Owner: The Squeaking Noodle URL:http://squeakingnoodle.blogspot.com Join Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2006 12:25:50 -0500 Rating:1 Site Description: THE SQUEAKING NOODLE...on writing and things that make your head go pop. nything from freelance writing, dealing with editors, writing your first novel, and as I say in my blog title things that make your head go pop – those niggling questions you don’t w Site statistics:Click here
The Squeaking Noodle : Up and Squeaking! 2006-11-03 15:21:00
The Squeaking Noodle
is back. Slight technical hitch with the laptop dear Squeaking Noodle readers, which is now sorted. Hoorah! I hope you forgive my sudden disappearance and thank you so much to all those who emailed to check if the Squeaking Noodle was a) okay, b) had squeaked its last squeak, c) down with the plague, d) too lazy to post, e) kidnapped, or f) had squeaked off on hols. Technology is wonderful when it works...I'm happy to report that all is well and the computer gremlins have been sent packing.Glad to be back and do keep those emails and questions coming in.See you all soon.
Writing: Need a Break? Here's Your Excuse to Down Tools! 2006-10-24 13:05:00 There's nothing like a bit of deadpan humour on Tuesday! Here's a great google vid of Steven Wright. He's a funny, funny man! Good excuse not to do some work for a few minutes.For more info check out Steven Wright's website. Read more:Break
, Excuse
, Tools
The Squeaking Noodle Competion: We Have a Winner! 2006-10-24 11:50:00
Thanks to everyone who took the time to take part in The Squeaking Noodle
Competition to win a hard back copy of A SPOT OF BOTHER by Mark Haddon. It was a tough choice, but we have a winner.Well done Brenda Oig. The book is in the post to you.For more info on the book please see this earlier post Great Read: A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon.See you all soon and keep the emails and questions coming in. The Squeaking Noodle will be giving away more of its favourite books in the run up to Christmas.
FINALLY!! 2006-10-20 20:22:00
Would the person who admitted to just wearing TIGHTIE WHITIES or KNICKERS in The Squeaking Noodle Poll: Working From Home? The Truth - You're Wearing... please step forward.
At last, we have one writer, working from home, brave enough to admit that they work in their pants. Good for you!
Come on who are you? The Squeaking Noodle would like to introduce you to everyone else - as for the 'look what the cat's dragged in' pollsters...I won't tell if you don't.
To the brave TIGHTIE WHITIE OR KNICKER wearer - email the Squeaking Noodle a pic to post and you'll win a night out for one at MacDonald's - courtesy of the noodle.
Online Publishing: Ready, Steady - GO! 2006-10-20 19:29:00 (Sorry, if you saw this post six times - it all went a bit wobbly jelly.)Okay, I'll admit it - I like the name Trip Adler, it should be a character's name in your next book, but what I like even more, is that here's someone, who is actively encouraging people to publish online. It's easy to forget that writing isn't all about freelancing or getting book deals, it's also about people doing what they're compelled to do. We can scoff and many do, but come on - let's admire anyone who does what they love. NOTE: Don't go on and on about it when I'm around, but do it! I like anyone who is passionate about what they do and I don't care if it's manually sorting chopped liver on an assembly line or writing TV sitcoms. Find what you love and the rest will follow - mental rest that is.Moving along - John Trip Adler from Harvard, no less, has set up this very professional looking site Trip's Online Site / Name to Follow- the techie side is all a bit over my noodle, but do check it out Read more:Publishing
, Online Publishing
Don't Forget The Squeaking Noodle Competition 2006-10-19 15:04:00
Just a quick reminder to have a go at The Squeaking Noodle
Competition to win a free hard back copy of A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon. Good luck!
New SQUEAK OF THE WEEK below...
SQUEAK OF THE WEEK: Fiction Writing Ain't Rocket Science! By Nadine Laman. 2006-10-19 12:30:00 Want to know what it's like writing fiction?Get reading - this is great advice from author Nadine
Laman. With two books under her literary belt - Kathryn's Beach and High Tide, and more on the way, this Californian author has every right to be 'eternally optimistic that we can have a better world'.Please email The Squeaking Noodle if you would like to be the next SQUEAK OF THE WEEK. The chosen guest blogger will be informed by email.Fiction
Writing Ain't Rocket Science
!By Guest Blogger Nadine Laman.What's the trick to writing fiction? There is no trick. There is no magic formula, which everyone else knows, and you don't. There wasn't a memo sent out, there is no secret decoder ring, no muse (I hate that word), or anything else, everyone is selling to writers.Here is how it works. An idea comes, a sentence maybe, an image of a scene or a scene opening. Sit down and write it out. Don't think about it. Don't go on a forum and spend days "talking" about writing. Don't
Books Glorious Books! 2006-10-17 11:34:00
Journalist and Author Carleen Brice emailed the noodle this morning and has kindly offered Squeaking Noodle readers the following:
"First person to pop over to the Pajama Gardener and tell me you heard about it at the Squeaking Noodle gets a free copy of Age Ain't Nothing but a Number."
(The Pajama Gardener) For more info see yesterday's post below.Thanks Carleen!
Don't forget The Squeaking Noodle Competition to win A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon.
Many of you have already started taking part in the competition - thanks for taking the time, and yes I should be giving away a shelf. I know - giving away a free book to writers is like giving free fish to fishermen (you know who you are). Good luck - will post best entries next Monday together with the Winner! Read more:Books
Spreading the Word: Carleen Brice - Age Ain't Nothing but a Number! 2006-10-16 22:28:00 Age Ain't Nothing
but a Number
: Black Women Explore Midlife by journalist and author Carleen Brice. Looking forward to reading this one.Modest Carleen makes the writing life look simple, important and great fun. Check out her blog - Pajama Gardener - a published author blogs about writing and gardening, both of which can best be done in pajamas. This looks to be a great anthology and I can't wait to get stuck in.This is from the inside flap - wish they'd call it something else if you know what I mean. Moving swiftly along:Finally, a collection that celebrates, contemplates, even criticizes midlife . . . but from a black woman's point of view. Age Ain't Nothing but a Number is the first anthology of its kind. Featuring the writing of 40 of the finest black women writers, this anthology ranges over every aspect of black women's lives—family, friendship, love, sex, beauty, health, spirituality, work, and many other topics. Maya Angelou, J. California Cooper, Pearl Cleage, Patri
Squeaking Noodle Competition - Fantastic Book for Free! 2006-10-16 16:26:00 Along the way The Squeaking Noodle
wants to give away some of its favourite books. To start off with, it's one I read and loved recently. Have a look at this earlier post Great Read: A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon for more info. All you have to do, is answer the following questions, then leave your answers as a comment (just click on the line that says press to have your say below this post) or Email The Squeaking Noodle. You can give your name or stay anon., but do let me and others know what you do ie. writer, author, journo, gerbil tamer etc. Here goes:1) If all your emails for one year were published into a memoir, how accurate a reflection would it be of your life that year and how much cash would you want for it to stop you from leaving the country? 2) If you were invisible whose email inbox would you raid?3) What's your best writing tip?I'll put the best answers up for you to read next Monday; the very best one will get Mark Haddon's new book (the hard back edition) sent t Read more:Fantastic
Hot Gossip: Sssh! Don't Say a Word! 2006-10-16 14:50:00 I had to buy this limited edition print by the wonderful artist A.V. Phibes. I found her fabulous site recently and just love her work. You may have seen an earlier post - First Edition Books - Worth Taking a Look!. I think as writers, we all need something to pep us up occasionally and this did it for me. Do pop along to A.V. Phibes' site and have a look. I couldn't keep this one to myself. Her art is so colourful and the HOT GOSSIP 2002 limited edition print I bought is spot on.I'm always looking for good ideas and stories, and, of course, hot gossip for my work. Instead of some boring pic of writer with keyboard - I think this will do the trick on the wall beside my desk, laptop, coffee cup and millions of bits of paper and junk that sit around me while I work.My friend bought a great limited edition lithograph of Iggy Pop by David Bowie - I really wish I'd bought one. When he tipped me off, I ummed and argh-ed for ages. I think I missed out. These artworks go quite cheaply a Read more:Gossip
Drop the Books and Read These! 2006-10-14 17:42:00
This bright spark over at Writing Spark has done all the hard work for you and has a great list of US and non-US publications you can write for - cheers Alicia. Go over and check out what she's up to, this girl has her fingers in many pies, like her equally excellent Martini Lounge and then pop over to Julia Temlyn'sMusings of a Writing Wife. Want to see what a real blog looks like American style - these busy writers are leaps ahead - packed with loads of info, links, contests, and writing info.
See you soon, but I'll leave you with what UK broadsheet Editors get up in their spare time. Be a rabbit in his headlight and skip over to Neil McIntosh's Complete Tosh - seduced by the bright lights - blog and read his rather well written ramblings on everything from football to new media and techie stuff; that bit goes way over my head, and there's even a pic of a cat. This Guardian Deputy Ed can rabbit. Read more:Books
Hilarious Read: A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole 2006-10-12 18:32:00 This book is a must read. The dialogue is superb; it's sharp and witty and its authenticity jumps off the page, and sucks you in. I'm not sure why the last few books I've recommended are by authors who have committed suicide. (See: Fantastic Read: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath) Maybe, they wrote with a clarity and honesty that is difficult for many to achieve, and instead of morbid outpourings, we get upbeat writing, which inspires and delights. John Kennedy
Toole's life and death is as extra-ordinary as his writing. He wrote this in 1967, but it wasn't published until 1980 - 11-years after his suicide in 1969, when his mother discovered his hand-written manuscript amongst all his papers. The Lost Soul Companion Project - an organization which helps emerging artists, writers, musicians, and actors to navigate the road less travelled - explains the background and the circumstances surrounding his death, the best. This is fascinating stuff and definitely worth a read. I only found th Read more:John Kennedy
Squeaking Noodle - It's a Junior Journo Job! 2006-10-11 14:29:00 And there was I having a good old squeak at pushy PR's yesterday. Guess what? Today The Squeaking Noodle
wants to help someone find ‘a hungry’ junior journalist for an in house job with a leading UK training company in Herts.Any ‘hungry’ young junior journos out there? I’m not involved in any way, shape or form, it’s just that I got this lovely email and thought why not? There must be someone out there looking for a break in journalism! I personally think it’s a great move for someone starting out and if you ask nicely they might credit your work - I’ve mentioned the possibility to them.Here’s what they’re looking for:Someone smart, quick, great with people and who loves to write sharp copy. You’ll be putting your interview skills to the test by interviewing clients, delegates and trainers and then writing tip-top copy. Perfect if you want temp or part-time work, but good news is – it could go full-time.Plus, sounds like there's lots of room to progress. How m Read more:Junior
Gripping Read: THE WASP FACTORY by Iain Banks 2006-10-08 18:13:00 I was thinking about the books I’ve loved over the years and then I thought - I wish someone would just give me a library or I could order from Amazon for free - it’s not going to happen, but that’s what I’d like. There are too many to remember. Half of the ones I bought, I've either lent out and not seen back - which I really don’t mind - or lost moving, or they’re somewhere, but I don’t know where. Here’s one that came to mind - THE WASP FACTORY by Iain Banks. I must have read this years ago, but I still remember being thrilled by it. It’s another dark and sinister one and truly brilliant. It was Iain Bank’s first novel back in 1984. A few years on - I can't recall exactly when - The Independent had it down as one of its top one hundred books this century. I'd be hard pushed to disagree. THE WASP FACTORY is about sixteen-year-old Frank, who lives an unconventional life with his eccentric father outside a remote Scottish village. His mother left them years ago,
SQUEAK OF THE WEEK: Guest Blogger - EUROTRASH 2006-10-07 18:29:00 Many of you, who have visited my fledgling Squeaking Noodle blog are from both sides of the pond and beyond, so, I thought you might enjoy this entry from this weekend's GUEST BLOGGER - EUROTRASH. Not everything in life can be pink and fluffy - forget work, forget writing for a moment and enjoy this rant. I know I did! Please email me if you would like to be the next SQUEAK OF THE WEEK. Entries must be in, no later than 12pm on Friday the 13th October. 500-words max. The chosen guest blogger will be informed by email that day. If any of you are of a sensitive disposition or from Finchley - look away now.I'd like to teach the world to sing.By EurotrashBloody hell.Why is everyone in Finchley so ugly? And why did I never notice that before?Still, I suppose nylon tracksuits are a slight improvement on everyone wearing their jeans halfway down their arse.I am genuinely relieved to be away from all that in-your-faceness of New York. The mad homeless people around here just sit about and dr Read more:Guest
, Blogger
, Guest Blogger
Fantastic Read: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath 2006-10-03 22:47:00 Suggesting books to read is a tricky business. There's the danger of sounding like an aunt with a bad rinse and an old toffee stuck to the bottom of her purse. The books I think are truly great, many, if not most of you, have probably already read. If you have - apologies for trying to introduce you to something you no doubt already have in your collection. To those of you who haven't - it's a pleasure to share some of there amazing talents with you. Poet Sylvia
Plath is one of America’s greats, synonymous with depression and suicide, but if you only ever read one of her books, please make it The Bell Jar. It is the only novel she ever wrote and it’s brilliant. For any writers wanting to be published, it's a must-read. Her opening chapter holds you hostage even after the first few pages. In the opening scenes her writing is fresh and contemporary - shame she never lived long enough to discover how truly powerful her talent really is. It was originally published under the pseud Read more:Fantastic
Freelance Rates of Pay in the UK - The Real Deal! 2006-10-03 14:13:00 Ever wanted to nose in your freelance colleague’s pay packet? Well, now’s your chance!Many of you have expressed a great interest in what freelancers can expect to get paid in the UK. Here is, probably, the most definitive UK Freelance
Fee Guide, but do bear in mind that it is only a guide – levels of pay differ according to levels of experience. It’s great reading. The rates have been gathered by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the UK from freelancers who have anonymously reported their pay and it covers all areas of the media from print, book editing, broadcasting, national and regional news to public relations, translation, shift work and consultancy fees. Enjoy! For my non-British friends, here is my favourite currency converter - How Much?See you all very soon and please let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer them or find something or someone who can. Need a lead or advice? That too.More on Freelancing: Freelancing - What's It Lik Read more:Rates
Squeaking Noodle's Blog and Book of the Day! 2006-10-02 22:02:00 Check out Brenda's Literary Life there's something very soothing and reassuring about this site. Like curling up with a good book when it's cold and rainy outside. I like the Cicero quote she uses: "A room without books is like a body without a soul." I full-heartedly agree! Brenda is on her second novel and in the process of getting her first published, so stop by and see what it's like.It's probably like teaching an old dog new tricks when I suggest you read "On Writing" by Stephen King, but it's a must-read for any writer.Here's Brenda's take on it Literary Life: Are you Hungry?And here's what readers had to say about it on Amazon: On Writing / Stephen King Read more:Noodle
Great Read: A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon 2006-10-01 20:30:00 Love this book! British author Mark Haddon also wrote The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which was an international bestseller. He started off as a children's author and crossed over to the adult market with this book. The writing is faultless - clean, beautifully edited and a joy to read. Do read it when you get a chance. A Spot of Bother is his debut novel and equally good. I like the UK cover. Here is what Fantastic Fiction UK had to say about it. Lots of great info on him at Contemporary Writers. Feel free to recommend a book.See you soon.Worth a look: Contemporary UK Writers Read more:Great
Pitching Newspaper and Magazine Editors – The Difference Between the US and UK Market and Why It's Not All About the Pitch! 2006-10-01 15:41:00 To set the ball rolling, here are some basic differences between the US and UK print media markets.1) The UK newspaper and magazine market and audience is substantially smaller than in the US. Understandable if we consider a population of approx. 260 million in the States and a meager 60 million or so in the UK.2) The US has a large subscription base. Most UK sales are from newsagents and shops / news stands and stores.3) The UK utilizes freelance input to a greater degree than in the States. 4) US papers are more regionalized to cater for larger population, whereas UK national papers are the staple for breaking news and exclusives around Britain. (That’s not to say that regional do not break new stories they regularly do – but the money sits with the nationals).5) Cheque-or-checkbook journalism is alive and kicking, and would you believe still growing in the UK.So, how does that relate to freelancers pitching to these differing markets? Take for example New York; the focus with Ne Read more:Newspaper
, Magazine
, Editors
, Market
, Pitch
Thanks! 2006-09-30 17:05:00 To those of you stopping by as a result of Media Bistro's wonderful link mediabistro.com: MBToolBox: Freelancing - What's It Like? to my post, thanks and do feel free to email me if there's something you want to discuss or if you have seen any good articles worth mentioning and I'll put them up.See you soon. Read more:Thanks
Writing Tips by Chuck Palahniuk 2006-09-30 12:26:00 I always like hearing what methods people use to get them writing. Here are 13 Writing Tips by Fight Club author Chuck
PalahniukHere's his first tip.Number One: Two years ago, when I wrote the first of these essays it was about my "egg timer method" of writing. You never saw that essay, but here's the method: When you don't want to write, set an egg timer for one hour (or half hour) and sit down to write until the timer rings. If you still hate writing, you're free in an hour. But usually, by the time that alarm rings, you'll be so involved in your work, enjoying it so much, you'll keep going. Instead of an egg timer, you can put a load of clothes in the washer or dryer and use them to time your work. Alternating the thoughtful task of writing with the mindless work of laundry or dish washing will give you the breaks you need for new ideas and insights to occur. If you don't know what comes next in the story… clean your toilet. Change the bed sheets. For Christ sakes, dust the
Writing a Book - In One Hit! 2006-09-28 14:33:00 Squeaking Noodle Home PageI want to encourage any writers out there to have a go at writing a book. Much is said about the time, commitment and inspiration required to do this. Articles about authors who have spent years sweating over their manuscripts (with good and bad results) can be slightly off putting. Who wants to hear that after 5-years of writing you might end up with zip all and a dusty pile of papers sitting under your bed. I’m not saying that it’s easy to get a book published, that goes without saying, but I would like to stress that writing a book can be easier than people want us to believe.You may not be a fan of Stephen King, but he can write a book in less than two weeks. But it’s Stephen King. Point taken, but there is no reason why you can’t get a good book done in a short space of time, especially, if you have already started writing for a living.I think it’s one of life’s best-kept secrets. Make it sound hard and people will be put off doing it. Bag of
Freelancing - What's It Like? 2006-09-26 16:24:00 Squeaking Noodle Home PageWhat's it like being a freelance writer? Can you make a living and is it a real job?" The easy answers are. It's great, yes and yes.Think of it like this. Everyday editors are competing for the next best story to outwit their competitors - other papers and magazines - and land a splash or a scoop and sell the most papers or magazines.With seventy or so pages in each newspaper and more in Sunday editions, not counting weekend colour supplements etc. there are lots of pages to fill and lots of news and features to write.Most national newspapers - remember there are only about 10 in the UK - have a small team of staff writers, hence it makes sense to take work from a large and varied pool of freelance writers. The freelance writer provides an editor with ideas and stories that his/her staff writers often don't have the time to find.On a typical day as a freelance writer, the focus is on generating ideas - new ideas - that will be of interest to a paper of maga
Here's Looking at Something! 2006-10-12 05:45:00 I like this Google vid. The Journalist shot in Brooklyn, and here's another one: Behind the Blog - Mack Reed from Hard News Inc. and ex-L.A.Times investigative reporter, talks about blogging.
Freelance Writing: Copyright and Travel Writing - Two Questions. Two Answers! 2006-10-11 14:19:00 Some great questions coming in!The Squeaking Noodle will always try to answer your questions on writing and freelancing or find the information you need to help you on your way. Please jump in and add your comments to the following and thanks Kate for asking."Dear, dear Squeaking Noodle:Thank you ever so much for answering my question about telephone contacts with editors. Now I have two other questions I hope you'll address:What kind of rights do British newspapers demand from freelancers? I found one statement from The Independent, but haven't been able to locate information for any of the other national newspapers."It would take forever and a day to understand the intricacies of copyright, especially now that most papers and magazines publish their archives online. Where does that leave us? Exactly. Who knows? Sure we own the copyright, but how many of us really understand what happens to our work when it pops online.Here are two links that explain copyright better than I ever cou Read more:Freelance
, Travel
, Travel Writing
Freelance Fee Guide Link - up and running! 2006-10-10 18:39:00 Thanks to whoever let me know that the link to the Freelance
Fee Guide
was down - it's all working now - thanks!!See you soon.Here's the original post. Freelance Rates of Pay in the UK - The Real Deal! Read more:running
Freelancing - Dealing with Pushy PR's 2006-10-10 08:54:00 So, have I got this right? The general consensus is that a public relations consultant or firm or flack or PR or whatever we call them, looks after a product, person or service and is out to get maximum press coverage and thats where we come in. Freelance writers, who want new stories and new ideas to fill pages to entertain readers. So, why is it like grinding teeth when you come across the pushy ones?Know the ones I mean? They put you onto a great bit of news and you love them for it. They know which publications you write for. They say theyd be delighted if it got into the paper or magazine (got published) and then it starts. An onslaught of calls, press releases, emails; suddenly you have your very own shadow, a new best friend. Mind you, a best friend who will dump you quicker than a full diaper if things dont go their way, will try and intimidate you into conceding (I say try, were tougher than that) and if thats not enough, will steal your soul and dance on your grave.
Freelance Q & A: The Renegade Writer 2006-10-09 05:37:00 I found this site this morning - The RenegadeWriter
, worth checking out for great freelance info. Thanks for the recommendation Linda. (Linda blogs over at Passionate Media)Please keep the emails coming and let me know if you have any suggestions for the fledgling Squeaking Noodle. Have any questions or comments? Drop me a line. I'm actively looking for guest bloggers for the SQUEAK OF THE WEEK, which will appear every Saturday, so if you want to take part email me 500 words by Friday. Always keen to hear from you - even if you just want to recommend a good blog or site. You can leave an anonymous question in comments and I'll publish it for everyone to see and respond.See you soon. Read more:Freelance
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