Word Play – Unleash Your Inner Writing Child

Think back. Waaaay back, to when you first decided you wanted to write. You sat down, maybe at a computer, maybe with a pen and napkin, or even (in my case) on the back of a motorcycle, and wove a story in your head. Remember how excited you were? Everything seemed possible. You had the…

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Word Pictures – Song Lyrics

I was chatting with an old friend via email this morning, and we were discussing song lyrics. It’s a favorite topic of mine, because I’ve always wanted to write them.  After all, they’re just a hugely abbreviated form of writing. Mini Flash Fiction, with poetry thrown in. I love how songwriters can capture a mood…

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3 Writing Lessons Learned from a Robotic Vacuum

Years ago, I had back surgery. After I healed, I went back to Domestic Goddess duties, but found I couldn’t vacuum anymore. Something about the pushing and pulling killed my back. So I informed Alpha Dog (did I mention he’s also Texan?) that this duty would have to fall to him. He didn’t disagree, but…

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Dare to be Vulnerable in Your Writing

Laura Drake I had no idea what I was going to write about this month. I felt like I’d done it all. Then I read Jenny’s post from Brené Brown (If you haven’t read it, it’s HERE). #7 hit me in the heart. See, I’d forgotten. Vulnerability is my super-power. I went through a pretty…

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A Writer’s Resolution Anyone Can Keep

If you follow me on Facebook you know I’m the Queen of Pinterest (and if you don’t, why not? Beauty pics, cat memes, inspirational quotes, odd Victorian photos — COFFEE! It’s a sea of happy in a chaotic world. LauraDrakeAuthor). When I saw this the other day, the photo caught my eye first. Then the message slammed…

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Notes to My Unpublished Self

I sold 5 years ago. So much has happened, it seems like fifteen. With 9 books out in the world, the tenth almost complete, I decided to look back, to what it would have helped me to know, when I was on that scary road to publication.  I hope it helps those still on that…

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How to Survive A Confidence Crisis

I learn something new with every book I write. Usually, it’s craft-related, or characterization, high concept–concrete things. But this next book taught me something deeper and more important. I’m hoping something in my pain and suffering will keep some of you from the same. First, a bit of backstory. The past almost two years, I’ve…

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Self-Belief is Hard – How To Do it Anyway

Y’all know that I’m the Golden Retriever of the writing world. The grandma cheerleader in a skirt that won’t zip (no photo, because no one wants to see that. Trust me). But I had an epiphany today. I wanted to share, in case it helps you, too. It was one of those golden days. You…

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