Shifting Sails in My Writing
Writing is a winding path without a destination. At least, for me. While we have aspirations, goals, and plans, our destinations are not exactly final. We may chart the course, but we also can…
Category: My Writing Journey
Short story satisfaction
While querying my paranormal mystery manuscript, I found myself with time to over-analyze everything that could be wrong in my book. After I sent off my query letter and the requested pages, my brain battled…
My Layered Writing Technique
We all have our own version of writing and editing. I tend to write and edit in layers, simply termed the layering technique. My work schedule forces me to limit my writing and editing time…
I shelved a piece of my heart
I recently had to make a tough decision in my writing journey. After spending four years writing and revising a manuscript, entering almost every writing contest with it (and not getting in), two solid rounds…
Story Structure: Utilizing the Hero’s Journey
A little over year ago I queried my second manuscript for the first time. After receiving rejection after rejection after rejection, I decided to reevaluate my submission package and my story itself. It got to…
If I can pitch live and survive, so can you!
I wrote thousands of words, edited thousands more, and now you want me to tell you about my book in one or two sentences? Okay. Would you like to read my query letter? Oh, that’s not…
We all need heartbreaking critiques
Writing is a tough journey. The path in a real writing to publishing journey must be long, treacherous and challenging. If it’s none of those things, you are on the wrong path. After a bazillion…
When Life Happens, Writers Keep Writing
So when major life things happen, I don’t know about you, but my writing stalls. My mind goes fuzzy and I lose my creative focus. Just in the last three months, my life has included two…
World building over beer
Your story is YOUR story. Doesn’t it sound like a marvelous free-for-all, especially when it comes to world building? Oh, how I wish it were only that simple. I’m a very visual person and love…
My Manuscript is a Victim of Distraction
I’ve been working on my manuscript for two years and am currently in my third or 10th draft of revisions. I honestly have lost track. Writing is a tough process, but getting published is way…
#PitchWars is over, but my journey continues
There is nothing like diving right into something you are passionate about head first, but I was completely naked with flailing arms. Like other writers before me, I had a story in my head that…