I just got back from the Pikes Peak Writers Conference in Colorado Springs—what a blast! The theme this year was “It Takes a Tribe,” because (contrary to popular belief) writing is not a solitary activity. We may sit at the keyboard alone, but there’s a whole network of people around us playing their own small…
Tag: education
What have I done to myself?
I’ve dabbled in many genres, but I like history. I’ve traveled and hiked Colorado and Wyoming to explore, learn, and meet new people. Sure, I like to read. I’ve seen the world from a variety of points of view. So, wherein lies my personal demise? Putting both of the above into a manuscript—a western historical…
Meet the WOTY Finalist: Kay Bergstrom
For all that is good and holy in the world, what possessed you to become an author? Telling stories is fun, I love reading, and I’m an excellent typist. (My first two books were done on an IBM Selectric.) Also, I wanted a job that left ample time to stay home and play with my…
Scraping Your Plate
When I first signed my book with a small press, I knew I was being slingshotted into fame. When it did not happen, I blamed myself, my marketing efforts, even my talent for not becoming an overnight sensation. The duty to get my name out there sapped all joy I once found in crafting a…
Exit Stage Left
One of the tricky bits of being an artist is getting feedback and advice. In the beginning, fledgling artists need help finding their wings. It’s a common problem with novices in any field—not knowing what they don’t know and not knowing what to ask. Asking “How do you do it?” without adequate antecedent for that…