One of my short stories was accepted for publication in Lachryma Publishing's Modern Songs of Lament journal. Exciting! Once again it has been proven that persistence pays off. This is the second time I followed up a rejection with a different submission and it was accepted. Keep trying, everyone! When they say, "It's not right for us but we'd like to see more of your work," take them up on it!

This 'For Writers' section on Jennifer Weiner's website is great, and an enjoyable read. It begins with, "So you want to be a novelist?" Enough said.

The premiere issue of Della Donna is up, and I am very excited and pleased. I am also very proud of all of the women who contributed their work. When you put up a call for submissions, you never know what you will get, in terms of quantity and quality. The work that I have received has been remarkable and I hope that I have given these talented people one more place to show off their stuff and get the recognition they deserve.

If you would like, please go check it out and leave your comments for the contributors below each piece.

Trying to play 'Wonder Woman' sure makes your own personal writing suffer. I haven't written something for myself in a long time... And I still feel behind. The editing gig I got isn't going so well because there was a big, unexpected hurdle to jump that work and school are preventing me from jumping. I also owe Estella an article on truth & books pretty soon. I started it this morning but I soon realized it sounded waaaayy too much like the last article I wrote for them. Yikes.

Am I subconsciously recycling material??

The creative writing class I just pretty much completed (still have an exam to take, otherwise done) forced me to write short stories and dialogues all the time, and it was great. I am the kind of writer who seriously needs prompts. I guess 'need' is a strong word but they sure help.

I 'need' a push.

It is very sad that Kurt Vonnegut has died. One of the great writers. You could always count on him for a crazy, funny quote. Google some of his sayings, give yourself a chuckle.

I was in the library the other day and I went to the section with all the writing books. Geez, there are a lot of writing books. There was one book that was titled something like, "The Phrasebook for Romance Novel Writers" and all it was - the whole book - was phrases you could use in a romantic novel, like "her hair swayed in the soft, summer wind." Cracked me up. I'd hope that if you're a writer, you're not going to pull someone else's phrases out of a book and just insert them as if you had written them yourself. Strange.

To use a pen name or not to use a pen name: that is the question.

(I know that was cheesy but bear with me, and as cliched as quoting it has become, I love that play.)

I have the opportunity to write a small piece to be published in a book that is compiled of such small pieces. The subject matter is extremely personal, and the powers that be have told me that it is okay to use a pen name for anonymity. This is what I would like to do, but I am wondering about how I will use it in my portfolio in the future. Obviously I couldn't advertise it on my website with my other work. But this will be my first publication in an actual book, so I am really torn. I am leaning more towards using the pen name, just because what I write will be so personal. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I had an excellent idea for an article this morning - not one of those fleeting ideas that could've possibly been something, but a great idea that I got all excited about - and I forgot it. I was driving my car so I couldn't write it down, and now it's gone. I hate when that happens. It won't be back. I need to buy myself one of those recorders.

On a brighter note, response regarding Della Donna has been overwhelming, and of great quality too. I am super excited. Finally I get to merge my loves - supporting women and writing/editing - and other people are getting excited about it too!

I had a thought today that I wish I had a penpal. Isn't that a strange thought? Considering how much I write to people over email and through blogs. I just miss the old-fashioned method of putting pen to paper and mailing it to someone. Boyfriend thinks I'm obsessed with greeting cards. I send them back home all the time for no reason. I just sent one to my sister and one to my mother yesterday, and I picked up one for my father that is waiting to go out.

All I do is write - for work, for school, for freelance jobs, for my journalling, for my publishing commitments... and yet I can't get enough of it. It's like an addiction to self-expression.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am starting a women's webzine in the near future and am seeking submissions. Information can be found at the site: http://delladonna.blogspot.com.

I would be thrilled if anyone chooses to submit some work!