For most of the story installments, I've been able to cut the scene where it counts. Not so this time, so know that I know, and I'm sorry. This one lands with a clunk rather than a bell chime. First drafts are wild and unwieldy. The added restriction of trying to make each entry bite-sized … Continue reading Old Friends
Tag: writers
“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”
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
“Good Enough”
You ever hike and get to the point on an uphill section where you are bent practically to your toes, using your arms to push your thighs, just so you can take one more step? You can't even look up to find the next bend because if you do, you'll fall over and never get … Continue reading “Good Enough”
Sisters
Do you think flowers hurt as much as humans when they're growing? Good grief. I got another slew of rejections. Okay, not a slew. Two. That might not sound like much, but it feels like an avalanche right now. One of those was for a story I think is the best story I've ever written. … Continue reading Sisters
Is It Cheating?
Yesterday, I typed 'the end' on my Language of the Spirit NaNoWriMo project. Huzzah, right? Not really. *sound of dying trumpets* I'm about 7800 words short of the 50K goal. The story's done. Beginning, middle, end. Arcs bent over themselves into a lovely rainbow. Tiny subplots that give depth, not distraction. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ What more, man? I … Continue reading Is It Cheating?
Two Twisty Books
Ever read a book and think...ooh, this is a lot like that other book or...oooh, are these authors twins or what? Sometimes, there is an evil twin. Not today. Today, these two authors clearly were raised beside a babbling brook and fed figs and persimmons in strong sunlight. There might have been a wasp sting … Continue reading Two Twisty Books
Jeff Sullins – writer & beta-reader
What defines a writer? This is an internal fight many of us battle daily. Many of us don't feel we qualify, even though we write. I don't have an answer, but I do know that each of us has value to contribute to the conversation. If you'd like to do an interview, contact me. It's … Continue reading Jeff Sullins – writer & beta-reader
The Catalyst – SCBWI meeting
I attended my first local writing group through SCBWI, and whoo! Talk about impostor syndrome. It’s real y’all, and if you experience it, you are, ironically enough, in good company. One of the women who attended is an award-winning illustrator. Now, those of us who aren’t artists believe anyone who can draw more than a … Continue reading The Catalyst – SCBWI meeting
Nine of Swords – Anxiety and Doubt
I've been working my way through The Creative Tarot by Jenna Crispin (who is almost as ubiquitous as Lin Manuel-Miranda these days). One of my favorite cards in the deck is the Nine of Swords. Does that strike you as odd? Like claiming I love The Tower or something? I relate to this card. This … Continue reading Nine of Swords – Anxiety and Doubt
