About
Everyone has a book in them… or so it has been said. The truth is, not everyone is able to get that book OUT.
Uphill Writing is for people who want to make their book a reality. Make no mistake: there is no MAGIC word or bullet that makes it all happen. In the end, it is you, and you only.
OK, then why this Blog? Because while we have to write alone, we do not have to struggle without help. Here you will find Traps, Speedbumps and Potholes… and what to do about them, as well as Useful Ideas, Tips of the Trade, and Important Reference Links.
Do we know all the answers? No. We don’t even know all of the questions. But on this journey we intend to find out.
Richard Scott is serving his third term as the President of Fremont Area Writers as well as being a dual member and contributing editor of WitersTalk, the newsletter of South Bay Writers. He writes short stories and novels in many genres including Science Fiction, Supernatural Fiction, Comedy and Young Adult Fiction. He blogs about the craft of writing at UphillWriting.org, about the world at PlanetWonder.org, and consults in the Web Presence component of building an Author’s Platform. He is also the webmaster for the California Writers Club, South Bay Writers, Fremont Area Writers, and the NorCal Publishing Pathways program.
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There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio... and isn't it time you experienced some of them?
Discussion (24) ¬
Rik ~
You’ve done a terrific job setting up this inspirational site . . . and you’ve mastered the art of the elipse!
Cheers!
Hi Richard
This looks like an interesting page.
I look forward to browsing here and being inspired.
Thanks
I am thoroughly enjoying your site. I decided in the wee hours of the morning that a blog was probably my only way to acquire a tangible reason to finish a writing project. In a way, I am killing two birds with one stone… not just one project idea, but two.
Thank you for your blog on writing on schedule, the story that I am going to piece together was originally started about a decade ago… back when I had structure in my life. I wrote every day faithfully, unfortunately, I did not have the knowledge or skill to write well, but I did get a lot of pages.
Perhaps ten years, a new medium, and a little help from some fellow writers will mean the difference this time.
Hi, Fionna
Depending upon your chosen blogging schedule, you may find that blogs stretch between a leisurely distraction to a full-time occupation. Uphill Writing is just a tad over 30 days old, but it is growing fast.
Several good friends who are also writers visit here, some make comments like you (thank you for your kind words), others actually submit pieces as Guest Bloggers.
You mention that you wrote every day for a project. I submit to you that every day of writing you complete is training–powerful training in the craft. If I may be so bold, one of the quickest ways to gain skill and confidence in writing is to get involved in a writing community and spend time reading and critiquing others’ work. You will find it to be very useful. Take a look at the online community WEbook.com or search for others. You’ll be glad you did.
Hello…
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and I was wondering if you accept guest posts?
Hi, Renee. Thanks for stopping by.
I do consider guest bloggers, and in fact am looking to have one a day on Uphill Writing starting in the next two weeks or so.
What to you write about? Do you have a link I can check out?
Thank you!
Wow! What a lot of work you have put into this blog. I am impressed. So much information.
I am looking forward to being in the Yahoo group as well.
Bill’s workshops are really paying off. I’m glad I attended. Or I should say, am attending.
Do you have a Facebook group for Uphill Writing, Richard?
I really enjoyed reading your blog. You are very intelligent. I really admire you. You’re the best.
Myrla Raymundo
Thanks, Myrla…
That means a lot coming from a published author!
I teach writing classes, and this week’s theme is “Writing in Different Times.” We are approaching Remembrance Day and I have two military veterans in one of my groups. We are also ending Daylight Savings Time this weekend. So I thought this theme of writing in different times might be appropriate. Looking for materials, I “googled” my theme name and came to your post “To tell the future, go back in time,” and your website. Thank you for your prompts, and your ideas. I will pass on the website address to the people in the group. [we are in Napanee, ON, Canada.) I’m also subscribing to the blog. Cheers, and keep writing. I did see the posts, so I guess your tech problems are solved–for now.
Hello, Christine.
Thank you for visiting and subscribing. I would be delighted if anything here was a help to you.
Best of luck with your class and writing theme!
Uphill Writing is a great resource and very professional. I’m so glad I stumbled upon it!
Christine Peets, I love your writing theme “To tell the future, go back in time”. There’s an interesting concept called a “Black Swan Event”, where the future takes an unexpected shift, diverging from the past. But of course Black Swan Events themselves are now known events and in the past, so can be learned from too. Have you heard of this? I have started a (very) small blog using what I hope will be a future Black Swan Event. I’ve been writing small things for ages, but have never actually gotten down to writing in earnest, and need lots of practice! Hopefully I can overcome procrastination and find that the joy of writing and producing more and more provides the motivation to keep going and complete a book someday.
Shirley!
Thanks so much for your kind remarks.
I was aware of the “Black Swan Event” theory, but hadn’t thought of it in years. I find the idea of surprise, in this connotation, to be a useful vehicle for plot pieces in writing.
I’d be delighted to stop by your blog, if you’d be kind enough to give me a URL.
As for getting your blog tuned up, consider two things. Try to post (at least) daily, and use the scheduler in the blogging software to make the posts fire off at the same time each day. This gets the search engines used to checking you out for new material on a regular basis, and will help you grow your readership. If I may suggest it, use the search engine on this site to look for “Blogging 101″ for a rather long series on building a blog from start to full on activity. You might find something useful there.
Thanks so much for all your advice Richard. The information on Uphill Writing is definitely going to be very useful to me, and “Blogging 101″ will definitely help me.
My website is: perceptionsblackswan.blogspot.com.
Please do have a look. I am a bit anxious about what people will think given some of the material.
I was thinking about blogging once a month! – I’m going to definitely have to read up about blogging, and about writing in general. I have lots to learn!
Hi, Shirley
I stopped by your blog, and subscribed. It has a good look and feel about it.
About posting schedule. Certainly once a month is better than nothing, and there are a lot of blogs that do that. That said, in order to build a base of readership, consider writing more often. The more you put yourself out there, the greater the return.
Also, committing to a more rigorous schedule will drive you to improve your craft faster. I can promise you that there are a lot of wonderful rewards for blogging regularly and often. After all, that is how you found me. ))
Whatever you decide, all the best!
Thanks so much Richard! I am going to move forward by first taking a step back and reading “Blogging 101″ in its entirety. And you are right, I will try to keep up a better frequency, especially as I am just starting out. You have created an amazing resource, and I love the name “Uphill Writing”!
I hope you find useful information. If anything is unclear, make a comment in the particular post, and I’ll do what I can to help. )
And I found the article Christine mentioned – it’s really good and great food for thought. Hope my comments are okay.
Your comments and ideas are always appreciated.
I like it!
Richard, Thanks for the encouraging website. I am a life-long engineer, and new writer. I am posting my writings on a blog. If anyone is interested in providing feedback, I welcome it.
What do engineers do? How do they think? What do they create? Engineering Stories are free Realistic Fiction, short story dramatizations allowing the reader, through narration, description, dialogue, and thought to experience the challenges and satisfaction of being an engineer, inventor, or scientist. Stories are very plausible, being a composition of author experience and the experiences of his peers. Herein, the reader is able to listen into the mind of an engineer, see how they think, observe how they might behave, understand what makes them tick. The objective is to encourage students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM), show what it may be like, dispel a myth or two, and encourage creativity, problem solving, and the confidence to make the world a better place. Share this link; ‘follow’ the blog.
http://stemstories.wordpress.com/
Ken Hardman