On January 22, 1999, I attended a writerly event at the University of Central Florida: “Distinguished Author Series: Margaret Atwood.” Yes, THE famous Margaret Atwood. You may know that Atwood, a Canadian, authored the best-selling, horrifying, dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale (1985), which television producers — with their sights on America’s currently inflamed neurosis — are feeding the airwaves as a television series for all the world to watch. But in 1999 when I was standing in the aisle to … Read More »

Writers can come up with a lot of reasons for not finishing a first draft, and some of them even sound plausible. I know the real reasons. (And I’ve got a solution.) But first, here’s how to stop yourself from completing a first draft. Fall in love with the thrill of new ideas, but don’t fall in love with the work it takes to execute them. Need to begin at the beginning and make it perfect before you move on. … Read More »

Exceptional writing. It is the level to which all of us aspire. We want our thoughts and ideas and words to inspire, move, and touch our readers. Exactly what does it take to reach that level of performance? A deep understanding of grammar and language?Vivid vocabulary? Writing classes to help understand the craft of writing? Creativity? While all of these things are critical to being successful as a writer, the easiest answer comes down to one word: practice. The more … Read More »

There are times where I need to write, and I have no idea where the inspiration is going to come from. What I have learned from these short pieces, is that they’re about so much more than what I thought or originally intended. I’ll provide a couple of examples. You can read the entire pieces on my WordPress blog if you’re interested in the details. Anyway, I was making chocolate chip cookies one afternoon, and the simple ingredients, number of … Read More »

There is no shortage of advice for writers, and I must admit that I devour all such recommendations. I love reading about the writing habits and routines of best-selling authors. Sadly though, most of their advice and recommendations do not work for me. That is because, like many writers, I am not a full-time novelist. I do not pay my bills through my book royalties. I am a 25-year, elementary classroom teacher. I am also an adjunct professor at a … Read More »

I don’t mean handwriting. What I mean is the journey my story makes from brain to page/screen. The process, rather than the actual act — well the act, too. Perhaps I should explain. When a non-writer hears that I’m going to be spending the day writing, I think they envision me in front of my computer or hunched over my desk with pencil and paper. That would be the truth — sort of. Here’s the reality. When I decided to … Read More »