Dear Reader, It's been a while since I've done a book review. There's been several reasons for this. 1.) Who has time to read for fun (sometimes me and sometimes not) 2.) And then who has time to write a review 3.) So many of my friends are writers and what if I don't like … Continue reading Joe Ide’s IQ: Playing with time and character
So…I actually did go to AWP. Let’s talk about that.
Dear Reader, With all this COVID-19 business, let's concentrate on something else. I went to AWP this year! Association of Writers and Writing Programs for you folks who didn't know. This year it was in San Antonio and while the virus scared half the conference, I decided to go. Also my doctor said it'd be … Continue reading So…I actually did go to AWP. Let’s talk about that.
When it comes to women characters, who controls the narrative?
When it comes to literature women are usually stereotyped and are devoid of any depth. They are reduced to a label -- the mother, the whore, the sidekick, the virgin.
Coronavirus and your mental health. Hide under a blanket!
Everywhere you go and everywhere you turn, it's about COVID-19. And I don't know about you but if I wasn't on my anxiety meds, I'd be under a blanket right now.
Teaching online? Don’t panic. Seriously.
Dear Reader, For this morning's post, I am addressing it to my fellow academics. My fellow friends in arms who have suddenly been told they will have to take their class online. And they are in panic mode. So for them, I have thoughts and ideas. Also some advice. So Reader, all of you, if … Continue reading Teaching online? Don’t panic. Seriously.
Noir Week: Getting Gritty
In addition to the work a writer does with setting, grit can help create the world of Noir. So for today's Noir Week post, I'm writing about grit -- the descriptions and the dialogue that give the story its heartbeat.
Noir Week: Starting off with the sidekicks
Dear Reader, Welcome to Noir Week! I'm so excited to do a week of introspection on one of my favorite genres to read and to write. For this week, I'll write a post each day on an aspect of noir writing. All of this leads up to my online noir writing class through WriteSpace in … Continue reading Noir Week: Starting off with the sidekicks
Femme Fatales, Sidekicks and Gumshoes: A noir writing workshop
The femme/homme fatale, the detective, the side kick, the villain. Sprinkle in dark, moody atmosphere, a crime, the snarky voice of a lead character--and you have the ingredients of a stellar noir story.
My 2020 word of the year is…
Dear Reader, Today is the first day of 2020. Welcome to the new year and the new decade! Just like in past years, I work at the end of the previous year to discover what I want to work on for the next year. I use a guiding word for the incoming new year to … Continue reading My 2020 word of the year is…
How to choose your guiding word for 2020
What will your 2020 look like? Instead of working on resolutions, work on a guiding word or words that can help focus your year. Here's my process!