Top 100 Creative Writing Blogs

Image via Wikipedia

BestCollegesOnline.com has created a list of the Top 100 Creative Writing Blogs. I nearly passed out to see that Maternal Spark was listed in the Aspiring Authors section.

I mean, Neil Gaiman's blog is also listed (in the Published Author section), and so this makes me just like him right? Cause we're both on the same list, right? Cause his link is right there on the same page as mine right?

In case you have had your head stuck in a crevice and don't know - Neil Gaiman is the genius mind behind American Gods , Neverwhere and the new Tim Burton flick Coraline.

I can't believe our links are on the same Top 100 list. It's like we're best friends now. Tee hee!

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

*sigh*

Dear Heather,

We wish to thank you for submitting your work, I want it all. Is that wrong? as a possible inclusion in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms. We appreciate your efforts on behalf of the book and your willingness to share your message with the world. We have been so moved by all of the people who have reached out to us with their own stories and the stories of others.

Unfortunately, we were unable to include your wonderful story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms. We encourage you to send in any other stories, as we really appreciate your writing and interest in our work.

Please keep sharing your work with others because the messages are so important for all to hear. We send you lots of love and best wishes.

Sincerely,

Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC

Maybe next time eh?

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

10 Tips for Gluten Free eating in Restaurants

I wrote this article in honor of Celiacs Awareness month (did you know it's Celiacs Awareness month??) and it was also posted on the front page of Posh Mama - a positive and upbeat community for women. If you haven't heard of it you should check it out. Loads of great stuff to read there. Anyway. Here's one for the Celiacs!

10 Tips for Gluten Free Eating in Restaurants

Whenever we go out for dinner with my dad and my sister (who both have Celiacs) there is this unspoken tension at the table because we are all worried about what they will be ‘stuck’ eating. Typically, there is only one gluten free meal on the menu; a salad with fish on it. More often than not, it arrives at the table topped with evil croûtons and then we all sigh in frustration.

While I myself do not have Celiacs, I’ve become aware of a few gluten free living tips, as we’ve enjoyed more than one disappointing family dinner out. Here are 10 tips for gluten free eating in restaurants:

1. Avoid pubs or places that tend to deep-fry everything in one fryer. While you should be able to eat cornstarch dusted calamari – the fact that they fry it right alongside the chicken fingers makes it likely to be contaminated.

2. If possible, choose higher end or larger chain restaurants as their staff are usually trained in how to serve clients with food allergies and intolerances.

3. Make sure to tell your server that you have Celiacs. They should be informed of the ingredients for the dishes on the menu and can help you choose something that will work for you.

4. Ask if there is a rice pasta alternative. You’d be surprised how many restaurants stock rice pasta as a substitution and you’ll double your choices with a pasta option.

5. Many dishes will be gluten free once something is removed. Sometimes a sauce can be substituted for a gluten free alternative from another dish. Ask for squeezed lemon instead of teriyaki sauce on your salmon or for your stir fry to be nestled on a bed of rice instead of noodles.

6. Stick to foods that are healthy and unprocessed. You will be better off with a chicken breast instead of a burger.

7. Sometimes the meal itself will be gluten free but your plate will come with a garnish that isn’t Celiac friendly. This is where it’s important to tell your server about your intolerance so you don’t wind up with a surprise piece of gnarly bread poking out of your soup.

8. There’s more to dessert than cake. Don’t be afraid to look at the desert menu as gelato, mousses and sometimes even cheesecake can be gluten free.

9. Watch your beverages. Be sure you know what ingredients are in that mixed cocktail.

10. Always specify no croûtons on your salad – it’s an often overlooked source of gluten. Trust me!

Written by H.E.Eigler of Maternal Spark dot com a blog for and about Creative Moms as featured at Posh Mama Online Magazine.

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

Got 60 seconds? Write a story!

Go to One Word. Read the prompt. Write.

Time is not an excuse this go round Mammas!

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

Mercantile Spark, Daycare and Writing - Oh My!

Thought I'd do a little update type post today.

Mercantile Spark

The new blog is coming along very nicely! The design is looking great - I bit the bullet and paid a designer for this one as I am not familiar with Word Press as of yet and don't really have loads of time to figure it all out on my own. It's a nice, calm color pallet and the layout will work really well with the format I have in mind. So far, so good.

Daycare for Little H

As you know we found ourselves suddenly without a daycare provider last month. We've been scooting by on the skin of our teeth until now, having flown out one Grandparent and used a few holiday days. Good news is we found a new sitter! She has a little boy who is the perfect age to be a great playmate for Little H. I'm feeling really good about the new situation. She starts her first full day on Thursday so wish us luck.

Writing

I finished my piece for Chicken Soup for the Power Moms Soul. I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I wish I had loads more time to devote to tweaking and polishing and pouring over every detail. On the other hand, I don't have that time. The result is something that was produced in a very simple manner. I sat down and wrote the first half. Then, I wrote the second half in my next sitting. A few edits later and it is what it is. I hope they like it enough to put me on the shortlist but who knows. At this point in my life and with all that has been going on I'm proud that I even managed to write it. Even if it never gets published it will still remind me of this time where I'm clinging to my passions with all I have left. I hope you are doing the same.

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

Trends - What do you love? What do you hate?

I'll confess: I'm a writer at heart, and a lover of words. Lately, I have noticed 'chat speak' sneaking into everyday language. I'm guilty myself of sneaking in an OMG or WTF (a personal favorite) here and there in informal correspondence like emails or plurks.

But

It's going a little far now people. Hearing Rachel Ray call extra virgin olive oil - EVOO makes me want to pop her between the eyes. Same goes for when people use BFF in conversation. Keep it to the medium it was intended for - electronic means, like text messaging and instant messages.

Am I the only one who cringes over this? Why let it slip into speech? Are we really that lazy or is it trying to be a part of a trend? Maybe this is the proof that I am getting old (my 30th is coming up fast!).

Think about your own creative medium. Do you see any trends cheapening or threatening the integrity of what you do? Are you embracing them or do you scoff and maintain the 'old' ways.

What one finds the norm, another likely will find cheap - I wonder what old time journalists think of blogging? I'm sure it makes their skin crawl. Take a trip through the comment section and let me know what you think. TTYL! (Yes, that was intended as sarcasm.)

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

Join me in the club

I've just discovered a great social network for mom bloggers. Talk about all things bloggy from traffic to monetizing. Or just browse some great blogs. Join me at the Mom Bloggers Club!

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

Query Quandry

Image via WikipediaI wrote last week how I'm working on a query letter for a magazine article idea I have. The process is proving to drain my brain. I know what I want to say but putting it all together in a way that sells an idea is a bit tougher than I realized. So, I'm still working on that - as I said before, I want it to be perfect.

On the blogging front, I've been trying my hand at monetizing. You can tell from the Amazon widgets, a few text ads (at the bottom) and some sponsor ads. I don't think I'll ever get rich from Maternal Spark - and that isn't my intention. Maternal Spark is about showcasing creative moms and providing support for balancing the mommy life with the creative one.

So when I found services that pay you to blog, I did some serious thinking. One of the services sends you links that you are to use in your blog posts. They paid $10 per post. I thought about it, and then decided against it. The money wouldn't be enough to change the fact that I'm going back to work in June, it would only serve to change the content of this blog and I didn't want to put the integrity of this blog in question for a few bucks.

There are, however, plenty of Mommy blogs who do paid work. Good on them, for finding a way to maintain the focus of their blog and make some cash too.

I think I will better focus my efforts on increasing readership. That's going to take time. One thing I have in mind to jump my visibility will be to host a giveaway. Watch for the announcement, you won't want to miss it!

Like this post? Subscribe and get them via email!