Category: Uncategorized
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Yes, writers can be movie heroes.
When it comes to action movie heroes, a writer isn’t going to save the world. In “Die Hard,” no writer takes on terrorists with a computer to rescue hostages. Indiana Jones flashes a whip and pistol not a pen and paper to beat the bad guys in any of those four movies. A battalion of […]
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Finishing a manuscript and chicken tacos
Nothing is as good as finishing a book, well maybe, chicken tacos. Within a week or so, I will be ready to pitch my new manuscript, a steampunk mystery. After all the typing, sore back and hands, research, and doubts, it will be complete. After all the searching for the right word and emotion. Making […]
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It’s Thelma’s movie
One of the first things writers learn is that good drama means your characters change, either for the better or worse, within the scope of the story. Why is change so important? Because it doesn’t happen without conflict, which keeps the motor of our story running. But that lesson really struck me to the core […]
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Bless my Valentines
Of course, the first person on my list today was my husband. For his support of my writing and well, just of me. But I have other Valentines out there. Those are the people who critique my work so that it can get better. Those who give build my low morale when the rejects fall […]
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On how to keep writing
I went to a doctor the other day for a routine checkup and he talked about how he has been writing a book–for years. He said he suffered from a terrible case of writer’s block and asked me how to get over it. My prescription to the doctor was simple. Just keep on writing. Write […]
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Yes, I have made it into a textbook
One of the stories from my book, “Red Ridin’ in the Hood and Other Cuentos,” has been included in the textbook, “Inside: Language, Literacy and Content,” by publishers National Geographic and Hampton Brown. The story of “The Three Chicharrones,” my version of the three little pigs, is included in a chapter about retelling a story […]
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Share your writing resolutions for 2012
My writing resolution for the new year is to complete my newest novel, send it out and not weep too hard at rejection. What is yours?
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Celebrating your writing buddies
Among the hectic days at the holidays, I took time to say “Thank goodness for my writing buddies.” I say that a lot and not just at Christmas. My writing buddies are Bonnie Dodge and Dixie Thomas Reale, who are also my partners in Other Bunch Press. Here is why they are important and why […]
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One more month to send in ghost story
Time is ticking. Send your submission of an Idaho ghost story for Other Bunch Press’ upcoming anthology, “Hauntings From the Snake River Plain.” It is free to submit. The deadline is Dec. 31. If selected you get a copy of the book, publishing credit and writing laurels. For more info, go wo http://www.otherbunch.wordpress.com.
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My grandpa and Mexican bread pudding
I loved my grandfather very much and lost him when I was young. He taught me how to draw, and I remember his wonderful smile. Although he had to make his living working in a steel mill, he wrote plays. My mom said I must have taken after him, which is a great compliment. What […]