It’s amazing the difference a little sunshine and warmth makes. We writers think we are creatures of the mind. We believe writing takes place independent of the bodies those minds are attached to. We build up this myth where words come from a diet of caffeine and bad habits, because all we need is what’sContinue reading “I Need Sunshine, Warmth and, Apparently, a Nap”
Is the Trunk So Bad?
I was reading submission guidelines recently, and ran across the instruction “don’t send us your trunk stories.” After a small detour where my brain imagined story ideas about trunks (car trunks, elephant trunks, steamer trunks, swim trunks…the list keeps going, folks) I brought it back around to what the submission guidelines were really saying: don’tContinue reading “Is the Trunk So Bad?”
A Noveling I Go…
Agile seems to be working so far, even though the new process occasionally melts my brain. Specifically, User Stories. A user story is Agile’s way of breaking down your work into easy-to-handle bits. There’s a couple of different conventions for how a user story is structured, but they all essentially include a name, a description,Continue reading “A Noveling I Go…”
“The Problem With the Apocalypse”published!
I’m so excited to announce that my short story “The Problem with the Apocalypse” has been published in Creepy Campfire Quarterly #5! Get it on Amazon. You know you want to. Well, I want you to. No, I’m sure you want to, too. Really. I’m positive. I think. That’s not my insecurity talking. Well, notContinue reading ““The Problem With the Apocalypse”published!”
A Crisis of Management
Agile Novel Management has revealed some…unexpected things. First, I’m not going this alone. I’d thought I would be and help stepped in from unexpected directions. I have professional help. No, not a therapist – though that may become a writing expense before this is all over. I’ll tell you that part in a minute. No,Continue reading “A Crisis of Management”
Novel Development the Agile Way
As most of my writer friends know, I’ve been struggling with writing a novel. Not writing in general. Goodness knows I write short stories by the dozens. It’s not a lack of talent. I’m an excellent writer who can actually sell short stories. Nor is the problem ideas. I have plenty of ideas for novels.Continue reading “Novel Development the Agile Way”
Tips to Stick to New Year’s Resolutions
It’s time for the New Year and the inevitable New Year’s Resolutions. But every year you make them and every year they’re forgotten by Valentine’s Day. How come we can’t make those good intentions stick? Professor Peter M. Vishton of William and Mary College proposes it’s because we often work against ourselves. We adopt methodsContinue reading “Tips to Stick to New Year’s Resolutions”
I’m Not Likable, I’m Sympathetic
In a great writing seminar, one of the mentors told me that your main character must be likable or sympathetic. It helps if they’re both, but they don’t work if that aren’t at least one or the other. Your readers can’t connect with them if they aren’t. But I’ve found that as an author, youContinue reading “I’m Not Likable, I’m Sympathetic”
Alternate Uses for Scrivener
I’m avoiding working on my novel again. So, I’m posting this thought I had on my blog instead. As writers, a lot of us use Scrivener to organize, create and publish our novels. There’s tons of advice out there on how to use this nifty tool for just that purpose. However, the bulk of myContinue reading “Alternate Uses for Scrivener”
Pitfalls of Loving Your Job
I love my job. I don’t mean my “writing” job that I do at home after my day job. I mean I love my plain, old work-a-day job. And I’m coming to discover that’s a problem. I know, right? Aren’t we supposed to do what we love? None of the meme-ified Hallmark sentiments hint atContinue reading “Pitfalls of Loving Your Job”
Ericka Kahler 