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Should you send simultaneous submissions or not? Even professionals disagree on this issue. I read one colleague’s opinion this morning in her newsletter. She advises sending simultaneous submissions to magazines even when the editor says, “no.” She said that if we all do that and editors miss out on some good articles, maybe they will learn to get through their slush piles a little faster. Interesting point.

After 30 years in the article-writing business, I tell my clients, SPAWN members, audiences and anyone else who will listen to abide by the policies of the magazines. If they say, “No simultaneous submissions,” don’t send them something that is already with another publication. Here’s my submission formula:

1: Study appropriate magazines and choose half dozen or so.
2: Read their submission guidelines and adhere to them.
3: When it is appropriate to do so, send your piece to the magazine at the top of your list.
4: If their policy is, “No simultaneous submissions,” do not send it to anyone else.

Now, if you don’t hear from this editor within their advertised waiting period and you decide that you want to send your piece to another magazine, here’s what I suggest:

• Email or write to the editor requesting a response.
• Tell them that you are sending your submission elsewhere.

You can either withdraw the piece (simply tell the editor that you are withdrawing it) or just let them know that their time with it is up and you are sending it elsewhere. Sometimes, I will tell an editor they have a week to respond—that I am sending the piece out a week from that date, for example. If you decide to leave your piece with editor number one, be sure to tell editor number two that this is a simultaneous submission.

It’s true that writers are not always treated very well by editors. I’m sure that editors get their share of weirdo, uninformed, untalented writers, but I also believe that, for the most part, if you approach editors in a professional manner and do your best to adhere to their policies, you will be respected. If you decide that you can’t abide by a policy or an agreement, communicate this to the editor.

Eight weeks or even two might seem like a long time to wait for a response on your fabulous story or article, but the time will go much faster if you have other stories in the pipeline. Write another great article or story while you’re in waiting mode. Or send off dozens of query letters featuring new ideas.

Don’t let the policies of editors bug you, depress you, annoy you. My recommendation is, adhere to the rules of the game and then rise above the nonsensical through volume. If you hope to promote a book through article/story submissions, you want to establish a career writing for magazines or you just want to earn a little spending money from time to time, you really need to think in terms of volume. Don’t pin all of your dreams on one or two pieces. Keep the flow of articles/stories going and these little inconveniences perpetrated by a sometimes ridiculous industry will seem less important.

As an aside, I know one magazine that asks writers to wait 6 to 8 months for a response. Yes, it can get ridiculous.

To learn the ins and outs and ups and downs of establishing a career (or promoting your book) writing articles for magazines, order A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles. http://www.matilijapress.com

I taught 5 workshops on article-writing this year at the San Diego State University Writers’ Conference. And I received the same questions I get from freelance writers everywhere I go: “Where do article ideas come from?” “How do you come up with all of those article ideas?”

My book, A Writer’s Guide to Magazine Articles explains this in depth, http://www.matilijapress.com but today, I’d like to suggest one way to locate good article ideas for magazines, newsletters or even your local newspaper.

Start by getting up off of the sofa and out into the world. Well, you can sit on the sofa long enough to look through the calendar section of the newspaper. Use your computer to locate activities and events near you. And then plan an outing for yourself and your dog or take your hubby and kids to explore some of the happenings happening around you.

Note: This is also a good way to get perspective, visions, etc. for your novel. One writer friend used to sit on the local pier watching people, animals, birds, inanimate objects (which sometimes become animated in the ocean breeze) and then she’d go home and incorporate what she saw and experienced into her latest short story. I remember her reading about a “cart-wheeling newspaper” at our writing group once—many, many years ago. She got that idea while sitting on the pier.

So where can you go, what will you see, how could this compute into article ideas? Oh my gosh, the possibilities are endless. There are quilt shows (each quilt has a story and each quilter is eager to tell it), cat shows (if you’ve never been to one, you’re in for a walk through a wonderland of fur) and motorcycle rallies (chat with some of the women riders, you might be surprised at their rather mundane or even high-power day jobs). See plays at your community theater, watch dance recitals for preschoolers, attend tee ball tournaments and talk to some of the world’s future athletic stars. Go to a popular recreation area, amusement park or zoo and just observe with pen and paper handy. If you have a writer’s heart, you will be jotting down ideas. Here are a few:

• Tips for families: play together and stay together.
• Exercise tips for promoting family togetherness.
• Safety tips on and around the lake or ocean.
• Quick and healthy meals to take along on a family outing.
• How to prevent heat ailments in your pet this summer.
• How to choose the best family dog.
• Traveling with cats.
• Grooming tips for people who like to adventure with their pets.

When you’re looking for a story, don’t miss the county fair, your city’s annual flea market, a book festival or a carnival, where there are hundreds of interesting things going on at once.

Go for the experience. Have you ever been to a marine animal park or oceanarium with a group of therapy animals (cats and dogs used in pet therapy)? What about an air show? Get an assignment beforehand and maybe you’ll land an interview with a pilot or, better yet, a ride in a stunt plane or jet.

What’s going on in your region or those areas you plan to visit this year? There are hot air balloon rides, bungie jumping, parachuting, fly fishing, white water rafting, pet parades, wine festivals, estate sales (just walking through some of these homes will awaken a flood of ideas), animal shelters, book signings and just so many other idea-rich activities and events.

This week, shove the cat off of your lap, get out of that computer chair and go where the ideas are. Don’t miss an opportunity to have fun and to get the ideas you need for your story or articles.

If you want more prompts or would like to discuss the world of article/story-writing with me, I’m right here at PLFry620@yahoo.com. I’m also available to edit your article or your book manuscript. For more about me go to http://www.matilijapress.com/consulting.html

This is excerpted from my book, The Successful Writer’s Handbook.

Most writers develop a passion for writing early in life. Some of those I’ve interview tell me, “I’ve been writing since I could hold a pencil.” Or “I can’t remember not wanting to write.” And this is probably true of some of the children in your family or neighborhood.

If you know a child with an interest in and/or a talent for writing, you can make a difference in his or her life. How? Get involved.

• Become a formal mentor either in person or online. There are many young people out there just waiting for someone to guide them in their writing efforts.

• Respond to those children and youths you meet who have a talent or an interest in writing. Offer to read their work and give constructive criticism. Help them to get published. (See links below.)

• Invite the child to attend a book signing or hear an author speak.

• Take a child to a book festival where he can meet authors.

• Start a writing group for children in your city—through your library or the school district, for example. I worked with a group of home-schooled students on a writing project, once.

• Offer to teach a creative writing class.

If you are already involved with a youthful writer or a group of budding writers, here are some ideas for helping them along.

• Give the child assignments to complete and then discuss what makes the work good, how to make it better, etc.

• Search out online writers groups and writing opportunities for kids.

• Find books on writing for kids.

• Sponsor the child in writing contests.

• Encourage the child to display his/her work at the county fair.

• Help kids design and compose greeting cards for special occasions.

• Print the child’s story and bind it as a surprise for him. Frame one of her poems.

Children are our future. Give one or several of them a boost by offering the kind of help and support you either had or wish you had as a child. It’s a win-win situation.

Get started as a mentor:
http://www.netmentors.org

Sites for kids who love to write:
http://www.stonesoup.com
http://www.youngwriter.org
http://www.realkids.com/club.shtml
http://www.kidpub.com

While we write in privacy—holed up in our writing rooms all alone—most of us really do need other writers. We need feedback and encouragement for our work. We need validation. Is it really worth our while to sit day after day pouring our hearts into our work? No one else understands the heart of a writer and no one else can validate our passion.

Other writers provide information and resources we can use. Those who have gone down the publishing path before us can issue warnings about possible roadblocks and obstacles. They can reveal secret openings to potential success.

Every writer has experiences to share—experiences that can help guide others away from possible danger and toward some measure of success.

When you spend your days alone writing, you can get discouraged. Sometimes only another writer can provide the understanding, encouragement and support you need.

Join a face-to-face writers’ group in your area. To find one, check with your local librarian. Look at the calendar of events section of your newspaper. Contact a local arts council. Do a Google search using keywords, “writers group” and your city name. Ask other writers you know about a writers’ group. Or start a writers’ group yourself.

Join online writers’ groups. Do a Google search for a specific genre or type. I recommend, for anyone who is interested in being published, whether you are or want to be a freelance writer, author, artist, screen writer, etc. that you join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http://www.spawn.org SPAWN is a networking organization and resources center. Membership is only $45/year and it provides the potential for earning thousands of dollars through writing and book promotion. There’s also the possibility that you’ll save even more money by becoming aware of how to avoid making some seriously costly mistakes.

To engage in a dialogue with Patricia Fry use this email: PLFry620@yahoo.com. Visit my site at http://www.matilijapress.com While there, be sure to check out my array of books for writers, authors, grandparents, mentors and those who like metaphysical adventures. Look at my busy calendar of events. Sign up for an online course. Read about my consulting and editorial services. Enjoy my gift of resources and informative articles.

Q: What’s the opposite of a wannabe writer?
A: One who is experiencing burnout.

At one end of the spectrum we have someone who says he wants to write, but who can’t discipline himself to actually sit down and write. And then there are write-a-holics—those who can’t not write—who write at every opportunity—who seek reasons TO write instead of looking for excuses not to write.

Which writer are you?

If you want to write, but you can’t find the time, can’t make the time, won’t sacrifice anything to create the time, I suggest examining your motivation. You say that you want to write, so why don’t you? What is stopping you? I know the answer to this question; you just aren’t in tune with your true motivation.

In order to shift from wannabe writer to “I am a writer,” you must get in touch with why you want to write? Once you discover your motivation for wanting to write, you will either begin to honor it by writing or you will realize that it is superficial and you’ll walk away from your writing room.

To discover your true motivation, ask yourself:
• Why do I want to write?
• What emotion would I be feeding?
• What objective, value, result, benefit do I seek?
• What deep or surface need/desire would I be acknowledging?
• What is the purpose of the book or article I want to write?
• What principle would I be honoring by writing this book/article/story?
• What stops me from writing? (Make a list of obstacles.)
• What fear keeps me from writing? Fear of failure? Success? Ridicule? Lack of confidence as a writer? (fill in the blank)

Then there are those of you who (like me) are more likely to suffer burnout than writer’s block. You love to write and do it as often as possible. Some of you, like me, do it full-time. You can get so engrossed in a writing project that you forget to eat or pick up your kids from school. If you’re really on a roll, you might write all day and night like a college student cramming for an exam. And then you crash and burn. Here are some preventative measures that work for me:
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Eat right—you know, veggies, fruits, whole grains. Go easy on the chocolate, coffee and fast food.
• Exercise regularly.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
• Take regular breaks. Stretch for 5 minutes, jog around your house once an hour, vacuum a room, take a shower, brush the dog, grab a gulp of water and a piece of fresh fruit, call your mom/sister/husband/son…, go out and get the mail, chat over the back fence with a neighbor for 10 minutes.
• Expand your creative endeavors. I garden and do needlework, for example. You’ll be amazed at how much more creative you are as a writer when you explore other creative venues.
• Acknowledge your spirituality. Attend church, read inspirational books, meditate.
• Help others. Taking time away from writing in order to do good only serves to enhance your writing. Try it.
• Get out among people often enough that you don’t forget how to use your social graces. If your public attire resembles your working attire (fluffy robe and bunny slippers or holey sweats), you spend way too much time in your home office.

Writing is a pleasure to some and a necessity for others. Writing for publication can thrill some while intimidating others. The writing process can feed the soul or drive you crazy. Use these prompts and tips to help you find your level of comfort as a writer whether you are still trying to find your motivation or you are bordering on burnout.

For more information, resources and several books on writing and publishing visit Patricia Fry’s website at http://www.matilijapress.com