When I was asked to write a blog post I immediately started thinking of my topic. What information did I have to share with my fellow writers? Should it be on craft? Maybe about getting published? There are just so many things and I couldn’t decide. So, I started researching. I researched on the internet,… Read more »
On 12 November 2016, in the middle of National Novel Writing Month, is the first ever Scrivathon—a charity write-athon inspired by events like the London and Boston Marathons which pair physical stamina with charity fundraising. Scrivathon is tailored specifically for writers, so instead of running for 26 miles, we will write for 24 hours. That’s… Read more »
It’s an old observation, but an accurate one: public speaking is the #1 fear for many people. This, unfortunately, includes many writers. Public speaking, like most things, is less scary when you’re well-prepared. I’ve been reading my work in public for many years, and here are some things I’ve learned. They may help you. 1)… Read more »
We all have those weeks. You know the ones. Where you have big plans to get sh*t done and somehow you’re staring down Wednesday, Thursday, or even Friday and you’ve not accomplished half your goals. And the stress of how far you’ve fallen behind is added to the stress of the work you have to… Read more »
Writing retreats can be a fantastic way to spend a weekend. Whether you’re starting a new project, finishing one up, or just needing a few days away from the hustle and bustle of life to really focus, they can be a great way to get a lot of good words on the page. And they… Read more »
There’s no shortage of lists telling you how to use the latest writing app to complete your manuscript, but what are you supposed to do once it’s done? Well, it turns out many of those apps (and a few others) are also helpful during the revision process! Here are my top five apps and how… Read more »
When we write every day ideas flock to us like mosquitos. Unlike mosquitos though, we love collecting ideas. However, if we switch gears to repeatedly chase the newest, brightest idea we canlose focus. If we lose focus, our writing slows, then the ideas slow and then we’re pulling out a ladder to get over that… Read more »
In my last Five on Friday post, I wrote about what I learned at Hippocamp 2016, a creative nonfiction conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was a smaller conference than those I usually attend, and I partially chose it for that reason. Here are five reasons to attend a smaller writing conference over a big one: 1)… Read more »
I recently attended Hippocamp, a conference for creative nonfiction writers, in Lancaster, PA. It was my first time there, and I’m so grateful I went! The conference has only been running for two years, but it’s clear that it has a long future. It was super well-organized, with fantastic workshop leaders, panelists and speakers. (Mary… Read more »
In the three years since I started writing, I’ve written six novels, signed book contracts for two of them and published my first one this month. I’m contracted for two more books to be written in the next six months. I have no degrees in writing. I took one literature class in college (which is… Read more »
