April 5, 2005
A WriterOnLine Publication

My dear readers,

 Consider this definition (courtesy The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus, 1997):

Mosaic: a picture or pattern produced by an arrangement of small, variously colored pieces of glass or stone, diversified.

Do you feel anything when you read that? Does it hold a familiar ring? Like maybe it could be your life, at least your writing life, that is inherent in that definition?

Writing is a tough life. I'm sure there's a chorus of "duh's" among you right now in response. But it's just like that definition: each of us is an artist, arranging those small and sparkling pieces of glass in our own unique way. Unique is the operative word. Many of us inhale anything we can get our hands on about writing and the writing life. And that is a good thing – to a point. The point at which it becomes a bad thing is when we try to assume another approach as our own, when we keep trying to find "the way." The truth is, there is no "the way." There is, however, "our way." And sometimes it's not so easy to figure out exactly what that is. And then when we do find "it," it may be even harder to implement.

Wanting to become a writer generally does not garner a lot of support from some factions such as parents, husbands, wives, and even well-intentioned friends, teachers, and so on who "want the best for us." Many a brilliant writing career has been derailed in such a manner. Emotionally it's tough stuff to go up against a throng of people who are important in our lives, even if it is for our passion. Brings to mind my gorgeous 18-year old daughter who, a year and a half ago when she was a junior in high school, just flat out refused to go to school anymore. Despite her status of 12 th in a class of 450 kids, she was done – over – finé.

As some of you can imagine, this was a parent's worse nightmare. Indeed, she received many rations of you-know-what from just about everyone in her world – me, her grandparents, her brother, school guidance counselor and teachers, dentist, doctor, and even her friends. But do you know what? She stayed true to her course, stalwart and steady. She got her high school equivalency diploma two months after leaving school, and is now completing her second semester at the local community college where she holds a 4.0 average. The rest is TBD, but she has aspirations of becoming a physician and I am convinced that nothing will get in her way, because she's doing it just like that: her way.

I look at this kid in complete awe and I wonder where the heck she came from, because it sure wasn't me! Anyway, her story is the way of it: determination, passion, guts, and focus. Writing is not a one-shoe-fits-all career, and it takes all of those characteristics to assemble and find the singular arrangement for our own magnificent mosaic.

Now for a look at this issue's mosaic:

Any haiku aficionados out there? Those small gems of poetry that pack a powerful punch? Grace Tierney writes about haiku and presents a big crew of haiku contests in her piece Haiku – Contests for the Time Pressured Poet . Also check out this issue's Contest! You haiku lovers are going to go bananas!!

Want to turn one assignment into "a career-changing event?" Then stick with Mike Sedge in his article Are You Producing "Career-Enhancing" Work?

From beginning to end in the development of a new product: learn all the variety of writing that is needed all along the way with Judy Shenouda in " Do Your Part to Launch New Products."

Is it a "sim," a "sub," or a "simsub." And whatever it is, is it a smart thing to do? Check with Terrie Relf in " Some Thoughts as to Whether or Not Sim-Subbing is a Good Idea"

"Waiting for the Phone to Ring" : how many of you can relate to that? In this delightful essay, Mimi Knight takes an insightful look into two very different, yet parallel, waiting games.

Whatever you do, don't miss Shelley Bueche's News,

How about a cruise through the Internet with a 1970's theme? Head on over to our Puzzle where you get to go on a "Cyber-Scavenger Hunt" for 1970's favorites!

Well then, read on, enjoy, and until next issue, keep that ink flowing and those keyboards a'clacking!

My warm regards,
Mary Anne Donovan

P. S. Have you seen Writer Online Learning Center lately? Just like here at WOL, the Learning Center has a whole new look, not to mention a new name. We have 25 courses, covering a broad range of interests and subject matter. New to the line up is Fiction Know-How, taught by Deborah Sutton. Check out the course description. Another cool course is Writing Poetry Inspired by Landscape or Place, taught by Jodi Rowland. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, check out Digital Communication Methods and Introduction to Technical Writing taught by yours truly.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Innovative Program Just For Writers:
Want to Tell the World About your Work?

Have you wanted to promote your work but didn't quite know how to go about it? Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get down to business?

If so, the new WOLves group is for you!

WOLves is an innovative, pathbreaking way to get your work noticed and read. Working with the group, you can take advantage of the best ideas for online promotion, while learning the basics of the old school methods. You begin right away - this is a complete hands-on experience. You'll join with other writers under the guidance of instructor and multiblogger Trudy Schuett in online group events, and as the course unfolds, learn about holding local, in-person book signings for yourself and even other writers in your area!

This is not the kind of course where you study for ages and hope "someday" to put into practice what you've learned. This course gives you the chance to jump right in and start telling the world about your work, whether you're self-published or traditionally published. It answers the perennial question: what can an author of fiction do to stand out from the crowd of the thousands of books published each year? If non-fiction is your field, you can find those who really need the benefit of your expertise and knowledge.

If you're ready to do some work and see some results, then maybe it's time you got started. The full course information is here.

Don't put it off! The first BIG WOLves book event starts May 15, and you'll want to be ready to make a splash!

To find out more, visit WriterOnline Learning Center at

http://www.writer-on-line.com/classes/wolvespromo.php

 

Contests

Haiku Poem, Up High in Banana Tree

You read all about haiku in Grace Tierney's article " Haiku – Contests for the Time Pressured Poet. " With all those haiku contests Grace has listed, you need to brush up your haiku-writing skills.

 

Puzzle

Remember the 70's: A Scavenger Hunt: On the Web!

Remember when you were a child and you went on your first scavenger hunt? Remember how you huddled together with your group, plotting and scheming how you would find the necessary treasures before any of the others? How about a web-based scavenger hunt! More

By Shelley Bueche

Contact Shelley with any news tips at: SHBueche@aol.com

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Why Not Kinky?

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