Monthly Archives: May 2009

Memoir (and) Prize for Memoir in Prose, Poetry, or Graphic

Posted on May 28, 2009 | Leave a comment

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: August 15, 2009

Guidelines: http://memoirjournal.squarespace.com/general-submissions/

If you write narrative non-fiction, here is a contest to stretch your writing muscles. The literary journal Memoir (and) is having its Spring and Summer writing contest May 1 through August 15, 2009. Read this to find out what the (and) is all about.

Winners receive cash awards of $500, $250, and $100, in addition to publication in the Spring+Summer 2010 Issue 6. Winners will also receive six copies of the journal, which is about five more than most contests give. Send in a regular submission, and it will automatically be eligible for the contest entry. They do accept simultaneous submissions, so your contest entry can be something that is also under submission at another magazine.

Memoir (and) uses a blind reading process, which means that any entry with contact information on it will go directly into the horizontal file. (The recycle bin.) Read the guidelines thoroughly. One of the biggest reasons for submissions being disqualified is for not following the guidelines.

Submit online, or by email to submissions@memoirjournal.com, or by snail mail to:

Memoir (and)

P.O. Box 1398

Sausalito, CA 94966.

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Posted in Contests, Contests August

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Empowering Characters Emotion in Your Writing

Posted on May 27, 2009 | 1 Comment

I’ve had critique partners tell me repeatedly to up the emotion, make my characters feel more, etc. I tried, but I never seem to hit the mark. I would get comments back saying, “Nope. Sorry. Still not feeling it. Try again.”

 

So I began looking online for something that would help me develop the skill to reveal the innermost feelings of my characters. I found Margie Lawson through an announcement in the Romance Writers of America eNotes.

 

Let me tell you, Margie Lawson, a licensed psychologist, kinesics specialist, and writer, offers some of the most intense editing courses online. Her patented system teaches how to hook the reader with emotional impact that won’t let go until the last page.

 

I checked out Margie’s website, and read other people’s comments about her from various forums around the web. Then I cautiously dipped a toe in the Margie pool and bought the lecture packets for a course called Empowering Characters Emotions. That was March. One lecture in and I was hooked.

 

Margie’s system is remarkable, especially if you are a left-brained type. She uses color to track different things that a writer needs to focus on. The color helps you detect patterns in your writing, and hone in on areas that need more work.

 

It took me 6 weeks to complete the lecture packet and apply the things I learned to my current WIP. Now I was ready to dip my whole foot in, not just my toe, so I signed up for Margie’s next online class, Deep EDITing. I’m in the middle of that class now, and I feel like I’m back in college under the tutelage of a particularly hard-driving professor.

 

The lessons are so comprehensive and so involved that they take me at least 2-4 hours to complete each one. I still don’t think I’ve covered everything, so my intention is to go back over the lessons again this summer when I have more time.

 

Margie designs her classes so that you pair up with other writers to edit each other’s work and discuss the lessons. In addition, we share each other’s work on the message board, and Margie gives feedback on it. The editing and feedback parts have been invaluable to me. My WIP has improved so much, I’m embarrassed to think I ever thought it was even passably good before this class.

 

I’m signed up to take Margie’s next course in June. Yes, folks, that’s three courses in a row, and I feel like I’m learning more than I have in any other writing class I’ve ever taken.

 

If you’re interested in improving your writing in a visceral way, in a way that hooks the reader right in the gut of emotion, then don’t miss Margie’s courses. She offers them on a regular basis, and she sells the lecture packets online. The price can’t be beat. Just make sure you have plenty of time for the courses, because they are intense!

 

Happy writing!

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Posted in Writing, Writing Tips

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Year-End Awards for the Classroom

Posted on May 26, 2009 | 2 Comments

I have a tradition in my classroom of giving each and every student a special award at the end of the year. The students look forward to it because each award is tailored to who they are or things they have done in the school year. Each student gets a different award.

 

The awards can be funny, slightly silly, or serious. It all depends on the student.

 

Over the years I’ve developed a long list of ideas for awards that I use, and it seems that every year I come up with a few new ones, depending on the personality of the student. It’s really a fun thing to do. It gives some closure to the school year, and it helps me appreciate each child for who he or she is; their individual talents and quirks.

 

I print up certificates for the awards and we have a ceremony in the classroom on the last day. You can make your own certificates in Word. There are also many places on the web to create free awards. Crayola has the most flexible certificate maker, but you have to handwrite the names.

 

Here is my list to get you started. Many of the ideas I found in forums on the web over the years. Once you read a few of these, I’m sure you’ll think of many more. Feel free to add to it, change it, adapt it to your class.

 

  1. The Oprah Award – given to a student who loved to be the microphone holder and facilitator during our classroom presentations.
  2. The R.L. Stine Award – for the student who devoured the most Goosebumps books.
  3. Einstein Award – given to a person who loves science.
  4. Thomas Edison Award – given to someone who loves to investigate or invent things.
  5. Emily Post Award or Miss Manners Award – for a girl with impeccable manners.
  6. Mister Manners Award – for a boy with impeccable manners.
  7. The Harry Potter Award – given to the person who always gets into scrapes.
  8. The Thinker Award – for the problem solver in the class.
  9. Nobel Peace Prize Award – for a peacekeeper. At our school they are conflict managers.
  10. Peace Corps Award – another peacekeeper award.
  11. Speedy McSpeedster Award – for the person who always finishes work fast.
  12. Good and Plenty Award – for reading plenty of good books.
  13. Almond Joy Award – for always bringing joy into the classroom.
  14. Three Musketeers Award – given to someone who is a good friend.
  15. The Snickers Award – for the student who is the class clown. (There is one in every class.)
  16. The Timex Award – for the student who always watches the clock and keeps us on schedule.
  17. The Whangdoodle Award – for the most creative student in some unusual way.
  18. The Twilight Award – given to a girl who loves everything Twilight.
  19. The Way With Words Award – for someone who loves to talk and have an audience.
  20. Best Comedian Award – for a person with an excellent sense of humor.
  21. The Funny Bone Award – for a student with a good sense of humor.
  22. The Punch Line Award – for the student who guesses the answer to our Joke of the Day most often.
  23. King or Queen of Questions Award – for the person who always has a question.
  24. Hummingbird Award – I had a boy who would hum all day and never even knew it.
  25. The Whistle While You Work Award – I’ve had whistlers too!
  26. Helping Hands Award – for the class helper.
  27. The Line Leader Cheerleader Award – for the student who keeps us in a straight line.
  28. The Cutest Giggle Award – I gave this to a girl who had the funniest giggle ever.
  29. The Survivor Award – for someone who sticks with it even if they are struggling.
  30. The 110% Award – again for a student who gives it his all and then some.
  31. The Best Bull Rider Award – went to a boy who is a bull rider and rodeo participant.
  32. The Best Vaquero/Vaquera Award – for a boy or girl who loves horses.
  33. The Eggs Award – for eggs-cellent achievement in any area.
  34. The Football Award – for a student who tackled every task and did her best.
  35. The Tee-Rific Award – for someone who did a terrific job in some area.
  36. The Marble Award – for someone who did a marble-ous job.
  37. The Million Award – to say “Thanks a Million” to someone who helped in a special way.
  38. The Record Breaker Award – for someone who broke a long standing class record.
  39. The Welcome Aboard Award – for someone who joined the class just before the year-end.
  40. The Super Smile Award – for someone who is always smiling.
  41. The Big Heart Award – for someone who exemplifies caring.
  42. The Librarian Award – for the person who always had a book to read at her desk.
  43. The Diving Award – for the person who always dives right in to all the assignments.
  44. The Olympic Math Award – for someone who excelled in math.
  45. Ravenous Reader Award – for the person who read the most books.
  46. The Awesome Artist Award
  47. The Amazing Actor Award or the Oscar Award– for someone who loves being in plays.
  48. The Best Foot Forward Award – went to the boy who had the most miles in our walking club.
  49. The Designer Desk Award –for the neatest desk.
  50. The Handsome Handwriting Award – for the boy with the best handwriting.
  51. The Super Style Award – for the person who always came dressed and groomed well.
  52. The Best Hair Award – given to the boy or girl who has a chic style.
  53. The Fashion Forward Award – for the person who accessorizes and has a unique style.
  54. The Most Improved in _______ Award – for someone who has improved significantly.

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Kiwi Publishing Thin Threads Fiction Contest

Posted on May 21, 2009 | Leave a comment

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: June 28, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.kiwipublishing.com/content/Thin-Threads-Submission-Guidelines.html

Thin Threads is a book collection of true stories designed to inspire and uplift readers. They accept stories in many different topic categories, ranging over all aspects of life. Stories should be up to 1,200 words and packed with emotion that will touch the readers’ hearts. Authors of stories chosen for submission in one of the Thin Threads books will be paid $100. In addition, the first prize winner receives two Air France tickets to Europe. The runners up each receive an American Express gift certificate. You may enter as many stories as you wish through the Thin Threads submission page or the Kiwi Publishing submission page. As always, take a gander at the sample stories to get an idea of what the publisher wants.

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Posted in Contests, Contests June

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Robert Traver Fly-Fishing Writing Award 2009

Posted on May 14, 2009 | Leave a comment

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: June 1, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.flyrodreel.com/node/11777

Calling all fly-fishing enthusiasts! Take advantage of your love of angling and write about your sport. This contest offers hefty cash prizes of up to $2,000 and publication in the October/November 2009 issue of Fly Rod and Reel.

According to the guidelines, entries should be “a distinguished original essay or work of short fiction that embodies an implicit love of fly-fishing, respect for the sport and the natural world in which it takes place, and high literary values.” Stories and essays may be up to 3,500 words. Reel in cash and a prominent clip for your stellar writing.

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Posted in Contests, Contests June, Contests May

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Online Writing Critique Videos by Holly Lisle

Posted on May 13, 2009 | Leave a comment

Holly Lisle, a prolific writer, has put videos online that show what an effective writing critique should look and sound like. She calls them Writer’s Crash Tests.

 

How often have we all received a critique from a writing partner that does less than anything? If your writing partner tells you something doesn’t work, great! We all need to know what works and what doesn’t work. But in order to make that information useful, we need suggestions of what will make that scene or passage, stronger, more powerful. For some examples of how this can be done, check out Holly’s video.

Unfortunately, my free WordPress account won’t allow me to post the video here, (grumble, grouse,)  so you can watch it by clicking on this link which takes you to the Writer’s Crash Test site. Enjoy!

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The Accident Report: How Much Paperwork is Too Much?

Posted on May 12, 2009 | Leave a comment

bandagesIf I had known about the extra paperwork involved in getting a bandage for a student, I would never have allowed my classroom supply to run out. I would have made a special trip to the store, just to pick up another box of Bandaids.

 

I keep a large supply of bandages in a pencil box my classroom for minor bumps and ouches. I have an open policy for their use. The students are allowed to go to the cupboard and get a bandage, without asking me, anytime they feel they need one. This reduces class interruptions to deal with hangnail issues and itchy mosquito bites.

 

It’s a way to keep the little ones happy and secure, knowing their ouches have been properly bandaged. Young students are of the firm belief that everything can be fixed with a bandage.

 

One bright Monday a student picked up her homework packet and the edge of the staple pricked her finger. She worried about it, and squeezed her fingertip until it turned white, trying to draw a drop of blood.

 

She approached me in front of the class.

 

“Could I please have a bandage?” she asked, holding her finger out to me for examination. The look on her face and the condition of her finger showed she needed comfort and support in her time of pain, more than simple first aid.

 

“There aren’t any more in the cupboard,” she told me. I saw tears threatening in her dark eyes.

 

“I’ll write you a pass and you can go to the office to get a bandage,” I told her as I reached over and pulled an office pass from the clip on the wall.

 

“Can my friend come with me?” she whimpered.

 

“Certainly, she may.” I filled out the paper and sent them to the office.

 

The two girls came back a few minutes later, smiling and happy. My student was clearly on the mend from her tragic incident. She handed me a paper.

 

“What’s this?” I asked.

 

“I don’t know. The lady at the office said you have to fill it out.”

 

I looked down at the paper. It was an accident report. For a staple prick. For a bandage on a finger.

 

With a sigh, I began filling it out.

 

Question: “Did you see the accident?”

 

Answer: “No, I was passing out papers.”

 

Question: “Who was with the student?”

 

Answer: “Myself and thirty-three other students.”

 

Question: “What caused the accident?”

 

Answer: “The student picked up her homework packet.”

 

Maybe I should stop assigning homework, I mused.

 

After signing and dating the form, I sent it to the office to have the principal sign it. After that, it will be copied and filed in the nurse’s office, and who knows how many other places.

 

On the way home from school that day, I made a special trip to the store. I picked up two boxes of bandages. One for the cupboard, and another for a backup supply in my desk.

 

Just in case we ever run out again.

 

Just in case another student gets an ouch.

 

Just in case I’m not so patient about silly paperwork next time.

 

Just in case.

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Black Orchid Novella Award

Posted on May 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

DEADLINE: May 31, 2009

GUIDELINES: http://tinyurl.com/yd6oaz

Sponsored by The Wolfe Pack, this contest requires a traditional mystery in the style of Nero Wolfe, 15,000 to 20,000 words long. Entries must be snail mailed, so be sure to get it in the mail early. The prize is $1000 and publication in Alfred Hitchcock Magazine. If you’ve ever submitted to Alfred Hitchcock or Ellery Queen, you know it’s a difficult market to crack. Closely follow the guidelines on the contest page to ensure you get through the first level of judging.

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Posted in Contests, Contests May

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Mother’s Day Craft Ideas for the Classroom

Posted on May 5, 2009 | 1 Comment

Each year I try to come up with something new to make as a gift for Mother’s Day. I often have siblings of former students in my class, so I don’t want the Mom to get the same gift several times. Low-cost and easy to make are the two factors that are most important when you’re having 32 or more children crafting together.

 

tissueflowerblueThis year I found a cute and easy tissue paper flower directions at Family Fun. The trick totissueflowerblack these is the trimming of the edge of the paper. I’m using 6×9 inch paper, so the flowers will be normal size, not giant, as in the Family Fun project. Here’s a video of how to make them. I’m using craft sticks for the stems.

We’re going to make a matching vase by pasting tissue paper scraps onto a bottle with starch and water. In these two pictures the vases were made from recycled water bottles. We have plenty of those in the classroom! The students choose the color scheme based on their Moms’  tastes.

 

In the past, we’ve made tissue paper flowers and put them in little clay pots stuffed with Easter grass or raffia. You can use a paint pen to have the students write “Happy Mother’s Day” or some other sentiment on the clay pot.

 

Craft ideas from past years:

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Mirrored candle holders

 

egghead2Egg heads with a marigold in them

Pictures in a frame made with jigsaw puzzle pieces. Make the frame out of old jigsaw puzzle pieces, painted and glittered over a cardstock frame. (Sorry I don’t have a picture of this one, but it comes out adorable.)

Small jars of homemade bath or foot salts. These are easy to make. Just put some Epsom salts in a small container, and add a few shakes of scented oil that you buy at a craft store. Shake it well. Open the jar every day for a week and stir the salts. Finally, wrap it in pretty paper and give it to Mom with a card.

 

If you have other crafty ideas for the classroom, please add a comment with your link or instructions. Then we can all enjoy your creativity!

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