“Writing Crap” is the title of my guest post for The Writer’s Circle’s blog. Fear not; the post isn’t actually crappy. In fact, I kinda like it! I hope you do too.
Click here and give it a read!
Writing Crap!
A groovy little website by children's book author Mike Allegra
Hey, Look! A Writer Fellow! 
I hope to read a ‘raffe story one day. I kinda like them…
I never say never, Boo. But I often say “we’ll see…”
see what?? *closes door!*
KNOCK NEXT TIME!!
Oops!
Sheesh!
I prefer just looking at this pic…..
Ain’t that Peep nasty lookin’?
Ok, so I stopped looking at this pic and ventured over. I agree: writing crap is a gift to the soul, especially when you can laugh doing it. Congrats on staying the course!
Thank you, my friend! I will continue the crapitude when the mood strikes.
Crap ain’t as crappy as it first may seem,
Unless you’re talking about root beer Peeps, of course.
I will pass on the Peep, Mike. Peeps are scary enough without the strange color and shape. Your writing journey is always inspiring. That second book deal is indeed elusive. Hooray for 17 books! Question: did the second book happen before or after securing an agent? I’m thinking I best get one since so many publishers only want agents submissions these days.
The second book came after I got my agent. Even so, I was represented for two years before that elusive second deal came to be.
This career loves to keep people waiting, doesn’t it?
Lol I gotta give you credit for taking an actual relevant photo for the title. Thanks for the effort, Mike!
Thanks, Stuart. I cannot even begin to think of another food that looks more like a turd.
That was a great post, Mike. Above all writing has to be fun and we have to do it for ourselves. We’re blessed when someone else enjoys it too.
Finding the delicate balance between pleasing yourself and pleasing the readers is crazy difficult, ain’t it?
Yes, since there are so many different types of readers, it’s a guessing game to a certain extent. Following a few tried-and-true rules about what makes a good book is a good place to start, and then just have fun.
Very true!
BTW: Because of your fine recommendation, I just got my first round of questions from The Hamster Dudes! I’ve never been interviewed by rodents before! Yay!
Ha ha ha ha. Oh, this will be too much fun. 😀
I concur! The interview will be out in the fall to coincide with the release of Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles.
That’s perfect. The hamsters will be so impressed…. I think. 🙂
I’ve never tried Rootbeer flavored Peeps. Gross for real? I saw spicy flaming red Peeps, which I avoided without hesitation.
Gross. For. Real.
I know you like to subject yourself to physical punishments on a regular basis (the evidence is right there on your blog), but eating root beer Peeps may even be beyond your capacity for pain.
Hahaha. And now you’ve made me SO curious! I wonder if I can still find some at the store, marked down to a penny. 🙂
You are such a masochist.
Lol!
Wonderful article, Mike. I totally agree with it; even more, sometimes crap turns into gold. Sometimes. One of the rules in my Creative Wighting class is “be free to write the worse junk in America.” Because what’s one person’s crap is another person’s gold. Plus, we WRITERS HAVE TO HAVE FUN. Turning off the editor in our mind is a great way to have fun.
Very true. Even if a manuscript I work on turns out to be crappy, snippets from said manuscript can often be recycled and inserted into “more promising” stories. When you let your creative freak flag fly, amazing and unexpected things can happen!
What a pity it won’t be published. I would certainly buy it and I think kids would absolutely love it. 📚📓
Honestly, I do think No-Nose would make kids howl with laughter.
Maybe I should give it another rewrite… 😉
Yes, do!
“You can’t please everyone, so you’ve got to please yourself!”
Yes, indeedy!
When I write, it is almost always therapeutic. It sounds like Momma No-Nose (and other crappy writing) is exactly that for you! 😉
Yes, that’s so true, Kim.
I’m living for this! Great guest blog. Often I reread my stuff after leaving it for a couple of days and I think to myself, “This is crap!” I just keep plugging away. Guess it’s all about taking joy in your work and writing what you’re passionate about. Thanks!
Oh, I *often* review my early drafts and say “This is crap!” Par for the course for every writer, I suppose.
Thanks for visiting, Charles! Don’t be a stranger!
I won’t be!
It was a great post……😊and I m still looking the pic mentioned 😃
Interesting. I like to work on crap sometimes, too. When I was 24, now 35, I wrote a book we’ll call, “DOH.” I don’t want to self-promote on your blog. It took me three days to write and two days to edit. I posted it on my blog, and then to Lulu. had some takers. However, “DOH” is a horrible book. In the last group home I’d been in, they wrote down that I was going through a mania just because I wrote that book and called my mom 21 times. I’ve written a few books, but I threw two into the trash, so don’t feel bad. I may have self-published, and it is crappy, but “DOH” remains my baby.