Just having a bit of fun here today. I read this quote and thought: Where else does writing lead to? Writing leads to … late nights and little sleep. Writing leads to … the red pen. (I’m an editor. What did you expect?) Writing leads to … a serious break with reality sometimes. (The voices in my head are talking …
In Others’ Words: Ideas
Writing wreaks havoc with my sleep. There are some nights that, just as I snuggle underneath the blankets … just as I hear the first whisper of sleep welcoming me … an idea pounces. And I’m awake. Oh, sure. I try to ignore the idea. I tell the you-can’t-ignore-me idea to wait until morning. I might even sit up …
In Others’ Words: Worth the Dreaming
“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” Earl Nightingale (1921-1989), American motivational speaker and author I hang around writers. We’re dreaming all the time. Dreaming up imaginary characters — and how to mess up their imaginary lives so that we can create an …
In Others’ Words: Tug of War (Guest post)
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” ~ Mark Twain (1835-1910), American writer & humorist There are times I struggle with discouragement. Desiring to write a story that will speak to peoples’ hearts, I pressure myself to excel in this endeavor. Instead of achieving, however, I battle dismay. Analyzing why I am where I am, …
In Others’ Words: Storytellers
“If a nation loses its storytellers, it loses its childhood.” —Peter Handke (1942), Australian novelist My childhood was full of books. I whiled away many an hour, turning pages, lost in an imaginary world. And, yes, I was one of those kids who walked and read at the same time. And who didn’t hear a word anyone was saying …
In Others’ Words: Ain’t That the Truth
“A writer is somebody for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” ~Thomas Mann (1875-1955), German novelist The more determined I was to achieve something concrete as a writer — publication — the harder it got to write. The bar was raised — by me and all the writers I learned from or who mentored me. …
In Others’ Words: Why
“Why do writers write? Because it isn’t there.” ~ Thomas Berger (1924-), American novelist One of my favorite things to do is connect with other writers. I’ll be doing just that in 11 days: traveling to Texas to meet up with other writers. Hundreds of ’em! First I’ll be in Houston with the My Book Therapy (MBT) staff, planning …
And the Winner is …
Thank you to everyone who participated in the “Where in the World is Daniel?” Contest during the month of August. You all were great at guessing Daniel’s location, but only one person can win the prize package: a collection of sixteen postcards by wildlife photographer Thomas Mangelson (Remember how Daniel gave Alli a gift of a Thomas Mangelsen photograph, Maroon Bells …
Contest: Where in the World is Daniel? (Final Postcard!)
Today’s the last day of Daniel’s travels around the world! Join the “Where in the World is Daniel?” fun one last day and then come back on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, to find out who wins the prize package! Don’t forget to leave your comment below or on my Author Facebook page for chances to win a prize …
In Others’ Words: Writing & Reading
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” ~Stephen King (1947-), author I’m an author and, yes, I’ve heard the “To be a good writer you need to read” admonition so many times I’ve lost count. Of course, I’m lousy at math, so losing count isn’t that difficult …