From the first spark of inspiration for a story to that story being a book a reader can pick up takes a while and goes through a number of steps. I first did some brainstorming for ideas for new stories that my publishers might be interested in seeing me write several years ago. As many of you know since you …
Editing Then and Now
I’m on to the next step for my work in progress. That’s how it can be for a writer. While one book has just come out for readers. a writer is often putting the finishing touches on a new story. That’s how it was for me with The Song of Sourwood Mountain releasing three weeks ago on May 7th while …
My News! I Wrote “The End”
“The greatest challenges humans face throughout their lives are two: 1- the challenge of where to start 2- the challenge of when to stop.” –Sameh Elsayed This quote caught my eye when I was looking at ways to celebrate finding those two all important words THE END, because while it may be talking about things we do in life, it …
How about Some Q & A Time?
“Be direct, simple, brief, vigorous, and lucid.” – H.W. Fowler (1858-1933) I’ve been eyebrow deep in words this week as I finish up word by word, sentence by sentence edits on my spring release, In the Shadow of the River. Eyebrow deep sounds more accurate than knee deep in the case of editing. Of course, I have already edited the …
What Are You Busy about this Summer?
Where did Wednesday go? I think all these dogs I’m dog sitting along with the two that are mine have my thoughts scattered. Then a storm came and knocked down trees in my son’s neighborhood to mess up their fenced backyard. No longer dog friendly. Instead dog escape time. I can blame the dogs and the storm, but my lapse …
Counting Down Until Release Day
Only ten days until release day for my new mountain story, An Appalachian Summer. A new book being out for readers is always an exciting time. Seems many of my books have had a summer release date. Just in time for some sweet afternoons reading in the porch swing or maybe in a reclining chair on a beach somewhere. You can …
Every Story Must Have an Ending
“A sunset is nothing more and nothing less than the backside of a sunrise.” ~Craig D. Lounsbrough What a neat thought about sunsets and so true. When the sun is setting for me, it’s rising for someone else. If I stretch my thinking on this a bit, embellish it some, I can consider the end of a book as some …
Summer Deadlines & Butterflies
Happiness is a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. … Nathaniel Hawthorne July 1 was my third adjusted deadline for my current work in progress, An Appalachian Summer. I did not want to request a third extension so I’ve been doing a lot of staring at …
Outtakes in the Writing World
Outtake – a scene or sequence filmed or recorded for a movie or program but not included in the final version. With a deadline looming this weekend I’ve had to stick to business and edit, edit, edit. That’s because, as usual, I used too many words to tell my work in progress, now with an official title, An Appalachian …
Random Lines
For some of my books, the publishers have designed graphics with quotes from the stories. They usually let me pick them out. Sometimes I can find one sentence that I think tells a bit of the story and makes you get a feel for the character or setting. But often I want to include more that one sentence. After all …