The adage “write what you know” has been a cornerstone of writing advice for decades. It encourages writers to draw from their own experiences, lending authenticity and depth to their work. But this approach can also be limiting. Confining yourself to only what you know can stifle your creativity and lead to repetitive themes and…
Category: Blog
10 Ways to Handle Rejection Letters
Well, drat. You just received a(nother) rejection letter from an agent or editor. You can spend the next 48 hours sulking, watching Netflix, doom-scrolling, or threatening to move to Belize and take up watermelon farming. Or… you could try one of these methods of dealing with rejection instead: [Photo by Thomas Park https://unsplash.com/@thomascpark on Unsplash]
What Readers Say Behind Our Backs (and Sometimes to Our Faces)
I recently had the privilege of moderating a discussion between a local author and an inaugural book club in Silverthorne. After the two hour dialogue, my author friend and I shared our impressions over a glass of wine. Number one take-away: most readers are not writers and therefore say things we would never say to…
Ditch the Fear and Embrace Book Marketing
My second novel, Blindspot, releases today so I’ve spent much of the last month getting ready for the launch, which includes podcasts, interviews, social media posts, giveaways, media pitches, and sending out advanced reader copies (ARCs) for review. And as many writers know, the marketing of a book is oftentimes far harder than writing the…
Personal Observations About Taking Everyday Things for Granted
Still recovering from a recent surgery, I’ve somehow missed the greening of spring, scent of heavy-laden lilacs, hyacinths in full-blooms, colorful tulips, and leafing of aspen in lower elevations. Any type of health is easy to take for granted — vision, smelling, walking and the ability to stand in a long line at the store….