On Saturday, I had the pleasure of spending my morning with an enthusiastic and especially curious group of women writers at Charlotte Lit. What a vibrant organization! I can’t say enough about the leadership and students at Charlotte Lit. They have built an enviable powerhouse of writing, and are truly dedicated to helping each other succeed.
The topic of our discussion was how to share your writing with the world. While self-publishing continues to be a vital force in the writing world, no question, I believe it’s still worthwhile to submit your writing for publication by others–whether to contests, commercial or literary magazines.
Why? First, you’ll get to know so many other wonderful people, whether at public readings or just by getting to know them by reading their work. You’ll also meet talented editors, who will happily help your shape your work and promote your writing. And among all your new writing friends (at Charlotte Lit and beyond), you can help each other. As Martha Stewart once said, quoting another baker whose name escapes me, the reason we put biscuits together in a pan is because they help each other rise.
Second, and equally important, is that when you write for publications and contests, you also grow as a writer. Yes, you have to be brave enough to stand the occasional rejection, but you can learn so much about yourself and the wider world of writing, that it’s well worth it. The motivation to improve will invariably result in acceptances, I promise, and by sharing your words and experiences with the world, you’ll expand your community that much more. And, ahem, at the risk of repeating myself too much, we know that biscuits help each other rise, right? đ
Have you submitted yet? If you havenât, give yourself a New Yearâs goal of submitting one piece of writing at least once every month in 2020. And remember, in the words of Harriet Beecher Stowe: âNever give up. Because that is just the place and time where the tide will turn.â
In the meantime, I encourage you to lean on each other for help and accountability. Choose a âsubmission buddyâ and check in with that person regularly just to make sure youâre meeting your goals, if nothing else. Share your writing with each other and ask for suggestions on where you might submit your work. Most importantly, celebrate each other’s successes.
And if you missed Saturday’s workshop, no fear, I’ll be offering an extended version of the same one (with even more writing time and new markets for publications!) at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro on April 25.
Remember, I am rooting for you. Because, okay, last time, I promise. Biscuits help each other rise. đ
Love. You love every word of your new essay. Itâs just perfect. Only a fool wouldnât fall in love with it. Then you realize youâre 1,500 words over the limit for the contest you want to enter.
Do you dream of seeing your writing appear in print one day?
If you felt the world wobble on Saturday, October 12, you may have felt the reverberation of laughter, tears, even the tiny buzz of collective endorphins circling the table at the 
Do you have a funny story youâve been itching to put down on paper? What about a poignant memory of a first love? The history of a cherished family recipe that youâd like to share? Or did your dog do something that simply cracked you up?
ting short stories? How about creative nonfiction or true-life essays? And let’s not forget about the third leg of this literary stool — poetry! Are you ready to submit your work?
It’s June 29, and the 
In this particular order….
me up recently because my friend and fellow writer Joy Wright asked me to share a few favorites and I thought it’d be fun to post my list here.
rty and feel like you don’t quite belong? Not sure about where to sit? Is that a cheese ball or a centerpiece? Is it edible? And what do you talk about when you find yourself balancing a glass of punch with strangers?
Ashley Harris 