Tag: writing

Posted on

The Importance of Not Being a Loner Writer

Writing is usually seen as a loner profession, but writers who improve over time rarely pursue their craft alone. Ideas for stories usually come from spending time with others, asking questions, or listening to stories. After the first draft is written and the self-editing has taken a writer only so far, having someone else read the manuscript to provide well-meaning and constructive critiques is a gold mine. The writer is unable to see what will confuse others because the writer has created a world about which others have yet to discover.

Because of this, I’ve joined three writers’ groups, attended critique groups, and have asked fellow authors to read my stories prior to submission. The feedback I’ve received is priceless. Finding an accomplished editor is also a must for those pesky plot holes typically missed or out of sync character development.

I’m grateful for all that I’ve learned over the years and am willing to help others as well. Find your writer circle.

Posted on

A Month for Reading

Did you know that March is National Reading Month? Interesting, right? I’ve published a few stories and poetry, but those accomplishments were birthed out of a love for the written word. Guess what? I still enjoy a great book. In fact, my writing improves the more I read material penned or typed by people dedicated to their craft.

What brings me joy, though, is knowing that some teens have picked up my books and admitted they didn’t want to put them down. One of them even told me that A Beautiful Girl was the first book they ever read all the way through. That made me smile because I want others to experience how much fun delving into another world can be.

So, keep on reading and please do leave reviews for your favorites.

Posted on

Whew! Glad It’s 2021!

The title of this post seems to be the general sentiment of the human population on planet Earth. The challenges we faced overshadowed the really neat things that happened. We all look forward to a better year. Time will tell.

In the meantime, I am glad that I pushed through those challenges to release three books.

Live life. Love intensely.
Keep Hope Alive.

I even released my first ever book trailer.

The fourth story I mentioned in Happy New Year! It’s 2020. – Cassandra Ulrich, Author is still with the Beta reader, but I plan to tighten up and edit that story this year.

As for contests, I entered four and received three rejections. I won’t hear about the fourth one until November, so we’ll see. I plan to continue submitting stories or poems as time allows.

Lastly, I participated in NaNoWriMo2020 after a nine year hiatus and wrote 50K toward a short story anthology.

Be sure to like Cassandra Ulrich, Author | Facebook. It would be cool to reach 1,000 followers by the end of the year.

Happy New Year! It’s 2021!

Posted on

I Won NaNoWriMo2020

When I took on the challenge to write 50,000 words in 30 days, I had no idea I’d have to fight through fatigue, stress, and tons of pop-ups. I discovered something though–writing relaxes and invigorates me at the same time. I accomplished more than just achieving the word count. I finished first drafts of a screenplay and a short story with two other short stories a few scenes shy of becoming completed first drafts themselves. Some of these are projects I never thought I’d start much less finish in 2020. I celebrate everyone who jumped in and created something more than what they had before. Congrats to all the NaNoWriMo Winners.

Posted on

Beauty exists in the midst of turmoil

In times like these, focusing on the vivid colors around us can be challenging, the last thing on our minds. However, we must, I think, or the creativity in us will shrivel up, and we’d lack the stamina to continue taking care of ourselves and the ones we love. When I walk my dog, I focus on the scattering of squirrels claws on the tree bark and the fluttering of butterflies’ wings. I smile up at the squirrel lounging on a tree limb and the white, fluffy clouds floating across the sky-blue canopy. Look at these flowers and imagine the scent wafting off them. Inhale the sweetness and exhale the toxicity of stress holding us hostage. Create (write, sing, draw, perform) and share with others. We need that right now.

Posted on

Dealing with Rejection

Any writer who has submitted work to a publisher or contest undoubtedly deals with rejection at some point. It may come via a form letter or an email. The ones where there’s a message of encouragement softens the blow just a bit. Other times, the realization hits you when the announcement date has passed and there’s nothing in the inbox.

I received such an email on July 28, 2020. My response? A sigh. I’d hoped this one would make it.

The key is to not wallow in self-pity for too long. I gave that emotion all of five seconds, huffed out a breath, then kept working. Rejection doesn’t necessarily mean my work wasn’t any good. It could mean it wasn’t a good match or the individual liked something better. In the meantime, I’ll take more writing classes and ask others to critique my stories. That’s how I’ll grow as a writer.

Will I submit to other contests? Absolutely! There’s a certain thrill in trying. It means I finished yet another piece of work that has a chance of being accepted.

Don’t stop writing. Don’t give up.

Posted on

Harnessing emotions from trauma in your writing

We are all currently living through a worldwide pandemic, the cause of all sorts of emotions. Sadness. Loneliness. Devastation. Grief. Contentment. Happiness. It’s often said that writers write what they know. Following this period in our lives, we writers will have much fodder to scribble about. But, how do we snatch the intensity of those feelings and express them in all their rawness?

Some folks journal. I don’t. Instead, I write scenes that relate to what I’m experiencing at the time, though not necessarily the exact same event. Many of my readers have said that the characters’ emotions spill off the page and affect them at a deep level. I think it’s because I’m at the height of those emotions when I write about them.

I wonder what my writing will be like in the near future.

Posted on

A “C” word

It’s probably not what you’re thinking. Everyday, we face “challenges” which sometimes turn our world upside down. Take “characters” for example. How do I bring them to life so that the reader will remember them long after the last sentence is read? Will the dialogue bring out their quirky personalities? Working through scenes take a certain type of “courage” to build up heart-pumping action. “Challenges” keep coming, but we press on, doing our best to use what we know to make the future stories better.

Posted on

We’re two months in, so how’s it going?

Most of us start out the New Year with goals. The first month usually gets off to a great start. However, by month two, the momentum may begin to dwindle.

I’ve been diligently editing three manuscripts in the hopes of reprinting one or releasing the other two this year. So far, I’m on track, but keeping the pace has been met with a few challenges: pop up tasks, other responsibilities, and tough scenes.

I’m also determined to post something on both my sites each month in addition to social media. That’s quite an undertaking when writing isn’t my full-time job. Excitement is building, though, as each hour of work brings me closer to a finished product.

So, even if your goals have taken a downward turn, don’t give up. Perseverance is the key to achieving what we set out to accomplish. We got this!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress