When I plan a trip, one of the first things I think about is what kind of research I can do there. Not because I’m looking for a tax write-off (because, hey, I still have to pay for the trip even if I can write some of it off later), but because I want to make…
Category: Blog
Q: Fiction or Nonfiction? A: Both.
I spoke to a writers’ group in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after the publication at age twenty-six of my first book, a nonfiction guide to backpacking and camping in developing countries. I described the vagaries of finding an agent and publisher, and revealed to the audience my real dream as a writer. I told the group…
Life’s Wake-Up Calls
For the past few months, I’ve been so focused on my own stuff that I realize I’ve been missing the bigger picture. Time to reevaluate. As some of you may have heard, we’ve been moving—downsizing—and I’ve been angsting over a variety of things: 1. Downsizing. How do you get rid of a thing that someone…
Driving for a Paycheck
I’ve finally figured it out! There are two signs on each car I drive seen only by Special Drivers. (Special, of course, meaning unusual, distinct, specific and obviously run-of-the-mill.) I’m sure the sign on the front bumper says, “Pull immediately in front of me, proceed really, really slowly, and then wash your windshield.” The sign…
Indie Basecamp
When it comes time to make the decision about publishing path, too often indie writers overlook the fundamentals until the lack of foundation feels overwhelming. Once overwhelmed, the situation doesn’t get any better. For this year’s Colorado Gold, I put together a list of things to do – and the sequence I believe makes the…