My exploration into the power and joy of saying yes began years ago. In fact the beginning of my relationship with my husband was built on it. He was amazing and it scared me. I was done with relationships for … Read More
Don’t we all have that negative guy in our head that tells us what we are writing is stupid, useless, or crap? I have my days with the demon. I don’t have a magic bullet for killing him off instantly. … Read More
From writer to cancer survivor to writer again. When I began writing my blog I named it “My Story Right Now” because I was desperate to have my cancer diagnosis be a part of my life and not my whole … Read More
These days the stage I’m on has changed. No longer are there multiple lights with colored gels (those were very flattering btw), costumes, sets, orchestra and the curtain waiting to be raised. I miss those days, sometimes more than I … Read More
The short version? I got cancer. The long version? I was working diligently with an editor at a large publishing house. It was terrific and we had a number of discussions about direction, development and story. It was a marvelous … Read More
Character Challenge Week is coming to an end today. It has been exciting to see so many of you actively engaged in developing your characters, and your responses to the 5-minute daily challenges across these past 5 days. If you … Read More
Picture a young woman in acting class. Her days are spent creating people from a page of writing by an author she has never met. Somehow she has to breathe life into this character and feel their feelings and justify … Read More
It’s the perfect time of year to freshen up your characters and spring your book forward! My favorite part of the writing process, and the part I am particularly talented at, is the creation of intriguing, unforgettable, deep characters. Characters … Read More
Over years of walking by my dad’s side, I learned a great deal about research and serendipity. Sometimes when you are searching for something, it just appears before you with almost no effort. Sometimes just when you think there is … Read More
Driving force: WANT? What is your character’s desire that drives him forward. In simple terms, what does he want? (I use he or she interchangeably, so excuse whichever one I use that doesn’t pertain to you and your story.) Back … Read More