NaNoWriMo Prep: Call for photos

Orlando, Florida, November 2009

This month I'd like to share pictures of writers...well, writing, of course! Whether you're participating in NaNo or not, I'd love to share pictures of you writing during November (the photo doesn't have to have been taking in November).

You can be writing anything anywhere, as straightforward or creative as you'd like. However you'd like to represent yourself writing (no offensive images, please) is fine with me!

In addition to the photo and any caption you'd like, I'll also include a link to your blog or website of choice. The photos will be posted in the order in which they're received.

Please send your photos to me at nicolepalmby (at) gmail (dot) com. Include any information you would like posted with the photo in the blog (caption, bio, link, etc.). I will send email confirmation that the photo was received within a day or two. There's not really a deadline for the photos, but I would like to post as many as possible during the month of November.

So prove to me that writers write! Send your photos!

Untitled

by Chris Rhetts

When I was young
my sister returned for me to God
the power of decision.

Now I chant, but softly,
and spin the little prayer wheel
she left to me.

Sir, I,
am as a water spider,
held to life by surface tension,
minion of conceit, and fashionable pretension,
trading only in the narrows
in jellied words and common urges.
A water spider,
which the least of rain submerges.

The Writer's Calendar

Freelance writers write on a very different schedule than people read.  Since many publications request that writers send submissions as far as six months' in advance, what's on my desk at any given time is very different from the mindset of "regular people."

I have this calendar in my quick file that helps me remember when I should be submitting what to help me keep on track.  (Keep in mind this is a rough submission calendar, so writing would begin before what's listed.)

January: Fourth of July/summer

February: End of summer/back to school

March: Back to school/end of summer/football

April: Halloween

May: Thanksgiving

June: Christmas/New Year's

July: New Year's

August: Valentine's Day

September: Spring/Easter

October: Easter

November: End of school year/Mother's Day

December: End of school year/summer/Father's Day

A little different, isn't it?

This is only a rough calendar, of course.  Writers should check the individual submission guidelines of the publications to which they're submitting.  You have to make sure you're submitting within the individual publications' timeframe.

It's great to have this little calendar, but when I'm working on seasonal pieces sometimes, it makes it difficult to get into the proper holiday spirit.  After all, when everyone else is cleaning up their Thanksgiving decorations and getting out the Christmas decorations, I'm writing about summer!

So if you're not sure what you should be working on this month, count forward about six months and start there.

Happy scribbling!