Competency

Competency

by | Jan 24, 2021 | Blog, Method, Writing, Writing Craft

With the peaceful transfer of power in the U.S. government, I can’t help but feel as if we’ve all turned a new page. Every four years Americans have an election where we give ourselves the opportunity to try again, to start anew, to move in a different direction. Some...
Paying it Forward

Paying it Forward

by | Jan 17, 2021 | Blog, Business of Writing, Self-publishing, Writing

This past week my podcast co-host, Pru Warren, told me (and our listeners) about the launch of her first book, Cyn and the Peanut Butter Cup. We had planned on talking about tropes (as I blogged about it last week since the concept has been on my mind as I start...
Following Tropes

Following Tropes

by | Jan 10, 2021 | Blog, Method, WIP, Writing

Something within me has always objected to using tropes. It seems so hackneyed. So been there, done that – by everyone and their second cousin once removed. And yet… I suppose there’s something to be said for using tropes. Technically, a trope is “any type of figure...
A Plan for the New Year

A Plan for the New Year

by | Jan 3, 2021 | Blog, Business of Writing, Writing

While we’re all focusing on the end of this year, my mind has already moved on to next year. Yes, I know it’s only days away – in fact, by the time you read this, it will already have arrived. But in these waning days of the old year, I’m working on my business plan...

A Word for the Year Past and Ahead

by | Dec 28, 2020 | Blog, Life, Writing

The Washington Post had a fascinating article: they asked readers to describe the year past in one word or phrase, say why in a paragraph, and then say what they were looking forwar d to in 2021. There were so many fascinating replies. If you’ll indulge me, I shall...
Looking at the big picture

Looking at the big picture

by | Dec 20, 2020 | Blog, Method, Writing, Writing Craft

When we write a story, it’s so easy to get lost in the details. We want to be sure to include all of those luscious little bits like the smell of her hair, the feel of his skin, the warmth of the sun as it streams in through the windows. We describe the settings in...