Welcome to My Blog/Newsletter
Why subscribe?
To read about another writer’s journey through writing, revising, querying, and learning
To see photos of my dogs 😉
To read about specific craft issues from the point of view of a book coach/experienced writer who wants to help other writers improve their craft
What I Learned About Writing from Reading Louise Penny’s Mysteries
Another detective character that struck me as dry the first time I tried reading him was Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache, the chief homicide detective in Quebec. Several years ago a well-read friend recommended the series. I plucked a random one off the library shelf. Maybe I was in a bad mood, maybe I wasn’t ready for it. Whatever the reason, Gamache didn’t speak to me, so I returned him to the library after maybe 30 pages.
Planning a Book Doesn’t Mean Figuring Out Every Last Detail in Advance
I used to be a “pantser.” I liked discovering my story as I wrote it. It felt free and creative that way. At the same time, I was leery of the plotting/outlining approach. I thought if I planned my story in advance, I’d snuff out the creative spark.
Shiny Object Syndrome: When Distractions Try to Derail Your Progress
You’re writing along, making excellent progress on your draft or your revision, and then wham!
You get the most stunning idea for a novel! It demands your attention. It keeps you from falling asleep at night. It dances around in front of you when you’re trying to work on your current work-in-progress.
This is shiny object syndrome.
The Book Coach Connection
Even though Nita hasn’t read a single word of my novel/memoir, her simple act of listening to me and reflecting back to me what she heard helped me think about it differently. What Nita provided to me is what I also strive to provide to the writers who choose to work with me.
Rita Williams-Garcia Q&A Part 3: The Nitty Gritty Details
For the last third of my conversation with Rita Willilams-Garcia about her historical YA novel, A Sitting in St. James (Quill Tree Books, 2021), we shifted to practical matters like revisions and time and critique groups.
Rita Williams-Garcia Q&A Part 2: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Rita Willilams-Garcia discusses her historical YA novel, A Sitting in St. James (Quill Tree Books, 2021), specfically one of her themes—entitlement—and some of her other choices for the book, like the omniscient narration and the plot’s focus.
Rita Williams-Garcia Q&A Part 1: Getting to Know Her Characters
Any writer interested in history or diverse representation will find much to ponder in Rita Williams-Garcia’s glorious YA novel, A Sitting in St. James (Quill Tree Books, 2021). Rita and I discussed her characters in part 1 of our Q&A.
How Habits Help You Accomplish Your Goals
Happy 2023! What do you want to accomplish with your writing this year? A couple of months ago, I wrote about setting smart writing goals. I also shared that my goal for my current work-in-progress, a middle grade mystery, is to complete a first draft by March 31, 2023.
The Joy of Reading
Here are a few of the books I read in 2022 and especially enjoyed, including middle grade, young adult, and adult.
The Challenge of Compare and Despair
Until a few weeks ago, I’d never heard the phrase “compare and despair.” But I’ve certainly done my share of comparing myself to others and then despairing about how little I’ve accomplished. What an awful trap to fall into. It can be hard to pull ourselves out of it. I try to remind myself that life isn’t a competition. Neither is writing.