Drafts on Demitasse

I have yet to meet an espresso cup I don't love and don't even get me started on demitasse spoons. I love tiny treasures. My house is full of random pint-sized things. My windowsill is lined with espresso cups and if you happen to step on something sharp; well, if it’s not a Lego, it’s most likely a miniature chicken or perhaps an itty-bitty baby. My friend sent me a photo of a tiny cow she found in her jacket pocket the other day and I immediately shot back a text of the tiny farmer living in my coat pocket.

Part of the attraction of petite things is that they feel less committal, a mini cup of coffee, a small spoonful of tiramisu. If I drink and eat sample-sized amounts I can try more. Small plates are a revelation. I want a bite of everything - à la carte. So much of life is choosing one thing and sticking to it, that when it comes to food and writing and fashion, I want to sample a little of everything.

We choose a spouse, we become a parent, we pick a career path and the majority of our life is settled. This is what settling down looks like, you have made your big choices and now your everyday path is carved out. And while there is a peace in this, a belonging and a comfort, our minds do wonder at times. What if I had stayed with my music lessons or taken that job abroad? I find it safe to keep my mind close to home, to feel the path under my feet—its sturdiness, its native flowers and its predictable weather patterns. I mostly like my choices as in the bond of family, the pull of the lake and my voice in written words. There are things I would never change, they have grown right into me like tree roots, wrapping, winding and holding me together. Yet, the shifts in seasons, from winter's starkness to summer's bloom is all available whilst staying grounded. This is why I love so many different styles from the saturated colors of a Moroccan market to washed-out variations of white. Demitasse allows me an endless array of options without becoming too full.

With writing, I like to try my hand in all the genres. I have published short stories, poems, articles and radio dramas. I enjoy writing in little shots, different flavors, colors and styles.

Have you ever dreamed of seeing your words in print? Becoming a published author? Now maybe you just love to write for yourself and that is just great, but if a byline is on your wish list (or maybe just something you would like to secretly try for) this next section is for you. I’m going to start touching on basic publishing ideas. I have taught several writing classes on this topic and will start pouring it out in demitasse-sized cups.

Notes on Publishing

Friends are often asking me if I can talk to their sister or neighbor or friends (if they are super lucky this is the same person) about writing. Typically this person loves to write, perhaps took a creative writing class and would like to know how I went about getting published. I love having this conversation, especially if we are meeting over coffee. This next section is for sister/neighbor/friend who would like to take their love of writing to the next step.

Warning: I am about to ask a lot of questions

What you know, what you love and what you are good at are all great places to start when trying to get some publishing credits to your name. Jot down a list of things you are an “expert” in or at least know more than the average person. Do you work with kids? Are you good at finances? Perhaps you are a gifted organizer or know everything there is to know about essential oils. What are your hobbies? Do you knit or make your own skin care, have a knack for decorating? Unsure? What do family members call you about? That's usually a tip off. Do they call you for parenting advice or for natural remedies or maybe thay ask you to go shopping because you have a good eye for style? Do friends want you to look at their resume or their new business plan? Spend some time thinking about this and make a running list that you can go back to when you need an idea for submitting your work for publishing. I have had many pieces published in writing magazines, tea publications and faith-based periodicals, to name a few, all based on my upbringing, life experiences and what I know and love today. I, also, have penned several stories about farm life including some children’s fiction, based on my 4H years and life on a farm.

Life experience is a great place to mine for those pen to paper ideas. Write about what you have learned from surviving a hardship, for example, or how becoming a mother wasn’t quite what you expected. Maybe a rough patch in your marriage or a time you failed at something, but it lead you to some great insight. The first article I ever published was about a time when an intimidating stranger in a coffeeshop asked me about my faith; and I have since written many pieces on the topic of faith. And even though I’m no expert, I have published articles about parenting and marriage because these are areas I’m familiar with; I have gone through things that have taught me lessons I could share through my writing. Actually though, much of my body of work is for teen girls because, well, I was once a teenage girl and I believe I have some helpful advice to give younger women.

When dreams Come Down to Earth (its about to get earthy)

One of the Catch-22’s of publishing is that you usually have to be published to get published - so the best places to start are with free publications - those which are looking for content. If your initial goal is to make money, I suggest going to law school. I’m sure you will not be surprised to hear that working in the arts is not particularly lucrative; but, it is amazing to get a check in the mail for that first piece of paid writing. I made $250 for “Coffeehouse Witness,” which felt like a lot because at the time I would have done it for free—just so see my story in print.

Just get a few pieces published, so you can put that on your resume. I will talk about rejection in an upcoming post (it demands its own post!) but for now just figure that into the equation. You will be rejected; it’s just part of the game. Don’t let it pull you down, push back and send out more queries. Query: now there is a good publishing word. We will also talk about that later, just work on that list for now and start a piece with the thought of getting published.

If you are already publishing, try writing a piece in a new genre, perhaps a short story or a how-to-article. I just sent off a submission to a greeting card company.

Try sipping from a demitasse cup. Write little smatterings of life. Make lists. Put pen to paper.

Please share some of your ideas of where to draw writing inspirations in the comments below and post some of your drafts in TYPEset