How The Reality Show The Voice Helps Writers

I was thrilled to be asked to write an article for Southern Writers Magazine. They asked me to write "The Last Word," which is a standing advice-type feature in their bi-monthly literary magazine.

I pondered what to write, and as I watched my favorite reality television show, The Voice, it hit me! Read a portion of the article below to see what I mean. Here's my article in a nutshell: Emmy-winning coaches on the show tell singers to "find their lane." Of course, they mean country, rock, blues, gospel, hip hop, or rap. I realized this advice could easily apply to writers because readers expect us to stay in our lane, otherwise, they would get whiplash if we penned a heart-wrenching contemporary romance only to follow that with a western, and the next year, wrote a time travel sci fi for good measure.

The other similarity between The Voice and writers is the very premise of the show. Coaches do not see the singers until they've been selected. Much like writers who toil away in their offices or at Starbucks and submit their work to agents and editors online (behind the cloak of their laptop.) Our submissions are selected based upon the quality of our work--not on our appearance, which is a lot like The Voice, right?

This was a fun piece to write. I hope you enjoy it.

Another Article in Flash Fiction Chronicles & A Contest!

I have one more non-fiction article in Flash Fiction Chronicles! It's entitled "Five Tips For Writing Six-Word Memoirs." I know. It should be Six Tips For but this is an ongoing column where the editor posts "Five Tips For" on various writerly subjects.

Read my article and learn my tips for writing six-word memoirs. Believe it or not, I had a New York Times' bestselling author tell me she couldn't write them. Many other writers have told me they think six-word memoirs are difficult. I agree.  It's sometimes hard to tell a story in just six words. This very short genre forces us to be concise, which is a good trait for writers.

I hope you'll read my five tips and enter my contest.  http://www.everydayfiction.com/flashfictionblog/5-tips-for-writing-six-word-memoirs/comment-page-1/#comment-31412

Rules:

• Tell me about YOU or YOUR CAREER using just six words.
• Deadline: Friday, July 26, by midnight
• The winner will receive his/her choice of IT ALL CHANGED IN AN INSTANT (six-word memoirs from famous authors, celebrities and aspiring authors) or SIX WORDS ABOUT WORK which is a fun gift for yourself, graduates or bosses.

Have fun and good luck!

Flash Fiction Chronicles Featured My Article & A Contest!

My non-fiction article, "Get Published Using Just Six Words" was published in Flash Fiction Chronicles. http://www.everydayfiction.com/flashfictionblog/get-published-using-just-six-words/

Learn how (and why) I discovered six-word memoirs, read Hemingway's famous sixer, and see several examples of six-word memoirs by famous authors and celebrities.

To celebrate the publication of my article, I'm running a contest--a six-word memoir contest, naturally.

Tell me about your favorite--or worst--summer vacation whether it's boating on the lake, going to a theme park, picking up shells on the beach, visiting an historic site, a staycation, a family reunion, a romantic get-away or whatever. Just tell me your story in SIX words.

Deadline: Sunday, July 22.

Winner will receive their choice of an autographed six-word memoir collection, IT ALL CHANGED IN AN INSTANT or SIX WORDS ABOUT WORK.