Characters with contrasting features that juxtapose and make the protagonist’s characteristics obvious are what we call “foils”. Is that symbolic to like the different sides of foil? Like, how one is shiny and the...
So, I finally finished my second draft of my manuscript. Wow. Congratulations. I know! I’m feelin’ pretty legit right now holding it! But, here’s the kicker: I hand wrote all of it. Why on...
A character’s need for a change in order to progress toward a desire is what really makes or breaks a good story. What about the whole desire thing? The desire is what drives the...
Happy New Year! After the holidays, I’ve added at least one more shelf worth of books to my home library. Every year, I ask for Barnes & Noble gift cards–though there are plenty more...
In an era when jokes are subject to strict political correctness, memes tend to be a pretty safe zone. Maybe that’s because it’s agreed that it’s all in good jest and not to be...
First and foremost, as a writer (technical and creative), PINTEREST IS YOUR FRIEND. Almost everything you need to know about the craft and career has a post on there about it. Everything for the...
Garbage. Ultimate fail. Complete and utter sh*t. Harsh. If you’re a true writer, you’ve probably thought this or similar after reading your own work—especially a first draft. You feel embarrassed, ashamed, maybe even worthless....
So… I’m a nerd. You don’t say! I’d never guessed! Yeah, I keep it under wraps pretty well. But, there are times when I just can’t deny my inner literary curiosity and psych-outs about...
You’ve set goals. You’ve planned your story. You’ve decided that this year is the year. You’re getting serious and legit. But, let’s be real— You’ll get distracted from your writing goal by January’s end....
“May-may”? “Mee-mee”? What the hell is that? You’ve never heard of a “meem”? Guess not. What is it? All those funny pictures. *cocks eyebrow* *whips out phone, pulls up facebook* And, there was no...
*Rapid clicking* She pecked furiously at the keyboard, her pupils dilated from staring at the screen’s bright light for so long. She hadn’t talked to anyone all day–if you didn’t count her characters. They...
Bucket lists are the epitome of YOLO lifestyles. People put on it everything they want to do before they die–no matter how crazy. They’re usually all the things we fantasize about doing but can’t...
Now you know what a writing community is if you read the last post. You can make an informed decision on whether you want to join one. Personally, I suggest it. Like I confessed...
Call me “whiny”, but it’s totally unfair that elementary teachers get gifts every year. I mean, c’mon, secondary teachers have more students, do more grading, and build more meaningful bonds with students (when they...
I remember when YouTube came out in 2005. I was in 8th grade and to us, it was like a supplement to MTV—you watched music videos. By the time I started teaching, I really...
While I like to believe I’m “just” eccentric, I can’t deny that I’m more than a little peculiar. I could blame my love of writing, which drove my goal to be an author, my career as a writing instructor, and my hobby as a writing blogger and community leader, but that probably isn’t the only reason.
But that’s only when I’m not balancing my roles as an active military spouse, a new human mommy, an experienced furry mommy, and a lifelong learner! With too many hobbies to afford—mentally and financially—I suspect I’m probably the reason I’m insane. But, it’s okay; I wouldn’t want to hold a grudge against anyone else!
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