So the first book is done, it’s out there in print and e-book versions and I took a big breath once it got posted to Amazon. But I forgot to let it out. I’ve been known to hold my breath at critical moments. Just ask my one-time horseback riding instructor, Liz. Did it over the jumps every time. Well, I…
What do you see in this photo? Look closely. If you could touch it, what would it feel like? If you could hear it, what would it sound like? If you could watch it move, what would it look like? Last week one day I decided to try hard to hear, feel and watch my world–closely. It was…
I like visitors. I am a writer. I get visitors all the time–doctors, lawyers, murderers and criminals of all kinds, animals, wolf-demon creatures, crazy people, even dead bodies drop by frequently. Then there are the tutengas, lalabengas and even, sometimes, walawalalendas.
The book title is most likely going to stay, “In the Shadow of Porter’s Hollow.” It conveys the idea of the protagonist (the main character) being a woman whose family past has overshadowed who she has become. I like the way the picture above hints at shadows and old things hiding in them. The writing is going well. Over 50,000…
I don’t think I ever realized how daunting it would be to write an entire book. I’ve written so many short pieces, poetry, stories, articles, without a thought for how long a book length story goes on. I feel like I’m living the characters’ lives. It plays on in my head like a movie. I picture the scenes, dread what…
This place is inspirational. It’s the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. Out there under those mists is a deep valley of trees with Pine Creek running through the middle. Nature at its heavenly best. I love to breathe deep the fresh, piney air, the wet musky scents of the woods, hear the twitter of birds, the rustling in the underbrush…
I have read more than once lately that a writer should “let the story write itself.” The premise being that you start with an idea and let it develop as you write. It sounded at first like some sort of metaphysical hooey. Like there was some spiritual experience involved between the writer and the word on the page. I thought,…
Setting is more than just background in writing, it moves the story along as much as dialogue does. Setting provides texture, feel, ambiance, it invites the reader into the story physically. Setting intensifies fear, inspires awe, soothes or annoys even as sound in a movie does. It draws the reader in and captures the subconscious mind engaging all the senses, including that elusive sixth sense….