Author | Editor | Story Coach
Maybe it’s the way the tape holding the cotton ball in the bend of my arm pulls whenever I type. I even give blame credit to the golden sun making patterns on the porch outside my office window. Starting a new project brings out the best – and worst – of my natural tendencies to procrastinate or …
Writing helps me convey my thoughts and emotions. For some reason, I can express both with more clarity in written form than through speaking. One of my goals is to touch some person’s life with the words I write. Helping others is an over-the-top upper for me. The thought of encouraging someone I’ve never even …
I love having a plan. It’s exciting to finish the first draft of the series I’m writing and know that I have the next steps carefully scheduled. “I love it when a plan comes together,” says Hannibal Smith on The A-Team. What about when the plan wilts like a tulip in the hot sun? I …
Before anyone has a complete conniption fit, this post is a fiction submission to the entertaining series promoted on Don Charisma’s blog. It’s an exercise in writing improvisation. I was given a topic and had to create a post. My topic “Dinosaurs were invented by the CIA to discourage time travel.” I formulated the following …
The purpose of this blog is to connect with future readers of the young adult fantasy series I’m writing. In reading my words here, you get to know me as “the person behind” the stories. If you like what you get here, you won’t mind parting with hard-earned cash to read a book I’ve written. …
I’ve joined the multitudes that don’t actually make New Year’s Resolutions. Most of the time, I break them. Statistically, most resolutions are broken by February 1st. In the past five years, I’ve set goals for myself in several broad areas: physical, spiritual, emotional and relational. I wish I could say I had met all my …
Another New Year – Another chance to NOT Break a Resolution Read More »
“Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it,” Clint Eastwood’s character says in Heartbreak Ridge. A few weeks ago, I was flattered and honored when a writer (and editor) whose work I deeply admire and respect offered to read five pages after I commented on her blog that getting worthwhile critiques seemed …
If you’re my friend on Facebook, you know I spent November writing between 2,000 and 5,000 words every weekday to “win” the distinction of writing a novel in 30 days. People wanted to know what the prizes were for winning. Let me explain National Novel Writing Month. The purpose of having a month focused on …
In the world of writing, I’m a newbie. As far as expertise in the genre which I’m writing, I have none. For these reasons, I sought instruction from someone considered an authority in the genre of science fiction and fantasy: Orson Scott Card. I purchased the book How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy …
Four years ago, a teacher I worked with sent me an announcement for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). His message: “You sound like you might have a novel in you.” His observation came on the heels of our first ever Open Microphone event in the middle school library. The librarian wanted to encourage students to …