Frantic. That’s how I used to feel all the time. Like there was no room to breathe. Anyone who’s known me for years will tell you that balance was a struggle for me.
Jealous
I remember the day my friend, Tina Chen showed us the cover of her gorgeous new novel: a lush, moving story written by a generous soul.
The Violin Diet
With the Full-Bodied Novelist Retreat coming up this weekend, I’ve been playing the violin again. There is a connection, so stay with me here.
Overcoming Bored Writer Syndrome
When I first began writing fiction it felt like all of the characters were me. Of course, all characters come from someplace deep in our psyche,
A Word on Risk
“You built some dandy walls
That held back the fire
And the barbs
But also the heat
And the fruit
That make it worth the suffering
The wind will blow through the remains
Of your fortress
And that mournful noise
Will be all the eulogy you are entitled”
“Geek Fiction” and Other Writing Classes this Spring at Bellevue College
You’ll have Doctor Who for homework!!!
Here’s what I’m offering at Bellevue College in the Spring (Registration probably begins in March):
Geek Fiction Writing
This course analyzes popular sci-fi,
If You’re Driven by Anxiety, Hire a New Chauffeur
I owe a lot to Anxiety: a degree, income, several books, resistance to credit cards. Anxiety has taken me places I may not otherwise have gone.
3 Ways to Coax Secrets out of Your Characters
Marvin Whickpucket refuses to behave. When you want him to defeat the evil Onchnu, he won’t. Instead, he sits on the couch,
The Importance of “Off-Stage” Writing: 5 Ways to Use a Secret Journal
You’ve just taken Pamela Protagonista, rebel goth girl, through the perils of cheerleader camp where she has scored a victory over Amanda Antagonistella, who was not as good at karaoke as she thought.
What I Learned by "Winning" NaNoWriMo Through Cheating and Trickery
…and yes, I am going to buy the tee-shirt.
The task? Write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Usually, I use National Novel Writing Month to get as much word count aspossible on my work-in-progress.