AuthorsDen.com   Join | Login    
Where Authors and Readers come together!

SIGNED BOOKS    AUTHORS    BOOKS    SAMPLE CHAPTERS    AUDIOBOOKS    eBOOKS    STORIES    ARTICLES    POETRY    BLOGS    NEWS    VIDEOS    SUCCESS    TESTIMONIALS

Featured Authors:  David Young, iJohn Burns, iDean Cambourakis, iMatt Miller, iLaura Cavanaugh, iGibbs Williams, iRobert Wood, i Armand, iTom Kitt, iJohn Henning, i

  You're at: Home > Carolyn HowardJohnson > Newsletter  

Carolyn HowardJohnson

 Follow Me  

· Contact Me
· Books
· Articles
· Poetry
· News
· Stories
· Messages
· 40 Titles
· 156 Reviews
· Share with Friends!
·
Member Since: Mar, 2001

Carolyn HowardJohnson, click here to update your pages on AuthorsDen.


"Sharing with Writers" is from the desks of Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER (USA Book News' "Best Professional Book 2004" and an Irwin Award winner) and THE FRUGAL EDITOR, winner of USA Book News Best Book award and Reader Views Literary Award, and her writing friends. Writing friends. That's YOU.

It is a place where you'll find writing and promotion tips and where you can share your own writing sucesses with other writers.
Newsletter Dated: 11/26/2008 9:47:57 PM

Subject: [SharingwithWriters] YOU Featured on Oscars? And Thanks to Dreadful "Ings"

To read this newsletter in PDF (with a bit more pizzazz) go to:

http://www.AuthorsDen.com/adstorage/1713/SharingwithWriters_Nov_29_2008.pdf

November 29, 2008

Sharing with Writers
A newsletter that is also a community. Share your ideas. Learn from theirs!

From the Desks of
Carolyn Howard - Johnson
And Authors' Coalition Friends
Sharing with Writers is the official newsletter of Authors' Coalition,
www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
An organization of writers who help writers.

In the spirit of the advice I give in the Frugal Editor - - that is to use an extra pair of eyes whenever possible - - this newsletter is voluntarily copyedited by Authors' Coalition member, Mindy Phillips Lawrence ~ mplcreative1@aol.com ~ www.freewebs.com/mplcreative. I also tell writers to be patient with other writers when they make editing boo - boos. We're all human, this letter comes out weekly and it's long!

~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~

Contents

Regular Features
~Note from Carolyn (Wanna Be on the Oscars?)
~Thank Yous (where you also find leads and great resources!)
~Tips and News Galore! (They're scattered, you'll just have to find them!)
~Opportunities
~Author Successes
~On Poetry
~Humor Hint by Anne Louise
~Mindy Lawrence's Itty Bitty Column: “Creativity and Depression”
~Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~Wordstuff ™

Special to this Issue
~Thanking the Dreadful "Ings"



~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:. ~ ~ ~.: ~ ~ ~

Note from Carolyn

Dear Subscribers and Authors' Coalition Members:

Many of us writers have inspirational stories to tell - - so many we can hardly keep up with putting them on paper. After all, being a writer isn't easy. It takes a certain amount of talent and a whole lot of stick - to - itiveness. But what about our own stories? I bet yours can be an inspiration to others.

Wouldn't it be fun to tell our kids or grandkids or friends one more thing? To be able to say, "In 2009 I was featured on the Oscars!" This letter is short because of Thanksgiving weekend, so I'm even making my note to you a tip. Go to http://www.truenorthsnacks.com/story/. Tell them your story. Compete with me. And if you win, I'll expect a bottle of champagne at my door as an apology for beating me at this game.

Happy promoting! And yes, writing and editing, too!
Carolyn Howard - Johnson

PS: Just a little teaser of things to come: Listen to Magdalena Ball, my co - author of a new chapbook of poetry, read a selection from her portion of She Wore Emerald Then in her dreamy voice with her slight and lilting Aussie accent: http://www.compulsivereader.com/html/images/Mother%27s%20Bed.mp3

PSS: In this time and place I am grateful for my readers. All of them. From subscribers of this newsletter, to readers of my blogs to those who buy and read my books. All of them. And even to those who lend them. I write to connect with people. With you.


=====================================================
Please pass this letter on to others. Unlike many, I do not mind if you use only portions of it as long as you credit the writers and include this subscribe information: "To subscribe to 'Sharing with Writers' send an e - mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with 'Subscribe' in the subject line."
=====================================================

Author Successes

Gotsch to Receive Book - in - Hand Award . . .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The New Mexico Book Association will present its annual Book - in - Hand Award to writer and radio interviewer Connie Gotsch Dec. 6th in Albuquerque. The Book - in - Hand award recognizes outstanding initiatives for getting books into the hands and minds of readers,

Gotsch is the Program Director of KSJE - FM, public radio in Farmington, New Mexico, and Producer/Host of Write on Four Corners, an author interview show. She has written two novels, A Mouth Full of Shell, and Snap Me a Future.

Both of Gotsch’s books are published by dlsijpress.com. Both have won National Federation of Press Women and New Mexico Press Women Communication Contest Awards.

In August 2009 Gotsch will bring out a novel for readers age 8 to 12 called ‘Belle’s Star’ with Artemesia Press. For information go to dlsijpress.com apbooks.net, or conniegotsch.com


Raff Ellis Earns Museum Award . . .

. . . for Kisses from a Distance; Cune Press Inc. It took the Arab American National Museum's Honorable Mention award in nonfiction at its November 1, 2008, ceremony. The Museum is in Dearborn, Mich. Kisses is a literary memoir about Lebanese immigrants at the turn of the 20th Century, a story that was born of a surprising discovery of a cache of letters in the author's mother's personal effects after her death. Autographed copies are available at: www.raffellis.com. Also available at: Amazon.com.


=====================================================
Please paste this - - perhaps with a little endorsement - - in your newsletter or website: To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e - mail with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to HoJoNews@aol.com or go to www.howtodoitfrugally.com for an auto subscribe box.
=====================================================


Favor
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Please nominate this newsletter and its companion blogs, www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com or www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com for Writers' Digest 101 Best Websites. Here are the guidelines:
Send your nomination mentioning Sharing with Writers or The Frugal Editor and the appropriate URL (web address) to writersdig@fwpubs.com. Put "101
Sites" in the subject line. If you'd like, copy me at hojonews@aol.com. If you want to nominate both addresses, they must be submitted in separate e - mails. ( - :


=====================================================
New members will help Authors' Coalition serve all its members better! Ask your writing friends to join at www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/. Paid members get a favorite review posted, consideration for an interview or review in Yarnspinners and Wordweavers, ditto for The Fiction Flyer and Betty Dobson's Inkspotter. Membership is reasonable, too. Tell friends to visit the Authors' Coalition blog. There they'll learn how to spark generally insipid book fairs by using value - added promotions. www.authorscoalition.blogspot.com.
=====================================================


Humor Hint by Anne Louise . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A fond Thanksgiving memory………

It was always my dad’s self - imposed mission to stuff the Thanksgiving turkey. Now mind you, my mother still had to do everything else, but she wasn’t allowed in the kitchen to do any of it until the turkey was stuffed. My dad made quite a production of it; he’d even wear one of mom’s fancy aprons, which looked particularly ridiculous on a bespectacled bald guy wearing a starched shirt and pressed pants.

Dad fervently believed that stuffing required mass quantities of onions, fried in large amounts of butter. After about 7 minutes of frying the smelly stuff, however, he would get bored, and decide that - - contrary to all proven and established culinary law - - onions did NOT need to be stirred while frying. So he’d wander into the other room to watch a little football. Shortly afterward, the fragrance of burning onions would fill the house.

He would then holler at my mother, who hadn’t even been allowed in the kitchen, as if this were her fault. At this point, though, he would magnanimously grant her passage to the sink, so that she could wash the fry pan. He would holler for my brother to take the cremated mess out to the trash. He would holler in general, because now he was behind schedule. It was all very entertaining, and as a bonus, we usually learned a couple of new words.

Fortunately - - or unfortunately - - depending on your perspective, Dad always had more onions. Most years, he went through this process two or three times; I’m sure we all would have been disappointed had it gone well on the first round.

May your keyboard never falter!

- - - - Reach Anne Louise at annelouise@annelouise.net. Read more of her humor at www.annelouise.net.


=====================================================
My blog, War, Peace, Tolerance and Our Soldiers is where I get to nag and rag and try to make things better for our troops and maybe for the world. I'd love to have you leave a comment. www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com
=====================================================


Thank Yous

Thank You to Dana Lynn Smith, the Book Marketing Maven . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ` ...for publishing my e - mail signature as a sample her clients might follow at http://bookmarketingmaven.typepad.com/book_marketing_maven/2008/11/jazz - up - your - em.html
Guess now I won't have to rant about that in this newsletter again, if you all go take a look at her reminder. ( - : Oh, I just can't help myself. Be sure to use signatures even when you think your contact knows all about you. It is a favor, not a brag. You'll save your friend time he or she can ill afford to spend tracing down your title and website address.


===================================================== So you got As in English. You know grammar and spelling. That's great but an editor of you it doth not make. An editor knows formatting, front and back matter, indexing, structure, the elements of fiction and on and on. But mostly she'll see your manuscript in a fresh, new light. Learn how to hire a great editor and learn to be a better partner for any author - - awful to superb - - in The Frugal Editor.
=====================================================


Tip: Need a month - by - month coach you can utilize in your own time? On my list of helpful books for writers is this new coaching system by Rita Emmett: http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/inspiration_and_references_for_writers.htm


=====================================================
As always, I enjoy your newsletter, which invariably has something in it that gives me fresh ideas, contacts, or viewpoints. ~ Liz Babcock Editor of the East Sierra Branch of California Writers Club newsletter
=====================================================


Vocabulary: Web - based communities and hosted services like wikis and social networks are called "folksomonies."


=====================================================
No part of this newsletter is paid advertising. If you would like to advertise to subscribers, display ads are available at www.howtodoitfrugally.com at less per year than most sites charge for a single month (see the advertising tab at the top of the page). Authors' Coalition www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com is also accepting ads. So is Yarnspinners and Wordweavers. Contact katieseyes@aol.com.
=====================================================


Tip: If you don't know how to use HTML and RSS feeds, do a search for articles on them. I'm not your tech guru, but I do know that these two fairly easy - to - learn processes can help you recycle material and, by doing so, let you spread one effort into many places and save hours of time doing it. I'm frugal with time, too. Ha!


WIKIPEDIA: RSS FEEDS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_(file_format)

WHAT IS RSS?
http://rss.softwaregarden.com/aboutrss.html

YouTube: RSS in Plain English
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU



=====================================================
Subscribers who have websites or newsletters of their own may be interested in the Free Articles 4 Readers and Writers on my site, www.howtodoitfrugally.com. I try to add new articles to it frequently. If you don't see what you need for your blog or newsletter, just ask. HoJoNews@aol.com.
=====================================================


Tip: You have a media room on your website, I know. Why? Because I keep reminding you. Now it's time to put a social media page up with it, probably one you can get to with a link from the main media room. It will include your blogs, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and more. Find mine here http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/new_page_4.htm to see what I did. It's still taking shape, though.


=====================================================
Fun and F r * *: If you purchased the Frugal Book Promoter or the Frugal Editor, I'd love for you to review it on Amazon or BN.com. Make it simple; just tell what part of it you found most valuable. If you do, send me the review link (URL) and I will send you a handout from one of my UCLA classes. As a thank you, of course. HoJoNews@aol.com
=====================================================


On Poetry
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is a running feature for the poets among us and those who would like to try writing poetry but feel, well . . . inadequate. Please send in your poetry tips and resources for this section.

Recommended Poetry: Do you know that Writer's Digest puts out a book exclusively on Poet's Markets? It is expensive, but your library has a copy. I promise. If not, try interlibrary loan.

=====================================================
Don't suffer with book proposals. You can be a pro with and investment of only 20 minutes and 49 cents with my Great First Impression Book Proposal Short.
http://www.amazon.com/Great - First - Impression - Book - Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U
=====================================================


Tip: Learn what you need to know about social media with Deltina Hay's book Don't Get Caught Dead in the New, Live Web: A Survival Guide to Social Media Optimiazation and Web 2.0. Heck, I learned a lot from the title!


=====================================================
A general marketing rule is that a product must be seen seven times before it is purchased. That is just as true for books (because they are products, like it or not!). Let people see that book cover image! To do that, you are invited to advertise as a site sponsor at www.howtodoitfrugally.com for only $25 to $30 a year. Yep, the frugal way! Click on the Advertising tab at the top of the page or contact me personally at hojonews@aol.com.
=====================================================


Tip: For those of you who don't have a newsletter yet, start! Even fiction writers will find them a useful way to build loyal reading and stay in touch with friends and readers. For some writers even sending out two newsletters a year can be advantageous. And you don't (shouldn't) do it all yourself. Letting others participate saves you work and builds loyalty. The page on my site is called F r ^ ^ Articles 4 Authors, Editors. It includes everything from little rants on poetry to the newest article from a former issue called "Six Things I Learned from Reading an Inflight Magazine." Find it at http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/free_content.htm


=====================================================
Available: Audios from Audio Divas on many aspects of building a writing career are published by Double Dragon Press. Here is the page where you'll find the full list (http://www.double - dragon - ebooks.com/eAuthor.php?Name=Carolyn%20Howard - Johnson) including one on "Do It Yourself Indexing." The first audio, "Promoting Easy and Cheap!" is a
F R ^ ^ sample you can download. Each comes with a resource guide. Here is an example of a guide for the audio - lesson Your Divas did on "Contests": http://www.derondouglas.com/audiosample/AwardResourceGuideContests.pdf
=====================================================


Help a Fellow Subscriber . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Jeanette Phillips, jeanettemphillips@hotmail.com, would like to know: "I'm trying to find out the name of a short story, and the author. I read it in a selection of short stories about ten years ago (but that doesn't tell you an accurate publication date, I know). It was about a short amount of time when John Lennon went AWOL in Memphis, and in a bar he met a man in black (I don't remember if he was named, but the reader can infer that it was Johnny Cash). I'm pretty sure the author is female. I'd love to read it again, and share it. Any ideas? Is there a blog or forum where I could ask this?"


=====================================================
Endorsement: "I am so happy for you to receive a second award [Reader Views Literary Award] for The Frugal Editor. I bought this book a week ago, and I love it. I can already see the improvement in my work. Thank you. You deserve this award." ~Katherine Harms, author
=====================================================


Learning Opportunity: Here are a couple of f r ^ ^ teleseminars on book promotion by Suzanne Lieurance and Yvonne Perry: http://www.buildyourbusinesswrite.com/askyvonnenow/.


=====================================================
Authors' Coalition members! For credibility, use the AC logo on your promotional materials. Ask for it by sending an e - mail to HoJoNews@aol.com or download it with a click from the AC site: http://www.authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com/AC_Promotional_Videos,%20Logos%20&%20More.
You know you want it on your website! Be sure to link it to the AC site, too! And there is a cross - promotional slide show there that will add movement and color to your site or blog, even if you aren't featured on it. It's all about Karma. ( - :
=====================================================


Tip: Do you have children or grandchildren? Pass your love of writing on to them and keep them busy, too. Let the ones who can write simple words label your photos on their backs (or paste them into a book). If they're very young, the labels can be simple keywords. Like "fun" or "beach." Don't edit or make them respell. Just praise. Let older kids write a newsletter for friends and relatives monthly or weekly or on holidays. Send their letter along with yours or separately. You'll be teaching your young ones to build contacts for life, too.


=====================================================
Authors' Coalition: No Hum - Drum Book Fair Promotion Allowed is a blog where you can watch how Authors' Coalition members make book fairs successful with cross - promotion, value - added promotions and a good assessment process. Find it at www.authorscoalition.blogspot.com. It's time to sign up for 2009's LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books with Christine Alexanians, tinooshik@yahoo.com
=====================================================


Opportunity: How do you plan to use your writing this holiday season - - online or off? Send me your ideas in 100 words or less by Dec. 1. Include a 25 word or less tagline with your name, the title of your book, and your e - mail or website address. Send to: HoJoNews@aol.com with SWW XMAS IDEAS in the subject line.


=====================================================
"AC is the current that powers your writing career." http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
=====================================================


Feature

About Those "Ings!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I hate "ings." It's not that they're wrong. It's that I know they're going to cause me work. That's because they are indicators. They are indictors of progressive tenses that could be simplified, of passive tenses that would be better activated, of wordy dependent clauses and more. Mind you, I didn't say eradicate them all. I said I examine each one to see if they've tipped me off that I could write more crisply.
Mmmm. Maybe I should love them! At least, unlike the grammar check, they do tip me off!
Have you checked out www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com for other refreshers on grammar, style choices, editing and more?


=====================================================
Reciprocal Links: Many subscribers are in a position to cross promote. Let me know if you would like to trade some recommendation or promotion for any of my books - - from the HowToDoItFrugally series to my chapbook of poetry - - for a place on my Resources for Writers or Resources for Readers pages on www.HowToDoItFrugally.com.
=====================================================


In the News: There is hope for short story writers. According to Time magazine, Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth has become a No 1 best seller. Everyone is puzzled. That includes Lahiri herself. But I've been saying for a long time that short stories fit the way we live. We can read in little, comforting snatches. So, if you have a bunch of shorts stashed away, this may be the time to drag them out and see if they fit into a volume in a meaningful way.


=====================================================
I use Vista Print for lots of my promotional materials. Be aware that shipping prices may fluctuate, depending on the deal of the moment. Please use this link:
http://www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=815651421184
=====================================================


Tip: I just made an index or "labels" section (see how to do that in a former Sharing with Writers issue) for my Frugal, Smart and Tuned - In Editor blog. Now you can find blogs that allude to specific parts of speech, etc. www.thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com I hope you'll sign up for a subscription (see the left column of the blog to do that) or visit frequently.


=====================================================
Announcement: I plan to release a booklet with terms and words that writers often get wrong when they edit. I haven't decided whether to use tech terms in it or not, because the length of the booklet is so important. But watch for it. I promise to keep it lower than the cost of most greeting cards.( - :
=====================================================


Tip: You know I nag you all to use good autosignatures in your e - mails(mostly 'cause it helps ME!). I talk about it in The Frugal Book Promoter but marketing guru, Dana Lynn Smith, has an article on it now, too. Find it at http://bookmarketingmaven.typepad.com/book_marketing_maven/2008/03/promote - your - - 1.html It's not important that your signature be fancy (though that might sell your books better!) but it is important for you to have one with all the essentials, every time! If you haven't seen mine in a while, I just changed the color to Thanksgiving brown. ( - :


=====================================================
The New Book Review is a service of this newsletter and Authors' Coalition. It allows authors to get more exposure from their favorite review and reviewers a chance to have more readers see their reviews - - with links, of course. Please check the guidelines on the blog site at www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com.
=====================================================


An Itty - Bitty Column on Writing


Keeping Writers Healthy: Mental and Emotional Health
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
By Mindy Phillips Lawrence
Scientists have conducted many studies on creativity and depression. They’ve examined the question of whether writers and artists are drawn to lives filled with angst because of their creative bent. Although creativeness can be a way OUT of depression for some, I know many artistic individuals who have a dark side, as I do.

When women bear a child, they can go through varying degrees of post - partum depression. A writer can have a variety of this same feeling when he or she finishes a project, a situation that I call post - project depression. After working hard for months, sometime years, on something, when the last sentence is written, the work comes to a screeching halt. I went through a similar situation as an editor. When I finished the final edit on my client’s manuscript and sent it back to him, there was a void. For days, I missed having more of the book to work on.

In all things, there is a trade - off. If you have deep mood swings, get depressed, stay depressed for long periods or have thoughts of ending your life, you need to seek medical help immediately. However, if you get the ‘blues” for a day or two or harbor occasional negative thoughts, then it still might not be bad to get a mental check up with your health professional.

The big trade off is this. When that health professional prescribes something to even out your mood swings, the medication can also cause creative people to reach a point where they become so leveled out that their creativity is affected. The highs and lows go away and take some of the punch away from work. It is an individual’s choice whether or not the drugs incapacitate the inspirational part of their lives enough to take away their sharpness as a writer, artist, actor or innovator. It’s a delicate balance.
Here are some ways I use to combat post - project depression and artistic blues:

(1) Take a walk, do yoga or some other form of exercise to get the endomorphins cranked up.

(2) Have another project or two to fall back on.

(3) Meet a friend for lunch or dinner when a project is completed and talk.

(4) Support another creative friend who is also completing a project.

(5) Journal. A new project could develop with additional creative ideas.

(6) Meditate.

(7) Get out of the creative cloister and do something fun.

Below you will find some interesting links on both sides of this very serious topic. If you remotely think you need help with your blues, get it. I wouldn’t want to lose a creative friend.

This Thanksgiving, I am grateful to my warm cocoon of friends who write with me, laugh with me, support me and keep me from being blue.

LINKS
Experts ponder link between creativity, mood disorders
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/10/07/creativity.depression/index.html

Depression and Creativity, Doug Eby
http://talentdevelop.com/articles/Page31.html

Creativity, A Way Out of Depression
http://www.moritherapy.org/article/creativity - a - way - out - of - depression/

Manic depression and creativity, Kay Jamison (Video)
http://www.dnai.org/text/mediashowcase/index2.html?id=443

After the Manuscript is Finished: How to Cure the Post - Novel Blues
http://writing - novels.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_postnovel_blues

- - - - - Mindy Phillips Lawrence www.freewebs.com/mplcreative is the author of the poetry collections One Blue Star and Above and Below. She is co - author of The Complete Writer and a publicist and literary agent. She is in the process of researching a novel titled Alone is Where We Begin. Blogging at: http://mplcreative.blogspot.com/.



=====================================================
Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites is now accepting nominations for next year’s list. If you've found Sharing with Writers newsletter or blog or the resources at HowToDoItFrugally.com helpful in the past year, please send your nomination to writersdig@fwpubs.com. Put "101 Websites" in the subject line. Please do it now. Jan 1, 2009, is the deadline and you know how the holidays get! ( - :
=====================================================


Carolyn's Appearances and Teaching
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Carolyn Howard - Johnson will speak to the California Writers Club of San Fernando Valley at 1 pm on December 13, 2008. It's at the Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Blvd (just north of Ventura Blvd.), Encino, CA 91316. Learn more about the year's programs www.calwriterssfv.com and sign up to join. It's a dynamic group. E - mail is cwcsfv@gmail.com.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be interviewed on InspirationStation live on Thursday, Dec. 11, 3:30 pm (Pacific Time, 6:30 Eastern) at www.blogtalkradio.com/InspirationStation. Hosted by Marla, Takiela and Sydney, it includes interviews of Leaders, Writers, Authors, and Speakers who are inspiration, positively impacting society. Sharing with Writers subscribers are invited to call to ask questions or contribute. Find Marla at inspirationstation@cox.net. The interviews are archived as well. If you'd like to call, use (646) 200 - 4417.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be signing a new chapbook of poetry as well as her other books, including the HowToDoItFrugally series of books at the world renowned LA Times/UCLA Festival of Books the last weekend in April, 2009, on the UCLA Campus. To learn more about a signing position for yourself contact Christine Alexanians at chalexwrite@yahoo.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Carolyn Howard - Johnson will appear on the Career Czar,
www.alltalkradio.net\careerczar on January 30, 2009. It is a unique Internet talk radio program focusing on all aspects of the world of careers. We'll be chatting about something dear to the hearts of baby - boomers - - reinventing yourself at retirement. With writing of course. The first segment will be about careers in freelance and journalism. The second segment will be about a career in fiction (novels and short stories). The third segment will be about poetry. The fourth segment will be about nonfiction - - specifically my nonfiction - - on how it's helped my career and that of others and how something similar can work for yours.

Check out host Paul Bruno's website and enhance your career by getting connected with The Career Czar.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I usually don't list places I'm published, mostly because they often don't have anything to do with writing. However, Romance Writers of America will be publishing my article on writing stand - out query letters in the January 2009 print edition of their magazine, Romance Writers Report. The editor, Kathleen Adey, says you can subscribe by joining RWA at www.rwanational.org.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

New!Carolyn Howard - Johnson will be presenting two seminars at the National Stationery Show, one on Monday, May 18, called "Move Upward in a Down Market with Free Publicity Exposure and Money - Making In - Store Promotions" and the other, "Grow Your Business Online for No $$$," on Tuesday, May 19. This is a huge show a la BEA but for stationery retailers and will be at Javits center in Manhattan. She'll also be publishing two books for her HowToDoItFrugally series, this time for retailers. Many of the principles are the same, though. ( - :


=====================================================
Sign up to receive a copy of my Sharing with Writers blog in your e - mail box. It is a focused blog on all things related to writing and publishing. Go to www.sharingwithwriters.blogspot.com. Sign up in the left hand column. Find related resources by scrolling to the bottom of the blog.
=====================================================



Wordstuff ™

Something to Make Writers Smile
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(Definitions in the next few newsletters are from www.butlerwebs.com/jokes/definitions.htm.You might have some favorite neologisms, metaphors or similes that make you smile. If so, please contribute.)

"DIPLOMAT: A person who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip."



~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~
=================================================
~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~* ~

Essential Book and Record Keeping:

This letter is an entity of Authors' Coalition http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com

Edited and distributed by Carolyn Howard - Johnson,
http://carolynhoward - johnson.com

This is a place to share with others and learn from others.

Although I do attempt to verify information used within this newsletter's pages, Sharing with Writers does not guarantee entities or information. Subscribers should research resources.

To submit information articles, tips or other information, e - mail Carolyn at HoJoNews@aol.com. Please put "Submission: Sharing with Writers" in the subject line.

If you do not care to receive this newsletter, send an e - mail to HoJoNews@aol.com with "Unsubscribe” in the subject line, but please, please don't tell me you've given up writing or promoting!

To subscribe to Sharing with Writers send an e - mail with "Subscribe" in the subject line to: HoJoNews@aol.com.

Please pass this newsletter on to friends or e - groups. It needn't be pasted in its complete form, but please credit this newsletter, Authors' Coalition and the individual contributors with anything you snip and paste.

Ordering Information:
Order the Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't at stores like UCLA, Dayton University and San Diego State University's bookstores or at Amazon where it is discounted:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/193299310X/qid=1149015406/sr=2 - 1/ Order it as an e - book at http://starpublishllc.com/id43.html

The second in the How To Do It Frugally series of books, The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success, is available at
www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870

The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need To Know About Selling Your Book in 20 Minutes or Less, is available on Amazon as a Short for 49 cents.
http://www.amazon.com/Great - First - Impression - Book - Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U/

This Is the Place,
Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered, Tracings,
www.howtodoitfrugally.com.

Tracings, a chapbook of poetry, published by Finishing Line Press may be ordered at
www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/qid=1139084827/sr=1 - 1/

Contact Information
Websites: http://carolynhoward - Johnson.com (literary)
http://HowToDoItFrugally.com (all things about writing)
Authors' Coalition: http://www.AuthorsCoalitionandRedEnginepress.com
For the Frugal Editor, Amazon - direct: www.amazon.com/gp/product/0978515870

Blogs:
http://AuthorsCoalition.blogspot.com, a blog focused on book fairs

http://www.SharingwithWriters.blogspot.com, a blog on all things publishing

http://www.TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog focused on YOUR reviews

http://www.TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com, a blog focused on editing, formatting and craft

http://www.warpeacetolerance.blogspot.com War. Peace. Tolerance. And Our Soldiers.

And now! Squidooing at
http://www.squidoo.com/HowToDoItFrugallyforAuthors
and http://www.squidoo.com/carolynhoward - johnson


Recent Newsletters
5/4/2018 12:05:10 PM

5/4/2018 11:25:33 AM

4/17/2018 1:29:03 PM

2/10/2013 6:41:09 PM

1/21/2013 7:35:44 PM

1/14/2013 1:29:27 PM

12/31/2012 11:28:27 AM

12/18/2012 7:58:47 PM

12/14/2012 8:20:00 PM

11/18/2012 11:08:40 AM

11/9/2012 2:44:32 PM

10/27/2012 10:36:49 AM

9/24/2012 10:57:15 AM

9/14/2012 12:33:45 PM

8/31/2012 10:00:52 AM

8/4/2012 2:52:17 PM

7/19/2012 6:32:59 PM

6/28/2012 5:40:58 PM

6/17/2012 8:58:45 AM

5/28/2012 12:37:54 PM

5/18/2012 7:08:27 PM

4/10/2012 5:56:22 PM

4/4/2012 1:30:48 PM

3/18/2012 11:28:09 AM

3/9/2012 12:19:29 PM

3/8/2012 4:22:52 PM

3/8/2012 4:19:36 PM

2/25/2012 5:45:31 PM

2/11/2012 3:52:30 PM

2/2/2012 10:10:18 AM

1/29/2012 2:02:02 PM

1/15/2012 2:37:26 PM

1/4/2012 10:31:28 AM

1/2/2012 2:41:39 PM

11/22/2011 6:38:51 PM

11/6/2011 8:01:05 PM

10/22/2011 3:26:09 PM

10/15/2011 9:17:44 AM

10/9/2011 5:26:13 PM

10/9/2011 5:23:47 PM

10/9/2011 3:45:37 PM

10/5/2011 7:14:11 AM

9/29/2011 12:40:46 PM

9/25/2011 9:19:41 AM

8/30/2011 12:53:01 PM

8/27/2011 9:02:52 AM

8/15/2011 12:57:37 PM

8/8/2011 7:40:47 AM

7/25/2011 11:57:04 AM

7/21/2011 9:10:42 AM

7/13/2011 7:11:31 PM

7/3/2011 11:50:55 AM

6/27/2011 10:53:52 AM

6/12/2011 7:00:56 PM

4/12/2011 6:13:24 PM

4/11/2011 8:45:06 PM

3/12/2011 8:32:50 PM

3/5/2011 8:47:27 PM

2/19/2011 10:26:25 AM

2/6/2011 11:04:07 AM

1/20/2011 4:19:03 PM

1/1/2011 3:02:45 PM

12/12/2010 7:59:02 PM

11/29/2010 9:35:00 PM

11/16/2010 9:10:42 AM

10/17/2010 8:32:56 AM

10/12/2010 9:43:58 AM

9/21/2010 6:36:53 AM

9/13/2010 7:28:19 PM

9/13/2010 6:47:47 PM

8/25/2010 1:18:04 PM

8/24/2010 8:17:31 AM

8/5/2010 6:56:10 AM

8/1/2010 2:55:37 PM

7/20/2010 7:10:38 PM

6/24/2010 8:11:47 AM

6/17/2010 9:41:44 AM

6/11/2010 2:14:16 PM

6/1/2010 11:18:42 AM

5/24/2010 11:46:47 AM

5/9/2010 1:02:48 PM

5/9/2010 8:03:27 AM

5/3/2010 1:16:20 PM

4/13/2010 11:26:29 AM

3/29/2010 2:19:00 PM

3/22/2010 8:23:38 AM

3/7/2010 9:52:35 AM

2/21/2010 10:55:47 AM

1/21/2010 9:16:30 PM

1/15/2010 12:36:14 PM

1/4/2010 9:08:11 AM

12/26/2009 1:42:11 PM

12/14/2009 10:15:11 AM

12/10/2009 2:39:35 PM

11/17/2009 11:41:49 AM

11/13/2009 8:33:41 PM

11/5/2009 7:48:53 AM

11/1/2009 9:00:07 PM

10/30/2009 9:10:10 AM

10/19/2009 8:25:32 PM

10/19/2009 7:29:53 PM

10/12/2009 6:21:49 PM

10/2/2009 2:09:12 PM

10/2/2009 12:50:00 PM

9/25/2009 7:02:07 PM

9/15/2009 8:04:15 AM

9/3/2009 8:33:08 AM

8/27/2009 9:30:05 AM

8/13/2009 9:13:55 AM

8/6/2009 7:40:53 AM

8/4/2009 10:57:45 AM

8/4/2009 8:40:02 AM

7/21/2009 5:10:28 PM

7/11/2009 6:53:58 PM

7/8/2009 6:14:56 PM

7/1/2009 7:28:11 PM

6/15/2009 8:22:02 PM

6/13/2009 6:50:58 PM

5/31/2009 12:08:52 PM

5/15/2009 10:25:12 AM

5/11/2009 7:54:10 PM

5/10/2009 4:59:04 PM

5/3/2009 3:21:03 PM

4/25/2009 6:39:23 AM

4/16/2009 9:53:53 AM

4/10/2009 8:55:55 AM

3/30/2009 5:12:54 PM

3/21/2009 6:17:03 PM

3/8/2009 9:25:42 AM

2/23/2009 9:30:23 AM

2/14/2009 7:08:40 PM

2/1/2009 12:08:30 PM

1/24/2009 6:03:51 PM

1/19/2009 10:17:58 AM

1/12/2009 10:48:18 AM

1/4/2009 8:49:21 PM

12/14/2008 11:50:55 AM

12/10/2008 9:25:17 PM

12/6/2008 2:29:09 PM

11/26/2008 9:47:57 PM

11/23/2008 9:56:15 AM

11/18/2008 10:59:58 AM

11/10/2008 8:07:18 AM

10/19/2008 4:06:28 PM

10/13/2008 2:11:29 PM

10/4/2008 3:25:05 PM

9/23/2008 9:12:20 AM

9/16/2008 9:04:17 AM

9/13/2008 6:09:37 PM

9/13/2008 2:35:06 PM

9/6/2008 1:05:13 PM

8/30/2008 11:26:26 AM

8/23/2008 6:14:56 PM

8/18/2008 8:31:42 AM

8/17/2008 9:43:25 AM

7/26/2008 1:17:44 PM

7/21/2008 9:37:57 PM

7/20/2008 9:59:24 AM

7/12/2008 9:46:37 AM

7/6/2008 7:28:20 PM

6/28/2008 3:39:27 PM

6/21/2008 8:14:34 PM

6/15/2008 9:53:32 AM

6/8/2008 6:33:54 PM

5/24/2008 7:24:39 PM

5/18/2008 3:34:58 PM

5/12/2008 8:32:59 AM

5/6/2008 3:54:46 PM

5/3/2008 8:14:17 PM

4/25/2008 6:38:15 PM

4/19/2008 8:27:49 PM

4/14/2008 10:15:32 PM

4/11/2008 2:21:43 PM

3/30/2008 9:16:25 PM

3/24/2008 8:48:24 PM

3/16/2008 5:32:29 PM

3/11/2008 10:03:41 PM

3/7/2008 9:08:59 PM

3/2/2008 3:28:51 PM

2/27/2008 3:12:56 PM

2/21/2008 9:41:26 AM

2/16/2008 9:10:40 PM

2/11/2008 6:59:56 PM

2/9/2008 3:54:24 PM

2/3/2008 6:37:07 PM

1/26/2008 4:52:56 PM

1/20/2008 6:52:05 PM

1/12/2008 7:00:19 PM

1/5/2008 9:22:01 PM

12/31/2007 1:21:23 PM

12/24/2007 9:48:29 AM

12/19/2007 10:00:09 PM

12/11/2007 8:01:11 PM

12/4/2007 7:09:48 PM

11/28/2007 9:13:54 AM

11/26/2007 8:59:12 AM

11/12/2007 6:10:57 PM

11/10/2007 10:23:15 AM

11/8/2007 10:23:49 AM

11/3/2007 6:57:42 PM

10/26/2007 1:48:30 PM

10/22/2007 9:44:03 PM

10/20/2007 4:25:56 PM

10/11/2007 7:27:15 PM

10/3/2007 9:15:08 PM

9/28/2007 7:10:43 PM

9/25/2007 4:14:27 PM

9/22/2007 2:05:08 PM

9/14/2007 8:23:18 PM

9/9/2007 6:14:49 PM

9/3/2007 3:33:17 PM

8/24/2007 8:20:19 PM

8/19/2007 11:42:00 AM

8/12/2007 9:25:21 PM

8/3/2007 12:49:42 PM

7/24/2007 4:08:42 PM

7/22/2007 2:18:12 PM

7/13/2007 9:13:09 PM

7/4/2007 2:36:58 PM

6/30/2007 9:43:53 AM

6/29/2007 9:42:24 PM

6/22/2007 6:50:44 PM

6/19/2007 2:56:09 PM

6/15/2007 7:41:25 PM

6/9/2007 6:57:15 PM

6/7/2007 6:22:07 PM

5/27/2007 10:11:59 PM

5/19/2007 5:18:27 PM

5/13/2007 5:58:30 PM

5/5/2007 10:15:08 AM

4/27/2007 12:38:12 PM

4/19/2007 4:38:57 PM

4/16/2007 5:35:48 PM

4/13/2007 10:07:37 AM

4/6/2007 12:08:37 PM

4/1/2007 12:00:12 PM

3/26/2007 11:55:35 AM

3/17/2007 10:02:37 AM

3/10/2007 8:25:54 PM

3/4/2007 12:53:42 PM

2/27/2007 3:06:23 PM

2/21/2007 7:03:59 PM

2/17/2007 10:34:20 PM

2/10/2007 1:27:18 PM

2/3/2007 2:28:49 PM

1/29/2007 1:46:18 PM

1/21/2007 7:38:03 PM

1/13/2007 1:57:55 PM

1/6/2007 3:08:18 PM

12/31/2006 6:25:33 PM

12/23/2006 3:41:01 PM

12/19/2006 9:32:23 PM

12/17/2006 3:19:33 PM

12/10/2006 6:26:47 PM

12/1/2006 7:32:19 PM

11/14/2006 2:51:16 PM

11/13/2006 10:53:15 AM

11/7/2006 7:12:18 PM

10/29/2006 3:08:13 PM

10/20/2006 2:20:30 PM

10/8/2006 9:40:09 PM

9/30/2006 12:56:00 PM

9/22/2006 7:59:04 PM

9/17/2006 5:59:20 PM

9/14/2006 8:51:26 PM

9/8/2006 9:56:37 PM

9/1/2006 3:34:31 PM

8/27/2006 8:45:36 AM

8/20/2006 6:06:57 PM

8/13/2006 2:34:38 PM

8/4/2006 6:05:13 PM

7/28/2006 8:40:34 PM

7/21/2006 7:39:57 PM

7/13/2006 8:24:47 PM

7/8/2006 2:35:49 PM

7/2/2006 4:04:07 PM

6/25/2006 6:12:49 PM

6/16/2006 8:50:54 PM

6/9/2006 6:09:28 PM

6/3/2006 3:05:30 PM

5/27/2006 3:35:53 PM

5/19/2006 6:57:40 PM

5/14/2006 6:31:06 PM

5/1/2006 11:19:29 AM

4/27/2006 8:21:51 PM

4/23/2006 12:13:35 PM

4/22/2006 8:48:54 PM

4/18/2006 9:44:39 AM

4/14/2006 8:13:26 PM

4/8/2006 10:45:26 PM

3/29/2006 10:23:09 PM

3/22/2006 3:23:54 PM

3/19/2006 10:41:58 AM

3/13/2006 9:56:07 PM

3/5/2006 10:15:14 PM

2/14/2006 3:06:13 PM

2/12/2006 1:55:11 PM

2/4/2006 12:44:14 PM

1/28/2006 7:38:51 PM

1/21/2006 2:31:52 PM

1/15/2006 4:42:34 PM

12/19/2005 7:27:44 PM

12/16/2005 8:32:38 PM

12/8/2005 3:00:12 PM

11/25/2005 10:05:58 AM

11/24/2005 1:28:59 PM

11/13/2005 1:29:14 PM

11/6/2005 2:19:40 PM

10/30/2005 9:32:23 AM

10/30/2005 9:30:53 AM

10/22/2005 8:08:15 PM

10/13/2005 3:19:03 PM

10/7/2005 10:44:35 PM

10/3/2005 8:55:51 AM

7/15/2005 4:06:53 PM

6/14/2005 9:39:43 PM

4/27/2005 10:35:27 PM