Change concept of blog

As I evolve as a writer and reporter. I thought it was time to change things up a bit. I have been writing a blog for education as a staff reporter at www.news-herald.com I need get moving both in the outside and inside world of reporting.
As a fiction writer who thought at first that I would write children books, that idea has gone up in smoke.
I am going back to my roots as a writer and will be debuting some new ideas soon.
Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming posts.

Thank you for reading!

Writer Disappointments

There are some disappointments about being a writer, especially the rejection. The small things you submit in fiction that gets rejected can be deflating. Recently I submitted my writing to a contest from a well-known writing magazine, 100 words - write an opening paragraph to this photo. I did, and I thought maybe I would have a chance. I saw the results today - my entry was no where to be found. I was disappointed. I wrote 100 words and still didn't get the job done. I saw the other finalists and I didn't think they were as good. I think we all think that though, our ego gets the best of us. We think, of course why wouldn't they pick us, our submission had to blow their mind, however, it doesn't always happen that way. I am not going to give up though because, although I am disappointed, I didn't write it for them, but more for me. To get my thoughts out there and idea, but mostly to try and be heard, even if only to be discarded later.

New Year, New Career

I never thought it would happen but it did. I am officially a staff writer for The News-Herald in Willoughby. It's something I dreamed about my whole life, to be a "real" writer. What does that mean though? Do you have to be a staff writer to be a "real" writer. No, I don't think so. I think it only helps with your credentials. To be a real writer is to be passionate and not give up the dream. Writing for yourself, instead of other people. I have been reading a lot of Stephen King lately and he was a teacher before he became successful, but he didn't give up writing fiction. It was a passion for him as a boy and he kept going. He didn't get the big wins starting out, he was published in a few magazines and was just happy to receive any pay. I felt the same way I was freelancing. I did it because I was happy just to be writing. I wasn't making a living at the small beat I worked but knowing I was just doing something that I dreamed about since I learned to write and read was rewarding. I am still not giving up though, I have a passion for the news, but also have a passion for writing fiction. I submitted my first short story to a contest late last month and plan to do more this year with that. My career is not finished, but I feel only really begun.

New Book Report Thread - Reading is essential to writing

I am starting a new thread on some books I have read recently. I have always been a reader. My mother, who was deeply into historical romance when I was younger, (scholars stop rolling your eyes), started my passion for books. My reading started evolving out of romance and into biographies, horror, music non-fiction and poetry. My favorite books being 1984, The Diary of Ann Frank, Andy Warhol, The Hobbit, and anything by Poe. I was always into the darkness of the world, reading about the strange people and places. That is when I fell for Stephen King, a mastermind and his analysis of life's weird and oddities. For a long time, I stopped reading because I was busy reading textbooks and boring scholarly journals. I think when I started reading Harry Potter series, it deflated my "good" book habit. Those were great mindless books that I loved and couldn't get enough. I came back though and I want to share with you my recent reads. So I can remember not to stop and don't get too caught up in one author or subject, but start to explore and get wrapped into the delightful world of books again. Because you are what you read, as a writer.

Writing Quote of the Week

Journalism is merely history's first draft.
Geoffrey C. Ward

Joining Twitter

Twitter was something I resisted for a while. I thought, I really have nothing to say and who will follow me anyway, right? Wrong. If you think Twitter will go away, it won't. Attending the Society of Professional Journalists Conference in Cleveland, OH this month opened my mind to opening a Twitter account.
There is a new generation of journalists who know social media and embrace the idea of letting others know what is going on with this world network. In the New York Times this week, newspaper circulations have declined, yet again. Local newspapers and TV stations are also catching on and using different methods to inform readers on the internet from Facebook to Twitter.

If you are not on Twitter yet, now is the time to act. It will be valuable to your journalism career.

Follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/Angelaohwriter

Writing Quote of the Week

I keep telling myself to calm down, to take less of an interest in things and not to get so excited, but I still care a lot about liberty, freedom of speech and expression, and fairness in journalism.
- Kate Adie