Appalachian Blessings
Learn MoreBlog
Support System
So if you're going to be a writer--or a anything else for that matter--it really, really helps to have a support system. Friends and family who will cheer for you, console you, give you good advice and always be on your side. I'm blessed to have a wonderful support...
Monday Writing Update
This week I've been working on The Lotus Leaf Effect. I've changed some basics about the story and have reworked the first nine chapters. I've deleted about 10 pages and have added back six or so of new dialogue and storyline for a net loss of four pages. (It's like...
The Importance of Reading
Jim and I attended a fundraiser for Carolina Day School and the Literacy Council of Buncombe County this week. It was a reception for and talk by Elizabeth Kostova, author of The Historian (2005) and The Swan Thieves (2010). The Historian was the first debut novel to...
Talk about taking time . . .
A co-worker has begun walking to work each day. Admirable, right? You have no idea. She lives FIVE MILES away. She read a book about living well without a car and decided to give it a try. It takes her about an hour and a half to make the walk. Fortunately the weather...
Monday Writing Update
Pages written = 6 Total pages = 96 And that's probably going to be it for October on "A Hunger So Deep." In light of the notes I received on my first chapter of "The Lotus Leaf Effect" it's time for some heavy revising! I've reworked the first three chapters and have...
If You Need Help–Ask for It
So I heard back from the editor in Tennessee and I'm so excited! She didn't have terrible things to say about my writing overall--not too much passive voice or telling rather than showing. Basically, she thinks the problem is that my story moves too slowly. And I see...
Do you know you're own faith?
The Associated Press put out a story a few days ago with the headline, "Survey: Americans Don't Know Much About Religion." The survey was conducted by the Pew Forum. Atheists and agnostics scored highest, with an average of 21 correct answers out of 32. Twelve of the...
Wasting Time
So when you're waiting it can be tempting to do things that waste time. I consider watching television almost always a waste of time, but I do it anyway. I'm hooked on HGTV and FoodTV, although I don't care for all the competition shows. And there are a couple of...
Meet Sarah
