I write every day, clicking away at my keyboard. This is, naturally, a solitary activity, unless you count the dog who usually cuddles by my side or my kids who are often upstairs for quiet time (when they’re not asking me for a snack for the millionth time). Sometimes I’ll join my writing group, particularly during Nanowrimo, for a write-in, where we focus on getting words onto paper. Even then, … [Read more...]
Writing Tips: The Best and Worst Writing Advice I’ve Ever Received
My English professor sorted through a stack of books on his desk in his poorly-lit office, searching for an anthology that had a story he wanted me to read. We were meeting to discuss my creative writing, but as my time at college was coming to a close, he asked the question I looked forward to but also dreaded. “Have you thought about what you want to do after college?” I sat … [Read more...]
Why I Choose a Word of the Year Over New Year’s Resolutions
I don’t do New Year's resolutions, or at least I haven’t in a few years. But chances are you’ve already seen people on social media sharing what their “word of the year” is and why they’ve chosen that word. To me, WOTY is like a resolution, but oh so much better. Everyone has their reasons for this, but for me in particular a “word of the year” is a touchstone of sorts. It’s looking at … [Read more...]
My History with Words… and Introducing my Path to Publication
I feel like this is a bit of a coming out for me even though I’ve been writing nearly my entire life. At eight years old, I walked into my 3rd-grade classroom during recess and told my teacher Mrs. Engle that I’d rather stay inside and write. Instead of pushing me out the door, she asked me, “How about we start a writing group every Friday?” She was the first person, other than my parents, to … [Read more...]
What’s Your Answer to ‘Why’?
Little Miss has a new favorite word: “Why?” I feel like she’s started early with this question... she’s not even two! But if I ask her to do just about anything, or if I say we “need” to do something, the first thing out of her sweet little mouth is often “why?” It’s not always easy to answer. I try to answer as fully and as best I can, telling her that we clean up our toys because it … [Read more...]
