Tag Archives: Writing

Behind the Word Count. . . Again

My goal on Friday was to catch up on my word count. AND I DID! Over 4,000 words later, I was completely caught up. And then, of course, came the weekend. We had an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party on Saturday (packed 95 boxes!), which means I didn’t write anything that day and, because IContinueContinue reading “Behind the Word Count. . . Again”

What I didn’t know about Querying

We surveyed the kitchen and looked at each other with our dismal future reflecting in each other’s eyes. “What should we do?” my brother asked. My sister and I shook our head. Anything had to be better than this. Plates, cups, silverware, pots, pans, and food everywhere. Sometimes, Easter dinner just wasn’t worth it. EspeciallyContinueContinue reading “What I didn’t know about Querying”

Finding Raspberries

“Raspberries! Raspberries!” The general cry of delight was enough for Papa to stop the suburban on our way to town so that we could scramble out. Living deep in the forest, an hour or two from any civilization, had its perks. If you have never experienced a wild raspberry plucked straight from a bush inContinueContinue reading “Finding Raspberries”

Redefining Success

It’s been awhile since I’ve spoken about writing. There’s a reason for this. I felt like all I did for awhile there was whine. I whined so much about how hard it was to adjust to my new life, that I was sick of even thinking about my own whining, let alone writing about it.ContinueContinue reading “Redefining Success”

Moose and POV

It was pitch black as we bumped our way slowly down the dirt road. My parents peered carefully out the windows for any unexpected wildlife as we weaved deeper and deeper into the woods towards our little cabin. But when the brakes screeched, it was not for the deer, rabbits, or even bears that weContinueContinue reading “Moose and POV”

Peach Licorice and Dreams

It was a dream come true. Hasn’t every child longed for the day his or her mother would say, “Eat as much candy as you like”? Our day had finally come. We were on a long drive—okay, as a child, basically anything longer than 10 minutes feels like a long drive—and, always the perfect children,ContinueContinue reading “Peach Licorice and Dreams”

Sawdust and Souls

What do you smell when you pass a construction site? Specifically, one where they are right in the middle of building a new house? You can see straight to the insides of the house. You can see the beams that form a structure for that room that will one day be filled with memories. AndContinueContinue reading “Sawdust and Souls”

Drawing Water and Mourning Doves

Before our neighbors put a well in, one of our main sources of water when we lived in the woods was the stream that flowed across our driveway. We didn’t know there was a stream across the driveway when we put it in, but as soon as rain hit, it ran as heavily as ifContinueContinue reading “Drawing Water and Mourning Doves”

A Writer’s Identity

Writing full-time makes you think. A lot. And not just about whether you are worthy, whether you are making the right decision, or whether you are a failure–it makes you think about what you should be doing versus what you are doing. Accordingly, I’ve been thinking a lot, especially the last couple days. If anyContinueContinue reading “A Writer’s Identity”