Urban Dictionary — resource for writers who lead a sheltered life

From my Writer’s Toolbox: Here’s a good resource to keep you from ‘stepping in it’ literally when it comes to slang and the new urban language. For instance, I want to use the word ‘wuss’ in a children’s book and I need to know if it has any off color overtones that would be inappropriate for [...]

Read Full Post »

So you want to be a writer…

Here’s what I’ve learned about writing in the last three years. When everyone else is: watching TV, I am probably writing. sleeping, I am usually writing and editing. on FaceBook, I’m…ooops…gotta get back to writing. blogging, I am writing, wishing I had more time to blog. shopping, I am revising a chapter. texting and tweeting, I am talking to my MC. eating, [...]

Read Full Post »

Point of view: a reader and writer’s perspective

Writing has made me a more critical reader. My latest library book lost me as a reader because of technical issues. Besides some rather drab characters and a meandering plot, the POV shifted so often I was starting to feel the main action of the story was my ability to leap about between character’s heads. I won’t tell you what [...]

Read Full Post »

Take a peek in my writer’s toolbox

“The work was like peeling an onion. The outer skin came off with difficulty… but in no time you’d be down to its innards, tears streaming from your eyes as more and more beautiful reductions became possible.” ~Edward Blishen My SCBWI writers’ group had its monthly ‘schmooze’ Saturday morning at Kaffe Latte.  A relatively new [...]

Read Full Post »