Monday, January 3, 2011


Ronnie Milsap performing in his
2010 Christmas Show in Pittsburg, Kansas.











                    Aimed at Writers?



Five frogs sitting on a log and one decides to jump off.


How many frogs left on the log?


Five-because there is a difference between deciding to do something and actually doing it!




It is hard to believe, but I found another stack of folders today with aged papers, clippings, old lesson plans, and snippets of stuff. I weeded it down to about a three inch tall stack; I filled a waste basket with trash. Some were story ideas that are at least 20 years old. I tossed some, kept some with the promise of utilizing them. One is a story about my adult friend's wanting a Jersey cow for her own, and her husband finally buying her one as a gift. Surely I can milk this friend’s tale for a story!


Just as I write this, one of my writer’s lists is going wild. Seems as though Dorchester Publishing has hit the skids today in the New Year, leaving writers hanging for information and payment both. I have not submitted confessions or romance for several months because I was fearful of what was coming. If I work for free, I want to choose my places to do so. Months ago payment was already arriving slowly or later than usual.


It is sad to hear of magazines like True Story folding. You don’t have to read or like the publication to appreciate it has been around since the 1920’s. Imagine the longevity of the magazine, the times it has lived through. DH said women don’t read stuff like that anymore because they are out living it. Might be some truth to his comment.


Also one writer said she had heard that Southern Living will cease publication. I hope not since they just signed me up with a 15 issue deal for $10. I have dropped a lot of publications because they are expensive, repeat information, have no fiction or I need to see newer magazines for new markets. However, I only have to pick up two issues of Southern Living at the grocery store in a year to make this offer pay.


While I have been writing and submitting, I have been sleeping through my blog. I noticed I got a new follower making my numbers come close to 50 followers. Welcome to Liz at http://noexcuses318.blogspot.com who became follower number 48 this weekend. We met at Jenny’s Centus…a great place to meet fun writers.


5 comments:

Donna Volkenannt said...

Hi Claudia,
Love your frog ditty.
What a shame about Dorchester Publishing. Another one bites the dust.
Donna v.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com

Susan said...

Hello Bookie....It's hard to read about publications biting the dust. Guess it's a reflection of our times. But many more are still out there so we have to keep plugging. Take care. Love the photo of the dolls on the couch! Cool. Susan

BECKY said...

Ooohhh, I LOVE Ronnie Milsap!! I really do! I think I have an old LP of his around here!!

Linda O'Connell said...

Claudia,
The first three preschools where I taught folded after I left. So many publications that accepted my work have also gone out of business. I had an article about my wedding on True Story. Is it me?

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Such a shame when a publication goes belly up. Unfortunately, with the prevalence of e-zines etc. we are likely to lose more. I do hate to see the old ones go. As you say, the times they have lived through!