Make It Rain

This is week 50, and I've got 51 & most of 52 written. I'm not happy about the dangly bits at the end of the story, and I'm having trouble bringing that last scene to a satisfying conclusion. That's the hazard of a first draft where I can't go back and tweak the past to … Continue reading Make It Rain

A New Job

Chewing the furniture. Wandering in circles with wild hair and wicked untrimmed toenails. That's a first draft, man. It is what it is, and if you can write a cleaner one, I dare you to do it. This one's about done, and it's been fun. I think I might be able to see the end, … Continue reading A New Job

“We”

*alarms blare* There are only five more installments of the first draft in public! For those of you out there who talk about writing a book or writing more or whatever - you CAN do it! Small bites. Little steps. One foot in front of the other. Good grief, I could write those all day, … Continue reading “We”

Motherhood

Before we get to the goods, an update on my Patreon. I have discovered the joy of Lens. This is an app that allows me to share 15-second videos of my life with patrons. It's a bit addictive! So far we've shared a blackout poem session, my morning coffee, the dog and cat being cute, … Continue reading Motherhood

Let Your Fish Get Big

When I took up writing again after my diagnosis, my goal was like a goldfish. It was little and messy and cute, and I was drawn to it by an impulse. I wanted to be published. I wanted my name chiseled into the stone of literature. That sounds big, but it wasn't. I just wanted … Continue reading Let Your Fish Get Big

Boundaries

Just a reminder, this is a first draft in public. It's rough and ugly, but it's me telling myself (and you) the story. It's me sitting down every week and typing out a scene. The magic happens in editing and revising. Thanks for reading along! Boundaries Lights flared illuminating the steps and a portion of … Continue reading Boundaries

Trickster

Last week, we left our intrepid writer feeling overwhelmed and standing in a virtual rubble-pile of her own edit-making. This week, I have conquered the hardest part. I've begun to rebuild. I'm now up to Chapter Three in the revision process, and while wary and suspicious, I am hopeful. You've all seen the cairns when … Continue reading Trickster

Some Rules

I'm in an uncomfortable spot many writers will recognize. I can see the thin spots in my plot and character development for Ferals & Blights, and in trying to strengthen those areas, I've found more weak points. This manuscript now feels like a house of cards. My job is to fix that, and today it … Continue reading Some Rules

S.E. Carson – writer & advocate

S.E. Carson is writing a fictionalized memoir of her journey battling an eating disorder who she has named Not-Alice. The story works on discovering who someone is without their disorder, finding the voice that's been buried, and learning to trust the sound of it. In Carson's own words: "I explore the incredibly complex and manipulative … Continue reading S.E. Carson – writer & advocate

Tough Love

After being paralyzed for months, and doing all the advice I give others, I finished the revision of the first chapter of Ferals & Blights tonight. Dissecting my behavior and feelings afterward, I'm able to say two things: Professional opinions help. I was afraid to revise the wrong thing, and getting John's feedback helped me … Continue reading Tough Love