17 useful things I found out about and was reminded of in the January 2010 issue of writers digest magazine

• MFA in creative writing is an option for women who aren't interested in a full-time program – the option = go to a low residency program.
• Unless I get started on a single novel I'll never finish one. A million ideas have been clogging my mind and stilling my hand.
• Lots of people like writing prompts. Writers Digest did a poll at one of their forums and only 16.7% of respondents were like me and said they didn't like prompts. The others divided up between liking 3 different prompt types. MPW's Introspective Oracle has a specific challenge prompt. Contribute your 164 word story.
• Three of four non-staff contributors are women and the editor is a woman.
• I still want to go to the Iowa Summer Writing Festival
• Prizes of more than $30,000 are at stake in the upcoming Writers Digest writing competition. Entry deadline is 14 May 2010 – get on it!
• Unless you actually write you're not really a writer.
• Reading bylines is inspiring.
• Perfectionism and procrastination are cosmic twins. I found help in the form of a 90 page e-book from www.HillaryRettig.com – she has a classified ad in the back of the magazine. Read my nightly novelist blog to see if the advice is helping.
• Online workshops are available. If you've ever participated in one share your experiences with other MultiPurposeWoman.
• Sena Jeter Naslund – my college writing professor and author of 7 great novels – shows up (in print or person) whenever I'm on the “should-I-keep-at-it” fence. She's the guest for the MFA Insider column.
• Every organization now has a facebook page. Yes, I befriended Writers Digest. And yes, I have facebook even though my daughter said I was too old for it.
• Writer's Digest Writing Kit: Everything You Need To Get Creative, Start Writing and Get Published– the title tells it all. Wonder if it delivers. If you have it let the rest of us know. the title tells it all. Wonder if it delivers. If you have it let the rest of us know.
• Online exclusives are available – I imagine these are to give readers something to do during the four months the magazine isn't published. (What's the deal with 8 issues a year?)
• My desire to write a novel and get it published is stronger than ever!
• AuthorNation.com - “The online community for Authors, Writers, Poets, and their Readers ”. Membership is free and there's a lot of free advice and tools.
• N.M. Kelby's The Constant Art of Being a Writer: The Life, Art and Business of Fiction – it's the very next how-to book I'm buying – love the title