Do you ever notice signs that seem to be pointing you in a specific direction? Not road signs, but life signs?
I have not taken writing seriously until the past year. In January, I entered two contests. There was no New Year's resolution, no blinding flash of inspiration. I figured I needed to get on the stick, as my high school classmates used to say. I started this blog, and went searching for others to add to my blogroll. In doing so, I stumbled upon several contests, and spiffed up an entry from my long-time, folksy, self-entertainment blog. The other entry was the first page of the humor memoir I had decided to write. My efforts were successful, which I've already blogged about.
Then life got in the way. I didn't have time for the writing or any more contest-entering. I retired on my laurels. Truth be told, I didn't push too hard to make time for my writing. Updating both my blogs every day was enough. But lately, I've grown restless.
Wednesday afternoon, as every afternoon, I read the online version of the local newspaper. There was a story about the Heartland Writers Guild Conference in Sikeston, Missouri, on June 3 and 4. Sikeston is a stone's throw from here, if you are a steroid-enhanced, world-class stone-thrower. It's two hours or less from home. In doing a little research, I saw that I'd already missed a deadline to submit something. Besides, that's the weekend Hick and the boys are going on a little vacation. I don't want to travel alone, even to hear talk about writing.
Thursday afternoon, I got to Googling for writing groups. Who knew that one had recently formed right in my own front yard? And was having a meeting Thursday night at 5:30 in the library six miles from my house! I didn't go. I wasn't prepared. But what a coincidence. They meet monthly. So maybe I can scrape up the confidence to attend the next one.
Thursday night, I saw that Writer's Digest had done away with the late fee for the May 20 late entry deadline. Today is May 20. I wish I had something suitable for submission. But my slothful ways have put the kibosh on that contest.
I am hereby making a May 20th resolution to polish some entries and have them at the ready. You never know when a contest opportunity might fall into your lap. Don't let it get away.
Signs.
8 comments:
When I read your first book, I can say I knew her when ..........
Kathy,
If the thickly-disguised people who knew me before-when don't kill me first.
This is so true some times ... well lets be honest I miss the signs all the time. I try to read them honestly but they must be in a foreign language or something because I always misread them anyways. I agree that I need to get some polished works to enter and go for the writing group I have enjoyed mine and they have been a great support. Thanks for getting back to me I have really enjoyed your blog I actually didn't know you had two. I better check it out as well.
You write really well. Take the plunge and go for it . Join the group, don't waste your talent. So many things coming to your attention at the one time. Fate is giving you a nudge.
Josh,
I practice selective sign-reading. If I don't like the message, I look on it as a freaky coincidence. I will sent you a tip for finding my supersecret second blog.
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hocam,
Thank you. I wasn't fishing for compliments. Really. I am nervous about meeting new people. But on the plus side, I've been to that library many times, and I'm familiar with that room. It couldn't be any closer to my house unless they decide to convene in the state prison. I don't live there or anything. It's just on my way to town.
Thanks for the tip to the super secret blog :) I agree with hocam completely BTW
What's the worst possible outcome? If you can live with that, what's to lose??
Good luck!!
Josh,
You are so good for my ego!
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Red Nomad,
Good advice! The worst that could happen would be that I was uncomfortable for a couple of hours at the meeting. And that my contest entries did not do well. They're certainly not doing well if I don't enter.
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