Over the last few days I've spent a lot of time editing. Well, in reality I've spent a lot of time accepting or rejecting the edits that a beta reader made for When Life Hands You Lymes. As I work, I've discovered something funny: When the beta reader suggests a change for a scene that has … Continue reading Writerly Musings
Category: Writing Thoughts
Commitment: Making it Happen
One thing I've discovered is that after I've decided and committed to do something, it's so much easier to accomplish. All the guess work is taken out, and instead of wasting time thinking "should I or shouldn't I do this?" the brain power goes to figuring out the best way to get it done.For instance: … Continue reading Commitment: Making it Happen
Exclamation Points and Their Sneaky, Weasel-ly Ways
Confession: I was pretty pleased with myself.Back at the beginning of my writing career, I used exclamation points like they were going out of style. This slowly evolved over time until I not only abhorred them in books (except for when someone is yelling or cheering or such), but I rarely even use them on … Continue reading Exclamation Points and Their Sneaky, Weasel-ly Ways
A More Clear View
It's been fifteen months since I got my glasses, which in turn translates to the most fifteen headache-free months I've had in a long time. Glasses make my world clearer and therefore it's a lot more enjoyable to do activities like sitting in church, driving, and being in meetings since I can actually focus on what's … Continue reading A More Clear View
When Names and Writing Collide
There's a decided draw in my mind toward names. I find them intrinsically pleasing. God calls each of the stars by name, Adam was charged with naming the animals, down through the years billions of people have named their children, and now I get to name countless pets, characters, and places. Before I started writing I … Continue reading When Names and Writing Collide
Becoming a Musician (but not really)
Podcasts. YouTube. Websites. Books. Friends. Pinterest. Strangers. Emails. Facebook Messages. Phone calls. I'm working on the music plot for When Life Hands You Lymes and until I got into it I didn't realize how very much I had to learn. I'm not musical. I took piano lessons for a while during my early teen years, and while I … Continue reading Becoming a Musician (but not really)
How Writing Relates to Gummy Bears
One thing I've discovered is that sometimes writing a book doesn't always go the way I had expected it to. Instead it's kinda like getting gummy bears, taking them apart, and reassembling them in a new way. It takes a lot of creativity, thinking outside of the norm, tools to work with, and a fair … Continue reading How Writing Relates to Gummy Bears
Why I Don’t Edit During First Drafts
I have discovered that if at all possible it works best for me to write a quick first draft and not allow myself to do any editing until six weeks after I've written The End. When this happens I end up having to do a lot of rewriting and cutting and adding, but it's worth … Continue reading Why I Don’t Edit During First Drafts
The Creative Creator
Somewhere in the middle of last week I realized I missed taking walks. For a long time I would take a walk each morning and activate my brain and kick my attitude into high gear by praising God and thinking over my day as I went. I don't know if I stopped the habit when … Continue reading The Creative Creator
When "National Novel Writing Month" Turns Into "Eat All the White Chocolate I Want Month"
I have so much super amazing support when it comes to my writing that it's pretty crazy. Take for instance the announcement that I made at the beginning of this month that I was calling November not only "National Novel Writing Month" but also "Eat All the White Chocolate I Want Month." Writers are always talking … Continue reading When "National Novel Writing Month" Turns Into "Eat All the White Chocolate I Want Month"