Starting Draft Two of my WIP Baking time for my current WIP is done, the timer had dinged, and now I’m writing the second draft. While this is the fun part of the writing process for me, it’s also the most difficult to explain because I believe there's magic involved. In her book Big Magic, … Continue reading From Rough to Refined: Tackling the All-Important Second Draft
Creativity
Writing Tools I Use: A Behind the Scenes Look at My WIP
My Writer's Toolkit Over the years, I’ve fine-tuned my toolkit in order to streamline my writing workflow. My writer’s toolkit is always a work in progress, but I’ve found a system that I’ve used for my past few books, including my current WIP, a Dark Academia suspense novel. I thought I’d share a bit about … Continue reading Writing Tools I Use: A Behind the Scenes Look at My WIP
Five YouTube Channels To Spark Your Creativity
Creative Videos Can Provide Inspiration Like other people, I enjoy watching YouTube videos now and again. I’ve fine-tuned my algorithm on YouTube to show only what I want to see. I don’t watch the news, and I don’t want to see anything news-related. Yes, I know it’s like sticking my head in the sand, but … Continue reading Five YouTube Channels To Spark Your Creativity
Unlocking the Magic of Writing: A Guide to Starting Your Novel
Another How-To Write Post I know these “How To Write” posts are a dime a dozen, but I’ve been asked to share how I get myself started when tackling a new project, so here it is is. I should point out that this is how I begin a novel. If you ask ten different novelists … Continue reading Unlocking the Magic of Writing: A Guide to Starting Your Novel
Day Jobs for Writers: Finding Balance, Funding Dreams, and Fueling Creativity
Jobs: Day Jobs or Otherwise... Last week I watched a YouTube video from someone who called themselves a full-time writer who admitted later in the video that they use the money they make from content creation, part-time retail work, and other sales jobs to support themselves. That person is spending a percentage of their working … Continue reading Day Jobs for Writers: Finding Balance, Funding Dreams, and Fueling Creativity
The Swirl and Swing of Words is an Amazon #1 New Release in Authorship
Just a quick note today to let you know that The Swirl and Swing of Words: Embracing the Writing Life was named a #1 New Release on Amazon in Authorship as well as Creativity Self-Help and Authorship Reference. I'm always amazed when things like this happen. Thank you to everyone who has bought the book, … Continue reading The Swirl and Swing of Words is an Amazon #1 New Release in Authorship
The Swirl and Swing of Words: Embracing the Writing Life is Now Available
I’ve been hoping to be able to make this announcement this autumn and here it is. My newest nonfiction book, The Swirl and Swing of Words: Embracing the Writing Life, is available today, Tuesday, October 29, 2024, in ebook format on Amazon, BN, Apple, and wherever books are sold. An AI-narrated audiobook is available from … Continue reading The Swirl and Swing of Words: Embracing the Writing Life is Now Available
Writing Inspiration: Facing the Fear of First Drafts
No One Likes Writing First Drafts While I will always love writing in the Loving Husband and Hembry Castle worlds, my creativity has been pulling me in other directions lately. I've started the academic research that has been on my mind for some time now, and I'm branching out in my fiction. I've been writing … Continue reading Writing Inspiration: Facing the Fear of First Drafts
The Unexpected Gift of Letting Go
A Faint Hint of Autumn In Southern Nevada it takes a little longer to feel the cooler weather. Though we’re into September and school started more than a month ago, the temperature is still well above the 90 degrees Fahrenheit mark, certainly cooler than the 100 plus degrees Fahrenheit we experience in July and August, … Continue reading The Unexpected Gift of Letting Go
Unleash Your Creativity: Why You Need a Commonplace Book
What Is A Commonplace Book? Lately, I've been seeing many posts about commonplace books. Once I discovered what commonplace books were, I was surprised I hadn't kept one before. Then I realized that I have kept commonplace books, only I called them quote journals. Maybe you have too. Commonplace books can act as second brains … Continue reading Unleash Your Creativity: Why You Need a Commonplace Book