06/04/2025

     My middle grade novel started out as a project for a writing class I was taking through Stanford University’s continuing education program.  I spent over a year writing with no real plan, hoping the story would naturally unfold.  Basically, my story was organized chaos.

     The real turning point came when I decided I would write every single day, no excuses.  Once I made writing a daily habit, the story began to reveal itself, like it had been waiting for me to tune in.  I felt completely absorbed in it, like I belonged to a world no one else could enter. And the craziest thing happened… I started to see what my characters saw and feel what they felt.  I became one with them.

     Now that the book is finished and I’ve been out of the writing game for a few weeks, I can really see how much the “no excuses” rule helped me become a better writer.  I know I need to get back to work and find that flow again.  When I was fully committed, the novel found its voice, and so did I.  With every page, every rough draft, and even the tiniest revision, I could feel myself improving at my craft.  I started to trust my instincts more and really enjoyed the process.

     I’m so ready to lose myself in my next story: a magical place where anything can happen, and impossible is just another challenge to overcome.  I’m showing up, no matter what. 

     No excuses.

After the Pause

05/27/2025

     Ten days. Ten beautiful, sun-soaked, ultra-relaxing vacation days spent doing all the things I love: walking the beach, catching up on my reading, and not thinking one bit about writing.

     Okay, that might be stretching the truth.  I definitely thought about writing.  A lot.  But I wasn’t hunched over my iPad, furiously typing away.  I did, however, mentally map out my next project, a chapter book series about a young girl’s quest through time to find her missing grandfather.  On her journey, she meets a young boy trapped between the pages of an ancient tome.  It’s a story about a love so powerful it transcends time, making the impossible possible.

     After some much needed rest, I’m feeling recharged and ready to plot, my favorite part of every project because anything can happen.  Now it’s time to let the magic unfold and see where the story goes.  Wherever it is, I’m strapped in and along for the ride.

Brain on Break: A Creative Recharge

05/15/2025

     After a full year of working on my middle-grade novel, I was ecstatic when it was finally completed.  But even after typing the last sentence, the work continued with endless rounds of edits.  My brain became foggy, like it was stuck in a state of mental jet lag.  Instead of diving into my next project, I’ve decided to take a creative breather.

     I’m choosing to step away from my iPad and put my writing on the back burner.  I’m going to do all the things I’ve been putting off, like renewing my passport and finishing the Grady Hendrix novel I’ve been trying to read for months.  I’ll be spending a few days tucked away in a cabin with my family, followed by some beach time, allowing my mind to unwind and breathe.  Next month, I’ll get back to the grind, but for now, there’s a pause on writing courses, self-imposed deadlines, and pounding away on my keyboard.

     Not every writer needs a creative recharge (I envy those who don’t).  Some jump right into their next projects with fire still in their veins.  But I’m learning that I’m a better creator when I take a break, both mental and physical.  When I return, I’ll be ready to give 100% of myself to the next project.

     If you’ve just finished your book and are wondering what happens next, maybe the answer is nothing.  Sometimes the most productive thing a writer can do is walk away and trust that the words will find their way back when you return.

The Aesthetic Behind My Novel

05/05/2025

Chasing the Yes: Finding the Right Agent

04/30/2025

      Trying to find an agent is one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.  It’s nerve-wracking putting myself out there, not knowing how my work will be received.  But, I’m learning to trust the process and not let my fear grow louder than my goal.  Here are some nuggets I’ve picked up along the way.  Hopefully, they’ll help you, too.

     First of all, your fictional novel needs to be completely finished.  This means edited, revised, and polished until it shines.  Agents are looking for manuscripts that are ready to be submitted to publishers.     

     Second, not every agent will be the right fit for you.  Finding your person is a process, but one that’s absolutely worth it.  It means you’ll have to do some digging: reading interviews, scanning their wishlists, and figuring out who’s searching for a story like yours.  It’s reassuring to know that agents are constantly on the hunt for fresh voices.  Maybe yours.

     When you find an agent who represents your genre, has a solid track record, and a communication style that matches yours, it’s time to reach out with a killer query letter.  The query should be professional, but personable.  Begin by mentioning why you’re reaching out to that specific agent, then grab their attention with a compelling hook.  Follow with a brief synopsis, then close with a short paragraph about yourself, including any writing experience and relevant credentials.  

     The letter should be no longer than one page.  When submitting it, be sure to follow the agent’s directions exactly before hitting the send button.  Each agent has their own guidelines and they’ll notice if you overlook them.  While you’re waiting for a response, keep researching, keep submitting, and don’t stop until you get that YES.

     Remember, rejections are a normal part of the process.  They’re not a reflection of you or your writing.  They just mean your book wasn’t the right fit for that particular agent.  Ultimately, you want to find someone who shares your vision and believes in your story as much as you do.  So, keep persisting and trust that the right match is out there.  Happy writing!

Big Hair, Big Memories

04/25/2025

     Working on my retro, middle grade novel was like stepping into a time machine, and I absolutely loved every second of it.  There’s something magical about returning to the 1980s, a world before cell phones and social media, when life felt simpler.  Recalling that era detail by detail (the fashion, the music, the slang) was a total joy.

     I got to relive the things I loved most as a kid: movies, sleepovers, boys, writing letters, and even better, receiving them.  Our summers felt endless, and there was always something to do.  My bike was my ticket to everywhere.  And if I wanted to stay home, Atari kept me company, along with my huge stack of books.  I was always off on some adventure, either out in the world, or deep in my imagination, which is the reason I write today.  It’s where I found my happy then and where I find it now.

     Writing this book gave me the perfect excuse to dive back into old memories, crank up the music I grew up on, and get lost in all things ’80s.  I feel lucky to have spent my teenage years in that decade.  I just wish I’d known how special and unique that time was, and how those memories would become a source of joy.  Because if I’d known, I would’ve savored every single second while I was living it and stopped wondering what tomorrow would bring.  Looking back now, I realize those were the days that shaped me, and I’ll treasure them, always. 

** What decade do you hold close to your heart and why?  Let me know in the Thought Bubble 💭 

5 Essentials I Can’t Write Without

04/21/2025

When it’s time to write, there are five essentials I can’t create without.

• My number one essential is my iPad.  It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and perfect for writing.  I draft everything in Pages, then back it up to Scrivener for total peace of mind.  It’s also a great research tool.  Beyond writing, my iPad is my go-to for just about everything: reading, streaming music, watching movies, and the occasional deep-dive down the rabbit hole.  Honestly, I’d be lost without it.
• My second writing essential is a comfy writing spot, but with my job, that’s not always easy.  Luckily, I can write just about anywhere, but I really work best in my own space.  At home, I’ll bounce between my home office and one well-loved corner of the living room sofa.  That oversized, super soft couch is my favorite writing spot, especially during the holidays when the house is fully decorated.  There’s a big window right there, and when it’s gloomy and/or rainy (which isn’t often in Phoenix), it creates just the right amount of magic to get the words flowing.  
• Ambient music is essential.  If I’m home, I’ll find something on YouTube with a cozy scene to reflect the time of year, like a crackling fireplace, or a European cafe with a view.  It sets the mood and gets me in the zone.  If I’m traveling, headphones are a must.  With them, I can listen to music, usually something jazzy, and drown out the chaos around me.  As long as I’m in my bubble, I can write, no matter where I am in the world.  
• The Notes app on my iPhone is a huge essential.  Thoughts about the story I’m writing often pop into my head, and if I don’t write them down right away, they’ll just swirl around my brain, distracting me from the scene I’m working on.  It could be anything: an idea for a future chapter, a piece of dialogue, or a character detail that I don’t want to forget.  Jotting things down really helps clear the mental clutter, and keeps the ideas flowing.  
• My final essential is coffee.  Every good story begins with a sip.

    ** Feel free to comment in the Thought Bubble, and let me know what’s in your writer toolbox.

Pantser, Plotter, and Plantser

04/15/2025  

     I’ve been working on a chapter book series, off and on, for a few years now.  In the beginning, I let my characters take the lead and watched the story unfold.  I jumped in without a plan or outline, only a general idea of how I wanted the story to end.  Basically, I was pantsing my way through the entire process, with only a vague idea and a whole lot of hope.  Imagine taking a road trip without a map, or GPS to guide you.  It’s all fun and games, until you’re hopelessly lost and running on fumes.

     Well, somewhere along the way, I realized I needed guidance.  After hours of browsing the writing section at Barnes & Noble, I came across a book called Save the Cat! Writes a Novel.  It explained the plotting process in a way that actually made sense and for me, it was a game changer.  The beat sheets became my roadmap, keeping me from wandering aimlessly, ensuring every chapter had a purpose.  

     So now, I call myself a plantser—part plotter, part pantser.  While structure gives me clear direction, my imagination is free to create the magic that brings story to life.

** So, which are you?  A pantser, plotter, or plantser? 📝

The Birth of a Novel

04/12/2025  

     Writing my first middle grade novel wasn’t exactly something I planned.  It all started as an assignment for a writing course I took through Stanford.  The story had been sitting in the back of my mind for years, inspired by something that happened to me as a teenager.  It was always there, waiting to be told, I just wasn’t ready to tell it.  

     After the course ended, the draft sat in my documents for over a year.  I dabbled with the story here and there, tweaking the plot, but it wasn’t until September ‘24 that I fully committed to writing it.  That’s when the story took on a life of its own.  The plot began to unfold, the characters found their voices, and the story that had been living inside me found its way into the world.  

     I worked my fingers to the bone, writing everywhere I could: in airports, hotels, my couch (see previous blog), to name a few.  Once I found my rhythm, I just couldn’t stop.  So, I kept on going… one page at a time, all the way to the end.  And before I knew it, my book was complete.  

     Now, that my retro story is written, I’m taking the next step: the search for a literary agent.  It’s a little scary (terrifying might be a better word), but also exciting.  I don’t know where this journey will lead, but I’m in it for the long haul, with a hopeful heart and a whole lot of coffee.

** Is there anybody else out there on this part of the journey?  Visit the Thought Bubble and share your story.  I’d love to hear it.  🖋️

Writers Write and All That Jazz                             

04/09/2025                 

     Ever since I was a kid, I’ve known I wanted to be a writer.  I’d hide in my closet with only a flashlight and lose myself in the pages of a book.  At eight-years-old, I wrote my first story, a wild adventure about a motorcycling grandma.  That’s all I can remember, but I’d love to read it again, if only it weren’t buried at the bottom of a landfill (dramatic sigh).

     Years passed, and that eight-year-old girl grew up and joined the Air Force.  She didn’t write for a long time, but the desire was always in her.  The thing was, I never established a consistent writing schedule.  Life took over and before I knew it, the years passed without a written word.  Eventually, I realized that wanting to be a writer wasn’t enough.  I had to show up and do the work.  Every. Single. Day.  Writing had to become an essential part of my day, like eating.  And I’m not about to skip that.   

     The key is finding the right time to write and turning it into a habit.  I’m not a morning person (I wish I were, but that’s a whole different post), so afternoons are my sweet spot.  I brew a cup of Nespresso, with lots of cinnamon, and set myself up on the couch with ambient music playing in the background.  I light a candle and get cozy, and then I begin.  Some days, I scrape by with a few paragraphs.  Other days, I knock out a whole chapter.   Either way, I feel productive because I’m there, putting in the work.

     There are still days when I don’t feel like writing at all.  But I’ve learned that inspiration doesn’t always show up.  Sometimes, you just have to start writing, and the inspiration will follow.  What started as a hobby has now become a part of who I am, and I’m here for it.  Every day.

** What time of day do you write?  Share your ritual in the Thought Bubble ☕️

Big Shoes, Little Feet