Hello writers!
My name is Janice, and I'm a 44 year old mom of three teens, and about to take my lifelong writing dream to the next level. Like many writers, I've got stories up my sleeve, in my heart, and behind my ears, and I'm ready to start submitting my work. I just wonder if I should try writing my stories as the personal experiences which they are, or should I change things to fiction, and spice them up a bit? I'm asking because in developing a 'platform', a specific 'label' per se, of who I am, I'm not sure if doing both is a good thing, or not a good thing. Does it even matter yet? I mean, I can write fiction, I've got lots of life to draw from, but I also want to be known as a women's writer, specializing in women's issues. Does anyone have any thoughts they'd like to share? Thanks so much, Janice
Fiction and personal experience are different types of writing and serve different markets. So, first decide your basic goal. If it's to publish, many more opportunities exist in nonfiction than in fiction. Do you know what publications you want to approach? If so, write what they contain.
When writing personal stories for family or self, you can do what you want. But if you seek publication, you will fare better if you style your work for the editors who will judge it. There are many ways to write about personal experiences. I suggest you study the market for personal writing to determine what type of writing will best help you meet your writing goals.
My web site offers a fairly extensive listing of paying markets for personal essays. It's free at www.writingtoheal.com/pew/markets.html. That may get you started in deciding where you want to take your writing.
In the meantime, start writing. You can adjust for the market later but there is no substitute for getting the words down.
Good luck,
Carol
Hi Janice:
I've been writing short stories for nearly two years now. I have written stories based on my own personal experiences such as Hollywood, pop culture, movie, TV, and recording stars; growing up in the 1960's, and working in the call centers.
I did write a short story about a market research firm that didn't care if the area they were calling was hit by a natural disaster or it was a holiday. However, I made a big mistake when I took it into work and showed it to my supervisors. The owner called me the next day and was not very happy with it. As a matter of fact, he suspended me and he threatened to call his lawyer. I had no intention on harming him, but I have since stopped writing market research, because this one nearly cost me my job as a market research interviewer.
But now, when in doubt, I fictionalize.
Besides short stories, I've also been sending out personal essays for publication as well. As a matter of fact, I have been sending in opinion letters to the newspapers and magazines since 1979.
My personal essays have been about my very favorite actress, the late Eva Gabor; the lighter side of the 1960's, the other side of the telemarketing industry, the 2006 Elections, and my favorite vacation spot, Santa Monica, California; just to name a few.
My essay on the Sixtieswas named Honorable Mention in Byline Magazine's Personal Essay contest. Some Green Acres trivia questions that I sent in to a farming magazine back in January will be published in its July/August issue.
Although my essays about the Sixties and telemarketing were published in the local newspapaers, the other ones have been rejected. I'm going to take advantage of that personal essay website that I heard about and keep on trying.