I should have posted this a few days ago, but I was happily occupied with Thanksgiving festivities and then occupied with Christmas shopping. Needless to say, I didn’t do any writing over the holiday weekend. I did, however, decide that I should commit to writing at the desk in our office/third bedroom. Writing in front — Read More
My grandma, writer?
About a month ago (my how time flies), my grandma passed away. She took her health very seriously and we all used to say, “If anyone is going to live forever, it will be Grandma Helen.” So, on the day she died, we were surprised. Outsiders may think it wouldn’t be a shock because she — Read More
Weird writing habits of famous authors
Last week, I came across a great post on Flavorwire: “Weird Writing Habits of Famous Authors.” I can’t say that I have any especially weird habits. I do prefer to write longhand before going to the keyboard. I guess that’s a little weird. [Sidenote: Did anyone else hear that they’re no longer teaching cursive writing — Read More
I understand why it takes years.
When I was younger (and life was decidedly simpler), I had this notion that a book could be written and published within a year. A YEAR! That seems preposterous to me now. For one, I understand much more about the grueling process of editing. I understand that the mind needs time–sometimes MONTHS–to mull over plot — Read More
I’m not a writer, I’m a transcriber
Sometimes, that’s how I feel. I get an idea and, often, it seems to come from outside myself, from one of my characters. Stay with me. I don’t have multiple personality disorder, promise. I don’t hear voices. But, really, I couldn’t tell you how my novels or stories get written. I mean, I could tell — Read More
50 shades of shit
Have you read 50 Shades of Grey? I have not. I have no interest. Why? It’s simple: I resent the success of something that is not well written. Of course, I assume it’s not well-written. A friend sent me a link to this post on The Red Pen of Doom blog to validate my assumption. — Read More
Oh, editing.
I’m getting ready to start editing my book. There, I said it. It’s going to happen. I can’t believe how much I’m dreading this. In general, I’m an ambitious go-getter, someone who does not know HOW to procrastinate. But, with writing, I am a champion procrastinator. It seems easy enough, right? Just set aside an — Read More
Sticking it out
A curious thing happened the other day. Just as I let the first draft of my novel go into the hands of some trusted readers, I started thinking about ideas for other books to write. In the past week, I have scribbled down two ideas on post-its. I’ve gotten the itch to just move on — Read More
Marilyn Monroe, poet?
Did you know Marilyn Monroe was an avid reader? I’ve seen her photographed with books, but I thought she was just trying to negate her image as a “dumb blonde.” In truth though, her personal library contained over 400 books–from Dostoyevsky to Hemingway. And she took night classes at UCLA. Who knew? Not me. I — Read More
Authors in the awkward years
I started writing when I was in elementary school. I remember those pages with the wide margins very vividly. But it was when I was a teenager that my writing became less about fun and more about necessity. Those adolescent years are hard for anyone, and especially hard for a quiet, skinny girl who did — Read More