Category Archives: Writing

Be A Time Hoarder

In some ways I compare myself to a dragon. I’m fiercely protective of my own and a bit of a hoarder (you’ve seen my books right?). While most hording tendencies I keep a rein on I’m actually doing the opposite with time. I really like my time. It’s in limited amounts and rare in myContinueContinue reading “Be A Time Hoarder”

Writing Resources for Kid Lit

I’ve been writing kids stories going on four years now and I’ve complied a list of all my favorite resources. Things that go back to over and over again. I hope sharing will help you on your writing journey as well. Inspiration: Anything can inspire you for your next story. Watch around you for thoseContinueContinue reading “Writing Resources for Kid Lit”

DIY Valentines Day Cards

Is it just me or is it hard to find a Valentine’s Day card that says just the right thing? Maybe I’m too picky or weird. But there is no way I’m looking through dozens of cards to find the perfect one this year. So instead, I’ve decided to make my own card and words.ContinueContinue reading “DIY Valentines Day Cards”

So Much More Than One Story

I’d like to formally announce I will be published in the online journal Months To Years! Read The Last Bumblebee in the Winter 2018 issue for yourself HERE. I’m thrilled. Let me explain why this is such a big deal. Stay with me. One, my family inspired the idea. Two, it’s the first story I’veContinueContinue reading “So Much More Than One Story”

Finding Your People

We are all blessed with a few friends in our lives that we cannot do without at some point or another. Friends are necessary. However, writing is by default a lonely endeavor. Lonely out of necessity. You can’t hold a conversation between your own head and a blank page while talking to your cubicle mate.ContinueContinue reading “Finding Your People”

Ice Cream Characters

Characters are one of the hardest parts of a story to put together, for me at least. I tend to make them all the same base and just sprinkle them with different emotional toppings. But like ice cream there are so many versions of people it’s endless. So let’s dig into building character a bit.ContinueContinue reading “Ice Cream Characters”

Driving through Winter Doubt

In Michigan we get the worst potholes in the winter, can I get an Amen. The giant green plough trucks skim the road and at each spot the pavement is buckled it rips off the top like a scab you can’t quit picking at. So slowly over the course of winter the holes get biggerContinueContinue reading “Driving through Winter Doubt”

NaNoWriMo & the Season of Joy

Like Christmas presents, I’ve been wrapping up the loose ends on my stories for National Novel Writing Month. I am not a “winner” coming short of the fifty thousand words needed. However, I feel like a winner. Why? Because I’ve been writing. I’ve been proving to myself that with two tiny children I can doContinueContinue reading “NaNoWriMo & the Season of Joy”

NaNoWriMo Halftime Takeaways

So you’ve decided to try to write your novel this month like so many hopefuls out there. Whether you are on track, behind or ahead of the pace, congratulate yourself on getting words down! You’ve already won by simply beginning. If you are like me you’ve already hit a few snags in your story. It’sContinueContinue reading “NaNoWriMo Halftime Takeaways”

Jot That Down: A Writer’s Conference in Hindsight

Like the jitters I get after drinking a Red Bull , there is something special and energizing about being around your tribe of people. My tribe is creatives, specifically writers. This weekend I was blessed to attend a conference and have five hours of time to soak it all up. Carpooling with a dear writingContinueContinue reading “Jot That Down: A Writer’s Conference in Hindsight”

Fishing for an Agent

I love to fish. But with toddlers it isn’t something I get to do as often as I’d like. So now I settle for figurative fishing by quering my stories to agents, editors, and publishers. One thing is certain, if you never cast into the water you will never catch anything. But if you doContinueContinue reading “Fishing for an Agent”

Disney’s Frozen as a Case Study in Scene

My toddler has her favorite parts of movies (cue Let It Go) and I find it fascinating how movies effortlessly transition- just like a story scene should. I study these transitions to improve my writing. Next time you’re staring down the barrel of another Disney movie try this! Go to the scene selection menu onContinueContinue reading “Disney’s Frozen as a Case Study in Scene”

Woods Full of Story Trees

I’m blessed to have several writer friends close enough to meet with and it seems we are facing the same conundrum. What story to focus on next? I mean how do you really pick? It’s like picking a favorite tree in the woods. Do you go for the big project and tackle it? Or doContinueContinue reading “Woods Full of Story Trees”

Library Remnants, New Life, & Poetry

So I’m a bit of a book hoarder and when I see a pile of free books it’s hard to resist rummaging through each worn title. Sometimes I find a subject I’m genuinely curious about and want to read- great. But what about the two dozen that don’t have a happy home? Book art. HaveContinueContinue reading “Library Remnants, New Life, & Poetry”

Nature Writing 101

Guest Post by Janelle Franz blogging at Invent Your Story. I’m not a professor. Before you hit X, you need to know I did take a nature writing class in college. So, I am professionally taught. Right now, my butt is on a rock and an oak root is buddying up to my coffee mug.ContinueContinue reading “Nature Writing 101”

Crickets, Feedback, and Moving Forward

I’ve submitted my stories so many places and rarely do I hear more than crickets stuffed inside form rejection letters. The crickets are a bit annoyed but not harmed in the making of this blog post. So you’ll understand my delight when a recent rejection returned with feedback! Say what?! Insert happy dance in theContinueContinue reading “Crickets, Feedback, and Moving Forward”

Picture Books and Other Tough Things

It has recently occurred to me, the more stories I write the less and less adult they seem, or maybe it’s my toddlers speaking through me. Either way it’s a tough business. There are only a handful of children’s magazines available to submit to and fewer still big publishers that want to look at yourContinueContinue reading “Picture Books and Other Tough Things”

Writing Takeaways & Quotes

We are headed into year three of blogging and I can’t help but remember where I’ve been as a writer, compare it to where I am now, and look at others wisdom in this area. For one blogging has made me a better writer, I try to write tight and concise to save readers timeContinueContinue reading “Writing Takeaways & Quotes”