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Posts tagged as “#amwriting”

Tools of the Trade Made Simple…Maybe

Just about everyone who indulges in the creative process has means of keeping track of various notes, thoughts, and jottings. Something that I hear often, though, is this: “I come up with some of my best stuff in the middle of the night, but then by morning I can’t ever remember any of it.” I’m guilty of this, too, to an extent that is embarrassing to share. For me, it was all a matter of…

Writer’s Block Exercise #2

Exercise #2: Describe the most disappointing gift you’ve ever received. What did the gift reveal about the giver? This was in 2002, or maybe 2003, and I don’t recall if it was in celebration of my birthday or for Christmas when the gift was presented to me.  I didn’t know what to say at the time it was revealed, instead choosing a smile and a simple, “Thank you” that I hoped sounded sincere and would…

Writer’s Block Exercise #1

According to the description on the cover of “The Writer’s Block,” the purpose of the 786 ideas contained inside is to jump-start your imagination.  I’ve decided to pick a page at random – once per week – and post the results of that creative exercise here. Now for the disclaimer: I’m not going to pretend that whatever I post is award-winning material. These exercises are meant to stimulate my mind, and I’m using them to…

Unfettered Indulgence

Three days ago, I passed a certification exam that is vital to my day job. Since then, I have been reintroducing myself to life as a writer by reading my debut novel from the beginning. Six weeks is a very long time to be separated from anything you love and enjoy, and I don’t think it would be fair to just jump right back in, picking up from where I left off with regard to…

Just when you thought it was safe…

YES! I am finally BACK! You know you missed me. As I mentioned in my last post, it was necessary (though not at all enjoyable) for me to take a hiatus. Real life sometimes means that we have to be an adult and handle actual business. My business had to do with passing an extremely important certification exam that is vital to keeping my day job. I’m obviously not yet at the point in my…

The Bottomless Bag

It has been an amazing last few weeks, so much so that it barely seems as though twenty-one days have passed since I made the announcement of the title of my first novel.  I hoped to try very hard to not let there be so much time in-between posts, but I obviously need to try harder. It’s all for a good reason, though. Several good reasons, in fact! Not all will be shared here at…

Will You Bring Your Attention to Me?

Okay, so maybe I’m listening to a little Saliva on this early-ish morning and I snatched the title of this post from one of their songs. Anyway, to the single, most amazing reason for this interlude: I am BEYOND psyched to finally be able to share the name of my debut novel with you. The book didn’t have a title, really, until just before the editing phase began. I was juggling some ideas around and…

Nothing to see here…

While I scrambled to adhere to deadlines, my Editor-in-Chief pored over the pages I’d written in longhand while taking various red slashes to the sheaf of typed offerings.  I don’t know how I can continue working under these conditions. He is a truly merciless and cruel taskmaster…I mean, LOOK at him!  

The Odd Inspiration

I know, I know! I haven’t been here much the last couple of weeks or so. But, it’s all for good reasons! I have been up to my lovely hairline in edits for the novel.  Let me tell you: Writing the book was so much more fun! Editing is, for lack of a better word, a pain. It’s like (for those of you with children) having to decide which child is your favorite. I’ve written…

Ho Ho Huzzah!!

During this lovely, long holiday weekend, I have been up to my hairline in editing.  It’s been an amazing process thus far, and I’m very happy with the progress I’ve made. Of note is the work that needed to be done on a pivotal chapter in the novel. I loved writing this chapter. It might be my favorite one in the book, but it was split into two sections written on different days.  I needed…