My writing life is picking up, and most of that is self-propelled. I’ve sidled up to the authorial buffet and loaded my plate with agent querying, short story submissions, publication management, a monthly column, weekly blog posts, deep revisions on a full manuscript, and penning two more short stories for upcoming contests and anthologies. It’s aContinueContinue reading “Pivoting Like a Writing Pro”
Category Archives: Journaralities
When Karma Comes A’Knocking
My spouse recently shared a story with me about something that happened at work. One of his sub-foremen found a bank withdrawal envelope containing $400 in cash just outside their work site. The withdrawal slip was tucked inside, which showed the unfortunate person’s remaining account balance of $91. Now, the right thing to do wouldContinueContinue reading “When Karma Comes A’Knocking”
Top 3 Tips for How To Give, Ask for, and Take Critiques
I’ve been an active member of my local writing critique group since March 2014. They helped restart my writing engine after I’d stored it away for too many years. They encouraged me to keep working on projects I thought should be shelved. They highlighted places in my work where I’ve been sloppy and suggested waysContinueContinue reading “Top 3 Tips for How To Give, Ask for, and Take Critiques”
Frenemy of Technology
We’ve all done it. Shaken our fist at our computers when they crash and obliterate a document in which we’d invested an hour without saving. Or, gnashed our teeth when we can’t get a signal on our smart phone to look up the answer to the yogurt shop’s trivia question of the day. And whoContinueContinue reading “Frenemy of Technology”
When to Walk Away and When to Stay: Writer’s Edition
I have a plant in my office that is nothing short of pathetic. It started life vibrant and healthy, but through unintentional owner mismanagement and intentional cat munching, it now hangs on by a thread. Or a root. I water it only when I see it wilting. I don’t feed it vital plant food. IContinueContinue reading “When to Walk Away and When to Stay: Writer’s Edition”
My Social Media is/is not Me
Since joining Twitter in 2015, I’ve never been comfortable with how to best use it. I initially established it as part of my author platform. Many writing advice columns tell you that having an online presence through which future readers can interact with you is a good thing. I’ll buy that. It makes sense toContinueContinue reading “My Social Media is/is not Me”
Writing Like its My (Second) Job
I tend to be productive in spurts. All or nothing. Feast or Famine. Wax or Wane. High or Low. Pick your favorite pithy saying. The point is that I—like most people, I suspect—tend to tackle projects or take on tasks I’m not absolutely required to do in cycles of high productivity and then no productivity.ContinueContinue reading “Writing Like its My (Second) Job”
Eulogy for a Laptop
I don’t tend to be a sentimental person, and I’ve never been accused of being overly-demonstrative. I suffer loss—true loss—on the inside and bear it privately. Today, I make an exception for a (relatively) long-time companion. A battle buddy. A steadfast confidant who has kept my secrets, listened to my stories, sang my favorite melodies,ContinueContinue reading “Eulogy for a Laptop”
Embrace the Boring
My youngest daughter thinks I’m boring. That’s not a surprising statement coming from a 15-year-old who was forced to spend a day at Cedar Point with her folks. For anyone parenting a teenager, this is likely a familiar refrain, unless you are a Will Smith type who bungee jumps from helicopters on your 50th birthday.ContinueContinue reading “Embrace the Boring”
Spec-Fic Fun for Writers and Readers
Do you love spec-fic? Read it? Write it? Paper your walls with it? Are you now wondering what exactly IS spec-fic? It’s short for speculative fiction, and here’s a thorough explanation by Annie Neuberger if you’re not familiar with the use of the term, but trust me—you love it. If any of the above applies,ContinueContinue reading “Spec-Fic Fun for Writers and Readers”
D.M. Domosea 