Bumper Sticker Blight
Bumper stickers can be fun, cool even; especially if you drive a junker. Why not sass it up with something funny like “Buckle Up. You never know when an Alien might suck you out of your car”? Hilarious. Stickers with political jokes are sticky but thought-provoking, favorite countries or towns- fine, sport’s teams- okay. I even like a good offensive religious jest from time to time. It’s important not to take our views too seriously, after all. These car...
Read MoreWe’re Just Teenagers
I’ll never forget my first trip abroad as an alleged adult. I was baffled by the European way of doing things. Why, for instance, were there massive garbage receptacles with 4 giant holes on every corner? Doesn’t anyone NEED the privacy of their own car in Europe, or is public transportation good enough? Why was everyone so thin when there was a gorgeous bakery every five feet? Must every public place emit the pungent aroma of body sweat and stale smoke? How could a...
Read MoreHistorical Accuracy
I’ve been following a link on Absolutewrite.com about the question of historical accuracy. It’s been an interesting debate, especially among writers. But I find myself arguing the point- why do we always have to be accurate? Isn’t the “fiction” part of historical fiction where we, as writers, step in and make a story tantalizing? I realize as a historical fiction writer you’re holding yourself to a a high standard of being a know-it-all researcher that...
Read MoreIn the beginning…
Am I really a novice writer? I’ve dallied in journal writing, story outlines, and newspaper editing since I was a girl. But the more I read and practice writing from the perspective of a self-proclaimed, bonafide writer, the more I realize how much more there is to know. So many style choices and plot conundrums to solve! Not to mention the huge learning curve involved with the actual business of writing. I haven’t just taken up novel writing; I’ve stepped into a...
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