* One of the most challenging things to do as a writer is to come up with the name of your book. I’m in the process right now of brainstorming ideas for a title for my current work in progress. No one in my family seems to like the current working title: Life with Nan….
Tag: writing books
Coffee…Magic..and Your Soul
I just wrote a scene from my newly revised novel, and I am feeling pretty good about myself. These days, I have to budget my time wisely: time to write for pleasure, time to research and write the second edition of our academic textbook, and time to get my ducks in order for the upcoming…
When You Majorly Alter Your Work in Progress After Writing 50,000 Words: The Hard Truth About Writing A Novel
* Today, my dear readers, I am going to give it to you straight. Straight up, as Paula Abdul once sang. And believe me, what I’m about to share with you is going to cause me to do quite a bit of work. Lots and lots of work. But in the end, I am hoping…
#NaNoWriMo Tribe: Proud of Us as the Finish Line Approaches
I know this doesn’t mean a lot to many people, but for the few of us who adore telling stories, I’m very proud of you. I wouldn’t be much good to anyone as a writing cheerleader if I didn’t actually participate in National Novel Writing Month and help encourage others to do the same….
Please, Do Not Call Yourself A Writer, Unless…
I’m a writer. I can say that now. I’ve written four fiction books and one academic textbook with my colleagues. It annoys me when people say they are writers when they are not. Have you written something today? Then you are a writer. Did you write something yesterday? Then you are a writer. You can’t…
My Newest Writing Project
* People always ask me what I’m working on next, so I thought I’d get this out of the way. It’s a common question I field often. It may disappoint some folks, but it’s not the sequel to Inn Significant, though I still play with that manuscript a little. Instead, there’s a short story in…
The Downside of Being A Writer
While there are so many pluses to being a writer—namely that we have the privilege of passionately telling stories through our own lenses—there is a downside, at least from my perspective. The downside has become increasingly more clear to me the older I get. It makes me pause more than I used to. It leaves…
My PR Person Is Tired
My PR person has been working really hard on and off all weekend to get my promos ready for this week as I get set to launch Book #4, The Postcard and Other Short Stories & Poetry. She’s extremely tired and needs to go to bed, but she thought it might be a good idea…
Three Writing Quotes That Will Make You Pause…Then Write
“We’re past the age of heroes and hero kings. Most of our lives are basically mundane and dull, and it’s up to the writer to find ways to make them interesting.” —John Updike Let’s begin with John Updike’s quote. How great is that one? When writers read that quote, it should make them realize what’s…
“Your stories give me hope,” she said.
* “Your stories give me hope,” the woman said to me when she told me how much she liked Inn Significant. “Where do you get your inspiration?” she asked. I told her I get my inspiration from people—mostly from people I know or I’ve loved along the way in my life. “You are an…
The Real People Who Have Inspired Some of My Characters
I was reading a fellow writer’s blog today, and he wrote a post about people who have inspired him along the way: both those who have encouraged him to write and those who have inspired the characters he has written. It was enlightening to read his thoughts, so I decided to share what has inspired…
