From the yearly archives:

2009

Odd Synchronicity: Writing Inspiration Came From Cousins Named Diane

by Joan Kremer on November 10, 2009 · 5 comments

in Writing in general

Okay, I know I promised this blog would be about writers in the virtual sky of the Internet, but today I must post instead about writers in a different virtual sky – the one not in cyberspace, but “heavenspace,” or whatever you want to call that dimension beyond the physical. I want to tell you about [...]

Tagged as: Diane Groth, inspiration, writing muse

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Congratulations on Sale of Manuscript!

by Joan Kremer on October 19, 2009 · 0 comments

MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS to my dear friend and writing partner in Second Life, Cynthia Hand Struloeff, whose first novel Angel Kind (tentative title) was accepted for publication by Harper Collins! Writers and readers will enjoy Cindy’s engaging blog, Writing Angels, where she writes with great humor and insight about the process of submitting a manuscript and [...]

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Where to Meet Many of the ‘AWE’some Writers, Publishers, & Resources in Second Life

October 13, 2009

For nearly two years, I’ve been talking about all the great resources for writers in the virtual world of Second Life. Here’s your chance to see for yourself – in one easy trip to the annual Autumn Writers Exposition.
For the third year in a row, the folks at the awesome Written Word organization in SL [...]

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How Can Writers Make Money in Second Life? Let Me Count the Ways…

September 28, 2009

I get asked this question a lot: Can a writer actually make any money in Second Life?
If I’m busy or have had a tough day, I may respond with another question: “Can a writer make any money in any life?”
Cynicism toward the publishing industry aside, usually I answer, “Yes, of course they can,” and give [...]

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Just for Writers: Free, Weekly Open Mic & Support Group in Second Life

September 14, 2009

One of my favorite activities each week in Second Life is the Monday “Writers Symposium” I host at Story Mountain Center for Writers.
The symposium is rather a fancy name for what we do, but it’s a convenient term for this weekly meeting where writers gather, read their work to the others attending, and then, if [...]

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How a Successful Author in First Life Supports Aspiring Authors in Second Life

September 9, 2009

Most Wednesday evenings find me with a handful of other writers in a comfy, living-room setting, where we talk and laugh with, and get advice from a writer whose career is way ahead of mine: an author of more than 40 published novels (at least eight of which have been New York Times bestsellers) and [...]

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How Second Life Helped Me Lose Weight, Fly Above My Fears, & Advance My Writing Career

August 14, 2009

Introducing the newest scientifically-based weight-loss program (drum-roll, please): Hanging out in the virtual world of Second Life!
Before you laugh yourself blind, let me say I’m telling you this in all seriousness. One of the recent news stories making the rounds of the mainstream media is an article reporting on a study that shows SL users [...]

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The New Way for Authors to Meet Readers & Promote Books: Virtual Book Tours

August 11, 2009

Reactions ranging from slight suspicion to accusations of insanity greet me when I discuss all the great writing-related stuff in Second Life with both authors and readers unfamiliar with virtual worlds.
So then I ask authors: Want to meet your readers? Introduce your books to even more readers? And never have to leave your home?
And I [...]

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Meet Author Marjorie Liu Aug. 4 in SL

July 31, 2009

AUTHOR MARJORIE LIU TO MAKE UNIQUE APPEARANCE:
Novelist Marjorie M Liu will discuss her latest latest Dirk & Steele novel, the paranormal romance The Fire King
on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m. SLT (Pacific time zone) on Athena Isle in Second Life. Readers are being invited to submit [...]

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Bestselling Author Carleen Brice Comes to SL

July 24, 2009

UPDATE: Time has been changed to 12:30 p.m. SLT!!
MEET BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUNDAY JULY 26 IN SL:
Carleen Brice, whose second novel, Children of the Waters, has just been released as A One World Trade Paperback Original by Ballantine, will discuss her new novel and talk about her writing at an appearance 3:30 [...]

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How Writers Are Using Second Life to Find Audiences & Readers

July 24, 2009

Imagine this scenario: You’re an unpublished, unknown playwright and you’ve just written a play that you believe needs to be staged. Your income is commensurate with most writers’ – i.e., not a lot. And you don’t have rich friends or family who might fork over the tens of thousands of dollars needed to [...]

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Poet Produces Original Play in Second Life

July 17, 2009

DON’T MISS PERFORMANCE OF PLAY WRITTEN FOR PRODUCTION IN SECOND LIFE: Tonight (Friday, July 17) is the second performance of the original play Hypatia of Alexandria, written by poet Skylar Smythe specifically for production in Second Life. It starts at 7 p.m. SLT (Pacific time) at the stage built specifically for this play. The [...]

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‘The Rabbicorn’: Another Way Second Life Enhances the Storyteller’s Art

July 17, 2009

It’s sort of a cross between an illustrated storybook and Disneyworld without the crowds, noise, and vendors. It’s a story you can literally immerse yourself in. And it’s something you’ll find only in a virtual world like Second Life.
I love discovering ways in which writers use the 3D elements of Second Life to create work [...]

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Want Help Writing a ‘Fib’?* Talented Poets in Second Life Have You Covered

July 9, 2009

* Or another short poem
I do not consider myself a poet. Oh, I’ve written poetry – some of it’s even been published or won (minor) awards. But I can go for years without writing a single line.
Nevertheless, I studied a lot of poetry in college, and thought I at least knew the primary forms. So [...]

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Do Writers Have a Role in the Future of Virtual Worlds?

June 25, 2009

I asked a question of a few people who are mostly ignorant of the existence of Second Life: What would you expect to see at an exposition on the future of virtual worlds on the Internet?
After they got past the guffaws or confusion or outright indignation (e.g., “Who do you think I am – some [...]

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One More Reason Second Life’s Good for Writers: Bookstacks

June 18, 2009

The writing community in Second Life continues to amaze me! At a literary gathering yesterday, I had the pleasure of being with a couple dozen writers who came together to listen to and applaud the winners of a flash fiction contest I helped organize and judge.
The contest part of it was extremely hard for [...]

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Memo to Universe: Please Use Second Life Code to Fix These First Life Programming Bugs!

June 7, 2009

May 2009 will go down in my personal history as one of the most miserable months ever — personally and professionally. And it made me think about how wonderful first life could be if only it had a few more of Second Life’s features!
But before I launch into my wishlist of features I think [...]

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For SL Writers, an ‘Offer You Can’t Refuse’: Speakeasy Bash, Poetry Slam & Flash Fiction Contest

May 22, 2009

One of the serendipitous things that’s happened to me in Second Life is the chance to get involved with a writers’ showcase at a virtual university, where I’ve gotten to know a lot of other writers and participated in many kinds of projects for creative writers.
I’ve never seen anything in the physical world quite like [...]

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Writers Can’t Hide from the Mic – Not Even in Second Life!

May 14, 2009

I’m trying very hard to develop at least a minimal amount of affection for the sound of my voice. It’s tough, when I’ve hated hearing it for nearly half a century! After all, I’m a writer! You know — one of those people who can think as they type, but not as they talk.
But thanks [...]

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Alas Zerbino Reading in Second Life April 30

April 29, 2009

READING AT BOOKWORM CAFE THURSDAY, APRIL 30: I’ll be giving a reading at the Bookworm Cafe on Da Vinci Isle in Second Life Thursday, April 30, at 5 p.m. SLT (Pacific time). As my avatar Alas Zerbino, I’ll read a couple of my published short stories and possibly an excerpt from my novel in progress, [...]

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Second Life Condenses Time, Expands Resources for Writers

April 25, 2009

Second Life collapses time. Case in point: my almost-lifelong effort to find or start a writers’ group for sharing and feedback.
For creative writers, the value of sharing their writing with other writers and getting feedback, support, and helpful critique is immeasurable. Some writers even say it’s essential for getting published. Whether that’s true or not, [...]

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Are You Missing What (Second) Life Has to Offer?

April 12, 2009

For the first time in my life, I’m proud to call myself an evangelist.
Wait! Before you click that X-to-close button (especially those of you who know me personally), I’m NOT talking about religion in any shape or form! No, what I’ve become downright evangelical about is Second Life . And especially this virtual world as [...]

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How to Use Second Life to Support Your Writing Schedule

April 6, 2009

Every writer I know has a bag of tricks they use to motivate themselves to just sit their butt down and write on those days when it simply feels too hard — an excuse often couched in the disguise of the moment: “I think I may be coming down with something,” or “it’s too hot/cold [...]

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WITVS Blogger & ‘Queen’ of SL Poets Go ‘Off the Shelf’ & On the Air

March 26, 2009

The exciting new radio talk show about the literary scene in Second Life, Off The Shelf, will air its second program this Sunday, March 29, featuring perhaps the most well-known SL literary figure/writer/poet, Persephone Phoenix, and one of the newer SL writing-scene bloggers, yours truly, as my SL avatar Alas Zerbino.
Off The Shelf is the [...]

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Story Quest & More Exciting ‘Firsts’ for Writers in SL

March 13, 2009

I’ve been fighting that Big, Bad Time Monster lately — trying to juggle my income-producing work … with revising my novel … with attending an increasing number of great writers’ events in Second Life … with blog-writing … with everything else in life … blah, blah, blah.
And as they say in that great movie, Sordid [...]

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Ursula LeGuin Speaks in Second Life

March 1, 2009

URSULA LEGUIN SPEAKS TO FANS IN SECOND LIFE: I was virtually face-to-face with author Ursula K. LeGuin when she spoke on Feb. 28 with an audience — some at the Potlatch 18 program in San Francisco, and others of us attending at the Alliance Virtual Library in Second Life. During the Q&A session, she alternated between questions [...]

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A Writer’s Guide to Learning About Second Life (Part 3)

February 24, 2009

Wow! Second Life is a lot to learn! At least that’s what I’ve realized as I’ve worked on these posts. So if you’re just starting out in this virtual world, be patient!!

In Part 1 of this series, I gave my (opinionated) advice on the best way to get in and get going quickly in Second [...]

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A Writer’s Guide to Learning About Second Life (Part 2)

February 19, 2009

Welcome back! I hope you’re finding Second Life half as intriguing as I do! In Part 1 of this series, I described these six steps that helped me — and I hope can help you — in Second Life:

Learn a little about Second Life before you enter this virtual world.
Sign up for Second Life (it’s [...]

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A Writer’s Guide to Learning About Second Life (Part 1)

February 17, 2009

“Why aren’t more writers flocking to Second Life?” I asked my partner one day.
“Because SL is pretty overwhelming at first,” my partner answered.
I laughed. “You should know! Remember how you wore two sets of hair for the longest time? Kept wandering off and getting lost?” (see photo below for example)

No verbal response [...]

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Biweekly Writers’ Meets Start in SL

February 13, 2009

BIWEEKLY WRITERS’ MEETS START IN SL: Every Monday and Friday at 2 p.m. SLT (Pacific time) all writers in Second Life who wish to can sit down together in-world and spend a focused hour (or more) on writing at the Gypsy Camp at Thistle Down on Milk Wood, a great SL location for writers to hang out. You can choose to make the meet competitive by displaying goals and total word count, or just work on your own writing privately. Monthly prizes in various categories will be awarded, says writer Harriet Gausman, host of the event, “but that is not what will drive you. You will be driven by the desire to finally get those words on paper and rid yourself of your literary angst.” The gypsy camp is equipped with typewriters and desks and a beautiful, calm environment perfectly conducive to thinking and creating.

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“Power of Place”-themed Poetry Wanted for Exhibit

February 9, 2009

CALL FOR POETRY SUBMISSIONS: Poetry on the theme of “The Power of Place” is being sought for an art/poetry exhibition at the Dakota Skies sim in Second Life. The exhibit will run through March 15 at the Dakota Skies Events Center. Dakota Skies owner Dakota Dreamscape (herself a published poet in real life) seeks poetry [...]

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January Issue of AnonLiterary Magazine

February 5, 2009

ANON LITERARY MAGAZINE JANUARY ISSUE AVAILABLE: Check out another great issue of one of Second Life’s best literary journals, AnonLiterary, either in-world (available at many locations, including its home base in Second Life) or via PDF at the Anon Web site.

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The Story Trail in SL: A Magical Experience for Creative Writers

February 1, 2009

When’s the last time you combined a walking meditation in a lush, serene natural setting with a creative writing session? Where you didn’t have to worry about cold, heat, rain, snow, mosquitoes, gnats, or any other bothersome aspect of nature. Where all you had to concentrate on was your writing and the gorgeous surroundings?
For most [...]

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Romance Writing Contest in SL

January 29, 2009

Romance Writing Contest: Cash prizes and publication for winners of RezLibris’s Romance Writing Contest. Three winners in each of four categories: memoirs/personal essay; young adult short fiction; short story; poetry. Deadline, midnight SLT, Feb. 7. Contact Abbey Zenith of Alliance Virtual Library in Second Life.

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SL Festival Seeks Writers for Readings

January 29, 2009

Read Your Poetry or Fiction: Violet Nishi of Poetry in Pixels is looking for writers of poetry or stories to participate in the Imbolc Festival poetry reading at Artstonia on Sunday, February 1. Readings will be held at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. SLT (Pacific time). If you’re a writer and SL resident, contact Violet [...]

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Written Word: This Virtual Group Offers Tremendous Support for Real Writers

January 19, 2009

I was lucky to have stumbled onto Written Word in one of my earliest explorations around the virtual world of Second Life.
(I think it was shortly after my ill-fated attempt to dance for Lindens at a nightclub; I earned all of L$15, which then disappeared from my account overnight!! I know I was strolling [...]

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‘Ketchup’: Updates on SL Writing Events, Resources, Contests

January 12, 2009

“Serving ketchup” is what members of my oldest email chat group call it when we write a post that tries to “catch up” with the conversations we’ve been neglecting. So here’s the first WRITERS IN THE (virtual) SKY “ketchup” post!
Update on the SL Events for Writers Calendar
Slowly, but surely, all the busy writers who organize [...]

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Calendar of Second Life Events for Writers

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about me

Joan Kremer is a professional business/ nonfiction writer, novelist, short story writer, editor of an online literary journal, and most recently co-owner of the Story Mountain Center for Writers in Second Life® (where I go by the avatar name Alas Zerbino, whose picture appears above).

For even more about me, check out the About Me page of this blog, and/or read this interview by Debbie Ridpath Ohi about my experiences as a writer in SL at her great blog, Inkygirl's Daily Diversions for Writers.

A little background on my SL writers' center is in this episode of the Second Life Cable Network TV show Real Biz in SL, which talks about Story Mountain Center for Writers and the other women-owned organizations that share Athena Isle.
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