Writers & Bloggers Cafe - Now Open at Grow Your Writing Business
Writers Cafe - All Bloggers Welcome Too
I’ve invited you to share your marvellous mini milestones and super successes during the month of September. Let’s look ahead as well, to things you’d like to achieve. What plans do you have for your writing or blogging? Do you have specfic goals, or are you just seeing where it takes you?
Talk about anything writing or blogging related. How has your writing week been? Share your trials and tribulations. Tell us where you’re from. The cafe is open all weekend (Friday - Sunday), so drop in anytime. I’ve made my specialty orange and poppyseed muffins, and the coffee is on. Help yourself. Let’s talk!
Bring Along a Great Writing or Blogging Link
Only if you want to… Bring along a link for a favorite writing or blogging related article you think could be useful to others. It can be from any relevant site, but needs to be about writing or blogging. As the chief cook and bottle washer at this here writers’ cafe, I reserve the right to delete any links, or comments that are only links and don’t add to the conversation.I’m doing some redecorating at the Writers Cafe, so if the flashing sign bothers you, please bear with me. It will be gone soon.
Writers Cafe Inspiration
A tip of the hat to Liz at Successful Blog, Char at Casual Keystrokes and Glenda at I’ll Do It Myself for inspiring me to introduce this weekly Writers & Bloggers Cafe feature. Liz’s SOB Business Cafe, Char’s Casual Friday and Glenda’s Readers Cafe, are all very successful gathering spots for a get together and some great conversation.
Welcome to the Writers Cafe. Gosh! These muffins are yummy! Can you ask the waiter to bring us some more coffee please. Join in the conversation. Add a comment. Talk about anything blogging or writing related, or ask a question. Someone may have the answer. You can share a link of a great writing or blogging related post if you like. No affiliate links or articles please.
Thanks to Dana at Principled Discovery, who told me that the airforce paid $45 000 to do a study on blogs. I told Dana I’m sure we would have done it for half the price. I love the observation that a blog post is often shorter than the title of the $45 000 report “Automated Ontologically-Based Link Analysis of International Web Logs for the Timely Discovery of Relevant and Credible Information.”
It’s been a good week, overall. I completed some major projects for a client, I discovered the popcorn that I’ve been eating all these years is probably making me sick, I helped the kids with schoolwork. Same old, same old …
I almost forgot, I started my exercise program again.
Hey Laura - I read your popcorn article at Work From Home Momma. Great article. Makes you wonder what else is in some of the food we’ve been eating… especially the stuff we think is healthy. I heard recently that the oranges I thought I was buying fresh in the supermarket, are usually held in cold storage for 6 months.
Talking of food.. yes , I should be talking about exercise instead… well actually not just talking about it… Good for you.
Oh no! And I just bought oranges for this week…
Makes you want to go out and grow your own vegetables and fruit trees, except that can be time consuming… still in between, writing projects and other work… hmmm
Maybe I should write about gardening and call it muti tasking.
How’s everyone else in the writing and blogging world faring this weekend? Any exciting projects, tips, trials or tribulations to share? Any burning questions?
I’ll just go grab another coffee. Anyone for another muffin?
Hello Yvonne,
Congrats to you on this new and exciting endeavor.
I am tackling a new job (teaching kindergarten 30 hours/week).
The kiddos are great, but I am trying to learn to balance the stress of it all, and still allow myself to relax and create.
I am taking it as a learning experience, and I am re-evaluating what I really want to do with my gifts in this world!
Whew~ serious stuff!
Have a good one!
Sylvia C.
Hi Sylvia
I’ve taught little ones, so I can empathize with how tired you feel. They are a rewarding age group though. I look forward to hearing what you decide to do. Are you still writing?
Yvonne,
Oh, I am absolutely still writing…just not as much…
I can’t stand not to write in my journal every day. I blog 3 times a week, and if a story idea comes…I have to go with it!
But, over the summer, my time was MINE to pursue every creative idea that came to me, so I am making a big adjustment!
thanks for your interest..
truly,
Sylvia C.
Hey - I just flew over to your site, and you’re over here. LOL. I bet those kids give you lots of great ideas for stories too. Great to hear you’re still as passionate as ever about writing. Ah… time… if only we could stretch it to fit what we need (or want) to do.
I just got finished reading my article published in Homeschool Enrichment. For like the third time. I assume that if this happens with increased frequency, I will be able to read it only once? Anyway, the magazine did a nice job with the layout and the photographs and it really does look nice.
Now I’m working on my next article.
Congratulations Dana!
Yvonne,
Just wanted to say that I think this is a wonderful idea! Don’t have time to write more, now…looming deadlines…but wanted you to know that I’m reading and that I’ll return to get in on the conversation at the GYWB Writers Cafe as soon as I’m able–cup of coffee in hand!
Happy socializing!
Jeanne
Dana - That’ fantastic! Was this a print magazine? Sounds like a regular gig. Exciting! Congratulations.
Hi Jeanne - The cafe wil still be open when you come back. Did you take a slice of chocolate mudcake with you? It’s going fast. Anyone else for mudcake? What’s everyone else up to this week with your writing or blogging?
Hi Yvonne. This is a lovely idea. It’s a bit late on a Sunday evening but I’d love to come by again to share some of my small triumphs this September.
Rach - Those wretched time zones. LOL. The Writers & Bloggers Cafe will be open next Friday and all over the weekend too. Hope to see you then.
I look forward to hearing about your “small triumphs”. I happen to know you’ve done some wonderful things, so it will be great to hear more about them.
Grab a muffin on the one out. They’re too good to miss out on. I’ve ordered some more for the next Writers & Bloggers Cafe too. Hope to see you then.
Hey, Yvonne. Great idea, this weekend Writer’s Cafe. Makes me wish I had thought of it for my blog. I like the way you present it, very inviting.
Funny you should ask about writing goals because this weekend I have been thinking how I need to stop procrastinating and send out some queries. I keep putting it off for fear of rejection, but how can I ever get accepted if I never try?
Denise - Welcome. Help yourself to some refreshments. Glad you like the Weekend Writers Cafe, and thanks for your positive feedback. Fear of rejection is an interesting thing.
I hang out in a travel writers forum. They say the best thing is if you get a rejection, pitch it to the next on the list, and just dust yourself off and keep going. The other thing they say is to always have quite a few queries circulating. Then you don’t have all your hopes and a lot of waiting time pinned to one query.
It’s hard to be pragmatic and easy to take it personally, but as we know ourselves, the right idea at the wrong time doesn’t mean you didn’t have a great idea or article. At another time, they may have accepted it. Editors often have to pass on good articles.
You’re a great writer. Good luck with your queries. Are you pitching to magazines or online? I hope you’ll send me your successes and what you’ve learned, so I can share them.
Thanks, Yvonne. You are so right about what you said. I have a query I am working on right now to send to teen magazines. I have a list and am going to do like you said, just keep sending it out. And to answer your question, I am querying print publications, and will definitely let you know if something positive occurs.
Denise - Teen magazines - great! That’s a high demand area, so you’ll easily be able to have a list of possible choices. Hopefully, the first one will snap it up, so sending it on won’t even come into the equation.
Yes, please keep me posted. I love success stories. We can all learn from each other.
Hi Yvonne, love this writer’s cafe. I started a similar idea on Mondays called “I’m Calling You Out.” We must be drinking the same water…
I have fallen a bit short of my goal of writing one short story per month this year. I am in the middle of the sixth one…two have been published, one at Literary Mama just a couple months ago. So, I don’t want to push and make myself crazy, but what I’m noticing is that 12 was a great stretch and the reality of 6 is quite an accomplishment. Now on to getting them accepted…
L
Lisa - Pleased you could make it before all the muffins have gone. I’ll call by to “I’m Calling You Out.” That sounds intriguing. You’re not going to challenge us again, are you?
Congrats on your short story success. 6 is indeed an accomplishment. As always, you are an inspiration. I’ll be sure to include that in my succeses roundup.
always late when needed early. little heart my song –sandra cisneros
Sorry Ms. Russelll, I am here on the tail end of your cafe, it’s probably closed, but I’ll leave a note with rice cakes. I am doing well, adjusting to my new life in Korea. I am happy I took the chance of traveling world, reacquainting myself with the Bible, writing on a semi-daily basis when life isn’t pulling me away to explore valleys and mountains, and amassing a nice picture collection. As for the writing, I have been pulling my hair with all the rejection notices for both free and paid contests, so I decided to take the route of writing for a magazine and I want to focus on females in the martial arts. This is a huge challenge because traditionally this is a male art, foreigners are unwelcomed (for many valid reasons) and females are, well for lack of a better word, seemed as domineering. Yet there is a need anywhere in the world for females to know how to protect their life. We shall where the wind takes me. Thank you and feel free to post on the next weekend. –claudia
Claudia - It’s never too late to pop into the Writers Cafe. Make yourself a cup of coffee in the kitchen.
How wonderful to hear about your travels and new adventures. Good to know you still have your blog to keep in touch with us. That sounds like a great niche for magazine articles. I look forward to hearing about your progress. It sounds like you are a free spirit going “where the wind takes me.” Take care.
Excellent cafeteria! Maybe I’ll find myself in the next few days hanging in this cafeteria…
Hi, its Wednesday, not the weekend, but I needed trip to the cafe. The cookies are good here! I have been seeking writing opps online and found telecraig.com to be a good place to find work. Has anyone else had luck with telecraig?
Hi Suzanne - I was just popping in to talk to the chef, and I found you here all on your lonesome.
You’re welcome to pop in any time. I can’t help with my question, but come by again this weekend (Friday to Sunday), to the Writers Cafe and I’ll ask everyone then.
Grab some more cookies. They are yummy, aren’t they? What flavor do you like. Let me know, and I’ll make sure they’re on the weekend menu.
I am first in line for the cakes!
Hi all! Heard about this from Jeanne and thought I’d drop by. I have only recently started serious writing and still have a long way to go however all these writing groups and discussions are helping me bit by bit. Just finding it hard to motivate myself with continuous rejections…
Hi Claudia - writing about female practising martial arts is a great idea. I used to practice Aikido until I nackered my back and now on the road to recovery hoping to start again next year. Aikido is one of those that welcomes both genders to practice and it doesn’t matter if you are small, strong or tall - if you do it right it’s just as powerful as any other. I love it
Amy
Hey Amy - Welcome! Rejections are no fun… but they are part of the freelance writing mix. Just dust yourself off, and send it to someone else. It looks like martial arts would be a great topic for you to write about as you are passionate about it and it’s something you know about.
Hope you’ll drop by to this weekend’s Writers Cafe (Friday - Sunday). What type of cakes do you want me to order for you?
Actually I don’t know too much about martial arts - just Aikido
I am actually working on writing about all my travels. Yes I’ll dust off the rejections and keep on going 
Oooo… Lemon and poppy seed would be really nice!
Amy - I can see some Aikido articles coming up. Travel writing is a great niche too. Do you know about the www.travelwriters.com forum? It’s great.
Right, lemon and poppy seed muffins… I’m onto it! See you at the Writers Cafe over the weekend.
Yum, I wasn’t expecting that sour cream walnut coffee cake would be just coming out of the oven when I stopped in. I’ll have a slice or two please. This has been an especially good week. I won five Writers Market books at one of my new favorite blogs for writers. http://writerunboxed.com and received two acceptances and no rejections. It’s usually the other way around!
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