Category Archives: Uncategorized

Buckle up, friends :)

Happy New Year! If I’m over-excited about 2022, it’s only because I’ve been looking forward to this year MY ENTIRE LIFE. Bear with me, y’all. I still get stunned and teary-eyed when I think that this is the year my little book launches head first into the world! I wanted to share a couple ofContinue reading “Buckle up, friends :)”

How to be a rock star critique partner

Critique groups are lifelines for writers. Joining a new writing group can be kind of intimidating, especially when you’re new to an area or if you’re new to writing. But- when you find that right group? It’s game changing. For me, the right group is made up of consistent, candid, encouraging people. People who showContinue reading “How to be a rock star critique partner”

Unpopular Opinion: Pumpkin Spice Isn’t That Great.

This time of year, people like me lurk in the shadows, stealth-sipping our cinnamon teas or our chai lattes. No more hiding. I’m speaking up. I love autumn as much as the next gal. Honest. I do. I love decorating the house for Thanksgiving. A good harvest theme never gets old. What does get old,Continue reading “Unpopular Opinion: Pumpkin Spice Isn’t That Great.”

Three Things I Learned at a Writing Workshop

Writer friends, I know you. Some of you are on the fence about investing anything other than your time and imagination in your writing future. I know this because that’s where I was. Full of doubt. Overflowing with insecurity. As long as I didn’t take this “writing thing” too seriously, I hadn’t risked embarrassment orContinue reading “Three Things I Learned at a Writing Workshop”

Adjectivery

I recently participated in my first-ever Instagram author’s challenge. You’d think that someone who’d been a marketing manager – as in, paid real money to develop and activate marketing strategies for a living – would be aaalll over the marketing for her own writing work. You’d think that, and you’d be right to snicker aContinue reading “Adjectivery”

Three Content Issues to Consider for Middle Grade Readers

Know your audience. That’s one of the first things they teach you in journalism school. What they don’t teach you is that this rule applies to writing pretty much anything else. Especially children’s fiction. But there’s a catch. When you’re writing for middle grade readers – or children of any age – you’re actually writingContinue reading “Three Content Issues to Consider for Middle Grade Readers”

The power of being chosen

For weeks, my kiddo had been searching for a place to take karate lessons. I schlepped him to trial classes in pretty much every studio within a 15-mile radius.  No joy. “Too noisy. Find another one, Mom.” “Too many kids.” “Not enough kids my age.” “Too drill sergeant-y.” “Too crazy. No rules.” Goldilocks had it easy. “Find another one,Continue reading “The power of being chosen”

My Summer ‘To Read’ List

This year I was lucky enough to go to the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference and hear the fantastic Nancy Lohr speak about writing for children. One of the first things she asked the group was “who here has read a children’s book recently?” More than half of us raised our hands. She was happy withContinue reading “My Summer ‘To Read’ List”

Progress, not perfection

Early in our marriage, my sweet hubs pointed out what I like to think of as humanity, but he calls a “charming quirk.” We’d eaten out, which we didn’t do often in those days (or these), and he noticed that as I talked, I cut my food into bite sized pieces, then selected a fewContinue reading “Progress, not perfection”