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Thursday’s Work-in-Progress: Seeking Your Advice

by Erika Dreifus on
4

If you follow this blog, it’s no secret that I’m still pretty interested in freelancing, even if I do have a full-time job. The time I have for it is just more limited than it once was.

But I want to continue developing my freelancing skills and practice. So here’s my question: Is an ASJA membership something I should be pursuing? I’m starting to notice all of the publicity surrounding the next annual conference, so I’m giving it some thought.

I welcome your advice–especially if you’re a past or present ASJA member! I’m especially interested in knowing how ASJA may have helped your freelancing practice. Thanks in advance.

Thursday’s Work-in-Progress: Musings on and Resources for Micro-Essays

by Erika Dreifus on
8

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have caught my delighted announcement last Saturday about a just-accepted essay. In fact, last week was pretty remarkable, because I received two essay acceptances. But the Saturday acceptance was notable for a couple of reasons.

First, that acceptance came after the same piece (or some iterations of it) had been rejected several times. Nowhere near as many rejections as some of my short stories have suffered on their way to publication–but still, finding this piece a home was by no means a super-smooth (or super-swift) process. By the time this essay is published, nearly one year will have elapsed since I began sending it out.

Second, the accepted piece exemplifies something that seems increasingly integral to my writing practice: the micro-essay (also known as flash nonfiction). I have two other new micro-essays circulating right now (yes, one of them developed from the poetry exercise I mentioned not long ago). If you add up the word counts of the three pieces–the one that was just accepted and the two newer ones–you don’t even reach 1500 words.

I’m only beginning to understand how and why this focus is developing for me. Which is why I was thrilled to discover “Focusing on Flash Nonfiction: An Interview with Dinty W. Moore” on the River Teeth blog this week. Among Moore’s many hats is the editorship of Brevity: A Journal of Concise Literary Nonfiction.

In addition to sharing his expert take on crafting flash nonfiction, Moore recommends some journals that feature this type of writing. Which reminded me of two other places where one may find potential homes for micro-essays: Pamelyn Casto’s newsletter and The Review Review‘s flash fiction resource list (also useful for flash nonfiction).

I suspect that I’ll be continuing to look for nice homes for flash nonfiction (not to mention additional places to read good examples of it), so if you have other suggestions–either for resource lists or specific venues–please share! Maybe we can come up with the “Ultimate List of Magazines & Journals That Publish Flash Nonfiction & Micro-Essays.”

Thursday’s Work-in-Progress: Non-Writing Writing Resolutions

by Erika Dreifus on
3

How many of you have made New Year’s resolutions concerning your writing practice this year? Let me see those virtual hands!

As you know, one week ago I was content with simply resolving to get a few projects under way before midnight on December 31. I’m happy to tell you that I did write and submit the two reviews I mentioned; I did send the newsletter out; and I did continue working on that prompt-into-poem-into-essay project (yes, that one has indeed carried me into 2012).

But with the surfeit of resolution-related posts that I’ve seen on others’ blogs lately, and the actual arrival of the new year, I think that I’m finally ready to make a few long-term resolutions regarding my writing practice. The funny thing is, none of them will require any writing. And not one of them is really new. (more…)

Thursday’s Work-in-Progress

by Erika Dreifus on
4

I was hoping to squeeze in some especially productive writing time this week between Christmas and New Year’s. After all, I was scheduled to go to my “day job” just two days. One of those days dropped away when a winter cold worsened and I decided to take yesterday off.

For a brief morning moment, my mood brightened. Unanticipated “free” time! Somehow, I’ve never quite accepted the idea that on a “sick day” I’m not necessarily going get a lot of writing done. That, in other words, I’m staying home precisely because I lack the energy and clarity of thought to work. That I should just succumb to naps and cable news and maybe reading a magazine article or two and let the writing slide. But invariably, I relearn my lesson each time.

Which means that I haven’t exactly maximized this week writing-wise. Before 2011 ends this weekend, though, I’ll have sent out the January 2012 Practicing Writer newsletter (thank goodness for my work-ahead ethic). Hopefully, I’ll have at least started the two review assignments that require my prompt attention. And maybe I’ll have made some progress on one more project.

You see, earlier this month, I dove into Brian Klems’s “12-Day Plan of Simple Writing Exercises,” which concludes with these instructions: “Gather everything you’ve written over the previous 11 days. Pick your favorite. Edit it, polish it and either try to get it published or post it on the Web to share with the world. Be proud of yourself and your work.”

Well, I’ve selected my favorite piece. I’ve begun editing and polishing it, but much more revision awaits me. In all likelihood, that work will continue well into 2012. (For one thing, the piece began as a poem, but seems to be edging into essay territory.)

What about you? What are the works-in-progress that you will be carrying into 2012? I’d love to know, if you’re willing to tell me.

Thursday’s Work-in-Progress: How to Tell a True War Story

by Erika Dreifus on
3

As many of you know, the big reveal has happened: The commissioned story that I’ve mentioned several times on the blog over the past few months is out in the world, and I’ve been shouting the news from the virtual mountaintops. The story is titled “Fidelis,” and I am so proud to say that it is part of this year’s Hanukkah Lights broadcast on National Public Radio. (Local air dates and times vary, but my story–as well as the others featured this year–can be accessed at the link I’ve given you.)

Of course, my first “thank-you” must go to the series producer, who contacted me during the summer with the stunning invitation to write something for the broadcast. When he cited something that he particularly appreciated about Quiet Americans–about the way he perceived the stories making the past resonant in the present–I knew that I was going to write a piece of historical fiction. He was a pleasure to work with. And his one revision request improved the story immeasurably.

Beyond that, and the word count, the only “limitation” was that the story had to “pertain to the Hanukkah season.” When I realized that this December would mark the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor (remember, I’m an historian by training), I knew that I was one step closer to finding a story to tell.

I owe a great deal of thanks to Rabbi Lisa S. Greene, who helped guide me to extremely useful background resources on Hanukkah. And I am immeasurably grateful to three readers of early drafts for their constructive critiques: B.J. Epstein, Natalie Wexler, and my mom!

Most important–and hopefully without giving too much away–I’m grateful to the military veterans–including chaplains–who have given us all so much.

Please go listen to the story. And then come back here to find out which books and other resources helped me write it. (more…)