What is it like to climb the non-published mountain, knock on the publisher’s door and watch it crack open? In a way, it’s like trekking Mount Everest. Legs burn, heart pounds, lungs squeeze as the mouth sucks in high altitude scattered air molecules. But when a trekker reaches the summit, the world spreads its arms and offers a fresh view! Relief, excitement, and success fuse. Dopamine explodes from the brain, zings through the chest, and replaces toil’s pain. When my work appears online or in print, my dopamine rushes, skin tingles, and eyes crinkle. Like an addict, I crave bites of success. Achievement trumps the toil.
For three years, I sat behind the desk, read books, studied, and wrote. In time, friends, family, and I spread the word of my poetry and fiction novel endeavors. Then a writing group invited me to join.
Members of the Wednesday Writers Group critique one another’s work. We revise and start over again. Week after week. Literally and figuratively, our voices evolve as we read drafts of poems, short stories, flash fiction, plays, blogs, and novels aloud.
Last April, I read three poems at an open mike poetry event. Unbeknownst to me, two editors of two different literary journals sat in the audience. Afterward, they asked me to submit my work. For the first time, I experienced the rush of a writer, published and validated.
Like a sponge, I absorb instruction from Creative Writing Institute’s mentors, as well as independent workshops, books, and blogs. Although the learning process continues, it enhances but does not replace the creative process. I study as I write and submit work to literary journals, magazines, and contests. Over and over again. It’s an endless process.
At poetry readings, the hush that blankets an audience embraces me when I stand before the microphone. Afterward, other poets and writers critique my reading and writing. They share contest or workshop information, send invitations to literary events, and include me in social gatherings. A new circle of friends and acquaintances, separate from family, has formed.
Like a high five, payment for a written piece rewards the writer. I received $1.25 for a 220-word flash fiction piece. Not enough for a burger, but enough for a dose of dopamine. In the spring of 2016, an independent book publisher will print my first chapbook. Then I’ll rake in $7.00 of the $15.00 price. When I complete the fiction novel, I may self-publish it and keep the proceeds.
Although I have not broken into the literary world, I’m peeking around the door. Occasionally, someone hears my tiny voice calling from the mountains of submitted poems and manuscripts. More about Translation Agency UK
Success is within your reach, too, if you stay on track. Every day, study, read, and write. Join a writing group or start your own. Identify prospective writing platforms, and submit your work. Let the publisher hear your voice. When you crash through the door and conquer the mountain, savor the rush. Then start again. Best wishes in your endeavors!
Writing Terminologies
This is a great study for writing sports journalism.
Ace describes a very good job at whatever sport the athletes are playing. Can also be used to designate the best player in the game. “Tiger Woods was the ace of the entire PGA and he blew it!”
Class, used as a noun in this instance, is a feature of sportswriters. “Classy” being a player who is courteous to the writers and his/her opposing team. “Classless” occurs when the coach passes on a postgame handshake.
Distraction used as a noun means anything that hinders winning the game.
Era as an adjective connotes a certain period of time. Sometimes this period is marked by the presence or lack of presence of a Superstar athlete or coach: “pre-Johnson era”.
Glass jaw is someone’s Achilles heel (weakness)
Hat-trick used in baseball would me that the batting team took three bases. A threefold play. “The Cubs just pulled a hat-trick and the crowds are going wild!.”
Jumps in figure skating are the interchanges whereby skaters leap or rotate their bodies on the ice. In addition to simple jumps, there are six main revolving jumps: the axel, the loop, the toe loop, the salchow, the lutz, and the flip. “Michelle Kwan just performed a triple lutz followed by the salchow and toe loop. What a seamless performance she gave tonight.”
Kill or kill shot in badminton describes a rapid downward shot that is not easily returned. “Sabrina went in for her kill-shot and Victoria was absolutely unable to reciprocate. Point Sabrina.”
Net shot in either tennis or badminton means a shot from the forecourt that barely clears the net and then drops off precipitously.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of various sports terminologies, and this column just touches the tip of that list.
