Posts Tagged ‘writing’
The Good News and Bad News of Book Titles
There’s good news and bad news. The Good News Twilight Whispers, one of my earliest mainstream novels, is making its debut as an e-Book at the end of this month – on January 30, to be exact. The bad news? I can’t stand the title. I’ve been struggling with it since this book was first…
Read MoreThis is the Reason I Hate my Camera
Well, I don’t really hate my camera. I actually love it. I just hate the selfies it takes. They’re awful – make me look tired and old. From what I read, I’m not alone in selfie-hate. From what I read, there are scientific explanations for the notorious badness of selfies. From what I read, the most…
Read MoreI’m incubating …
Incubating. What does that mean, someone recently asked. This person had first asked if I was taking a break, now that my new book is finished and in production. Lord, no, I said. Writing is what I do. It’s what I think about when I’m up the creek without a paddle – e.g., in the…
Read MoreGive me back my Internet!
An awful thing happened yesterday. At two in the afternoon, I lost my Internet connection. Oh, my Wifi still had full signal, but Comcast was not reaching it. This wasn’t a total surprise. I’d been hearing trucks outside my window during the few hours preceding that and figured work was being done in the neighborhood. …
Read MoreThe art of the apology
“I’m sorry,” she said in horror. Embarrassed, she said, “I’m really sorry.” “I am so, so sorry,” she said with heartfelt regret. I write these words in my books all the time. In fact, I’m about to write a pivotal scene in Making Up in which apologies are key. It’s between mother and daughter, Margaret…
Read MoreConfessions of a chronic dieter
I was a pudgy child, or so I saw myself. Others may have called me solid. One boy friend told me I wasn’t fat, just well-packed – like this was what a teenage girl wanted to hear from a guy she wanted to date? I have been thinking of food all my life. Seriously. I…
Read MoreWord Revolution, Part 2: YOU
You wordsmiths, you! Thanks so much for reading last month’s blog and jumping in with your own suggestions. I was thrilled with the words you posted – and dismayed at not having thought of them myself! In an attempt to rectify the latter, I hereby revisit the word revolution issue. Just to refresh your memory,…
Read MoreWord revolution
Here’s a fun exercise. But first, a bit of philosophy. Contrary to many people in the news who use words to destroy, writers use them to create. I love words – love putting them together in a way that paints an action, a sentiment, a hope or a dream. I play with them endlessly when…
Read MoreDaring to dream
A dear friend recently celebrated a milestone birthday. After the food was eaten, wine drunk, toasts offered and dessert served, my friend rapped her glass for attention. She had a toast of her own to make, and, in the process, offered a word of wisdom. Follow your dream, she said, and told of something she…
Read MoreA Skeptic’s Guide to Hashtags
First, disclaimers. (1) I’m new to hashtags; I’ve only used them since I joined Instagram in April. (2) Hashtags have been the hardest part of social media for me to understand. (3) They make me feel old. So I write this with a built-in bias. Please remember that. I can’t tell you how many times…
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