Encouragement
How to Edit a Full-Length Novel to a Novella
When I contracted my novella in January and had to cut 30,000 words off my full length novel, I knew it was going to be hard. In fact, I almost bailed on submitting the anthology to Barbour because I knew that would mean cutting more than half of my story. The pain of deleting my…
50 Ways to Edit Your WIP
When I signed my first contract and agreed to chop 30,000 plus words off my 55,000 word WIP, I knew what I was getting into. Well, sort of. I knew it would be painful to cut that many words. I knew scenes I loved would have to go and be condensed. I knew it would…
Seasons of Writing and Waiting
In January, I was all set to dive into my WIP. I had just put my daughter in school full time, and I had my days mapped out by the hour. Then “I got the call.” The novella I submitted to Barbour for an anthology the week before was sold! After the shock registered, I…
Ten Reasons Why You Didn't Get Your Contest Entry in on Time
Since I was contracted in January, I’m ineligible to enter the Genesis contest, but I remember those days with fear and trepidation. Here’s to all of you who submitted on time or were planning on entering but… 10. You were too busy doing your taxes. 9. Your critique partners didn’t get your entry back to…
And Action…Act II
I finally passed the 14,000 word mark and I’m on to Act I in my current WIP which would have been at 64,000 words if I didn’t scrap it and turn my Historical romance into Women’s fiction. Thanks, Susie! At first I was literally paralyzed to write when my romance wasn’t working. I had HALF…
One Sheets and Pitching
Welcome to the Conference Confidence Series: ONE SHEETS So you’ve worked on your pitch, gotten it down to a 30 second sound bite that will knock the socks of an editor. Now what if he/she wants to know more? That’s when I pull out my One Sheet. I rarely have to do a lot of…
I Won! I Won! I Won!
On a whim.. and one late night avoiding writing, I wrote a BAD poem for Chip Macgregor’s Bad Poetry contest and I won…among others in uniquely bad catergories. And the poem, I will probably not frame and hang on my wall, that won… “But if you want strange visions, take a look at this year’s…
The Five Stages of Writing Grief
My intention is not to make light of those who have suffered real loss from death or tragedy, but I’ve been in a writing funk for a while…almost two weeks and suddenly realized I’ve been going through the five stages of grief. I’m happy to say I’m in the acceptance stage, but for a while…
When Everything Falls Apart
As I continue on this journey of faith and publication it becomes more and more apparent that I’m the protagonist in my own story, and God is the author, moving me along my story arc as I race toward my happy ending. While there is comfort in knowing that God is the ultimate author, and…
Ten Reason Why You Didn't Get Your ACFW Genesis Entry in on Time
This post is in honor of sending in my Genesis entry and not impulsively checking it one more time… If you’re entering, hurry and get yours in! 10. You were too busy doing your taxes. 9. Your critique partners didn’t get your entry back to you in time. 8. You spent all your time looking…