I had an interesting question at my recent talk: How do you know how much research to do when you’re putting your setting into place? If you’ve been writing for a while (or if you’re just interested in learning), you know what a rabbit hole research can be! You start out trying to find what…
It’s First Wednesday, and that means a new Insecure Writers’ Support Group post! This month’s question is: November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not? I have been doing NaNoWriMo since 2011 and have usually managed to “win” (you don’t get any real prizes, just satisfaction at making your…
The SCWA Conference is over (sadness) and now that I’m home, I can transcribe some of what I’ve learned for your edification and amusement. I’ll be posting a photo album over on the official website. Friday afternoon I signed up for Leigh Stein’s Tailgate Workshop “How to Pitch Your Book.” Wow, did we learn a…
I’ve been working on stories to submit to various anthologies lately. Here are some of the ones I’ve sent off: Rough Cut Press is doing an anthology on the theme “Exiles,” which, of course, is perfect for a velyr story. I revamped one I’d already finished, cutting about 300 words to make it under 650…
Packages are starting to arrive! These will be the giveaway prizes for the two raffles I’ll do during the party. All the guests need to do is write down their name and email address and join my newsletter! I’m also going to have temporary tattoos (electric guitars), baggies of candy with the book cover on…
It’s First Wednesday again – time for the IWSG pep talk for all us insecure writers! August 3 question – When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want? When I set out to write a story, I write…
I use two –ok three–pieces of software to keep my writing life organized. OK, I will admit that one of the three is Microsoft Word. I think nearly every writer uses this software. It’s easy to learn, most every editor and agent will accept it, and it gets the job done. If all you’re doing is…
I’ve been working on several projects this month. They range from writing short stories for anthologies to continuing to edit the sci-fi novel to writing articles for pay on Upwork. I’ve finished editing the Sisters in Crime story for the anthology “Rock & Roll & Ruin” and included a new plot twist on the advice…
It’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post! This month’s question is: How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing? I define success as following through on your dreams and finishing your…
I have gotten into an anthology. This is one of my crime/mystery tales of the velyr, and will be in the Sisters of Crime Triangle Chapter’s anthology entitled “Rock & Roll & Ruin.” It features Tel and Tano solving a mystery from the 1930s, using an old letter they found inside of a musical instrument.…