The world of writing promotion is a strenuous task and strain on the brain. I've started to find this out frequently in my online ventures. While researching markets for short stories, I found a few useful links which allow writers to submit their work at:

www.associatedcontent.com

www.anthologiesonline.com

Online publishing is in rapid growth period. With the rise of e-zines and blogs there are better chances to break into print. You'll discover also that the numerous writing forums, discussion boards, ad postings available for sites grant permission to promote writing, list literary works for sale or services, add your own link, and post articles/short stories/screenplays while receiving feedback from interested site members or visitors. This also can mean a ton of traffic is looking at your writing.

For anyone who enjoys reading sampling short stories or critiquing such work, posted below is the first page of my short story,"Fitness Guru." It gives a interesting perspective on exercising.


Fitness Guru

By Pete Harvey

Geraldo Enriquez was dedicated to exercising. His daily routine consisted of 200 pushups, 300 sit-ups, and walking 3 miles. Every other day he worked out at the YMCA, where he also taught a fitness class. The terrific shape and condition he maintained was awe inspiring and made overweight people feel guilty. The low self-esteem of those whose bodies were unhealthy sometimes rattled the fitness instructor. These compulsive eaters and junk food-addicts had tried hard in the past to lose weight, but found themselves more absorbed with fatty foods than a daily exercise regimen. Geraldo hoped to change their perspective on eating and living healthy. The question was how? Presenting a good positive image to the obese and rotund individuals in the group, explaining ways to prevent compulsive eating would surely provide essential help. Changing people's minds wasn't going to be easy. He knew some folks were set in their ways and no matter how much coaching and encouragement they would always remain lazy couch potatoes.
For years Geraldo prided himself on regular fitness and sticking to a well balanced diet. Class members he’d try to reach out to before, refuse to listen to you or follow his workout plan for success. These people ate their way into an obliverarion. Several died from high cholesterol and blood pressure while others fed up with their out control eating habits, committed suicide. No one could help because they allowed their obsession for food to control their life. Treatment in health centers and hospitals were available, but it was up to the patient to the first step in starting a healthy lifestyle. Geraldo, saddened by the discouraging news of former fitness members and their continual declining health. This was tragic, especially for a middle-aged instructor who was dedicated to getting people in shape each year.
At 9 a.m. Monday morning the physical fitness and well being class is about to begin. Several of the staff members at the YMCA greet Geraldo and talk briefly before he goes into the gym. He is wearing his black, spandex work out clothes with a head band. He carries a bottle of water and a blue duffel bag. The fitness instructor is slim with muscular biceps and calves, displaying an angular body and is noticed by the prominence of his black, bushy eyebrows. Marty, a member in the fitness class slowly waddles inside, entering through the front doors. Dressed in all black clothing he breathes heavily as he proceeds to the gym. Geraldo turns around and notices the late arrival. He smiles and says, “Hello Marty, how are you today? Late again I see. You know better than to delay those muscles from getting a good workout. Don’t deny your body those extra energy cells. Come on, follow me."
"I had to go to the post office to mail some letters, you understand?" Marty tries to explain
"Sure, whatever you say. Remember though, denial is a ugly cousin to obesity."
The two opposite pairs walk into the gym as Geraldo is about to start off by getting his class to do warm-up drills and stretching. The blank faces all around show their dissatisfaction with the presence of their instructor. The thought of over exercising to most of the group is nauseating and uncomforting. They are in for a workout like no other.

Hello, back again. As of late, I've been promoting my writing and blogs online. Found several unique, interesting sites which have 'add a link' sections. This is good for everyone. Not only does it help writers, but informs readers of their work, talents, and servies. Exchanging links are fun too. Gives exposure to both parties involved. I'm going to try to work more with partnering with other writing websites for this blog. I'd like to reach markets(audiences) for short stories more or less. That's the area I've done my most extensive work in fiction.

If still interested in writing contests be sure to check out: http://www.fundsforwriters.com.
There are many active and available to enter. I've entered a joke contest for Readers Digest. (http:www.rd.com) The winner receives a trip a paid trip to New York city to perform their joke live at one of premier comedy clubs. Your interests can lead you to many exciting opportunities. I'm hoping to find more outlets to promote my sports blog (http://www.sportspoints.blogspot.com) and find forums or online arenas to possibly start my own weekly column on large-scale, prominent site. Maybe that will open up doors to a few freelance jobs. Until next time, keep the writing spirit alive!

Writing contests are abundunt online. Whether you're trying to get published or earn scholarship money for college this is a good opportunity. I'm looking for financial support to go back to college. So writing contests are one outlet for me. Most are open to U.S. citizens 18 and older. Finding other contests available to specific states or localities is a little tricky. It requires a hunt through search engines, writing sites, and links. Recently I've found a link to a contest(www.writersofthefuture.com) which awards up $1,000 for top prize winners. Sure the competition is fierce, but what isn't these days? It's worth a try. The key is to enter contests related to your specialty area such sci-fi, humor, history essays, sports, opinion/self-reflection pieces. The list goes on and on.

The following are excellent websites to visit for information on contests:

- www.fundsforwriters.com

- www.fictionfactor.com

- www.writerswrite.com

- www.writersnook.com

There are other writing links and resources on these pages as well. *Stay away from contests which don't provide contact information or a known, creditable sponsor. These are usually scams. There is plenty opportunities out there though, you just have look hard for them. In the meantime I've got some contests to enter and financial aid money to apply for. Good luck to all writers pursuing their goals!

Finding just the right markets to submit work is tough. Putting the time into researching is essential though. I've noticed there a numerous markets for literary fiction in magazines and e-zines primarily. If you're a short story writer of various genres like myself locating publishers who need or specialize in only sci-fi, humor, mystery, sports, or horror is one strenous step to complete. Then having these publishers consider your work and actually response is a much longer process. Does anyone out there know easier routes to getting short fiction published, whether in a small, medium, or large market? I've been submitting several of my short stories to online magazines, but only hear back from a few within a month or so.

I understand how hard it is to write a compelling, brilliant story or idea that sells. After reading writing guides and books similar to my style of writing, I see why characterization plays a huge role in the development of a story. Making characters memorable which posess special qualiites(entertaining, sophiscated, egotistical, or manipulative) captivate readers. They are usually the central focus of the story. Making sure they carry out their purpose, reach a conflict, then have a resolution in a climax or later makes the plot hold up. My work on short stories continues. Making progress on refining or touching them up. A sample page of my short story, "Aging Scholar" is posted below.

P.S. I invite all writers to voice their experiences, frustrations, current writing projects, advice, list manuscripts/work for sale, etc. here. This can be an open writers forum to discuss anything related to fiction writing. Feel free to express yourself any time.

Aging Scholar

In a spacious, cluttered office an old, thick-bearded man sits behind a wide wooden desk. Along the wall across from him stands a tall shelf filled with an array of psychology, history, and religion books. Plastered on the right side of the room are posters of Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, and Mark Twain. The window that’s adjacent from the posters show the hint of spring as leaves blow in the wind while the sun’s ultra violet rays shine. The spring semester at Princeton was rearing around the corner. The year dragged on as if it were prolonged. The students that attended professor Bartholomew Hopkins class were frequently puzzled and disgusted with the lectures in class. Psychology was a way to explore the mind and body without really having to touch anyone. The utter audacity and absentmindedness of some pupils struck the professor as deplorable.
Bartholomew Hopkins, a.k.a. Mr. Mewly taught at colleges and high schools for over forty years. This far exceeded the career expectancy of the average teacher. His extensive knowledge of world issues, psychology, historical facts, travel experiences, and wilderness remedies among many other sources of information was extraordinary. His age was his only flaw at this point in his life. A year ago it really started to show too. One day he was discussing a survival story in the wilderness he experienced as a young man to his class and he kept repeating himself. Mr. Mewly as his students knew him, bored everyone with his rambling, irrelevant blurred story recollections. One time he told them how he had contacted a mild case of malaria, but miraculously discovered a remedy for the disease. Just as the old Professor was about to tell the class what the remedy was he fell asleep. It was normal to see a person do this when sitting down, but standing up made for an awkward moment. Slobber began to trickle down his grin as students remained in their seats silent for a few seconds, incredulous. Since Professor Mewly didn’t seem to be waking up any time soon all the students left the class room, some elated while others felt disturbed and flabbergasted.
The stories that the old yet wise scholar told contained a life-time of knowledge, but just as sure as the day was long were so dry it make people yawn and drift into sleep. The inappropriate details of his wild, explicit encounters with Rogue women disgusted everyone. Some students became so ill at the visual images created that they vomited, beyond their control in the restroom. His fascination of his own world travels he expressed so vividly and crudely definitely took their toll on the students who expected a lecture on psychological and mental disorders. After a short while in his class they began to wonder if Mr. Mewly was suffering from such a disorder. Maybe it was just Alzheimer’s, they all knew something wasn‘t right with him. After hearing about his obsession for dog meat while exploring in the ancient lands of Southeast Asia certain students had all they could take and evacuated the room. They decided it was more important to have an appetite for lunch rather than listen to such inappropriate conservation.
A week passed as several students had already dropped the course and signed up for another psychology class taught by a different professor to gain their college credits. This went unnoticed to Bartholomew who didn’t seem cognizant of the number of empty seats in the class room as well as his constant flagellant problem as he strolled around the room, speaking too loud. Whispers spread across the room concerning the foul air pollution as students struggled for fresh air. Those who remained in the class were sorry they did. Without a doubt, they would regret it. Professor Mewly wrote notes on the blackboard behind him in chicken scratch and didn’t bother to explain each point because he forgot. He had a surprise for his class on that day, one that would catch them off guard. As the world renown traveler and scholar was about to say something he felt he had a frog in his throat.