Blog Treasures 6-11

Welcome to my weekly roundup of the best Treasures I’ve found on the blogsphere during the past week. Glad you stopped by, enjoy!

On Publishing and Career Path

Bob Mayer brings us a well-thought overview on “How Do Writers Organizations Determine if you are a “Professional” Author?”. Bob also shows us the odds between getting published and winning the lottery, results may vary with determination. Publish your book or play the lottery?

Randy Ingermanson of the wildly popular Advanced Fiction Writing Blog brings us a great post on finding our writing “bff’s” at Writing Conferences and Your Allies.

Kristen Lamb was on a roll this week, which is not unusual for this highly-talented queen of social media. Training to Be a Career Author–Writing is More than the Writing explores what qualities and skills it takes to become a successful full time author and just so we know the odds, (and they aren’t bad if we know what to prepare for) Kristen clues us in at What Are the Odds…Really? Taking a Hard Look at Success.

On Writing Craft and Social Media

When it comes to the craft of writing, Janice Hardy is my favorite for engaging, thought-provoking and in-depth posts. Three from this week: It’s a Start: The First Line, Look Close: Pinpointing the Parts of Your Plot and Actions vs Choices: Crafting Better Plots delve into generating a great opening hook and creating plots that will keep readers engaged throughout your book. Give Janice a look, you’ll be glad you did.

Jeannie Campbell, “The Character Therapist”, guest blogs on Elizabeth S. Craigs “Mystery Writing is Murder” with an excellent article on how our characters deep justifications for their actions affect the story. Red Herrings: Scapegoating Characters. If you missed it Elizabeth guest posted this week on Mason Canyon’s blog with “Author Riley Adams: A Mystery Writer’s View & Tips”, fun and enlightening!

Feeling stalled, stuck or experiencing a momentary lapse of motivation? Two great articles this week are here to help us over those times when things just don’t want to flow. Melissa Donovan of “Writing Forward” brings us How Freewriting Can Help Writers Overcome Procrastination and the ever-witty Sonia G. Medeiros explores an excellent writing site, 750words.com in More on Morning Pages.

Social Media can be provide us with a powerful platform, bring us excellent friends and also be a vast mine field. Here are three articles to help us maximize the positive benefits of social media while avoiding the destructive ones.

First up, from Kristen Lamb, comes her latest installment of Twitter Tuesday. If you haven’t checked out this series it showcases the best and worst of Twitter-etiquette: Twitter Tuesday #20–Direct Messages & The Power of Positive Tweeting.

Two great articles on the power and danger of guest blogging come to us from Write It Sideways. The first, by Lisa Kilian (guest blogging), shows us How to Nix the Fear and Pitch that Post and just so we don’t miss the landmines Suzannah Freeman (the host) follows up with 6 Easy Ways to Get Your Guest Post Rejected.

Because I feel it is important that we support our fellow writers I present to you a post by Lisa Gail Green in response to the Wall Street Journal’s attempt to “flame” the YA genre. Links to the article and several other responses are included on Lisa’s blog. Let’s support YA, they are doing great work. Paranormal Point of View: YA Saves!

Fun Fiction and Cool Resources

Jen Kirchner’s “The Relic”, a “vote your own adventure” story is at its final voting spot. How will you choose as death stands ready to devour your soul? The Relic: Part Six.

Genetically-modified Cows produce Human Breast Milk. Need I say more? Check out this enlightening article on Piper Bayard’s masterfully-written blog.

Manon Eileen digs into the the depths of the brain with The History and Treatment of Psychological Illness: Psychosurgery. Thought-provoking!

Bright lights, movie stars, the flash and sizzle of wealth. Welcome to L.A. Now add drugs and a porn star and we have Death in Wonderland by Catie Rhodes. Find the lurid side of flash.

That’s it for this week!

Happy Blogging and Peaceful Journeys!