Sunday, January 20, 2013

How The Writer's Country Works

Welcome to the Writer's Country, a blog focused on information about the fifty states from the perspective of someone who has lived there, usually a fellow writer.

The Writer's Country has been created with writers in mind who want to
  •  find inspiration in details of another writer's home state
  • create a character from another state
  • create a character that has done some traveling
  • write a story that takes in place in a state they've never been to before

The Writer's Country only works if writers are willing to contribute their views on their own state. It may take a little while to get all the states filled out, but I hope that this can soon become a great resource.

You don't need to know everything about your state to post. Whatever view you have can help a writer out there make a really great character from your home state or make a story somewhere new so readers can enjoy an authentic and informed getaway experience just by picking up a book--after all, isn't that why we all started?
Also remember these posts will begin with info about you, links to your blog and twitter and facebook and such (if you like, of course) and give you yet another place to get your name out there. 
 If you see the state you live in--or grew up in--isn't filled out and would like to contribute, please email me at sairamgpereira(AT)yahoo(DOT)com. Please put "Writer's Country Contributor" in the subject line and I will send you questions to answer, but feel free to add information beyond the questions. When you send the questions back, you can include an author profile at the top. Also, if you could include a way for other writers to contact you with questions, that would make this resource even more useful. When I have all the information, I will come and edit the post to include what you've written.
 If you see a state you live in has been filled out, you can add whatever else you think is important in the comments, along with contact information. For example, you come along Hawaii and see someone has filled it out, but they didn't mention things you think are important--you can add in the comments whatever you think will help or information about your specific city and a way for people to contact you with more questions. 
 When adding information, please don't post anything that is controversially "charged". For example, saying "Almost half the population seems to be Hispanic" is OK. Saying "This place is overrun with Hispanics" is less okay. You can see where I'm going here, right? "This state is full of (liberal or conservative) idiots" is not okay. "This state leans to the (right or left)" is OK.
 Also remember that you don't have to be an expert on your state to contribute. If you've never visited the national parks or participated in the big get-togethers, that's okay (I haven't either ). Another writer may not care if their character has seen those parks or not, but will still benefit from your point of view. 
 The easiest way to navigate this blog is to go to the January 2013 archive and select the post about your state.
 Thanks for visiting this blog and for any contributions you make
   

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado