I opened my email and there it was. My first invitation to appear, as an author, and give a presentation. My mind immediately filled with images of myself, microphone in hand, perhaps nestled into a cozy leather chair on stage as I gaze upon those who’ve come to listen intently to the carefully crafted bit of […]
writing
Query Letter Basics
By this point in my writing life I should have earned some sort of certification in the art of query letters. I’ve spent countless hours obsessing over each of mine. I’ve written, revised, thrown out and rewritten each of mine at least a dozen times. I’ve researched query letters, read books, articles, watched videos and […]
My Path to Publication
As an aspiring author, I never passed a “How I Got My Publisher/Agent” article without scanning for a magic key. That one thing I was missing that would cast open the doors to the world of being a published author. I cringed every time the interviewee said, “my journey didn’t come by traditional means”. I […]
Do you NaNoWriMo?
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is just days away. What is NaNoWriMo, you ask? NaNoWriMo is a yearly event in which writer’s set a goal to write an entire novel (or 50,000 words) in thirty days. I know, it seems insane. I think that every time I make the commitment to do it. But I keep […]
Novel Writer’s Playlists
I cannot write in silence! A quiet work environment causes my brain to send out little stimuli-seeking tentacles that grasp at any, and every, other noise in the world. Once I’m distracted by the guy with the leaf blower, the birds, the plane flying overhead, the lady walking the corgi and my own dogs shifting […]
When It’s Okay to Not Write
Every writer has hit some sort of a writing slump. Maybe you’ve lost your momentum, your excitement for a project, or maybe you just don’t know how to progress or where your story is going. There is no limit to the number of tips and articles to help you get past a period of writer’s […]
Online Writing Contests: To Join or Not to Join?
There are no limits to the number and types of writing competitions you can join online. You can submit a 35-word pitch or submit a longer manuscript for a more in-depth contest. The goal of the contests is the same: to get your manuscript before an agent/publisher who will (fingers crossed!) love it. In the […]
NaNoWriMo Day 30: Survival Tip of the Day
Like many of my friends and acquaintances, you might be in the midst of the sheer madness that is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). The goal: to write a book (yes, sir, that’s right a whole book) in (gasp) 30 days! This is it! Day 30. You may have noticed that I disappeared for several […]
NaNoWriMo Day 21: Survival Tip of the Day
Like many of my friends and acquaintances, you might be in the midst of the sheer madness that is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). The goal: to write a book (yes, sir, that’s right a whole book) in (gasp) 30 days! We’ve reached day 21. Congratulation. Whether you’re right on track, way ahead, or struggling […]
NaNoWriMo Day 20: Survival Tip of the Day
Like many of my friends and acquaintances, you might be in the midst of the sheer madness that is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). The goal: to write a book (yes, sir, that’s right a whole book) in (gasp) 30 days! You’ve done it! Day 20! There are only ten days to go. I have […]