Moving Forward

It has been three weeks since I got back from my month-long road trip, honestly the trip of a lifetime, and yes, I know this is my first blog post since. I knew that I would probably put off writing a blog post for a while, if only because I wrote one almost every dayContinueContinue reading “Moving Forward”

The Tale of a Beast

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 atContinueContinue reading “The Tale of a Beast”

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? OneContinueContinue reading “One Scene at a Time”

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, IContinueContinue reading “Bloomers and Perspectives”

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”