Writers Abroad

I've already written this post once, but we've had storms and intermittent connection and when I did go to publish it, the site had logged me out and lost it all! 

1. Continuing to provide inspiration for our Anthology submissions Paola has provided some quotes for our Monday Muses this week. 
2. I have written this week's Blog about the 'system' I use to organise my blog, but as with all things, the theory sounds great, the practical application is always lacking (for me, that is!)
3. Foreign Encounters is gamboling along, with regular submissions and lots of promises to submit. I haven't a clue what I'm going to do, but I'm sure something will come along, one of those rare buses, I hope.
4. There are a couple of submissions in the May Challenge and don't forget you can use this as an opportunity for feedback on your Anthology piece!
5. On the Bragging Stool we have Chris A settling down with a preliminary brag for a piece selected for the Chicken Soup series.
6. Chris N has been asking for advice about setting up a writers website in  the Agony Aunt, so please share your experiences
7. There is also plenty going on in the Chapter Group with Jill keeping us on tenterhooks for her next chapter. If you are editing, come on in and join the party, not so bad when you've dipped a toe in!
8. Our next formal Chat is Sunday 27 May at 11am via Skype - Alyson is in charge I think...

Happy Writing!  

Writing Quote of the Week

I loved to read, but I always thought that the dream was too far away. The person who had written the book was a god, it wasn't a person.
Rita Dove

Lots going on here at Writers Abroad, we're like a little industry scribbling away and producing some good stuff! Keep it up!

1. Jill N has provided our Muses this week, based on themes and some of which may help you with your Anthology submission - never too early to start!
2. Alsyon has written the Blog about the importance of book/story titles
3. The Bragging Stool is getting hot, with Angela being asked to showcase a piece on Wordhut (and asking for advice from WA members); Vanessa has a piece selected for 5 Minute Fiction and an Amazon voucher to spend as well as Angela again who has a story on the same site. Keep it up!
4. The Call for Submissions is almost finalised (I think) for the Anthology 2012. 
5. Angela has not heard back from Katie Fforde but has an Author Foreward alternative for you to consider if we don't get any joy
6. The new Task List has been updated by Nicola and can be found in the Anthology forum so check out deadline dates.
7. The April Challenge is still open with lots of choice for competitions but as always if you have some other piece of writing you'd like feedback on, fire away. The feedback groups for April-June are also listed.
8. Our next Chat is this Sunday 29 April at 11am via Skype - Doreen is in the chair and an Agenda will follow shortly. 

Happy Writing!      

Weekly Writing Quote

"It is so easy to understand why the ancients prayed for the help of a Muse. And the Muse came and stood beside them, and we, heaven help us, do not believe in Muses. We have nothing to fall back on but our craftsmanship and it, as modern literature attests, is inadequate." John Steinbeck

Well, Easter has been and gone so no more excuses not to get down to some writing...

1. Chris N has provided our Muses this week, with some one liners for the beginning or ending and a lovely poem to get us thinking about Foreign Encounters!
2. Vesna will be posting our weekly Blog
3. Jany still has the seat on the Bragging Stool, I'm sure there must be more success stories out there... come on fess up - doesn't matter how small SHOUT about it here!
4. We agreed on the Title and the Charity  for Anthology 2012 at our informal Chat yesterday. Foreign Encounters and Books Abroad shone by quite a difference. Crilly will post a draft Call for Submissions this week for comments and Angela is contacting Katie Fforde 
5. Vanessa has started a thread on Twitter names in Bits and Bobs, share yours (or start an account) and keep connected with other writers and things about writers - Writers Abroad has a Twitter page too!
6. The April Challenge is still open with lots of choice for competitions but as always if you have some other piece of writing you'd like feedback on, fire away. The feedback groups for April-June are also listed.
7. There is also plenty going on in the Chapter Group if you have time to pop along, lots of different stuff to choose from. If you don't have time, no worries, everyone understands
8. Sally has agreed to continue her Membership and is now officially part of WA - Welcome once more Sally!
9. Our next Chat is Sunday 29 April at 11am via Skype and hopefull more to report on the Anthology by then

Happy Writing!  

Weekly Writing Quote

"In fiction, everything is a tool. Pain, betrayal, even death. These are like . . . different colors on a painter's palette . . . and you have to use them."
Tod Williams, The Door in the Floor: The Screenplay 

I loved this film...