…ekphrasis–using a piece of art to inspire the narrative. If you want to try it, take a painting, sculpture, photo, or anything you see as art and begin studying it. Just spend time with it, looking closely, asking what the story might be.
My Stepfather’s Tree
My mother didn’t allow us to gather to memorialize my stepfather, but the tree is a memorial I see every day. I still talk with him. I still ask my him questions and then wait–the answer comes, as if we’re still talking, because I believe we are.
Letters of Connection
Do you write a yearly letter? Part update, part family history, part lost art… letters keep us connected.
Pin the Scene on the Story
Today’s adventure in novel writing felt like the childhood game of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. As soon as…
Tackling the Missing Scenes List
Having a list of what to do next helps, but there’s still a matter of figuring out what it means to “list all the scenes that need to be cut,”
Revision: Returning to Intentions for DIY Book Finishers
Like the kid who can’t keep the sand toys separated from the indoor toys, I get things all get mixed together. Instead of 4 neat notebooks, I’ve got 12… plus the sandbox.
Bootcamp Finale: Title Time
We love books in our family and have opinions about titles. We sometimes sit around and toss out titles, or bad ad slogans.
Book Finish Bootcamp on Sunday: Rest & Retreat
Sunday was and is a day of rest, so even though I show up for Bootcamp today I have a more laid back feeling about it, ready for the rest part of the DIY retreat.
Health, Bootcamp, & DIY Everything
Writing is one more reason to make healthy choices when it comes to being active, and eating or drinking moderately. Those choices help me show up to write each day and keep my mind clear and focused.
DIY Writing Retreat + Bootcamp
…by framing my day as a writing retreat I’m building awareness of what I’m doing when I’m not doing what I said I’d be doing- writing the novel.