Earlier this fall, I decided to focus on prepping my novel based on the Blizzard of 1888, with the goal of beginning the actual writing during winter vacation. I planned to take a break from the novel in December to write my annual Christmas short story about the Wallaby baking party (the sequel to Sugar […]
Writing
I Am My Own Educator
I’m going to confess something to you. Sometimes I feel like I’m not a “real” writer, because I don’t have an MFA. I am fortunate to have two degrees from wonderful education programs, one in music, and the other in humanistic and multicultural education. I have also taken classes from many excellent writing institutions. But […]
How I Research A Historical Novel
When I first decided to write a historical novel, the research was the part I most dreaded. I had written too many research papers in high school and college to look forward to the experience of doing it again, even voluntarily. Especially voluntarily: I thought that the research stage would suck the life out of my desire […]
Are You NaNo-Ing?
It’s National Novel-Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! Writers, are you NaNo-ing? Non-writers, what do you think about this annual tradition? I am not participating this year, nor have I ever done so. I’m not going so far as to say I’ll never NaNo because I’ve often found myself revoking the “nevers” in my life. But right now it’s […]
How’s Your Writing Life?
Writers and non-writers alike seem to struggle when inquiring about my writing. They want to ask about my book without hearing me drone endlessly on my characters and how the Triangle Fire was a vital, pivotal moment in American history. They want to ask after agents I’ve queried without touching a nerve if I haven’t heard […]
How Journaling Has Changed Me
In 2009, I experienced what novelists call a “dark night of the soul.” I had just gotten married, and struggled with my new adult identity and the loss of my maiden name. In the space of six months, three loved ones passed away, including my beloved grandmother. I was frustrated at work and knew I […]