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”
Tag Archives: book
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”
Magical Editing
Most the time the book is made in revisions and it’s magic. However, there is the moment when it’s dark magic instead of the the happy sparkly kind. #amwriting #amediting #writingcommunity #writetip
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”
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”
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” ― Louis L’Amour
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”
One Day to Go…
Tomorrow is the big day for being on TV… (If you want to how I tumbled into a TV segment check out my last post). I’d like to say I’ve got nerves of steel but let’s be real it’s more like nerves of Twizzlers. So let’s take a moment and talk a bit about stress.ContinueContinue reading “One Day to Go…”
Pitch Parties Post Agent
One of the biggest pitch parties of the year just came and went… I’ve got the blues a bit. I like participating in online events. I miss it. Don’t feel too sorry for me though since I do have an agent now, who’s fabulous. It occurred to me that I should find ways to participateContinueContinue reading “Pitch Parties Post Agent”
Based on a true story…
I’ve read so many stories lately that are a true story. While I do like true stories the best true stories tend to be embellished… Like Grandpa’s whopper fish story. It’s way better when he adds ten inches and whole lot more hassle to reel it in. My point is true stories are exciting butContinueContinue reading “Based on a true story…”
Groceries & Characters
My grocery list is typically all groceries with a few extra items here and there. But those extra items and the groceries themselves tell a story. The whole list tells about my life. It tells my tastes, my eating habits, my faults, my milestones and my successes. I tend to write characters that don’t feelContinueContinue reading “Groceries & Characters”
What NOT to ask at a Writing Conference
I’ve been to a fair number of writing conferences over the years. There is nearly always open question time for a presenter or two. There is also always those one or two people that take over the time. They ask things like, “How do I get an agent?” or “How do I write a queryContinueContinue reading “What NOT to ask at a Writing Conference”
The Math of Writing
Let me say that math was never my forte. I barely skimmed by in Algebra and for some reason I did great at geometry (still don’t know why). When I set out to write this post it occurred to me that writing can be shown as a form of math or presented within the parametersContinueContinue reading “The Math of Writing”
Page One… How to Start Your Story
I’ve seen the advice repeated over and over and over again: START WITH ACTION! Like books are: Lights! Camera! Action! Gimme a break. Books are not movies and that’s why we have both. They do different things. After listening to a dialogue from Agent Hannah Fergesen on Manuscript Academy, you don’t start with action… youContinueContinue reading “Page One… How to Start Your Story”
Not What I Meant To Write…
Well I touched on this in my last post but I signed my agent not for a fiction picture book but for a non-fiction kid’s cookbook. Huh? Yep… Now before you say, “Wait! You can’t write non-fiction!” Let me break it down for you. I’ve spent years honing my writing skills for brevity, clarity, andContinueContinue reading “Not What I Meant To Write…”
The Well of Creativity
I’ve been working on being creative for pretty much my whole life. In grade school I was “crafty.” In high school I was “weird.” Today I’m actually viewed as somewhat “cool.” Not sure how that happened… Mostly I’m thankful that I didn’t listen to those voices earlier in my life. My parents kept buying meContinueContinue reading “The Well of Creativity”
Teamwork
“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” – Amy Poehler After a whirlwind of excitement last week, which you can read about HERE, I’ve come to the full realization that I now have an even bigger team on myContinueContinue reading “Teamwork”
Holy Homesteading 