I’ve been on this writing journey since 2016. When I began, I jumped on and hungrily devoured several “classic” books written for writers by writers. Some were riveting and inspirational – worth the hype. Some left me wondering how and why these people even continued a literary life. They made it sound so painful… Continue reading Writing Craft Books that Take the Cake
My friends, 2019 has been a great year for some, but a year of struggle for many. My year had sweet highs and crushing lows. I’m looking forward to the bright, shiny New Year. I hope you are too. Through the sun and rain, I learned a few things which I’m happy to share with… Continue reading 2020 Takeaways
Happy Almost New Year’s Eve Everyone! Children's author Julie Hedlund (http://www.juliehedlund.com/12days) challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers series to post SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) on our blogs this year. She believes the way New Year's resolutions are traditionally made come from a place of negativity - what DIDN'T get done or… Continue reading Success in 2019!
Writers, join in the fun and inspiration of generating 30 new story ideas in January 2020. Visit @taralazar.com, register, and write to make friends and win prizes. I’ve done it, I loved it, and I won a great prize (critique). Good luck!
Every year when STORYSTORM rolls around, I struggle to find a theme for the registration post…so I go looking for good GIFs.
OK, I think Modern Family wins this year. It’s my family’s favorite show, so why not?
Every year I think there is no way I can pull this off again.
And every year, it somehow comes together as if by magic!
It’s quite astounding, really.
I’m not a super-organized kind of person. In writing terms, I’m quite the pantser, although over the years I’ve become a deliberately procrastinating pantser. What does that even mean? I let my ideas marinate, simmer—maybe even fester—until I feel ready to write, until I have a pretty good idea of how it should all go down.
And then it works out, kind of like this:
So that’s what my process feels like, and I’ve come to trust it, bonks on the head and…
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My Halloweensie story did not place, but here are the top 12 out of 324 (!) entries for your enjoyment. Aren’t they terrific? Feel free to follow the link to Susanna’s site and vote for your favorite.
All right, you guys.
Clearly there was a dastardly plan afoot.
A plot, one might say, involving sneaking, secrecy, and skulduggery!
I know what you’ve have been up to.
On a dark and stormy night, you all got together in a cobweb-covered barn and, sipping a delectable steaming potion concocted of chocolate and cream, with bobbing marshmallows and a dusting of cocoa powder, you rubbed your hands together gleefully and cackled, “Oh, what a trick we can play!”
Forthwith, you applied yourself to submitting 324 – yes, that’s THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR!!! – amazing entries to the 9th Annual Halloweensie Contest!
I think it’s safe to say you nearly did us in.
We are but shadows of our former selves, haggard from a solid week of reading and re-reading, evaluating and re-evaluating, trying desperately to narrow the tremendous field down to 12 finalists.
I’m going to tell you…
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