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Developing Your Writing Process and My Next Author Appearance
Your writing process is your writing process. There are many ways to find your way in and many, many ways to execute a killer story. (Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself.) The point is, that no one can...
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Flash Fiction: The Heralds
Another bit of Flash Fiction. I used to write a lot of short pieces, usually based on some sort of prompt. I dredged this one up out of a pile of papers while cleaning house this past week. Enjoy. THE...
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Writing Fiction and Making the Words Disappear
It may seem counterintuitive, since we work so hard at choosing just the right words when writing fiction, but one of my main goals during the editing phase is to make the words disappear on the page....
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Sensory Details Can Bring Your Story to Life
“Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader – not the fact that it’s raining, but the feel of being rained upon.” –E. L. Doctorow Humans use five main senses, which are our key...
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A Writer’s Life: Balancing Work and Work
Like many authors, in addition to my writing and book related activities and appearances, I have a day job. Luckily, it’s a job I really enjoy and I work with good people. It is, however, a job that...
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Setting: Emotional Depth Through Character Perspective
Kira, Vaith and Kelmir. Characters in setting. When writing, I start from character, not simply because I think it’s a great place to start—although, for me, it’s mostly character engagement that keeps...
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Plotting, Not Plodding!
Plot points, crisis, and climax, oh my! I have been reading up on plotting, taking a deep dive into process and techniques, attempting to distill the information that others have provided in books...
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Writers’ Conferences: What’s In It For Me?
You are a writer. You either write, or you want to write. And if you are truly serious about it, you study and hone your craft. You go to the library and check out all the writing books. Especially the...
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Setting: Emotional Depth Through Character Perspective
Kira, Vaith and Kelmir. Characters in setting. When writing, I start from character, not simply because I think it’s a great place to start—although, for me, it’s mostly character engagement that keeps...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Plotting, Not Plodding!
Plot points, crisis, and climax, oh my! I have been reading up on plotting, taking a deep dive into process and techniques, attempting to distill the information that others have provided in books...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Writers’ Conferences: What’s In It For Me?
You are a writer. You either write, or you want to write. And if you are truly serious about it, you study and hone your craft. You go to the library and check out all the writing books. Especially the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Recent Appearances Recap: Cirque du Livre and #PCC2016
Cirque du Livre 2016: First Page Panel with Tom Leveen The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. Here is a quick recent appearances recap. First, I attended the Cirque du Livre Writers...
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A Writer’s Life: Balancing Work and Work
Like many authors, in addition to my writing and book related activities and appearances, I have a day job. Luckily, it’s a job I really enjoy and I work with good people. It is, however, a job that...
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Things I Learned Writing The Matriarch’s Devise
As with every new book or writing project, there are a lot of things I learned writing The Matriarch’s Devise. However, one of the key things I grew to understand on a deeper level is how much trust it...
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Making Emotional Connections Through Writing
Making emotional connections through writing is always at the top of my list of goals, whether I am writing poetry or prose. When I tell people I am a writer, I get the usual questions and responses....
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A New Year of Writing and Teaching
My new year of writing and teaching is off to a great start. On January 6th, I signed an agreement with the Arizona State Library Association to become the 2017 Summer Writer in Residence at...
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What I Have Been/Will Be Reading This Summer
With all the craziness of the world, I have pretty much tuned out to video media. I haven’t turned on the TV screen for over six weeks. I am sure it’s a passing thing, but I am listening to more...
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Creative Writing and Cognitive Alchemy
When teaching or talking about creative writing and/or coaching fiction writers, I talk a lot about the subconscious act of writing and how the churn of thoughts and ideas takes place even when we are...
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Understanding Pacing
Pacing is an important component of effective writing, but what exactly is it and how can we use it to the best advantage in our writing? I was on a recent call with a group of book coaching...
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How Long Does It Take To Write A Book?
As an author (and also as a book coach), I get asked this question a lot. How long does it take to write a book? It’s an interesting question. One that I think is driven by both curiosity and, when it...
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