Giving Thanks

I heard several messages on giving thanks this holiday season. One phrase in particular stuck out in my mind.“Practice Thanks-living,” our preacher said, and followed it with the story of a ten lepers whom Jesus cleansed. Only one came back to say thanks.It would be so easy to think of all the things that didn’t happen in 2006. I didn’t get to spend Mother’s Day with my...

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Marketing 101

I didn’t know when I set out to be a writer, how many other things I would be called upon to do.Since the sale of my first book, I’ve had to learn how to set up my own website. MY OWN WEBSITE! If I’d been told a year ago that I would know how to do that, I would have laughed. This techie geek wannabe has lofty ambitions but very little talent (g). Still, I knew I’d have to tackle that obstacle if I wanted to market my books effectively. But money...

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The Phone Call by Sandra Robbins

Every writer who’s ever submitted a proposal to an editor knows the feeling of elation you experience once your masterpiece leaves you and makes its way into the world. Often, though, the initial thrill at having crafted what you believe to be the story of the century turns to distress as days turn into weeks without any response. Finally resignation takes hold as you envision your carefully crafted work of art sitting in a slush pile, its pages...

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One, Two, I'll Crit for You

I heard an interesting bit of information at the writer’s conference I attended this year—stories of authors who received upwards of twenty pages of edits from their publisher. Single spaced edits. Sometimes with major revisions requested.Now, mind you, these are multi-published authors, with years of writing experience behind them.(Shudder) All of sudden, I was very grateful for my critique partners. I belong to two groups, both of them very helpful...

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