Okay, true story. Tonight while I was sitting down to edit a short story, two weeks snuck up behind me and hit me in the back of the head. Ack, how could it be time for a new blog post again already? So, I'm kind of cheating. Here's an expanded version of a post I … Continue reading 9 Ways to Find Brilliant Story Ideas
How Twitter Changed My Mind About Social Media
For the record, I'm one of those weird people who doesn't really like technology. Don't get me wrong, I put it to use--I'm typing this blog post on a laptop. Often I stream music from my phone to a wireless Bose speaker using Spotify. I send emails, watch Netflix, do Google searches, let my kids … Continue reading How Twitter Changed My Mind About Social Media
Late Summer Reflections
August can be a rough month. The heat reaches its peak, and here in Michigan, where people tenaciously cling to the false belief that it doesn't get hot enough to need an air conditioner, we sweat. Humidity rolls in off the lake, bringing along intermittent rain showers that manage to miss our yard entirely. The … Continue reading Late Summer Reflections
Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Tips for Querying Literary Agents
One of the things I love about this blog is being able to share with you what I'm learning on my writing journey. Lately, I've been spending a lot of time reading up on how to query literary agents. As you might guess, thanks to my BFF Google, there's plenty to find on this topic. … Continue reading Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Tips for Querying Literary Agents
Three Reasons to Celebrate Your Writing Achievements
Hello, friends! Long time no write. Sometimes I can rationalize being late on my blog posts... Well, I only committed to twice a month, and even though it's been two weeks it's not technically the middle of the month yet... Ahem, not this time. It's been three weeks and it's definitely not July 15th. But sometimes life … Continue reading Three Reasons to Celebrate Your Writing Achievements
It’s July! Time for a Mid-Year Progress Report
Somebody pinch me. Is it already halfway through 2018? Where did the year go?? Seeing as how time seems to be flying past at twice its normal rate, I figured it's time to check in on the writing goals I set back in January and evaluate my progress. I confess, I had to reread my … Continue reading It’s July! Time for a Mid-Year Progress Report
Pressing On
Remember how I said in an earlier post that the only to develop a thick skin is by experiencing rejection? Let's keep it real--it hurts, friends. And I'm not just talking to my fellow writers. We've all experienced failure and rejection in some form, haven't we? That special someone who turned you down. That time … Continue reading Pressing On
Isaiah’s Top Ten Rides at Busch Gardens: A Guest Post
Hello, friends! My family has been on vacation this past week, so yes, I am absolutely cheating on this blog post. Today we have a special guest, my soon-to-be 12-year-old son Isaiah. Since we spent the last week in Williamsburg, Virginia, I've asked him to write up his top ten favorite rides from Busch Gardens … Continue reading Isaiah’s Top Ten Rides at Busch Gardens: A Guest Post
The Hows and Whys of Critique Partners and Beta Readers
One of the things I love about this blog is being able to share things I'm learning and hopefully help other writers. Today I want to talk about two things that mystified me as a new writer--critique partners and beta readers. It's exhilarating to finish that first draft and type "The End." Then you let … Continue reading The Hows and Whys of Critique Partners and Beta Readers
5-Minute Life Hack: How to Supercharge Your Writing Time
You may not know this about me, but I have four kids. The youngest of the crew is 5 months old and he likes to rise with the sun. Get a head start on the day, the early bird catches the worm, you snooze you lose...all that stuff. He's worn out by dinner time and … Continue reading 5-Minute Life Hack: How to Supercharge Your Writing Time