Writing
How to Homeschool and Write
I’ve always marveled at writers who homeschooled and did both successfully, mainly because I struggled in to do both at the same time. In my quest to learn how to write and homeschool, I had the privilege to interview those who proved it could be done. With the start of the new homeschool year, I…
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…
Is Balancing Your Life Possible?
I started blogging to try to find the balance between raising my family and working on my writing career. I interviewed close to a hundred moms and dads who seemed to have found that balance. Six ears later I am still searching for that balance. I’m starting to think balance is the wrong term to…
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…
Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving
The plot, improbable as it is: Danny, the twelve-year-old son of a logging community’s cook, walks in on his dad and his dad’s lover (Jane), whom he mistakes as a bear. To be fair, Danny’s dad, nicknamed Cookie, gave Danny a tall-tale about fending off a bear (common in the northeast region) from the house…
Confessions of a Schizophrenic Writer
I recently had one of those moments when I was misunderstood. This “advice”, from a well-meaning, but far too hasty mentor, was just a suggestion. One, if taken at face value, meant little. But nevertheless, it was a “poo-poo”-ing of my grand idea and it stung and continued to sting for a long time. It…
20 Things I Wish I Would Have Known Before…
1. Sometimes the book you’re most passionate about doesn’t do well, when a book you aren’t as passionate about succeeds. 2. Quality of writing doesn’t = sales. And the fickle nature of sales is nearly impossible to figure out. Best advice? Write what you’re passionate about and leave the rest in God’s hands. 3. People…
Writing a Great Story
What makes a story great? That’s the goal, isn’t it? To not just write a good story, but to create a great story. But what exactly makes a story great? What lifts it above the rim of mediocrity and sets it on that level reserved for books with that “wow” factor. Well, we know writing…
Five Tips for the Writing Dad (or Mom)
My alarm goes off at five. I get up. Flip on the coffee, stumble to the computer, and blink myself awake while the computer hums through its startup. I read a little of my work from the previous day and begin to fall into the clicking rhythm of creation. When the coffee burbles, I go…
Choosing Words Carefully
You ever talk to someone who just doesn’t know when to shut the trap and wrap it up? People who take five minutes to say what could be said in thirty seconds? Sure you have. We all have. Some people just have diarrhea of the mouth. I’m sorry, I know that sounds awfully harsh, but…