It’s been a month since the Colorado Gold Conference. Since that incredible high of being surrounded by other writers, listening to speakers, attending presentations. If you’re like me, you came home so motivated to get going on that WIP, or start a new book, or revise, or even submit that under-the-bed manuscript that really IS…
Category: Blog
Free Online Marketing Courses
Book marketing. Ugh. Whether your novel has been released by a major publisher or your own indie-publishing company, it’s a grudging fact of life for most authors. I envy those authors who tackle their marketing plans with enthusiasm and endless energy. I’m one of those who has an “attitude” about it. Suffering from an inferiority complex…
The Angst
The angst. There is a substantial possibility I’m of the rare variety of writer who harnesses performance anxiety into hyper-performance. There is a unique variation on a familiar saying: “Do what you love, and you’ll work super hard all the time with no separation or boundaries and also take everything extremely personal.” This statement is likely true for…
That Time of Year
This month, I want to talk mental health. Don’t get me wrong—I love autumn. We get a break from the heat. The weather’s usually bright and sunny. The trees cloak themselves in color. The downside comes as the days get shorter, and seasonal affective disorder begins rearing its ugly head. Yes, SAD is a recognized…
How to Write Authentic African-American Characters: The African-American Church
I went to my fifth Colorado Gold Conference this year and had an absolute blast. I taught two classes, as well. How to Write Compelling Villains was super fun to teach (I mean, as fun as an 8 a.m. class can be to teach on Sunday morning). The other class I taught was How to…