Spiral bound. College ruled. Black cover. Seventy pages. I don’t know where I got it, because I didn’t like spiral ruled notebooks. The jagged edges when you pulled paper from them made my nerves do the jitterbug and my teeth itch. But I had one. And I distinctly remember the day I drew my first Continue Reading
Writing
Why Do I Blog All the Time? My Top Reasons
While drunks demanded pancakes and bourbon chicken skillets, the woman slid my open planner toward her and skimmed the entries. Yes, she asked before she did, and I didn’t care. I mean, it’s just my editorial calendar—the books that are on sale, the upcoming releases, books I have to ship, social Continue Reading
Just What Is the Future of Christian Fiction?
With a disdainful look at the cover of an overly airbrushed young woman in plain dress and a white kappe, the woman shoves the book back on the bookstore shelf. “I used to like these, but they’re all the same, now.” “Try something with a little more action—like maybe Dee Henderson or Brandilyn Continue Reading
What Do YOU Think I Should Do about My Serial Novels?
"How soon can you get Past Forward ready for publication?" Nothing strikes fear in my heart like Ashley asking me when I can get something done. You see, it usually means I need to do it yesterday, and it usually means a lot of work. It also usually means a lot of success. And it was. It's Continue Reading
When Your Novel Is Awful, Shovel a Little Death into It
I made this video the other night. It says it all. I’ll wait while you have a laugh at my expense. … … … Yeah. So after I finished with that, I did just what I said. I went for the classic NaNoWriMo scene generation ploy… The Traveling Shovel of Death. This little bit of NaNo Continue Reading
The Best Formula for Destroying Beloved Poetry in 3 Easy Steps
It happens every year. I get an idea, and I run with it--a parody to celebrate the coming of NaNoWriMo--the national novel writing month. This is when crazies like me decide to write 50,000 words in 30 days--during the Thanksgiving holidays, no less. Now really, for me, that's not a lot of Continue Reading
This Is Why I Love My 3 Worst Writing Habits
“You know, that’s a terrible habit of yours.” Yeah. I knew. Let’s face it, after over sixty books, if I don’t know my bad writing habits by now... All things considered, I’ve got bigger problems than the habits themselves! What was it? Overcommitment. Note: this post may have affiliate links Continue Reading
The Top 4 Things That Recharge Me When I Crash
“She’s a writing machine.” If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times. There’s this perception among my writerly friends that I just churn out thousands of words, one after the other--and nothing else. Just eat, sleep, breathe, and write (and as to sleeping, I apparently don't do much Continue Reading
What Is the Best way to Choose a Genre?
“Oh! You’re a writer? Cool. What genre?” *insert blank look* And this is where I usually reply with something like, “Um, the answer to that question is kind of a novel in itself.” For a while, I just said, “Christian Fiction.” But who knew that opened up one confusing can of worms? I Continue Reading
Warning: This Book Isn’t Free from Sexual Tension
“…just so glad I can grab any book with your name on the cover and know it’s safe for my kids and grandkids to read…” The longer the woman talks, the drier my throat becomes. I try to speak—I fail. Half-gasping, half-wailing to the Lord for help, the words miraculously (okay, a bit of hyperbole Continue Reading
Who Are My Cheerleaders? These 7 Fabulous Folks
When you're weary and exhausted, no matter how much you love the game, you're just done. Enter, the cheerleaders. Rah, rah, sis, boom, bah! You can do it, yah, yah, yah! Pompoms wave, crowds cheer! The team flags, but with the cheers going, they pull through and... SCORE! Whew! Exhaustion fades Continue Reading
Why “All You Need” Is Brilliant & Annoying
It’s one of the most annoying answers in writing. The question? How many words should my book be? Answer: as many as it takes to tell the story. Commence head banging now. The problem is that this is the right answer. It’s brilliant. And it’s annoying. There are those who say, “Word Continue Reading
