First, a bit of news. The Burrowers image is up for this week, one created by our Go-To-Graphics-Guy, Joris Ammerlaan, and we'd like to invite all of you to write a drabble to it! All of the details are he here.
It's a GREAT image, isn't it? You definitely should write a drabble to it and enter! Also, we are planning, if people want to put a link back to their blog, to add that components, so even though we'll only post the winner, we will link you for anyone interested. (at least that is what I think I understood—my brain has been faulty of late...)
And now...
Paying It Forward as a Drabble EVENT
Some of you may remember B. Millers May Blog about Paying It Forward, and the challenge she offered up about spreading the word. I've seen a lot of fabulous blogs since then about Paying it forward—there were contests and features.
I've been trying HERE to pay it forward as an AUTHOR—trying to spot opportunities where we can help each other out, even when we don't necessarily have means to buy tons of books.
But from another direction, it inspired The Burrow to plan our OWN project, so that is what I wanted to talk about today.
At The Burrow we have begun a feature with eleven drabbles, one revealed every couple days, whereby each character pays it forward and then the next character takes up the story and pays it forward. It's a fun one, and we hope you'll check it out!
In LOOKING for Pay it Forward STUFF, I learned there was a movie in 2000 called Pay It Forward, and I ran across some stuff right in our own little blogosphere, like this entry from Writers Unboxed. So we are onto something... we can make this grow... we all just need to be kind, even to strangers.
And Some Writing News
I don't think I've let all of you know how the process is going for quite a while. The Cozy is 2-3 chapters from done. It has been REALLY HARD getting the words out for the last week. The same blockage that has kept me from the eating right, has also caused some chaos for the writing. But NEW MONTH, fresh start... I've written through chapter 18, and am TYPING chapter 11-- a little behind there. My writer friends have through chapter 10.
I've also been READING Ted Cross's book The Shard, and am TOTALLY sucked in—it's FABULOUS.
I have a couple days off this week—very excited about that. I want to have a couple writing days, but also want to take the kids to do something fun.
I guess that is it at the mo...
So how are you paying it forward? Have you made any changes to keep the idea in your head, so that when there is an opportunity, you take advantage?
25 comments:
I think I jumped in on this a tad bit late. I am not sure what you are doing, I will have to go back and read up on it.
That movie in 2000 was pretty lame I thought. Iam sure this project will be much cooler.
Ted will be happy to hear you're enjoying his book.
I'm not much for drabbles, but I am giving away a free copy of my book. Well, actually my publisher is giving it away. Oh, hell!
Visit my blog tomorrow, Hart!
Paying It Forward is sound living. Who knows what ripples of healing come from random acts of kindness?
Have a good week and easier writing those last chapters. Roland
Getting close to the end of a book is so exciting! I had no trouble writing close to the end, but the very last chapters were tricky for wrapping things up.
You are so kind with my book; I only wish I could get an agent to feel that way about it.
I wish you good luck with your writing. Thanks for an interesting post.
All the best from Beautiful Boonsong
Good luck with your WIP!! And great that you have a couple of days off to do fun stuff with your kids too. That's probably what you need - lots of r&r with family!
Take care
x
Oooohh, you'll have to do a review for Ted's book- that'd be a pay it forward wouldn't it? I don't know if I'm paying it forward like I shoudl or not. I try to promote and support fellow writers the best I can but you know how it is, we always feel like we should be doing more:)
I'm waiting for one of my various blogging buddies to publish something so I can give them some support. I think Kevin Hearne will be the first one, so I will pay it forward with him first.
Cheeseboy-reading over that, I'm not overly clear, am I? Just the idea of.. instead of doing something nice BACK to someone who has done something nice... pay it forward--help someone out...
Alex-it's a great book! And I will definitely drop by!
Roland-it's so true, isn't it? If EVERYONE paid it forward, the world would have a lot less hurting.
Ted-I usually am good at the very end but the chapters leading up are hard because I am trying to line everything up to all come into the ending together. (And am totally loving your book! And agent will want it one day soon.)
Boonsong--thanks for the luck and for stopping by!
OK-Definitely looking forward to some kids time. Next few days are HOT so I am thinking at least one movie, but we want to find something a little more exciting, too.
Katie-Definitely, on the book review, though I want to work with Ted for when it might help him most. I think you're paying it forward well. I do pretty well as a writer, I think, but in real life, not as much--I'm not terribly outgoing, so it can be hard to just step up.
Ted-I think it's great to all help each other out as we publish. I have only had Elizabeth publish since I really 'got it' but Alex is publishing this fall and I think my friend Gae is some time after that... lots of chances.
Yeah, I am not sure what is the best way to help. Have them do a guest blog, or simply do my own blog post about their book? The latter seems suspect if I haven't read it myself!
Love the idea of paying it forward and inspiring others to do the same!
To me, paying it forward involves information sharing and connecting people with resources that can help them move ahead with their dreams of publication. Which sounds a little like an ad for an online university! But it's what I try to do with my tweets. :)
Ted--I think guest blogs and interviews are great--and where you CAN, a review is also nice, but yes, only if you've read the book *snicker*
Though reviews of books NOT read, are a FABULOUS delusional idea... I may have to run with that.
Ha! Got excited about my delusions there are missed Elizabeth! BAD TART!
Elizabeth, you do a FABULOUS job with the Pay it forward that way. I think of you as a mentor, and it is absolutely because of how wonderful you are with all that info.
Awesome, I'm excited about this!! What a great idea, and I love the concept of the drabbles following each other, telling a larger story of kindness and how it comes back around. Very cool!! :D
Yep,in Buddhism we call it karma. Down the South Shore of Nova Scotia they say 'what goes around comes around'. The golden rule 'do onto others as you would have them do onto you' appears in every religion in some form or another and it is really paying it forward. Must add 'without hope of getting it back'. Or as Mom used to say 'play nice'.
B. Wait until you see who does something nice back to you! (it's a circle, you know...)
Jan--Play nice, indeed! Wise words! I like that it is a common thread across the various world faiths. I wish more faiths got that it meant ACROSS faiths...
Go have fun on your two days off. Okay, write a little, but have more fun. It'll clear your mind and the writing will go faster.
While I didn't like the movie of Pay it Forward, I loved the concept. Best of luck with the fresh start :)
W.I.P. It: A Writer's Journey
Love the concept of Paying it Forward and have been amazed to see the effects over the last three years that Authors Promoting Authors has been up and running.
Sending you thoughts of flowing creativity for the cozy! (Which I think of as "Cosy")
~Tina-Sue
Congratulations for being so close to finishing your cozy, and for paying it forward to help other authors. I hope to check out the sites you mentioned soon, but right now all my energy is going towards keeping up with my energetic three-year old grandson and two granddogs while his parents are out of town celebrating an anniversary.
I'm having to deal with a bit of nastiness at work right now, but the nastiness has shown me exactly how nice some other people can be- isn't that more than worth it? The nasty I can rub out, the nice is for ever.
The drabble sounds cool; but I'm an over -writer :) I will be fun to read other's entry's however.
I think I pay it forward by beta reading. Guess that opinion would have to come from the authors I've critiqued for. I really loved the movie PAY IT FORWARD. Makes me cry every time. I'm a sucker for family drama though - and I thought the casting excellent.
Sounds like you're starting off the month with enthusiasm. I always love a new beginning myself.
.........dhole
Yay, on being almost done with your novel. And may I say I think you're awesome about Paying It Forward!!!
Thank you so much, everyone!
And Lynda--Welcome! I think you are the new face.
Tina-Sue- APA TOTALLY Pays it forward!
Donna, beta reading, also. I do MOST of mine on trade (and honestly GET more from my writers group than I give) but I love feeling like I am helping.
Jane, that is a different kind of paying it forward! I think that grandparent/grandchild relationship is the best one there is.
Natasha-sorry about sucky coworkers!
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