Thank you everyone who posted get well wishes.  With my new format, I’m not automatically sent an email to let me know you posted anything.  Will have to check my settings for sure.

Meanwhile, I’d like to share some of the reading done while recuperating.  Yes, I dipped into a few stories because there’s nothing like a visit to other times and places when you don’t want to be where you are at the moment.  But I also took a good dive into my latest Writer’s Market edition.

To be honest, I will never make enough money to pay off the many volumes of this book I’ve purchased over the years.  Even when the books were so expensive I had to save for months to get them, I “invested” in these lists of publishers, magazines, and thoughts of “what freelancers should charge” for their work.  It was a regular accompaniment to my magazine subscription.

Information and Inspiration–a writer’s best companions.

Writer’s Market and Writer’s Digest magazine have been good friends for me since my early twenties.  I’ve read success stories and how-to’s, I’ve managed personal marketing and built career plans.  But mostly, Writer’s Market and the annual list of freelance writing opportunities have allowed me the most important element of being human–they have helped me dream.

Each time I flip to a section of magazines I’m interested in, there are great ideas that pop out at me.  Here’s one I liked:

Kaleidoscope — This magazine was listed under the subject of “Disabilities” (note: not under “Differently Abled”).  The magazine is 75% freelance written. Okay, that gets the hope up right there.  They want nonfiction, fiction, and poetry–a rarity in today’s publishing marketplace.  And they pay for work with real cash (not complimentary author copies).  That is so good!  The best part of an entry like this is the TIPS.  Not every magazine listed will have this, but the editor of Kaleidoscope was thoughtful and generous enough to do that.  She wants “thought-provoking subject matter, and in general, a mature grasp of the art of story-telling.  Writers should avoid using offensive language and always put the person before the disability.”

So what would I write about, given this little bit of information?  I keyed in on the final phrase and here are some ideas:

• Getting Into Life’s Game — too many people with physical or mental challenges are left out of the game of life, but I know there are those who jump in no matter what.  I could tell stories of people who enter dance competitions, join sports teams, and generally make the most of the lives they have–even with their challenges.
• Advocacy for the disabled in today’s world.  I could explore how children’s educational and physical needs are being met, and find out the best ways to support a full lifestyle for everyone.
• Profile of organizations in Colorado that support people with physical, emotional, and  mental challenges.  There are a few near me, and I’d be excited to know more about them.

And that’s the real key.  Writer’s Market is full of opportunity IF you have a passion for the subjects they reveal.

And Writer’s Market is only the first step.  Next I’ll need to do an in-depth visit to the Kaleidoscope website, acquire a copy of the publication, review the advertisers, look for the media kit and generally dig in to see if I fit this community.  All this may take about an hour of work.  But before I do that work, I’ll think of all the stories I could write…everything begins with a dream and a vision.  Hoping your visions take you where you want to go this week.