Writer's Wrap by Thomas Wayne King

~~ Writer's Wrap ~~

So I lift my pen when I have a thought,

Gotta quickly get that insight caught.

So many words come flyin' by.

Can't catch 'em all, but I need to try.

I write.  I write.

I'm an active soul who needs to move.

So when I get in my writer's groove,

I gotta focus, gotta keep my goal,

Or this distracting world will take its toll.

I write.  I write.

Ideas come and ideas go.

Which words to trap, it's hard to know.

Sometimes profound and sometimes stupid,

Words can be Satan and they can be Cupid.

I write.  I write.

Words can hurt and words can heal.

I try to keep all of my words real.

They may be simple or create a plot,

But fake or phony my words are not.

I write.  I write.

From early days when words were pictures

And memories got put into scriptures,

The writer's role was to mark it down

In ways that'll last, and might bring renown.

I write.  I write.

The spoken word flies by so fast,

But our written words can last and last.

We writers live such a real short time,

But our words go on, whether prose or rhyme.

We write.  We write.

(Slowly, thoughtfully)  The spoken word flies by so fast...

But our written words will last and last!

We writers live such a real short time,

But our words go on, whether prose or rhyme.

We write.  We write.  

We write.  We rite.  We right.  

* * *

Copyright 2008 – 2017 Thomas Wayne King.  All Rights Reserved.

* * *

                        

      "Writer's Wrap" leads of sixty raps, poems, and lyrics in Sailor of the Sun, Thomas Wayne King's second volume in his Tales from the Red Pump series. Sailor of the Sun (ISBN 978-1-365-47774-4) is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lulu, and other suppliers. Tom is always glad to talk about, read, and sign his books. Please contact him at RunHikeSkiNow@gmail.com              

Cultivating the Write Stuff

Just posted this over at my website ~

It’s Monday. Not a momentous event in and of itself, but there were moments over the weekend I wondered if I’d make it here.

To be honest, in fifteen minutes it will no longer be morning. I’ve had my coffee, I’ve eaten breakfast and even had a little protein snack, but I’m still in my robe, slogging around my house in my pink fuzzy slippers, feeling half brain-dead and jonesing for a nap like a lazy cat crossing a sunbeam.

I’m coming off of a lost weekend, as hungover-useless as any morning after a night of drinking too many tequila shooters and dancing on pool tables ever left me (yes there are pictures, no I won’t post them). I didn’t drink my way here and by lost weekend I don’t mean I have no recollection of events. On the contrary, if the memory of the past 48 hours wasn’t etched into my brain (and every muscle of my body) I’d swear I had an intimate encounter with the grill of a fast moving Mac truck.
(Click to read full post)

It's Tick Season! Learn the Tick Tuck Rap with Thomas Wayne King

It's tick season here in northern Wisconsin, where we have to take extra precautions against those sneaky little critters in order to prevent getting Lyme or other tick borne illnesses. Join Tom today and learn all about a great way to do that!

Tick Tuck Rap

Tom is a long time member of the St. Croix Writers group. He is reading today from his book Sailor of the Sun - Tales from the Red Pump, Volume 2. Its a book of raps, rhymes, verses, lyrics, and songs inspired by the pristine, wild Lake Superior region -- what Tom calls "Authentic Northland".

Don't forget to tuck!~

Annabelle Cleans House - an exercise in writing brevity

Having worked a stint as acquisitions editor for a literary magazine, and then running an independent book publishing house, I am always firm about one piece of advice when asked: "No, it's not a good idea to go over the word count in submission guidelines."

There are many good reasons for word counts, both minimum and maximum, and the first that comes to mind doesn't even stem from the two jobs I mentioned, it comes from years and years of desktop publishing of newsletters for my non-profit clients. When there is a space to be filled, it will more often be filled with good writing that meets the word count, than with outstanding writing that is either too long or too short for the space. It's that simple. No matter how good your writing is. Period.

I recently place a series of very (VERY) short memory/essays with Dead Housekeeping. It's a quirky little online collection of stories that reflect on the way loved ones completed domestic chores or other rituals - sort of an homage to both the people and the times that have passed. The guidelines for these memories ask for 250 word maximum. That is one double spaced page using 12 pt. font. ONE!

If you want to exercise your editing muscles, try writing a few. Then send them off to the site. Here is the link to the about page, with details for submitting. http://www.deadhousekeeping.com/about/
It's all done by a small staff, a labor of love, so if you don't hear anything after a few weeks, don't be afraid to follow up. They were absolutely gracious when I did.

I hope you enjoy reading my memories of Saturday morning chores in my house growing up. If you do, leave a comment at the Dead Housekeeping site.

Judith Liebaert

http://www.deadhousekeeping.com/entries/2017/3/15/annabelle-cleans-house-part-1-bed-bath-hallway

P.S. Remember that old adage about every rule having an exception? Don't be afraid to break the rules sometimes. I had so much fun writing the first one, meeting the challenge of honing my memories onto one page, that I had to write a few more. I then proposed something I hadn't seen on the sight, a three-part series. The publishers agreed, but if they hadn't, each one of the three parts could stand as a single piece.

Why Join a Local Writers' Group?

Why a local writers' group? What's the point anymore?

Some writers might wonder about that, feeling as though, in today's world of social media bringing us Facebook groups, writers' forums, podcasts, newsletters, emails, and a host of other ways to connect, the need to regularly get together in person has become moot. Yet, in the heart of every reclusive independent, introverted writer lies the need for occasional community and a safe place to reveal our untested work, gush about craft, and re-energize with some kind of fuel besides coffee to take us back to the drawing board.

I am part of such a group and never underappreciate the mentorship the St. Croix Writers brings to my development as a writer.

"That's nice for you," you say. "I don't live anywhere near such a group."

If you don't, my heart goes out to you. Stay in those online communities, especially if you find one where you can give and receive feedback on your work. However, don't let it stop there. Try starting a writers' group if you can, even if you can only find one other person to act as your critique partner. Get together weekly if possible, and no less than monthly. Nourish your writer's soul.

If you do have the availability of a group near you, and you've hesitated to check it out, here are ten benefits that can be had by meeting together in real, live person with other writers on a regular (not-only-at-conferences) basis:

1. Helpful Criticism. You will learn how to receive it and also how to offer it graciously. The thicker your skin gets, the more you'll learn about ways to improve your writing.
2. Ideas. You will get new ones without even trying, because no matter how different another writer's work or genre is from yours, they will almost always mention or read something that will switch a lightbulb on over your head.
3. Friends. You will make new ones from every walk of life and find lots to laugh about together. You'll bond with some folks so closely, you'll cry with them as well.
4. Encouragement. You will be surrounded by people cheering you on and pushing you to keep submitting, including giving you ideas for ways and places to seek publication.
5. Brainstorming Sessions. You will find like minds with whom to toss ideas around or to further develop an idea you're working on.
6. Editing & Proofreading. You will occasionally be able to get help with the actual editing of your work, and in that process you will learn more about everything from active voice to plot construction.
7. Audience. A writers' group is beta reader heaven if you want to know how readers will react to a piece. As an added benefit of great importance, you will see more changes you need to make as you read aloud, and you will also become a better orator and presenter of your work.
8. Hard Facts. They will tell you if your piece stinks -- but they'll tell you very nicely -- sometimes so nicely, it might not soak in until later that a piece needs major work, but you'll be grateful you found out before you sent it off to an editor. Your group might even tell you why you shouldn't give up on a piece, no matter how rough it is.
9. Events. If your group has enough regular members, you can host one another's book release parties, mini-conferences, and readings. Your group might bring light to a region where other would-be writers live and are searching for guidance in ways to begin.
10. Snacks. There are always writers who believe in bringing cookies to everything. Don't underestimate the inspiration that comes with a good snack!

If you are looking for ideas to get a writers' group going near you, feel free to leave us a note. We'll try and give you some pointers.

Write on!

Naomi Musch
www.naomimusch.com

FB: Naomi Musch - Author
Twitter: NMusch

St. Croix Writers member Naomi Musch writes from the pristine north woods, where she and her husband live as epically as God allows near their five adult children and passel of grandchildren. She has worked as an editor for a small press, a staff writer for an EPA award-winning newspaper, a ghost writer, and has published dozens of magazine and internet articles for the encouragement of homeschooling families and young writers. Naomi currently serves on the board of directors of the Wisconsin Writers' Association. She loves engaging with others and always discovering kernels of a new story. She is available for speaking and book groups. Her ninth novel, The Deepest Sigh will release from Desert Breeze Publishing in August 2017.

Meet SCW Judith Liebaert

Hey there! Popping in to introduce myself—

Judith Liebaert

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/judithliebaert
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MAD_Goddess1
Website:http:  //judithliebaert.com/

Author of the crime novel, Sins Of The Fathers available in paperback and Kindle version at Amazon






So, what’s my story?

I joined the Saint Croix Writer's (SCW) group over 25 years ago. I have a background in communications and marketing, but writing is my first love. I've worked as an editor and publisher, and also owned an independent book publishing company, Paper Moon Publishing, that specialized in Northern Wisconsin/Minnesota non-fiction books.  I currently work as a freelance journalist and business writer/consultant. 

I suppose I’m a rather ordinary woman in ordinary times, with a lot to say about that. It explains the writing that takes up my spare time—short stories, essays, op-eds, the occasional poem and novels. One published so far, Sins of the Fathers, Tellectual Press 2016.

I have been a daughter, sister, friend, lover, wife, mother, grandmother, cat lady and somebody’s favorite crazy auntie (I hope). All these labels define me by my relationship to others. I am also a reader and, by extension, a lover of words and writing; yet another defining relationship. As with all love affairs, the time I spend with the object of my desire, good books, has sustains me—but the best ones I’ve experienced have changed me in profound ways. To think that I might someday be a catalyst for change humbles me.

I am a writer, and my story is ever changing. I look forward to sharing it with you.

Hemlock grove

this is almost silly, that I am the least gifted writer in the group and the first poster.  But, I said I had my version of a sonnet to post and I will.   I wrote this last winter.    Sandy Nelson


I don't think God will mind
If I call my Hemlock grove a Cathedral
Stillness and grandeur is what you will find
Birdsong, sound of blowing wind fills that hall

Worshipping deer graze, preying owls attend
Needles reflect sun as candlelight
Through underground tunnels the mice monks wend
Tree trunks declare their majestic height

Through forest doors steps the wolf priest
The solemn worship service is filled with power
All hail the creation and its living leased
Perched on branches, traveling on aisles under spreading needle tower

Maybe God would reply, "the cathedral shall be called a Hemlock Grove
One came first and was not a structure humans wove"