Anne Tyler Lord

Coffee Klatch – June 24: Contests & More

coffee klatch noun
–an occasion when people meet socially to talk and drink coffee (Cambridge Dictionary)

Welcome to the Coffee Klatch. Join us each week for conversation and news for the Writer’s Life community and connect on Twitter (@Writers_Life) at #Writers_Life.

Bagels! We always serve a full menu of drinks. Help yourself to coffee, tea, hot chocolate or chai. Today I am serving bagels with all the fixins.

Writer’s Life Happenings

Note – Thanks for your patience this week. I have been more of an auto-poster due to my limited online time. I had personal stuff to attend to this week. Hopefully I can get caught up with reading my friends’ blogs and responding to comments today and through the weekend.

The Writer’s Life Weekly Feature. This week I began a series on Negative Thoughts and what we can do about them in our writing life.  There is so much to share about this topic, my series may continue for much of the summer. This is a very challenging area for many of us and there are no easy answers. But, together we can continue to search and experiment with techniques to lessen our stress load.

Of course we will break for some great parties (I have a wild party planned for July 4th weekend – stay tuned and be ready to “…get out on the highway…).

Creativity-Portal.com. I am now listed among the resources for the Writing Life on Creativity-Portal.com (under Writing Magazines, Blogs and Resources to Inspire Your Writing Life). Stop over and see my entry and check out all the other resources available on this website. They have requested articles from me, so you might see a few on there soon. Never heard of this website? Here is a little info:

Creativity Portal has also been named multiple consecutive years as a Writer’s Digest Best Web Site and has been recommended by Blogger.com and the English Journal, published by the National Council of Teachers of English at Colorado State University for its inspirational writing prompts and tools, instructional how-to articles, humor, and creativity.

Coffee Klatch News

Doing Good in the World

Jim Bronyaur (@jimbronyaur) and the oil spill. Jim has decided to donate money based on the number of comments he gets on his websites, and Jack Roth (@jack_roth) has joined in. This is an amazing way to help out those in need in areas affected by the devastating oil spill.

Jim and Jack, we all know how hard it is to make a living in the writing life, and you are going above and beyond!  Great going you two! Let’s help out and get over to their sites to comment. Jim wrote on his site,

For those who haven’t heard yet, Jim Bronyaur has two projects going to help donate money to those affected by the oil spill.

The first project started June 11,2010 and runs through June 30, 2010. The idea is simple: for every 50 comments left on any of his sites, he will donate $10! NOW, what sites does this include?

Soft Whispers
Jim’s story site
Jim’s updates
Guns n’ Graves (Jim’s serialized story)
Living Lost (stories and music from Jim’s friend, Gage Sloane)
Jack Roth – writer from Nebraska who wants to help
Jack Roth’s serialized poetry site

So there you have it… LOTS of sites and LOTS of stories to read. So please – read and comment!

Boost Your Writing With Contests & Challenges

The theme this month seems to be contests and challenges and more are coming this summer.

New Writer’s Blogfest. Carrie Baile (@PeevishPenman) at The Peevish Penman is asking writers to participate in a blog tour about advice for new writers. Think of your best advice and join . I am joining the tour and writing an article about Dealing With Mind Monkeys –  My Best Advice to New Writers Blogfest: Thursday July 15. (Pssst, if you go to the homepage, you can also read a great article by Cecelia Dominic @RandomOenophile on Procrastination. Many other great articles to explore, too)

Deanna Schrayer (@Deanna Schrayer) at The Other Side of Deanna is announcing her first ever writing contest. Go to her website and check out the details, here are a few:

To celebrate my birthday, (which is on August 16th), The Other Side of Deanna is hosting its first writing contest:

Write a story of 1,000 words or less, using the theme “birthday”. The story can be either fiction or creative nonfiction. Post the story on your blog or website; then post the title and link to your story in the comments on this post sometime between 12:00 AM, July 10th – 11:59 PM, July 24th (est).

Mari Juniper (@marirandomities) at Mari’s Randomities is hosting a wild Zombi Luv Flash Fiction Contest (Isn’t that the coolest graphic EVER?!). Check out all the details over at Mari’s place and join in for some lovely gruesome fun (check out the fun judges!). Here is what Mari said:

All right, if you’ve followed the #ZombieLuv hashtag on Twitter, and if this is not your first visit here at Randomities, you know already a few things, like, there’s a double prize and one of them is having your story published at Flashes in the Dark!

So, if you like zombies, you’re most welcome to participate! If you don’t, why don’t you give it a try?

Judges: Mari Juniper (or zombie-Mari, if you will), Lori Titus (editor of Flashes in the Dark and friend of werewolves), Jim Bronyaur (owner of scary zombies) and Jodi MacArthur (owner zombies and other scary things as well)

Dates: Contest begins on June 20th and runs until midnight July 1oth. (GMT)

Wordcount Challenge. If you are looking for an ongoing challenge to get you writing, Debbie Ridpath Ohi (@Inkyelbows) holds a regular Wordcount Challenge Check. You can choose 250, 500 or 1000 words a day as your challenge. Debbie states,

The goal of this challenge is to help provide goal-oriented inspiration, with flexibility to avoid giving up in frustration. Every Monday, I’ll post a Wordcount Challenge Check-in to see how you’re all doing with your challenges.

Doing It Write Newsletter. Helen Ginger (@MermaidHel) at HelenGinger.com publishes a newsletter, Doing It Write. She talks about hot topics, issues and posts lists of  new contests and events for writers. You can sign up to receive her free newsletter.

Favorite Tweets for Writers. Remember to check out the Favorite Tweets for Writers from this week by Nicole Humphrey Cook (@simplywriting) at It’s All About Writing. Thanks Nicole for mentioning my post from last week, The Writer’s Life: Getting In The Mood.

Coffee Klatch News

Do you have a contest, challenge or publication (print, ebook or online) or interviews you would like to share with our writer’s world? Have you discovered a great resource for writers online? If you have news or announcements for the weekly Coffee Klatch (posted on Thursdays) send a DM on Twitter (@Writers_Life) or email to Coffee@AnneTylerLord.com.

Have another bagel and cream cheese and hang out with us at #WritersLife. Tell us how you are doing this week with your writing, energy levels and creativity.

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Comments

26 responses to “Coffee Klatch – June 24: Contests & More”

  1. Estrella Azul

    Ah, those bagels look yummy… now I’m hungry again… at 12:36 AM…

    Loved all your links, thank you for putting this post (well, all your posts actually) together so well, Anne! I always feel so much better and smarter after reading your posts 🙂

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Hi Estrella,

      Ha! Well isn’t that just the best compliment – feeling better and smarter after reading my posts – that makes me laugh, but it also makes me smile.

      Have another bagel, who cares what time it is! (shouldn’t you be in bed?)

      1. Estrella Azul

        I do feel so much smarter, you provide the best links and information!
        Well it was around 2 AM when I last looked at the clock, so at half past 12 it was still early 😛
        And thanks, don’t mind if I do… oh, those bagels… 😉

  2. Sam

    Looks like we’re all suffering this week…I certainly am too.

    I’ve had no energy for weeks, but this past few days has been the worst I’ve felt for a while, and spending a day at the hospital didn’t exactly help, especially when they put me in a room full of little old ladies waiting to see the same doctor I was going to see; I have a feeling there may be a story in that somewhere!

    Thanks again for another wonderful Coffee Klatch…I dunno what I’d do without your excellent weekly espressos…and bagels this week too. Yum!

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Hi Sam,

      I’m so glad you get a charge out of our times here. I really hope you are feeling better soon, but while you are there with the little old ladies, maybe you can exchange a few recipes? That is always fun!

      We can all work together to offer tips for those aches and pains, even though we are all still *young*

  3. Friday Five: Favorite Writing Blogs « The First Novel Project

    […] This week Anne Tyler Lord offered a list of new writing contests and challenges in her weekly Coffee Klatch post. Anne invites readers to send her news of contests, challenges, publications (print, ebook or […]

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Thanks for mentioning my website. I love your work, your books and your website. I recommend Lisa Rivero’s website to everyone – check it out. Lisa has published many amazing non-fiction books about parenting and homeschooling gifted kids – with the wonderful focus on creativity!

  4. Jen Pearlman

    I too had a lackluster energy week. And this week as seem to go by in a flash…. Interesting to hear others experienced the same!

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Hi Jen,

      Sorry to hear that – maybe it is something in the air, or the earthquake. Here is to having a better week, next week. Come on over to my big party – that will get us all out of our funk!

  5. Appreciation, Caving, and Celebration « The Other Side of Deanna

    […] A big thank you to Anne Tyler Lord, of Don’t Fence Me In, for mentioning the contest on the #Writers_Life post for today, Coffee Klatch – June 24: Contests & More. Be sure to check out the #Writers_Life group on Anne’s site, and on Twitter. Not only does Anne […]

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Hey Deanna, thanks for the mention – you keep that novel writing up and we will be the first in line to buy a copy!

  6. Gracie

    Congratulations on your listing in Creativity Portal, Anne!

    And you’ve listed so many great people and projects here.

    Your site is a gem, lots of helpful info. So glad I found it! 🙂

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Thanks so much, Gracie. I’m thrilled when my site is useful, informative, or just plain fun for others. I’m glad you found me, and be prepared for your first party here on the 4th of July weekend, the parties are not to be missed!

  7. Meet the Coffee Klatch… « Welcome to jimbronyaur.com – check out the NEWS!

    […] Check it out! […]

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Thanks for the mention, Jim, can’t wait to hear your new album!!

  8. lil_monmon

    You’ve won an award! Come claim it at “Attack of the Muses!!” http://monicamarier.blogspot.com/

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Hi Monica,

      Ooo, I’m so excited! Thanks for thinking of me. I see many other wonderful blogs included!

  9. Deanna Schrayer

    Hi Anne, I’m so sorry to hear you’re not feeling well. I can relate – the heat and humidity here have been quite rough for me this week. But I always feel better, no matter the physical pain, when stopping in to chat with you all.

    How wonderful that Creativity-Portal has asked you for articles! Congratulations! I’ve used the site before for various activities for the kids, but, (oddly enough), have not used it for myself. I’d say it’s time I get with the program.

    Thank you so much for mentioning my contest. And thanks for listing all the others. What a wonderful contribution Jim and Jack are making to help those in the gulf. I will definitely be heading over to comment. I also love Carrie’s blog tour idea. I’m supposedly not working on anything but my novel for the next few weeks, (aside from hosting the contest), but I may just have to join in the blog tour.

    Thank you so much Anne for all you do for our community and here’s hoping we all have a great, PAIN FREE rest of the week!

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Hi Deanna,

      Thanks so much!I always forget how the weather affects fibro. I didn’t pay much attention to that until you mentioned it this spring – it is so true. We also have high humidity and have had many storms pass through.

      Good luck on the novel these next few weeks! This summer is going way too fast!

  10. Laura Eno

    I’m with you, Anne…sort of running on empty. Lots of cool things listed here to pick my spirits up though!

    Contests! I’m posting my #fridayflash tonight as an entry in Zombie-Mari’s contest. I’ll enter Deanna’s too (thank you for dating it AFTER the zombies!).

    I’ve been signed up for Helen’s newsletter for several months now. She always has topical information in it.

    Looking forward to the party! Can Jezebel and Mr Fluffy come too?

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Hi Laura,

      Yes, yes, and yes, please bring Jezebel and Mr. Fluffy to this party. They will have a wonderful time!

      You are right on top of these contests! I am trying to see if I can make it.

      The party next week should perk us up!

  11. 2mara

    Great post this week… looks like I have a lot to do, with all of these fun contests.

    Better get writing!
    ~2

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      thanks for stopping by – good luck writing

  12. Cecilia Dominic

    Thanks for the mention, Ann!

    Yes, this has been a strange week. I had a bunch of cancellations and no-shows at the beginning of the week, and now that I’m headed out of town today, a bunch of people who want to get in RIGHT NOW. Yeesh. Oh, and I woke with my shoulder issues flaring up, so I’m feeling pretty crappy today with a migraine-ish type headache.

    Loved the post on negative thoughts — I need something like that right now, too. It’s funny how much easier it is to help other people with theirs than to recognize and address one’s own.

    So Happy It’s Thursday!

    Cecilia

    1. Anne Tyler Lord

      Hi Cecilia,

      Yeah, I hear ya, it is so much easier to see what is going on with someone else. So, I am using my own reading/research, as I often do, to saturate myself with something to respond to and contemplate.

      Going out of town again? You are traveling a lot this month – have fun!

  13. Anne Tyler Lord

    Anyone else having a tired, worn-out time this week? I am.

    It is weird how life can ebb and flow, sometimes moving along with relative ease, then all the crazies come out at once. I had a few very ill extended family members, tons of boring frustrating paperwork, another potential job pop up (I thought my decision was made as to where to work, now another choice – none of them perfect) and several activities with the kids (at least they were fun).

    My energy has been quite low but I have been thankful for my posts this week because it pulled me up to get writing. I can feel my anxiety rising as the summer progresses, knowing I have to go back to work soon. So, I think I will continue my negative thought/feelings series to help me deal with the impending increase in stress. It helps to get constant reminders of what can help to pull me up and get a larger view on life.

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