1. Many of you seem to be falling behind. Please write about the obstacles you've faced, what you still need to do to catch up, and how you plan to budget your time. Remember presentations of your projects start next week.
       

- Reflective Narrative
- Statement of goals (as a writer)
- CV
- Representative Writing Samples
        (not sure if they're supposed to be long samples or short samples)
        - personal essay from Writing w/ Style (creative non-fiction)
        - passage from a short story (fiction writing)
- Others
        - additional writing sample (probably fiction writing)
        - query letter to a magazine
                idea: expansion to Harry Potter theme park soon, could recap                     look at the phenomenon of the books/movies, how it relates to                 the park, fan reaction to the park, statistics about money                         (merchandise, tickets), who was involved in making the park,                     when the expansion is due to be completed, what the expansion                 will include.

I'll need class time to work on the Reflective Narrative, Statement of Goals, and especially the CV. Finding writing samples will be easy because I obviously have many from being a Writing Arts major. I can whittle the choices down on my own time. But the first three items involve lots of self-reflection and so getting time in class will be

I read a blog entry from writingforward.com called "20 creative writing careers." These are the careers that caught my eye, from most desirable to least, respectively:

1. Freelance short fiction writing
2. Blogger/Columnist
3. Manuscript Reader
4. Screenwriter
5. Article writer
6. Agent's assistant
7. Video game writer
   
8. Ghostwriter

You'll notice that at the very top of the list is a career in which I would get full credit and exposure for my work (regardless of whether or not I get paid) while at the bottom is ghostwriting. I included "manuscript reader" in my top three career choices because, besides writing, I also love to read and edit other people's work. I wouldn't mind doing both #1 and #3....
                                           
                                            *******

For the second half of today's homework assignment, I did some extensive research to target publications/magazines that pertain specifically to my number one career choice, freelance short fiction writing. Most of the magazines I found were actually founded recently, which interested me since I myself am a budding writer. I figured looking at new magazines would be an interesting route to take.

Abomination Magazine
        Editor: Corey J. Goldberg & Bryan Babin
        Published: quarterly
        Founded in 2012
        Accepts: horror, sci-fi, fantasy with an emphasis on tales of terror

Dark Eclipse e-magazine
        Editor: Stan Swanson
        Founded: 2011
        Specializes in horror of all forms and shapes for adults
        Accepts: Short stories, no more than 4,000 words in length,                         which focus on new and twisted ways of looking at horror.                         Preference is given to flash stories which are less than 1,500                     words and still manage to pack a punch

Menacing Hedge
        Editor: Kelly Boyker
        Published: quarterly
        Founded: 2011
        Accepts: poetry, fiction and artwork, that is "committed to fostering             access to emerging and experimental poetry and prose. visceral                 poetry, prose and art that gives us a strange tingly rushing feeling.             We want our eyes to dilate, our pores to open one by one,                         and our skin to break out in shivery gooseflesh. prefer poems,                     stories, art, and images of a darkish nature"

Zombie Coffee Press
        Editor: T.M. Nienaber
        Published: once a week, publish stories in serial, meaning we publish a         section of a longer short story
        Accepts: horror fiction, sci-fi with a horror theme, or dark                             fantasy, poetry, flash fiction (500-1500 words), short fiction                         (3000-10,000 words)

Congruent Spaces Magazine
        Editor: Michael Camarata
        Published: Monthly
        Founded 2011
        Accepts: short fiction (fantasy, horror, literary/mainstream, sci-fi) up             to 2500 words

Deadman’s Tome
        Editor: Mr. Deadman
        Published: monthly
        Founded: 2008
        Accepts: strange, creepy, weird fiction. "We want your poems of                     unwelcoming horror and stories of man’s own undoing. We want                 the Lovecraftian, the inventors of otherworldly mythos, the                         architects of insanity. Deadman’s Tome is a place where serial                 killers, ghosts, zombies, werewolves, and other horrific entities can             join forces to instill terror in our readers’ heart."

The Naked Feather
        Editor: Mercedes Lucero
        Published: annually
        Founded 2011
        Accepts: "We have no guidelines. Amaze us."

These publications would hopefully be a start to a more globally recognized writing career. I'm aware that many of these sites are slightly disturbing to the eye, but it goes with the territory. With even more research, I will carefully choose where I would want to publish each of my pieces as they come along.

The pros of these publications is that they cater specifically to the type of work that I do, which is horror fiction. The cons of these publications is that some of them don't pay for published works, so I would have to get a second job that's not quite up to par with my "dream job." The biggest con would probably be the same as the pro, which is that it's such a specific niche. So if I applied for a freelance journalism job with these websites listed as my previous experience, that might be a hindrance.

I'd like to think not, though. A good writer is a good writer.

I am collaborating with Casey Otto and we are planning on interviewing Lisa Jahn-Clough from Rowan University's Writing Arts department. We feel she is an excellent person to mine for helpful tips on how to write fiction and how to publish it, seeing as she's done it herself many times.

Casey and I have not settled on a research question yet, but I hope that generating this list of possible interview questions and then comparing notes will help solve that problem.

Writing process
Starting to write a story is the hardest part for me, how long do you sit on notes for an idea before you start writing?

How far does "write from experience" go before you have to do research on a story?

Do you work on a deadline? If so, how do you handle working on a deadline? (certain number of words a day, binge writing, etc)?

Do you send manuscripts in stages, or do you send the whole thing at once?

Have you ever worked hard on a novel and then found out that there was a similar story published already? What would you do about that?


Publishing process
Is an agent crucial to publishing success?

How much time does it take before getting a response about a submission?

What are some strategies to keeping track of what you've sent out, where you sent it, what's been accepted, rejected, etc.?

What websites/magazines/other forums should an aspiring writer look at to find relevant places to publish?

Is a novel more preferable than a collection of short stories?

I am not considering graduate school, though I've had at least two teachers try and nudge me down that academic career path. So, the job markets I have done a little research on and hope to enter are:
        -Freelance fiction writing
        -Freelance creative non-fiction
        -Proofreading

This list is general for a reason. Being too specific at this point would result in guaranteed failure at breaking into a job market. If I say I only want to write short fiction and poetry, that's a very narrow career to break into. According to the readings from earlier this week, many people start in one place to pay the bills and, down the road, end up in a career in which they are truly happy. The list above consists of the top three markets I would be able to start out happy in, but I am fully aware of "reality" and am willing and, I'd like to believe, able to adjust accordingly.


Accomplishments I'd like to focus on are that I have experience in creative writing, having taken six fiction writing courses and four creative non-fiction courses at Rowan University (I'm not sure if I should count College Comp I and II, since literally everyone has to take that). I have also published a total of six poems and short stories in the University’s undergraduate magazine, Avant, between the 2010-2012 issues.


CV objective statement
My objective is to work as a freelance creative writer. I would like to highlight my thorough education in both fiction and creative non-fiction writing, as well as the number of pieces I have consistently had published in a magazine.

Self Evaluation

1.    List your personal strengths and weaknesses.
          - Strengths: Logical, level-headed, observant, creative
          - Weaknesses: procrastinator

2.    List important or related courses you have taken.
           College Composition (I and II)
           Creative Writing (I and II)
           Linguistics
           The Writer’s Mind
           Journalistic Writing
           Writing Poetry
           Writing, Research, and Technology
           Magazine Article Writing
           Writing Children’s Stories
           Writing with Style
           Film Scenario Writing
           Writing Fiction

3.    What is your major and specialization, overall cumulative GPA? How many credits have you taken in your major?
            - Major: Writing Arts
            - GPA: 3.450
            - Credits: 103

4.    Do you have a minor or coordinate major? Explain.
            - Coordinate Major: Philosophy/Religion (specializing in Religious Studies)

5.      List hobbies, activities, interests, especially those related to your major.
            - Activities
                 reading fiction
                 writing short fiction/poetry

6.      List all the offices you have held in clubs or writing associations.
7.      Do you hold any special licenses?

8.      List special skills. Have you served in the military? Have you ever published? What computer programs are you skilled in?
            - Published: Avant, Rowan Univ. undergraduate Magazine
                      + Fall 2010 issue
                              2 poems (“Twisted,” “Russian Winter”)
                              2 short stories (“Happy Holidays,” “Broken”)
                       + Spring 2011 issue
                              1 flash fiction (“Tell Me”)
                       + Fall 2011 issue
                              1 poem (“Sailing to the Moon”)
             - Concert band (clarinet)
                         9 years (grades 4-12)
             - Marching band (clarinet)
                         4 years (grade 9-12)

9.      List the types of writing you do the most.
             - Short fiction
             - Poetry
             - Genres: horror, fantasy

10.   List awards, honors, academic or otherwise.
             - Academic Achievement
                     National Junior Honor Society
             - High School Marching Band
                      Most Improved Freshman
             - High School Concert Band
                      First Chair (senior year)

11.    List special programs in which you have participated.
             - Girl Scouts

12.   List charity work.
             - E.H.T Community Pride Day (annual roadside trash clean up)

13.   List any scholarships you have received.
14.   List key projects and roles you have played in them.

15.    List all jobs you have had (dates, length if employment, promotions, responsibilities, title, etc.
             - Summer job: Boscov’s
                       Since summer 2009
                       Annual "Tent Sale"
                       Responsibilities
                               Cashier
                               Straighten/stock shelves
                               Vacuum rain water

16.    Describe the kinds of employment you seek (rank order of your top three job goals)
             - Write/publish fiction
             - Write/publish non-fiction
                       magazine articles
                       newspaper articles
             - Freelance book reviewer

17.    List three people who can recommend you and how you have been associated with them.

     - Martin Itzkowitz, professor (Rowan Univ., Writing Arts Dept.)
                    + Writing with Style (creative non-fiction)
     - Drew Kopp, professor (Rowan Univ, Writing Arts Dept.)
                    + College Composition II
                    + Evaluating Writing
     - Jonathan Mason, assistant professor (Rowan Univ., Radio/TV/Film Dept.)
                     + Film Scenario Writing (creative fiction)

The writer’s life I envision for myself now is to continue what I’m doing. In class, I watch bored people doodle all over their notes or clickity-clack on their cellphones if they’re bored. My method of boredom-fighting is much less conspicuous. I take a notebook out and start writing dialogue for a story that I’m working on, descriptions of characters/places, important plot points, interesting backstory. I write down the images I see in my head, anything that doesn’t have to do with the lecture. I look like I’m taking diligent notes, and usually I am. But sometimes, I look at my open textbook and a word or phrase literally jumps out at me and sparks a flashfire in my mind that will become another story idea and then I get sidetracked from the class…

The only problem with this rush of creativity is that I have all of these “brilliant” ideas and no time to flesh them out. This is where my relatively uneventful summer job comes in. I work at a department store and whenever the manager isn’t looking or when a little old lady isn’t arguing with me about an expired coupon, I pull out a pocket-sized legal pad I keep hidden amongst the paper clips, pens, and “PAID” stickers and work on my short stories. I have excellent peripheral vision, honed from grades 1 through 12 when people thought it was funny to sneak up on that odd girl sitting at the back of the lunchroom and make shadow puppets across the pages of her book. I trained my brain to multi-task, to be immersed in the adventures on the page and also to keep an eye out for real life villains all around me. People find it hard to believe that I can do that, but I can. It’s a nifty tool.

If you’d asked me how I envisioned my writer’s life when I was still in middle school, I would have described me sitting in a little café with a penny in my pocket, writing on a napkin like J.K. Rowling. And if you’d asked me in my Junior year of high school (when I read The Talisman), I would have described something not unlike the picture on the back of this incredible novel, where it shows a young Stephen King smiling in front of a typewriter, with his nerdy glasses on and his sleeves rolled up.

Today I simply envision a less paranoid state of mind than how I read/write now. I hope to have more time to dedicate only to my writing, with virtually no one to bother me except maybe an editor. I’ve been told that human contact is desirable, so of course I would leave my writer’s den once in a while to wander in a populated area, wherever my whim chooses.

I don’t care how unrealistic this vision is. If you don’t have hope, then what’s the point of the future? I found Thomas Turner’s little article understandably but annoyingly bitter….

_________________________________________________________

Three things about me that I could use to find my writing niche

1)      I love watching and commenting on movies I’ve recently seen
2)      I love reading a story and saying, “Why did she write this sentence like that? I would have written it like this.” Or I'd say, “This character’s behavior is not at all believable. Why is she so obsessed with this sparkly emo vampire?” or even, “I can’t believe this crap was published. Here are the reasons why….”
3)      I am witty and observant

I don’ write about any of these things professionally. I did make brief facebook statuses about how The Devil Inside was overrated, and every week I give a recap and personal comments on the newest Project Runway episode. I also share my profound thoughts about life in general, for example I recently updated my status to: you know you're a college student when you find a crumpled note-to-self reminding you to "eat lunch."

I'm sure I could find a niche from these hobbies.

I am a dual Writing Arts and Philosophy/Religion major (specializing in Religious Studies) at Rowan University and I am a self-proclaimed Ravenclaw at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am a bibliophile, I love to read horror and fantasy fiction, and love to write my own short fiction. My two favorite authors of all time are Stephen King and J.K. Rowling, who are geniuses of their respective genres.