It’s been a week of story. Depending on the hour of the day, I’ve either been mulling over a story idea or talking about a story idea with my writing friend and mentor, Rachel Hauck, or writing out a story idea, a.k.a a synopsis … and repeat, repeat, repeat. The sentence in the quote, “I must write it all out, …
In Others’ Words: Energizing the Blues
I love the quotes that set me back on my heels and make me go, “Huh.” That’s exactly how I reacted to what Duke Ellington said — only I smiled when I said, “Huh,” and then I told my husband he had to read the quote, too. Let’s just all admit we pout. The question isn’t really what do we do …
In Others’ Words: Writers’ Rules
I was a rule follower long before I realized I was a writer. “Which way do we go — and how do we act while we get there?” was my mantra. And while I like life to be heavily flavored with grace and passion and laughter these days, there is still a time and a place for rules. …
In Others’ Words: No Shortcuts
I’ve wanted to be a writer all my life. Really. I was one of those kids in school who didn’t moan about writing papers for English class and who thought spelling bees were fun. When it came time to choose my major for college, I asked myself, “What do I love enough that I wouldn’t mind doing it every day …
In Others’ Words: Forgotten
I can’t even let myself think too long of the story ideas I’ve forgotten because I didn’t write them down. They were brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Sometimes it was a story idea. Or just a scene. Or a snippet of dialogue with just the right zing. But I was already in bed, comfy under the covers, with my teeth brushed and …
In Others’ Words: Writing Road
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: 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 …
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