Browsing
Author: Kelly Colby
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Writing Ruins Reading
Are you telling me the teenage empath can’t tell how the other teenager feels about her? Um, no. The boy’s entire family blows up and he shows no emotion. The perspective is first person, right? When does this story actually begin? Oh, here’s the beginning…on page 182. I am an avid reader. I taught myself…
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Query Away
My first query letter has been sent. It took me hours to construct as I continuously consulted Query Shark to see if I was making any huge blunders. If you have not visited Query Shark, you must visit. Even if you’re not a writer or plan on self publishing, it is an entertaining site. The…
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Pitching, a First Time
I am no longer a pitch virgin. On Saturday at the Houston Writers Guild April Conference, I had my first experience with a professional agent. And it was good. When I registered for the conference, Amy Boggs was the first agent on the list. As an agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency, I found…
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First Writer’s Retreat…and I think I’m addicted
Last weekend, I attended my first writer’s retreat. Four story tellers gathered at a lake view property in Rancho Viejo, TX. We left friends, with better stories and shared camaraderie. I think I’m addicted. Just outside of South Padre Island put the house five hours from my home in Houston. Too close to fly (or…
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That’s What She Said
As I approach revising my second novel, I’m eager to be efficient as well as thorough. I have high hopes for this story and I want to make sure my writing brings out the world and characters I see in my head. One focus is style. For this post, I want to explore dialogue notation.…
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Writing is a Business
I took Friday off. It was grand. I binge watched Louie CK’s show on Netflix. I highly recommend using your vacation days, even if it’s one day for no reason, except that you need to breathe a little, because it’s become difficult to catch your breath in the world you’ve chosen of responsibilities and obligations…
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First draft of Gabriella and Periwinkle Complete
Drum roll, please! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R5gHF0vzew I made it!!! The first draft of Gabriella and Periwinkle is complete. Not only did I get those five chapters written, I added another chapter earlier to explain how magic works in this world. How did I do this thing I was convinced I couldn’t do? My amazing, awesome, supportive family.…
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Determination: The Rain Won’t Stop Me
I dropped my son off at high school as the rain water pooled on the side of the road and overflowed the ditches. Our city had received a mighty amount of precipitation. As I waited to turn left at a stoplight, I saw two girls running in the grass on the side of the road.…
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The Not Blog Week
I have been playing Solitaire on my computer for an hour. I’m supposed to be writing this blog. But I’m out, drained, empty. The last six weeks have been nonstop, filled with a Cadette journey, Daisy Journey, Boy Scout Court of Honor, french horn lessons, two horse shows, Junior badge workshop, Klein Trails Grand Prix,…
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3 Cheers for Animals Daisy Journey
I am sun burnt, my feet are swollen in agony and I can’t seem to get hydrated. But I would do it all again. Troop 13405 lead 40 Daisy girls in an all day adventure. 3 Cheers for Animals teaches the girls about taking care of animals and themselves. Since we were doing this in…