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
Tag: writing
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
In-between time
Finished a draft of a novel recently, but my agent and I decided that it’s not quite ready for show. I’m not ready to dive back in yet, but I’m not sure which project to tackle next. So I’m going to spend a little time letting my creative energies recuperate. But what to do in…Continue reading In-between time
Jury duty, the fun kind
A couple months ago, I was asked to be part of a jury for parent-artist applicants to Elsewhere Studios, the artistic residency my family and I attended last summer. The applications arrived earlier this month, and I have been having a great time reading them. Because my specialty is writing, I have received ten applications…Continue reading Jury duty, the fun kind