I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of The Brotherhood by Jerry B. Jenkins several weeks ago. I’ve never snagged an ARC before and I was thrilled to get this one. The only requirement? Review the book. The problem? Who am I to review Jerry B. Jenkins? I mean, honestly. He’s written more than 175 books and… [ read more ]

I’ve had some of the most vivid and disturbing dreams of my life in the past few months. And I know what the problem is. I take a shower before I go to bed. Did I lose you? Maybe I should explain. I get some of my best ideas in the shower. I’m trying to… [ read more ]

As you may know, my internal editor and I got quite chummy a few months ago as I edited every single word of my first manuscript. However, during NaNo . . . well, I had to tell her to hush. Quite a bit. I was feeling guilty, so I tried to have a little chat… [ read more ]

A few of you have asked what it means to be a “winner” – well, for NaNoWriMo , all it means is you finished 50,000 words in 30 days. There’s no judging. No prizes. No limit on the number of winners. But it’s still nice to win! I finished my 50K on Sunday the 28th with two… [ read more ]

I have a paper cut. It’s on the tip of my right index finger. Every time I type, pain shoots through my fingertip and hand. I press on because I’m tough. But it made me think of things we should avoid during NaNoWriMo . I’m not talking about the usual stuff writers give up—sleep, TV, video… [ read more ]

Have you lost your mind? These were the exact words my sister uttered when I announced my plans to participate in this year’s NaNoWriMo . She pointed out that I was busy. She pointed out that I don’t have time to do this. She pointed out that my decision making skills might be questionable. And then… [ read more ]

If you follow this blog regularly, then you know that September was a roller coaster for me. Lots of writing and editing, interspersed with ridiculous amounts of drama. But, I’m learning. Maybe. November is National Novel Writing Month. And the goal of NaNoWriMo is to encourage authors to finally write that novel. The goal? 50,000 words… [ read more ]

image courtesy of photobucket.com Several weeks ago, when everything seemed to be falling apart, I was sitting at my desk praying. And I felt strongly that I needed to read Psalm 119. I can’t say that kind of thing happens to me all the time. But it did this time. Psalm 119, for those who… [ read more ]

image courtesy of photobucket.com My blog has been fairly serious over the past few weeks. My life has, too. But I can’t be serious all the time and as my month long revision process winds down, I’ve been thinking of all the things I’ve given up in order to focus so totally on my manuscript.… [ read more ]

image courtesy of photobucket.com Proverbs 19:21 – Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. (ESV) In Mid-August, as the school year got under way and life started to take on something that bore a resemblance to a routine, my little brain… [ read more ]