Some days I’m convinced perfectionism is a shape shifter. As I edit my drafts and continue down this writing path I get more and more ‘finished’ projects. At least I think they are finished, till I read them again a week or two later. What happened to my perfect project? Why do I hate theContinueContinue reading “Letting Go of Perfect”
Tag Archives: story
Using Arc Beyond Characters
I’ve talked about character before but I’m going deeper this time. Have you ever thought about giving a character like arc to things that technically are not characters? Did I just lose you? What I’m getting at is that characters are not the only ones that change within a story. At least they shouldn’t beContinueContinue reading “Using Arc Beyond Characters”
The Young Adult Book Buyout
I’m a little riled up. I just saw a list circulating Twitter for young adult stories set in college. Young adult is supposed to limit the age of the characters in the book to 18. So unless you are all writing the next version of Young Sheldon Cooper I don’t know why this list exists.ContinueContinue reading “The Young Adult Book Buyout”
Sacred Texts
We all have sacred texts, whether it’s a religious tome or great grandma’s written recipe cards, they have value in our minds and hearts. So what do you do when things are past their usefulness? Do you keep the sentimental notes from valentines day in hopes to create a scrapebook when you have more time.ContinueContinue reading “Sacred Texts”
Dreamy Ideas
There is a sweet spot for creatives while dreaming. It occurs somewhere between just awke and barley asleep. Your dreams are vivid and you have a certain measure of control. This level of awareness in dreams is called lucid dreaming. Often when one is asleep, there is something in consciousness which declares that what thenContinueContinue reading “Dreamy Ideas”
Rooted in Non-Fiction
If you remember third grade science you know most growing things have roots. When it comes to your blooming creativity it too is rooted in something. That something is your experiences, conversations, and head knowledge. The best place for more head knowledge is the non-fiction section at your bookstore, library, or computer screen. I hearContinueContinue reading “Rooted in Non-Fiction”
Knotted: Plots & Rapunzel’s Hair
I have longer hair and on occasion (more than I’d care to admit) I don’t get a chance to brush it. While this isn’t a great place to be for my hair, it’s excellent for a story plot. No one wants to be board. No one wants to be able to guess the ending. EveryContinueContinue reading “Knotted: Plots & Rapunzel’s Hair”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
Holy Homesteading 