I turned and looked at myself in the remains of the shattered glass. It was true. I was a now, officially, a beast. I've been working my way through Gail Carson Levine's book Writing Magic far longer than I am going to admit to. I love it because, although it seems to be aimed at… Continue reading The Tale of a Beast
Category: Writing
One Scene at a Time
Far more often than not, being a successful writer entails just getting your bum in a chair and working, whether you feel like it or not. Technically, I know this, and yet it is hard to force myself to do it. It's just writing. I don't feel inspired. I can always write/edit later, right? One… Continue reading One Scene at a Time
All the Details
I AM SO EXCITED! Okay. I tried typing the opening to this post like five times yesterday and I couldn't figure out a sophisticated, professional way to open it without being boring and still expressing how I feel right now. So, I finally decided to just be honest, even if it looks too sappy or… Continue reading All the Details
Believing in your Book
My insides literally shuddered with delight and nerves as my eye fell on the magazine that came in with the mail. Based on an email I had received a week or so before, I had reason to believe that this tiny, Christian girls magazine had a delightful surprise in it. I grasped it, ran to… Continue reading Believing in your Book
Self or Hybrid Publishing?
I used to be annoyed when the first response from anyone, upon finding out that I was a writer, was that they also wanted to write a book someday. I would smile and nod while thinking (yes, I admit it, very judgmentally) about how they had no idea what being a writer, or even writing… Continue reading Self or Hybrid Publishing?
Bloomers and Perspectives
I think one of the least talked-about trials of a writer is figuring out which WIP to actually work on. I've been intending to work on Picture of the Past (PoP) for the last three weeks, but in reality, I've mostly worked on some research. . . and Drawn Into Love. This week, though, I… Continue reading Bloomers and Perspectives
Avoiding Writing – Again
I had SO MANY good intentions last week! I was going to read three books on the Oregon/California trail, prep Drawn Into Love (DIL) for additional submissions, AND begin editing Picture of the Past (PoP). Would you like to know what I actually accomplished? One short California trail book, looking over the first two chapters… Continue reading Avoiding Writing – Again
Traveling the California Trail
I don't remember when I first became fascinated with the Oregon/California trail, but it has been an ingrained interest for possibly decades. One of the very first full book ideas that I came up with after I decided I wanted to be a writer (around 8-years-old) was that of a rich, entitled girl whose family… Continue reading Traveling the California Trail
A Letter from Chadwick
Last week, Chadwick wrote me a letter. I was laying in bed, staring at the ceiling fan, and suddenly, there it was. I thought I'd share it with you all: Dear Jacinta, I just wanted to congratulate you on sending that manuscript into that small publisher who promised to get back to you next week.… Continue reading A Letter from Chadwick
The Bane of Writers
I submitted the first five pages of my manuscript to a contest that included obtaining feedback from "experienced writers". Overall, one loved it, one hated it, and one thought it a good start that needed work. **headdesk** There was, however, one specific sentence that garnered comments from all three judges: "He may not be good… Continue reading The Bane of Writers
