Overheard at my Writing Podcast

#5onFri: Five Things Overheard at My Writing Table Podcast

Recently, I launched Kris Clink’s Writing Table, a podcast to help new writers learn from authors and publishing experts as we explore books, the writing craft, and the varied paths to publishing. It’s been a joy to hear firsthand from authors who are responsible for my favorite books.  Kathleen Barber, Kimberly Belle, Lyn Liao Butler,… Read more »

Write with Kids at Home

How to Write with Kids at Home

We signed our book deal at the end of July 2020 with a January 2021 publication date. We were in the midst of a global pandemic. Our kids were home 24/7 with nowhere to go. Karissa had a brand new three week old baby. And we were on a one month deadline for our first… Read more »

Celebrating Perseverance

Celebrating Perseverance

My dear Speculators, the Perseverance Rover, AKA “Percy,” landed on February 18th. I wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate perseverance and all the awesome that this innovation in automated extraterrestrial exploration has to offer writers of speculative fiction. NASA intends for Percy to determine some key information about Mars, including whether there is evidence… Read more »

Writing Multiple Timelines Set in One Place

Books with multiple timelines are some of my favorites to read—and to write. At times the storylines can seem disparate and disconnected, and then bam, you get that particular satisfaction as you figure out how they converge. Multiple timelines add layers to story that, when done right, can deepen plot and characters. When I began… Read more »

Introvert

On Writing Humor as a Funny Introvert

I am an introvert. For reference, the definition of introversion (which I find highly suspect and somewhat insulting) is this: in·tro·ver·sion /ˌintrəˈvərZH(ə)n/ noun the quality of being shy and reticent. the tendency to be concerned with one’s own thoughts and feelings rather than with external things. “the tongue-tied introversion of the self-conscious artist” Even if… Read more »

The Bigger Story

Who wouldn’t want to write a bigger story? To grip readers across the spectrum and draw them into a wider universe, to ring all the bells. There are many paths to the writer’s holy grail. Bigger stories can be created or found. Ideally, both. Writing guru Donald Maass uses the metaphor of a canvas. Like… Read more »

#5onFri: Five Ways Writing a Novel Is Like Running a Marathon

Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. They’re both ambitious undertakings that require consistent, focused effort over a longer period of time. They both require a special kind of dedication and optimism. And neither once comes without its setbacks. But that’s why we take on these challenges: to prove ourselves. To accomplish something…. Read more »

4th Person Perspective: The We Without an I

The notion that we had an undiscovered perspective filled us with indescribable joy. For so long we’d lived with only three.  Admittedly, our beloved 2nd Person had been chased away by middle school teachers and college composition courses, but we consoled ourselves with 1st and 3rd, made the most of them, and enjoyed our perspective… Read more »

Sync Your Creative Process With Birdsong

I listen to birdsong first thing in the morning while the coffee is brewing. Stepping out on the front porch to listen, I laugh out loud at the insistent squeak of the pileated woodpecker as he makes his loopy flight to the palm tree. I smile at the cheerful songs of the curve-billed thrasher and… Read more »