So true! I used to slog it out on one project to the bitter end. But by the end of the seemingly endless revisions, my creative powers were, well, powerless! I was SO out of practice. Now, I remind myself that revising, is not writing. If I want my writing skills to be sharp and
Jump Off a Cliff This Weekend!
WRITING IS LIKE THE LAYERS OF AN ONION
“You don’t write because you want to say something. You write because you have something to say.” F. Scott Fitzgerald As I begin at the beginning once more, this time with an eye to revision, I’m particularly aware of what this book needs to say. The theme, if you will, of the novel. Writing is
NOW IS THE TIME
“Writing strikes fear into the hearts of everyone because writing is sticking your neck out, taking a chance and exposing your thoughts and feelings to the world.” Janet G. Balfour in A Basic Study of Writing So. True. But then, anything worthwhile involves sticking ones neck, doesn’t it? The revision process, on the other hand,
Create a Memory This Weekend!
WRITING: Exercise for the Heart
“Why should we all use our creative power? Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold, and compassionate.” Brenda Ueland Be true to yourself and your art. There is something freeing about being able to be yourself. Really yourself. On the flip side, if you have tried to create what you
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO…
You’ve struggled through the character development, the conflict and, well, telling a fantastic story. But if your ending fizzles it won’t matter. Readers will be left with a sense of dissatisfaction. So, although I’m thrilled that I have actually made it to the end of my novel, I’m not convinced that it’s the powerful ending
WHEN THE MAGIC COMES…
We, and I think I’m speaking for many writers, don’t know what it is that sometimes comes to make our books alive. All we can do is to write dutifully and day after day, every day, giving our work the very best of what we are capable. I don’t think that we can consciously put
STILL CLIMBING
An exploratory dig in my office unearthed this card that I received over a decade ago, before my first novel came out. I’m still dreaming. Still climbing! It’s funny. In the beginning, when I had exactly 0 novels written and publishing credits were limited to minor magazine articles, I dreamed of seeing a novel I
IT WAS GOING TO BE AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY!
“You can’t always do the extraordinary. In between you have to do the ordinary. Because if you didn’t, what would constitute the extraordinary?” Chrisotph Waltz Most days start with no hint of the extraordinary. Not today. Today I walked out my front door and saw nothing but blue sky—every direction. Not even a wisp of