Sticky Notes Blog

A blog of writing news, tips, and inspiration from Fat Plum

"All the serifs come out dancing"

When you're supposed to be writing, do you procrastinate by changing the font you write with? You're not alone. Check out this fun article in Slate, in which authors discuss the fonts they prefer when they're writing: "My Favorite Font"

I discovered this article by way of the lovely and creative India Amos, who adds her own thoughts on fonts to write with ("Choosy Writers Choose Courier"):

There’s a strong preference for Courier, which I happen to think is a good idea. Keeps the writer from getting to hung up on presentation. When I worked on the PEN literary journal, I’d format files in Courier for the staff, but in Times New Roman for the editor in chief. The book was then set in very small Adobe Caslon, and we’d find another round of typos on that version—you see different kinds of errors every time you change the typeface.

I write in Courier too. In fact, you can't tell but I'm writing in Courier right now....

Continue reading ""All the serifs come out dancing""

Posted by Cindy on May 27, 2007
This entry was posted in the following categories: Diversions
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The Mystery of Making a Best Seller

I just read a wonderful article in the New York Times online titled, The Greatest Mystery: Making a Best Seller. You can't view it directly through the site without paying, but I linked to it through the May 2007 Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop newsletter. Scroll down and you'll find the link. By the way, there are other great articles in the newsletter, too. If you don't receive it yet, get on the distribution list!

Posted by Julie on May 26, 2007
This entry was posted in the following categories: Publishing
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Congratulations to Two Fat Plum Friends!

This past weekend at the Pennwriters conference, Jennifer Angelo and Madhu Wangu were both winners in the conference writing contest!

Madhu won Second Place in the Article category for her spiritual piece, "Awakening the Goddess Within." You can read more about her and her work on her website Spirituality-Sparks.com.

Jennifer won Second Place in the Short Story category for her story "Finding Our Way Back to Normal." You can read more about Jennifer and her humor writing at Jennifer Angelo: humor writer ... motherhood, mishaps, and mopping up.

Congratulations to these two wonderful writers!

Posted by Julie on May 23, 2007
This entry was posted in the following categories: Publishing
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Glimmer Train's Summer Contests

Glimmer Train Press is now accepting submissions for their summer Fiction Open and Very Short Fiction competitions. Deadlines are July 15 and July 31, respectively. They welcome the work of established and upcoming writers and you can easily submit online. The reading fee is$20 per story, but the prizes are great.

Continue reading "Glimmer Train's Summer Contests"

Posted by Julie on May 14, 2007
This entry was posted in the following categories: Calls for submissions
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Script Frenzy: NaNoWriMo for screenwriters and playwrites

Have you always wanted to write a play or a screenplay but never had the time? Now's your chance: In June, you can write a script, and enjoy the support of a bunch of other people doing the exact same, crazy thing.

It's Script Frenzy, brought to life by the same people who manage National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) every November.

Script Frenzy is an international writing event in which participants attempt the creatively daring feat of writing an original, full-length screenplay—or stage play—in a single month. Spurred by a wild deadline and buoyed by a community of countless other writers, Script Frenzy participants can't be bothered with self-doubt—or editing. They're too busy writing by the seat of their pants, typing out beautiful, flawed stories that no one else could have dreamt up.

The fun and creativity starts June 1, and you can sign up now. Participation is free. Go to it!

Posted by Cindy on May 12, 2007
This entry was posted in the following categories: Coming attractions
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Writing in heaven and hell

A joke passed on to us from Jennifer Angelo:

A writer died and was given the option of going to heaven or hell. She decided to check out each place first. Descending into the fiery pits, she saw row upon row of writers chained to their desks in a steaming sweatshop. As they worked, they were repeatedly whipped with thorny lashes.

"Oh, my," said the writer. "Let me see heaven now."

Moments later, as she ascended into heaven, she saw rows of writers chained to their desks in a steaming sweatshop. They, too, were whipped with thorny lashes as they worked.

"Wait a minute," said the writer. "This is just as bad as hell!"

"Oh, no, it's not," replied an unseen voice. "Here, your work gets published."

Posted by Cindy on May 09, 2007
This entry was posted in the following categories: Diversions
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