I’m a first-born. So of course my parents thought I walked on water (until my siblings came along at least) and they sent me a clear message—I could be anything I wanted if I put my mind to it. The trouble was I heard it wrong. I thought they said I could be everything I…
I want to start by once again thanking all of the dedicated people at Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers who planned and executed a wonderful Colorado Gold Conference this year. With so much uncertainty around COVID numbers, labor shortages and virtual options, it must have been even more challenging than in years past. But the team…
No matter how dedicated, disciplined, or in love with our stories we may be, there comes a point when we drift away from our daily habit of writing. How do we make ourselves return? And what is it about stepping off our writerly path that makes it so hard to step back on? About six…
It’s a decision many authors struggle with, and it’s a perennial question at writing conferences: How do you decide whether to use past tense or present tense in your fiction? The answer is, of course: Use whatever feels right for you and your story. Even though that’s the correct answer, it’s a tad vague and…
With a certain loosening of restrictions we may have more external demands on our time, much as we had pre-pandemic. Remember the Before Times? Yes, there was a Before Time and there will be After Times. Or maybe, depending on your comfort level, you’re still hunkering down. No matter, if you’re so inclined, writing, be…