When I heard that Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief, was visiting Denver, I actually gasped out loud. The Book Thief has been influential in my writing and reading life in more ways than I can name. Suffice it to say that I have about a million favorite books, but when forced to choose just one, I say TheContinue reading “6 things I learned about writing from Markus Zusak”
Tag Archives: Fiction
Fiction Friday: Chaos Theory snippet
It’s that time again–Fiction Friday! Today I have another scene from my current work-in-progress, Chaos Theory. I sent it to alpha readers earlier this week, and I’m already missing it, even though I know the break will do me good! So this will probably be the last Chaos Theory Fiction Friday for a while, as I take a breakContinue reading “Fiction Friday: Chaos Theory snippet”
Guest Post: Five ways to be a better reader
Hi everyone! This week I’m excited to share a guest post from fellow writer and blogger, Grace Maples. She shares how being a better reader can make you a better writer. If you want to read the guest post I wrote for her on learning to rest, click here. Enjoy! I was an avid reader beforeContinue reading “Guest Post: Five ways to be a better reader”
Fiction Friday: Chaos Theory snippet
Today’s Fiction Friday is another passage from my current work-in-progress, Chaos Theory. This is a portion from later on in the book. The main character’s dad has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and this is the first time we see her really interacting with him after it has severely affected him. If you’ve read the synopsis of theContinue reading “Fiction Friday: Chaos Theory snippet”
Fiction Friday: “Spice & Sparrow” snippet
This summer I participated in a program called “Young Writer Lessons,” where I met weekly with a writing mentor to work on creating a story. The idea I chose to focus on was one from my senior year of college when I had to get an MRI. Nothing ended up being wrong, but for severalContinue reading “Fiction Friday: “Spice & Sparrow” snippet”
10 picture books every adult should read
Even when you’re “grown up,” you still have a lot to learn. A surprising source of wisdom? Picture books. They may be meant for kids, but they’re chock full of fun, heartfelt lessons that are still applicable even after you don’t use the children’s section of the library anymore. I’ve rounded up ten of myContinue reading “10 picture books every adult should read”
Fiction Friday: “Backstays of the Sun”
At the end of June I submitted a story to the inaugural Story Embers Short Story Contest. I recently found out that my story, “Backstays of the Sun,” was chosen as the first place winner! It was published on their website, and for this Fiction Friday I wanted to make sure all of my blogContinue reading “Fiction Friday: “Backstays of the Sun””
The best way to improve your writing
I’ve wanted to be a published author for a long time, so naturally whenever I got the chance to go see an author speak, I jumped at it. I always had one question for them: what can I do to be a better writer? And no matter how many books they had published, how old theyContinue reading “The best way to improve your writing”
How to start writing your book
So, you’ve decided you want to write a book. You’ve figured out your idea, got a good handle on the characters and plot, and you’re ready to begin! But…how exactly do you do that? One of the hardest parts of writing a book is staring at that blank page, watching the cursor blink impatiently, andContinue reading “How to start writing your book”
Fiction Friday: “Strange and Unusual Death Circumstances Support Group”
For today’s Fiction Friday post, I selected a writing prompt from the book The 3 A.M. Epiphany by Brian Kiteley. It’s one of my favorite book of prompts, and a great source for any writer to have on their bookshelf. I ended up choosing prompt 99, “Rashomon”: Write about a group of several people, at least four,Continue reading “Fiction Friday: “Strange and Unusual Death Circumstances Support Group””