Today I’m sharing a friend’s guidelines for a meaningful critique. I’ve mentioned many times how strongly I believe in solid critique groups, and that all of my work owes much of its strength (and none of its errors,) to writers’ groups to which I’ve belonged. At the Santa Barbara Writers Conference some weeks ago, I … Continue reading →
Category Archives: writing
I don’t need an editor…
Why do I need an editor? I can read– in fact I’m really good at that. I can get all those great advice books that tell me how to self-edit, and then I’m there, right? No. The answer is no. You need those advice books to help you revise so you can then get into the … Continue reading →
Posted in: Blog, publishing, writing
Works in Progress Blog Tour
Darlene Jones, author of the Em and Yves science fiction series (and more,) invited me to be part of the blog tour for Works In Progress. The work-in-progress blog tour rules: Link back to the post of the person who nominated you. Write a little about and give the first sentence of the first three … Continue reading →
Don’t Wait
I am so afraid of my own procrastination that I work fast, in a fury of action. I break brushes. No, not the hairs, the handles. I learned early on as a painter that the point is never THE painting, that when a painting is done, you continue on with the accreted abilities, and passionate … Continue reading →
Posted in: Blog, music, painting, publishing, writing
here comes my next book!
Here’s the cover of my next book, a thriller/science fiction yarn set in the university town of Isla Vista, California. Imagine a strong smart young woman in Southern California planning to become a scientist, who notices the gradual disappearance of the local homeless, and a sequence of strange events concerning ducks– which mount to a personally threatening … Continue reading →
Posted in: Blog, education, publishing, science, writing
Around the Corner
I have tried again and again to keep a diary, but the self-centered repetitions and petty quarrels I found myself trying to make into comedy read like belly button lint. My definition of belly button lint? The sort of meanders that no one but the author really cares to examine. If you keep a daily … Continue reading →
He Pays a Visit
You finish writing a novel, you polish and rewrite, hand it over to your agent and re-polish and rewrite again, pass it on to the editor at the publisher and do that all again, sometimes writing new sections or insights to answer their queries. The book goes out, people read it, comment, give reviews. … Continue reading →
Horror, with a Little Help
Picture us sitting by the fireplace, three cats on the footstools, people in the armchairs, fire chirking cheerfully away. “I want to write a horror story,” I said. Husband smiles. Kid still buried in her book., turns a page. “I think it should be set in Isla Vista,” I said, making it up as I … Continue reading →
Posted in: Blog, publishing, writing
prose poem for Eowyn
I read this Tumblr post by a woman whose other work I have admired. It’s for anyone who has thought about Eowyn, shield maiden of Rohan. Read, imagine, and dream of her.
Guest Blog: John M. Daniel
Today it is my great pleasure to share with you a guest blog from my dear friend and mentor John Daniel who has a resume as long as my Main Coon cat’s tail. I first met John at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference many years ago, where he led a delightful late night Pirates’ session … Continue reading →
Posted in: Blog, publishing, writing
