I started writing seven years ago. At the time I didn’t have a clue what I was doing so I joined several writing groups and took lots and lots of workshops and classes, both in person and online. Every one of these groups and classes added to my skill base and provided support and contacts. […]

I’m working through an issue, and lucky you, I’m sharing. There is an group I belong to that meets regularly (once a week, if I go every time.) It is a large group of folks, mostly strangers, who dance and meditate together. I have made friends with some dancers, but for the most part this […]

So here is another tale about my sister. Maybe it’s because I turned sixty but I keep thinking about how we were raised. My mother showered us with praise. She always told us we were the smartest, prettiest, most likely to succeed in every way. I’m not saying we didn’t get in trouble for misbehaving…and […]

My new favorite word is “Theoretically.” (Just a note, I couldn’t spell it…had to look it up.) I use this word to escape obligation and responsibility. For example: Friend “Have you been writing a lot? Are you almost finished with another book?” My reply “Theoretically.” Translation: I have all my things out or maybe even […]

You are there. With a flourish you type in that final period (or more likely correct that final spelling error). You have researched, revised, re-written and you are ready for someone to read your latest novel. This is called a “Beta Read.” Official definition according to Wikipedia (okay, not the go-to source, but this is […]

During my recent writing road trip I spent two weeks in Bandelier National Park, where much of my latest work in progress takes place. While there I was able to watch a huge project: the maintenance of the Frey Trail which leads from the campground to the canyon. I had planned to hike this trail, […]

This is an educational blog. I found out the other day that people don’t know about Overdrive. They don’t know about California libraries. So I’m going to tell you all so that you can take advantage of this most golden opportunity. Not only that you can save money and quit giving it to big corporations […]

It has been a long time since I thought about an actual “writing lesson” blog post, but I just returned from a wonderful month long writing adventure and came to a realization I want to share. I have long known that the sentence length and even word length can increase or decrease the intensity and […]