Libraries – The Internet on Paper (Or How I Learned What Machicolations Were) Even before I could read, I loved libraries. I can remember going every week with my mother, trading in the
Where do you get your ideas? If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked this wrong-headed question. . . . Ah, well. When a non-writer asks me this question, basically,
Before you start writing your novel, it is my firm opinion that you need to have at least a general idea of what the story is (plot), who’s in it (characters), and the
Writing the first draft has always been the most grueling part of writing a novel for me. Always one to attack my challenges head on, however, I used to set an ambitious daily
So the same old reds and greens are giving you the blues. You want to make your settings more vibrant, but you just don’t know where to start. Wake up, and open your
“I wish I could do that!” “Were you funny as a child?” “Where do you come up with your ideas?” I hear those comments every time someone learns I write romantic comedies. These
I’m not a fan of critique groups. I’ve been in two. One was controlling and the other damaging. Members showed up without material to share. Members showed up not prepared. Members showed up
I’ve heard successful writers proclaim they don’t get writer’s block because they won’t allow themselves to get writer’s block. Others have said that writer’s block is related to motivation, or lack of. All
Some people do it face-to-face; others prefer doing it online. Let’s talk critiques. As I’m sure you’re aware, a successful critique group isn’t about getting a few friends together once a week for
Whenever anyone finds out I’m a romance writer, there are two questions that invariably pop up. One: “Where do you get your ideas?” and two: “Do you ever base your characters on real
