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Category: Author Notes
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“The Power To” and an Award Winning Book Cover
So much has been going on these past weeks. I didn’t win NaNoWriMo. (Someday, my arch nemesis, someday.) But I do have other successes to share. “The Power To” Short Story My first published short story is available on Amazon! “The Power To” introduces you to Amelia Weatherford, a retired school teacher dealing with feelings…
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NaNoWriMo Update: One Step at a Time
Obviously, that’s not me above. I’m freezing right now with a blanket wrapped around my legs and it’s 60 degrees Fahrenheit outside. When you’re done laughing, I’ll be here. As my last post optimistically described, NaNoWriMo is still in full swing and I have a whopping 20,000 words. For the please-no-math people, that means I’m…
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NaNoWriMo Once More
In a few hours, the elusive National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo begins. This November tradition sets a goal of 50,000 words in 30 days on the same project. I wrote about my first experience in 2014: excitement here and 30,000 word failure here. In 2015, I dived right back in here, but barely made…
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World Building: Traditions
World building is one of the most important aspects of crafting a good story, regardless of the genre: A contemporary story presents a world the audience is quite familiar with. That doesn’t mean the author is off the hook. Even in a modern setting in a native country, there will be lots of elements that…
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SCBWI Houston Conference 2017
I LOVE writer conferences. One of my reasons for becoming a full time author was the chance to hang out with other writers without being too stalky. (Another is because I can make up words.) Now I get to attend events for writers by writers and call it work. Man, did I luck out. SCBWI…
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Tarbin’s True Heir Book Launch
I’m truly and officially a published author. I can’t believe it. Adrenaline stills pumps through my body even though the launch was last Saturday. Look at my pretty table. My Dad brought wine cases home from work and I thought they would look perfect with the medieval fantasy theme. You know, along with the toy…
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Post Dragon Con Writers Meet and Greet
Woot! Dragon Con 2017 is down for the books. And what an event it was! There were approximately 85,000, yes all those zeroes are correct, memberships sold for the four day event. All of these people lead to chaos AND huge opportunities to meet someone you would never otherwise come across. I met Steve and…
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Dragon Con Writers Meet and Greet
Remember how I preach to find your community? I’ve done it here and here. It’s darn near impossible to be successful in the writing business without a support group. Yes, a support group consists of your team of editors and beta readers and cover artists. But don’t forget your fellow authors who are experiencing the…
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Tarbin’s True Heir Cover Reveal
My first novel complete and ready to be enjoyed by epic fantasy fans! It’s hard to wrap my mind around the reality of a physical manifestation of years of work. I can’t wait until you read it and tell me what you think! We’ve all heard the old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its…
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Realism in Medieval Fantasy
As I make my way through the fantasy genre, I find some critique fascinating. Suspension of Disbelief How realistic do we need to make our fictional, made-up worlds? How far can we stretch a reader’s belief until they don’t buy what we’re presenting anymore? For me, I stop believing when I don’t think the actions…