I visited with Susan Kaye Quinn over on her blog Ink Spells. Please visit. Feel free to heckle, in a good-natured way.  Topics that leave themselves wide open for it are; the Midwest accent I worked so hard to get rid of that comes back when I’m speaking in front of a room of people or when I’m talking to my big sister, my snobby attitude and how ( Read more... )

Way back when I created my blog, Strands of Thought, I researched and researched the different blog host sites.  I read numerous blogger opinions on why they chose the host they chose. I read many reviews about what was right and what was wrong about different hosts.  Then I chose Livejournal as my host site.

But now I’m not so sure it is the best ( Read more... )

Newspapers have seen a steep decline in readership.  If I needed more proof of this, then I saw it today.  My company recently did a survey of its supporters asking things like; who is involved and why, how much money do they make, and how old are they. And we asked how our supporters heard about us.

In the 18 to 34 year old age group, how many do ( Read more... )

Or so they say, but the life of an author can redefine that statement.

I have a passionate prejudice against waste…ask my kids.  Food that goes uneaten sticks in my craw (bad pun, I know). I follow my son through the house turning lights off as we go, “You are no longer in this room, you don’t need this light.” To which he replies, “But you’re ( Read more... )

The downside of being a fiction writer? Realistic nightmares.  I had one last night. An epic, natural disaster type of dream, like Earthquake or Dante’s Peak. My husband and I were desperately trying to save the kids. Our house was collapsing beneath us. The groans of wrenching beams filled the air, the crack of splitting wood drown out our shouted ( Read more... )

Denise Jaden is celebrating the release of her young adult novel, Losing Faith.  It is available TODAY! I can’t wait to get my hands on this book! She’s been hosting a spectacular blog tour in celebration and today she asked the question, “What message would you want to hear if you were feeling down and lacking in hope for our future?”

What an ( Read more... )

I’ve developed a strange ailment.  I didn’t catch it from my critique group. It isn’t a virus I got through Facebook apps.  I came down with it awhile ago.  At first the symptoms were so slight that I barely noticed. Over time, though, they’ve developed.  The thing is the spread was so subtle, I didn’t notice it until it was so bad I actually think ( Read more... )

Or maybe just…no time.

Who shortened the day?  I’m pretty certain there are two fewer hours in a day.  I’d really love to get those back and preferably while I’m awake so that I can use them constructively.  I fantasize about the time I’d spend on writing if I had the two missing hours.  I’ve taken to carrying my laptop with me everywhere I go and ( Read more... )

Here is a great stick figure video which depicts the ups and downs of being a writer.  Don't let the stick figures fool you, this is deep!  Besides anything that gives me an excuse to use the jester hat mood is okay by me. Thanks YA Rebels!

Click to view

Okay, boys and girls, give me your attention.  Quiet down.  Eyes on me.

Very well.  Today we are going to participate in a writing exercise.  Get out your writing journals. And a pen.  Okay, now, using your own thoughts, write what comes to mind after you hear this prompt:

Exercise in any form su_ _s.

I’ll give you a few minutes.

Okay, pens down.

* ( Read more... )