I joined nano in 2005. I needed something to convert writing from something I thought about to something that I did. Many of the novels I've completed this year have their roots in nano. Book of Secrets started off as a book called Pack in 2015 and then was revised for 2016. Relic was the … Continue reading Nano and me
AmWriting
Getting my poop in a group
Photo by Inna Heasley on Pexels.com At the end of 2018 and beginning 2019, I completed two books and I'm in the middle of a third. The reason I was able to make such great strides was because of a few key breakthroughs I don't write romance. I wanted to. The community is a great … Continue reading Getting my poop in a group
Newsletter Blues
Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com I asked one of my buddies who is on her 7th published book what she wishes she'd have done differently. Her advice? Newsletter. She wishes that she'd started her newsletter even before she'd published her first novel. I asked around to other writers about what they did and was … Continue reading Newsletter Blues
Misplaced modifiers
Misplaced modifiers are when a phrase or clause is placed awkwardly in a sentence so that it appears to modify or refer to an unintended word. They can be hilarious. Here are some of the funny ones I've said or read. Photo by Burst on Pexels.com I tripped down the stairs while pregnant with dogs. … Continue reading Misplaced modifiers
Zero Written
Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com I'm out of blog posts. I try to set-up blog posts in advance. I sit for a day or two and brainstorm what I want to write about and then get as many done as I can. I've had as many as a three months of cushion with scheduled … Continue reading Zero Written
HTF
Photo by Bruno Scramgnon on Pexels.com I'm in the middle of redrafting an Epic Fantasy called Book of Secrets, I realized I was missing something. After the mid-point I had this list of things that the man POV character did, but they felt author driven and not character driven. Trying to link them together I … Continue reading HTF
Focus Fox: Problem
Focus Fox says: A good problem is a chance for your hero to do their best. Inspired by Duke Ellington
Focus Fox: GMC
Focus Fox says: GMC is the art of motivating a character to do what you want them to do because they want to do it. Despite the crazy hurdles they face to get what they want. Like I got milk, need cookies, and cookie monster is in the way. Man I'm hungry. Inspired by Dwight … Continue reading Focus Fox: GMC
Focus Fox: Liable to catch
Focus Fox says: We are far more liable to catch the vices than the virtues of our associates. We are the most liable to catch the cold of our associates. Especially if we don't wash our hands. Inspired by a Denis Diderot quote
Focus Fox: Creatures
Focus Fox says: When dealing with your characters, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic. You are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bustling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity. Inspired by Dale Carnegie quote