For me, traveling is part of the job of being a writer. (Hello, tax deductions... 😉 ) Not only because vacations are refreshing to the mind and spirit, but also because they help me create a storehouse of places and experiences to draw upon when I'm brainstorming and writing. While I appreciate facts and accuracy … Continue reading The Traveling Writer – Tips for Crafting Believable Settings
Writing Updates Plus a HUGE Giveaway
Yikes, guys, it's been ages since I wrote a post. *hides under blanket* I know I promised national park pictures, and they are coming, just not yet. Today I have a giveaway to tell you about (trust me, you don't want to miss it!), plus some exciting writing updates. Coming Soon I'm delighted to share … Continue reading Writing Updates Plus a HUGE Giveaway
Pre-planning Your Novel with Pinterest and Excel
Hey friends! I'm sorry I've been MIA for a so long (*hangs head in shame*). After the eternal length of spring, summer has been a whirlwind. My family took a socially-distanced three week camping trip out west in July and visited seven national parks. The hiking was glorious--we could almost pretend life was normal! I'll … Continue reading Pre-planning Your Novel with Pinterest and Excel
Four Tips for Staying Creative During Tough Times
Hello, friends! I apologize for the lengthy absence--yikes, six weeks since my last post. I didn't drop off the face of the earth, I promise. If you read my last blog post, you know we've been battling illness at our house along with the standard sudden pandemic lockdown and homeschooling turmoil. As you may have … Continue reading Four Tips for Staying Creative During Tough Times
Fumbling for a New Normal
Monday, March 9. I pull up into the pickup zone at my kids' school and watch as my daughter trudges out to our van. Something's wrong--her face is pale, and she's frowning. My fears are confirmed when she climbs in. "I feel sick, Mom." Worry curdles in my stomach. She has a big week this … Continue reading Fumbling for a New Normal
Nothing Wasted: A Guest Post by Kerry Johnson
Hello, friends! It was 60 degrees here in Michigan today AND sunny, which has me thinking maybe spring is real and not just a myth after all. One can always hope, right? For today's post, I'm so delighted to host a dear writer friend, Kerry Johnson. Kerry and I have yet to meet in person … Continue reading Nothing Wasted: A Guest Post by Kerry Johnson
How to Make Your Opening Pages Stand Out
Whether you're prepping to query agents, planning to submit to a small press, or aiming to self-publish, the quality of your opening pages is crucial to your manuscript's success. When an agent sits down with your query, they're giving you minutes, maybe even seconds, to hook them so deeply they simply must keep reading. And … Continue reading How to Make Your Opening Pages Stand Out
Writing the Redemption Arc: A Case Study
*SPOILER WARNING* This post contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. If you haven’t seen it yet, quit reading this post and head to the nearest movie theater. Otherwise, proceed at your own risk. Since one of my current WIPs has a rather hefty redemption arc, I’ve been doing a bit of reading … Continue reading Writing the Redemption Arc: A Case Study
A Writer’s Year in Review and 2020 Goals
Happy New Year, friends! It seems like only yesterday we were partying like it was 1999. How did we get to 2020 already? The holidays are always a good time of year for me to take stock of what I've accomplished and what lies ahead. I usually have some nebulous idea of both lists, but … Continue reading A Writer’s Year in Review and 2020 Goals
Christmas Thoughts + New Interviews
The northern half of the world has turned a cold shoulder to the sun's cheery face and my home state of Michigan is bathed in wintery darkness. We rise to an artificial alarm nearly two hours before it will be light enough to bother opening the curtains. By the time we sit down for dinner, … Continue reading Christmas Thoughts + New Interviews
