Friday, May 22, 2009

 

Friday Speak Out: "Write What You Know? Or Not," Guest Post by Michele Howe

Write What You Know? Or Not.

by Michele Howe

When two of my closest friends became single moms over sixteen years ago, I had no idea that their trials, tribulations and challenges would the become the touchstone of my writing career. What began as a therapeutic way to tell my friends' stories (and to help other single moms) has grown into multiple articles, four books, and a column. All because my dear friends were willing to share their story, first with me, and then to others.

Right after their divorces, I recall being amazed and so proud of these women's hard choices and how they determined to raise their family solo in positive, proactive ways. As a good friend and onlooker, I'd carefully watch, ask questions, and then cheer them both on. Over time, I started writing article after article, telling readers how to tackle the various challenges of being a new single mom, from which "Going It Alone: Meeting the Challenges of Being a Single Mom" published by Hendrickson Publishers was developed.

As time went on and their lives changed and morphed (and still single), I continued to be amazed and wowed at my friends' ongoing savvy skill at parenting. So, at midlife (theirs and mine), "Still Going It Alone: Mothering with Faith and Finesse When the Children Have Grown" (Hendrickson) was born.

It always surprises me when people ask me how I come up with writing material because I never have to look further than my own experience or beyond the experiences of those I love. Everyone has a story to tell. Not everyone has someone to tell it for them. Writers have that privilege to be the voice for another person and what a blessed privilege it is.

Michele Howe is an author and Single Parenting Columnist.

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Would you like to participate in Friday "Speak Out!"? Email your short posts (under 500 words) about women and writing to: marcia[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com for consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Monday, February 05, 2007

 

Call for Submissions: Cup of Comfort

SINGLE MOMS: LET YOUR VOICES & PRAISES BE HEARD!

As Oprah Winfrey has often said, parenting is the most difficult and important job in the world -- even more so for single mothers, who single-handedly face all the usual parenting challenges, plus a whole set of unique ones. While being a single mom can be tough at times, it also brings many joys and rewards. And those blessings, along with the achievements and other positive aspects of single motherhood, too often go unrecognized. So the editor of the bestselling Cup of Comfort book series is now seeking personal stories for publication in an anthology that honors and celebrates single mothers.

Stories must be original and true, and can be dramatic or humorous. Preference is given to slice-of-life stories that read like compelling fiction, that speak a positive universal truth about the human spirit, and that both entertain and inspire readers.

* Deadline: March 20, 2007

* Story Length: 1000-2000 words

* $500 grand prize; $100 for each other story published in book

* Simultaneous submissions accepted

* Authors may submit multiple stories

* Each submission must include:
Author's name
Author's mailing address
Author's phone number
Author's email address
Story title
Story wordcount

Submit by email or mail:

EMAIL: Copy and paste the story into the body of the email; no attachments. One story per email. Send to wordsinger@aol.com

MAIL: Send hard copy (no CDs or disks) and SASE to:
Colleen Sell
Cup of Comfort Editor
P.O. Box 1539
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424, USA

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