I’m listening
When the universe starts talking, you listen. Actually, I’m not sure if it’s just that the universe is talking or if I’m just more inclined to listen now that I’ve made the decision to take the self-publishing plunge. Or maybe it’s really true that Sedona’s hippy-dippy, woo-woo psychic energy...
Perfect way to spend a Monday evening
Pardon me if I still sound a little starstruck. It’s because I am. I had the chance to meet Susan Elizabeth Phillips at a book signing in Phoenix on Monday night — and it was glorious. She’s on tour for her newest book, “The Great Escape,” and she made a...
The secret to becoming a better writer is …
There is no secret. This infographic from Copyblogger tickled my fancy the other day, in part because it so eloquently speaks the truth. Like this infographic? Get more content marketing tips from Copyblogger. Had I not written so many bad stories, I wouldn’t have the good ones to show...
Meeting in the morning
It’s that time again: Time for our NARWA meeting. I’ll be up early Saturday to head to Prescott to catch up with my fellow writers and recharge my creativity. Our guest speaker is Jennifer Ashley. She spoke to our group a while back, and was very inspiring. Can’t wait...
Ineffective habits?
The January 2011 issue of RWA’s Romance Writers Report included an article titled “The Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective (Has-Been) Authors.” Although I can’t quite be a has-been when I’m still a never-was, it got me thinking about my own bad habits. In the article, Diane Farr asks: “What bad...
Moonlight Madness
It’s no secret that I hate the working title on Bree and Mike’s story, “To Catch a Wife.” I blogged about it way back in May. Last night, inspiration struck as I drove to the grocery store. I thought I’d found a perfect replacement: “Virgin and the Tramp.” A play...
What inspires me?
You often hear writers say their story ideas come from the strangest places. I’m not so sure that’s true. Ideas are all around us … all we have to do is open our eyes (and ears) to the possibilities. The initial idea for “Blind Date Bride” came from a...
A gentle nudge
Sometimes, all it takes is a little shove to get moving again. I received one today, courtesy of one of my NARWA sisters. Jacqui Jacoby was a guest blogger over at Seekerville. The topic? Surviving the Abyss. In it, she told the story of her lost year of productivity,...
Broken record?
Again, I say, just because I haven’t been blogging doesn’t mean I’ve been slacking. No, I’ve been busy. I had to trim a five-page synopsis to a single page for the Harlequin American Editor Pitch contest. (Amazing what becomes important and what you suddenly realize can be left out...
The dreaded synopsis
Saturday’s NARWA meeting went great, and — as usual — I came away inspired. Our guest speaker, Harlequin American author Cathy McDavid, presented talks on characterization and that bane of many writers’ existence (or at least mine), the synopsis. I came away with some great tips, along with some...