-
Podcast 2 – Who Inspires Your Writing?
* Today, we’ll be talking on the podcast about other writers who inspire you writing. If you’re a writer, listen to the podcast and then do the assignment I’m giving you at the end of the podcast. It will help you start to focus. It will also help you find the “why” behind what you want to do. Ever since I read Simon Sinek’s book a few years ago titled Start With Why, I began to look at everything I do in a different way. If I can’t identify my why, then maybe, perhaps, I don’t do it. But starting with this idea of your own inspiration is certainly…
-
The Wonderful, Wacky World of Writers
I’m just gonna put this out there because it makes me sad: too many people are not reading. They are spending their time on other things, which is great, but I would like to see the average books people read a year climb (see a piece I wrote last year about average number of books people read each year by clicking here.) I am, however, encouraged on Instagram by all the READERS and WRITERS I’ve become connected with over the last six months. People post books, book art, and their favorite stories in beautiful pictures. It’s been a whirlwind of likes and follows, but the people I’m connected with are…
-
Not Quite There With 5 Days Remaining
It’s the 25th of November, and I’m still making progress, although it’s not moving as quickly as I would like. The goal for November was to complete 50,000 words (which is, in essence, a small novel). The problem is, this novel (Life with Nan) will more like 80,000+ words, I’m guessing. So, my friends, I have a way to go, but if that’s the case, then I’ll try to find some solace in the fact that I hit the halfway point by going over 40,000 words. Nan and my main character, Calista, still have more to uncover as their relationship of living together as granddaughter and grandmother continue, and as…
-
On Creative Leadership, Creativity, and Nonsense
* * * For the last couple of years, I’ve become very interested in researching what it takes to be a creative leader. Malcolm Knowles wrote a book entitled, “The Adult Learner, A Neglected Species.” From that book I’ve conducted research on creative leadership and what it takes to be a creative leader, both in business and in our own creative lives. I’ve presented this research at a couple of conferences, and I look forward to further pursing the ideals of creative leaders. Folks such as Steve Jobs, Sandy Lerner, Richard Branson, and JK Rowling have all served as inspiration for these presentations I make. When looking at the commonalities…
-
Wednesday Wisdom From A Pro
First: Today’s Wednesday Wisdom comes from a pro. Pablo Picasso’s work has been emulated and revered. Picasso was a sculptor and a printmaker, but was known for his talents as a painter. It has been noted that he created over 50,000 works of art in his lifetime, living to the ripe old age of 91. Moreover, he was responsible for creating innovative styles of painting, and his works have traveled the world, in addition to being featured in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. I’ve selected Picasso’s quote today because it applies to those of you working in a craft, whether it be art, acting, painting, writing, or whatever…
-
Curl Up With A Good Book, Or Write One
* * * It’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and we writers are hard at work as we attempt to make our way through our projects. It’s not easy, and for those of us with full-time jobs, kids, husbands and families, and friends who love and need our time, slotting in those hours can be challenging. So here’s the idea: Those of you who are readers, curl up with a good book. Those of you who are writers, get to work. You mustn’t stop writing and creating. As Toni Morrison said, “If there’s a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, go write it.” The computer…
-
The Chill of Autumn . . .
I thought about my character, Michael Contelli, over the weekend as I took a walk through my neighborhood (pictured above) when the leaves on the trees looked glorious and the smell of fall was in the air. Here’s what Michael says in my novel, “Beneath the Mimosa Tree,” about the season of autumn, or fall. It’s my favorite season. I just love it. * * * From “Beneath the Mimosa Tree” — Michael’s perspective… It was four in the afternoon when we arrived; a perfectly gray November sky graced the landscape, and the chill of autumn was in the air. Autumn was my favorite season. Some might say it prepared…
-
For all writers who have gone though the process…
A little writing humor today…
-
My Novel—”Beneath The Mimosa Tree”—Now Available in Two Independent Stores
* * * I wanted to take a moment to thank two people—and their respective stores—for supporting my novel, and, like me, they happen to work for independent stores, just as I am an independent author. Special thanks to Nancy Russell at Greetings & Readings in Hunt Valley, Maryland. My book, “Beneath the Mimosa Tree” is on the shelves there in two spots: under “Regional/Local Interest” and under “General Fiction.” Greetings & Readings is considered one of the premier independent bookstores in Maryland, and I’m flattered that they now house my novel. Also, Karina Ferrer, owner of The Blue Door in Pasadena, Maryland, was the first person to welcome the…
-
Kissing My Characters Goodbye: One Last Hurrah
*** Yesterday afternoon, I took some time to connect one last time with my novel. By the end of the day today, it should be ready to ship off to the woman who will format it for the Kindle. I’m ready to let go of it, but I needed to have one last moment with these characters who have been a steady part of my life for two years now. While I won’t get into all the steps that have been necessary to get the novel to its completed state, I will tell you that it feels a little bit like birth and death simultaneously. These characters have been an…
-
Be Careful Or You’ll End Up In My Novel…and other thoughts…
*** Sometimes I want to toss my novel out the window. I completely understand what Dorothy Parker meant when she said, “This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.” I’ve been working on Beneath the Mimosa Tree for so long that I would be lying if I didn’t say I could throw in the towel. Writing is painful sometimes. We are hard on ourselves. But then I think of what Raymond Carver said: “Technique alone is never enough. You have to have passion. Technique alone is just an embroidered potholder.” Luckily, I have the passion. I could put my novel out…
