Many writers are insecure, lonely animals. The publishing industry has changed drastically in recent years. Gone is the support system of old for writers when they had agents and editors …
Our chilly children and their “dark,” “crumbly” California sand castle. The verdict is in. The Pacific Ocean is colder than the Atlantic Ocean according to our children. True, we weren’t …
San Francisco and the cable car go together like our family and camping. There are ups and there are downs, and ups and downs. The first down—literally—came when we were …
Unfortunately, I don’t participate in NaNoWriMo. I simply don’t need more pressure to write. I write almost every day; poetry, short story, blog posts, …
The inciting incident is the start of story present. In my case it’s when a high school guidance counselor challenges me to help my special needs daughter through her high …
I think all writers do this, although sometimes without realizing it. I know I do. In memoir, of course personal information is shared. That’s what memoir is all about, …
We were camping in the desert by the time 4th of July rolled around. We were in Nevada this time camping at Casa Blanca in Mesquite. The children—and yes, the parents!—loved …
The question of “why” continues in memoir and fiction. Why this protagonist? Why now? Why does what happens in the story present matter to the protagonist? Through backstory, we find …
I surprise myself every time an editor accepts one of my short stories. When I create my YA adventure stories, I feel as though I have both the inner and …
When we took the troops west from New Jersey the second time, we made it to the Pacific Coast. For a little over a …