Vicki Hudson

One of the advantages of Twitter is the path to new venues for reading and publishing. Following one link published in a tweet, or by checking out some of a Tweeter’s followers has led me to new and interesting online and print literary magazines. This then leads to opportunities for my my work. Check out some of the listings over on the sidebar. You just might find what you’ve been looking for, or a few that you didn’t know you’d be interested in.

The VA has put together a collection of photos of women in the military in honor of Women’s History Month. You’ll find me at about photo 170.

Discouraged with the state of the world? So many BAD things out there the sense of helplessness can loom overwhelmingly. Perhaps that is what makes the mantel of writer so worthwhile. Words, fiction, poetry, nonfiction; words make a difference. Keep writing.

I have to trade time for productivity. Time usually that is stolen from sleep since it is really very hard to steal time from the toddler. Awake late last night but the resulting productivity saw a haiku sent off to one literary magazine and a nonfiction piece to another. That is four pieces so far this year sent out. This getting into print requires the trait of the tortoise. Consistency, slow and steady.

wind blows time passes
overwhelming obstacles
breathe in this moment

Happiness bursting
Legs a flounder arms about
Mommy’s finally home

Pink across the ground/
Stone cold with winter’s blossoms/
Plums never eaten

Cold frost yesterday/
Dew drops reflect morning sun/
Winter’s fist opens

There are plenty of writers’ conferences to go to. For struggling writer, will there be a cost benefit of the investment of time (three – five days depending on travel time assuming three day conference and you may need to travel the day before and after), and expenses – hotel, food, transportation there and back again, local transportation costs.

Well, there is the networking aspect. You will meet lots of people, fellow writers, established authors maybe and have an opportunity to mingle and maybe pitch to agents or publishers. There is the learning aspect. You will attend workshops about a variety of subjects that are intended to pass along useful information that the writer can put into practice. Both good and justifiable reasons to attend a conference.

Here is the real value – when you get home, you will be full of juice from the mountain high experience that immersion for those few days can provide. That total, “I’m a writer” space that may be difficult to access at home with job, and family, and kids, and the many other pulls on time and energy. If it’s a really good conference – that juiced feeling will translate into productivity.

San Francisco Writers Conference did that for me. I’ve now submitted in 2011 twice the amount of work than what I submitted in 2010. I’ve gotten a new book started. I’ve increased my platform by more than 200%. I’d say that was a productive few days of time and money invested in writer me.