Fun, Writing

Writer’s Joy

November is shaping up to be a busy month in my writing life. And I couldn't be more thrilled. There's something about fall (and November is still fall, although late stages) and theĀ  holidays that follow, that brings renewed energy and enthusiasm. And when anything having to do with writing gets thrown in the mix...well,… Continue reading Writer’s Joy

Fun, Writing

Writing Lessons

This past weekend I attended a writing workshop hosted by Sisters in Crime, presented by Nancy Pickard. Nancy is one of the founding members and former president of the International level of Sisters in Crime, an organization that supports women mystery writers. She's also a past board member of Mystery Writers of America. Impressive, right?… Continue reading Writing Lessons

Fun, Nature, Writing

Camp NaNoWriMo

So in further explanation from the brief mention of Camp NaNo in last week's post, what exactly is Camp NaNo? It can be summed up in two words: Fun Challenge! Camp NaNoWriMo is a spinoff from November's NaNoWriMo where participants from all over the world strive to write 50,000 words in the month of November.… Continue reading Camp NaNoWriMo

Nature, Quotes

Nature’s Brilliance, Week 4

The final week of sharing shots of nature that I've discovered this past month. And just in time to focus on Camp NaNo. What is Camp NaNo, you ask? Tune in next week and I'll share what it is and what I'm working on. But first, one more week of nature. Sit back and breathe… Continue reading Nature’s Brilliance, Week 4

Fun, Nature, Writing

Spring has Fully Sprung

I just love the Crab Apple trees in the spring. The purple, pink, and white flowers aren't only breathtakingly beautiful, but their sweet, tangy aroma is candy for the nose. (The legal kind!) As I was running this past weekend, I was in awe of how the landscape is painted and planted so perfectly, so… Continue reading Spring has Fully Sprung

Fun, Nature, Writing

Nature at its Finest

We spent some time at our place in Estes Park, Colorado this past weekend. In fact, we're actually there now as I write this post. Before me is the amazing mountainside on the other side of the river right outside my sliding glass door, a cup of coffee at my side, one of my fur… Continue reading Nature at its Finest

Fun, Quotes, Writing

Writers and Writing

Is there anything more intoxicating than being in a room full of motivated writers? If there is, I can't think of what it would be. This past weekend I was fortunate to attend a writing workshop in Denver, Writing Commercial Fiction, by Jeffery Deaver, hosted by Rocky Mountain Chapter Mystery Writers of America, and Rocky… Continue reading Writers and Writing

Fun, Quotes, Writing

Sandcastles

When writing a first draft, I have to remind myself constantly that I'm only shoveling sand into a box so later I can build castles. Ā  Shannon Hale I've been struggling with my writing lately. Justifying the time it takes as well as the lure of everything else "out there" that sucks me in. All… Continue reading Sandcastles

Faith and Spirituality, Gratitude, Life Lessons, Nature, Quotes, Writing

Beauty in Brokenness

I spent a lot of time in nature this past weekend and marveled, as usual, in all of its splendor. The perfect creations as well as the stunning beauty in the broken. And I started thinking...wouldn't it be wonderful if we appreciated people as we do nature, in all of their brokenness and all of… Continue reading Beauty in Brokenness

Fun, Life Lessons, Quotes, Writing

And in the Beginning…

For those who have read my bio, you know my writing years began at the tender age of four. I took my fat little crayons in my fat little fingers and decided to experiment with words on the knotty pine walls of the living room. My parents were not impressed! But even back then, I… Continue reading And in the Beginning…