8 Words that Scream “Telling, Not Showing” in Your Writing

Love’s Courage is taking shape, and I have external motivation to keep working on it: an Advanced Novel Writing Class with Terri Valentine through Writers Digest University. I have submitted my first assignment, pages 1- 36, and the feedback I’ve gotten makes me wonder if I ever took a writing class. My dear friend, beta reader and editor, H.J. Smith assuaged my fear when she explained that while I’m writing, I’m using one part of my brain. Editing requires a different part of my brain. Sometimes I think the editing brain takes long vacations. In her feedback, Terri gave me Read More

My Sprint to “The End”

I am consumed by a compelling energy when I near “The End” of my manuscript. It is an urgency, almost an addiction to writing. I suspect runners feel it when they see the finish line—that rush of adrenaline spurring you on. I get all jumpy like my A.D.D. students. Who am I kidding? I am A.D.D.   The energy starts like a rumble in the belly and seeps out through my body to my toes and fingertips. I can’t sit still. I can’t concentrate. It’s almost like being in love. (Apologies to Lerner and Loewe). And I sing that song. Read More