If you noticed I was slow to respond this past week, it’s because my daughter visited. During the course of our traveling-shopping-touring, we came across two easy tech solutions to everyday problems. I had no idea these existed and wanted to share them with you. You’re going to love them: BTW, I cross posted this …
Today, I’m visiting Susanne Lakin over at her amazing blog, Live Write Thrive. Her posts are chock full of advice on being the best at what you love doing (writing). Articles include: How Fiction Writers Can Use Sensory Detail to Set Mood The Secret to Writing Commercially Successful Novels Writing Scenes with a Purpose She …
Years ago, I submitted my first novel to a list of agents who specialized in my genre, sure they’d love my quirky clever book. I’d edited, re-edited, and run it by people I trusted–it was dressed for success. At that time, I didn’t realize that finding an agent was like putting a hood on a …
When I teach professional development classes, by far the topic that surprises attendees the most is the legal use of online images. And they’re not alone. On my blog, in educator forums, and in the virtual meetings I moderate, there is much confusion about what can be grabbed for free from online sites and what …
For the next few months, weekly writing tips will include word choice suggestions. That includes: colorful and original descriptions pithy words and phrases picture nouns and action verbs writing that draws a reader in and addicts them to your voice I keep a collection of descriptions that have pulled me into the books. I’m fascinated how …
This is inspired by Jennifer Cohen over at Forbes who wrote a wonderful article on “5 Things Super Successful People Do Before 8am” (few of which I did, though I can claim #5). She includes chores like exercise, eat a healthy breakfast, map out the day–all great ideas, but not pithy enough for the average …
During my launch of Laws of Nature, I shared this post on an efriend’s blog. I’m sharing for those who might have missed it: Good research feels like a satisfying detective story. You have a mystery, how something did or didn’t happen, and follow the clues until the dots are connected. But as the author, … Continue reading
Google Drawings is a free Google Drive-based drawing tool that allows writers to create drawings, devise marketing pieces, brainstorm stories with concept maps, and more. Here’s how you use it: Open your Google Drive account; go to New and select Google Drawings (it may be located under ‘More’). Insert shapes, lines, an image, or text … Continue reading
They Call Me Mom by Pete Springer 5/5 x Pete Springer’s memoir They Call Me Mom (Outskirts Press 2019) about his first years teaching will delight new teachers and have experienced educators nodding along with him. As a teacher, Pete’s early experiences remind me of the joy inherent in teaching: “This job required about as … Continue reading
America, we love you. list=RDQMwqXuWDA6qYQ] If you aren’t familiar with this terrorist attack, here’s a 2-minute overview: Continue reading
Annika Perry’s Oskar’s Quest (2019) is a beautifully written children’s book that will appeal equally to adults. It’s an imaginative anthropomorphization of nature’s inhabitants as we join the tiny white bird named Oskar in his journey of discovery. Blurb Oskar is afraid of adventures. Yet one day he finds himself on a mysterious island which … Continue reading
I’m trying to expand from Westerns but I’m constantly pulled back by the characters. Read Gene Autry’s Cowboy Code and tell me you wouldn’t want to ‘ride the trail’ with this fella for at least the length of a book: The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage. He … Continue reading
I’m taking Labor Day off so thought I’d do a labor-free article–repost last year’s! Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is an American holiday (though it occurs throughout the world, with different names and dates) dedicated to the achievements of workers. I take it literally. A keyboard, three screens, four tasks, and a six-pack … Continue reading
I found some amazing thrillers/mysteries these past few months. All of these are from authors I’m familiar with and they didn’t disappoint: Fast Ice–Kurt Austin is a hard-driving justice-seeking guy who doesn’t like bad guys who want to destroy the planet Angle of Attack–Zeta agents track a terrorist with weapons-grade plutonium through the Formula 1 … Continue reading
This post is for Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group (click the link for details on what that means and how to join. You will also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge that are worth checking out. The first Wednesday of every month, we all post our thoughts, fears or words … Continue reading
I sell my fiction only on Amazon but my non-fic, I sell not only through Amazon but on my own website, through Facebook (though I have never sold even one), through an education marketplace (Teachers Pay Teachers), and Google Play (almost nothing sells there). I did a poll a few weeks ago to find out … Continue reading
