Deja vu blogfest: Anxiety of Influence

Today, I'm participating in DL Hammmons's Deja Vu Blogfest, in which we share a post from the previous year that we feel got less attention than we'd like. My recycled post is...

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Holiday guide: gifts for literature lovers and supporters

Writer-friends, Christmas will soon be upon us, and if you're a procrastinator like me, you may have remembered at the last minute some special people you'd like to give a gift--your...

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Holiday guide: toys for writers

Looking for the perfect gift for your critique partner, book club president, writing-obsessed family member, or your own wish list? Look no further--I've got  you covered....

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Cultivating your creativity during the holi-daze

Photo credit: chamomile from morguefile.com When the advent wreath comes out, my writing can often go off the burners entirely, which tends to make me a bit...

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Going backwards to move forward

I'm at the stage with my current project where all forces collide in the big finale, which means, weirdly enough, this is where I stop to do a big re-assessment. Those of you...

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Teaser Tuesday: We fight for her

For a change of pace, I thought I'd share a snippet from my work in progress. It's a YA contemporary that picks up roughly 18 months after my debut, Never Gone. My protagonist,...

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Compelling compulsions: Linking an old wound with a new challenge

Compulsion is a deep-seated need to do something, a belief that a particular action will make one's anxiety evaporate. More serious compulsions we label "OCD"--obsessive compulsive...

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Tips for Critiquing an Overwriter

Too much of a good thing.... (photo by jycleaver, morguefile) Dear Editor-on-Call, I was just asked to beta read a piece from a very good writer friend and lo and behold,...

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Better together: Building accountability into your writing routine

I'm a last born, which means I have a bit of a rebellious streak. I always like ideas best if I feel they aren't being forced on me by some authority figure. Who wants some bossy...

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An editor's favorite revision tools

Photo credit: infinitetrix from morguefile.com  In a previous post, I shared some of my favorite resources for copy editing (line editing, sentence-level...

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A surprising key to productivity (you probably haven't let yourself try)

I've read far more books and blog posts about how to be productive than I can accurately count. So much of the advice sounds exactly the same: have a routine, commit to it, don't...

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Favorite editing tools for micro issues

Because I'm an editor who writes, people frequently ask whether I edit my own work and if so, how. Like most of you, I believe every writer should do some self-editing to ensure...

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Follow Fest 2014

Today I'm taking part in the week-long Follow Fest, hosted by Melissa Maygrove. It's not too late to join the fun! Swing on by Melissa's blog to sign up. Melissa gave us a handful...

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Underrated Treasure Blogfest

Thanks to our host Alex Cavanaugh for coming up with this fun fest theme, "Underrated Treasure," in which we share a favorite movie, band/artist, TV show, or book (any or all...

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Teaser Tuesday: Woods encounter

For a change of pace, I thought I'd share a snippet from my work in progress. It's a YA contemporary that picks up roughly 18 months after my debut, Never Gone. My protagonist,...

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A key question to keep plot and character in sync

In How to Write a Damn Good Novel, James N. Frey says many plots lack integrity because the author doesn't have her characters acting at their maximum capacity. Photo...

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Thoughts on TFIOS, suffering and change

In the lead up to a new school year beginning, I've gotten out of the blogging habit, sadly. Today I thought I'd "get back in the saddle" so to speak with a quick review of a...

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The gift of hardship: honing your storytelling in times of trial

Photo credit: RoganJosh from morguefile.com  How often are you going happily along in your routines when—BAM!—some misfortune or difficulty derails you?...

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Two habits that will cultivate creativity

I don't know about the rest of you, but August can be a very chaotic month for me, with vacations and back-to-school preparations and a total lack of routine in far too many areas....

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Beyond to-do: how do you use lists?

Photo credit: xololounge from morguefile.com  Instead of dispensing advice this week, I'm seeking feedback from you, dear readers. This will be short but...

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