This past month while I’ve been working on my book The Vermicular File, I’ve also been laying the groundwork for a new agent search. Finding professional representation can be difficult and time-consuming, but I know firsthand it makes a huge difference in a project’s success. Literary agents know the markets, have inside contacts among publishers, […]

I’m currently working on the biggest project I’ve done in years: penning a fact-inspired tale of ghosts and demons set in Charleston, South Carolina. I’ll be chronicling the process here on my blog, covering everything from trying to land an agent (mine retired in 2016!) to compiling the text to marketing the finished product once […]

I live just outside Charleston, South Carolina — easily one of the most beautiful places on earth. There are several gorgeous beaches within a 15 minute drive, where emerald green waters splash against glistening golden sands. The shores are especially stunning at sunrise, when the sky changes from purple to rose to tangerine before settling […]

This entire month the pandemic and its mandated lockdown have dragged on, and to be honest, it’s got me down. I really don’t feel like writing about writing. I don’t’ feel like writing AT ALL. Even getting up and dressed each morning is becoming a chore. Sure, there are some hopeful signs that this terrible […]

Another month is ending, and the whole world is still in lockdown. Many have been unable to return to their jobs and are wondering how they’ll pay the bills. Others have been confined to their house or apartment for weeks now with no end in sight. Some have had to say goodbye to loved ones […]

I’m writing this as the world is in the midst of the Corona Virus pandemic. Life as we all knew it is on hold as we endure restrictions on what we can do, where we can go, who we can see. The economy is in meltdown and social interaction is frozen. And no one can […]

I’ve recently started a new writing project, and am surprised at how often I find myself stumbling upon ‘unusable’ words. What do I mean by that? I’m referring to words that have the correct technical definition of what I need them to say, but still won’t work because they carry ‘residue’ that will distract my […]

Getting your point across in writing is challenging enough, so don’t muddy your message with words and phrases you don’t need. These expressions, aptly called ‘crutch,’ ‘filler,’ or ‘clutter’ terms, not only water down your point, they can actually work against you by making your thoughts sound weak or indecisive. Examples of these culprits include: […]

There is an old saying in the writing world: ‘Show, don’t tell.’ Simply put, it means you’ll get better results if you paint a word picture using strong, clear images rather than vague abstractions to convey your intent.   Consider the example of 18th century poet Robert Burns. Attempting to woo his beloved, Burns wrote, […]

Tis the season for sending greetings to loved ones far and near, and whether you’re writing out cards or dispatching electronic sentiments, this is a great opportunity to up your writing game!   You’ve picked out the perfect graphic for your greeting, maybe included a family photo, now go the extra mile and add some […]