I thought I’d post an earlier than normal Ramblings this week as I want to give you this link to a short story contest that deadline is fast approaching. If you write mysteries, go for it. I hope one of the writing prompts has turned into a short story that wins this award for…
Author: This Writer's Life
Self Editing Tips with Daryl Devore
Here’s author Daryl Devore with some self editing tips we can all use… You’ve written a book – a chapter – a scene – congratulations. Now let’s do a little clean up. First off – don’t be hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. And quite often they are silly little mistakes. So allow yourself to…
Wednesday Writing Prompts-Love is in the Air
You’ve probably guessed the focus of this week’s writing prompt. The title of your short story should be Love is in the Air. For your character that could be a good thing…or maybe not. Does your character finally get the courage to ask someone out on a date? Maybe your character gets asked out by someone…
Creating Characters with Peter Perrin
Please welcome new author Peter Perrin who tells us how he creates his characters… The first thing I should say about how I create my characters is that this is all very new to me and I’m not sure my method will work for everybody. It is all new because I only had my first…
Monday Motivation-Rejection Letters
Rejections arrive in many ways these days. When I started writing there was only one way you got a rejection letter and that was in the mail. I’d watch the mailman walk by the window to see if he had a manila envelope in his hand. I always used those types of envelopes with my submissions and…
Guest Blogger Caroline Clemmons-Writing A Series
Are you thinking about writing a series? If so, today’s guest blogger, Caroline Clemmons, has some tips for you. Don’t you love to read a series and revisit favorite characters while meeting new ones? Most of my books are part of a series. Not only do I enjoy reading them, I love writing a series. Where…
Wednesday Writing Blog-The Wrong Pants
This week’s prompt is all about the wrong pants…or the wrong piece of any clothing. Here’s the scenario- Your character picks up their dry cleaning but when they get home they discover they have the wrong item. Do they find something in the pocket of that item? Are they tempted not to return it…
Guest Blogger Viviana MacKade-A non-English native writer nightmare: grammar.
Did you hate grammar at school? Today’s guest blogger Viviana MacKade tells us it’s even worse when English isn’t your first language. My love for writing sways from absolute thrill for a new idea and all the pre-writing work to the hatred first draft. Still, I love it. All of it. Does…
Monday Motivation-Mentor
Ready to quit or don’t think you can be an author? Try this…think about your favorite author. They were once like you. Getting rejection after rejection, having self doubt, and not sure they were ever going to make it. They didn’t quit, they didn’t give up their dream. Think about your favorite author each…
Insider’s Guide to Editing-A Conversation with Kerry Genova
Let me introduce you to one of my favorite editors (and I don’t say that lightly because I’ve worked with so many I’ve lost count). Kerry was one of my editors at Evernight Publishing and I loved working with her because she made my books shine. Lucky for me she freelances too. When I need…