After my last post - My Postpartum Writing Life: Working-Writing Mom with a 4-Month-Old - I received a few questions about where I fit my writing in, so I thought it was time for another "average day" post. I've actually written a handful of these over the years. The last time I wrote one was… Continue reading My Average Day as an Author, Librarian, and Mom
Tag: author
My Postpartum Writing Life: Working-Writing Mom with a 4-Month-Old
My baby turned four months old yesterday, which is both mind blowing and incredibly exciting. (It really does go by so fast.) Now that we’ve officially made it one month of her going to daycare while I work full-time (and write novels), I thought it was time for a writing life update. And honestly? This… Continue reading My Postpartum Writing Life: Working-Writing Mom with a 4-Month-Old
How Three Different Rounds of Critique Partners & Beta Readers Help Me Revise
“How do you revise?” is a question I’m often asked when talking about novel writing, especially if I’m giving a speech to a group of writers who are approaching the end of their first draft. Writing a first draft is hard enough. But perfecting it? Well, that can feel so daunting that many writers freeze.… Continue reading How Three Different Rounds of Critique Partners & Beta Readers Help Me Revise
Should Young Adult Books Teach a Lesson?
I was working on my WIP recently when I started talking about my book with a librarian friend. Specifically scenes where my main character fixes up an old sports car and starts racing around her country town. To my surprise, my friend assumed she would crash the car and eventually learn that this behavior is… Continue reading Should Young Adult Books Teach a Lesson?
2022: My Complete Year
At the end of every year, I write a reflection post about where I’m at, not just in my writing life, but also in my personal life and how it all correlates. I’m calling 2022 My Complete Year because it coincides with how I called 2021 the Year of Unfinished Change. Last year, I got… Continue reading 2022: My Complete Year
Writing (and Working) While Pregnant: Third Trimester
I am 37 weeks pregnant, which means I am full-term, but have a few weeks to go and, honestly, I didn’t want to wait any longer to write this blog post. Why? Because I’m tired. If I wait any longer, I’m not sure I’ll be able to get the blog post out on time. (Not… Continue reading Writing (and Working) While Pregnant: Third Trimester
Should You Talk About Querying While Querying?
Only a few years ago, it was a huge no-no to talk openly about querying while querying. Sure, you could DM your closest writing friends, but tweeting about it openly? Hard nope. It was seen as unprofessional, a sign that the author wasn’t able to keep a level head when negotiations are taking place. You… Continue reading Should You Talk About Querying While Querying?
Why We Need More Books Like Jennette McCurdy’s I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED
Controversy erupted in publishing last week when child star Jennette McCurdy released her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died. Ever since, I’ve seen various discussions being bounced around online. Some supportive; some not. I get it. I do. There’s lots of folks out there who cannot imagine disliking their mother so much that death feels… Continue reading Why We Need More Books Like Jennette McCurdy’s I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED
Pay-To-Play in Traditional Publishing, and Why We Need to Talk About It
A few weeks ago, I was querying when I kept coming across agent after agent who was closed to submissions except from those who they’ve met at conferences. Below that, a list of conferences was provided, where a writer could go and purchase a ticket (often in the hundreds), and then an additional ticket to… Continue reading Pay-To-Play in Traditional Publishing, and Why We Need to Talk About It
What It’s Like Going Unpublished for Five Years
My last published novel - Bad Bloods: July Lightning - released on July 24, 2017. Five years ago. That fact can feel pretty staggering some days. Obviously, more so when the anniversary comes up than other times of the year. But alas, here we are, standing at a time of reflection. Back in 2017, I… Continue reading What It’s Like Going Unpublished for Five Years
