Almost four months ago my seasonal job at the Idaho State Park near our house ended with the summer. My husband Keoni and I had been tossing around the idea of NOT searching for my "next job," but doing something instead that I felt moved to do (namely, write) and treating that as though it … Continue reading A Forum on Freelancing
PSA for Readers: Hello, FREE BOOKS!
I just wanted to share this opportunity with the READERS who read here, because I have a feeling the opportunity is being mostly missed... My friend Karen Syed at Echelon Press is offering a sweet deal between now and Christmas Eve: if you are up for writing a Reader Review of a book from Echelon … Continue reading PSA for Readers: Hello, FREE BOOKS!
Inventory Item: Right Knee, Size XL
I'm writing from my hubby's hospital room, where we're "camping" for a few days. He is in possession of a brand new knee as of yesterday (lucky 13th), and we're learning that one size doesn't "fit all." The grippy-socks they provide for patients only fit over the ends of his size-17 flippers, so he's reclining … Continue reading Inventory Item: Right Knee, Size XL
‘Mythbusters’ Edition: How NOT to Blog
Just recently I came across a post listing Rules for writing a good blog--and I discovered I've been doing everything wrong! Without laying out the whole rulebook, here's the CliffsNotes edition of Somebody Else's Rules: Pick one topic and only blog about that. People want to know what to expect from your blog. Don't post … Continue reading ‘Mythbusters’ Edition: How NOT to Blog
Stand down the SWAT Team
A kindergartner might take a glacier's age to put on a single tennis shoe while mom impatiently rattles the car keys in the morning, but put the same kindergartner in a circle with 24 other 5-year-olds and a single tub of crayons, and they move too fast to clock. Like iron filings to a magnet, … Continue reading Stand down the SWAT Team
Growing a Writer: Just Add Marker
My daughter wanted a story. So I began with "Once upon a time" (which parents probably recognize as the stalling technique employed while a distracted multi-tasking mom thinks of a story to tell)... but I got no further than this opening before she interrupted. "No, Mommy--a LIVING story." Evidently Elena Grace shares my predilection for … Continue reading Growing a Writer: Just Add Marker
Looking for YA Reading Recommendations
It occurs to me that I have a marvelous resource here--of readers and writers--so I'm asking for your input! Here's my challenge: finding suitable reading material for someone who reads at a post-graduate level, but has the interests of a 10-year-old boy. I'll be trolling the used bookstores for Christian's Christmas, and I'd love your … Continue reading Looking for YA Reading Recommendations