This Is How To Keep Inspiration Crackling
In my first blog post, I promised to share what it is like to be a debut author and how I was to remain determined to honor the creative process and to no longer live by default. Now here I am, just over two months from the release of my novel, LITTLE LOVELY THINGS, (April…
Read MoreThis Is Why Writing Advice Conflicts Me
I have developed a conflicted relationship with advice. My general experience has been that the person meting it out is often the blowhard in the group, the one with the least amount of wisdom. And conversely, the quietly successful person, the one I really care to hear from, rarely offers advice unless pressed to do…
Read MoreHow Do You Know When You’re Moving in the Right Direction?
You know how sometimes the universe puts a tailwind on your behind and you have to just go with it? I am so feeling that right now regarding my decision – almost a year ago to the date – to quit my long-term career and become a full-time writer. My path now couldn’t be clearer.…
Read MoreThis is How I Successfully Procrastinate
The Fear of ‘Second Pages’ aka How I Successfully Procrastinate I am so happy to report that I have gotten through one of the great quagmires I created in my little author brain – the absolute final revision of my novel, LITTLE LOVELY THINGS. How My Procrastination Starts ‘Second pages’, as they are referred to…
Read MoreCreative Ways To Manage Creative Thoughts
Inspiration. Where does it come from? In my case almost everywhere. One sideways glance at the perfect shield-shaped carapace of a stink bug can send me reeling. Or a chance encounter with a few notes from a Louis Armstrong ballad. A brief exchange with a decidedly eccentric person (this is my favorite – you’ll see…
Read MoreThis Is Why We Love Great Characters
Since earlier this year, I have been fortunate enough to be invited to very generous book clubs to which I have offered excerpts of LITTLE LOVELY THINGS. What a thrill to be included in discussions with people who have opened their hearts to me, a new author! Great Characters Are a Mystery Q&A is always…
Read MoreARCs: This is My Story of Gratitude
Remember when I invited you on a journey leading up to the publication of my novel? Well, here’s some GREAT big news – my ARCs have arrived! If you’re not familiar with that term, it’s an acronym for Advanced Reader Copy and it is one final revision away from the completed manuscript. Created by publishers,…
Read MoreHow Important is Silliness In Our Amazing Lives?
How Important Is Silliness? Remember that list we talked about? Keeping track of things that inspire you? Well, the last time I decided to tweak mine, I printed it out and then got onto a very important and very long phone call. After the conversation ended, I found all kinds of goodies in the margins…
Read MoreThe Heavenly Joy Of The August Tomato Sandwich
In my last blog, I talked about making lists of things that I find inspiring. Lately, food keeps popping up at the top. Specifically, the once-a-year August Tomato – or also referred to by the Midwesterner in me – ‘Mater’ Sandwich. The True Tomato Sandwich I will admit I am a tomato snob. Eaten…
Read MoreHow I Conquered My Fear of a Creative Life
In my first blog, I referenced a passage in my novel about ‘learning to walk sideways,’ which addresses how to face adverse changes that occur in life. In this blog, I want to talk about the opposite – creating change. I know this well. In mid-life I took a slow quantum leap and became a writer.…
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