Edits, Edits, Everywhere

I have a very hard time writing sometimes. Not because I don’t enjoy it. I just get so caught up in editing myself that sometimes it takes me days to finish a scene. This can be very discouraging to someone with a weekly word count goal of five thousand.I think I’ve finally managed to strike a proper balance between writing and self-editing, however. Now, instead of polishing a scene until it gleams, I do a quick run through. I check for spelling,...

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Website Woes

Many people are under the mistaken impression that only people with published books under their belt need worry about websites. I say mistaken, because I believe the benefits of a website are in the marketing of the author, not the books.For example, put yourself in an editor’s shoes. Say you have two manuscripts on your desk, both equally interesting, both well written,...

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I Want to Write Like That!

A couple of years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Francine Rivers and hearing her speak at one of my writer’s conferences. She was warm and charming and had the sweetest disposition, exactly as I had imagined. Which is why I was so excited when I heard that her book, “The Last Sin-Eater” was being made into a movie.I read this book after I met Ms. Rivers. Let me tell you, I couldn’t put it down. As I turned the last page, with tears rolling...

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Older and Wiser

I celebrated my birthday this weekend. Don’t ask. I won’t tell you which. But at least for the last seven years of my life, I’ve devoted a lot of time to my writing. Here are a few things I would do again, if I had it all to do over.Join a critique group. Struggling along on my own, trying to figure out why every publishing house I submitted to turned me down, didn’t get me very far. Not only was the journey lonely, it was frustrating. Good critique...

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