If you know of Fun Stuff for Writers you would like to share, click on Contact Me and send it along. Happy Writing.

Quote of the Month:

There is no agony like bearing the untold story inside you.  —Maya Angelou  (Thanks, Suzette, for sending this quote.)

www.angelinyourinkwell.blogspot.com
Now you can receive weekly writing tips, helps, inspiration, resources, and motivation by visiting my blog. New posts every Monday.

www.idiomsite.com
Idioms’ origins and explanations. This site defines an idiom as “a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language.” Wikipedia has the following definition: “An idiom is a term or phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal definitions and the arrangement of its parts, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only through common use.” In a writing group this morning, we were discussing idioms so I did a little search.

www.idiomconnection.com 
Uh-oh. Can’t quit. Found another, even better, idiom site. This one is more extensive and has quizzes. I love quizzes.

www.news.com.au:80/...
Right Brain – Left Brain Test. What functions are controlled by which side of the brain? Is your right brain or left brain dominant? Maybe a combo? This is a fun one. (Thanks, Alissa.)

www.gardenologyllc.com 
Visit this charming garden, arts, and gift shop in person if you possibly can. Note days and hours they are open.  If you plan to visit, be sure to look at the map. It took me a few trips up and down and around and back to find it as I had no map. And while you’re there, look for fellow writer, Vickie’s, hand felted creations – little woodland characters, and purses, too. 

www.westegg.com/cliche/ 
This cliché finder is kind of fun to use; however, the heading puzzles me: Have you been looking for just the right cliché? I thought we writers were trying to avoid clichés, not search out and use them.

www.compassionatefriends.org
The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. The Compassionate Friends is a national nonprofit, self-help support organization that offers friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings. There is no religious affiliation and there are no membership dues or fees. (Thanks, Becky.)

www.avotaynu.com 
Avotaynu, Inc. is the leading publisher of products of interest to persons who are researching Jewish genealogy, Jewish family trees or Jewish roots. The books sold are meant to assist in research—from beginner guides to books about Jewish surnames. They also have a new free Internet newsletter.

jdrake3@kc.rr.com
Typing service. Accepts written, typed or dictated submissions. E-mail for fee and details. I have not met or used this typist, but her announcement sounds competent and friendly. If you need a typist, this might be the one for you. 

www.footnote.com 
If you are doing genealogy, here is a great research site. Just do a search for your last name and you will be hooked on this incredible research tool. (Thanks, fellow APH member, RJ.)

www.thebark.com/us/submissions.html 
Guidelines.  From the website of The Bark --  The Bark, which is enjoyed by 100,000 readers, is a bi-monthly magazine about life with dogs; we pay homage to the age-old relationship between our two species. With each issue, we seek to bring our readers a literate and entertaining spectrum of dog-centric articles and stories. While much of our content is assigned in advance, we also wish to provide a forum for writers who have a special appreciation for dogs.
(source: writingfordollars.com)

inspirational writing and markets
Types of inspirational writing and guidelines for markets. (source: writingfordollars.com)

www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/...
Missouri Birth & Death Records Database, Pre-1910 (Thanks, Jane B.)

Searching for ancestors? Tips for Googling names.

http://go.footnote.com/thewall 
Interactive Vietnam Veterans Wall. Search for names, leave a story, comment or photo.

Search old newspaper articles online. Some of these require a fee, but in some instances, it might be worth it to you. Also, there is plenty of free stuff, plus a place to submit your own stories.

Johnson County, Kansas timeline.

jocohistory.net/places/names/streets.asp
If you live in Johnson County, Kansas this is fun. Find the source of the name for the street where you live.  If you live elsewhere, try your county historical society or an Internet search.

http://genealogy.about.com/...
Oh now this is really fun. It is an attractive family tree chart that you can fill in on your computer. Family Tree chart you can digitally sign.

http://polishorigins.com
A researcher with Polish Roots offers tips, anecdotes, traditions and links to resources.

iswfestival@uiowa.edu
The University of Iowa Summer Writing Festival. June 8 – July 25, 2008. Short term, noncredit writing program for adults. Offers 130 workshops including novel, short fiction, poetry, essay, memoir, humor, travel, playwriting, writing for children, and more. All levels.

Anthology
Of a Certain Age: Voices of Experience. Seeking fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction from writers 50+. Max: 10,000 words, 5 poems. Include cover letter with bio and SASE. To submit or for more information: Turtle House Ink, 235 Black Oaks Ln. Wayzata, MN 55391. Deadline: June 15.

National Personnel Records Center
Request copies of military personnel records. The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis has opened the military records of more than 6 million service members who were discharged or who retired or died before 1946. Records include items such as photos, fingerprints, reason for enlistment, unit assignments, evaluations, awards, education and training records, physical exams, disciplinary actions and official correspondences. To view original records, visit the center in person. Call ahead to check whether records are intact. For an appointment, call 314-801-0850. There may be a charge for some copies. Some records were damaged or destroyed in a 1973 fire.

Around Town – your town and mine

Through July 11, 2008, Iowa Exhibited, including art by Jane Robinette, Polk County Heritage Art Gallery, Des Moines, Iowa.

July 12, 9 am - 1 pm. Annual Car Show. United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, South Parking Lot, 13720 Roe, Leawood, Ks.

July 28 - August 1,  Hand Papermaking – Experimentation and Exploration. Central Methodist University but held at Bear Creek Paperworks Studio, Columbia, MO 573-442-3360. Registration information: speterso@centralmethodist.edu or 660-248-6384 or contact Leandra: leandra@bearcreekpaperworks.com. Credit availability: CPU, undergraduate 2 hours, graduate 2 hours. Instructor: Leandra Spangler. ( Thanks, Judy O.)

Fridays, 7:30 – 8:30 pm. Free live music. ARTichokes Art Gallery. 10557 Mission Road, Leawood, KS.

First Thursday of every month, 7:00 p.m. HACWN meeting. If you are seriously interested in writing for publication in the Christian market, you will want to join the Heart of America Christian Writers Network. Details at www.hacwn.org.

Books

Audition a memoir by Barbara Walters. I am 450 pages into this 600-page book, and I have loved every page of it. Walters writes an honest and entertaining story about her compelling life. If you are writing your life story or memoir, study this book. For some chapters she relates the story chronologically. In later chapters, she switches to subjects or topics. She describes some events in detail, while others are summarized. Always, she includes her self-doubt, mistakes, and foibles; but, no shrinking violet, she includes plenty of her successes. Is her take on every event one hundred percent accurate? Who’s to say? After all, this is categorized as a memoir – her memory.

Smile  

God loves everyone, but probably prefers  'fruits of the spirit' over 'religious nuts!' (Thanks, Shirley W.)

Write Your Life Story in Eight Weeks Workbook – I wrote this 25-page, 8.5”x11” spiral bound workbook so you can save a life. Your own. Whether you write by hand or on a computer, writing your life story is fun; and it is life affirming. If eight weeks isn’t enough time, take as long as you like. But – get started. To order: Send check payable to Carol Newman, $12 per workbook, plus $2 shipping and handling to: Carol Newman, There’s An Angel In Your Inkwell®, PO Box 480835, Kansas City, MO 64148-0835.

The Prayerful Writer - I wrote this 5.5”x8.5” 24-page handmade booklet for the writer who is hoping to be published, but is struggling. Maybe you are just beginning or have had some limited success. Maybe you are well published but feeling discouraged. This booklet is for you. Twenty days of scripture, prayer, affirmations, and writing prompts. Get calm, focused, and centered. To order: send check payable to Carol Newman, $5.50 per booklet, plus $2 shipping and handling to: Carol Newman, There’s An Angel In Your Inkwell®, PO Box 480835, Kansas City, MO 64148-0835.

www.personalhistorians.org/members.php
I am happy to announce I am now a member of the Association of Personal Historians. Go here, type in my name, Carol Newman, and check out my services. Let’s write your life story.