Many of you know that while I'm no longer actively working towards a degree in Writing, I still love taking online workshops and getaway writing weekends to grow my knowledge in the craft.
The only problem? All those classes cost A LOT of money.
Some I'd pay 80-100 dollars for, others cost over 400!
But it was okay, right? All in the name of writing. This is my passion. This is what I want for my life. I want to get better and be published. I want to be a writer!
However, what if we could learn how to be writers without paying two weeks of disposable salary?
That's where the MOOC comes in.
MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Course. Wikipedia defines it further as, "an online course aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the web. In addition to traditional course materials such as filmed lectures, readings, and problem sets, many MOOCs provide interactive user forums to support community interactions between students, professors, and teaching assistants."
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massive_open_online_course
So, basically, a MOOC is a high-level class brought to you usually by an accredited facility, literally giving away info for free.
What could be better than that?
MOOCs were birthed into the world in 2008, but didn't become popular until 2012. This means they're still a pretty new concept in the world of learning.
If you're looking to take a writing MOOC (or a MOOC in any subject - because they exist for almost anything), here's a list of Pros and Cons.
PROs: 1. They're free.
2. You choose your level of participation. [Because you're not paying for it, you don't have to worry about making deadlines and submitting assignments or risk failing grades. There are no grades here. Simply self enrichment.]
3. You meet a wide variety of people in fields you're interested in. [Unlike a classroom, students are only limited in attending by whether or not they have internet access. That means you meet writers from all over the world that are interested in the same things you are. Great friendships ensue.]
CONs: 1. You must be at least moderately computer savvy.
2. You only get what you put in. [If you don't think you need to participate because it's free and you're not graded, then you probably won't learn very much. Sure, the instructor videos are helpful, but only by engaging in conversation and critique and submission with your fellow students will your writing truly grow.]
3. It's easy to get overwhelmed if you're not organized. [There's no enrollment cap so thousands of students sign up for MOOCs. That means, if you're not prepared, you can easily be overwhelmed by the 3,000 comments made on day one. Also, since there are so many people, it's likely you won't always be critiqued by the same amount of students for each story you submit. While you do receive variety in opinions with your critiquers, one story may get 700 comments, another may only get 3.]
If you think MOOCs sound intriguing, sign up! There are sites like NovoEd that contain hundreds of MOOCs on different subjects.
In fact, the whole reason I've made this post this week is because I'm enrolled in a MOOC put together by the University of Iowa (you know, the one with the really popular Iowa Writer's Workshop). It's called How Writers Write Fiction 2015 and may still be open for enrollment (?) since they're still in the Welcome Week of the course.
And good news for poets, too! The University of Iowa also puts on a How Writers Write Poetry MOOC occasionally. The 2015 one just ended, but they're looking into doing the next in 2016 or 2017.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
What's In a Cover (Letter)?
The job search continues here in North Carolina as I look for steady employment to pay the bills. It means that most of my day is dedicated to writing. Some of it to stories and poems and (yes) even this blog.
But mostly, I'm writing résumés, applications, not-so-subtle pre-interview 'what would I do?' questionnaires, and above all, cover letters.
Writing these cover letters got me thinking: Is there a difference between writing a cover letter for the job market and writing a cover letter to submit a story to a lit mag?
Answer: Ah, hell yes!
Job market cover letters are longer (though never longer than one page) because they have to dance to the tune of many songs. A job market cover letter must at once hit keywords from the job description so you get picked up by the computer sorting and rejecting people before humans view the possible candidate, as well as convince the hiring manager that though you have no relevant experience or degree in their field, you'd be a great hire because of reasons a,b,c,x,y,z.
Whereas, a cover letter to a lit mag should be a very simple thing. Cover letters for your story should NEVER give a summary or synopsis of the story itself. Instead, follow this simple template:
1. Start your cover letter with a salutation. ("Dear Editor," works if the fiction editor's name is not listed on their site.)
2. Let them know what you've attached (either as a .docx attachment or in the body of the email) including the story title, word count, and genre (if the magazine publishes more than one).
Example: I have pasted my story, "Awesome Apes Five" (4,000 words, Fantasy) in the body of this email for your consideration.
3. List any significant publishing credits. No, that newspaper article you wrote freshman year doesn't count. Only include contest entries you won or placed in, or pieces that appeared in magazines published by people who are not related to you and who you do not know. No favors from your magazine owning uncle, and usually, no self-published material unless it got really really big on Amazon. (Note: if you're a new writer with no significant credits, no problem! Simply skip this step and go straight to #4.)
4. Close the letter.
Example:
Thank you for your time,
Super Writer
999 Publication Way, New York, NY
555-I'm Awesome
superwriter@imthebest.com
The main difference between a cover letter for the job market and a cover letter for a lit mag boils down to this:
To get a job, you want to prove that you're the best candidate for the position by smart talking and sweet talking your way to an interview. Flourish it up.
To get a story considered for publication, you need to not screw up your chances before the editor takes a peek at your story itself. Keep it simple. Don't make them dislike you before they read your first sentence.
Don't get bogged down thinking you need to write a full page. And don't - whatever you do - ever think that you should explain why you're the best person to write this story.
You're the best person to write this story because you wrote it, not anyone else. End of discussion.
So, next time you want to submit, remember that simple is always better. Relay important information in the cover letter and let your story do the heavy lifting. It is, after all, why you created it.
But mostly, I'm writing résumés, applications, not-so-subtle pre-interview 'what would I do?' questionnaires, and above all, cover letters.
Writing these cover letters got me thinking: Is there a difference between writing a cover letter for the job market and writing a cover letter to submit a story to a lit mag?
Answer: Ah, hell yes!
Job market cover letters are longer (though never longer than one page) because they have to dance to the tune of many songs. A job market cover letter must at once hit keywords from the job description so you get picked up by the computer sorting and rejecting people before humans view the possible candidate, as well as convince the hiring manager that though you have no relevant experience or degree in their field, you'd be a great hire because of reasons a,b,c,x,y,z.
Whereas, a cover letter to a lit mag should be a very simple thing. Cover letters for your story should NEVER give a summary or synopsis of the story itself. Instead, follow this simple template:
1. Start your cover letter with a salutation. ("Dear Editor," works if the fiction editor's name is not listed on their site.)
2. Let them know what you've attached (either as a .docx attachment or in the body of the email) including the story title, word count, and genre (if the magazine publishes more than one).
Example: I have pasted my story, "Awesome Apes Five" (4,000 words, Fantasy) in the body of this email for your consideration.
3. List any significant publishing credits. No, that newspaper article you wrote freshman year doesn't count. Only include contest entries you won or placed in, or pieces that appeared in magazines published by people who are not related to you and who you do not know. No favors from your magazine owning uncle, and usually, no self-published material unless it got really really big on Amazon. (Note: if you're a new writer with no significant credits, no problem! Simply skip this step and go straight to #4.)
4. Close the letter.
Example:
Thank you for your time,
Super Writer
999 Publication Way, New York, NY
555-I'm Awesome
superwriter@imthebest.com
The main difference between a cover letter for the job market and a cover letter for a lit mag boils down to this:
To get a job, you want to prove that you're the best candidate for the position by smart talking and sweet talking your way to an interview. Flourish it up.
To get a story considered for publication, you need to not screw up your chances before the editor takes a peek at your story itself. Keep it simple. Don't make them dislike you before they read your first sentence.
Don't get bogged down thinking you need to write a full page. And don't - whatever you do - ever think that you should explain why you're the best person to write this story.
You're the best person to write this story because you wrote it, not anyone else. End of discussion.
So, next time you want to submit, remember that simple is always better. Relay important information in the cover letter and let your story do the heavy lifting. It is, after all, why you created it.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Tailor Fit Stories
Today we're going to tackle the classic debate: What came first, the story or the publisher?
Indeed, for every writer the answer differs, and for every story it differs as well.
Some writers fall very strictly in the "story first" category. They argue that, because the story is the most important aspect, it should be completed in full and revised and shined up all nice and 'perdy' before you even begin searching for a possible magazine or publisher to send said story to.
Those on the other side argue that stories (and probably most commonly, nonfiction articles) should have a clear focus and should be tailored specifically for each publication. That means, you might research one or two and then write your story tailored specifically to their specifications. On another hand, it could mean researching publications and magazines and garnering ideas from their sites or guidelines (like the list of things they're "currently looking for") and writing your story by inspiration from that.
No matter which camp you fall into, remember not to get bogged down in the cons of each method. If you're a "story first"er, remember that eventually, your story does need to be finished. Without a market in sight, you could get trapped revising, reworking, and editing forever and ever.
And if you're a "publisher first"er, keep your spirits up. If your target magazine or publisher rejects the story you tailor made for them, don't give up on it. Don't throw it away in a box somewhere or delete the file off your computer. You can take that story somewhere similar and submit (sometimes with little to no tweaking involved) and it could find a perfectly happy home in plan #2.
Personally, I've crossed the fence into both camps. I write stories because the stories need to be told, and then struggle to find the right market for them afterward, and I also keep my eye on new and emerging markets and what they're in desperate need of, then write a story from that.
Both have worked out. Both have been published. Both have made me very happy.
So, tailor made or out-of-the-slush? What do you think?
Indeed, for every writer the answer differs, and for every story it differs as well.
Some writers fall very strictly in the "story first" category. They argue that, because the story is the most important aspect, it should be completed in full and revised and shined up all nice and 'perdy' before you even begin searching for a possible magazine or publisher to send said story to.
Those on the other side argue that stories (and probably most commonly, nonfiction articles) should have a clear focus and should be tailored specifically for each publication. That means, you might research one or two and then write your story tailored specifically to their specifications. On another hand, it could mean researching publications and magazines and garnering ideas from their sites or guidelines (like the list of things they're "currently looking for") and writing your story by inspiration from that.
No matter which camp you fall into, remember not to get bogged down in the cons of each method. If you're a "story first"er, remember that eventually, your story does need to be finished. Without a market in sight, you could get trapped revising, reworking, and editing forever and ever.
And if you're a "publisher first"er, keep your spirits up. If your target magazine or publisher rejects the story you tailor made for them, don't give up on it. Don't throw it away in a box somewhere or delete the file off your computer. You can take that story somewhere similar and submit (sometimes with little to no tweaking involved) and it could find a perfectly happy home in plan #2.
Personally, I've crossed the fence into both camps. I write stories because the stories need to be told, and then struggle to find the right market for them afterward, and I also keep my eye on new and emerging markets and what they're in desperate need of, then write a story from that.
Both have worked out. Both have been published. Both have made me very happy.
So, tailor made or out-of-the-slush? What do you think?
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Authorship
I've always been a big advocate of the fact that being a "writer" and having the ability to classify ourselves with the term "writer" needs only one requirement; That we write.
You needn't be published, or represented by an agent, or have written a piece over 50,000 words. Being a writer simply means that you devote your time and energy to writing.
So, with this logic, I've been a committed writer for quite some time - probably a good eight years. And many of you have, no doubt, been writers just as long or longer than I.
Still, it sure does feel good when someone recognizes you for your achievements, doesn't it? This is exactly the experience I had the other day when I signed up for a Goodreads Author profile. To receive the Goodreads Author stamp on my profile, I had to prove that I'd published a book (or, in my case, a short story which was recognized on their site) in which my work appeared.
I submitted the application and waited two excruciatingly long days until I got the email that I was approved as a Goodreads Author! I logged on and look at what I saw:
Now, I'm a writer, but I've also boarded the coveted ship of "author". Seeing this definitely gave me the boot in the pants that I needed to keep the momentum of my projects at top-speed.
So keep writing, fellow scribes. Keep submitting and crossing your fingers that your story will be accepted. It'll take forever (eight years!) but it'll be worth it in the end.
[In the meantime, feel free to check out my profile on Goodreads. Also, if you're a Goodreads Author yourself (or simply a Goodreads member) hit me up in the comments or follow my profile and I'll come check out your books!]
You needn't be published, or represented by an agent, or have written a piece over 50,000 words. Being a writer simply means that you devote your time and energy to writing.
So, with this logic, I've been a committed writer for quite some time - probably a good eight years. And many of you have, no doubt, been writers just as long or longer than I.
Still, it sure does feel good when someone recognizes you for your achievements, doesn't it? This is exactly the experience I had the other day when I signed up for a Goodreads Author profile. To receive the Goodreads Author stamp on my profile, I had to prove that I'd published a book (or, in my case, a short story which was recognized on their site) in which my work appeared.
I submitted the application and waited two excruciatingly long days until I got the email that I was approved as a Goodreads Author! I logged on and look at what I saw:
Now, I'm a writer, but I've also boarded the coveted ship of "author". Seeing this definitely gave me the boot in the pants that I needed to keep the momentum of my projects at top-speed.
So keep writing, fellow scribes. Keep submitting and crossing your fingers that your story will be accepted. It'll take forever (eight years!) but it'll be worth it in the end.
[In the meantime, feel free to check out my profile on Goodreads. Also, if you're a Goodreads Author yourself (or simply a Goodreads member) hit me up in the comments or follow my profile and I'll come check out your books!]
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Bonus Post: New Facebook Page!
I just created a Facebook page for my professional author and illustration projects. Feel free to check it out, hit like, or send me a message any time!
Alyssa Nedbal: author
And, as a super bonus, here's a picture of me geeking out with my copy of Parody Poetry Journal's Volume 4, Issue 1, which is for sale on their website now! Also, you can read 'The Fortune Cookie Writer' online, anytime, for free!
Alyssa Nedbal: author
And, as a super bonus, here's a picture of me geeking out with my copy of Parody Poetry Journal's Volume 4, Issue 1, which is for sale on their website now! Also, you can read 'The Fortune Cookie Writer' online, anytime, for free!
What To Do When the Muse Escapes You
It's a very busy time of year for many of us. School is back in session, summer vacations are over and gone, the days are getting shorter - ugh! With all of this and the stress of normal, everyday life, sometimes our writing falls to the back burner.
Even best laid plans often come out misshapen. You want to write over lunch but there's a twenty minute line in the cafeteria, so you only have a few moments to scarf down food. You want to write right away in the morning, but your alarm clock doesn't sound. You want to write before bed, but your kids aren't used to school-time bedtimes and fighting their energy has you up until midnight.
No matter who you are or what your situation is, these kinds of setbacks in our writing life definitely take a toll. After a week of thwarted plans, you're often too exhausted to write while family watches the football game. And when an early bedtime arises, you take sleep over getting another sentence into your novel.
I get it. I've been there too.
If this is sounding a whole lot like your life, I urge you to check out a brand new muse.
This sounds like more work, you say, but no. You needn't create her.
Instead, pop over to Pulp Literature and check out their "A Message From Your Muse" page. Here, you can sign up for a daily message from the muse either emailed to your inbox, or follow her on Twitter to keep excess emails thin.
Her gems of knowledge and encouragement have made me smile and lifted my writing spirits on countless occasions. I hope her musey effects help you as well.
Even best laid plans often come out misshapen. You want to write over lunch but there's a twenty minute line in the cafeteria, so you only have a few moments to scarf down food. You want to write right away in the morning, but your alarm clock doesn't sound. You want to write before bed, but your kids aren't used to school-time bedtimes and fighting their energy has you up until midnight.
No matter who you are or what your situation is, these kinds of setbacks in our writing life definitely take a toll. After a week of thwarted plans, you're often too exhausted to write while family watches the football game. And when an early bedtime arises, you take sleep over getting another sentence into your novel.
I get it. I've been there too.
If this is sounding a whole lot like your life, I urge you to check out a brand new muse.
This sounds like more work, you say, but no. You needn't create her.
Instead, pop over to Pulp Literature and check out their "A Message From Your Muse" page. Here, you can sign up for a daily message from the muse either emailed to your inbox, or follow her on Twitter to keep excess emails thin.
Her gems of knowledge and encouragement have made me smile and lifted my writing spirits on countless occasions. I hope her musey effects help you as well.
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