Kory M. Shrum's Blog, page 26

#Mondayblogs: How to #GetPublished #amwriting #writingtips

Publication. Ah, just the sound of it is exciting. How many of us have wanted to say the words “I am published_______”? Most of the people reading this, I dare say. And while I’ve already talked extensively on how to get an agent and how to self-publish, I’ve not yet said anything about how to publish your poems or short fiction in smaller journals and magazines. Thanks to my student A. (identity protected!) for the inspiration for this post:
How to Publish Your Poems or Short Fiction1)      Identify where you would like to be published. There are many places where one can send their poems or short fiction. You may already have a few that you read and admire. Submit to them. For example, I am quite fond of Diagram and Harper’s. If however, you’ve no idea who to submit your work to, try out this list, or this list for possible places. You may also want to use a submission manager like Duotrope. For $5 a month, you tell them what you are looking for and they make you a fancy list.

Regardless of which route you decide to take, step 1 is basically “make a list” of possible places you’ll submit to.

2)     Get sample copies of the publication.
Many people skip this step of course. They just send whatever they have EVERYWHERE. That is OK too. I can’t think of any writer/poet who hasn’t done it. However, it will certainly improve your chances of publication if you have a sense of what a journal/magazine likes. Most places are happy to send you back issues at a reduced cost. So consider this route before you submit your own work.

Step 2 is basically research your list.

3)     Select your best work that you think will best match this publication.Once you have an idea of where you want to send your work, decide WHAT you want to send. Again, as mentioned in #2, every journal has its style. If you are reading a copy and think “Oh hey this reminds me of my______ poem/story. Then send them that.
Think of it as matchmaking.

4)     Prepare your submission.Now that you know what you want to send and whereyou want to send it to, prepare for take off. a.       Write a cover letter. All submissions should be accompanied by a cover letter. As the name suggests, it is an introduction to your submission. Make sure it is addressed to a specific person. No Dear Poetry Editor:…. Do your research. After you’ve addressed your letter, state your genre, what your submitting and any writing/publication experience you may have. The internet LOVES to tell you how to do things, so I am sure you can find resources on how to write cover letters if you feel you need more of a step-by-step guide. Oh look: tips, tips, and more tips.b.      Double-check the specifics. Be sure you read the guidelines. Every magazine/journal has them. On their websites there will likely be a Submit/Submissions page full of instructions on how to send in your work. Read this page carefully. They will tell you exactly what they want and how they want it. OBEY. Failing to do so usually amounts to automatic rejection.c.       Go paperless if possible. So many journals and magazines offer online submissions these days. If they do, take advantage of it! Otherwise, envelopes and stamps (don’t forget the SASE!), paper and ink really adds up. So if you can get away with submitting electronically, I suggest you do so.5)     Send it in!
OK! You’re ready to do this! You’ve prepared your materials, double-checked all the addresses and are ready to send it in! Do it! Please note that a lot of literary journals are run by universities/schools and have wait times 1-2 months long. Furthermore, many don’t read submissions during the summer. So make sure you’re sending the work out at the right time. Furthermore, don’t be discouraged by rejection. For every publication I received, I had dozens of rejections. Just keep writing and sending out your best stuff. 
You’ll get there. :)

Happy First Day of #Spring ! #poetry #equinox

Considered a sign of Spring, snowdrops are cute white flowers that let us know the long winter is behind us. And while I think the Michigan winter will drag on a bit longer, here is both a pretty picture of the flower as well as a poem to commemorate the first day of Spring. 




Snowdrops by Louise Gluck


Do you know what I was, how I lived? You know
what despair is; then
winter should have meaning for you.

I did not expect to survive,
earth suppressing me. I didn't expect
to waken again, to feel
in damp earth my body
able to respond again, remembering
after so long how to open again
in the cold light
of earliest spring--

afraid, yes, but among you again
crying yes risk joy

in the raw wind of the new world. 

#Mondayblogs: What Do You Really Believe? #empower

The human mind is very programmable. In fact, especially as children, we are so programmable that we sponge up all that we are taught. But what if we were taught incorrectly? What if the media, our parents, family, friends, or the world—led us astray?
It can be very difficult to override and then rewrite one’s programming. I’m in my 30s and I can tell you that I am still struggling with this. For example, overcompensation and reactivity abounds when trying to overwrite one’s programming.
As a child I was programmed that I was not smart—or worse, that I was too smart—it was done so by an individual who thought that by undermining my intelligence, it would be easier to manipulate and control me.
Now, as I rewrite my programming, I can rather vehemently declare or pronounce my intelligence to others. The insecurity often comes across as arrogance to others and as I see their reaction, I’m working to modify my own behavior—but what I’m trying to say is that even overcoming one’s programming has its challenges—on top of the reprogramming.
So should I give up? Say “well, this is just how I am!”—No. I think every change requires and adjustment period. Until then, forgive me while I seem like an arrogant, self-involved prick.  But I think the important first step is to take a good stock of oneself. Make a clear list of what you were taught, versus what you actually believe.
So, that is where I've started. I've made a common list of ideas that were imparted upon me as important(ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING: It is importantto be beautiful and wealthy and powerful
—and if you are none of these things you are worthless) and I've written what I actually believe of each idea—now that I've taken the time to consider my own beliefs and examine them separately from what I was taught.

What is: What I Was Taught What I Believe
Success
Having a lot of money
Recognition for your talents

Freedom
Doing as you please, and not going to jail for it
To not be ruled by my reactivity; the ability to spend my days doing what I love rather than what is expected of me


Power
Money/wealth, connections, the ability to control and use others

A solid center, non-reactivity. Complete control of oneself


Control
Your ability to manipulate others

Does not exist
Strength
The ability to physically or mentally “beat” someone else; having more power than them

The ability to remain good and kind and centered even when it is most difficult
The Meaning of Life
To win and die with the most toys

To grow
To use my unique gifts
Fulfillment
Being financially secure

To use my talent and make the world better

Peace
To have a sense of security (usually in one’s wealth or power)

To have complete faith in myself and that the universe conspires in my favor
Intelligence
To be the smartest one in the room
Being smarter than my problems; obstacles
Beauty
Physical attractiveness; Physical perfection
Creation; that which stirs my heart
Happiness
Having everything I’ve ever wanted
Appreciating what I have

Wealth
Having an abundance of money and financial security

Recognizing all the abundance in my life; Being grateful for all that I have
Love What you are given if you are pretty or smart or wealthy What you deserve no matter what
Respect

Something that is earned not given

Something that is owed to everyone and everything; including oneself.

Value
Monetary

Priceless; Cannot be bought;Irreplaceable



I won’t give lengthy explanations of each of my beliefs. I won’t, for example, explain why I believe power through money is a fallacy (since money can be taken from you) or why power through violence is also a fallacy (see Ghandi; see Rosa Parks).

In fact, what I believe isn’t important.

I’m just interested to know if anyone else has experienced this. What are your experiences with reprogramming? What methods have you used to bring peace to yourself and your own mind?

When Villains Love The Hero #Sherlock #amwriting

This evening I finally got the chance to finish off Sherlock season 2. I LOVE IT. But it also got me thinking about why I love it so much. I could write about how wonderful the relationship between John Watson and Holmes is--but we often hear the praises sung of the hero/heroine and his/her trusted best mate.

I want to briefly praise another relationship: the intense emotional connection between the villain and the hero.

Moriarty: You know when he was on his deathbed—Bach—he heard his son at the piano playing one of his pieces. The boy stopped before he got to the end.
Sherlock: And the dying man jumped out of bed, ran straight to the piano and finished it.
Moriarty: Couldn't cope with an unfinished melody.
Sherlock: Neither can you, it's why you've come.
Moriarty: But be honest. You're just a tiny bit pleased.
Sherlock: What, with the verdict?
Moriarty: With me. Back on the streets. Every fairy tale needs a good old fashioned villain.

...and Moriarty is absolutely right. How could a hero be so heroic if not for the force opposing her. Moriarty goes on to explain how much this ongoing conflict means to him and his work as a criminal mastermind:

Moriarty: Well. Here we are at last. You and me, Sherlock. And our problem. The Final Problem. "Staying Alive". So boring, isn't it? It's just... staying. All my life I've been searching for distractions. And you were the best distraction and now I don't even have you. Because I've beaten you. And you know what? In the end it easy. It was easy. Now I've got to go back to playing with the ordinary people.

Except that idea of going back to the ordinary, back to a life of being unchallenged, drives Moriarty to kill himself (or so I think). And one can definitely argue that Sherlock too is defined by his relationship with Moriarty.

So what makes the best villain-hero relationship? IMHO, I think there are a few things:

1) An equality in ability and power between the hero-villain (Sherlock and Moriarty are matched in wit)
2) A need or sense of identity associated for their counterpart  (They each define themselves by the other)
3) A love-hate relationship that stems from their appreciation of the other's talent, ability, and an aggravation at the challenge to overcome it. I would wager they feel most alive when fighting the other.
4) A sense of conflict stemming from the fact that they want to defeat their counterpart, proving their own superiority, but also knowing that once they do so, they will no longer have a challenge--and the fear that they will have nothing left.

So what are your favorite hero/villain pairings? And what makes that relationship unparalleled?

Writing Characters (3 Exercises) #amwriting

Like any writer, I’ve read a number of craft books—the how to write your book books. I’ve got no less than 15 on my shelves, which I’ve rationalized keeping only because I can make copies of exercises and chapters and push them off on unsuspecting students in my creative writing classes. :) Here are a few exercises on building characters:
THE FAVORITE (modification of exercise found in Characters, Emotion, Viewpoint)
It is probably best to start with what you know well. So pick a story that you love and list the major characters from that story. Beside each character list what they want. Now, read through the story and underline everything that shows how the character tries to fulfill this desire.  Did the author use brief details/, isolated paragraph of exposition, flashbacks, deep emotional moments? How did this author build this character and make their motivations clear?

THE INTERVIEW
Both Writing the Breakout Novel (Maass) and Writing Magic (Levine)  make mention of the interview. The idea is pretty straightforward. In order to get to know your character better, you should interview them. Here are some common questions:

Name/Nickname (if any and how they got it)
Kind of being (human, animal, creature, etc.; and how they feel about it)
Physical description (Age, sex, appearance; how they feel about it)
Occupation (and how they feel about it)
Family members/Pets/Best Friends (and how they feel about them)
His or her room (and how they feel about it)
Items in his/her pockets, backpack, or purse:
Talents, abilities, or powers (and how they feel about it)
Fears:
Faults:
Redeeming traits:

And so on…notice I put quite a bit of emphasis on and how they feel about it. This is because creating the details and appearance of your characters is important—but so is their emotional personality.



THE BACKSTORY
This exercises calls for you to write a backstory scene for your character(s) and then connect it to their current situation. How does their past relate to what they want now? How will that previous experience inform their current choices? This is also the exercise that starts taking you in the direction of story, narrative, and plot.

#Mondayblogs: Ten #Inspirational Quotes to Start Off Your Week #amwriting #empower

It's Monday!...again...

For those of you who struggle with the first day of the week, this post is for you! Ten quotes to get you in the right mindset to conquer ALL THE THINGS this week. :)


Those who believe they can do something and those who believe they can't are both right.
- Henry Ford


Success is not the key to happiness.
Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
- Albert Schweitzer



Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.
- Dr. Joyce Brothers


Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is.
- Vince Lombardi


If you don't see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner.
- Zig Ziglar


First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
- Epictetus


Start by doing what's necessary;
then do what's possible;
and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
- St. Francis of Assisi


Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
- Marilyn vos Savant


He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak.
Strong convictions precede great actions.
- Louisa May Alcott


Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.
Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
Go get'm guys! :)

Kory

The Narrative Social Club #amwriting Tools for Writers

The amazing Kate Pigott wants to read your work! Need beta readers? Or better yet, want to talk important writing ideas? Keep reading.

A bit about Kate: She's a Brooklyn-based writer and co-founder of LitWrap, a brilliant newsletter full of great content for writers. She's read for Slice Magazine and published her own work in several prestigious journals. (On a side note, I've read bits of the novel Kate's currently working on--amazing.)

Anyway, this super talented lady has launched a new site and resource tool for writers: The Narrative Social Club, complete with an awesome podcast. It promises to be an episodic site releasing smart podcasts on common writing themes. I'm personally really excited. Pigott is one brilliant lady who I had the privilege of rooming with at a writer's conference and her ability to relate insight into your work is unparalleled.

If you don't check her out, you're really missing out! So listen to this:

The Narrative Question Podcast


Also, this is the last day to vote for the T-shirt contest, so you'd better get on that! Vote here.

You Are Smarter Than Your Problem #empower

So I had a problem. What else is new? Everyone has problems.

One of my current problems, or challenges if you prefer, is that my 7-year-old pug has suddenly started going to the bathroom indoors. We've never had this problem before. She was housebroken and usually good about scratching the door to let us know she needed to go out.

At first I got angry. A normal reaction given the fact that a creature had begun to use my home (particularly my favorite rug in the living room) as her le toilet. 

But before I could totally lose it I said to myself "I am smarter than my problems. I can solve this."

So I did some research (turns out there are tons of doggie diapers and jumpers to keep the diapers in place) and determined there was a simple solution. So I go to Petsmart to procure the items I needed and found out they were $60. 

I got angry again. $60! To make a creature stop doing something she isn't supposed to be doing anyway! Do you know how chocolate that is?!?

But then I quickly let my anger go and reaffirmed: "I am smarter than this problem too!"

So I go to a human store and buy human diapers and human onsies and spend only $16 and an hour of my time with scissors and thread, converting them into doggie things and BAM! Problem solved. And she did not use the potty inside today. 

Success! And no chocolate was sacrificed in the process.


So, the moral of the story: You are smarter than your problem. Whatever the problem, however big it is, just tell yourself: I am smarter than my problem.

Because whatever is going on, you'll figure it out.

You've got this.

#Mondayblogs: #poetry #amreading

Reread this poem today (it's been a few years) and it floored me again:

Dirty Valentine - Richard Siken

There are so many things I'm not allowed to tell you.
I touch myself, I dream.
Wearing your clothes or standing in the shower for over an hour, pretending
that this skin is your skin, these hands your hands,
these shins, these soapy flanks.
The musicians start the overture while I hide behind the microphone,
trying to match the dubbing
to the big lips shining down from the screen.
We're filming the movie called Planet of Love-
there's sex of course, and ballroom dancing,
fancy clothes and waterlilies in the pond, and half the night you're
a dependable chap, mounting the stairs in lamplight to the bath, but then
the too white teeth all night,
all over the American sky, too much to bear, this constant fingering,
your hands a river gesture, the birds in flight, the birds still singing
outside the greasy window, in the trees.
There's a part in the movie
where you can see right through the acting,
where you can tell that I'm about to burst into tears,
right before I burst into tears
and flee to the slimy moonlit riverbed
canopied with devastated clouds.
We're shooting the scene where
I swallow your heart and you make me
spit it up again. I swallow your heart and it crawls
right out of my mouth.
You swallow my heart and flee, but I want it back now, baby. I want it back.
Lying on the sofa with my eyes closed, I didn't want to see it this way,
everything eating everything in the end.
We know how the light works,
we know where the sound is coming from.
Verse. Chorus. Verse.
I'm sorry. We know how it works. The world is no longer mysterious.


....this is just one of the amazing poems from Siken's collection, Crush . My shoddy copy/paste job doesn't show the interesting form of the poem, so read it in print if you can.

I came across this because I was composing a reading list for my students. I included Gluck, Symborska, and many other contemporaries (and Siken, obviously). Is there anything you'd suggest?

What are your favorite poems? Your favorite poets?

Top Blog Posts for Writers #amwriting

So as I mentioned on Wednesday, I love this blog called Zen Habits. I read it every morning for ten minutes or so as part of my miracle morning. In doing so, I've discovered a lot of wisdom for a writer/reader like me. 

Here are my top picks for writers from Leo Babauta's blog:

What I've Learned as a Writer

My Daily Writing Routine and Tools

Why You Should Write Daily

The 7-Step Method to Find Focus for Writing **If you read only one post, this is the one! Defeat resistance! 

How I Tackle A Big Writing Project


OK, I got you started, now go defeat the resistance! :)

Kory