Tag: writing

Who Says Writing is Not a Job?

jcladyluv

“Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don’t feel I should be doing something else.”
~Gloria Steinem 

After finishing up my walk/run on the treadmill in the gym this morning I began talking to two fellow gym members and we were watching The Wendy Williams Show (no one bothers to turn the T.V. channel after the news goes off) and this morning the Braxton family were the guests today.  Now despite saying that I would never watch that mess during the first season (because I hate most reality TV shows), I accidentally ended up watching it one night and I was immediately hooked and have been watching ever since.  There’s so much about the Braxton family that I learned in watching their show and it is extremely entertaining to say the least.  

Needless to say, one of the sisters, Towanda, is separated from her husband and she talked about that today on The Wendy Williams Show and that one of the main reasons that they are separated is because he doesn’t have a job.  Now because I watch the show I know that her husband is a writer, albeit a struggling writer, but a writer nonetheless.  He just self-published his first book and already has himself lined up for several media and book events so he is soon about to take off.  However, because the fruits of his labor have not been seen yet, he is still seen as the man with no job.  

I take great issue with this because that implies that writing is not a job.  This sparked some mild debate with my two gym buddies because initially they felt as if I was attacking them.  After making it clear that I was not directly referring to them, I expressed how I am constantly hearing that about writers.  It’s as if you say you’re a writer and people then say oh, but what is your job.  That is my job.  I AM A WRITER!  It takes time, discipline, determination, persistence, and sheer willpower to put in the work to write a book and then do everything else that it takes to get that book published and then make it successful.  Writing is no small feat and I am getting really tired of people who dismiss it as simply a hobby or something that someone with an actual job does on the side.  

Now don’t get me wrong, there are people with skilled jobs or even other major career paths who do in fact write on the side and I am not trying to take anything away from them.  But you do have those people who are not better suited for a regular, skilled, 9 to 5, type of job because it would simply just take away from doing what it is that they were truly meant to do.  I am one of those people.  I have had regular jobs and I have once thought about taking up a particular skilled job that I could make a career out of but I just simply am not built that way.  I was born to be a writer and while I do not currently have what other people would consider a job, I feel that everyday that I sit down to my computer and write on my blog, or write an article for some online publication, or send out my queries to national magazines for my articles, or send out queries to agents for representation, or work on my novels, or edit someone else’s novel, that I am doing my JOB.  

I don’t make as much (right now) that I would like to be making and I do struggle at times without having that steady stream of bi-weekly income to come into my household but I don’t regret not going out there and seeking typical employment.  I do what I love and I am home for my daughter when she gets home from school to help her with homework and for whatever else her needs are.  I feel like people who just choose to write for a living with no additional methods of income get a really bad wrap.  Out of work Actors don’t get told that they are no longer considered Actors because they are not currently making a steady stream of income, no they are still Actors, so what is so different about being a writer?  I don’t knock anyone that does go to work in the morning and comes home and parents their children and then if they want to write, sit and write at night.  I think that it is admirable and very tough to do, but everyone is not built that way.  I know that I was never good at it and frankly it made me quite miserable and at times unbearable to deal with.  

I suppose that I am writing to all of those writers out there who might at times be feeling guilty about making the choice to either quit their regular jobs or just not seek another one altogether to focus on their writing.  If you feel that writing is your purpose and what you were meant to do, if you feel that you are truly doing God’s work, then go for it.  You will struggle, you will get frustrated, you will be looked at funny, you will get rejected, but in the end, when your goal is accomplished and you get to where you always envisioned yourself being, then it will all be worth it.  Until tomorrow…Be brave enough to do what’s in your heart and commit yourself to following through. 

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

Looking for a Writing Course

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One of the goals on my list for the 2012 year is to take a couple of writing courses.  Even the greatest of writers (which I am working on becoming) need to enhance their already impeccable writing skills.  There might be techniques that they have forgotten or desire to learn and a course every now and then can be just the thing to help.  I specifically would like to take a course in writing short stories because I have the hardest time writing them (possibly because I am so incredibly long-winded) and I just need some instruction in that particular area.  Now I don’t know when I will be taking this course because I haven’t even found one yet, nor have I saved up the money to do it, but I am looking so if any of you out there know of any short story writing courses that they would like to recommend please leave a comment.  Okay now I’ve shared one of my goals on my list for the New Year, why don’t you share one with me. 

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

Even When No One Is Looking

jcladyluv

So I didn’t necessarily feel like blogging today but I’ve already taken a two day break over the Christmas holiday and I didn’t want to risk missing anymore.  I was having trouble figuring out what to write about today and I found that I wasn’t feeling all that motivated because I took a look at the stats of my blog and saw that there weren’t that many people reading what I had to say to begin with.  I think I need for my best friend Ms. L. to share her secrets with me because she can go from having a bad blog day to a good blog day in a matter of minutes with just one post.  Maybe it’s just not my blog moment yet. I guess that I just have to wait my turn in that area too.  It feels like I always seem to be waiting for my turn at something.  Well they say that the best things come to those who wait and since I don’t plan on ever giving up on writing, I guess I’ll just keep on blogging and writing my novels and doing whatever else my journey as a writer brings to me even if no one is looking (or in this case reading).  Until tomorrow…Always do what you love doing whether people are watching or not!

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

Lessons We Can Learn From Our Children

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It’s easy for us as parents to get annoyed with children who just keep pestering you until they get their way, and to get frustrated with their complete disregard for danger or consequences.  Sometimes what can also get on our nerves is when children go from one activity to the next as if it is their money that they are wasting on that particular activity.  However, we as parents can learn a lot from our children and their sometimes annoying behavior.  

Children have such persistence and resilience within them.  Their fearlessness allows them to try a multitude of things without the thought of failure.  What we see as their indecisiveness and constant change of activities should be acknowledged as them trying to find what interests they are better suited for so that they can master what they are truly good at.  Children are really good teachers sometimes and perhaps we should take a few pages from their book.  

If we didn’t think so much about the failures that we might encounter, we may be more inclined to seek out more adventures and endeavors.  If we were as persistent as our children to get what it is that we want out of life, perhaps we might learn to always go after what it is that we want and to never settle for less then what we deserve.  

Just imagine what we could do in this world if we followed the words that we often tell our children; to always go after what you want and never let anything get in your way; to figure out what your purpose is and then be the best that you can be at it; and to never be so afraid to fail that you never try to begin with.  Until tomorrow…What lessons could you learn from your children? 

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

Everyone’s Path is Different

jcladyluv

Okay I know I should be typing away, working on the next chapter in my novel, or beginning to outline the next novel, or something of the creative nature.  But it’s Sunday and I tend to get a little relaxed on this particular day of the week.  I happened to get caught up in watching a marathon of this TV show called Life After which focuses on certain celebrities who were really popular and just seemingly fell off the map.  

It was interesting because as someone who intends to be involved in every aspect of the arts (because my talents are not limited to just writing) and the media culture I like to see the people who have done it before and done it successfully and some who haven’t.  I also like to discover that the perception that I’ve had of some of these actresses, actors, and singers have not been accurate.  I like discovering that some of these entertainers are not the diva’s or jerks that they came off as, and to top that off, that some of them were actually really smart and successful business minded people.  They do what they are good at and they have created empires out of their talent.  This is something that I aspire to do as well.  

I have always wondered what it would have been like if I had a mother who was supportive of all of my talents (in addition to writing, I can act and sing) and artistic endeavors.  Would I have been able to become the childhood star that I sometimes daydreamed about becoming?  I look at some of the stars that were those childhood entertainers and how it seemed to have hindered them more-so than help them, and wonder would that have been my fate too.  Although there are those stars who were childhood stars and are still rising today.  I suppose no one ever really knows what could have been.  

Watching the show Life After today, whereas in the past, I might have envied them and their success at such an early age, today I was just reminded that everyone’s path is paved a certain way for many reasons.  I walked the path that I was meant to walk and I will have my turn and I will have the chance to follow the lessons of those who have maintained their success as well as gain knowledge in where others may have fallen short.  See television can be very inspiring in many different ways.  Until tomorrow…What’s inspiring you today? 

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

While I’m Planning, God is Laughing (a lot)

jcladyluv

Writers are supposed to be established by a certain age right?  By the age of thirty-one you would expect them to be published, either with articles in national magazines or a book on the shelves of every bookstore.  If not that then they would certainly be working in a magazine or a newspaper getting first hand experience in their craft and getting the chance to use it on a daily basis.  If you’re lucky you would have some five or six figure book deal that ends up being turned into a phenomenal movie and you’ve finally made it to the bestsellers list.  

Yes I always thought that at this age (31) that I would be already inNew York, working for some national magazine, or a publishing company as an editor with my own book deals in the work simultaneously.  But as you all know, life (and God) often times has very different plans for you that you didn’t anticipate.  You know they say when we plan, God laughs.  Well he must have been having a really good laugh with me for the last few years now.  I am certainly not where I would like to be within my career but perhaps I am where I need to be and wherever God has planned for me to be.  

I was reading a magazine interview with Walter Mosley and what I never knew about him was that he didn’t even start writing until he was 34 years old and wasn’t first published until he was about 38 years old.  Now he is 59 with 34 books published (so far).  This gave me hope.  There is still time for me to make the mark on the literary and media world like I want and perhaps God’s plan for me included a long lengthy journey of good old fashion struggle on my way to success (probably along with a lesson in patience—cause I really need to work on that).  I am hopeful that my journey will be worth it in the end and confident that I will carry out exactly the plan that God has tailor made for me, at the precise time he plans for it to be carried out.  Until tomorrow…Don’t give up hope, his plan IS your plan too! 

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

My First Love

jcladyluv

Okay I know what it sounds like this post is going to be about from the title, but it’s not about that kind of love.  Yes I had one of those in high school but my first real love was writing and along with that came the state of New York.  Now don’t laugh at me, but I have never actually been to New York but I am in love with it nonetheless.  

I knew I wanted to be a writer when I was six years old but I really started actually putting it into practice and really fell in love with words when I was ten.  Being the constant information seeker that I’ve always been, I had always heard that if you want to be a writer, I mean really make it as a writer, you move to New York.  Me and my friend in the fifth grade (who also wanted to be a writer) had made plans that we would graduate high school and go to college in New York together and be roommates.  

Now of course that was fifth grade so that never panned out, but I have always in one way or another been trying to get to New York.  There are other places I plan on getting to also, like France and Italy, but there’s just something about New York that is just pulling me in its direction.  It is crazy to think that I am so head over heels for a city I’ve never even been to but I literally watch anything and everything that has to do with being a writer, and New York and if the two come together than that’s even better.  

I say all of this to get around to telling you that one of my goals on my list for the coming year of 2012 is to actually visit New York.  I plan to take in the sounds, the smells, the atmosphere, the sights (I wish I had got to go there before the destruction of theTwin Towers), the food, and yes even the traffic (lol!).  I am going with my best friend, Ms. L. and we plan on having so much fun and I am really planning on this not being one of the items on my goal list that doesn’t ever happen.  So cross your fingers and hope that I make it to where my heart has truly been since I was ten.  Until tomorrow…Where would you go to if you ever got the chance? 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

Putting Yourself Into Your Work

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I was reading an article in a writer’s magazine today that talked about how this particular author always incorporated a little piece of herself and her life, whether it be childhood or adulthood, into her novels.  They are not autobiographical per say but in some ways each of them give away some aspect of who she is.  I started thinking about the book of novel storylines that I have that I want to work on and realizing that in some ways I do the same thing.  

Now my first novel (The Diary: Succession of Lies) is very much based on some true events that I experienced and worked into the novel.  The second one that I want to get published (When Love Calls; currently awaiting the editing phase) may be a little less based on accurate details but I totally identify with my main character as if a piece of me is in her even though she and I are not really alike.  With the current novel that I worked on during NaNoWriMo and am still working on (Through the Looking Glass) right now is so far a part from any real experience I have ever been through but yet I identify with my main character, Mackenzie, so much.  Now Mackenzie and I are absolutely nothing alike but yet I feel so in tune with her.  

How is it that I can be so in tune with a character that I am nothing alike?  Isn’t it funny how sometimes when you are telling a story you can identify with a particular character that you really have nothing in common with?  But then again that’s the joy and excitement of writing novels.  You get to tell stories that you would probably never actually live through and if you want to throw in a few real life experiences you can do that too.  Until tomorrow…How much of yourself do you put into your stories? 

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

A Wish to be a More Avid Reader

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“Read, read, read. Read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the most.  Read! You’ll absorb it.  Then write. If it is good, you’ll find out.  If it’s not, throw it out the window.”
~William Faulkner 

A writer is supposed to also be a really good reader as well and I have to admit that, while I used to be, I am not the best at reading.  Not since I have thrown myself more into writing and concentrating on perfecting my writing skills and techniques.  I make an honest effort every year to try and do better at maintaining my reading pace.  When I make my list of books to read I try to put a little bit of everything on the list from romantic novels and mysteries, to some writing instruction books as well as motivational books.  I typically find myself only completing about half of my enormous list that I actually think I can read in a year.  

I suppose I would like to think that I could still read at the same pace that I used to read (like ten years ago).  But in reality I know that as I get more and more into writing my novels and other writing projects, I most likely won’t be able to read at that same rate but that never stops me from trying.  This year I am really going to attempt to make a manageable list that I will hopefully complete.  However instead of packing it with an eclectic mix of genres as I normally would I am going to be reading all mysteries next year.  For the last few books on this year’s list I’ve chosen the mystery books and I am really getting into the mystery genre.  I really like Sue Grafton and J.D. Robb novels right now.  

Also since my novel is a mystery and I am beginning a series, then it seems that I like to write mysteries as well.  So if any of you have any mysteries that you would like to suggest for my 2012 reading list I sure would like to hear them.  I have a few of my own already to put on there but I still would like to hear what books you would recommend.  Well I have a list to go finish.  Until tomorrow…What’s on your reading list?

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress

Just a Little Break (I Promise)

jcladyluv

Okay so I have officially taken two days away from my novel now, and I know that I have to finish the first draft (hopefully before the end of this month), but I just need to take a mental break for a moment.  Trust me, it won’t be a long break because Mackenzie is nudging me along trying to get me back at the keyboard sooner rather than later.  I think that my mind is just so flooded with all of the ideas concerning the rest of this novel, but more so with the next book that will be next to come in the series, and even the one after that.  I have lots of different angles in mind of where to go but until I finish this novel I won’t really know which angle to take.  Well I just wanted to touch base with all of you.  Hope you all have a blessed night!  Until tomorrow! 

 

Jimmetta Carpenter

Writer/Editor

The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)

Writing as “Jaycee Durant”

https://writetobe.wordpress.com/

http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310

http://www.passionatewriterpublishing.com/thediary.htm

www.lulu.com/ladybugpress