Writing Portfolios

We've all heard of artist's portfolios, usually speical large folders holding examples of the best work by the artist. They are carried by the artist when looking for commissions to paint, jobs in art departments, or when seeking a showing at a gallery of their work. If you are a published writer, you are an artist of words and, as such, why not create and carry your own writing portfolio?

I purchased a dark covered, two-inch ringed notebook, one with the possibility of slipping a cover sheet on the outside. I chose my best published articles, essays, short stories and poetry, placed these in sheet protectors and filed them behind tabbed dividers. These tabs directed the browser to the different categories I have been published in, including a glimpse at the flyers used to promote my two published books.

I set up my writing portfolio in this manner:

Title Page
Resume or bio
Index
Tabbed Dividers:
Books
Articles
Essays
Short Stories
Poetry
Miscellaneous (newsletters, letters-to-the-editor, etc.)


A portfolio is a way of showing that I take my writing seriously. It also allows an editor/publisher/employer a way to access my writing skills at a glance.

Do you attend writer's conferences? Some offer a spot where you can place your portfolio. Do you have a book for sale? Instead of the cutsy symbols of the subject matter within your book, why not offer your portfolio for people to browse through when they approach your table? There might be an editor in the crowd and this will open up the possibility of receivng a favorible go-ahead on submitting your latest manuscript or for an assignment to write for his publication.

Recently, I approached a local editor with a proposal for a column for his weekly free newspaper. When asked for writing credentials, I placed my writing portfolio turned to the index, on the desk before him. I was offered a trial run of my column.

A writing portfolio can do the same for you. It is a proven representation of your writing skills. If you choose pieces that reflect your strengths and the versatility of your writing, it will be one of the most useful tools for propelling yourself up another step on that ladder to writing success.
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Pull out some of your best work. Place them in sheet protectors.
Begin assembling your writing portfolio--if it's only to show off to your siblings who said you'd never make it as a writer.

THE REAL FANTASY BLOG

AOL was giving me a fit last night and each letter I typed took two seconds to appear on the screen. I opted to log out, cancel the beginning of my blog on "Fantasy" and give it up. Oops! I didn't hit Publish Post but somehow that one word was published anyway. Forgive me, dear readers, or curse AOL but don't stop reading.

I have been away as you can all see. My daughter and son-in-law were here from Florida for two-weeks plus; we took a cruise and then did the "touristy" thing all over this part of the state of California. Ron was born and grew up in Los Angeles County and wanted to visit some of the old haunts; he, of course, found many changes, most of them not for the better. One sister still lives in the area and he had dinner with her and he visited his father's gravesite at Riverside National Cemetery. It does us all good, I feel, to, at least once, revisit our past. Most of the time, we feel we have a darned good life right where we are.

This has nothing to do with the fantasy piece I was going to write but is my excuse for being offline so long.

When I was a child I loved reading fairy tales, stories of King Arthur and knights, and a scary tale of werewolfs tweaked my imagination--for as long as it took to read the piece. Today I am what you would call a eclectic reader--I read everything. Well, except for those fantasy or sci-fi tales; I just couldn't make my imagination accept those genres. Until I joined a novel round robin with some snail mail writer friends.

A year ago I would have laughed at the mere idea I couldn't wait for the next offering of a fantasy story, or several chapters of a sci-fi book. Today? Yep, I'm hooked!

Other planets? An ape-like man sending out romantic waves to a female scientist? Space travel from planet to planet? The earth as we know it destroyed? KC pulled me into her world out there and I gobbled it up, chapter by chapter, pleading for more. I was able to offer some helpful critiques, I hope, not because I had a thimble full of knowledge about this genre but because I loved the story. I even checked out an anthology of sci-fi stories so that I might improve my knowledge of this type of writing. KC hooked me big time. I'm just waiting to dig into her next manuscript--waiting for me on my desk. If you want to know more about this author, go to: www.escapetimewithkcheath.blogspot.com

I admit I loved King Arthur and related tales as I grew up. I read historical novels in that vein for many years. Then I "filled up" on them and other genres took over. Then I received the first chapters of a book by my friend Diana. The events in Catreena's life and her love/loss of family and husband tore at my heart. The battle scenes, the imaginary kingdom, the descriptions blew me away. And now, darn that Diana, she has gone and shown me the gentle, loveable side of the "enemy" and I've fallen in love with the charming man! To learn more about the characters and even see a map of the kingdom, visit the author at http://casanarva.blogspot.com

Have you ever received a special gift from a favorite relative that you cherished above all others? What if you donned your wedding dress, looked into the mirror and disappeared into another world? That's only the beginning of the fantasy book written by my friend, Tracy. Of course, she has set that hook so deep in me I can hardly wait for each chapter to head my way.

There is a new genre in my reading material. I am so hooked on reading these tales that I wonder if I just might try a story of my own. Since I love the Southwest and Native American culture, what if a young woman finds herself in the Arizona desert and encounters a good-looking Navajo Tribal Policeman who saves her from a skinwalker or shape shifter? What/who are they? You'll have to read my fantasy to find out.
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Prompt: Read something from a genre you are sure you could never get into. Give it a fair chance. Write a few short paragraphs on why you do, or don't, enjoy the work.

TRIBUTES

All writers who have even small successes do not accomplish this alone. Somewhere on the path to success, we had mentors, encouragers or enablers. Those people gave us the push, the courage, the daring to pursue our dream of writing.

My parents thought it was a passing fad that I wrote short stories beginning at the age of ten. They knew I shared them with classmates; but I never allowed them to read my efforts. A few years later, they were impressed that I could rhyme words for poems to commemorate family birthdays, holidays and other special occassions. When I left home and decided to burn my efforts, it was mama who asked to keep the poetry. When she died, I found some of those early efforts in a box of her "treasures." Thank you, Mama, for never telling me I couldn't succeed.

In high school I found a champion in Miss Gertrude Bougeois, teacher of Literature and English. She thought my short stories were very inventive, romantic or humorous, depending on the theme. Miss Gertrude was excellent at critiquing in a constructive way and encouraged me in all genres of writing. It was in her class that I won my first awards--one for a short story in a contest offered by the local Women's Garden Club and the second, both a Parish (this was in Louisiana) and State American Legion Award for an essay, "What America Means to Me." Her words stayed with me all of my life, "Barbara, you ARE a writer." Bless you, dear teacher.

My husband has encouraged me for thirty years to follow my dream. He is my best editor, whether he likes the subject matter or not. He gave me my first subscription to "Writer's Digest Magazine" when selling anything was just a dream. Today, Ray celebrates my successes with me, soothes me when rejected, applauds my own mentoring, and gives me a push now and then to stretch myself. Thanks, sweetie.

There are online friends who have encouraged me. Carol Roach, editor/publisher of "Storybook Tapestry," gave me one of my first "gigs" online, writing for her publication and reading the wonderful authors she showcases there. She published me so many times, I have stepped into the shadows to allow her to share that guiding touch to new writers. I offer her my heartfelt thanks.

There are other online friends who have supported me as I attempt to write from the heart all the stories stored away there--Patricia Spork, artist/writer/photographer/special friend; Diana Ice for her great critiques, sharing of her wonderful books and her true friendship; KC Heath for being friend enough to tell me when my writing isn't my best and to cheer me on when it is (and for hooking me on her fantasy book) and to Linda Sekishiro, the best of friends who has edited my books until I am sure she is sick of reading them (but never says so)and has always stood beside me on this path I have chosen. Thank all of you, dear friends.

Hope Clark and Angela Hoy offer all writers not only wonderful advice, tip and markets we can truly sell to, but a glimpse into their lives--to show us that their personal lives are much like ours. They have wonderful sites/newsletters online: www.fundsforwriters (Hope) and www.writersweekly.com (Angela). Thanks you two for all the knowledge you share with everyone.

I will always be grateful to Regina Williams, editor of "The Storyteller Magazine." She has accepted work from me for years and I am proud to be a columnist for the magazine now. She is an excellent example of what an editor should be like: supportive, encouraging, selective in her choices of subject matter to print, helpful with her suggestions for constructive change, and open to so many beginning writers. And, she also has the most beautiful grandchildren on earth. (Next to mine, of course, Gina-lol). Thanks, friend/editor, for being there.

Today, I am a writer, lecturer, teacher and cheerleader for creative writing. I try to pass on the writing tips I have learned over the years. I am still trying to write that bestselling novel and will never be completely satisfied with what I write, accepted or not. But there is no way I can stop writing; it has been burned into my soul by all of the people who have helped me along the way.

Thanks to all of you, I find myself mentoring to others, sharing all that you have given me.

Tributes. Accolades. Applause. I'm sending them all to you.
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Encourage a beginning writer today. Share what you have learned about the craft of writing. I believe that is a sign of true success.