Category: Writing

contest the immortal life of henrietta lacks hela cells signed hardcover bestseller HeLa cells

Writer Wednesday: Rebecca Skloot and a Signed Copy of her Hardcover Bestseller!

27 February 2013

I’m behind on my writer updates and giveaways, so I’ve decided to make it a regular Wednesday event for you. This week I’m giving away a signed copy of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by bestselling author, Rebecca Skloot. Win this signed book by seeing the contest details below (VERY EASY TO ENTER). I … More Writer Wednesday: Rebecca Skloot and a Signed Copy of her Hardcover Bestseller!

defining moment memoir structure narrative arc restructuring manuscript W plot structure writing

Manuscript Monday: The “W” in my Wrollercoaster

25 February 2013

Restructuring a manuscript is torture. But like the delicious pain during a good hour of lifting weights, I love the difficult and time-consuming (but very rewarding) pain of this surgery on my writing. As I told you last week, the agent (I won’t call her my agent yet, but hope to soon) suggested letting my … More Manuscript Monday: The “W” in my Wrollercoaster

Los Angeles Venice Marina del Rey Southern California living life surreal

California Life: Part 1

21 February 2013

I would move back here in a heartbeat. No question. I’m glad we were able to live here for a year, while Kurt was working on the Santa Monica water project. We lived in the marina, about 3+ blocks from the beach, and Kurt’s assignment was mercifully only 8 hour days and real honest-to-goodness weekends … More California Life: Part 1

Southern California Writer's Conference agent

Manuscript Monday: When, Not “If”

18 February 2013

Long story short (really, it might be possible for me today) I received some great input on my manuscript this weekend at the Southern California Writer’s Conference. An agent I absolutely adore and met at last year’s conference has requested to read the full manuscript. We even had lunch after our one-on-one meeting to discuss … More Manuscript Monday: When, Not “If”

Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures

Cure for a rough patch = Reading a Good Book?

1 February 2013

Returned home only to discover that the gas pipeline between the meter and our home isn’t working.A freezing night in our ski thermals sleeping in front of the great room fireplace. House temps in the low 40s daytime and freezing at night. No heat, hot water, oven/stove or dryer without gas. No contractors quickly available … More Cure for a rough patch = Reading a Good Book?

Blogging workshop Coshocton County Ohio Tech Tuesdays Central Ohio Technical College

On Pining, Coshocton’ing, and Facilitating a Blogging Workshop

29 January 2013

“It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone… but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.” ― Kahlil Gibran My mom was a fan of Kahlil Gibran, especially of The Prophet, and I think she would forgive and understand if I take … More On Pining, Coshocton’ing, and Facilitating a Blogging Workshop

classic American poetry

Frost is Still my Favorite

24 January 2013

I get heckled sometimes for my absolute and unflinching love of the poetry of Robert Frost. I won’t be ashamed of frequently wanting to trade the abstraction and pretense I read in a lot of modern poetry for the “simple” meter and rhyme of an earlier time. (Don’t let “simple” fool you, however, because creating … More Frost is Still my Favorite

Fear of Success Fear of Failure Unknown

Fear of Success is NOT the Same as Fear of Failure…But Fear is Still the Point

22 January 2013

DAY 2 (FAILURE AND FEAR OF SUCCESS): Weigh-in. You might be thinking that a disappointing weigh-in led to giving up on sugar detox, but my problem is the opposite. A few years ago my weight was 262 pounds. I added cardio and changed nothing else about my lifestyle, eating or fitness. In about two and … More Fear of Success is NOT the Same as Fear of Failure…But Fear is Still the Point

Booboos, Band-aids and Bentley therapy dog Bernese mountain dog

Winners of the Handmade Journal and Bentley the Dog, His Book and Tote!

18 December 2012

I wish I had a journal and Bentley dog for everyone who entered these contests. I really appreciate how much you support the blog, join in the fun of the contest entries and support the non-profit organizations. And the winners are… .    

A Surprise Winner, Shocking Bonus Giveaways, and Less Than 12 Hours Remaining!

17 December 2012

So far, I have been wrong every time I try to predict the winner of one of these giveaways. With both the River of Doubt book signed giveaway, and this one, for The Tiger’s Wife, I was certain that in a field with few entrants, the person who had the most entries was favorited for … More A Surprise Winner, Shocking Bonus Giveaways, and Less Than 12 Hours Remaining!