Category Archives: Writing

5 Tricks to Fast Drafting

It’s National Novel Writing Month and word counts reign supreme in the writing world right now. The thing is we are all so short on time. When I sit down to write it needs to happen now. There’s no luxury of sitting and staring at the screen for hours. Kids, chores, other work, and theContinueContinue reading “5 Tricks to Fast Drafting”

Don’t Say It That Way!

I really enjoy coming up with witty titles for my blog posts. It’s fun. Part of me (the stubborn part) doesn’t want to change. But one of my good writing pals pointed out the wisdom of key words the other day. She even backed it up with this fascinating and fear producing article. Have IContinueContinue reading “Don’t Say It That Way!”

Public Speaking: Conference Edition

On Saturday, I had the privilege to speak at a local writers conference hosted through the Kent District Library. I was one of four speakers and we were all focused on the craft of writing. While I know many writers cringe at the idea of public speaking don’t be too intimidated. It’s a room fullContinueContinue reading “Public Speaking: Conference Edition”

Show Don’t Tell: Passive Verbs

I’ve been writing for some time now and some of the advice that gets pushed around is “show don’t tell.” Which is fine advice but no one ever gives a practical way to accomplish this. So here it is. A way to move your sentences from passive into active and therefore show instead of tell.ContinueContinue reading “Show Don’t Tell: Passive Verbs”

I’m Not an Island

I’m a fairly prolific writer. I get ideas fast and can follow through quickly. That’s my normal. To my peers it looks effortless, like I’m a creative island unto myself. I assure you it’s not easy nor as secluded as it seems. It’s a carefully tuned balance in a multifaceted creative life. Currently, I’m notContinueContinue reading “I’m Not an Island”

The Case for Story Dummies

Listening to the Literaticast Podcast (#34) I finally have been able to get a better handle on the term board book. If you aren’t listening to the podcast I highly recommend it for great industry thoughts and information all around children’s books. So board books are for the youngest readers, ages 0-5. They are usually madeContinueContinue reading “The Case for Story Dummies”

Watercolor Words Project

Most of you have seen my home library. What you don’t see is the boxes of books in storage waiting for space on those shelves. One of those boxes is full of mini sized book and the box behind that is full of broken books. Books too cool to throw out but too damaged toContinueContinue reading “Watercolor Words Project”

Competitive Writing

Not all competition happens in the gym. I’ve been struggling with a picture book for over a month now. It’s driving me crazy. I need to rework my pitch so it doesn’t get an automatic no. I need to revise, revise, and revise some more. I need to brainstorm like it’s the end of theContinueContinue reading “Competitive Writing”

The Highlighter is Mightier Than The Pen

The highlighter is mightier than the pen, which is also therefor, mightier than the sword! At least in the world of editing it is. This technique is essential for editing your opening and perhaps your whole story. While reading the October issue of Writer’s Digest this beautiful side bar gave the best advice I’ve seenContinueContinue reading “The Highlighter is Mightier Than The Pen”

Creating While Waiting

My cookbook has been on submission for a few months now. I’ve run the gamut of emotions. I’m starting to feel like those bouncy balloons kids pummel back and forth endlessly. I wanted something to happen. Then I had a breakthrough. I’m not in control. That fact is positive, good even. If things had happenedContinueContinue reading “Creating While Waiting”

Hello from Writing Camp- Kids Edition

I wanted to write a post that would demonstrate how kind and creative these kids at writing camp have been this past week. Turns out they wanted to tell you themselves. So I’m going to step aside today and give you all the wisdom, insights, and art they want to share with the world. ThisContinueContinue reading “Hello from Writing Camp- Kids Edition”

Blog Time Travel

It’s my fourth year of blogging. I’ve been reviewing my blog a bit and doing research on ways to improve it. One source recommends reusing older blog posts as a way to save time and reuse material. Sounds nice to a thrifty person like myself. So that lead me to digging back into my olderContinueContinue reading “Blog Time Travel”

Critiques Aplenty

I’ve been doing a lot of story critiques lately. I see a few different stages of writer because of this, each has pros and cons. Here’s what I’ve observed thus far. There are the one edit writers. All they want is for someone to say they are brilliant and the story is ready to submit.ContinueContinue reading “Critiques Aplenty”

The Search for Sincerity

We all seek a genuine and fully original experience. We want our interactions to be sincere and without secret agenda. But is it possible? We are all online for different reasons, to gain something. Outside of God and sometimes the church is it possible to find true sincerity and love? I’d argue no. But weContinueContinue reading “The Search for Sincerity”

What it’s like being on TV

If I had to sum it all up in one word it’d be FAST! I had a four minute segment and it went by in what felt like thirty seconds. But that’s near the end of the story. If you’re on the fence about TV or just plain curious here’s how it went for me.ContinueContinue reading “What it’s like being on TV”