Okay, this post is going to be really short because I’m on deadline and my revisions are due back to my editor Julie Sturgeon by Saturday. Many readers ask me how I handle editing and revising my manuscripts. I have decided to reveal a few of my deepest secrets. Some of my editing strategies for The Last Crossing: 1. Set the timer on my iPhone for 30 minutes so I get up and move around. It’s good for my health and clears my mind. Plus, potty break. (amended: Pay attention when the timer goes off.) 2. Set my iPhone Read More
Tag: Writing Process
3 Inspirations that Did Not Lead to a Sparkly Vampire
Don’t you wonder how Stephenie Meyer came up with the idea of a sparkly vampire? How did Diana Gabaldon decide on a portal in a standing stone that whisked Claire off to a Highlander hunk named Jamie? And Hobbits? Really? Where do authors get their ideas? Well, I can only speak to what’s worked for me with Love’s Courage: a word, a photo, and a visit. A Word Rich and I are word nerds. Okay, I’m a word nerd and Rich indulges me. Every morning at breakfast, we look up Merriam Webster’s Word of the Day. On Feb. 26, 2016, Read More
Karen White Talks about “Grit Lit” and Ghosts
A friend recommended The House on Tradd Street to me because it reminded her of The Cavanaugh House. I read it and became an instant fan of author Karen White. Today, I am thrilled to welcome Karen to my blog. I had so many questions for her, and she graciously answered them all. How does the first seed of a story idea come to you? Does it vary from book to book? Every book is different. And every book has multiple seeds from multiple sources. It’s a miracle when they all come together. Ideas come from the news, both past Read More
Where Does P.L. Klein Find Inspiration for Her Books? Everywhere.
When I am with P. L. and Sally, I know I’m in for a great time. Not only are they fun, P.L. is a prolific author, and her diverse genres offer something for everyone. Welcome, P.L. Please tell us a little about yourself I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, retired banker, freelance artist, community volunteer, photographer, and a life-long story teller. Most authors will tell you that last part, but I have proof. My writing partner, Sally (who prepares and formats my handwritten manuscripts for publication) and I have been friends since 5th grade and she’ll tell you I’ve been telling Read More
When Did You Know You Were a Writer?
At a recent book signing, I was asked, “When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?” I was stumped, as I am whenever I’m asked that question. Other authors seem to know, almost to the exact moment, saying “Oh, I was riding my tricycle, and the plot for my first piece of literary fiction fell from the sky into the basket on my handlebars.” I never seemed able to pinpoint my moment of divine revelation. Until a memory surfaced from out of the blue. I was only four years old when my muse, Boris, first inspired me. Read More