Hi friends & writers!
There is always something of a relief when February hits and we are off the hook (somewhat) from our resolutions, and we can relax into accepting all the chocolate being offered city-wide. I hope your months get off to a luxuriant start.
Wishing you happy writing,
e
PROCESS: THEMATIC VENN DIAGRAMS
I studied English not math, so bear with me: but remember Venn Diagrams, those three-circle collisions that show relationships between sets? They can be useful in figuring out the theme of a given piece of writing. It is what these three topics have to say about each other – with YOU as the person saying these things – that best determines a story’s theme. And knowing the theme is extremely helpful when revising, because it shows us what must stay in, and what can come out.
Try this: Draw three circles that overlap, and label one for each topic you think your story is about. Perhaps the writing is about parenthood, insomnia, and sumo wrestling; or perhaps it is about nature, underground cultures, and a summer you lived in New York. Whatever the topics, try linking them as a threesome, and the middle – where they intersect – is what makes your story completely its own beast.
FEATURED VENUE: THE NEW YORKER
Yes, the real New Yorker – why not? There is no submission fee, they respond in a timely fashion, and their online system is straightforward. Pull out your best piece and send it to them, just because they might say yes.
Submission Guidelines here: http://www.newyorker.com/contact/contactus
PROMPT
Think of a character from myth or folklore – Vulcan, Venus, Jack of the Beanstalk, Snow White’s stepmother – and write their thoughts as they get up in the morning. (10min)
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