Painting with Words
One of the many joys I get from writing is in choosing words. To me, they all have shades, from the lightest ivory to the darkest black, and choosing just the right shade to portray the emotion that I’m going for is a hobby. Like a pastel painter, I play and blend until I…
Read MorePublication is a Loooong Road
I just realized this morning that it’s been ten years since I got my agent; nine years since I sold. It seems a lot longer. Now, times have changed with self-publishing becoming mainstream, but for those who are contemplating selling to New York, it hasn’t gotten any easier. I wrote my first book in 2008.…
Read MoreLearning to Trust
This is about writing, but also about life. Everyone has a process on how they write – and in an informal survey of many writers I’ve met over the years, your process is usually the hardest possible. Hey, don’t blame me, it’s science. Mine, for example. I’m a see-it-to-believe-it kinda gal. I tend not to…
Read MoreA Different Resolution
I’m sure this is just one of the zillions of blogs about resolutions, intentions and ‘word for the year’ posts you’ll see this week, but read on – this one is different, I promise. I’m 68 years on the planet, so I’ve made a bunch of resolutions. Mostly revolve around weight. But guess what?…
Read MoreHappy Holidays!
From my house to yours, Happy Holidays!
Read MoreWhy DO Writers Write?
I’m not saying I have the answer – I’m hoping you writers will answer in the comments. But I do know the answer for me. What an amazing, complex life we lead, populated with people unlike us and experiences we couldn’t imagine, much less foresee. I’m fascinated by the kaleidoscope of change, and how other…
Read MoreWhere Has the Boredom Gone?
I’ll try not to go off on a ‘good ol’ days’, Boomer rant. Because I love the instantaneous accessibility to every bit of information, the myriad of entertainment selections – the ease of our modern day world. But you have to admit, with everything gained, things have been lost too (turns out, you really can’t…
Read MoreThe Bottom Block of the Writer’s Pyramid
You need many abilities to be a writer: Storytelling, voice, a grasp of grammar, be able to evoke emotions, plot…I could go on. And on. But these are skills. They can be learned, or at least improved upon. This is a tough gig. It can take decades of work to create a worthy work of…
Read MoreThe Illusion of Control
This one isn’t just for authors. I learned very early in the school of hard knocks that I had very little control in life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Midwest girl, so if it’s something I DO have control of, I work hard to shape the outcome. But sadly, there seems to be so…
Read MoreBand Aids on the Past
I’m not a mental health professional – all my observations are from my life and what I see of others around me. Many of us grew up in war zones, with distracted parents. They say every child needs one person who thinks they’re ‘all that’, who is their advocate and supporter, no matter what. Some…
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