Writing
How to Survive Today’s Market
A writer friend alerted me to an article recently, 10 Awful Truths About Book Publishing. Go ahead and read it – we’ll wait. Okay, if you know anything about my writing, you know I won’t leave you in a sad place, so read on. A bit discouraging? I’d say yes, and no. Would we all…
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 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 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 MoreIntriguing First Lines
I have a thing about first lines. I love reading them, love writing them. I’ve been pulled into a book by just a first line alone. There are many types of first lines: irony, catalyst, comparison, asking a question, dilemma, interesting character, high concept and humor. (if you want to know more about these, I…
Read MoreThe Book Release Hangover
From the ‘thingstheynevertellyou’ file. After a looong time writing, even longer time editing, and interminable waiting, you finally have a new book coming out. The cover reveal is a blast, and you’ve gotten tons of wonderful comments! The unboxing of the books at your house was amazing, all captured for social media and spread liberally.…
Read MoreWeakness: Your Greatest Strength
I saw this meme on social media today, and it reminded me of a huge discovery I made that changed how I saw the world. See, I’ve been an outlier all my life. As a kid, I was a dreamer. My mother told me to get ready for school only to come back five minutes…
Read MorePatience Practice – How to Get More of it
I was thinking back the other day, to when I decided I wanted a book with my name on the cover. I dreamed and imagined and wished…for the day when I’d hear the magic words, Here’s your contract! And the waiting would be over. Yeah, I hear you laughing. Hey, we were all naïve…
Read MoreThe Difference Between Romance & Women’s Fiction
I’ve been thinking about this lately, because I’ve written a women’s fiction that is in with an editor now (cross your fingers for me!). I’m very familiar with the subject, because I helped to found the Women’s Fiction Writers Assn. I’ve also published 11 romances. My first book, The Sweet Spot, I wrote as Women’s…
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