says the trick to memorizing your own work is to record yourself on tape or CD, then listen to it about a billion times, and voila! you've got a poem ever-ready in your brain. Why not give it a shot?

BOOK REVIEW

People often ask me what I'm reading. This week I'm finishing up the lovely, sensual Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson and also enjoying a book of poems entitled What Travels With Us by Darnell Arnoult. If you are a fan of Spoon River Anthology, you'll love Darnell's book as it captures the voices of the residents living in a textile mill community in 1900's Virginia. I'm a sucker for love poems, and there are several in this book that make me want to cuddle up and write. (Is there any greater compliment?) Today, read a good love poem. Then write one.

WISE WORDS

"Never start a large writing project on a Monday in December." So says Anne Lamott. 'Tis the season for a thousand things to do, and unfortunately writing is often the first thing to get the boot. But not to worry: January with its new number and white pages will soon be here. Now is the time to set some manageable, achievable writing goals. It helps if you can be realistic -- don't set a goal to write a 50,000 word novel in the next month if you work full time and have young kids. Perhaps commit to writing a short story a week? I am pretty sure one of the reasons I love writing poetry is because it is not so overwhelming as a novel and I can get something worthwhile on paper in a relatively short amount of time. It's really important to challenge yourself, but to also know your limits. Be the Little Engine that Could. You can do it!

FOR ALL THE SHRINKING VIOLETS

There are those writers among us who enjoy an audience, then there are those (like me) whose palms sweat, heart pounds, voice quivers whenever it comes time to get up in front of a group and read original work. It's a difficult thing to overcome. But in this business you are largely responsible for promoting yourself. If you want to be heard or sell books or do school visits, you have to get over it and learn how not to be shy. Take a public speaking course or acting class. Join Toastmasters. Buy the book Brag! by Peggy Klaus. Get over it!

CHARACTER COUNTS

One of my favorite writing organizations is Southern Breeze, my region's branch of SCBWI (Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). A year and a half ago at a conference I heard editor and author Jaira Placide (now at Jump at the Sun, an imprint of Hyperion) advise authors to concentrate on two elements: character and premise. She said to spend less time worrying about plot and put your energy into creating unforgettable characters in unforgettable situations. Today, pull your characters out and look at them in a new light. Who are they? What makes them unique? What about them will make the reader want to be that character?

BREAK FREE WITH FORM

Every so often I like to flex my poetry muscles and challenge myself by writing a form poem. (See today's post at Mom and Apple Pie.) I have a strong preference for free verse, but I find forcing myself to adhere to a form helps me be more precise when I get back to my regular writing. Today, get out of the box and try writing something entirely different than what you usually write. You might be surprised by the results!

FOR THE LOVE OF LANGUAGE

Perhaps the one thing all writers have in common regardless of genre is a passion for words. Which is why, I suppose, most writers are also voracious readers. Everything you need to know about being a writer can be found in books you read for pleasure. Today, read something toward your writing inclinations AND against; learning what you don't want to write (and why) can prove an invaluable tool in your own writing.

BABY STEPS

My husband is fond of the saying, "99% of success is showing up." And it's true, we as writers have got to show up for our appointment with the pen or computer or dictaphone or whatever if we are to call ourselves writers. Start with just 15 minutes a day, if that's all your schedule will allow. Commit to 1 page or 1 paragraph or 1 rough draft of a poem. Make a date with your Muse and don't break it. Even if your Muse stands you up. No one else can tell your story. You've got to start somewhere.

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY

'Tis the season for overeating. So today, think about food and what it means to you -- What is your favorite holiday food? Your least favorite? What would you choose for your last meal? What was your first food? Your favorite food as a child? (Anne Lamott says in Bird by Bird that she often asks her students to write about school lunches.) Today, feed your muse and write something about food.

HOW TO BECOME A PAID WRITER

Let's face it: for most of us writing is never going to pay the bills. But there is a way to earn a little money while you wait for your big break by entering writing contests. Many reputable organizations have conferences that also include contests with money there for the taking. Two I am personally associated with are Alabama Writers Conclave and Alabama State Poetry Society. It seems every state has something to offer. A word of caution, however: the internet is full of scams that ask you to pay then offer publication as the reward of the contest. This is not what I'm talking about! Stick with organizations you know are genuine and actual. Good luck!

SAY WHAT?

Okay, I admit it: I am a little afraid of writing dialogue. And not coincidentally, one of the criticisms my fiction manuscripts have received is, not enough dialogue. When I think about books I've read and enjoyed, I realize it's true, you can learn an awful lot about the characters from dialogue. AND dialogue keeps the novel moving at a nice pace whereas long passages of description serve more to slow a novel down. So today I vow to be brave and dive into dialogue. I hope you'll do the same!

HAIKU LESSON

Snow whispering down
All day long, earth has vanished
Leaving only sky.
- Joso
I read in the paper about all the snow in the more northern parts of our country, and it reminded me of above haiku. Many writers are drawn to haiku because of its brevity and the simplicity of the syllable structure - 3 lines: 5,7,5 syllables. But haiku is actually more complex than counting syllables. Haiku usually is more suggestion than statement, the subject is typically nature, and haiku has two thoughts: the first is what the poet observes, and the second is the poet's personal feelings or interpretation of that observation. Give it a try!

THE DIRT ON WRITING

A very good friend of mine has this plaque hanging on the wall of her laundry room: "A clean house is the sign of a dull woman." The same goes for writing. Today, overcome your perfectionistic tendencies and just write. Don't correct typos, don't go back to the line you just wrote, don't clean anything up. Just write. (I do this by closing my eyes while I type.) You have to make a mess before you can find the heart of your writing.

VARIATION ON A THEME

So I am just back from Disney World where I made an attempt at the end of each day to salvage my adult brain cells by reading Anne Lamott's really excellent book bird by bird. At the end of her chapter on Plot, Ms. Lamott credits Alice Adams with a formula for writing short stories that goes ABDCE, a very similar formula to one I quoted here (of unknown origin) on November 30. In Alice Adams' formula, the letters stand for Action, Background, Development, Climax, and Ending, which definitely seems to work. (The one I quoted was ABCDE for Action, Background, Conflict, Development, Ending.) Could be I was mistaken OR this is just an alternate version. Who knows? Do what works for you. The point is, just do it.

WHY I WRITE

Before I pack up the van with kids and husband and other theme park paraphenalia, I wanted to share some of the wisdom of George Orwell. Orwell said that there are four great motives for writing: 1. Sheer egoism, 2. Aesthetic enthusiasm, 3. Historical impulse, and 4. Political purpose. My friend and fellow poet J. B. Rowell said on her blog Mom and Apple Pie that her purpose is "to praise." I'm not exactly sure why I write, but I know it's something I can't not do. Today, think about why you write, and write down your answer. See you back here Friday, Dec. 9!

THIS IS NOT A TEST

Today write something that attempts to answer an unanswerable question on a subject that matters to you. Think of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "How do I love thee?" The one I like to fiddle with is "When does love begin?" Your question may have nothing whatever to do with love, of course. Make it your own.

LEARNING WHAT TO LEAVE OUT

The same way silence is perhaps the musician's greatest tool, the white space on the page is the writer's. It's why we revise and revise, whittling away, paring down until only the necessary words are left. For a great example of a piece in which there appears to be no fat and every word seems to matter, read the play Doubt by John Patrick Shanley. It'll inspire you!

ABRACADABRA, ALAKAZAM

Here is a little trick that has helped me when writing longer prose pieces - wish I could remember where I picked it up! You'll like it because it's as simple as A B C D E.
A - Action (always a great beginning)
B - Background (who is your character, what has already happened that will help up understand what's going to happen?)
C - Conflict
D - Development (the heart of your book)
E - End (a.k.a. conflict resolution)
This is a great outline for those who don't believe in outlines. I hope it helps you as much as it's helped me!

THE LATE GREAT KATE

She wasn't talking about writing exactly, but when a girl she knew was considering quitting college, Katharine Hepburn in her growly voice gave this advice:

1. Never Quit.
2. Be Yourself.
3. Don't Put Too Much Flour in Your Brownies.

I think it applies, don't you? (Find this and other anecdotes in Liz Smith's book Dishing.)

ALL IN THE FAMILY

I wish I could remember where I first heard this one so I could give credit, especially as it has become one of my favorite writing challenges. It goes something like this: Gather all of the members of your family of origin, put them in one place, and see what happens. The first time I did this, I wrote a poem entitled Year of the Jellyfish that had us all at Cape San Blas, Florida, where we spent many a summer night during my childhood. The trick with this exercise is to be honest and avoid sentimentality. Good luck!

THE ACCESSIBILITY FACTOR

Ted Kooser, current US Poet Laureate, has written a helpful book entitled The Poetry Home Repair Manual. Even the title puts me at ease, and it also brings me to today's point: Kooser stresses the importance of keeping in mind who your audience is. Today, try to remember that your poem or story is at its most basic level a form of communication. Be clear and precise, and it helps to have a specific audience in mind.

IF YOU LOVE THEM, SET THEM FREE

This one is for all you closet-writers out there: Writing just for yourself is wonderful and certainly the heart of it all, but do consider sharing your work. You are the only one with your stories, and we want to hear them! Today, pull those poems out of the drawer and let someone else read them. Or be very brave and send out to a journal or magazine! (see LINKS)

QUANTITY BREEDS QUALITY

First, consider this poem:

A Writer and an Octopus

A writer and an octopus
Share more than you may think
Their reach sometimes exceeds their grasp
As they waste a lot of ink

- Sue Walker, Poet Laureate of Alabama

So, go ahead, waste some ink, because it's not waste at all; it's an investment in your writing future. The more you write, the better your writing will be.

WHAT MATTERS

In her very wise book Writing Alone and With Others, Pat Schneider claims this as one of her favorite writing exercises. Ask yourself the following question: What matters? Then write down all the thoughts that come to mind in whatever form you desire. (Try it after you've stuffed yourself with turkey.) Happy Thanksgiving!

ONCE UPON A TIME

I read in a newspaper article that writing skills in children improved when they were told lots of stories. Not read to, but told stories, as in, "Once upon of time your grandpa and me were fishing at the pond and..." It makes sense, doesn't it, for what is writing but telling a story? Today, think about stories you've been told or stories you like to tell and figure out a way to transfer them to the page. I am heading to Florida to spend time with my grandparents -- I'll be back with more tips Thanksgiving day. Happy and safe travels to all!!

THE END OF THE LINE

One of the most effective tools a poet has is the choice of word at the end of the line. This is the word that reverberates, this is the word that sticks. So choose those end words carefully! Make them powerful, pivotal, full of life. Break your lines with words that make readers want to go on to the next line, and the next. The suspense in a poem lives in the line endings. (In longer prose works, last sentences of chapters play the same role.)

LIKE FEEDING THE DOG

Too often writers allow the act of writing to fall off of the "Necessary" list that includes such things as Eat, Work, Sleep, Pay Bills, Play with Kids, etc. If this has happened to you, try today to carve out at least a few minutes in your daily schedule to speak with your Muse. Be a writer who writes.

LET'S GET FIRED UP!

Tonight the local high schools who have qualified will play in the quarter-finals of the state playoffs. What will the coaches say to the players before the game, at half-time, or after? Today, write something designed to inspire, persuade, or call people to action. And, Go, Oak Mountain Eagles!!!

WORK. RELAXATION. DON'T THINK.

So says Ray Bradbury in his book Zen in the Art of Writing. And it's true: writing is a matter of doing, and the thing that clogs the artery of creative juices is getting uptight and self-conscious. Today, try to writing something just for yourself, with no thought of showing it to others. You'll be amazed by what pours forth.

SMELLS LIKE.....

Studies indicate that the sense most attached to memory recall is the sense of smell. Today, mine your mind for memories associated with smells - the smell of fresh rain, Grandma's apple pie, dirty socks, whatever. See what develops when you begin writing those memories down.

WRITING AND DRIVING

Nothing opens my mind so much as the open road. But what's to be done when a great line or character or story premise comes to you when you're cruising down the highway? I'll tell you: invest in one of those little dictaphone recording machines and keep it in the glove box. And when the monotonous miles send your brain working overtime, record those ideas without risking your life or losing travel time. Then later, write them down.

TITLE ME THIS

I confess: I love long titles. My current favorite is by the wonderful poet Bonnie Roberts -- "El Rancho Motel Cost us $28 a Night, the Air Conditioning Control was Labeled 'Off' and 'On,' There Were Holes in the Drapes, the Shower Sprayed Sideways, and, Though We Had Our First Awful Fight That Was the Beginning of the End, It Was the Best Love We Ever Made." Think of titles as a tool. Use them to inform your reader about time, place, subject so that your first lines can cut straight to the point.

CALLING ALL COOKS

Try this for a little variation on a list poem (works for poetry or prose): write a recipe for something today -- Recipe for a Happy Marriage (or an Unhappy one!), Recipe for Humble Pie, Recipe for a Good Poem,..... Just gather your list of ingredients and put them in whatever form works for you. (This exercise can also cook up "How To" pieces.)

LET WORDS GIVE BIRTH TO WORDS

All the experts say it: aside from reading, the best thing you can do to capture the Muse is invest in a nice journal. And use it! The thing that has worked best for me in terms of journaling is to record favorite lines and passages from whatever fiction I'm currently reading. From Barbara Kingsolver's book Prodigal Summer, I got "All secrets are witnessed." I later used that as the epigraph for a poem titled "First Day of Winter" that was published by Birmingham Arts Journal and will be included in my next book. The key is to write it down. Otherwise you'll forget who said it, or how exactly it went, or that it even made an impression on you in the first place. Another tip: invest in some of those little sticky "book darts" for marking quotes as you read!

LIFE OF A TOASTER

What must life look like to a toaster, the dishwasher, an iron? Choose an inanimate object you use on a daily basis and see if you can create a life for it. Who does it see, what does it like, how does it feel? (I once wrote a poem entitled "Ode to a Vacuum Cleaner.") Have fun with this one!!

TAKE A LOOK AROUND

Poems and stories are everywhere, just waiting to be written. Today, pick up a newspaper or magazine and write about something you see there -- an article, a photograph, a caption.... You will find the heart of your poem or story when you stop to consider why that particular news-bit or photo jumped out at you. How does it speak to you? What does it remind you of? Why? The key is to make a connection between yourself and the material. That's what makes good writing good.

X-Y-V (eXamine Your Verbs)

This is a tip I picked up at the Alabama Writers' Conclave this past July, at a workshop conducted by Sue Walker, current Poet Laureate of Alabama. Particularly when writing poetry, every word counts. So, one way to really improve a first draft is to go back and eXamine Your Verbs. Get rid of passive "to be" verbs, scratch out those verbs ending in "-ing." If "hot" appears in your draft, break out the thesaurus and consider synonyms and how they add nuance to your writing. Action is very important -- make sure your reader can feel it by choosing the best verbs possible.

GETTING STARTED

Welcome to Daytips for Writers! The purpose of this site is to share writing tips, exercises, and resources to help jumpstart the Muse that lives within all of us. So, whether you are an accomplished writer or a closet-writer or even if you never thought of yourself as a writer at all, this blog is for you. Happy writing!