05/2025

     After eight months of nonstop work on my upper middle-grade novel, I felt a wave of relief when I finally typed the last sentence.  But even then, the work wasn’t over.  There were endless rounds of edits that left my brain foggy, like it was trapped in a permanent state of jet lag.  Instead of diving straight into my next project, I decided to give my mind a break.  I desperately needed a creative recharge.  What was meant to be a short, two-week break stretched into a couple of months, and that’s okay.  I had to be ready to tackle my next project.  I had to want it.

     Maybe not every writer needs a break between books (I envy those who don’t).  Some writers jump right into their next projects with fire still in their veins.  But I’ve learned I’m a better creator when I take a breather, even if it turns into a long drawn-out one.

     So, if you’ve just finished your book and are wondering what comes next, maybe the answer is… nothing.  Sometimes the most productive thing a writer can do is step away, recharge, and trust that when you return, the words will be waiting for you.

The Aesthetic for My Middle Grade Novel

05/2025

Finding the Right Agent

05/2025

Trying to find an agent has been hands-down one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. Putting myself out there, not knowing how my work will be received, is nerve-wracking.  But I’m trying to trust the process and refuse to let my fear drown out my goals.  I’m still not sure if traditional publishing is the path for me, but I’m committed to giving it a shot because if you don’t try, the answer is always no.

Here are some tidbits I’ve picked up along the way.  Maybe they’ll help you, too.

First of all, your 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.  

* If you’re a non-fiction writer, it’s a whole different process.

Second, not every agent will be the right fit.  It means doing 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 one of ours.

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.  

* This sounds easier than it is.  I’ve already revised my query a dozen times, and honestly, I still don’t know what sells.  But, I’m trying and learning along the way.

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 (unless, of course, you decide to self-publish).

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.    

Happy writing!

Big Hair, Big Memories

05/2025

     Working on my retro middle-grade novel felt 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 and more carefree.  Recalling that era, detail by detail (the fashion, the music, the slang) was like a jolt of serotonin, sparking joy and transporting me back to a time filled with hope and excitement for what the future might bring.   

     I got to relive the things I loved most as a kid: Brat Pack 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 it was rainy, Atari games kept me entertained, along with the towering stack of books in my closet that were my lifeline.  I was always off on some adventure, whether roaming around outdoors, or deep in my imagination, which is the reason I write today.  Those imaginary worlds are where I found my happy 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 lose myself in all things ’80s.  I feel lucky to have spent my teenage years in that decade.  I just wish I’d known then how special and unique that time truly was, and how those memories would continue to bring me joy today.  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 always revere them.

** 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

05/2025

When it’s time to write, there are five essentials I can’t create without.  Well, I could create without them, and sometimes I have to, but my essentials make the writing process so much more enjoyable.   

1) My number one essential is my iPad.  It’s lightweight, portable, and perfect for writing on the go.  I draft everything in Pages, then back it up to Scrivener because nothing soothes my writer’s anxiety like a backup.  It’s also an incredible research tool.  Honestly, I couldn’t write without it.  It’s the one true essential.  Everything else is just garnish.

2) My second writing essential is a comfy spot, which isn’t always easy to find when I’m traveling.  Thankfully, I can write just about anywhere, but I do my best work in my own little corner of the world.  At home, I bounce between my home office and a well-loved section on my living room sofa.  The oversized, super-soft couch is my favorite writing place.  It’s next to a big window that overlooks the backyard, and on those rare gloomy or rainy days (which don’t happen often in Phoenix), the grey light creates just the right kind of magic to get the words flowing.

3) Ambient music is another essential for me.  When I’m home, I’ll find a cozy scene on YouTube, like an ocean view or a European café, something with soft jazz playing in the background.  It sets the mood and helps me slip into the zone.  When I’m traveling, headphones are a must to drown out the chaos around me.  The Harry Potter soundtrack is my go-to.  It inspires me and somehow makes even a noisy airport feel like a cozy nook.

4) The Notes app on my iPhone is absolutely essential.  Ideas about the story I’m working on pop into my head at the most random times, and if I don’t jot them down right away, they’ll just swirl around my brain, cluttering my thoughts, or be lost forever.  It could be anything: an idea for a future chapter, a line of dialogue, or a character detail I don’t want to forget.  Writing things down helps me clear the mental clutter and keeps the ideas flowing freely.

5) My final essential is coffee.  It’s comfort in a mug.  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 my chapter book series (on and off) for a many years now.  In the beginning, I let my characters run wild 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, armed with an idea and a lot of hope that it would turn out as magical as the version in my head.

     Somewhere along the way, I realized I needed help.  After countless hours paging through the writing section at Barnes & Noble, I stumbled across a book called Save the Cat! Writes a Novel.   It broke down story structure in a way that actually clicked for me.  It was a total game changer.  Not only did it breathe new life into this series, but it also transformed my upper middle-grade novel in a way I never could’ve imagined.  Essentially, the beat sheets became my plotting roadmap, keeping me from wandering aimlessly, ensuring every chapter had a purpose.  

     Now, I consider myself a plantser: equal parts plotter and pantser.  Structure gives me a clear sense of direction, but within that framework, my imagination is free to create that magic that brings story to life.  

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

The Birth of a Novel

04/2025  

     Writing my first middle-grade novel wasn’t something I planned.  It began as an assignment for a writing course I was taking through Stanford, inspired by my childhood experiences.  The story had been sitting in the back of my mind for years.  I just wasn’t ready to tell it.

     After the course ended, the story sat untouched in my files for over a year.  I tinkered with it here and there, tweaked the plot, and experimented with structure, but it wasn’t until last September that I fully committed to finishing it.  That’s when the story really came to life, and the characters found their voices.  The story that had lived inside me for years finally made its way into the world.

     I worked my fingers to the bone, writing wherever I could: in airports, on airplanes, in hotels (I’m on the road a lot).  Once I found my rhythm, I couldn’t stop.  Page by page, I pushed forward until my passion project was complete.

     Now that the book is written, I’m figuring out my next steps.  Should I try to find an agent or take the self-publishing route?  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.  🖋️

Showing Up (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)                    

04/2025              

     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 well-worn book.  At eight years old, I wrote my first story, a wild adventure about a motorcycling grandma.  That leather-clad grandmother is all I really remember about the story that’s long lost, but it sparked a love of writing that’s still with me today.  

     Many years passed without a written word, but the desire to tell stories never left me.  Like many hopeful authors, life took over.  Eventually, I realized that dreaming of being a writer wasn’t enough.  I had to show up for my dreams and do the work.  I needed to make writing an essential part of my day, like coffee.  And I’m not about to skip that.  

    The secret, I’ve learned, is consistency.  I had to figure out the time of day that worked best for me (spoiler: mornings weren’t it) and turn writing into a daily habit.  At first, I timed myself.  I’d sit in front of my iPad for an hour a day.  Once my book began to take shape, I worked chapter by chapter, until I finally typed the words The End.  Let me tell you, there’s an incredible high that comes from seeing your idea become this tangible thing you can hold and read.  

     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 time of day do you write?  Share your routine in the Thought Bubble ☕️

Big Shoes, Little Feet