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5 Tips for Writing More, Writing Better. Cultivating a laser-beam focus
Last week, we lost our Internet connection for more than two full days. The initial shock rendered me temporarily immobile. What could I possibly do? I couldn't work without connection to the...
Chapter Three, I know you’re in there!
I'm really struggling to flesh out Chapter Three for several reasons; to begin, I'm introducing Liam Hayden, brother of my protagonist, Treva. The structure of my narrative rotates between the...
Dog lover and author Sheryl Matthys scores BIG with her self-published book
My prevailing goal in 2010 is to be more focused. I've discovered that in my attempt to have many eggs in several baskets, what I have actually created are several extraneous time-wasters. Worse...
Is a novel’s outline ever really finished? Time to overhaul…
I have finally finished my rewrite of Chapter Two, after some constructive criticism from my husband. The rewrite helped me envision a more dramatic and challenging path for my character Aaron...
Improve your writing by slashing adverbs–Here’s how
Today's educational and enlightening guest post is from the creative mind at My Literary Quest, authored by Utah resident “tsujigiri.” I feel an immediate kinship with this writer; like me, she has...
Anne Lamott’s tips for growing your creative spirit–and sense of purpose.
I offer you a guest-post of sorts today in the form of excerpts from Time Lost and Found by author Anne Lamott which I just found in the always pleasing Sunset magazine. As a mother who is a...
Chapter two… Done? Not so fast
It was with a great sense of accomplishment that I completed chapter two. I absolutely loved getting in the mind of Mike Hayden, and introducing his thoughts, some of his history, and his pain from...
Your Aha! Moment – Neural Evidence for Sudden Insight
A recent study published by the Cell Press in the May 13 issue of the journal Neuron supports the idea of "a-ha" moments in the brain that are associated with sudden insight. In the words of Albert...
Life Would Be Wonderful…If It Weren’t For The Imaginary Hardships
The following is a version of my column which appears in San Clemente Presbyterian’s NEWSBREAK magazine. Editors are welcome to use it as a FREE REPRINT. Sometimes I don’t need a mirror to see my...
Fiction Writing Chapter Two: Character Name Crisis!
As I mentioned in Fiction Novel Writing: Chapter Two Begins! my second chapter’s narration springs from the mind of Mike Hayden, Treva’s father and the owner of Hayden Autos, a Southern California...
Writing And Blogging: “The Good Way”
Today’s guest-post will inspire bloggers and writers seeking to sharpen skills, improve clarity and have more fun! It was written by Of Parchments and Inks, a blog authored by “Brown Eyed Mystic.”...
Writing And Blogging Can Improve Your Health!
Last night, my husband and I were discussing the future of blogging. With so many social media outlets–most of which requiring only a sentence or less, did blogging have a future? It’s easy to jump...
Fiction Novel–Vote For Your Favorite Title!
I am considering a handful of titles for my in-progress fiction novel. Your input is valued! Please vote or suggest your own title! The story is about an Orange County (Southern California) based...
Fiction Novel Writing, Chapter Two Begins!
I am officially 676 words into Chapter Two. (See Fiction Novel Update… Eurphoric Uncertainty) I mention the word count because it seems like an impossibility. I have been working on, ruminating and...
Fiction Novel Writing… Begins With The First Sentence, First Word.
After five years, I have finally decided to devote my time and attention to the fiction novel idea that has been rattling about in the back of mind. It isn’t the first idea I’ve carried about; I’ve...
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