When I’m not writing/editing/working on FMP or Words Mean Stuff (WMS), I’m on the committee of a writer’s conference (and when I have a second or two, I also write books and stories!). On the conference side of the house, it’s a busy month, even though the conference isn’t until October. Why? Because right nowContinue reading “Drawing lines and defining the work…”
Tag Archives: communication
Show ‘em! (Part 2)
Last week I reposted a 2018 Words Mean Stuff post. This week I present an updated version with (hopefully) better writing and some things I’ve learned in the intervening years. So, let’s get going: As writers, we often face questions from non-writers. “Are you still writing books?” “Do you self-publish?” “What do you really doContinue reading “Show ‘em! (Part 2)”
Perspective: in real life and in story
How we look at things is important. As storytellers (and there’s room for storytelling even in non-fiction…) the perspective we speak/write from impacts the story we tell. It affects the information available to the narrator, the reader’s ability to associate with the characters in our story, and the nuts and bolts of how we structureContinue reading “Perspective: in real life and in story”
Conference attendance virtual vs. in person
The last few years have been exceptional (you choose the ‘good’ or ‘bad’ tags for yourself…). The world’s changed a bit. One of those changes has been an increase in the acceptance of virtual conference. And yet, there’s value in being there too. Virtual advantages Virtual conferences are cheaper. You may get a direct discountContinue reading “Conference attendance virtual vs. in person”
Send the Letters
This week I’m working on marketing the LDSPMA writers’ conference. No, dear reader, I won’t bug you about it (I linked it though…). This week I’m contacting faculty and student organizations at some universities. And that means calls, emails, and letters. Now, I can’t say sending out emails and letters (or cold calling) is myContinue reading “Send the Letters”
Justifiably ragged…
Justified vs ragged right edge text As a writer, I do a lot of reading. As a reader, one of the first things I do is look at the text. Not read the text, look at it. How is it set up? What font and font size are used? How big are the paragraphs? AreContinue reading “Justifiably ragged…”
An update on waiting… And third dates…
Last post I talked about not hearing from a publisher when the response window ran out. I emailed (gently) asking for information. And… It turns out that there was a bit of a slowdown on the editor’s end and they’re working to catch up. I immediately thanked the editors for the information and told themContinue reading “An update on waiting… And third dates…”
Hurry up and wait… (But don’t just wait…)
Well, dear reader, the 16-week window for a publisher’s decision on Names and Secrets has come and gone. And… NO DECISION has been made. I have written previously about what this could mean, but I have said little about what to do (and what I’m doing) in this situation. Three options (and one ‘sort of’Continue reading “Hurry up and wait… (But don’t just wait…)”
Controlling the uncontrollable
“One of my characters and I have spent years trying to tell thunderstorms when and where to thunderstorm,” with that thought I realized a big piece of why it irritates me when people try to dictate (or even interfere with) when and where I write. I’ve spent years trying to control this, channel it, andContinue reading “Controlling the uncontrollable”
Not politically correct, but…
Merry Christmas dear reader. Merry Christmas to all! There are those who would tell me not to say Merry Christmas, that saying Merry Christmas is somehow offensive. Well, I’m not going to say they aren’t entitled to their own feelings, but most of the “Don’t say Merry Christmas” crowd that I’ve met either don’t understandContinue reading “Not politically correct, but…”
Forever Mountain Publishing 