After I finish a book I always have two files. One is the final manuscript I will submit. The other is a mishmash of scenes and pieces of scenes that never made it into the book. I usually start off saving this detritus at the end of the file. By the time I’m three-quarters of…
For some time my critique group has made accommodations to stay in touch with members who have moved to distant cities. We’ve used Skype, but have frequently encountered technical difficulties like transmission, sound, or images. As time went by, other members moved to distant locales, and Skype couldn’t accommodate more than one person. Enter the…
I have chronic depression. I was first diagnosed when I was 12 years old. I’ve fought it all my life, every day, to some degree. I’m on medication, and I’ve developed some good coping techniques. Most days are okay. Some are really good. And some are really bad. I’ve been having more bad days lately….
I’ve heard that a lot lately. These days, without the normal start of work day, end of work day, specific jobs that get done on specific days (like washing hair and changing clothes!) it can get very hard to keep track of what day of the week it is. Between that, and all the Zoom…
Everyone is hunkered down at home with time on their hands. Yet many of us are finding it difficult to put words to paper and instead are hauling out puzzles, posting pet videos, and inventing recipes based on whatever we have in the fridge. Me? I’m shamelessly binge-watching shows that highlight creative types, from Netflix’s…