I once wrote an article about people who started a new venture later in life based on this quote by George Eliot- It is never too late to be what you might have been. If you’ve been thinking about being an author, even started to write but gave up, this quote says it all. Even if…
Author: This Writer's Life
Friday Ramblings From An Author-April’s Winding Down
This is the first month of 2018 that I’ve felt days have just flown by. I had one workshop end today and another one ends next week, but it seems like only yesterday I was welcoming everyone to the new classes. At least all the snow as melted and warmer days are on the horizon…hopefully! Before I…
Plotter vs. Panster or How I Became a Plotser by Judy Penz Sheluk
Not sure if you’re a plotter or a punster, author Judy Penz Sheluk might have the solution… As a pantser (someone who writes without an outline, outside of a rough idea of where the story might be going), I’ve always envied plotters (someone who actually knows where the story is going before they begin to…
Wednesday Writing Prompts-Back In Time
This week’s prompt is all about time travel. Your character wakes up one day and sees this calendar hanging on the wall. What do they think? Has someone played a joke on them? Is this really the actual year and have they been somehow living in the future? What’s the first thing they do and…
Creating a Character Profile with Bonnie Phelps
If you’re struggling with a character, author Bonnie Phelps shares her techniques with us… Writers all have their own process for getting from the blank page to “The End.” For me the page stays blank until I figure out who my main characters are and what motivates them to do what they do. Over…
Monday Motivation-What Do You Like To Do?
Figuring out how to squeeze in writing time can be tough. Sometimes the great outdoors calls, sometimes just curling up reading a book or watching a movie has more appeal than writing. One way I’ve fought doing something I’m itching to do rather than get on with my writing is to first of all…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Projects are Moving Along
The week started off with a record snowfall and yes, most of it is still on the ground. Not sure when I’ll be sitting outside writing a Ramblings but I hope it’s soon. I did get work done on my two non-fiction projects. (see what a deadline can do). I also got half way…
The Revolving Door of Book Marketing with Ann Everett
If you’re constantly wondering the best way to market your book, author Ann Everett has some tips… The book marketing landscape continues to change so fast what works today will most likely be ineffective within the next six months. When I first published, book tours were considered a top marketing tool. By the time…
Wednesday Writing Prompts-Tattoo
For this week’s prompt your character gets a tattoo. Is it their first tattoo? Do they already have lots of tattoos? Does someone dare them to get one? What sort of tattoo do they get and why? Do they have regrets or second thoughts about their decision? Have fun and happy writing.
Give Yourself A Deadline
One of my main concerns when I decided to freelance was would I be motivated enough to put in a full day’s work. It’s a whole new world when you no longer have someone looking over your shoulder or telling you what to do next. Lucky for me, I had one great motivator and that…