Submitting Makes Me Nervous

 I have been submitting some short stories, and I always become a bundle of nerves when I do. I often tell myself, "The editors won't pick my story." And then, I start making plans for the next step when it is rejected.

I know from experience that rejections come far more often than acceptances, so I guess I ready myself for it. This way I'm not as disappointed with a rejection and ecstatic when it actually is an acceptance.

I swear I hear the voice of Redd Foxx in my head saying, "You big dummy, your story isn't ready," or countless other things my pessimistic alter ego chooses to point out. I know many writers go through this type of self-doubt and sometimes it can really put a halt on the creative process. So, what can we do, as writers, when Mr. or Mrs. Pessimistic whispers in our ears?

1.) Tell your family and friends how you feel and they'll boost you right back up-at least for a little while. My husband and two girls lecture me when I become pessimistic and remind me of how far I've come.

2.) Do remember what you've accomplished thus far. Maybe you've finished your first short story or novel, or that first piece is published. Both are great accomplishments and stepping stones to more successful moves in the future.

3.) Keep writing! Even if you feel you've written crap. Write out the story and get it down. You can go back over it and edit it as much as you want. I've had first drafts waiting years for me to come back and revise, and when I read over them again new ideas come to mind that improve the story.

4.) Keep sending out submissions. Remember what one editor may hate, another may love. This has happened to me in the past. Everyone has an opinion and a preference and many times they differ vastly.

I plant continue writing and sending out submissions, even though I get nervous and negative thoughts race around my brain while awaiting responses. I guess this is something writers must endure if they want to succeed.

Keep Writing and Happy Reading!

New Review!

New review to share for The Peanut Buttor Tweatment. I am still working on some changes with the cover, but it will be up at Amazon soon. :)

Julie Barrett says:

The Peanut Buttor Tweatment by M. Allman
Illustrated colorful children's book about the day grammy comes to visit. His mother won't let him blow bubbles with bubblegum cuz once his uncle blew one so huge and popped it covered his whole face and it was a mess.
She brought all the children a nice gift they could play with.
She also gives them bubblegum and of course the same thing happened to him that happened to his uncle.
She looked at him and laughed because he did not have to go to the hospital to get the gum out of his fur. Peanut butter would do the trick.
Moral of the story is to listen to what your parents tell you because it is for your own good.

Thanks, Julie for your reading and taking time to leave an awesome review! 

Happy Reading!

Cover for Alfred C. Bogeyman

I have the cover, but do not have a set date for release. It will be soon though-Sept/Oct. It will be available in Ebook format only from Fire and Ice.

I haven't come up with a blurb for this short story, yet. I will. I have trouble coming up with my own blurbs. I can tell you it is a mixture of creepy and funny and a story that all ages can enjoy.

This is my second YA short story.My first is "Ally Ally Oxen Free." I am working on several others: "Metamorphosis," "Mermaid's Kiss," and "Hobo." I hope to have "Metamorphosis" out soon as a Kindle short story.

 I will update everyone when I have a definite release date!




Happy Reading!

Making Some Changes...

I am designing a new cover for The Peanut Buttor Tweatment now that I have had some experience with using the program  I use to create covers and drawings. I am also editing both of my children's books, so they will not be available for purchase for a couple of weeks. :)

I am still working on "Metamorphosis" and plan to have it ready for Kindle by October. Crossing my fingers that all goes well.

"Alfred C. Bogeyman" is coming out soon from Melange Books young adult imprint Fire and Ice. I hope to have the blurb and cover soon. I don't know why, but writing a blurb for my own story book is so difficult for me. I'll keep working on it. ;)

I have been working so much lately that I have little time to work on my fiction projects. I'd love to write fiction full-time...one day. A lady can dream, can't she?

I have two exciting writing events coming up!  I have a piece of creative non-fiction and poem that were chosen to be displayed in a fine arts gallery for Ivy Tech Community College~Columbus, Restart and the Women's Symposium. And...In October there is a writers conference in Columbus that I am attending and will have some copies of Tales from Imagination's Closet there for sell as well. I'm so happy to find activities that center around writing close enough that I can attend.

Happy Writing!

Guest Blogging at Book and Trailer Showcase

I did a guest blog for Book and Trailer Showcase earlier this week. If you are interested in reading  click here 

 I have been doing some copy-editing work as well as writing, and I do come across several issues that are easy fixes, such as:

Using semi-colons and colons in dialogue. Guess what? You don't need them in there. You really don't need that at all.  When people speak, they naturally takes pauses, speak with incomplete sentences or stop, but this can be easily shown with a period, and comma or an ellipsis. Semi-colons and colons are fine in non-fiction articles and scholarly reports, but they really have no place in fiction. Personally, I'd rather have two separate sentences rather than one joined by a semi-colon or colon. I think as readers, we can make a connection, if there is one, between the statements. When they are overused, it appears that the writer is trying too hard. Write a good story--that's all it takes.

Another common mistake is sentence fragments. Personally, I use them, sparingly, in writing. There are times when it adds little to the story, but using them constantly is not a good idea. It's distracting and sometimes downright confusing. So, writers please use complete sentences most of the time. :)

The last little things are dialogue tags. Some writers tend to overuse them.
For example: "I'm not going with you," Todd said angrily.
                      "Just stay home, then," Jan replied tearfully.
These are not necessary and really don't add to the story. Writers need to express how characters feel by what they say and how they act and react.
For example: Todd slammed his fist on table. "I'm not going with you."
                     "Just stay home, then, " Jan replied, turning away to hide her tears.
These, of course, aren't perfect but they add to the action of the story and eliminate annoying dialogue tags.

I hope these little tips help anyone going through a revision. I try to remember these tips myself when going through the revision process.

Happy Writing and Reading!

New Reviews

I had the pleasure of finding two new 5 star  reviews for two of my books on Amazon. 

Tales from Imagination's Closet:


This is a collection of short stories. I loved each and every one of them. Some of them made me shiver, while others had me laugh. I can't say who my favorite character was, since I loved them all. A must read for those who want variety in your life :) Each story is different and amazing in it's own way :D

Ally Ally Oxen Free:


I loved this book, I must admit it had me remembering things I did as a child. Yes, I loved to find things, but, I didn't look for bones 0.o Nor did I have a fasination in them. This story sent chills down my spine 0.o Not hard to do, considering I normally don't read books that do that. Loved it and must say, anyone who wants something to make you think and grip you to your seat, have a read :)






I am so pleased, and I do appreciate when readers buy my books take the time to leave a review. 


Happy Reading!