STRONGER BIO NEEDED, PLEASE!

An online writer’s group discussed the importance of a well-rounded BIO. After I read the comments by professionals, I pulled out my stack of anthologies and read the short bio listed in the back.

What did I learn? It is important to write facts pertaining to the manuscript attached. You do not need a chronological bio with most submissions.

Most editors don’t need to know Kat Crawford is married for 49 years next Monday. She is still dedicated to her childhood sweetheart. She started chasing him the summer she turned ten and caught him when she turned 17. The Crawford’s have three children and six grandchildren.

Well, actually, if I were writing an article about grand parenting, that might be all right. Or if I wanted to show the importance of commitment in marriage, it might be the most important sentence in the bio....but for the anthology articles, it really doesn’t pertain to the material submitted.

Always write a bio in third person. Always.

I do believe I’ll write a cleaner, more concise bio next time around.

Just a bit smarter,
Kat

Brainstorming Works

When a young author suggested our writers group hold a brainstorm session, I liked the idea. I’m old enough to be her grandmother and the idea of having a group of youngsters around sounded like a much needed evening to revive my tired mind.

I set the date for our brainstorm session. Then one by one the youngsters of Kat’s Kritters (critique group) emailed. They were committed to other activities.

Disappointment set in when I realized I’d have to think hard to inspire myself and the two ladies I expected to come—both of them older than me.

I moaned to husband, “Hon, I used to think creatively. Now I’m old. I see the same people, sit in the same pew, eat with the same co-workers. My world is too small to think in a ‘stormy brain.’ Husband laughed at me, but offered no solution.

At 6 p.m. on the night of the B-storm, I put my fingers on my keyboard and said, “Lord, I’m dry and boring.” Then ideas poured from my mind. In less than thirty minutes, I’d created enough material to stir the old fires in the tired minds.

The clock struck 7. No one showed. I quick jotted more mind-boggling-ideas and the old embers began to flame.

At 7:30, a woman who attended our writers group only once arrived. We didn’t bother with my fire starters, we shared and energized each other. The evening felt like a God planned event.

I learned I’m not dead yet, just thought I might be dying.

Signing out, one fired up Kat

When did I start to write?

When did I start to write?

In the seventh grade, a teacher said I had a natural gift for writing. That encouragement never left me, however, being shy and fearful got in the way for many years. When my husband entered full-time ministry, I had open doors of opportunity.

“Honey, we need a newsletter.”

“Honey, we need a church drama.”

“Honey, we need SS materials that fit our particular church needs.”

Then in our first pastorate another preacher’s wife invited me to ‘help her’ write a devotional for the women. My friend did not work fast enough for me so I wrote my own. The women liked the booklet and asked for more.

When we moved to another town, the newspaper asked for a weekly devotional. Husband said, “Honey, you have the gift.” I wrote Sunshine and Smiles for two years. The community enjoyed the column, but when I look at them now I cringe, I used the knowledge I had at the time and God blessed the words.

At that time I met Steve and Janet Bly—they read my work, applauded my efforts, encouraged me and eventually, because of those two generous writers, the Standard published my article Secret Secret Sister. (Spent my first check three times. Grin.)

That is the beginning—my husband is still my biggest encouragement. He is also my WIP—smile.

Kat in Omaha
www.pmpawareness.org
www.katcrawford.com

Do you remember watching a child take those first steps? Their hands flail around as they grope air to balance themselves on tiny feet while they take those baby steps.

For three hours this afternoon I’ve messed around taking funny little baby steps while trying to build a blog. Actually, this is my fourth attempt at my first post.

I started writing years ago. I’ve already been through my first submissions to editors and publishers. I’m way beyond the first rejection letter, firs sale and the first critique group. Yet writing is fresh and new to me daily and today I’m back at the beginning: my first post on my first blog. I feel excited probably because I learned several lessons in the process.

• I tend to make things hard—hey, I couldn’t remember my password between my visits to the posting board.
• I’d like cutsy stuff on the screen and spent two hours trying to load a photo that turned out way bigger than anyone could see and who cares?
• Today’s experience reminded me of years ago when I spent a whole day creating a cover for a Woman’s Devotional only to find out the women read through it once. When I finally wised up and realized the ladies didn’t care about the cover, I spent more time on the content. What I learned is they enjoyed the insides—the meat of the message more than the package.
• Today’s first isn’t a best seller, it won’t reach any great markets in life, but it is my beginning of greater things to come.

Stop by again to hear STRAIGHT FROM THE LION’S MOUTH,

The Lionhearted Kat