Sharing With a Writers' Group

It's such fun to share your writing ideas and experiences with other writers. Hopefully I encourage them in their writing ventures.

Recently I was asked to speak to a newly formed writers' group in my hometown. It was exciting to realize the organizer thought I had knowledge to share with the other writers.

It's always interesting to learn about their writing projects...some fiction, others non-fiction. One is writing about her life for her family, another is writing a novel, one wants to write about her mother's life, and others are getting ideas for their projects.

The writers who attended seemed to think I gave them inspiration. I hope so.

The Nature of Blogging

When I first heard of blogs, I considered them online journals where people recorded their thoughts and daily happenings for others to read. Gradually these became more topical with the journalists posting more information than their thoughts.

Sometimes one writer will write about a topic that interests them or one they’re involved in such as a career or hobby. (For instance, my daughter writes a blog on her fiber arts projects http://meanderingthreads.blogspot.com/ .)

In other instances, a blog will be more general. As a writer, I have this one that I call a personal author blog. I also write http://childrensauthortales.blogspot.com . In both, I discuss my writing life and projects. Another blog concerns a quilting and writing project I’m working on (http://trailsendquilters.blogspot.com/ )

Writing for Blog Networks

However, I’ve discovered you can write for blog networks or companies and receive payment. The income may not be much at first, but as your blog becomes known, the income from advertising and page views should increase. Or you might write a blog for a company/manufacturer on their web site about their products/services. For this, you generally will be paid a specified amount per blog or week for an agreed upon number of blogs.

Blogging for b5media.com

Originally, Shai Coggins in Australia asked me to provide a blog about quiltmaking for a network she was starting. I’d written articles and taught online classes for Shai’s web site. I thought this blog would be fun since I once operated a home based quiltmaking business. I never realize a goal was to be paid for the blogging. Shai’s blog network, AboutWeblogs.com, was so popular that b5media (http://www.b5media.com/ ) asked Shai, along with her bloggers, to join forces with them.

Therefore, I began writing the quilting blog for b5media’s Arts and Crafts Channel (http://www.quiltingandpatchwork.com/ ), and then started another blog about Alzheimer’s (http://www.alzheimersnotes.com/ ) for the Science and Health Channel. Since I’ve been a caregiver for my mom and have written extensively on Alzheimer’s, this seemed a natural blog for me.

Soon I shall be writing a blog about home businesses (http://www.homebiznotes.com/ ) for b5media’s Business Channel and co-authoring another about children’s books (title to be determined) with Melissa Atienza-Petri of Frankfurt, Germany for the Literature Channel.

There are many blog networks out there…they seem to be the trend of the future. Some tend toward special topics, such as Science, Technology, Crafts, Women’s Issues, and Politics. Others, such as b5media offer many channels or categories.

Blog Compared to a Column

For people who don’t know what a blog is, I compare it to writing a column for print or online publication, something I’ve done for years. Blogs usually are shorter and often link to other blogs and web sites as resources. You usually are requested to post a minimum number of blogs per week. I consider my blogs at b5media ways to help others with information, inspiration, and encouragement, as well as to earn income.

Whether you’re writing your own personal blog for fun and to promote your books or write for a blogging network/corporation to earn income, you’ll find blogging is the wave of the future and very enjoyable.
(c)2006 Mary Emma Allen


©2006 Mary Emma Allen

(In addition to blogging, Mary Emma writes books and a weekly newspaper column, along with speaking and teaching. E-mail: me.allen@juno.com )

The Complete Writer's Journal

Another anthology, or something similar that I've participated in...The Complete Writer's Journal. This is a neat idea, a journal with quotes from writers, predominately marketing or promotion ideas for one's writing and books.

My quote concerned the bookmarks I make or have made for my books. These are fun to hand out in schools or wherever I'm giving workshops. I realized that readers often keep autographed bookmarks from authors when I found one from June Lund Shiplett I've had for a number of years.

Actually my husband brought it home for me. He was at a mall where June had a display. When he mentioned that his wife was an author, too, June signed the bookmark and gave it to me.

I think perhaps readers are more likely to keep a bookmark if it's autographed.

The Complete Writer's Journal was compiled and edited by Pat McGrath Avery, Joyce Faulkner and Carolyn Howard-Johnson and published by Red Engine Press.

Voice of a Soldier

It's exciting to hold in my hands the book containing two of my stories...Voice of a Soldier: Operation Liberty, compiled by Margaret Marr.

My stories are: A Legacy of Heroes...Past & Present about men in my family who served in the military from the Revolutionary War to the present and Praise for the Women Who Wait at Home about those "silent heroines" who support the men who are fighting for our freedom.

Margaret had the patience to stick with this book through some initial discouragements until it was published. As I read the stories by military heroes and family members, I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

Mom, Write Down Your Memories

"Mom, you spend time researching our family history and telling me stories about Grandma and Great Grandma. But you need to write down your memories for me and your grandchildren," my daughter reminded me.

So often we think other people's memories and stories are more interesting and important than our own. However, to our families, as Beth reminded me, ours are a part of our family heritage as well.

I began relating some of my childhood memories, as well as those of later years, so they would become part of my daughter's and my grandchildren's background.

Perhaps in the future, they will be as excited to learn about my life as I am about my great grandmother's letters telling of homesteading in the Midwest. Your journals, your stories, and your memorabilia are part of the heritage that binds your family together.

Author Visits - "Icing on the Cake"

Recently I visited several fourth grade classes in Iron Mountain, MI, discussed my life as a writer and read stories from my anthology for children, Tales of Adventure & Discovery. For me, sharing with youngsters and stimulating their creativity is the "icing on the cake."

To hear them giggle over a story when I read a humorous part or "ooh" and "ah" about an illustration lets me know I've reached them with my writing and drawing. When they begin to write stories inspired by my teaching, I realize my writing has become something more than an activity that brings only me enjoyment.

Tying Visits With School Curriculum

Sometimes I simply read stories to school children during my visits, while other times I use my stories as a springboard to conduct writing activities with the youngsters. In one school I worked for two days with fourth and fifth graders, tying my stories and their writing activities into what they were studying in social studies.

The fourth graders were learning about their state's history. The fifth graders were involved with the history of the American West. My story, Sarah Jane's Daring Deed, is set in pioneer days. Then I encouraged the fourth graders to develop a historical story about something that could have happened in their state.

A story-in-progress, Uncle Buffalo Bill, Santa Fe Trail Trader, helped them learn more about the early days of the Santa Fe Trail. This story is based on the experiences of William Mathewson, my great, great uncle. From it, the young writers realized they could write about a historical figure in western history or the adventures of an imaginary character.

Reading & Teaching Poetry

Since I also write poetry, I enjoy encouraging children in this area. My poem, "The Cookie Lady," and accompanying illustration in Tales of Adventure & Discovery seems to entertain youngsters.

I've developed a series of lessons to use with the young poets, either following the example of "The Cookie Lady," or other poetry ideas. It's fun to see youngsters get excited about creating poems.

My Mother's Contributions to My Stories

If our parents and grandparents have told us stories about their childhoods, it’s interesting to weave those incidents into tales of our own. This may be simply retelling these stories for our family heritage and future generations. If we’re writers, these give us fodder for our story mill.

I’ve incorporated many of the incidents from my mom’s life into stories, cooking columns, and essays. For instance, she fell through the ice on the pond near their one-room school, sliding at recess. I used this incident and Mother’s rescue by her sister in my story, The Christmas Surprise. Although my mom and aunt aren't the characters in this story, the ice rescue scene incorporates some of the ideas from Mother's recollection.

In my middle reader novel, Papa Goes to War, the falling through the ice idea appears again. This time, the younger brother, Josh, walks onto thin ice, and his sister, Mandy, tries to save him. This varies somewhat from Mother’s experience. However, if I’d never heard her story, repeatedly, throughout my childhood, I wouldn’t have the idea or knowledge to write about this incident.

Even though we may not think your family life and your experiences enter into your writing, they do in subtle ways. Just your knowledge of situations and topics enable you to write the stories you do.

So look over your life and jot down ideas for stories and articles.

The Idea for Sarah Jane's Daring Deed

One of my favorite stories resulted from research I was doing for a column on local history for a weekly newspaper. As I read about the lives of the early pioneers who settled the region where I lived, I wondered, “What was it like for youngsters to live here during that time?”

As I pondered upon this, the story of Sarah Jane evolved. She and her family settled in the 1760s or thereabouts far from their city home. Because I live in New Hampshire and my research was focused here, the story, in my mind, took place here.

The story was published in four church school magazines for youngsters. Possibly it appealed to editors all over the country because I didn’t name the town or state where Sarah Jane lived and encountered Little Fawn. Therefore it could have been set in many areas where blackberries grew. (In the opening scene Sarah Jane is picking them.)

When I was asked to compile an anthology of my children’s stories, Tales of Adventure & Discovery, I chose this one as the lead. It’s a story I’ve always enjoyed and children do when I visit schools and libraries. My daughter even made dolls of Sarah Jane and Little Fawn to accompany me to school.

©2006

(If you have questions or information to share, e-mail me: me.allen@juno.com; type “children’s story blog” in the subject line. Learn more about the anthology, Tales of Adventure & Discovery by visiting my web site: http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea )

The Joy of Writing for Children & Teens

Writing for children and teens was my goal even as a child. I loved to read and wanted to create stories like my favorite authors. Jo, in little women, fascinated me with her writing.

When I attended teacher’s college, the Children’s Literature class was my favorite. My professor read some of my stories and encouraged me to continue writing and learning. How excited I was to share with her, several years later, the news that my first children’s story had been published in a magazine.

Writing and sharing with children has become one of the pleasures in my life. Teaching writing workshops and encouraging youngsters increases this enjoyment.

(If you have questions, e-mail me: me.allen@juno.com. Type "children's writing blog" in the subject line.)

Joy of Alzheimer's in Second Printing

It’s exciting to find your work included in a popular anthology, especially when it’s a book that’s helping others. I have several essays concerning my mother’s journey through Alzheimer’s in Finding the Joy in Alzheimer’s, Caregivers Share the Joyful Times, by Brenda Avadian.

Imagine my pleasure in learning from Brenda that the book is going into its second printing.

Brenda and I have cared for parents who’ve experienced this illness. Even though it’s a demanding experience, emotionally and physically, you can find rewards in knowing you’re making this loved one’s Alzheimer’s years as pleasant as possible.

My daughter and grandchildren learned from my mom, too. Even when she didn’t know us, we could enjoy activities with this lady in our lives.

Many caregivers have contributed to Finding the Joy in Alzheimer’s. Hopefully this book will aid you if you’re a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s.

Brenda also has published Finding the Joy in Alzheimer’s, Book II.

Creating a Scrapbook of Christmas Letters

Along with jotting memories in a journal, you can incorporate this into a scrapbook with photos of memorable times and experiences. You also can add sketches to your journal and scrapbook pages.

One way I’m trying to keep a record of yearly memories is by building a scrapbook around the annual Christmas letters I write to friends and family. Some people add photos to these letters (so much easier in these days of digital cameras and computers).

This Christmas letter gives a recap of the year gone by and you can add to it as you have time. I also like to keep the letters and photos sent to me by family members and include them in the scrapbook.

(c)2005

(If you have questions or stories to share, e-mail me: me.allen@juno.com. Type"writing blog" in the subject line.)

Keeping a "Mom" Journal

All of us have good intentions of keeping a journal about the joys and challenges of raising our children. With the first child, we often begin a baby book, then with more children, or as the years go by, we do less and less.

The same happens with a journal. I began writing about our daughter in detail, then found that life became busy, and my writing often tapered off. I got caught up in a quiltmaking business, writing assignments, helping my husband with his business, caring for ailing parents.

However, I did squeeze in some writing time…jottings in notebooks, letters to my mom (which she thankfully saved), and mention in my newspaper columns or travel articles. As I look back, I’m so glad I did find time to write something down.

So, don’t be discouraged if you haven’t time for daily journaling. Simply write whenever you can. You’ll be glad you did. It’s such fun to read about Beth’s younger years and reminisce with her children. Also, I’ve tried to do the same with my grandchildren.

©2005

Stories of Strength

Writing for anthologies gives me pleasure and a sense of accomplishment. This becomes even more fulfilling when I can use my talent to contribute to a cause such as Stories of Strength, where my essay, “Add Prayer in Times of Crisis,” appears.


Publication in an anthology often becomes a way to help others, where your contribution to a group project may do more than trying to do something alone. For instance, Stories of Strength was born out of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when various authors were looking for ways to help. By combining their forces, they could do more as a group and produce a book with proceeds going toward disaster relief.

Stories of Strength was edited by Jenna Glatzer and published by Zulu. Many contributed more than stories; they donated editing, cover design, and copy editing services.

(For more information about Stories of Strength, visit www.storiesofstrength.com or www.lulu.com; available in print and e-book formats.)

©2005 Mary Emma Allen

(E-mail: me.allen@juno.com)

My Writing Heritage & My Grandfather

As I read my grandfather’s writings, Fifty Years Ago, Rural Life from 1876, I was delighted to realize he’d included information about his mother’s quilting at Trails End Farm, in Dutchess County, NY. I knew, from this, that my quilting heritage definitely traced back to my great grandmother, Mary Barker Coon, and beyond.

Papa Coon, as our family referred to Burton Barker Coon, writer and farmer, mentioned the women getting together for afternoon tea and cutting out pieces for quilt blocks. “They would take their sewing along and have a very pleasant time. All the girls were brought up to piece quilts, bake bread and do all kinds of housework….,” he related.

Then he mentioned “quilting bees” that were common in his childhood. “The quilting frames would be brought down from the garret, the middle of the sitting room cleared, the frames put together with clamps, and the corners laid on the backs of four chairs. Then the quilt, pieced perhaps by a daughter in the family, would be stretched on the frame, the cotton batting inserted, and all would be ready for the bee.”

He told how four or five neighborhood ladies came to help. “Needles and tongues would vie with each other in making bed spreads and history,” he wrote.

Papa Coon called each quilt a “sort of souvenir piece.”

“I used to like to hear my mother tell, ‘Now I had a dress like that, and an apron like that, and you had a little green sun bonnet, and a dress like that, and grandma a dress like that, and Aunt Susie one like that.”

He described the quilts: “ I could see them all in stately array. There were no loud patterns. The figures were small and the colors very bright and lasting.”

From my mother’s tales of sewing get-togethers when she was a child and Mary Barker Coon an elderly lady, I imagined my great grandmother stitching quilts in her younger days. Her son’s description of quilting when he was growing up substantiates that quilting occurred at Trails End Farm in the 1800s. He also indicated that his mother learned to sew quilts when she was a young girl, before she married and came to live at Trails End.

As you research your ancestry, you may find that you have a fascinating quilting heritage, too.

©2005

(If you have any questions or information to share, e-mail me at: me.allen@juno.com. Include the words “Quilting Blog” in the subject line.)

Why Write?

Why do writers write? Why do we feel we MUST write?

I don’t think there is any specific answer. There certainly is no correct answer, right or wrong answer.

Writing means something different to everyone, whether they write for pay, write in journals, write letters to impart information or to cheer others, write for a cause, or simply write to work their way through a situation in their life.

I’ve done many types of writing during my career, including writing for children and adults, fiction and non-fiction, books, journalism pieces, columns, scrapbooking journals, travel stories, press releases, corporate newsletters, and letters to the editor, as well as letters to friends and relatives.

Also by taking advantage of opportunities that arose that I’d never previously considered, I’ve enjoyed many writing experiences.

I write because I have to write…something inside me desires to express itself in the written word. I’ve learned that this “writing muse,” as some writers refer to it, must find an outlet…hopefully an outlet that helps, encourages, and inspires others.

©2005

The Enjoyment of Writing for Anthologies

I’ve had stories published in a number of anthologies, generally inspirational ones and those focused for writers. This, along with my column writing, has provided some of the greatest rewards for me in my writing career.

To reach other people, encourage and inspire them, as well as simply giving them enjoyment as they read something that relates to their world or carries them from their problems has become a great purpose of my putting pen to paper or words on a computer screen.

Numerous anthologies have cropped up since The Chicken Soup for the Soul series came into being. I’ve been published in:

*God Allows U-Turns, American Moments
*Finding the Joy in Alzheimer’s, books 1 & 2
*Let Us Not Forget
*Heartwarmers of Spirit
*Romancing the Soul
*Half Full
*The Pint-Sized Piglet & other tales
*The Hopeless Hen & other tales
*Rare As Hen’s Teeth
*Tales of Adventure & Discovery
*Book Marketing from A-Z

Others are in the process of publication. This also doesn’t include e-book and CD collections where stories, articles, and poetry are featured.

While you’re in the process of writing your novel, waiting for stories to be accepted or that writing job to come about, look around for opportunities to submit to anthologies. Also, many of them will accept previously published pieces, as long as you’ve retained the rights.

©2005

Scrapbooking a Story Journal

As you get ideas for a new novel or non-fiction book, why not use scrapbooking techniques as these develop? Since I’m very involved in scrapbooking my family heritage, I decided to use a few of these techniques as I made notes for my novel for youngsters, Papa Goes to War.

This book evolved from researching my family history and discovering that some of my grandmother’s uncles served in the Union Army during the Civil War. I found tidbits of information to serve as a springboard for developing a novel about a family set in the area where this one lived.

This becomes a storyboard for my own thoughts.

The scrapbook erves as “show & tell” when I talk to young readers…or writers of children’s stories.

It has become the basis for a workshop I teach.

It provides something of additional interest when I give book signings and talks.

Possible Inclusions:

*Pictures from family album of people who inspired the novel

*Map of the area where the story takes place

*Family tree

*Letters from the great, great uncles who fought in the war

*Pictures of Uncle George’s grave at a Union cemetery

*Patches of quilts the ladies and young girls made to send to their soldiers

*Illustrations of styles of dress of that era

*Description of life and schooling at that time

*Sketches about the story that could appear in the scrapbook.

The ideas are endless for developing a story journal scrapbook as you work on your novel or non-fiction book.

(c)2005

Where Do I Get Ideas for Food Columns?

“Where do you get ideas for your ‘Country Kitchen’ columns?" I'm frequently asked.

I’ve been writing this column since the early 1960s for various newspapers in print and online, sometimes only one and occasionally for two or three at the same time. Since it’s an area I love and have pretty much free rein with my topics, I usually have no problem coming up with ideas.

When I started writing this column for my hometown weekly in 1963, I had no idea I’d still be producing it more than 40 years later! Also, no idea of the enjoyment writing it would provide throughout the years.

The ideas come from my daily life, children and grandchildren, my travels and foods I find in other parts of the country, books I read, history and genealogy I research, family cookbooks and journals I browse. One might think I’d run out of ideas, but somehow they keep coming.

A chat with my readers or sharing my ideas and philosophy, one might describe the columns. One reader said reading my columns was like chatting with me over a cup of tea. Another called 'Country Kitchen' homespun philosophy. Still one more said my writing brought back memories of good times in her childhood.

If I can brighten my readers’ day with my musings and sharing, I’ve discovered the secret for my writing.

©2005

Letter Writing as a Prompt

Often when we reach a block in our writing or stalemate in getting our work accepted, we question our ability to write and to get published. I’ve found that letter writing often gives me a bridge across this time of discouragement.

I also discovered serendipities. My letter writing brought pleasure to those receiving my notes. Also, this led me to write articles about different aspects of letter writing for a pen pal magazine. The topics I shared in my letters often could be expanded into essays and stories.

When you’re discouraged, and even when you aren’t, write letters or e-mails. I come from a family of letter writers so it was always natural for me to write when I was away from home or to those who moved from me.

My grandmother set aside Sunday and Wednesday evenings for her letter writing. I still have some of those letters she wrote to my mom with notes for my sister and me. When I visited her, I wrote letters home to my family, letting them know what we were doing. I recall Nanny writing letters to my uncle (her son) when he was on active duty in the Pacific during World War II.

My mom was a letter writer, too. Those bits of news from home, including her humorous accounts of life on the farm, helped me overcome homesickness when my husband and I lived on an Air Force base many miles from home.

So the act of writing letters seemed natural to me as I sent notes relatives, to elderly acquaintances in nursing homes and to friends from school. I recall, after one elderly friend passed away, his sister writing me and letting me know how much my letters meant during this period of his life. He enjoyed hearing about my husband’s and my life in another part of the country.

Take a look at what letter writing might do for you and for those you write to.
(c) 2005

Ancestors Influence Our Writing

I've discovered that my ancestors have greatly influenced my writing. I've inherited writing genes from my paternal grandfather, a published writer, and discovered, when doing genealogy research, that there's interesting material provided there to write about.

My grandfather, Burton B. Coon, was a farmer in Milan, NY. However, he wrote columns for the local newspapers for many years, wrote sermons, and wrote for a farmers' magazine. I've discovered, too, that he composed a few songs...music and words. His poetryalso is lovely, the old-fashioned rhyming kind.

My mom's writing was never published. However, she and her mother were great letter writers. Mother also wrote poetry for her children and grandchildren...interesting little snippets that she sometimes illustrated. I must collect these into a book for her grands and great grands.

As I've researched my background, I've found fascinating people who lived quiet, yet courageous lives. My great, great grandmother Cynthia Irish Banks inspires me with her ability to keep going after her husband died, leaving her with 10 children, five of whom were dependent on her.

Through my research and my writing, my dad, although not a writer but great reader, encouraged me.

There must be stories in your family and ancestors who inspire you.