Practical Meerkat's Advice About Advice.

There are a lot of books out there about How To Write (hell, even I have one, although Practical Meerkat is less about writing than it is surviving the writing life). But here's the thing.....

The thing about writing advice is that it's not only NOT one-size-fits-all, but we (hopefully) grow out of advice that did fit, once.

Therefore, be wary of anyone who says 'this works!' All they are saying 'this worked for me, maybe it will help you too.' Shop around. Don't trap yourself in something that's not helping - or worse, something that HURTS.

#Willwrite2FeedOthers 2015

Okay, we’re doing this.  Or you’ve got the chance to do this, and in turn make me do this.

What’s this?  #WillWrite2FeedOthers.  Year three.

You donate.  I write.

As many of you know, one of the charities I give to regularly is my local food bank. Because a warm meal makes everything else, no matter how hard, seems a little easier to manage. Especially for kids.  No kid should ever go to bed hungry.

Bt this isn’t meant to be a guilt trip: you can’t coerce charity – well, you can, but guilt only goes so far.

A carrot, on the other hand…..

So here’s the deal. If I get at least 30 people to send in a screen shot* of a donation made to their local food bank/soup kitchen/whatever, of no less than $5 (of your local currency)** by 15 December, I will post an original short story to my site on 1 January 2015.  Yes, for everyone.

If we get 60 people or more…well, I’ll up the stakes in a yet-to-be-named way.***

Because Thanksgiving dinner tastes better when you know other people are sitting down to a meal, too.




*send the screenshot to lag@lauraannegilman.net

**I specify cash because most organizations can make money go further than we can, due to their connections. But yes, a screen shot of at least $10 worth of goods being donated will count.  As will proof of an hour or more of volunteer time.

***oh god, I want people to rise to the challenge, but I also fear it….