Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “Writing”
I have two favorite questions I love to ask my author friends: 1. What are you writing? It’s always fun to listen to their answers and to be amazed by their creativity. I usually walk away thinking, “I wish I’d thought of that story!” 2. What are you reading? Asking another writer “What are you reading” is a dangerous question. …
People often search for both an easy definition of success — and an easy way to achieve success. What I like about today’s quote is it’s an easy definition of success — and a reality check on how you become successful. If there’s one thing I’ve learned along the writing road — and believe me, I’ve learned a lot more than …
When it comes to cooking and using a recipe … well, I’m not the most strict follower of outlined steps. Oh sure, I buy the recommended ingredients. But when it comes to measurements, I tend to eyeball a teaspoon of salt or a cup of sugar. Close enough is good enough, right? Follow the recipe to a point … and …
As a writer, I embrace the power of ideas. I know how a story idea can be the merest “what if?” nudgng me to think, to turn the question over … and for weeks, it’s nothing more than a maybe … a perhaps … a possibility. And then, the story comes to life. Imaginary people are talking all at once, …
Yesterday, I wrote a scene where an imaginary character grapples with forgiving someone — someone who hurt him years ago. And as I wrote the scene, I realized that some of the words coming out of the character’s mouth were my own. I wasn’t too surprised. I’ve grappled with forgiveness — the whole “How do I forgive this person, God?” …
My novel, Catch a Falling Star, asks the question: Is life about accomplishing plans … or wishes coming true … or something more? Today’s post is the tenth in the “When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan” Wednesday blog series, 11 guest posts by authors and writers, including Deborah Raney, Rachel Hauck, and Susan May Warren, who explore the question: What do you …
I turned in my manuscript for my third novel one week ago. I finished teaching at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference yesterday. Today I exhale. Today, I rest, really rest, for the first time in months. I know what rest equals rest to me — and it starts with looking at the calendar and the word “deadline” isn’t …
Guess who forgot to post her blog last night? That’s right: me. My excuse? I was caught up in prepping my manuscript so that I could push SEND and well, um, send it to my editor — all 87k+ words of it. I woke up this morning. Smiled at the thought of being done … and then thought, “Uh-oh. I …
“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 …
Yes, that’s me playing “get to know you” with a llama. Ah, the things novelists do for the sake of research. What do llamas have to do with inspirational contemporary romance? Some would say nothing. But since I am the author of Wish You Were Here, I would say llamas add a whole other layer of fun to a …
