“Tips for Using Twitter to Score and Internship” was really cool! Being a brand new Twitter user it helped. I didn’t know you could search for certain words (just people or companies). And I had no idea they had chats. It helped me learn some of the basics. However, I am starting to use my Twitter as a professional so I do not post about my personal life (besides if I’m writing something for school) and so far I haven’t used a cuss word (which is a record for me, I’m sure).

“No Matter Where You Live, Virtual Internships are Beneficial” really hit the nail on the head. I see internships in a different state and I ignore them. I don’t trust my car driving to the city all the time and I’m worried that because of gas prices I will never find an internship that I can take. I don’t want to lose out. I have been trying to find an internship that will fit into my busy life, or if I’m lucky a paid internship. I’m hoping that would get my foot in the door. It was very helpful to read about virtual internships especially by someone who partook in them. Maybe that would be a viable option for me.

“How to Tweet Yourself to an Internship” confused me. Do you still put information about what you’ve done? Do all internships work that way on Twitter? Probably not. I wish they went into further detail of other internships rather just one that went off the beaten path. 

Take Your Author Website to the Next Level made me laugh in the first part. It says you should have familiar terms on your webpage such as “portfolio” instead of “library.” Looking at my weebly page I have violated that to the most extreme! However, this is strictly for my PWA class and after picking the background I wanted a medieval/fantasy theme to stick with. Which is why you’ll find the tab “Carrier Pigeon” and not “Contact Me.” I do agree with the article. Content is definitely the key to a website as well as presentation. For our generation, it’s easier for us because we can figure out the technology a lot better if we don’t know what we’re doing at first. We grew up with the internet for the most part, even if we did have AOL dial-up at first! It’s good to start off slow, right?!

I don’t know what to say for “What Employers Look For in Your Online Profiles” since I already knew that they do that. However, I don’t believe they can judge me on how I will fit in with a company if they’re looking at my PERSONAL website where I post about what I did this week. Granted, I don’t go out to bars and get drunk, so I don’t have to worry about embarrassing drunk photos too often. Who are they to deny me a job because I posted about how my car needs an oil change and I’m too poor to pay $30 to get one (not really an actual post, but close enough)? I’m sure they’d have personal information on their personal website, but I can’t look at theirs. What if I don’t want to work with someone who talks about golf all the time? I can’t accept or deny their job offer because I haven’t looked at their page, but they can deny me? It’s a bunch of bull hockey. My personal life has no reflection on my work ethic. End of story.

“Social Networking for Authors & Overcoming the Rejection Slip” was a very helpful article for me. I had checked out Writer’s Bloq when signing up for social media sights. It confused me and so I put it off for later (as well as LinkedIn). I signed up for Writer’s Café and Writer’s Network which seem like a big mistake. They’re geared to high school writers who think their work is perfect, in my opinion. I’m afraid to post anything in fear that some of my work may get stolen or in the fanfiction term “flamed.” Maybe my work isn’t all that great. Maybe I’m the next Stephanie Meyer or E.L. James (gag!). I’d hope not! But I know that my work receives good reviews in college courses which I think is an accomplishment in and of itself. I am now more interested in Writer’s Bloq.

“How to Keep your Online Reputation in Check” had me indecisive. I’m sure that it is a great way to get your name out there and noticed, but I still don’t believe in branding myself. I don’t think changing my pen name for different genre counts as being “me.” I had a conversation with a few friends the other night and we all agreed, if we like an author’s work so much, we’d give any book they write a chance no matter what genre it was. I think if you’re a genre writer your books become bland over time. How many romance scenarios can you do before someone realizes it’s the same book with different characters? I love Anne Rice’s work with the vampire collection. She hooked me. I read half of the first book of the Sleeping Beauty series. Not my genre at all, but still drew me in because of her writing. I had to put the book down because of school work and just haven’t picked it up again because like I said, it isn’t my genre, but I gave it a try. Would I read the books she wrote about the life of Jesus? I might give it a chance since her writing is amazing. Most likely I won’t, but I would recommend her book to those looking for that. I think branding yourself hurts you instead of helps you. If other people brand me, fine, but I won’t brand myself if I can help it.

When I read “5 Ways to Build Strong Networking Connections,” I didn’t see how it pertained to me. Sure in the future it might, but right now I don’t know anyone in the business other than a few self-published authors. I still keep in touch with them because we were friend before their book came out. I do think handwritten correspondence is underrated in today’s society. I would love to pick up a pen and paper and write a letter, but with texting and social media, everything you say is about 2-5 days late. I would love to meet people in my future career field and connect with them. I would love to stay in touch and make an impression, but the only people I know are the kids in my classes who are in the same boat as I am.

When I read “Why ‘optional’ cover letters aren’t really optional,” it brought up a lot of things my parents have told me in the past. Especially to go above and beyond what is required of you. You always want to seem like you are the one to hire. Between selling yourself and your abilities to connecting with the job, the company is less likely to skim your application over. You already did more than what most people have done. You’ve sent in something labeled “optional.” You’re already a “go-getter” in their eyes. They’re going to pretty much stop and look everything over. That’s more of a chance you have than if you didn’t send the cover letter.

The second reading, “Query that got me 18 full requests and 5 offers of rep” was very interesting. It sounded like something you’d read on the back of a novel, which I think was the point. It connected to different audiences (since she mentioned three authors’ names) and at the end she sold herself after she sold the book synopsis. However, it didn’t pertain to me as a writer now because I haven’t written anything yet. I am not looking to get published because I don’t have a manuscript yet. It was definitely worth the read for the future if I ever get to that point in my career.

At first I dreaded reading “How to Write a Great Statement of Purpose” because it looked so long. It was long, but it was very eye opening. He’s right, who wants to sit there and read the same thing over and over again to decide who gets into the grad school? Why not be different and take liberties to show yourself off? I laughed a little at the “Cut through the bull you tell your parents and relatives and friends” because I don’t tell them bull. I don’t sugar coat the reason I decided to get a degree in Writing Arts. I have said before and will always say it “I want to get paid for reading someone’s book and be able to tell them they suck at writing.” Harsh? Yes, but I was reading a terribly written and edited book at the time I decided I was switching my major. This was definitely helpful because I wouldn’t have had any idea what to write if I was applying for grad school. I may not be able to get by with my true feelings, but I think I could alter it some and make a hook that will catch their interest.

I definitely didn’t find “Cover Letter Samples” very interesting. I’m sure that if I were someone looking to hire someone, then sure, this would be entertaining. But for me, it seemed that they achieved much more than I have at a younger age. They were very boastful (which was the point) and it seemed to me like they enjoyed stroking their own ego to the point of seeming like a douchebag. If someone were to come up to us on the street and say something like this to me I wouldn’t care for it. But this is the game we play when we’re looking for jobs. We know we’re the best and this is why.

I like “My MFA Personal Statement (a.k.a. Statement of Purpose).” It was just as boastful as the last article, but in a different way. They way he wrote it was very interesting and seemed like it could be a type of novel (a novel about getting into grad school). It was strung together nicely and it had a hint of ass kissing. For example “I long for sophisticated criticism from professionals and fellow aspirants…” seemed like he was stroking the ego of the college’s employees. They were the ones able to give him sophisticated criticism and that’s why he needed to get in. Something like that. Definitely a balance of selling himself to them and them to themselves.

The “How to Write a Query Letter: 10 Dos and Don’ts” was also very interesting. I especially appreciated the bit about not telling them you value their time. I believe I am a very respectful person and to me that would be something I would do. As much as I want to take up their time, I want to apologize because they’re busy and let them know it means something to me that they did. It’s a good thing I saw that when I did because if not for this I would have definitely put something like that in there.  

This post will be short as I worked all weekend and had no time to do anything. I’m also going through a lot and am not feeling all to well, mentally. I am distracted by the television.

   I thought the readings on grad school were very similar to what we learned about in class. I liked how one article cleared up the difference between M.A. and M.F.A. a bit more (including types of courses are in each to give an example). I was not confused on them as they are easy enough, but I would be interested in learning about which subjects are considered M.A. and which are considered M.F.A.

     I’m not sure if I am going to grad school, but I’d like to look into it. The first article with the questions to ask yourself was very helpful. I wish I could go away to a grad school, but I’m afraid I’m stuck in little old South Jersey.

     The rest of the readings seemed to be focusing on places to go to grad school or the types of candidates the schools could take (such as the place in Davis).

* Are you satisfied with your current projects, or are you feeling unchallenged?

I am in a way satisfied. All of my current projects are the ones assigned in school. If I didn’t have anything assigned or wasn’t in school I wouldn’t be doing anything. I can admit I am lazy and unmotivated when it comes to writing. I have plenty of ideas and good stories, I just log onto my laptop and start up facebook and that’s where it all ends. Or I get on xbox, or I exercise.

In a way I am not satisfied, too. Since some of the assignments aren’t something I want to do. I should be writing my ideas without getting sidetrack or saying “I’ll do it tomorrow.” I need to get to that point, but I am exhausted after work or school and just don’t want to do it.

* Where do you see yourself a year or two from now?

I would like to see myself graduating college and getting my foot in the door of the editing career. Or a career that’s going to help me in the long run. I am not completely close-minded. I may wind up in a field that I never saw myself. If it has to do with writing, though, I’ll take it.

* What are your long-term career goals?

My long-term career goals is to become an editor with a publishing company or a self-employed editor, if that makes sense. The one where people pay you to edit their unpublished novel before they self-publish or hire a publisher. Right before I applied for school and decided to continue my theatre degree, I said to a coworker “I wish I could get paid to read books.” He replied “Become an editor.” I had never really thought about that, honestly, because I had just gotten back into reading like never before that summer. I’m pretty sure that was the summer I read the whole Harry Potter series and four other books (because I was bored). When I applied to Rowan I decided to switch my major to Writing Arts so that way if I didn’t become an editor, my options weren’t limited.

* Which books, articles and blogs will help you branch into new territory?

I am not sure. I guess that’s why I am taking this class to see what’s out there and if I like something better. Writing my assignment on copywriters helped, because I’d maybe like to do that if all else fails. It can be a good paying career and most of the time you’re working while leading your life running errands and seeing friends.

* Who do you know who may be able to offer you advice on making a transition?

I don’t know the answer to this question either.  I’m not sure if I answered the last question correctly. I would say teachers, or maybe if I got a job at The Whit someone could help me there. I have no idea.

Questions for discussion:

Because we have three people asking the discussion questions I will try to keep mine short and sweet. Elle touched on the main readings so I will touch on “Published authors reach out to aspiring writers” since I found this article short, interesting, and close to home.

Maberry states that, “No matter how well-intentioned and supportive friends or family are, if they aren't writers, then they don't quite understand writers." Do you find that you are misunderstood to those who don’t write? And if so, how do you connect with those people on terms of your writing?

Have you joined an organization for writers? Have you thought about making your own? If so how many people would you invite and would you open it up to writers who write different genres or try to keep it to people who write the same genres?

     The first two reading for Tuesdays class were interesting. There were good tips for the unpublished writer. I always knew that you can’t be stopped with a couple of rejection letters. For example J. K. Rowling got rejected a good amount of times before Harry Potter got published. A publisher handed it to his young daughter because he thought it was crap. When she came back out asking for more, he decided to publish the book. I know that I will lack confidence the more rejection letters I get (if I ever decide to publish anything), but I have to remember to keep on trying and never sell myself short.

     With the third reading I enjoyed Donna Bijan’s short part. It really connected me to my own family. She inherited her mother’s cooking recipes and I always wanted to have my mom teach me how to cook. In the end, I wound up being better at baking than cooking and have turned to that instead still hoping my mom could teach me. The part of her family inspiring her to tell anecdotes at the table also hit me. My father and mother both encourage me to write (and always ask to see my writing) because my father comes from a line of writers. He was very shocked to hear I changed my major, but very approving.
     With Jon Reiner’s part made me laugh. In another class we were told that writing a memoir is hard because you don’t want to offend those it’s about, but it’s a memoir not a fiction so you have to keep as close to the actual story as possible. His paragraph that got me was: “Emotionally, writing a memoir was much more difficult than writing fiction. As I dug into the belly of the story, I was also conscious of the risk of exposing or violating the trust of the people who were closest to me and were required to be in the story. Fiction provides the writer with the devices to draw from reality with less likelihood of causing personal damage, or at least provides the camouflage that enables eventual repair. The memoir forces you to stand naked.” It really struck a cord with me because my teacher of creative writing said the same thing. I wonder if that’s where he got it?

    I didn’t really care for the fourth reading. I dislike CreateSpace. My friend who published her book had problems with it.

I thought the fifth reading was a bunch of crap. It didn’t really answer the question of the title. It just told me something I already know. If you can submit a work to multiple publications at the same time then do it. If you can’t then don’t do it.