The class I’m teaching on creating great characters is coming to a close but it reminded me of one thing that all writers should do to create realistic characters and that’s people watch. I’ll be the first to admit that by nature I like to observe people. Maybe it’s my background in psychology (could…
Author: This Writer's Life
Monday Motivation-You Can Be a Winner
A winner is a dreamer who never gives up-Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela probably wasn’t specially thinking about writers when he offered this advice. However, I’ve always believed that the only difference between a published writer and unpublished one is the published author never quit writing or dreaming. This week (and every week), think like a…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Other Creative Pursuits-Artey Crafety
Sometimes you have to take a break from writing. Sometimes I cook, other times, I garden or go for a hike. When I’m away from my writing, I long for something equally creative so a few years ago I got the idea to make upcycled jewelry. Not sure where the name came from but…
White Room Syndrome
If you’ve ever taken one of my classes you’ll know that I’m not shy about telling you about my writing Achilles’ heel. I’m about to share it with the TWL community because I think letting others know about our weaknesses helps us all become better writers. My least favorite thing about writing (apart…
Wednesday Writing Prompts-Phone Call
This week’s prompt focuses on a phone call. Your character is waiting for an important call. Is it good or bad news? How are they dealing with the wait? How do they handle the news? Have fun and happy writing.
Hi Susan-How Long Should You Wait For A Response?
Time for another Hi Susan post. Sara asked the following- I submitted my synopsis and first three chapters to an editor two months ago and I haven’t heard anything about my submission. When should I contact them to ask what’s happening? I know how frustrating it is when you’ve sent your work to an…
Monday Motivation-Only If You Clean Your Plate
Remember when you were a child and your parents told you (maybe bribed you), eat all your food and you’ll get some dessert? Childhood might be a distant memory for most of us but you can use this same principle to motivate yourself into writing. I’ve done it a lot during NaNoWriMo. I tell…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Planning the Planners
Can you believe that we’re half way through August? My mystery novel is slowly progressing. I’m still aiming for Dec 31st as the deadline for completion of the first draft. Anyone else working on a deadline? This week I recorded and uploaded another class to Skillshare, this one focuses on conflict and emotion. Here’s the…
New Teaching Schedule for 2019
I don’t usually put my workshop schedules on here as a post but instead have them on a separate section of the site(they’ll still be there), but as next year I’ll be teaching exclusively for one chapter of Romance Writers of America (RWA), I thought I’d make a post about classes I’ll be teaching and what’s…
Wednesday Writing Prompts-
This week’s prompt is a photo one and here it is- Where is the little girl? Is she lost? Has she been to a carnival and won this toy? Is she running away? Lots of directions you can take this one. Have fun and happy writing.