#InspiredWriting

Feb 28, 2016
4 min

5 Courses of the Rough Draft – Are you hungry yet?

Rough Drafts can be a tricky thing. The process that one author takes will look completely opposite from that of another. Each of us have our own style, techniques, and rhythm we abide by – even if we aren’t aware we stick to a routine. For a while I felt the pressure to write my manuscripts the same way other authors would write theirs – and in the same time frame! One of my favorite authors regularly blogs that she can write a book in about a month. Another friend I spoke t

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Feb 19, 2016
4 min

What is your writing routine?

I’m often asked how I get so much writing done when I also homeschool my three daughters. And until about a year ago, I would’ve said it was quite difficult, actually. For most of my life writing was a hobby, something I only did every few months when an idea hit me and I could convince my family that ignoring them was in their best interest. (For my own sanity, that is!) It wasn’t until I released my self-published novellas that I decided to refer to myself as a writer, and

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Oct 5, 2015
3 min

Why do you write?

My middle daughter is currently studying Ancient Egypt in her homeschool history class. One of her least favorite things to do is read. (It’s hard to believe we’re related, I know.) Since reading happens to be one of my most favorite things – ever! – I volunteered to read out loud a historical fiction book that’s required for her class. Win-win, right? Actually, it’s been more of a win than I ever anticipated! The book is called ‘God King’ by Johanne Williamson. It’s a histor

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Aug 31, 2015
3 min

Book Review: ‘brown girl dreaming’ by Jacqueline Woodson

I picked this book up because the title intrigued me enough to take a closer look… and then the beautiful cover finished the job of convincing me it just had to be read. ‘brown girl dreaming’ is written by Jacqueline Woodson, author of many award winning middle grade books, including this one, which received the Newberry Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. ** ‘Nothing in the world is like this – a bright white page with pale blue lines. The smell of a newly sharpened pencil t

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Aug 6, 2015
3 min

Just Write.

This past weekend I had the privilege of attending the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Greater Philly Conference. It was my first ever writer’s conference that lasted more than a single day. I skipped the ‘Early Bird Wednesday’ but had three very full days of classes, appointments and worship. It was exhausting. It was costly. And it was absolutely worth it! The big difference between this writer’s conference compared to others, would be that it is faith based. We d

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May 9, 2015
3 min

Confessions of a closet Pantser

I have a confession to make. I am a Pantser. I didn’t know I was a Pantser. I’ve never been a Pantser. But lo and behold, I found out this week that I’ve had a forty-year-old Pantser living inside me, waiting to come out! Ask anyone who knows me, and they will be able to tell you without hesitation, that I most certainly must be a Plotter novelist. I’m slightly OCD (ok, maybe a lot OCD) about a whole lot of things, and organization makes me feel good. It makes me feel safe. T

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Apr 30, 2015
2 min

Passion, writing, and a little bit of Shrek

This morning my four-year-old daughter and I were in the car alone, and I decided to put on the soundtrack to Shrek Jr. the Musical. My two older daughters are currently in the production, so we’ve been singing the songs a lot, lately. During one particularly upbeat song, the music swelled and Fiona belted a high note. Naturally, Scarlett and I sang right along with just as much passion, holding our jazz hands in proper theatrical performance style. Then the song ended and sh

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Mar 29, 2015
3 min

Practice Writing

So I’ve been focusing on my writing lately (hence, the lack of blog posts!) And I’ve been reading about writing (that always sounds funny to me, but it’s true.) And over the past 8 days I’ve had the opportunity to attend 3 different writing events. I say ‘opportunity’ because earlier this week I got sick and didn’t get to make one. (Boo!) And here’s what I learned (again.) – connecting with other writers energizes me. Each time I think, “I could be spending that time writing!

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Mar 2, 2015
3 min

Diving into the unknown

The time has come. I am finally ready to stop talking about getting (traditionally) published and ready to go for it. It’s not something I saw in my life twenty years ago, or even fifteen, for that matter. I’ve always liked to write, but never considered that it might turn into something more. Even when I was first married, I would disappear into a hole for a month or two until I finished a manuscript, my husband would ask what I was going to do with it, and my reply was alwa

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Feb 26, 2015
3 min

The humility of reading books and exercises of gray matter

One of my goals for the New Year has been to read more books on the art of writing. I’ve read a few books here and there, but have always been afraid of becoming one of ‘those writers’ who only ever read about writing, without ever actually doing any writing. Eep. I’ve heard about ‘those writers’. They read and read and read, yet never actually put pen to proverbial paper, chasing after a writing perfection that very well may never be achieved. I decided over a year ago that

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Feb 17, 2015
3 min

Do you have thick skin?

Here’s a little secret about me: When I was young, I wanted to be an actress! No lie. I got bitten with ‘the bug’ around age 11 and even went to a theater arts performing high school to prepare. And then I became a senior and was about to graduate and had to decide if that’s really what I wanted to do. Person after person told me that I’d better develop ‘thick skin’ if I was going to make it in the world of entertainment, since I’d face tons of rejection with the possibility

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Jan 26, 2015
1 min

Parties and snowflakes and books that are finished! These are a few of my favorite things!

So, I just looked and saw the date of my last post on my blog. *blush, blush* Has it really been that long? Is it any consolation that I’ve been using my time writing and editing? Oh yeah, and throwing birthday parties, playing in the snow and getting back into the groove of school. (Isn’t Christmas break the best?) Having said that, I’m here to say I have not forgotten my New Years declaration of having a giveaway each month! I’ve just been building the anticipation! Check b

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Jan 9, 2015
1 min

New ideas and why they cause so much frustration

I’ve got an idea! Another idea for a story. Yes this, in addition to the Christian Pararomance novel I’m attempting to bring to the final stages of editing, as we speak. And in addition to the spin off idea I had for that same novel. And in addition to the 3 book dystopian series that has been halfway written for four years and I continue to work toward completion. And did I mention how I want to go back and combine my 6 part novella series into one work? Yeah. Another idea.

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Jan 5, 2015
1 min

The benefits of stepping back…

So, it never ceases to amaze me how a little time away from my writing, can make a world of difference. Each time I step away from a manuscript, I always – always – come back with better ideas, and insight I just didn’t have before. Time and again, I grow frustrated with a work, accepting defeat, admitting that I just can’t be objective any longer. Then I step away for a month. Once I return to it, I am always amazed at the fresh perspective I suddenly have, at my renewed abi

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Dec 31, 2014
4 min

What are your writing New Year’s Resolutions?

New Year’s Resolutions. We all make them. We all break them. But, with a little forethought and proper planning, it is possible to aspire to a resolution that you can embrace. Let’s be honest, the main reason people give up on their New Years Resolutions is because they’ve made their goals too grand – unattainable even for those with the most sincere heart. But it is possible to create goals for successful writing in 2015 – ones that you will not be tempted to break. First, y

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Aug 23, 2014
3 min

The Inspired Writer

Recently I read a post by another blogger who posed the question to other writers, Are you currently in a writing mode? It was an interesting question, one I hadn’t considered recently, as I’ve been caught up with things of life. My writing has always gone in waves, some months much more productive than others. I’ve written entire 80,000 word novels in 3 weeks but have also taken 6 months to complete a much smaller manuscript. A few months ago, I was in a particular ‘writer’s

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