As the title says, short and sweet, and that’s what this Ramblings is going to be. It’s been a week off from teaching for me and to be honest, I haven’t done a lot. Monday kicks off a new teaching month with Crafting The Short Story/Novella. Here’s the link to sign up if you’re…
Tag: books
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Goodbye June, Hello July
June is drawing to a close. I can tell that July is just around the corner because it’s hot and humid today. Up till now it’s been perfect sit outside and read weather. So much so, I’m well over half way through my summer reading list. June’s class is also history so it’s time…
A Little Known Tool for Every Writer
Say hello to this week’s guest blogger Nina Beaumont… I’d like to talk about one of my favorite stylistic devices in my writer toolbox—body language. Using posture, gestures, movements, and facial expressions, you can show your characters’ innermost feelings, set the atmosphere of the scene, and engage with your reader’s senses. In real life,…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-It’s Summer…
Or winter depending on what part of the world you live. Either way, it marks a new beginning. Days start getting shorter again or longer. New beginnings are perfect to look at goals. Ones you’ve set or ones you want to set. Recently, I’ve discovered that it’s goals and motivation that are the biggest hurdles, or…
Hi Susan-Dead End Dialogue
The Hi Susan letters are filling my e-mail so let’s dive into another one. This was sent by Ashley who wrote- I had a bunch of beta readers look at my manuscript and each person had the same comment, my dialogue stinks. Is there anyway I can improve that skill? Absolutely, anything that’s your Achilles’…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Summertime Reading Begins
I didn’t think I’d say it this year, but it’s a scorching hot day…humid too which isn’t my favorite thing. The official start of summer is still a few weeks ago but today I’m about to kick off my summertime reading. The first book I’ll be reading from my list is Mystic Falls by Vickie…
The Most Dangerous Writing App
Madeline McEwen is back as this week’s guest blogger and she has news (and a great cartoon drawing), about a new writing app… I subscribe to The Fussy Librarian’s blog which is where I heard about a terrifying new development for writers called the most dangerous writing app This fiendish app provides a writing window [a…
Monday Motivation-Keep Your Eye on the Prize
Sometimes writing is like training for a marathon, all work, all sweat, sometimes all pain (yes, those rejections). I found what helped me through all that was keeping my eye on the prize. That prize being, getting published, seeing your story in print, and sharing your words with the world. Each time you sit down to…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-A Day Off From Work Rounds Out May
The week begin with a day off from work and ends that way too. The sun is shining and I’m writing this Ramblings earlier than normal so, yes you’ve probably guess it, I can head outside. The May boot camp ended yesterday. Looks like one class…getting ready for contests and conferences will be canceled…
Friday Ramblings From An Author-Coyote, Deer, and A Duck
My backyard is a constant source of animal sightings. This morning while enjoying my morning cup of tea, I spotted a coyote, lunch time it was two deer, and mid-afternoon a duck. Maybe I should start including them in my stories. How about you? Seen anything that’s later become a story or part of a story?…