Monday, November 12, 2007

I'm Confessing!


Okay, while my little camera is refusing to transfer pictures to my PC today again, I had to come up with an alternative subject to blog about. So, I decided to do some confessing, with a recent, perturbed looking, confessing type of picture of me to go along with it. Haha! I'm in a silly mood, so why not?
Ten days ago, I sold a short inspirational piece to, True Confession Magazine, for their, That’s Incredible Department. I even forget what the title of my piece was, and I can’t seem to find my record of it. But it will be published in January 2008, so I guess I will find out what it was when I see it in print. (Got to read that Organized Writer book, one of these days!)

I have written for the Confession market many times. I have had stories in various Departments like, How I know I’m in Love, The Life I Live, My Moment With God, Women Are Wonderful, The Experience of a Lifetime, etc. I have, in the past, even written full length confession stories. But I usually don’t like to tell people about my secret life as a confession writer. Not because the stories are risque, in any sense, but because people think of them that way. But to a freelance writer, they are just another paying market!

I remember when I sold my first, full length confession story, and debated whether I should tell my writer friends about it, at the monthly meeting I used to attend. This was ten years ago, when I was a youngster of 60, and most of the other members were my seniors by several years. Would they be shocked or happy for me, like they were when I sold something to Chicken Soup, or Good Old Days, or Angels on Earth, or Guideposts ?

So I went to the meeting with a copy of the contract from True Confession, and after everyone had a turn to read their latest piece of writing, I announced nonchalantly, "I have a surprise for all of you."

"Oh, did you make another sale?" one of the more enthusiastic members asked, excitedly. "What did you sell, an article?"

"Yes, I did make another sale, but it wasn't an article," I replied.

"Oh, was it a short story," someone else asked.

"No, it wasn't a short story either. At least not a traditional short story," I said, finally showing them my contract.

"Why, this is a contract for a confession story! It says here, it will be published in October, for a payment of, $195. Isn’t that wonderful, girls?" the enthusiastic one said, all a tither.

After more questioning, the girls wanted to know how they could try their hand at a confession story, too.

"Go to our local Country Mart and buy several Confession Magazines. Read them thoroughly, then try writing one of your own," I told them. "That’s what I did."

"Buy a Confession magazine?" our oldest, most timid member said, in a shocked tone of voice. "This is a small town, what if someone should see me?"
Everyone chuckled at her remark, but that’s exactly what they all ended up doing, after I reminded them that most of us have been around a long time; we should have plenty to confess!

A confession story can be about anything true to life, and although written in the first person, it is always fiction, and it's written anonymously. The Department pieces are short, inspirational non-fiction, and the writer gets a tagline with them. All the Confession magazines have monthly Department sections that pay rather well for these short, inspirational pieces. Check them out and you may be confessing too!

34 comments:

Merle said...

Dear Renie ~~ Love the photo and congratulations on the True Confessions stories. Good on you !!
Thanks for your comments and I am glad you liked the Signs of stroke.
iy is handy to know as we get older.
I thought the buried at sea joke was funny too. Take care, my friend,
Love, Merle.

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Merle,

Thank you for your nice comment. Yes, signs of a stroke are most important to know. I copied and pasted it and saved it.

I always enjoy hearing from you, dear Merle.

Be well and warm regards,

Renie

Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl said...

Oh, I LOVE this post, Renie! *He he* It's so much better reading this since I know the others in that group and their personalities (don't worry, no one else will recognize them)

This was the best, Renie!

I actually sent a story to True Love magazine I think. It was about a boyfriend I had when I was a teen--the one that got away ;'(

Keep writing (and confessing!) I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!

The photo couldn't be more perfect either ;0)

Oh, I'm so glad you camera wouldn't cooperate so you could bring this awesome post to your readers here at Renie Burghardt's World!

Thanks for sharing.

*Giggles*
Michele

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Michele,

Nice to confess on a rainy morning! Haha, on the picture. Very unflattering, but I think it goes well with this blog entry.

Yes, I knew you would recognize some of the ladies mentioned, but not named.

Thank you for your always encouraging comments. I do appreciate them greatly. And, by the way, I got the darn camera to work again, just before!

Have a great day, writing the cyber highway!

Hugs,

Renie

Deborah Wilson said...

My confession - I've been reading True Confession - True Story magazines since I was a teen. I don't read them so often anymore, but every now and then a story title will jump out at me and I'll grab a copy. There some good inspirational pieces published in them for sure - but also alot juicy stuff in them. haha

What cracks me up is watching women read the National Enquirer in the grocery check-out. Every now and then they'll peep around to see if anyone is watching and if they think the coast is clear, they'll hurry and sneak a copy under the groceries!

I'll have to pick up Jan edition of True Confession, Renie.

Renie Burghardt said...

Deborah,

You read confession magazines? No, not you! Haha. I think a lot of teenagers like them, and I know I read a few back in the good old days.

I enjoyed your comment. I hope Envy had a wonderful birthday!

Renie

Karen H. said...

Good Afternoon Renie,
Thanks for coming by this morning. I was going to post this morning but we got some more rain and had some cloud to ground lightening. I had to shut things off. We probably got about an inch to an inch and a half today. It is still cloudy and they say there is a 50% chance of rain for tomorrow. You look like you are really busy in that picture. LOL. I want to congratulate you on your "Blog of the Month Award". I just got my first award Saturday. I played Thearsus Thursday at Mightmom's. It was fun. I got the silly goose award. That is my very first award since I have been blogging. I have never read True Confessions. I might have to go get one and read it. Take care my friend and have a great Tuesday. God Bless You.

Hugs,
Karen H.

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Karen,

Oh, we had some storms early this morning as well. But they passed quickly. We got a substantial rain, too, but I don't think quite as much as you.


Thank you for the congratulations on my award from Pia. I don't think I deserve it, but it was nice of her to pass it on to me. Pia is a real sweetie!

Thank you for coming by and commenting. It's always nice to see nice blogging friends.

Take care and God bless!

Renie

Nonnas News said...

I've never read True Confessions, but I have heard of the magazine years ago. I'll have to see if I can locate one!

Thanks for your kind comment!

Jmkdreak said...

you sneaky little confession writer you! haha, cute.

xox

Susie said...

I can remember True Confessions from when I was a teen. My aunt would buy them and I would read them. My grandma thought they were scandalous!
Haven't thought of that in years!!
Congratulations on another published article.
xo

Mary said...

may as well confess too. I have been published by True Confessions and True Story. They are a great paying market. To writers, it is just another way to bring in a living.

Congratulations on having your writing published by the confession mags. I'm going to pick up a copy of True Confession Magazine when the January issue comes out. Thanks for the heads up.

Hope all is well with you. Love the photo.

Blessings,
Mary

Mary said...

PS. Congratulations also on the blogger of the month award. You are definitely deserving.

Anonymous said...

i was so proud to tell my friends that i have a dear blogger friend who has written stories in chicken soup. and they said, REALLY??? i said yes! and her name is renie. =D

Renie Burghardt said...

Thank you for your comment, Nonna. I enjoy hearing from nice blogging friends. Have a great day.

Renie










Hi Andrea,

Caught in the act of confessing. Haha.

xoxo

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Susie,

Yes, I think Grandma's thought of the confessions as scandalous. But thesed days there are more scandalous things on television, and on the Internet, for that matter, than in any Confessions magazine. I was tickled by your comment. Thanks so much for visiting.

Blessings,

Renie






Hi Mary,

Ah, another confessing writer! Haha. You know the Department sections in the Confession magazines are a great opportunity for a writer. They are for ispirational pieces, and so easy to write. Last year I had one in True Experience Magazine's Experience of a Lifetime.

My permission agreement said scheduled for January 08, but it also said "tentativelly." So, hopefully, it will make it into the January issue. Sometimes, it gets in a month later, but usually it does get published when they say.

Thank you for commenting, Mary. Hope all is well with you and yours.


Hugs,

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Pia,

Oh, thank you for the nice comment. Writing for Chicken Soup is my favorite, but Confessions magazines are fun to write for as well.

Have a wonderful day, Pia.

Hugs,

Renie

Merle said...

Dear Renie ~~ Thank you for your kind comments. I hadn't heard about the candy cane
before either. The dementia test was funny who was driving the bus after all that adding and subtracting. Glad you enjoy your visits and I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow, and every day. Take care, Love, Merle.

Mary said...

Renie,

Yes, they always say tentativelly.
Most of mine have been held over for the next month, but that is okay. As long as they published it, that's great. It's fun writing those short blurbs for the departments and they sell well. I've had them accepted more than a year after I've submitted. I usually send a few all at the same time.

Blessings for a great day.
Mary

Renie Burghardt said...

Thank you for your always cheerful and faithful visits, dear Merle! We're having a rainy day again, but a good they, nevertheless. Just got home from shopping. With company coming next week, there is a lot to keep me busy.

Have a wonderful Thursday.

Renie






Mary,

Yes, the Department pieces are great to write for, and the more, the better. Hopefully, my piece, which I can't remember the title of, for the life of me, will be in the January issue, but if not, it will get in in February.

Thank you for coming back and commenting again. I hope all is well with you and yours.

Blessings,

Renie

Hootin Anni said...

A big Texas Howdy to you Renie!!! Congrats is in order!!! [and ps....I'm singing now in my head - "Everybody loves somebody sometime" ---from the post below.]

Renie Burghardt said...

And a big Howdy back at you, Hootin'Anni. So nice to see you commenting. Thank you!

Blessings,

Renie

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Renie,
Burrrrr!!!! It is cold here. We got some rain yesterday afternoon and the wind shifted and it dropped like 21 degrees in like 30 minutes. It is 43 degrees with a windchill of 38 right now. Suppose to get down to 32 here tonight. I finally turned the heat back on late last night after having the air-conditioner going for a couple of day. I'm sure your getting all ready for your company next week. I don't know yet what we are going to do. I'm thinking about just cooking for me and hubby and the girls. We will have to wait and see. Well, take care my friend and stay warm. God Bless You.

Hugs,
Karen H.

Grandy said...

Thanks for the information Renie. I wonder how many of those women from your group are now writing their own confessions??

Leann said...

Good for you girl you have a a way with words and you need to write so others can hear read what you have to share.
I dont know what a confession magizine is.never seen one.does it have a name other then confession?
I confess all the time the dumb things I did and do so telling it to a magizine wouldnt be hard.
have a great week my dear and God bless you.
(((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Karen,

I'm a bit late replying and even visiting folkd. Just got home our our monhtly church luncheon and bingo. It's just a social bingo, for little prizes, but we enjoy it. Yes, it got chilli in our region, but it's a nice, sunny day, though the wind is cold. They say things will warm up again during the weekend. Thanks for coming by. I enjoy hearing from you, and will be by to visit your Korner later today.

Blessings,

Renie









Grandy, Hi!

Yes, the Confession magazines are a good market for small, inspirational writing, and even humor, which you are great at.

The ladies from our group never did make a sale, but they get an A for trying.

Thank you for coming by. Hope you visit again.

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...

Leann,

I always love to hear from you! I hope you are feeling more up, and enjoying life, day to day.

Thank you for the compliment on my way with words, Leann. It's greatly appreciated. You can find confession magazines on the newstands, in stores. True Confession, True Love, True Romance, etc. I bet you could write for them, if you wanted to.

Take care, my friend, and God bless!

Renie

Renie Burghardt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
audrey` said...

Dear Renie

You're a very gifted writer.
I always enjoy reading your posts.

Take care =)

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Audrey!

How are you? I hope all is well with you.

Thank you for the nice compliment, and the visit. Be well and God bless!

Renie

audrey` said...

Dearest Renie

HaHa!
All is well with my soul...
(there goes the hymn)

How are you, my friend?
Please take care, Renie =)

Renie Burghardt said...

Dear Audrey,

I'm happy and so blessed! Thank you for caring and asking. I hope it's not too hot in your part of the world, and you are enjoying the weekend.

Hugs and blessings,

Renie

Tina Coruth said...

Renie,

I'm shocked ... that you haven't confessed to us about this sooner! LOL Congratulations on your sale. Thank you for the tips on this market. :-)

hugs,
Tina

Tina Coruth said...

Pretty picture, Renie! That's a beautiful dress, too. :-)
hug,
Tina