I have a confession to make. Several times a week, people will recommend things to me: books, TV series, movies, podcasts, articles. These things always sound interesting, and I always say “Ooh, that sounds so good! I’ll check it out!” And I mean it, I really do. I want to check it out. But the […]
It’s okay to opt out Read More »
This article was originally written as a guest post for the Charlotte Readers Podcast. Visit their blog for more literary reflections from a variety of writers! There’s a stereotype that writers are solitary creatures whose only contact with the outside world is to gaze contemplatively out windows. I can confirm this from personal experience. Yes,
Why to join a writers’ group – and how Read More »
It’s been a while since my last home décor post, but don’t worry, my dedication to being both cheap and chic has continued. I’m coming to you today with not one, but FOUR spaces in my house that I’ve made over, and some insights into how I did it economically. First, the spaces: Living Room
Cheap Chic: Quadruple Header Read More »
Poetry is my safe place as a writer. It’s what I turn to—either to read or to write—when I need a mental pick-me-up, something to wake my mind and tune my senses, or shock me out of a creative rut. It feels like a very free place to play in, since its utter subjectivity almost
Read my new poetry book for free! Read More »
So you need a protagonist, they said. So your protagonist needs an arc, they said. Okay… how do you make that? The protagonist’s arc is crucial, not just for character development, but because it often functions as the spine of the entire story. Of course, there’s no one way to write a character. But there’s
One simple tool for creating a strong character arc Read More »
Writing is hard. Getting yourself to write, often, is harder. It took two cat naps, three internet breaks, and a muffin just to get me through the writing of this blog post. Here are eight things I remind myself of while I write to push past mental blocks and stay within shouting distance of sanity.
8 Things to Remember When You’re Struggling to Write Read More »
While in lockdown for the coronavirus, I know that many of us are looking for some free entertainment these days–or at least some distraction. So I wrote a short story in case you could use a bit of diversion in your day. Writing it was a nice, creative distraction for me too. You may have
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry Todd Read More »
One of the two main projects I’m working on at the moment is a screenplay about the life of abolitionist and author Harriet Jacobs. If you’re not familiar with her, check her out; she was amazing. As I’ve started to mention this project to people, several have asked why I, a white woman living in
I’m a white woman writing a black woman’s story: Let’s talk about it Read More »
After being itinerant for most of my adult life, I recently bought my first house. Now, as part of the landed gentry, I wear a pocket watch on a gold chain and say things befitting my station, like “hitherto” and “befitting my station.” I also have a mortgage, which means I have no money to
Cheap Chic: Home Office Makeover Read More »
The Story of the Heck-Andrews House I’m in love with a building. It started when I was a child growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina. Every time we’d drive through downtown, there was a certain house I couldn’t get enough of, craning my neck to see it as long as possible as we drove by.
The Real-Life Haunted Mansion Read More »
