It’s that time of the month again! Yep, time to discuss all the books, movies, music and shows that kept my brain entertained and engaged. There are still a few days to go in April, but it’s felt like a long enough month (though not March long) that I should have plenty to talk about,…
Why I Don’t Review Books as a Writer
One of the most important ways to support an author—aside from buying their book—is to review the book online at sites like Goodreads, Amazon, or LibraryThing. Reviews give books “street cred” in that the more reads and valid reviews a book has, the more it appeals to potential readers as a quality published work. Of…
How To Establish (Small) Normals
Routine is the essence of normality, and normality is the foundation of security. That loss of routine–as many people transition from daily commutes and public-facing work schedules to telework, stay-at-home orders, and even layoffs–can compound our (very valid) fears of this deadly global pandemic and the ensuing economic chaos. It’s helpful in times like these…
Monthly Mental Munchies: March 2020
This March has lasted a millennium, hasn’t it? It’s not just me, right? Not only did we have to contend with five—count them, FIVE—Mondays this month, but a horrifying pandemic and nationwide near-lockdown has been added to the mix. Nothing stretches out time like seclusion and boredom. It’s a good thing we live in a…
Defining Your Success as a Writer
When you imagine yourself as a successful author, what do you see? A popular genre franchise that begets movie deals and amusement parks? The phrases “critically-acclaimed novelist” or “bestselling author” in front of your name? A modest yet solid reputation as a prolific indie author? Your name on the byline of a few literary magazines?…
Author Updates: March 2020 Edition
It’s time for an author update, with a goodbye, a hello, and an on-the-way! First, the Goodbye: My short story, “Visceral,” which has been featured in issue 36/63 of Allegory Online Magazine since November, is moving from their online portal to the archives at the end of April.
March in Like a Lion (Even if You Feel Like a Lamb)
Now that March is officially here, I expect tons of blog posts will discuss, quote or at least mention that old weather-based saying, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” But I say we take that adage and apply it instead to our personal energy as we head into the…
Monthly Mental Munchies: February 2020
Wow. Can you believe it’s been a full year since I first started blogging monthly about my mental munchies? (Yes, I’m asking you this as if you’ve faithfully followed my blog for an entire year or more, so do us both a favor—make this less awkward by just smiling and nodding…) Yeah, I know! Time…
Top Ten Reasons People Don’t Believe You’re a Writer
Have you ever told people that you’re a writer, only to be met with scoffing doubt? Perhaps you don’t fit their preconceived notion of what writers are like. Maybe you break all the author stereotypes. That’s a good thing, because there is no wrong or right way to ~be~ a writer. (Well, okay, there are…
Escaping Writer’s Tunnel Vision
A few years ago, I wrote a book that was everything. It was brilliant and compelling, imaginative and fun, heart-wrenching and heartwarming. I just knew this book was going to get me everything authors want and expect for their creative work: a fawning agent, a lucrative publishing deal, credibility as a bona fide children’s author,…
D.M. Domosea 