24 Jan 2020

Writing, Hurricanes, and Rowboats

by | posted in: Writing Life | 2

It’s a feeling I am familiar with. Anyone who’s finished writing a story might feel the same. I felt lost, like I was adrift in a boat with no oars or motor. The story had come to an end, but this time it was magnified. It was the end of a series—the cumulative drifting that began with the first book had become a category five hurricane after the fourth. I consoled myself with the first three books, knowing there would … Read More »
27 Dec 2019

Writer Resolutions, Anyone?

by | posted in: Writing Life | 2

New Year’s resolutions have been around forever, it seems. A fresh start. A clean slate. A new chance to get it right. I have my own, personal resolutions but I thought it would be fun to think about resolutions for me, the writer. Perhaps they’ll strike a chord with you. Give Your Story a Home I always have a story I’m working on and one that is swirling around in my head, impatiently waiting for its turn on the page. … Read More »
22 Nov 2019

The Magic of Co-Authorship

by | posted in: Writing Life | 0

At the many writing conferences and workshops I’ve attended over the years, I’ve heard about writers who collaborate on a variety of projects, and I always wondered how it worked. It seemed to be a rare, hushed process that took place under mysterious, obscure conditions. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d have the opportunity to work with another gifted writer and produce something that was the pairing of two separate, creative minds. Would It Work? Every … Read More »
25 Oct 2019

Conquering the Messy Middle

by | posted in: Writing Craft | 2

We’ve all heard of (and endured) the “messy middle” of a story. When I get there, I start to feel fatigued; perhaps my characters do, too. They also seem uncertain, hesitant, and fearful of what’s to come. They hold back with good reason — the middle of my stories contains the low point, and what’s coming won’t be good. Since they’re not inclined to help, I need to figure out how to get through it and bring those that will … Read More »
27 Sep 2019

Don’t Diss the Details

by | posted in: Writing Craft | 2

I love a story with details. I think they have the power to bring a story to life, make it believable, and put the reader right where you want them — hooked, immersed, and with the feeling that they are actually there with your characters. But I would caution against meaningless detail. You want those you choose to be accurate/believable, and you want them to fulfill their purpose. You must choose carefully — if you’re lucky, they’ll provide layers of … Read More »
23 Aug 2019

Too Much Sighing

by | posted in: Writing Craft | 20

Writers know that emotion is an important part of a story. It draws the reader in and gets them invested in what is happening. It allows them to become emotionally attached to the characters (good or bad) and either cheer them on or applaud their demise. Just a Sigh… There are passages in my story where the character audibly sighs. She’s frustrated, sad, or exasperated at the situations she’s found herself in. So I’m writing along, getting all invested in … Read More »

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