According to Cindy

Why isn't anyone reading what I've written? A common question from new writers, new bloggers, etc.

The answer is most likely, "How do they know you've written anything?"

Writers should do "shameless self promotion" and do it all the time. If no one is reading you, it could very well be, they simply don't know your writing is there.

Of course, the first step is to write something well that others will want to read, but after that you have to let people know it's there and be confident. Don't listen to detractors. Everytime I go out and promote my Xanga blog, I get several flames. That's ok. Just delete those and be ever so grateful for the other (many) positive comments you get. Also, everytime I go out and promote, I get many new subbers.

Why do you think it is when a new movie, show, or book comes out, the big publishers and movie makers tout this as the new big hit? HOW can it be a new big hit if it's just come out? The fact is they become hits because they say they are and it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Also they promote the thing like crazy so that people will know about it. Magazines, signs, TV, you name it. They get the word out there.

I think this is why so many POD books don't make it big. It's written and then the author waits for people to buy it. And it's also true that these authors often can't afford magazine ads and TV promotions. But in order to read or buy a book, people have to know it is there. Getting it in a book store isn't enough. It has to be promoted.

Never miss an opportunity to shamelessly promote yourself, and your writing.

Yes, I am going to do these!


So after some deliberation, I've decided to shake things up a bit! Starting today, we will be voting on the next Creative Writing Challenge topic. Here's how it works: A week prior to a new Creative Writing Challenge, topic "candidates" will be listed. If you are interested in writing about any of the proposed topics, leave your vote in the form of a comment. You can "vote" up until the stroke of 11:59 p.m. (PST) the Monday just before the new topic is posted.If you have a "candidate" topic in mind at any time, please feel free to e-mail me and I will consider it for an upcoming Creative Writing Challenge Vote.Please vote on a topic for Creative Writing Challenge VII to be posted next Tuesday:1) Tell a story in the form of a love letter (Rated R and under or with disclaimer please - There are younuns flittering about with their delicate wings).2) There are approximately 3500 members of the Flat Earth Society (people who insist that the Earth is not round). Write about one of them.3) What life would be like if you had the occupation you'd wanted as a child?

I was so lazy this weekend. I didn't do any writing at all. I'd planned on doing my writing exercises out of the writing book I checked out, write some for my Xanga blog, and write some on the short stories I've had brewing. I didn't do any of that. Part because I wasn't feeling too well, and part because I spent so much time reading. I know writers need to read a lot, but I think I am overdoing it. I read just because I want to. I'm reading novels too, not just magazines that I want to send stories to, just novels. I have to stop. I have to not let myself do any reading until I have done a certain amount of writing.
QUIT BEING LAZY CINDY!

My latest short story is available online at Woman's Corner Magazine.
http://www.womanscorner.com/id16.html
Hope you like it. Email the editor and let them know what you thought!