One of the great challenges of Twitter is to get across your personality in 140 characters or less: a challenge for any writer. Here are just a few of my recent favourites:

Brought home 4 pairs of sale shoes. Husband said, “I married a millipede.” Words are weapons, people. – @PowerOfNo

Do not tell anyone! Keep it a secret! The fact that it becomes a cook book halfway though is something I want no one to know. – @JustineLavaworm

There is a rumor going around that Sarah Palin resigned to work on a book. If that’s the case, maybe I can offer a suggestion? VAMPIRES. – @maureenjohnson

Herringbone, houndstooth. Both words start with a critter and end with a body part. Coincidence, or fiendish plot? – @upnorthwriter

For publishing industry, does post-job Palin still have her book deal, and is there enough alcohol in the world for its editor? -@kbeninato

If you’d like to nominate someone’s Tweet for a Golden Marmot, please RT with a #marmot hashtag or DM me (the hashtag lets others find Marmot-worthy quotes more easily). The criteria for winning a Golden Marmot Award are frustratingly vague and entirely subjective, but often include writing or publishing, cleverness, humor or wisdom. Must be original (e.g. no fair using a famous quote). Award schedule is sporadic.

A while back, I posted about Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle In Time” being rejected 26 times. While in a Twitter writers’ chat (#writechat, hosted by author Julie Isaac), I discovered that Mark David Gerson has also posted about Madeleine L’Engle’s rejections.

Find out more in his great blog entry: Feeling Rejected? Don’t Be Dejected!

Want to find out about other famous author rejections? Visit Writers & Rejections: Don’t Give Up!

Sandra Gulland has posted advice for authors on how they can set up their own book blog tours in her blog. Sandra is author of Mistress of the Sun, recently published by HarperCollins.

Even as I was signing up for She Writes, I admit to wondering, “Do I really need to join yet another social network?” However, I’m enjoying the discussions and the user-friendly design, and I like the fact that users have to be approved before being permitted to join; hopefully this will cut down on spammers. I also like the fact that the site encourages members to interact with each other in a supportive atmosphere.

The site is only six days old, and there are already over 40 groups. One of the problems I’ve found with many social networks where user-created groups are permitted is that there are so many groups with overlapping and specific topics that it gets confusing and ultimately frustrating. I’ve already pulled out of several groups on SheWrites.com, realizing that I need to narrow my focus because of my limited time.

Still, there’s a lot of potential for some good discussion and mutual support in this site so if you’re a female writer, I encourage you to check it out!

And feel free to add me to your Friends’ list: my page is at
http://www.shewrites.com/profile/Debbie

One of the great challenges of Twitter is to get across your personality in 140 characters or less: a challenge for any writer. Here are just a few of my favourites from the past few days:

My sister just had a baby, so now she knows how I feel having finished 1st draft of my “Fringe” spec. – @julie_bush

PLEASE don’t tell my husband I misspelled Nabokov. – @PowerOfNo

I may’ve found a FANTASTIC manuscript. Gotta stop reading. Please let it not transform itself into lousy during the night. – @literaticat

Aspiring writers commit this to memory: Submissions guidelines are your friends. Follow your friends! – @NepheleTempest

I used to feel my life was wasted while waiting for pages to load. Now I have Twitter to fill the gaps. – @julie_bush

Important to remember: Writing is an art, but publishing is a business. Profit matters. Always. – @ColleenLindsay

hey helvetica – you look disgusting. have some dignity and put on some serifs. – @StephenAtHome

That’s why I always include an SASE with all my anonymous threats, deranged rants, and ransom demands. (in reply to @BonnieAdamson) – @Magelly

If you’d like to nominate someone’s Tweet for a Golden Marmot, please RT with a #marmot hashtag or DM me (the hashtag lets others find Marmot-worthy quotes more easily). The criteria for winning a Golden Marmot Award are frustratingly vague and entirely subjective, but often include writing or publishing, cleverness, humor or wisdom. Must be original (e.g. no fair using a famous quote).

Inspired by a Twitter conversation with children’s book author and illustrator Diane Dawson Hearn:

Real Simple magazine is hosting its Second-Annual Life Lessons Contest.

First prize: publication in the magazine, win round-trip tickets for two to New York City, hotel accommodations for two nights, tickets to a Broadway play, and a lunch with Real Simple editors; and $3,000.

Deadline: September 7, 2009. 1500 words max, can be sent by e-mail or snailmail. Limit one entry per person or e-mail account. Open to U.S. residents only.

You can find the full contest rules on the Real Simple website.

Please note that Inkygirl only promotes writing contests with no entry fee.

Cheerios is promoting a children’s book contest, with a deadline of July 15th. Entry must be an original story for a book for children ages 3 to 8. Only open to U.S. residents, and NOT open to anyone who has been paid for their writing (make sure you read the full contest rules).

The grand prize: $5000 cash, plus “the Grand Prize winning story submission will be offered to a reputable Children’s Book Publishing company for possible future publication. Publication not guaranteed.” Two first prizes of $1000 will also be rewarded. Here’s the registration form.

Please note that I only list writing contests in Inkygirl if they have no entry fee.