As promised in my last post, here is a list of my significant writing accomplishments for 2012.
In addition to my successes, I've included notes about submissions that didn't make the mark.
In addition to my successes, I've included notes about submissions that didn't make the mark.
Contest Wins
Erma Bombeck Global Humor Writing Contest: “Honey, Can I
Borrow Your Garter Belt?”
CCMWG Nonfiction Contest: “The Magic of Writing”
Coffee and Critique Contest: “Sins of the Daughter”
OWL Mystery Short Story “Sins of the Daughter”
MWG Conference /Saturday Writers Flash Fiction Contest: “A
Lovely Shade of Pink”
MWG Conference/KC Writers Blog Post Contest: “Writing Tips
from a Contest Judge”
OWL Essay Contest
“Twice Blessed”
OWL Memoir Contest “The
Latin Book”
CCMWG Nonfiction Contest: “A Fine Day in November”
Note: Three contests I entered (Highlights, Green River Writers, and Springfield Writers Guild) didn't garner any wins at all. In addition to my wins at OWL and MWG, a few entries in different contest categories did not receive recognition.
Publications (doesn't include book reviews and author interviews)
Articles: 2
“Writing Tips from a Contest Judge” on Walrus Publishing Website
“All About Writing”
in MWG Newsletter
Essays: 3
“Take Your Clothes Off and Other Critique Group Advice” on
WOW! Women on Writing Friday Speak Out
“The Magic of Writing” in Well Versed Anthology
“A Fine Day in November” in Well Versed Anthology
True Stories: 2
“A Just Man” true story w/photograph in Life Lessons from Dad
“Unexpected Joy” reprint in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Gift of Christmas
Short Stories: 5
“Keeping the Faith” in Cactus
Country II
“Look Back, But Don’t Stare” reprint in Writing on Walls Anthology
“Time to Get Your Jingle On” in Fifty Shades of Santa
“Canned Beets” reprint in Cuivre River
“Stairway to Heaven” in Shadows
after Midnight
Recipe/with accompanying story: 1
“Donna’s Hot Glow
Wine” recipe and story behind the recipe on Panera Bread Co. Website
Note: I submitted a few other essays to anthologies last year. At least one of the anthologies was published in 2012 without my submission, so I missed the mark there. I'm still waiting for the results of the others.
Professional Activities
January:
Panelist for “The Story Behind Saturday Writers” at Saturday Writers meeting
Spoke on “Beyond Networking: The Importance of Building Relationships with Other Writers” at Catholic Writers of St. Louis meeting
February:
Open Mic Reading at Sage Books in St. Charles
Presentation “Think Outside the Book: How Writing Short Stories Can Get Your Work Noticed” to Sisters in Crime (St. Louis Chapter)
April:
Special Guest at Erma Bombeck Workshop at University of Dayton , Ohio
May:
Read at Launch Party of Well Versed in Columbia , MO
July:
Attended marketing presentation by Liguori Publications at Catholic Writers of St. Louis Meeting
August:
Interviewed by Jennifer Brinker of the St. Louis Review for Feature “The Pen is a Mighty Sword” about Catholic writers in St. Louis
October:
Evergreen Cemetery Tour/staff discussion in Bloomington , IL
November:
Workshop presentation on “Structuring Short Stories for Passion and Profit” at the CCMWG Write Direction Conference in Columbia
December:
Participated in “Chicken Soup for the Soul, Canned Soup for the Body” book signing at The Book House on Manchester Rd.
Note: I didn't include my critique group or writing meetings.
***
While I'm pleased with my accomplishments, the intent of this post is to offer encouragement to other writers and show how the time spent writing and submitting eventually pays off -- and there's always room for improvement.
How about you? Any significant writing accomplishments you're particularly pleased with last year?
What a great list, Donna! Definitely something to look back on and be proud of.
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of going to the Breakout Novel conference this past September and putting my work and myself out there. It was a great experience and I'm so glad I did it. :)
Hi Madeline,
DeleteSo cool that you went to the Breakout Novel conference. It sounds like a good one.
Donna--I love this idea of noting your hits and your misses. Your list is quite impressive.
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled to do the Chicken Soup book signing with you and Beth. And I hope my hits outnumber my misses in 2013...
Hi Sioux,
DeleteThe signing was great fun!
Donna
Wow! Donna, you are amazing! This is an incredible list of accomplishments. I am proud to know you!
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteYou have a very impressive list of accomplishments mine can't touch.
Congrats on all your successes, Donna!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dianna!
DeleteSuch a busy, busy bee! Congratulations on your successes! And even on your misses, because writing is so subjective. I'm sure they were worthy, just not what the pickers were looking for at that time. That's what I keep telling myself, anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt was a treat to meet you at the Chicken Soup signing, and to hear you tell my husband, "We've read all about you." Lucky for me he doesn't catch verbal nuances very well.
Hi Val,
DeleteIt was great to see you, Hick, and Pony. What a wonderful family you have and thanks for supporting your fellow writers.
Donna
Although I already knew about most of this, it certainly does look impressive in print! Congrats again, Donna, on a fabulous year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Becky.
DeleteVery impressive, indeed, Donna. You should be very proud of your amazing writing accomplishments. Congratulations!
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Hi Pat,
DeleteThanks. It was great to see you at the Chicken Soup signing.
donna
Logging your yearly activity is a great way to keep up motivation as well as mapping out your new year. Other than keeping my blog alive I would have to chronicle my year by sewing projects. Although I'm kicking off the new year with sewing I have been researching writing story outlines...there is an idea starting to roost, we'll see where it goes. Happy 2013!!
ReplyDeleteHi Sally,
DeleteCongratulations on your sewing projects. Wish I had some ability in that area, but sadly I don't.
Donna
I've always been impressed by you, but now even more so! How motivating.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn,
DeleteYour reading from Fifty Shades of Santa was lots of fun!
Donna
Great! You accomplished a lot last year. I posted about my accomplishments on my blog a few days ago.
ReplyDelete