This last year has seen me moving away from the book I’ve been pitching for a long time. It’s safely tucked onto a thumb drive. Now I have two stories I’m currently working on. The characters are leading me to get to know them better. As soon as the “inciting incident” reveals itself, I will…
Sunday is a day I dedicated much time to my writing and editing. Monday, I went back to my day job. Working in the banking industry is considered essential. I wholeheartedly agree. We’ve been working, to keep at bay, the kind of fear from people that I’ve not seen in the years since I’ve started…
Life is rolling right along. Last weekend at The Surrey International Writers’ Conference went by so very quickly. I left early, because I wanted to make sure that I could get through customs and be on the plane that would take me home. It gave me time to think about the workshops and masterclass that…
I was recently asked what the Creative Hour was, and if it had to be about writing. So I decided to use this weeks blog to explain it. About four years ago, at The Surrey International Writers Conference, I was lucky enough to do my blue pencil with Jane Espenson. At Surrey BC, a blue…
What do I read? That was one of the first questions I was asked when I pitched my first book. That worked out really well, because my new favorite author was represented by this particular agent. However, this is not the reason I read. Mostly I read to escape. Maybe that’s why I read across…
This coming week will be the first chance to sign up for the Surrey International Writers Conference in Surrey, British Columbia. I’m still going back and forth on who I should pitch and blue pencil with. I’m not sure that pitching is going to work for me. I have pitched several times in the past….
This week I continue to work on the edit of my first book. I should have more time on Friday and Saturday. A local resort, The Oregon Caves Chateau is the home of an evening meeting for the Illinois Valley Grants Pass/Josephine County Chambers of Commerce. I’m taking it as an awesome opportunity to experience…
When I talk writing, my mind takes control and starts planning. Today, I read a fun little blurb on Twitter. It ended up with a child saying all stories were better, if they have dragons in them. Hummmm. I could write a story with a young dragon protagonist. What would her problem be? Maybe it…
It seems many times that I reach that point when it’s time to stop working on my writing. After all, I could easily sit on the couch and read books other writers have published. There are many waiting for me. Multiple problems arise with this. I would be giving up on the characters who have…
As I write and share, I find there is so much more to add to what I already have. Each time that I ask for feedback, I get it. So the only thing to do is to take what I’m given and work with it. Tonight I got advice that made sense. I was told,…
To me, it’s really quite interesting to see how many writers choose to go somewhere, rather than the isolation of their home to write. I don’t think it’s because they have more ability to surf the internet. Personally I seek out the power and energy of other human beings. Today I’m at a local coffeeshop….
I’ve been concentrating on the query for my first book. The webinar that I signed up for is really amazing. Lots of good information. I’ve listened to it all the way through once and plan to do it a few more times. It’s still not easy to get the story concept down into a few…
I’ve enjoyed concentrating on my writing each day in the month of November for NaNoWriMo. This year I will not claim being a winner by writing 50k words or more, however I have a very good start on a short story for “Writers of the Future”. I’ve also concentrated on the new beginning scene of…
My first day at #Siwc17 is complete. Interesting things happened, not all joyful. For the first time in a pitch, I did not get asked to submit. This affirmed my thoughts to turn to self-publishing. I don’t want to diminish my experience with Angela Ackerman and my blue pencil. Brilliant suggestions have motivated me to…
More “My Time at The Surrey International Writers Conference” »
Just when I think things are settling into a steady rhythm, something happens to spoil the comfort zone. Oh well, that’s the way it goes. This week I’m hoping to get through the better part of my edits for “Not Too Late Forever”, my first book. Xandra is getting nice comments in the dimensions she has…
There are some who would say that I’m not really a writer. I haven’t published, whether traditional or self, any thing yet. That last “yet” is what keeps me going. I have endured rejection, but I have enjoyed praise, as well. Yes, I dream , as does every other writer/author, that someday, in the very near…
I love it when we get into the summer season. Since I have participated with the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce Tuesday evenings Concerts in the Park have grown and developed. The site change a few years ago, opening a larger venue for citizens to come with families and relax or dance to better and…
Each time I participate in another Twitter fest, or enter another contest, I hope this will be the time. So far nothing has come to fruition. I threaten to eat worms. Of course, that couldn’t be real sliming worms. I can’t even bait my own fishing hook. So instead, when nothing happens or nothing is…
Today, June 7, 2017, at noon registration for The Surrey International Writers Conference opened. At 2:30 an announcement that the full package had sold out 40% showed in #siwc17 Facebook feed. I couldn’t even try to register until I got off work after 6:00pm. Off work, I headed home. I calmly sat down at my computer, well…
One week from today and it’s time to register for The Surrey International Writers Conference. Each time I attend a conference, be it in Canada or the United States, I meet new friends and learn more about writing. I’ve pretty much decided who I’ll choose for my blue pencil, but who will I pitch to?…
Over the years, I have learned so much from the different writers’ conferences that I have attended. I started, thanks to a dear friend, Joy Hiler, going to the Maui Writers Conference. That particular one, unfortunately is now defunct. When it was decided to close it down, I determined to find another. I found two….
I’m concentrating, or at least trying to concentrate, on my writing. I know there is no try, anyway I do my best. I’m splitting my writing time between Rogue Coffee Roasters and the new Starbucks. Either way they give me a good and usually vibrant place to concentrate on my writing. This is good, if I…
This year for NaNoWriMo I’m going to work on book 4 of my series. At this time the working title is “The Answer Is In The Stars”. My characters haven’t shared with me yet what the story is about. I know the threat from the previous book has expanded. Tomorrow I’ll get to know the…
So far April has been very busy. I started my new day job. I started a new writing project. I participated with the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum. And finally I got word I have two tickets to Taste of the Rogue (a fundraiser for the local Boys & Girls Club). These are…
Thanks to Victoria Osborne, I have been looking at making an entry to “Writers Of The Future”. Because I haven’t seen much response to postings for “Ode to a Dying Breed”, I’ve decided to use it for my submission. The past couple of weeks I have been going through the story, letting my characters lead…