So a friend passed this link along to me. I don't normally take 20 minutes of my writing time to watch TED talks, but she raved about it, so I figured, why not? Turned out that it was more than worth the time and, in fact, I'm so inspired by it that I had to take ten more minutes to share the link and a few of my thoughts about Elizabeth Gilbert's ( Read more... )

This week, my critique partner/partner in crime, K.B. Wagers (a.k.a. LJ's own Wandereringray) and I are sharing tales of our working relationship (with dialogue!!) over at Black Ink, White Paper. My post is up today; Katy's will run on Thursday.

Drop by if you dare. *grins*



http://blackinkwhitepaper.wordpress.com/

I believe (and have confirmed through observation of my successful author pals) that in addition to raw talent, stellar story ideas and a wicked grasp of language, a writer must have - or cultivate - the following traits if they ever want their craft to translate into a career.

Discipline

10,000 hours, 1 million words, whatever it freaking takes to ( Read more... )

Courtesy of my sister,  I'm in possession of rare and beautiful gift this Wednesday:  Seven hours of uninterrupted writing time.

There's a batch of chili verde in the crockpot, the doors to my office are shut and a pot of assam tea is brewing. I have my playlist pumping and the opening scene of today's chapter is already rolling in my head, eager ( Read more... )

T-18 and counting. I'm at 52 K on the current WIP, which leaves circa 36K to go - if I want the book finished completely before the break ( Read more... )

Wow. It's been too long since I've put up a writing post, but the holidays - and my children's subsequent 3 week vacation - somehow ate up my life. And possibly my brain. The little darlings were back at school as of yesterday, and I'm back at my desk, gearing up for what I hope will be a super productive five months. I have 1 book to finish and ( Read more... )

"[I wrote] for the buzz. I did it for the pure joy of the thing. And if you can do it for joy, you can do it forever."

"[This book] is a permission slip; you can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start, you will. Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up."

( Read more... )

I dream of painting and then I paint my dreams.
- Vincent Van Gogh

Yesterday, my husband and I went down to San Francisco to visit the deYoung Museum and catch the Post Impressionists show. It figures into my current WIP, so I wanted a first hand look. (Besides, since we're members at the museum, it was free. Who could pass that up?) I took it as a ( Read more... )

We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.
~ Ray Bradbury

Wise words, Mr. Bradbury. Though at times it doesn't feel like we're being filled at all. Sometimes it feels like we're being drained. Depleted.

Writing can be a soaring, blissful dance. It can also be a ( Read more... )

It's been awhile since I've put up a writing post, mostly because I've been busy writing ( Read more... )