Day 53: It's official ... I'm someone's muse

Between You, Me and the Lamp Post

Day 53: It's official ... I'm someone's muse

After reading my blog for a couple of weeks, a friend of mine is starting her own. In other words, I was her muse. I’m well and truly chuffed, as far as I know, I’ve never been anyone’s muse before.

She won’t be short of inspiration. Not only does she have a family and a job, but she also has a cat, a turtle and thousands of bees. Yes, she is a beekeeper. She’ll have stories coming out of her ears.

As for me, I started my blog some ten years ago. I was dealing with several issues and a friend suggested a blog. I started somewhat reluctantly, but I soon discovered the benefits.

Every day things happen that makes one happy, sad, frustrated, or downright boiling mad. Having someone to talk to might help, but isn’t always the best option. People usually don’t have the time to listen, might not be interested, or might not feel the same way you do. 

When sharing an experience with someone you can’t just talk, talk, talk, other people will want to get a word edgewise in too.

With the written word you don’t have to worry about that. You can talk to your heart’s content without anyone interrupting you or disagreeing with you. So, a blog is perfect to get something off your chest.

The latter was rather important to me. When I see, hear or read something that bothers me, I can’t just shrug it off. I carry it with me, it influences my mood and it gives me sleepless nights.

Talking about this, that or the other isn’t always possible. For one, I spend most of my days alone and two, sharing with Dieter isn’t always an option because his attitude is ... who cares, just forget about it. Well, I can’t forget about it because I do care.

Once I’ve written about something, and as such get something off my chest, I have peace of mind again. As such, I can recommend writing to anyone who deals with certain issues. If you’re like me and you feel strongly about this, that and the other, keeping a blog is rather therapeutic.

Some might think that they have no talent for writing. Who cares? You don’t have to be an Ernest Hemingway or a James Patterson to put ‘pen to paper’. Just start something, anything, and if you enjoy it, keep going.

Many of us, especially girls, kept a diary in our younger days. It was a book with or without a lock and we were very protective about it. Nobody was supposed to read it and if someone did it was considered an invasion of privacy. 

Things are very different now. Modern diaries, blogs, are put online for all and sundry to read. Bloggers promote their work, are pleased when they get followers or are offended when nobody cares. Getting a comment on a particular piece of writing can make their day.

So to my friend I would say, start that blog, have fun with it. As soon as it's out there, I'll be the first subscriber.

Day 146: Scam Targeting Writers

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 146: Scam Targeting Writers

There’s a long list of things that tick me off and somewhere on that list, you would find … scammers, especially scammers who target writers.

One such scammer is Amy E. who one fine day decided to start flooding my inbox with messages such as: do you want to be a writer? Do you want to sell more books? Do you want to be a bestselling author?

I knew right away that I was dealing with a scammer as nobody can make you a bestselling author. To become a bestselling author, you have to write something, a literary agent has to accept it, a talented editor has to make the work better, a publisher has to publish it and a marketing team has to bring it to the attention of readers.

Now if Amy E. were a bestselling author or even an author for that matter, her offer of advice would carry some weight, but she’s a nobody.

If I were to get a chance to address Amy E. I would say … Do you know what Ernest Hemingway, James Patterson, and J.K. Rowling had in common? Each of them had an idea, sat down, opened a book, took a pen and started writing. 

At the time, Hemingway had no idea he would become one of the most respected authors of our time; Patterson didn’t have a clue that he would be listed in the Guinness World Record book with the most New York Times bestsellers; while Rowling would have been baffled if she had known that little Harry Potter would make her one of the richest people in England.

If those people were to offer advice to writers I would be the first to take a front-row seat, but Amy E. … who is Amy E. and why would I take writing advice from someone who isn’t published, who isn’t even a writer?

Her advice to writers to get their work noticed is:

·          Join local writer groups

·          Online critique groups

·          Facebook groups

·          RWA (if you’re a romance author)

·          Bloggers;

·          Websites dedicated to authors and their crafts.

Is this the best she can come up with? I typed in Google “How to get my writing noticed” and within seconds I received 209,000,000 results. My guess is that Amy did the same. She prowled Google, gathered information on how to write and get writing work noticed and then passes it off as her own advice. Shame on you Amy, while this is not exactly plagiarism, it’s highly unethical, especially if you’re charging for this advice.

For those who already have written something, Amy offers a review of their work. For a standard review, she charges $250, for a rush review $325. I have news for Amy … most writers are broke and can ill afford $25 for a review, let alone $250. Besides, have a look on Amazon, there are tons of reviews there all written by readers FOR FREE.

Some people just have no scruples. They’re looking for a way to make money and any means will do. A few might fall for her scam and end up disappointed, others – especially those who have been around the block a few times – will shake their head and think ‘Nice one Amy, but try again’, which no doubt she will. After all, if one scam doesn’t work, try another.

As for me, one good thing came out of Amy’s worthless babble … it got me out of my slump. Ever since Gabriel’s passing I hadn’t written one word. As you can see I’m out of that slump.

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