As an oldest daughter who found herself in gifted programs, on the AP track, lauded for her essay writing skills without feeling like I was trying too hard, and told math just wasn’t my subject when I struggled a little more in those classes, imagine my surprise when I got to college and things gotContinue reading “What Do You Need to Learn in 2026?”
Category Archives: writer
My Roller Coaster First Year with my Agent(s)
A year ago this week, I got THE response every writer wants to a query. I had been querying my contemporary fiction novel since late fall of 2023. I was batch querying – so attempting to only send out a few at a time and only sending new queries when I got responses. The goalContinue reading “My Roller Coaster First Year with my Agent(s)”
You Finished Novel November…Now What? Create a revision plan that keeps your momentum moving in the right direction
To all my tired writers out there who just slogged through Novel November: CONGRATS!! You wrote a whole bunch of words you should be proud of. Not because they are particularly special yet, but because you did the hard work of getting the bones of your story down. This is no small feat! At the sameContinue reading “You Finished Novel November…Now What? Create a revision plan that keeps your momentum moving in the right direction”
Is it Time to Hire a Book Coach?
If you’ve been following along in this space, hopefully you’ve found some tips to help with your writing project. You may even have purchased the Revision Road Map, the self-paced mini-course to help you triage and organize your revision. But what if you find yourself still struggling with your story? Something is not working, you justContinue reading “Is it Time to Hire a Book Coach?”
How to Create Your Own Beach Retreat Magic
It has been a long time since I’ve written new words. Back in the winter, I was revising my previous manuscript to get it in shape for submission. Then there was the great pneumonia infection of 2025 (0 out of 5 stars, do not recommend). Then we merged straight into spring senior activities, graduation, collegeContinue reading “How to Create Your Own Beach Retreat Magic”
Time to (Re)Introduce Myself
I have been posting on this blog for a long time. It is one of my favorite places to spend time every week. But since it’s been a while, I thought I’d take an opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself…I’m more than just some pixels in your daily scroll. I am aContinue reading “Time to (Re)Introduce Myself”
Writerly Gifts to Add to Your Wish List
Last week I wrote about the greatest gift you can give your writing this holiday season: Grace. This week, I thought I’d have a little more fun and share some gift ideas you can either ask Santa for or gift to the writer friends in your life. Are any of these items on your holidayContinue reading “Writerly Gifts to Add to Your Wish List”
New Year, New Goals
Happy New Year! Despite proclaiming to not set resolutions I will most certainly fail at for the new year, I do still do a fair bit of planning. I like to have goals to work towards, even if they change throughout the year. Last year, however, coming out of 2020, I wanted to be gentleContinue reading “New Year, New Goals”
The Light at the End of the Rough Draft Tunnel
This morning I reached the end of the verbal vomit brain dump that is this current work in progress rough draft. There is light at the end of this very long, often uphill, tunnel. The light at the end of the tunnel is just the light of an oncoming train. Robert Lowell Yes. The lightContinue reading “The Light at the End of the Rough Draft Tunnel”
Filling the Creative Well
After finishing the final round of edits on my manuscript a few months ago, I embarked on a measured approach to querying which resulted in an initial positive flurry of full manuscript requests (YAY!). The only downside is the subsequent and necessary waiting (BOO!). No problem, I thought. I know this is the approach IContinue reading “Filling the Creative Well”