Good News Dept.

Finally, I got the manuscript of my "Wit & Wisdome From Long Distance Grandparents" off to the publisher and have been trying to catch up on other writing--besided keeping up with my writer workishops, now numbering five.

The good news? I sent a poem, "Bird's Eye View" to the C.S. Monitor Home Forum editor, Judy Lowe, more than a month ago. This publication in the past has always sent an immediate response to the effect that the submission has been received and that the appropriate editor will get back to the sender with a decision within three weeks. I did not receive such a response and re-sent the poem. Yesterday I receive apology from Ms. Lowe saying the paper is going through some changes in its electronic response mode, and that she is buying the poem ($40) for a future issue with pay on publication. This piece was first written in 1980. Moral: never give up. This is excellent pay for poetry, especially when little is paid for in literary journals.

Speaking of which I have been honored (I guess?) to have my short story, "Cellmates," published in a Montana State University annual. I sent the story in as an entry in a contest for which the prize was to have been $1000. Shortly after I submitted it, I received notice that the financial support for the contest had been withdrawn but because the editors "loved" my story, would I allow them to publish it? Flattery will get you somewhere, so I said yes. (All rights, they say, revert to me.) Anyway the little annual is published--a very handsome journal--and they did a good job with my story. Most of the published pieces are poetry. My story is one of about four fiction pieces.

I promise myself to get back to regular Blogging now that the book is off and running. It is scheduled for publication in Fall 2007. Happy writing to all!

February "Freedom"

Hello, Fellow Bloggers, Family and Friends. I feel 20 pounds lighter on this Feb. 24 ,2007 morning.

Why? My manuscript for my latest nonfiction book, "Wit & Wisdom From Long Distance Grandparents" has gone into the mail this past week along with a CD of the manuscript. (Does anybody out there remember when CD stood for Certificate of Deposit?) I've actually managed to store in a safe place, all the backup material I've accumulated (letters, clippings, other information) since I got the "go ahead" in August. When I saw the publisher briefly in April and asked if he'd found somebody to do a book on long-deistance grandparenting, he said "send me a proposal." I sent an intro, the proposed first four chapters, and a rough list of planned additional chapters. It was a month before I received a "go-ahead."

When my first book was published by Quill Driver Books/Word Dancer Press, their catalog listed about 20 titles (all nonfiction). By 2007 the new catalog shows about 40 books. This press received recognition a couple of years ago as one of the 100 best Independent publishers, and in 2006 one of their books got on the New York Times best-seller list.

I probably will not hear until mid or late March, but am now getting back to writing the shorter articles, profiles, etc. that sell much faster than books.

The most recent development locally is that I have managed to market my "Sassy Senior" column. It now appears twice a month in the on-line, daily-updated news-zine, Sedona.Biz (www.sedona.biz) The column is now called "Sedona's Sassy Senior" ( lst and 3rd Friday every month.) Editor, Carl Jackson, has accepted other pieces from me and though the pay isn't great, it is better than giving the column away. (Who said that freelancers are in this business to get rich?) I have yet to ask Carl whether the columns will remain available but they are now to be found at http://www.sedona.biz/gorecolumn1.htm Since they are numbered, you will also find one by substituting the number "2" for number "1" I assume that the March columns will carry the numbers 3, 4, etc.

Jackson is a cordial editor, pays promptly, and encourages writers in the Sedona/Verde Valley area to submit pieces for his consicderation. That said, I will be collaborating with son, Alan, on a series of hiking stories for the publication. Alan does the hiking and photography; I do the writeups and submissions. Will see how that pans out.

I invite comments from any an all--about you, questions about freelancing that I may be able to answer, and any information on writing you'd like to share.-- Willma

Finally

Hello, friends out there in Blogland. It has been so long since I posted a message, I'd almost forgotten how.

This will bring you up to date on some new happenings for me in the writing field. Patience and persistence pay. Although I swore I'd never put my work out there in cyberspace because I see so much good writing on the web that is not paid for nor even given a by-line. However, at the Well Red Coyote Bookstore a week ago we were given a handout from a local on-line editor of editor@sedona.biz . He is Carl Jackson and seeks business, and feature stories and good digital pix relating to Sedona/Verde Valley up to Flagstaff. And he pays--very modest, but who said we freelancers are out to make a fortune? He took an article of mine that had been published a couple of months ago in Farm & Ranch Living and published the whole thing plus six pix of photographer friend, Lin Ennis. F&RL had published a greatly abreviated version and only one photo.

For months I have tried to find a buyer for my Sassy Senior Column. Carl wants it, will publish it twice a month and is glad to keep the title "Sassy Senior" but will add the word "Sedona" to make it more surely local. He will pay $20 per column and publish the names of my books with my brief bio each time.

My regrettable lack of posting writer messages on my Blog has been due to intensive work on my long distance grandparenting book, to be called (until the contracting editor changes it (?) "Wit & Wisdom From Long Distance Grandparents." I typed "the end" last week but there's still much to be done in reviewing, editing, cut and paste, etc. But I will get it in befor the Mar. 1 deadline.

The other news here is that I have had to juggle my two Thursday morning workshops so that we do not have too many in one group and too few in the other. Enough are amenable to this idea that all morning workshops will now meet at 10 a.m.; One on 1st and 3rd Thursdays; the other on 2nd and 4th Thursdays.

Snow today kept us from driving to Phoenix for my first attendance at the Phoenix Writers Club meeting. I plan to join. I wante especilly to hear the speaker--an ex-Random House executive, but two women out in the snow without chains and traveling over a snowly pass seemed not the better part of wisdom.

That's my "story" for today, Jan. 20, 2007. Happy New Year to all. --Willma

Nov. 25, 2006

Hello again, Freelancers. It's been a long time since I posted an entry, and I have both news and questions for anyone out there willing to respond.

I have a contract for a new book about Long Distance Grand Parenting and I'm seeking input from any grandmas or grandpas willing to tell me their joys or woes about visiting or entertaining grandkids who live at a distance. Many of us used to live next door to the grandparents or just across the field. Today's grankids may be separated from grandparents by many miles, even by continents.

No real names or places will be used but all who contribute wisdom, information, suggestions that can be implemented by other grandparents will be listed alphabetically on the Acknowledgements Page of the book. I want the "good, the bad, and the ugly," of course. One chapter deals with where the grandparents fit when the parents split. Another is on the Risks and Rewards of Grandparents offering advice. Right now I'm looking for special things grandmas do or have done to connect with visiting grandkids--such as let them cook special dishes, teaching them to sew, etc. (My grandmother used to let us put popcorn kernels on the top of her wood cooking stove and let us chase the flying popped corn all over the kitchen. I don't believe many grandparents have wood-burning kitchen ranges any more.)

Thanks in advance for anything you can send. I've been working on this daily and have great input from many writer friends and associates but I can always use more. Willma

The Late Correspondent

So much excitement has come for me the past few days, I've neglected my Blog chores and will try to catch up. As I've reported before, all day Thursdays are given to Writer Workshops. Nobody meets weekly. The groups meet on alternate Thursdays. Yesterday, a group met with me here at 9 a.m., another at 1 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. The latter is the only one in which I read my own work for critique and get excellent feedback.

The especially welcome blurb about me appeared in the Oct. 11 issue of the Verde Independent newspaper. Coverage of me as one of three Accomplished Elders of Northern Arizona appeared on their Generations Page with a jump to a back page, in a great (and accurate!!) story compiled by Brandon Wilson, reporter for that paper. Included are old pix on past awards, etc. from Califlornia Press Women during my days as a member of the Central California branch. He borrowed materials from my files. This will be a valuable addition to my press kit.

I want to remind all: Do keep clippings and BE SURE TO DATE THEM. Friends and relatives often send me copies of materials they have found by or about me, but no date appears on what they send nor the name of the publication. These credits are virtually useless as evidence of publication without the name and date of publication. And keep a scrapbook of these to be photocopied when an editor asks for "clips" of your work.

In the mail today arrived proof of publication, a copy of my travel article published in nationally circulated PLUS MAGAZINE, a mag that stresses the needs, the pleasures, the humor of seniors. This is a market for travel, health news, humorous essays. Send your queries or manuscripts to Steve Owens, Editor/Publisher, PLUS, 793 Higuera St., Suite 10, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

The networking session I led at Prescott Writers on Aug. 27 was well attended with good questions and satisfactory responses--I hope--from me. It becomes evident that writers want feedback. The program chair for PWP reports that the entire meeting on October 25 will be given to members who will read their works and gain critique from the gathered members.
Among the members are those who have visited my workshops here in Sedona (a 60 mile drive) and want to set up similar in-home workshops in the Prescott area.

That's my report for Friday the 13th--a particularly great day for me here.--Willma

Good Vibes

I was the networking session leader last Wednesday evening for Professional Writers of Prescott. The networking chair, Mary Ann had invited me. The PWP has an interesting format for their monthly meetings. At 6 p.m., those who wish, gather for a one-on-one session based on a particdular subject. Because some of the PWP members have visited a workshop or two in my home (where I now lead five workshops) a number were interested. I expected a half dozen; 13 showed up. When I'd finished regaling them with the highlights of more than 30 years leading and/or participating in home-based workshops and responding to questions, one of the regular members (who had visited mine) announced that she and friend had already secured space in the library for workshop meetings and were seeking signups. The chairman plans to visit one of mine here.

Sixty miles is a long drive from Prescott, so I doubt she will be a regular member but I do encourage writers everywhere to participate in in-home workshops. The large umbrella groups that bring in published professionals to speak to us all are great, but the workshops are where we perfect our own writing. In San Luis Obispo, the umbrella group ($30 per year membership) is called NightWriters and its great program chair brings in speakers to the monthly (except July & August) meetings. However, this organization also sponsors about a dozen home-based workshops that meet (average) every two weeks under the leadership of a volunteer.

I am so devoted to the idea of the value of workshops, I developed a how-to pamphlet a few years ago. It has eight pages of encouragement and protocols for such. The title is "Who? You!" Subtitled: "How to Create, Enjoy and Profit From a Writers' Critique Group." Since publishing that little pamphlet I have become wary of the word "critique" as some people shy away thinking they will be uncomfortable having their words "critiqued." Hence, I now refer to the groups as workshops. More on this subject in future blogs.

Contact me if you'd like to know more. Thanks for "listening."--Willma

Contest judging

In the past month I have had the opportunity to read and offer a score and comments on more than 150 short stories for an annual short story contest sponsored by one of the California writer clubs I used to belong to. I still retain contact with that group where many accomplished writer friends live. Fortunately for the entrants, I am not the only judge. I am one of two lst tier judges who will have read all submissions. Approximately 30 of the top scorers will go to a final judge who is a published author and editor of a literary journal.

Approximately 1/3 of the total submissions I read are incidents or personal essays--not short stories. I use the definition of a short story from Writer's Encyclopedia which says, in part: "... A piece of fiction that revolves around a character with a specific problem to solve...An essential ingredient of the short story is the recognizable change--for better or for worse--that occurs in the main character or in his situation as a result of having solved his problem (or having recognized his failure or inability to do so)...."

Only about four of the total were 100% free of punctuation and spelling errors. I can almost tell the age of the writer of these stories. The "old school" (those who went to school back in the 1930's and 40's) were taught grammar and punctuation both in elementary and in high schools. For the last 20 years or so, such classes have been dropped from the curricula.

Other contest chairmen I know gather a committee on a Saturday following the close of the contest. These people spend the full day together weighing the attributes of the submissions and deciding which ones are the top three (for lst, 2nd and 3rd cash prizes) . "We sometimes have to adjourn until the next day and get back to the discussion before we can make our final selections" says this chairman.

I encourage members of my workshops to enter contests. There's always a deadline for submission and sometimes this is provided motivation for the writer who has difficulty "getting started." Most have entry fees of $5 to $15, but contests put on by smaller clubs receive fewer entries and the competition therefore is less that it is in national contests such as Writer's Digest's annual contest. Two members of my workshops won prizes last year in California Writers Club contests. This organization is composed of approximately 15 branches scattered throughout the state and most of them hold annual contests. Most branches also have websites on which they post their contests. These fees are often the only money-raising effort of the club in the year.

Any readers of this blog who have had contest experiences they would like to share with me I would like to hear from you as I am preparing an article about contests and judging. Thanks for now.

Lost Week

From Sep 11, 2006

Hello again, I believe I've lost not just one week but two. I've been in process of judging a short story contest for NightWriters organization based in San Luis Obispo, CA. This is an annual fund raising event and I've read and scored about 180 manuscripts. This is an unusual contest in that all stories are limited to 500 words and all must begin with the same opening words. This year, those words were "Not again" This could be a first sentence or a part of a sentence.
This is the second time I have served as a judge and at one time I served as contestest chairman. This involves many hours and I am in process of trying to persuade the Executive Board of the organization to pay a small stipend to contest chairman and judges. Their judging system requires two "First Tier" judges who read and score all the manuscripts received. Second Tier judges select approximately 20 of the lst tier judges' top scoring manuscripts. These go to the final judge who (this year) is an ex-editor of a literary journal. A first, second and third place receive cash awards. Seven honorable mention awards are offered.

When I lived there I led two workshops for several years. Both are still thriving under new leaders. Here in Sedona where I now live, I have five workshops that meet in my home. These meet on Thursdays, morning,k afternoon, evening. I limit the number to about 8 members so that all have a chance to read their work, hear comments and and comment on others' work.

I have much more to write about but am bushed this evening and need to get to bed. More and more cogent remarks next time. Willma

Talks and Time

On this date, August 26th, I'm trying to catch up on my fumbling Blogging education and invite comments and all the help I can get.

I've just sent my "Lost In Cyberspace" Sassy Senior column to my Web Master son to be added to my site and it will give you something of a clue as to why I find it so frustrating to learn a new language of "posts" and "pings" and "cookies" and all the rest of those words that mean something entirely different to me than to those whose adventures in cyberspace are far more cogent than mine.

The reception for my talk last Wednesday evening at the monthly meeting of Professional Writers of Prescott in that city was most gracious and several of the members purchased books, as well as sending information about long-distance grand parenting which was one of my pleas for assistance. I'm collecting anecdotes for a possible nonfiction book on the subject and have received some excellent ones. All names will be changed in the text but those who have contributed will be thanked on the Acknowledgement page.

Among the PWP members attending was Karen Despain, Editor of Yavapai County Magazine. She took my photo and plans to run a blurb about me and my writing history in an upcoming issue of the magazine.

This afternoon I will make a persentation at the Well Red Coyote Bookstore on the subject, "While I Wait To Publish The Great American Novel." In this talk I will include a lot of information about the smaller markets that are available to all for essays, travel, profiles, how-to-do articles. I still give time to fiction but nonfiction sells so much faster, I spend more time on short articles. Three short pieces have sold in the past three months. "Want to see" came from two editors this past week--in response to my e-mailed queries. Three articles have been accepted but are pending publication and pay. I certainly do not make a living from freelancing but the little bit that comes in is nice "gravy" and adds credits to my list.

Time to polish my thoughts and collect my handouts for today's bookstore appearance. More and more often when I get a better "hang" of this blogging business.

Writing for the Web

Those of you who know me appreciate that I've done just about every kind of writing there is:

• fiction (Something's Leaking Upstairs)
• non-fiction (Just Pencil Me In)
• children's books (Earth Day...and 18 others)
• essays
• travel pieces
• ad infinitum

I even started this crazy blog, because it's a way I can keep you apprised of my projects without calling upon my devoted genius son Alan to adjust my website (www.willmagore.com).

Now a local writer friend has persuaded me to disclose my arthritic ponderings via an Internet article--not my first published online, but my first published exclusively online and not in print. You can find out all about my arthritis here. Publishing opportunities are unlimited.

And by the way, if you have a story or arthritis article, post it to my fellow Arizona author at the website above, or email it to me.

Keep writing...and click the “comments” link below if there's a way I can help!

Giving Talks (as a writer)

Finally, I'm getting back to my Blog after almost two weeks. I've been engaged in advertising for and setting up my 5th workshop, this one on the 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings for people who are enmployed during the daytime. I was delighted with the five women who came last evening--all enthusiastic and good writers. Five to eight people is a good number. I don't let workshops get larger than that and although five may seem like a lot, they are lumped entirely on Thursdays. The rest of the week--and usually the weekend are my writing time--for me. Though I do have a few editing jobs on tap. Also I'm selecting handout materials and formatting my talk to be presented in Prescott on Wednesday evening, Aug. 25 for Professional Writers of Prescott. My talk is: "While I Wait To Publish The Great American Novel." It stresses the value of keeping up with magazine and newspaper markets that use short pieces: essays, travel, how-to, profiles, etc. These sell much more easily than novels, bring in a little money (anywhere from five cents to a dollar a word!) and do not require my time or energy on promotion which is what all authors must consider will be a MAJOR part of any book publication. No matter how big the publisher, promotion these days is largely up to the author. I've done a lot of it--spoken in more than 30 cities in California, Nevada and Arizona in the past three years. If it weren't that I have writer friends scattered all over these states, I could not possibly afford the travel, housing and food expenses these appearances have entailed. That's it for this Friday afternoon. I plan to be back regularly on this site when we get all the "wrinkles" ironed out of my brain that is supposed to control the fingers that access my Blogging communication. In addition to my talk next Wednesday I will speak at the Well Red Coyote Bookstore on Saturday, Aug. 26. Similar subject and handouts but presumably a much smaller audience and with both groups I invite questions from the audiences. I have had some cyberspace problems in that my Blog access was temporarily wiped out when my son "de-fragged" my computer last weekend.

July''s end

I seem to have lost the draft I started for July 30, so here goes another try. Wonderful rain here last night and the night before bringing cooler days to our beautiful desert. But that has nothing to do with writing and that's what I'm all about.

My morning's e-mail brought a comunique from an friend from my long-ago membership in
California Press Women, saying she had a referred to my Website (from my business card she picked up from my a book signing/talk at the Tulare (CA) library in April) and from it had my Blog and wanted to tell me that she had found the info I last posted about Publish America very helpful as an aide to a writer friend. See how networking WORKS!!

Another e-mail from a writer website brought news of a publication searching for writers who can produce info on arthritis. A member of one of my workshops is doing such a book so I was able to forward the information to her. More networking.

A man in Boise Idaho found my name/address a book of biographies. He wrote with one simple question: "How do you get your mind in gear to start writing?" He says he is a probrammer for IBM on mainframe computers. I replied (snail mail, since he did not provide an e-mail # if he has one) in a one-page letter to the effect that so many ideas are waiting in my head to be written up that I just sit down at the computer, open the last file I was working on, and write.
In going back into an old file folder that held articles I'd written before I had a computer I found a couple of pieces that I can up-date as writer how-to's. I'll be doing that later today.

AND HERE'S A POSSIBLE MARKET for those of you who have tips on saving money. Editor Gary Foreman of The Dollar Stretcher--he just purchased my piece, "Shared Housing--Is It For You?--" asks for additional ideas on saving. 500-800 words. Pays about ten cents a word. Send your queries or articles to him at gary@stretcher.com

That's it for my Sunday speal. Share you comments/ideas/markets with me and I will reciprocate.

PublishAmerica

July 18, 2006
This morning I received an e-mail from Author Support at Publish America. This brought me a surprise. PublishAmerica, for those who do not know, is a P.O.D. publisher, (print on demand). When PubAm published my novel, SOMETHING'S LEAKING UPSTAIRS, in May 2005, it was something of a rush job as they had told me originally that six weeks was minimum to allow after all approvals had gone in. I needed the book by late May for a June tour in CA. They said it could be done. I ordered 200 copies and with that many got them for half price. They retail for $19.95 each. With S/H I still put out over $2000.

For those not familiar with this company, I was under no obligation to purchase a single copy. My only required expense with PubAm was $35 for the copyright that I had to get by sending a copy of the manuscript to the D.C. Copyright office and filling out proper forms. This is somewhat different from the self-publishing outfits that require money up front.

I did not like the cover, they provided. Their "staff artist" appears to be someone adept at assembling computer images into a collage that is acceptable to the author. I learned later that I could have provided the art myself and if I have it re-published-- and if they are willing--I will supply a different cover. I'm told by several self-published writers that "the cover sells the book." (My cover makes the book look like a manual on raising small farm animals. It is really a humorous novel about how a wife can get a husband to see things her way.) But, as I said above, time was of the essence.

In the two+ years since the book came out I have given 38 promo talks in a dozen CA, NV, AZ cities and had two radio interviews in support of my books. I have personally sold all but 25 copies of the original 200. Gave away about 30 to relatives and as thank-you gifts.

The news that came this morning from PubAm is that I can purchase 65 copies or more at a 45% discount and that PubAm will pay royalties on what I purchase, as well as what they sell from HQ or to book stores. Heretofore I received no royalties on books I purchased from them. I will see a royalty report in August (they issue reports twice a year) but unless something unusualhappened in sales out of HQ and in book stores, they have sold, so far, fewer than a dozen books. (Probably that cover wisdom is sound?) I ordered the 65 which should carry me through the duration of the book's life in my hands.

By contrast, my nonfiction book (with a charming comic cover) has sold more than 1500 copies--out of the publisher's office. I have purchased and sold about 50. This is JUST PENCIL ME IN--YOUR GUIDE TO MOVING & GETTING SETTLED AFTER 60. It is promoted in the Quill Driver Books/Word Dancer Press Catalog and this publisher has a very aggressive promo staff at the publishing HQ in Sanger, CA. The royalties they pay (whether I or others purchase the book) is 6 1/2%. I have had more total dollars from Quill Driver sales than from PubAm.

These are bits of information I hope will be helpful to those of you out there in Blog-land who may have a book ready to publish. All the rules and regulations for PublishAmerica can be found at www.publishamerica.com and for Quill Driver Books at www.quilldriverbooks.com (The latter publishes only non-fiction. PubAm publishes both fiction and nonfiction.

If you have questions I may be able to answer, get back to me at wgore@npgcable.com --Willma

Saturday, July 15

Saturday and time for a new entry. I discovered with snail mail received today (and receipt of the Professional Writers of Prescott newsletter) that a magazine for residents of Yavapai County (where I live) will publish in her monthly magazine a page for local authors. I have sent her information about me. Apparently she will promote writers books and appearances on that page. That is good news. I hope my credentials are ones she can use.

Beyond that I have been updating some old how-to articles written back before 1985 when I first joined the computer world. They have some sound advice that I can convert to modern times, and have just sent a query to a new on-line publication I learned of through another newsletter. Having belonged to a number of branches of California Writers Club in past years, I subscribe to their newsletters. Good information comes this way as well as contacts with old friends.

I haven't mentioned it earlier but hope to exchange marketing tips and other writer-ly information with others--so if you are of the writerly persuasion and have any comments for me or questions I may (make that MAY) be able to answer, I do want to hear from you. Thanks, and with special appreciation to my Blog Mentors, friend Lin Ennis and son, Alan Gore (no, relation to THE Al Gore) Willma Gore

july 12

Back at Blog site after a busy past few days. Suggestion to all writers and wantabes: Never forget that out there in publishing space there's a publication that can use WHAT YOU WRITE. I had a pet article that just won an honorable mention in a contest at ByLine Magazine. (ByLine never publishes winners as that would constitute use of first rights and editor Marcia Preston jealously guards the rights of freelancers. I had sent it once to Cat Fancy a year or so ago. No dice. But on the same page with Cat Fancy was Cats & Kittens. Never heard of it. From their guidelines, electronic submissions were not in order. I put the article into the post office on July 4, knowing it would not go out until the 5th. On the 7th I received an e-mail from the North Carolina editor and I live in Sedona AZ. That's the fastest I've ever had a reception from a paying market. The editor said "an agreement will go out in the mail today." The agreement arrived a couple of days ago. I signed and mailed it. No word as to when it will be published, but that's speed!
I am so new at this blogging business, I don't believe that I have indicated that I am happy to have responses, suggestions, questions at my e-mail: wgore@npgcable.com.
Thanks in advance, Willma Gore

finally back in blogdom

With my California book tour behind me and the appearance in Henderson, Nevada at the Anthem Writers group, I am re-working titles and content of short pieces to send out to market. Three sold this past week and a "want to see" came this week from one of my favorite editors in resoponse to a query.

My books:the adult how-to, Just Pencil Me In--Your Guide to Moving, and the humorous novel, Something's Leaking Upstairs are available at The Well Red Coyote Bookstore in Sedona, Arizona, and at Coalese Book Store in Morro Bay, California--as well as from publishers Quill Driver Books (800)497-4909 and www.PublishAmerica.com
My next appearance will be in Prescott, AZ for the Professional Writers of Prescott(PWP)in August. My talk is generally titled, A LIFETIME OF WRITING FOR FUN, LOVE AND profit (the last word, deliberately lower case. I was a guest there at the late June meeting and have joined the organization. They have an excellent website with market listings and contests.
I continue to hold writing workshops in my home--a subjectI plan to expand on later as I feel they are the very best way we can help each other improve our writing. Every Thursday is workshop day here in my appartment with three running on 2nd and 4th Thursdays and one (a second pending) on lst and 3rd Thursdays.

I would enjoy sharing market listings and receiving suggestions. And although I will (I believe I can do it now) be adding to this blog with any news I can share with all of you, my entries will be short as I have "miles to write before I sleep."

Good writing to all, Willma Gore (wgore@npgcable.com)

First Blog

Be patient with me please, all you out there in cyberspace. I'm just entering the world of Blogdom. I am a lifelong, freelance writer wanting to encourage everybody out there in cyberspace who is interested in writing for fun or profit. I am the author of two adult books--a how-to and a novel, with the second novel in the hands of an agent. However, my travel, profiles, essays, humor have appeared in more than 75 national and regional jounals. I teach classes in Writing for Fun Or Profit, and have spoken at libraries and writer groups in more than two dozen cities in the past three years. Currently I am leading four writer workshops.

Where do I get the time? I'm old enough--not going to say how old--to have reached a point where I can use every hour of the day to do whatever I want. And what is that? WRITE.

Even though I love to write fiction, I am not really interested in traveling about doing the necessary promotion required for novels. So what do I write? I do a monthly humor column, and today, with a photographer friend I interviewed a delightful 14-year-old girl who has parlayed a 4-H hobby raising goats into production of soap from goat's milk ("Bea's Beauty Bar"--named for her favorite goat, Beatrice) . She not only makes the soap, she raises a different breed of goat whose hair she spins into yarn. (Ahh, the possibilities for spin off stories!)

Where did I find this contact? In the local newspaper in which a columnist did a feature about Katie, the Goat Girl. I contacted a magazine publisher for whom I have done a number of stories. He said, "go for it." So I am excited about working on this story. We have just viewed the 150 digital images my photographer friend shot today, and I should be able to submit the story within a couple weeks.