I have the incredible opportunity to travel to Bucks Pocket (and beyond) in Alabama to soak in some history and put the final developmental changes on my work in progress, a coming of age saga set in... well... you guessed it—Bucks Pocket.
Category: Ashes and Justice Saga
Working title! People do seem to like it though.
Happy Jolabokaflod! A free chapter and giveaway
Ready for some storytelling? Looks like it's my turn to contribute to the Historical Writers Forum Jolabokaflod blog hop, in which the authors hold games, giveaways, and host novel excerpts. Storytelling is at the heart of this event, and so today I will share one such chapter from my upcoming dark saga, What Shadows Hide. … Continue reading Happy Jolabokaflod! A free chapter and giveaway
At the Editor. Now what?
I handed over my manuscript to an editor a little while ago, thinking I'd have oodles of free time to do other stuff. But what have I been doing? Let's see... I read nine books, which is quite an improvement Successfully avoided blogging 😉 Realized I spent too much time on social media and cut … Continue reading At the Editor. Now what?
Chasing Aginili: “My Older Brother”
This is my four-month journey of how I got from using "Big Brother" to Aginili, and is an example of why learning a language instead of using "found" words is beneficial/aggravating. I am learning Tsalagi/Cherokee over the next few years to build up a prequel novel to Fodder for Pigs. It will also enrich my … Continue reading Chasing Aginili: “My Older Brother”
#WIPjoy: About Fodder for Pigs
I realized I don't talk about my work in progress much, at least not with people who don't have a reason to care. One of the groups I admin did the #WIPjoy tag a while back, and I thought it was pretty fun! It is a good exercise in getting us to think about our … Continue reading #WIPjoy: About Fodder for Pigs
Why I chose to learn Tsalagi as research
Learn a new language as research? Crazy lady! I decided to learn Tsalagi/Cherokee over the next five years. Logical, since I have [almost] nobody with whom to speak this new language? No! But I have found a way to work it in and have about a week left of syllabary learning. Then it is on … Continue reading Why I chose to learn Tsalagi as research
Is it Character Weakness or Strength?
We often focus on our characters' weakness. This is fine because everyone has a weakness and that makes them relatable, but what if we focus on their strengths? We get more defined characters. According to psychologist Don Clifton, each strength, when used at the wrong time or inappropriately, can be seen by others as a … Continue reading Is it Character Weakness or Strength?
Book Blurb Practice
The book blurb is one of the most important deciding factors in a book purchase. That's a lot of pressure. I'm kind of freaking out about it. As I tidy up my second round of beta readers and head into the last editing round, my mind comes back to this and slaps me upside the … Continue reading Book Blurb Practice
After NaNoWriMo: Self-Editing
The 50k word challenge is done! Now is the time to self-edit. Why am I tired of it already? I have been self-editing book one and two of my historical fiction thriller, Fodder for Pigs, the entire month of November and then some. Editing is hard work and I appreciate people who do it as … Continue reading After NaNoWriMo: Self-Editing
On John Ross and Perseverance
I don't often share themes from my stories but I will say this: they boil my blood, and they show me perseverance. Today I had to brush up on my John Ross timeline. Can you imagine spending your life and energy in Washington to keep your people in their homes, and coming back to find … Continue reading On John Ross and Perseverance