November—National Write a Novel in a Month (NANOWRIMO) is almost here. Time to churn out words with a goal of 50,000 by November 30. I’ve done it several times but never reached the target. I came close in 2014. Around 40,000 words. I learned a tool that helped me immensely. …
Recent Blog Posts
Writing
Promise to Keep
Today, my good writing friend, Elizabeth Byler Younts, joins us to talk about the story behind her newest release, Promise to Keep. Since my first novel Promise to Return released in October 2013, I have heard more often than anything else “I never given the Amish and World War 2 …
The Leader
Leadership is tough work. It may look easy to the outsider but to the person in charge, challenges compete with, and sometimes threaten, success. Leading a writers critique group is one of the hardest yet most rewarding places to be. Hardest because at times it feels like you’re herding wet …
The Query
This week, my good writing buddy, Diane Bohannan, joins us to share her insights into writing an awesome query letter. Diane lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. She focuses on YA fantasy and science fiction. She is the most enthusiastic encourager I have ever met. Enjoy! …
The Critique Group Part 2
Okay. You’ve made the plunge and decided to join a critique group. What should you expect? One is respect for each of us as a person and as a group. Be on time at the beginning and at the end. Respect each other as people and as colleagues striving to be …
The Dreaded Critique Group – Part 1
You’re about to submit your writing to a critique group for the first time. You haven’t felt this nervous since your first job interview. Or the time you proposed to your spouse. Or the time Old Aunt Mary visited and the dog was using the sweater she knitted you as …
I’m A Guest at ACFW
Today, I’m a guest on the ACFW blog. I’m writing about being equipped. Here is the link: ACFW
Creating Time
Okay. So you’ve made the decision you are a writer, or a golfer, a concert violinist, a lawyer. Whatever your heart’s desire is. And you’re ready to take the next step: making time to become the best you can be. And you stop, stumped, scratching your head. “How do I do …
Why Do I Keep Writing?
I began this blog a little over five years ago. My first post titled Why Do I Write. Click Here Now, so many years later—although they seem to have flown by—I ask myself why do I keep writing? In the face of rejections and in the crazy world of publishing …
Failing My Way to Success
Another rejection. The email glares at me. The words of the magazine editor are a thousand pinpricks. “Doesn’t meet the theme of our issue.” This came right after an agent responded to a query with “not interested.” Which came after several no responses at all from other agents and a publisher …