OK, it is a new year. Just like last year, I am surfing the Internet, looking at "writers'" sites; how to be a writer, online support, online courses. I think I want to do this. I think I am supposed to write. I just can't figure out where to start. (Vickie T. I just looked at your web site and you have some helpful things. Thank you for providing these). Last year I wrote one small article for a website. It was published, but they were so rushed on their publish date, they did alot of editing, (maybe this is how it is done??) and I almost didn't recognize it as mine. I got no response from the article, so am a little gun-shy. I am leaning toward non-fiction. I was actually a little stunned to realize I searching out the same kind of information today as I did one year ago. My "inner-critic" is busy at work telling me I have no business even attempting this. I am looking for advice, encouragement or maybe even a kick in the drawers. I'm excited to find this site (boomerwomenspeak). Looks like a great place to hang out.

[ January 01, 2005, 11:24 AM: Message edited by: sarahwww ]

Welcome Sarah.....this is a GREAT website and while there are women from all walks of life here, the writers group is as active as any! If you want support - YOU'VE GOT IT! If you want advice, encouragement, pointers - YOU'VE GOT IT. Just let us know what we can do to help you.

If you look back thru the postings in the Women Writers section of this forum you will see a lot of subjects that will be of interest to you I'm sure. Many of us have been published online and in print and ALL of us continue to try and improve our writing and share information.

If you feel like you are SUPPOSED to be writing then do. Trust the inner voice - mine hasn't steered me wrong yet!

Again - welcome to Dotsie's wonderful forum.

Happy New Year and welcome Sarahwww!!!

You'll find this is a fantastic site with wonderful supportive women

Welcome Sarahwww. We've all felt the same way you do, believe me AND we've experience the self-doubt about writing. It comes and goes. But the main thing is you KNOW you have this need to write. It's uncontrollable. It's like writing is who you are. Once you discover that, there's no turning back, is there? Follow your gut as Pam said and WRITE!

You've come to the WRITE place (pun intended). We hope you'll make this your home and get to know us. We would love to share our experiences with you, and help in any way we can. I can testify that the women in BWS are the most understanding, caring, and AWESOME women on the planet.

Watch out though...you'll get addicted.

Hugs, JJ - resident Queen

Welcome Sarah.. and I'm glad you found my site useful. I hope you continue to visit as I add more links every Wednesday.

You'll find a great source of help here at the boomer site. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Welcome Sarahwww, I have always loved the name Sarah, it reminds me of a gentile woman with a long dress and white gloves. Its just me, the strange one, you'll find out, but I do like your name. You'll love it here for more reasons than I can say and I believe each of us has our own reasons for loving Dotsies site and all the Boomers. Nice to meet you.

Sarah, I'm so glad you've found us. Stick around and I think we can help you stick to the writing. PLEASE don't listen to the little negative voices. Every time you have one of those thoughts enter your mind replace it with the fact that you've already been published!

The best way to write is to do it every day for a specific amount of time whether you want to or not. Just do it! You'll be amazed how quickly you can fill a journal. Whether you do it on paper or a keyboard...just do it!

Thank you, gals! You have provided a great deal of encouragement! My hubby walked in this evening with a catalog from a local community college. Think I will take a peek and see if there is anything appealing

I'm off to see what else is going on with Boomerwomen!

Hi Sarah, same with me about being in the same boat as last year at this time. I write in my journal for 20 minutes every morning with a cup of coffee. First thing (well, second, if you count the bathroom) That way I can tell myself that at least I did that writing. I heard one of the SheDaisy singers say she had a "writing appointment" with a collaborater. I think I'll put that in my calendar: writing appointment, with me. The place that I'm at that is the same as last year is trying to get a web site up. I don't have any more money this year than last to pay a designer, so I'm going it alone. It's very frustrating. I like looking at all the Boomer women sites. There are some talented women here! Love and Light, Lynn

That sounds like a good idea, Lynn. Even though I want to write, I haven't even taken the time to do much in the way of journaling. I guess that would be a really good place to start. Yes, I need to start moving to action instead of just saying "I wanna..." Isn't that one of those things that separates losers from winners?

Sarahwww, girl don't think of the situation as winners and losers...eeek! You are a winner! Always. I mean you found this site, didn't you? That's a step. I agree with the journaling that Lynn suggested. It's a great start.

Writing is all about getting yourself out there. Being recognized! And this feeds the writer's ego and spurns us on. The ego? Oh hon...we all got um...it's not a bad thing either. It's a combination of pride, style, research, hard work, yada...yada...yada...

One of the things you'll find about writing is this. You need to write every single day. The more you write, the more you WANT to write and the better you get at writing. The more you network, the more venues or doors will be opened for your writing.

There is a critique group here at Boomers that you can joined when ever you want to, and if you are unsure about some faucet of writing, the women in that group can help you I'm sure.

As Nike says, just do it. Hope this helps!

JJ

Hey Sarahwww. 4 days and counting into the new year. 2005 is the year to write. I know it's hard. If you feel anything like I do, it's like...'dang, I know I'm good at this...why can't I get it together...do I need someone with a gun to my head to make me do this?...why do I keep putting it off....aarrgghh...and on and on. I will tell you about 4 books that I have read recently that have helped me get down to it.
1)Steering the Craft by Ursula leGuinn
2)Breathing In, Breathing Out by Ralph Fletcher
3)The Right to Write by Julia Cameron
4)Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul by Canfield, Hansen & Gardner.
I've read all these 'multitudinously'(which means I've lost count!) I find them inspirational and motivational;I think you may as well. Also, check out Dotsie's links to the Women's Writers Guilds, the websites of the other members...etc. We're all grown ups now...we ladies can stop competing and start encouraging each other. What's to lose? Good luck in your endeavors. Peace and Success in the New Year. Unique

I will check out those books, thank you for the suggestions. Well, I kept my writing appointment this morning, wasn't alot but I got 'er done. You folks are so-o-o-o encouraging. I appreciate it so much. It is hard to "put myself out there," but if I don't atleast try, I'll never know what I could have done. Is it awful to be 49 and just now figuring these things out? LOL!

sarah, it's not awful, it's just time! Please check out the Recent Reads page on this site. There are lots of excellent books on writing and women at midlife. There are millions of us switching gears and beginning again. Why not join us? You've got the rest of your life girlfriend! It's time to work on YOU!

[ January 04, 2005, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: Dotsie ]

Good luck to anyone building a website. It boggles the mind, but there are certainly some good ones among the boomers.

Does anyone here know how to add a guest page to a website. I think I am using homestead? through geocities. My husband did it, but while I'm laying around I would like to add the guest page myself.

Anyone know how?
smile

Sarah another great, inspirational and very funny book to read is:

Damm! Why Didn't I Write That?
by McCutcheon

Hey and as far as what age we are, NO BIG DEAL, I am just changing from one genre tgo another and I am over 60. I figure good in one why not good in many? Just write even if its only a sentence a day and believe me procrastination is every writers nightmare....

Welcome, Sarah! You've come to the right place - or as JJ said, Write place.

I'm a big procrastinator, too. I was very good about writing and then submitting for a while, but lately, I write and file away. My goal this year is to submit my stuff. Don't be afraid of those rejections!

We'll keep you motivated!

Welcome, Sarahwww! Have you noticed that this forum is ADDICTIVE too? . I'm glad you joined us.

About writing, the more you write, the more you want to write. It's never too late to start and there's always encouragement in this place for boomer friends!

Addictive, you say? Ummmm, would that be like wandering through once, uh, twice, OK, OK 3-4 times a day?? LOL!
Great folks here!