July 18, 2019 at 1:04 pm (Characterization)
On vacation! Still working on writing though. I have character question sheets I found online ages ago that I make a copy of and fill out for each main character. There are tons of different versions online and you can find one that feels comfortable for you. They are a big help in fleshing out traits.
July 12, 2019 at 5:00 am (Poetry)
An old, forgotten poem from a few years ago, brought to light.
July 10, 2019 at 4:51 pm (Writing Mechanics, Characterization, Marketing)
Summer reading started today at my library and I am wiped out so instead of talking about my own writing this week, I’d like to turn you on to a fantastic deal. Time Tourist Outfitters Ltd. by Christy Jackson Nicholas is on pre-order for just 99 cents. I’ve already read the book and it is a hoot! From the irrascible Wilda and her unique store that outfits people for time travel to her own travels back in time to the court of Mansa Musa and beyond, this is well worth your time. You’re welcome.
(I am working on my next paranormal romance but apparently it’s kind of tricky describing a character who your main character can’t see or hear in the first act. Who knew? I’ve gone back to character sheets to help me move forward.)
July 4, 2019 at 5:00 am (Poetry)
An older poem, I post every 4th of July. Enjoy.
July 2, 2019 at 6:00 am (Characterization, NaNoWriMo, Writing Inspiration)
It’s Camp NaNoWriMo! For those who don’t know, that means July is all about writing something NEW and shiny!
I’ve decided to work on my second novel in the paranormal romance series. This one is titled Firebound. I sat down to work on plotting yesterday and realized . . . I have absolutely no idea where this novel is going. That’s both exciting AND scary.
Right now, what I have is a young woman named Jennifer who is a lapsed Catholic. She died briefly in a car wreck but was resuscitated. While dead, she spoke to an angel. (I figure that’s gotta turn your world upside down.)
She also doesn’t know yet that her best friend is an angel who was born as a human for a lifetime, AND that her friend has been using her talent for healing to speed up and ensure Jen’s burns heal well.
It’s also paranormal romance so there’s the whole love interest thing.
Oh, we got complications, don’t worry. She has burns and is considering becoming a nun now.
See, she is realized she really wasn’t doing much with her life, just minimally working an office job so she could drink too much and chase cute boys. Now she’s waking up to life and wondering what she can do to make a difference in the world?
Her eyes have been opened, literally and figuratively, by the accident and her angel encounter. She can now see the demons lurking in our midst
This should be a fun novel! Battling demons takes time, whether they’re internal or external.
June 25, 2019 at 5:00 am (Short Stories, Writing Inspiration)
Have I mentioned that I never thought I’d be writing horror? And yet, here I am.
One good thing happened – a fellow writer just asked if I’d be interested in contributing to an anthology he’s putting together. My mind took off and ran with a story about a Navajo code talker and a Skinwalker during WWII.
And then the coincidences begin to drop. I was texting with a friend and my device changed McFlurry to McClure. Hmm, Mr. McClure isn’t what he seems, my brain said. Definitely a character for the story. The next day I was sitting at the Reference Desk at work and someone called with the last name of McClure. Strange, indeed.
In other good news, I’ve submitted my humorous horror story, Sinkholes, which features creepy doll heads, to The Literary Hatchet this weekend – keeping my fingers crossed.
I’m also working on cutting 1,500 words from my horror ghost story, Long Distance Call, to submit by the end of the month to Coffin Bell Journal.
And I’ve got another horror story in my head that plays with two men in a family line living 100 years apart in the same house, going through the same motions, making similar bad choices.
It seems horror is definitely running in my veins.
June 18, 2019 at 5:00 am (Marketing, Short Stories, Time Management, Writing Groups)
I currently have five short stories and a novel submitted to potential publishers, and two more short stories I need to pick potential homes for.
It’s a little like holding a lottery ticket. You want to find out whether you won or not but the anticipation is wonderful fun as well. Schroedinger’s cat is still alive! Yes, there’s fun in both creating and sharing. That sharing can take a multitude of forms. There’s at least one story that I’ve shared with my writer’s group which I may never send out, but it was cathartic just writing it and sharing it with them.
Yesterday, I sent a copy of my poetry book to Brené Brown on a whim. I recently read her book, Braving the Wilderness, and so many things she said resonated with poems in my book that I wanted to share it with her. She may never read it, may never even see it if someone opens her mail for her, but I sent it.
Making connections, sharing who we are, is a big part of why we’re here. Sometimes I see memes that say things like “I should just keep quiet, nobody cares.” Bullshit. I care, I’m interested in people’s stories and what they think, and I’ve found over time that whatever it is I think or feel, there are plenty of people out there who feel the same way.
So, keep on sharing your story. Somebody may be waiting to hear it.
