Read and Write Outside the Box

I am sooooo tired of stories about people who have had a relative pass away and being left to renovate a bed and breakfast on a remote island.

Coming up with more original themes for books shouldn’t be that difficult. Let’s start with looking at our own experiences.

A couple of my friends write blogs about the “good old days” and they always get accolades from readers.

Why?

Because these are shared experiences with readers who grew up in the 60’s, like we did. When we talk about lava lamps and hula hoops, they smile and recall what it was like for them.

Readers are drawn to authors who mention events, games, music, food—things they recognize from their own lives.

My grandson’s favorite cake is topped with coconut icing. Watching him eat it reminded me that it was my father’s favorite, too, and that gave me a great idea for a future short story.

Ideas are all around us, if we are willing to think—and write—outside the box.

Submit Your Writing Online

There are quite a few websites that take online submissions AND pay you for your efforts. Here is a sampling by category:

I. Short Stories

A. Story– Fiction and Non-fiction. Pay you $10. Per printed page.

B. Flash Fiction Online– Submit up to 1,000 words. Pay is $60. Per story.

C. Ideomancer– Looking for “out-of-the-box” writing. Pay is three cents per word, with a max of $40. Per story.

D. Shimmer– Speculative fiction (if you don’t know what this is, see one of my archived blogs on this subject) of 7500 words. Pay is 5 cents per word, with a $50 max.

E. One Story- They pay $500 BUT they choose only one short story to publish each month.

F. Crazyhorse– Looking for the “wacky and strange.” Pay is $20 per page, with a $200 max.

G. The Sun Magazine- They will consider ALL submissions. Pay is $300 to $2500 for Non-fiction; $300 to $1500 for Fiction.

H. Brevity- 750 words or less. Pay is $45.

II.  Personal Essays

A. The Awl- Pay is between $30-$250.

B. Good Old Days– Seeking nostalgia. Pay is between $15-75.

C. Literal Latte– Hold five contests per year. (three have $1000 prizes).

III. Articles

A. Travelicious- A Travel Guide website. Pay is $40 per 1,000 words.

B. Writer Naked– Resource for writers. Exemplary pieces can be paid as much as $200.

C. Technopedia– Anything about technology. Pays $50-$150.

D. Howlround– Dedicated to arts and the theatre. Pays $50 for 750-1000 words.

E. Gameskinny– Looking for lists, guides, etc. Pays $0.50 per 1,000 views.