Are there any other writers on here?

[wegotchickens]

I've written a few things. Some fiction, some non-fiction. Not enough time though, as I am also one of those that can't juggle family needs, work, and critter care. I do write my dreams down every time I have a memorable one, and have turned them into some of my stories.

Nothing published yet

but I'm waiting to hear back from someplace....

 

[NaomiSarah]

I will read yours, AT Hagan.

 

[flgardengirl]

I write lots of poems and stories. Just for myself really, not trying to publish or anything right now. I have a question though for the other writers/published authors....Couldn't it a risky putting your stuff on the internet where anyone could rip off your stories or ideas? Not criticizing or anything but it seems like it could be something to worry about especially before you have it officially published somewhere.

 

[NaomiSarah]

Personally, when I was thirteen I put a short story on the internet (a writer's newsletter type thing with my parents permission) and it was stolen and copied under a classmate's name within a week, and got HER published in the local newspaper with my story. Can't believe I didn't feel completely discouraged from writing after that...

So I put NOTHING online, though I really respect those who have the guts to e-publish. Way too scary for me.

 

[woodmort]

I have had 3 books published in the last two of years--2 novels and a biography based on my mother's 1919 diary. Prior to that I had 3 nonfiction books--2 on tropical fish, one on fly-fishing--and wrote a regular column for Tropical Fish Hobbyist for 12 years. My 3 books are available through B & N, Amazon.com or Iuniverse.com--look under Jim Mortensen. Novel titles are Minimum Competency and Railroad (Double) Crossing. Mom's bio is Catharine's Diary. I'm currently in the process of editing a 3rd novel based on gas drilling in upstate NY.

 

[LydsZoo]

I've tried writing before... but I can't seem to be able to sit still for that long! Oh... how I hated school writing assignments. mostly essays/reports. I do enjoy writing, though. And reading.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I write Native American Tales.

GRANDMOTHER SPIDER AND THE CHILDREN OF THE EARTH

Grandmother Spider lived on the ceiling of the Underworld. Everyday she would listen to the whispers that floated up to her from “Those Who Lived Below”, the 2 legged, the 4 legged, feathered and finned that shared the Underworld with her. She heard them speak their desires to live in a place not so dark. A place where they could raise their children, tall and strong. They had heard the stories and legends passed down generation to generation, of a place warmed by grandfather sun. A place where Mother Earth was held in the strong arms of Father Sky. A place where mysterious Grandmother Moon kept watch over them at night. They knew they were safe in the womb of Mother Earth, but yet they yearned for much more. They had caught a glimpse of Father Sky, Grandfather Sun and Grandmother Moon through a crack in the ceiling of their world, but had no way of reaching it.

Grandmother Spider had heard this for many years. She herself had ventured to the crack in their world. When curiosity had become too much for her, she climbed through to behold a most wonderful place. The astounding beauty that lays before her struck her. She found herself standing atop a magnificent mountain, to each direction she looked even more beauty to behold. Grassy plains for as far as the eye could see. Vast oceans deep and clean. Mile upon mile of tall standing people with many arms with what appeared to be green feathers that fluttered as gentle breezes blew. She saw harsh deserts, though a harsh existence, equal in beauty to all the rest. She soaked in the warm of Grandfather Sun. Marveled at the wonder of Father Sky, so blue, dotted with the feathery down of newborn chicks. She spent many hours watching the world before her. As Grandfather Sun slipped off to sleep, she watched as Grandmother Moon danced with the star children in the night sky.

Grandmother Spider knew that “Those Who Lived Below” in the womb of Mother Earth would love this place that she had seen. She knew, however, before she could bring them there, they would have to learn many hard lessons.

AT the end of the next council meeting, after hearing the continued complaints, Grandmother Spider spoke up. She told “Those Who Lived Below” what lies outside the womb of Mother Earth. She told them of all the wonders that awaited them. “Those Who Lived Below” begged Grandmother Spider to take them to this magnificent place she had seen.

“I will build you a ladder, woven from my web” Grandmother spider told them. “Upon each rung you must learn an important lesson before traveling on to the next. “Only when you have learned your lessons will you be born anew upon the breast of Mother Earth. “Those Who Lived Below” agreed to follow the lessons and words of Grandmother Spider and she began to weave.

She built the ladder from the floor of the womb of Mother Earth. Doing so insured that all lessons would be learned before “Those Who Lived Below” reached the opening. The first rung on the ladder was Trust. Many rushed forward; pulling themselves upon the first rung, ever so ready to trust in grandmother Spider and the Creator who would lead them. Others, more timid, unsure, held back. But with encouragement came forward. There were others that couldn’t reach out for the rung of Trust. They fought against their own fear but did not win.

On second run of the ladder was placed courage. Courage to truly know what it is that they need and to reach for it. Again, some rush forward, some held back, and some remained to fight the fear of what lay before them.

Upon the third rung, Grandmother Spider placed Truth. Before them lay all they would need to know. Through their Trust and Courage, “Those Who Lived Below” could reach this place of Truth.

With each rung upon the ladder, Grandmother Spider had placed harder and harder lessons. Upon the fourth rung, she placed Understanding. Those who reached this rung knew then why the other rungs had been placed before them. Each was a stepping-stone to the next.

Upon the 5th rung, Grandmother Spider placed Responsibility. She smiled with great joy as those who at first reached for this level, turned and climbed down the ladder. They had truly understood what their responsibilities were. They returned to those who had been left behind to help them reach even further up the ladder.

For those who had turned and sought out those who were in need, Grandmother Spider, placed Honor on the next rung. Honor, not so hard to achieve when you follow your heart, but harder to hang on to. Do not allow your Honor to become boastful pride, which will cause you to loose your grip.

Upon the 7th and final rung, Grandmother Spider places the most important lesson of all, Love. “Those Who Lived Below” rejoiced in reaching this final rung, knowing that all they had learned along the way would bring the Love they had so desired.

Stepping from the rung of Love, “Those Who Lived Below” stood in glorious wonder of the world that stretched out before them. A place where their children would grow tall and strong. A place to grow their crops and to hunt. A place to feel the warmth of Grandfather Sun upon their face. A place to watch the ever-changing Father Sky. A place to marvel at the mysteries of Grandmother Moon. A place to rest their head upon the breast of Mother Earth.

“Those Who Lived Below” smiled, as they now knew, they were “The Children of the Earth”.

Copyright 4/17/02 by Wolfwindspirit

 

[NaomiSarah]

Beautiful. I teared up.

I pull Native North American influence into some of my writing as well (although much more casually than yours - I'm not native, so I question whether I use things properly? Despite my pretty thorough knowlege, since it's my belief system as well). You did it beautifully. You should illustrate it for children.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Thank you. I believe I just write what down what is given to me by the Creator.

I actually have illustrated it and one other. I had it on the Geocities pages before Yahoo closed them down. I wish I knew how to go about getting it published.

 

[NaomiSarah]

When a story falls under "childrens tale" it's harder to get published - but go to the library and check out a bunch of published native childrens stories, copy down the publisher/agent information mentioned in the front of the book and start working on a cover letter to send out an inquiry, which should tell them briefly (and I mean BRIEFLY) what you've written (literally, like one sentence, they don't want wordiness in an inquiry) and ask them if they'd be interested in reading your manuscript, and ask them what information they want with your manuscript. The reason I say to do it that way is that there's a shortage of Native tales (as compared to ordinary, less-genre-specific children's tales), so you may be able to bypass some of the frustration of a market that's flooded with new stories. In other words, I THINK (and it's just my opinion) that you can represent yourself here without an agent until a publishing house says Yes, we want you, let's negotiate.

That's what I was taught by a very famous author who helped me when I was just starting to get serious about writing. Some genres/publishing houses require an agent before they'll even look at you. Some want you to solicit yourself then hire an agent for contract negotiations - generally, those are sci-fi, fantasy, romance etc - ordinary FICTION usually requires an agent before submission of a manuscript, to help them filter through the overflow of rejects.

Here's another opinion:

http://www.publishingcentral.com/articles/20030119-7-2805.html

Above all, get your work out there and get going if you want it published! And, if anyone needs it, I'm happy to help edit anything that someone's working on - I'm looking for objective readers myself for a novel I'm working on, and would love to call on some of you to preview it before I send it off. (I have an editor, myself, actually two of them who edit seperate copies of my work and then I use the two of them and the Greggs and the Writer's Thesaurus to compose my final draft - so when you ask someone to edit, please remember they are giving you their OPINION of how to edit it, but ultimately the final product should be solely your decision.)

Send out inquiries to many places, but never send out more than one manuscript without fully disclosing that you will be sending it to multiple publishing houses - it's like "cheating" on your publisher, but there are occasional instances where it's ok to do, however I've never encountered one and can't give examples, maybe someone more experienced than me?

If you do get an agent, be sure they understand international markets. If the US doesn't work out for you, try Canada. Huge Native market up here.

E* fixed and added info