The Aspiring Writer ~ Building Your Bank

Welcome to the first post of what begins the official chronicle of my forays into print publication. Although I have been writing web content since July 2007, I would like to experience the satisfaction of seeing my name in print. Having read Writer Mama, written by Christina Katz, which I posted about here, here, here, and here, I’m now ready to read it again, this time using my site as a public forum on which to practice the writing exercises found throughout the book. Although Writer Mama is geared toward writer mamas, anyone trying to establish a career in print publication would find her book informative and helpful.

The first exercise, obviously, is to buy the book. Although you could check out Writer Mama from your local library, it is likely to become one of those must-have reference books you keep by your side. The first chapter of Section I is all about accumulating ideas. Katz asks you to “Front-Load Your Idea Bank,” on page 15. While I won’t copy the writing prompt word-for-word, as that would be plagiarizing, the point of the exercise is for you to think about your life and jot down any ideas that can be used to describe you, activities you enjoy, what’s happening at home, etc. Write down any topic that comes to mind and then file it away to use later.

Would you like a place to share your ventures into print publication, form a support network, and share your achievements? Join my Yahoo group for writers, The Aspiring Writer.

Come back next Tuesday!

Comments

[Deb]

Thank you for this information.

[ellia]

oh gosh, what a wonderful goal!!!! yayyyy!!! i am totally rootin' for ya! and now you got me wishing i could write more... did you ever read julia cameron's books? she has one called the right to write... ITS AWESOME!! that one has a ton of prompts too... also, steering the craft by ursula k le gwin is awesome... they both have other books that i used a ton when i used to write... so helpful!!!

best wishes!

[kristi]

Yay! I actually completed this exercise when I first read the book. I feel like I accomplished something to advance the direction of the career I really want, while spending the last two weeks buried under the one I don't really want anymore. :)