Checking in with 2011 goals

We’re now officially half-way through 2011, which hardly seems possible. Wasn’t it Christmas a few weeks ago? Didn’t I just sit down to write my goals for the year? Back in January, I told you all about my goals for this year in the belief that making them public would make me more accountable. I… Continue reading Checking in with 2011 goals

How do you know if you’re a good writer?

I remember very clearly the first time someone told me I was a good writer. I was nine or ten and had to write a biography about a person I admired. I chose my grandpa, a remarkable man in so many ways that would never earn him recognition outside his family. Loyal, kind, hard-working –… Continue reading How do you know if you’re a good writer?

Little man’s complex: short stories that pack a powerful punch

This is cross-posted at The Season. I love short stories. I studied them in college and some of my all-time favorite authors (like Flannery O’Connor and Angela Carter) wrote brilliant short stories. I’ve never been a big fan of romance short stories, though—until recently. Last year I won a copy of Jeannie Lin’s The Taming… Continue reading Little man’s complex: short stories that pack a powerful punch

Finished the draft! Need a beta!

After one year and two weeks, I’ve FINALLY finished the first draft of my novel. *insert appropriate noises connoting excitement and nervousness here* I’ve been editing and polishing as I go – which is one reason I’ve only written the last scene this weekend. It’s 343 pages (96,500 glorious words) but there are around 250… Continue reading Finished the draft! Need a beta!

2010: How writing and writing buddies got me through a shit year

My friend Suzanne Johnson wrote a great post at Write in the Shadows about how her writing career developed throughout 2010. For me personally, this year has hit higher highs and lower lows than any I can remember. For months I said I just wanted to get the year over with, but when I read… Continue reading 2010: How writing and writing buddies got me through a shit year