Last night I had the chance to see Hidden Figures. If you haven’t gone, go. Now. Drop what you are doing and run to the theater. It was so well done. But here’s the warning: It will make you feel. There will be tears, outrage, cheering, etc. Here’s more about it from the Smithsonian. But here’s what I’m thinking about today. …
5 Ways to Write More than One Book at a Time
I have often written multiple books at the same time. It’s a part of life when one of your hats is professional writer. But it can also be a real part of the writing journey when you’re getting started writing. The challenge is learning how to juggle the multiple characters, plots, and timelines. Here are a few tips I’ve developed over the years to let me do exactly that:
When You Can’t Go
ACFW is about three weeks away — Gack! That means there’s a lot of excited chatter…including yours truly. For me, it’s like a once a year family reunion with my writer peeps — including so many of the Writer Alley pals and Grove girl sisters. These folks understand a big piece of my life. This year I’m coleading a continuing education session, so I’ll be pretty busy preparing for that. Today though my heart is turned toward those who won’t be able to attend.
Four Tips when writing about something you’ve never done
Several years ago when my writing bud Nicole O’Dell asked me if I wanted to be part of a novella collection with her, my initial reaction was “of course!” Nicole is so prolific and accomplished I couldn’t imagine not writing with her. And if it also meant I could help a Valerie Comer, a debut author, get her first contract, …
Traveling Tips for Writers: Part 2
Last week I started explaining what tools I make sure I have in my writing suitcase as I launch on a new writing adventure. Those included a killer what if, a lead character I can build a story around, and a setting that can become a character in the book. Since it’s still vacation season, I want to share the next …
Traveling Tips for the Writer: Part 1
It’s summertime and that means many of us will take vacations of some sort. Maybe we’re staying close to home and exploring places around us. You know you drive past them everyday and never quite make the time to stop. Or maybe you are traveling where the flight takes 10 or 15 hours and you have to deal with jet …
Writers, Words, and a Thick Skin
A week ago I had an uncomfortable conversation — who with doesn’t matter. But words were said to me that inflicted great pain. Words that accused me of being someone I’m not — someone I know I’m not. Even with that knowledge they hurt. This quote seems to appropriate in light of that situation: I tried to track down the …
First Readers: One Tool to becoming a Better Writer
Hello. My name is Cara. I’m a recovering reader and writer. I live and breathe words. But sometimes as a writer I need help ensuring the story I see so vividly in my mind translates into words that resonate with readers. But I wrote the story. I saw it in living color as it played in real time. How do …
Reading is the Best Teacher of Writing
I’m a huge believer that writers must read. All the time. In all genres, but particularly the ones they write. Read ABA. Read CBA. Read bestsellers. Read what works. Read what doesn’t. Why do I so firmly believe you have to read? Because it’s as you read that you will subconsciously learn the ways to write the novel you want …
Tools that Help Me Remember Book Details
One of my authorly quirks is that I like to keep my chapters approximately the same length, and I like to see the word count grow. Here’s a quick snapshot of my word count spreadsheet. In this one I also track the day that each chapter occurs.