Writing
How Do You Define Book Launch Sucess?
It’s been quiet over here because I’ve been busy with my other blog, Writer…Interrupted, and my book launch. To keep up with all my writing and book news, plus learn the craft of writing make sure you subscribe there. I blog at Writer…Interrupted every Friday and share my journey. One of these days I’d love…
The Gift of Writing
Once again it is the season for giving, a good time to reflect on those gifts that don’t come with ribbons and receipts. The New Testament contains several lists and explanations of the various spiritual gifts, which the Holy Spirit distributes to each and every believer in Christ. Although the gift of writing isn’t on…
Write About What Disturbs You
If you haven’t read The Help by Kathryn Stockett yet, let me encourage you to do so. Stockett writes of an editor giving the main character this advice: “Don’t waste your time on the obvious things. Write about what disturbs you, particularly if it bothers no one else.” This is good advice. What disturbs you? I tend…
Dropping the Mice In: Ridding Ourselves of Critical Voices
Anne Lamott says that what often gets in the way of our writing is all the critical voices we hear each time our fingers touch the keyboards. What I’ve come to learn as a writer-person is that I first have to quiet my brain enough to even hear the voices. I’m not sure if the…
Why We Should Listen
In July, I wrote about how fear keeps us from writing. To illustrate my point, I shared how in 2006 I prayed for more time to write. I told you how God promptly answered my prayer, as I was laid off the next day and given nine months’ severance pay. Rather than trusting God and…
The Teacher Becomes The Student
It’s much easier to assign writing than to teach writing. That epiphany in my profession as a high school English teacher was a blessing and a curse. . .for me and for my students. It meant I stopped bombarding them with the alphabet soup of essays (analysis, biography, comparison, definition, exemplification, etc.), and started devoting…
Writing Lessons from a Dream
I used to dream a lot! Vivid, storyline dreams that made complete sense…until I woke up. But lately those kind of dreams are rare. So when I had a dream about Donald Maass as my drama coach dancing with me ballroom style as I sang “Popular,” I had to laugh! Here’s why… I’m an impressionable…
The Hardest Thing About Being a Writer
“With great power, comes great responsibility.” I love that quote. I’ve used it with my children, and I’ve often reminded myself of its words, as well. When people ask me what I do, I usually say I’m a “stay at home” mom. I don’t often think of saying, “I’m a writer.” But I AM a…
The Emotions of Writing a Novel!
A little comic reality for my intense writing weekend! This is so spot on it’s scary!!!
Dare to Suck
This video kick in the butt pep talk is soooo what I need right now as I’m getting familiar with my 25,000 already written WIP and hearing the voices in my head say “this sucks!” But sucking is good! Without sucking I’d have a blank page! And in the words of my wise agent, “You…