I’m done. Finished. Finito. It’s a wrap on “final” edits to my middle grade novel. I’m now a query critique-and-revision cycle away from sending it back out to agent slush piles. I can’t do much more to get this book noticed, represented and published, so short of edits requested by an acquiring editor, I’m calling…
Tag: writing
Creating in the Time of Corona
This is my fourth attempt at a post for this week’s blog entry. Let’s see if I actually get anywhere with this one. I had several topics I wanted to write about, but after getting a few sentences into each one, I ran out of steam. Or more precisely, I hated the way the words…
My Season of Non-Fiction Creativity: Hands-On Projects
Once upon a time (back in May of this year, to be precise), a fledgling writer proclaimed that she was taking a break from her blog for the summer in order to concentrate on finishing edits to her book. Then, an evil temptress known as Procrastination cast a spell, causing the writer to do practically…
Distractions That Keep Writers From…SQUIRREL!
Taking on the task of writing a full-length finished novel can be daunting and often more laborious than bargained for. That’s why distractions are the number one enemy of writers. It’s not that we want to be distracted. Rather, when faced with a painstaking task, letting minds and bodies wander is simply the path of…
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?…
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,…
The Value of Writing Groups
I recently attended a holiday party where I chatted with a fellow author on all manner of writerly things. We found our writing journeys and experiences differed in several ways. He’s a full-time novelist while I squeeze writing into the spare hours around my 9-to-5 muggle job. He’s been represented by multiple agents throughout his…
The On-Fire/Burnout Cycle of a Writer
Summer is my hyperactive period for creative productivity. The sun and warmth fuel me, like I’m bathing in endorphins that my body synthesizes into pure motivation. This energy rush spurred me to take on multiple writing projects this past season, most of which I’ve completed or am in the process of wrapping up. I’m proud…
Are you a writer or a Writer?
What makes a writer a writer? Social media and the interwebs are filled with decrees and passionate rebuttals on this exact topic. Some fall into the camp of “a writer must write every day” while others insist that if you write—no matter how often or little—you are a writer if you consider yourself one. I…
The Promise of Possibilities
Remember my post about flexibility? Well, here it is in action . . . I’d planned to write about writing consistency when it comes to being a writer (irony!), but I’m pivoting this week to talk about something that inspired me over the weekend. We took a quick trip up to New York City as…
