I’ve been trying to figure out why it’s so hard for me write at the moment. It’s not that the books aren’t there. My brain is so full that frequently I have to stop whatever I’m doing, find a scrap of paper and a pencil, and make notes, or my head might explode. The stories are in me, churning and trying to find an outlet, even if it’s nothing more than a post-it and 10 minutes at the kitchen table in between lake laundry and tossing a salad for supper. So why, when I sit down to actually write, can I not translate all these little chunks of paper covered…

.. at Chick Lit Writers. We’re talking about story ideas–how we come by them, what inspires a scene or story and how we create a storyline. What’s your process? Come on by and join in the conversation!

I’ve been rediscovering Nan, the writer, this week. Editing work has slowed some and I’ve been able to concentrate more on my own writing. Plus, last week, I had a wonderful critique/session with Lani Diane Rich from StoryWonk. She helped me see that I’d fallen into writing to a formula. I have really terrific stories to tell, but I’d been trying to write to the market rather than simply writing what’s in my heart. Also, Lani showed me how important it is to start in the present with the action, to show, don’t tell, and to avoid overwhelming my reader with too much back story. Confession? I’m an info dumper.…

On Sunday, Husband and I were driving up to the lake and I was telling him about the event I’d attended the previous day. My chapter of Romance Writers of America sponsored a mini-conference with Bob Mayer, who presented his Write It Forward workshop. I still couldn’t find the words to describe all that I’d learned, but what came through loud and clear was how inspired I was by what Mayer had to say about writing and the process of writing. As I was sharing, Husband asked me about my process, how do I start a new book? All books begin with an idea, as Mayer told us. That’s “the…

I got a 4-star review of Rule Number One from the reviewing site, TBR Pile. I’m so jacked up! The review was gracious and sweet, and I love it when anyone enjoys my book. Check it out at the TBR Pile website  We’re even giving away a copy of the book to one lucky commenter! Drop by and comment for a chance to win.  

I’ve been working pretty much nonstop for the last three weeks. That’s not a complaint, just a fact. Well, okay, maybe it’s a tiny bit of a whine. Work comes in bunches, so it’s not unusual for me to have no work at all and then suddenly have three projects on my plate. This is one of those times of 12-hour days—I’m locked away in my little garret working on someone else’s writing instead of my own. However, today, I’m taking a break—not for the whole day, just for lunch. I’m going to meet my crit partner at Panera Bread for some writerly fellowship and good food. I’m totally jacked…

Check out this fun and funny review of my novel, Rule Number One, on Judy Long’s Novel Truths blog. A delightful way to wake up to what promises to be another arduous day of editing work. I love it when people enjoy the book—that’s why I wrote it, so Judy’s review warmed my heart. Thanks Judy! Oh, and the book is now available at Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com. Go on by and take a look. I’d love it if you did! And I’m back to work…

Okay, so it’s not truly a dilemma like Kennedy’s Cuban Missile Crisis or whether it’s appropriate to wear my white jeans after Labor Day, but being a freelance editor does often present difficult choices. It seems as if work comes in groups. Sometimes I spend a couple of weeks with no work at all and only a project or two way out on the horizon. When that happens, I start to panic and so I send out little reminders to my clients that I’m still around and available. It’s not a begging for work thing, just a gentle reminder that I’m here if they need an editor. My clients are…