I admit it. When I’m not working and am at home, I’ve been doing a lot of slacking off. It hasn’t been because I’ve wanted to, necessarily, although I do believe the “break” has helped my mental state a bit. But let me explain. Last month, I was sent to the emergency room at the…
Tag: stephsscribe
Celebrating World Book Day 2019
Dear Readers, Do you remember the first book you ever read? If not, do you recall what your favorite book was as a child? You know, the one you had your mom or dad read to you over and over again because you loved it so much? Do you remember being a teenager and maybe…
7 Takeaways from Blogging on the 8th Anniversary of Steph’s Scribe
I was sitting in my office approving students for registration when I saw an alert from WordPress, my blogging platform. It said, “Happy Anniversary.” It hadn’t even occurred to me what today was because I’ve been so busy and in so much pain recently due to my herniated disc, but I can’t talk about that…
Fictography For Old Time’s Sake and as a Teaching Tool: Back Home
/FICTOGRAPHY/ def. — The intersection of photography (submitted by readers) and fiction (written by me!). A few years ago, I executed a writing challenge whereby readers submitted travel photos they took, and I would write the story that I imagined went along with that photograph. Today, as I write this, my students are engaged in…
Childhood Magic: The Hill with the Rock
I grew up in a ranch style home in Bowie, Maryland. The yard was large, and contained a big hill in the back. In the winter, our family and neighbors would go sledding in our yard, until before long, the entire neighborhood was partaking in the fun. The toboggan was filled with adults and children…
Update on My (currently unnamed) WIP
On Friday night, I reached over 71,000 words on my #WIP (work in progress). I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love the direction change I made with this story back in December. Now, the novel has glue and a backbone and characters I wish were my friends. I still have a…
A Valentine’s Poem
What the heck. How about a little Valentine’s poem written by yours truly? Happy Valentine’s Day, you all. I hope it’s a great one. * * The Part That Came After | by Stephanie Verni Lovely, lovely… Thoughts of you gallup through my mind On a rollercoaster of ifs and whats And then there was…
Three Important Tips Writers Should Always Remember
Two of these tips I want you to remember are from writers—Mark Twain and E.B. White; the other one above is from Steve Jobs. There’s always “stuff” going on in our heads as we write: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Sometimes when our writing is thriving and it’s good, we feel fantastic. Other…
Anxious for Spring
Usually by the time March rolls around, I’m more than ready for spring. Unfortunately, for those of us in Maryland, spring really doesn’t begin until late April or early May. It’s been that bad for the last few years that I’ve still be in my tall boots on May 5. Today, I took a little…
Fashion Friday, Week 1
Let me preface this with this statement: I just like fashion; fashion should be fun. Ever since I was little, I’ve always loved clothes. The semester has begun, and I think I’m going to attempt the challenge of a “no repeat” semester. Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t wear the same thing, it just means…
Book Review: A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
* After reading Christina Baker Kline’s wonderful book Orphan Train last year, I knew I had to read her newest book, A Piece of the World, based on a woman named Christina who was supposedly a muse of Andrew Wyeth’s and the subject in his painting Christina’s World (pictured above). Knowing little about art except…
Fiction & Fashion.
I’ll keep this brief. FASHION A few years ago a former student of mine challenged me to do a “no repeat” fashion challenge whereby you couldn’t repeat the exact same outfit during the semester on campus. That means, Monday through Friday, each day it has to be different…it cannot be the EXACT same. I kind…
