The scenery around us often changes in subtle ways depending on our moods and particular outlook on any given day. A garden that once provided comfort might morph into a mockery of that feeling in a darker personal moment, its hedges shifting away from a sense of whimsy, tightening around you, trapping you into aContinue reading “Setting Through The Lens Of Character”
Tag Archives: writing
Check, check: We’re Live
I usually try to do a year-in-review post, and here it is twenty days into the new year. 2018 had plenty of ups and its share of disappointments — what year doesn’t have them? It started with my recovery from having another organ being removed (gallbladder) and ended with a giant health-related question mark, whichContinue reading “Check, check: We’re Live”
Historical Fiction Writer On The Road
I’ve never traveled for my writing before, but this September I found myself in Jasper County, IN, researching for my historical fictional novel, which I’m tentatively calling Beneath the Black Oak. Focusing on an Amish girl during WWI and rising tensions against anything considered German in the U.S., I had been trying to place myContinue reading “Historical Fiction Writer On The Road”
Life Is A Whirlwind
A lot of exciting things have been happening in my writing life in 2018. For one thing, I actually got a bite from an agent! I have been querying Heritage Lost for about 2 1/2 years, off and on. After taking a break, I’d picked up querying at the beginning of this year, and unlikeContinue reading “Life Is A Whirlwind”
Reflecting A Real World
I’d briefly mentioned the importance of offering a diverse cast of women in the post about “agency,” and now, we are going to explore that thought in depth. Diversity is an important component to include in any story — and not just with female characters, of course — because it is good for the readerContinue reading “Reflecting A Real World”
Women’s History Month Writing Prompt: Galentine’s Day
I’m a huge fan of Parks and Recreation, and while it is March and not Feb. 13, I felt Leslie Knope’s Galentine’s Day would make a great foundation for “Women in Fiction” Week’s writing prompt. The Prompt You will be gathering your fictional women (from one book/story or across a collection of your works) forContinue reading “Women’s History Month Writing Prompt: Galentine’s Day”
Agency, Why It Matters
A lot has been made of strong women lately in literature. It’s a trend I like, but sometimes, I think it pigeonholes female characters into one mold — we will get into that during a future post this week where we dive into diverse fictional women. Rather than using the term strong women in my wish list, all I really want are women who have agency.
Women Don’t Need To Be Wedges To Each Other’s Happiness
This rant is a long time in coming. You’ve probably seen the trope yourself: Two women — sometimes the only two in the entire book — one is our heroine, the other, well, she’s mostly a four- or five-letter word . . . you know the words I’m talking about. The latter usually earns this title for flimsy reasons and because of her proximity to the female lead’s love interest. The narrative itself often offers very little reason for why readers should hate this other female character.
What Writers Can Learn From The KonMari Method
When I’m sleep deprived, I spew out random things, and sometimes, just sometimes, they stick. In this case, a friend, while talking about reaching the end of her series, noted how sad she’d be to let go of those characters and their world. My response (knowing she’d also read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up) wasContinue reading “What Writers Can Learn From The KonMari Method”
Scene Building: Setting The Pieces Into Motion
We’ve discussed the pieces that are needed to build a good scene, but now we are going to dive into the actual process so we can see them in action. I will be using the very first scene in chapter one from a book I wrote in junior high — let it never be saidContinue reading “Scene Building: Setting The Pieces Into Motion”
Blood & Ink 