“…It almost killed me.” -Harry Crews, author of A Childhood: The Biography of a Place…
Midwinter Day
I’m inspired to think of a woman writing an entire book in a day, doubly inspired to know she did it with two small children running around.
Paper Doll Mom
This is an excerpt of a flash memoir piece I recently wrote. What artifacts do you have that might spur on your writing? It’s a fun way to play with items you’ve been left with while reminiscing through the past, bringing life to your present work.
Dream Travel
We put together a DIY writing retreat in which we will meet up at her family home in Brittany and work on our novels for a week.
The Jesus Chicken
When your kids say funny things, do you write it down? When they leave home you could hand them a book about themselves- a journal you wrote.
The Blueberry Baby
Have you ever told stories that later came true? Or have you ever listened to other people’s stories and felt you somehow absorbed them, changing your life forever?
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.
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.