After typing THE END in giant block letters on my no-holds-barred first draft, how do I polish it into a ready-for-other-people-to-read version? As many writers will tell you, writing is revision. Once I’ve let a manuscript rest for at least 6 weeks (or 6 months or even 2 years!), I read it through again fast.…Continue reading Revision toolbox
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SCBWI Summer Spectacular
This weekend is the SCBWI Summer Spectacular conference, usually a weeklong gathering of writers and illustrators in California. This year, it’s all virtual, but that means I can actually attend! The keynotes and panels will be recorded, so I can go back and watch any that I miss for the whole month of August. Not…Continue reading SCBWI Summer Spectacular
Solo retreat, 2020 style
In the middle of July, I took a 3-day solo writing retreat. I love the Mississippi state park cabins because they’re cheap, air-conditioned, and secluded. I’m more interested in glamping than roughing it, especially when I’m tackling a difficult revision, and this was perfect. After wiping all surfaces with disinfectant and rewashing the dishes and…Continue reading Solo retreat, 2020 style
Finding the words
At this moment in history, my sincere hope is that 2020 will someday reflect a shift in our country toward recognizing what’s important: Life. Health. Family. Community. Sanity. There are three words that say more right now that any I can come up with: Black Lives Matter. For the time being, I am spending my…Continue reading Finding the words
Odd comforts
After being hit hard with coronavirus, New Orleans is slowly reopening. I am not. I’m still in hunker-down mode, which includes comforting my family and myself through a myriad of feelings and situations that exacerbate those feelings. We’re doing fine, and I’m cautiously optimistic about the future, but I function best when I take things…Continue reading Odd comforts