A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life
Capturing That Little Idea
The turkey is gone and here come the reindeer. December is a busy month and not even writers are…
December 9, 2022-
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The Picky PenCapitalization of Titles and Headers
Most people are familiar with capitalizing proper nouns and words at the beginning of a sentence. This is what…
April 23, 2026 -
Devotions for WritersThe Tax Man Cometh!
The opera singer, Jenny Lind agreed with Solomon when she sang, “It’s never enough.” (1) Ecclesiastes 5:10 says we’re…
April 21, 2026 -
Kids LitPut Their Book on the Shelf!
One of the most helpful things you can do for an author is to request that your local library…
April 16, 2026 -
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)Be Adaptable
Earlier this month, I had a phone conference with a low vision specialist and an eye doctor to assess…
March 29, 2026 -
Writing for YAInterview with Laurie Sibley: Why Aspiring YA Authors Should Write for Magazines
I heard about the new literary magazine, Sparkler, and was curious about it, so talked with Laurie Sibley, one…
March 27, 2026 -
Book ProposalsHow Many Pages in a Book Proposal?
On the surface, it seems like a simple question with a standard answer. How long is a book proposal?…
March 26, 2026 -
The Picky Pen
Latin Clarification Terms
There are several Latin abbreviations that are used regularly in writing. This is particularly common in certain types of…
March 23, 2026 -
Writers ChatWriters Chat Recap for March Part 1
Writers Chat, hosted by Brandy Brow, Norma Poore, and Melissa Stroh. The place where craft connects community. Achievement Addiction…
March 22, 2026 -
Kids Lit
Maurice Sendak. Dr. Seuss. J. K. Rowling. And me?
(Also Beatrix Potter and Louisa May Alcott.) Our prized common thread? 20–30–45 rejections before a publishing contract. Files and…
March 8, 2026 -
Writing with Humor
Prepare Your Field . . . for a Blizzard
The weather man is not my favorite person right now. It’s Wednesday, and they’re predicting everything but fire and…
March 6, 2026 -
Devotions for Writers
Sabbatical
A getaway is on our minds. My husband is in his thirty-first year of ministry in western New York…
March 3, 2026 -
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)
What’s Your Story
Earlier this month, I started a new side hustle that I have really enjoyed, which has allowed me to…
February 28, 2026 -
Writing for YA
Getting Unstuck: Finding Inspiration in the Classics
It happens to us all at one time or another. Words won’t come and dread of facing the blank…
February 26, 2026 -
Book Proposals
After Your Submission, Learn Patience
After you submit your proposal to an editor or a literary agent, many writers begin to fixate on their…
February 25, 2026 -
The Picky Pen
Engaging Readers Through Dialogue
There are many writing tools that an author uses to keep their readers engaged, but without dialogue, it would…
February 24, 2026 -
Kids Lit
A Troop? Swarm? Gaggle? What do you call a group of Editors?
Whether you are starting or multi-published, there are editors in your life. Some are most helpful before submission, and…
February 6, 2026 -
Devotions for Writers
Preparation
“Dad, today’s not Sunday.” He began the day as he did every day, by getting ready for church. Dementia…
February 4, 2026 -
Writers Chat
Writers Chat Recap for January 2026
Writers Chat, hosted by Brandy Brow, Melissa Stroh, and Norma Poore. The place where craft connects community! How to…
January 30, 2026 -
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)
Preparation Works
Earlier this month, I took my coldest bike ride in 28 years, with temperatures dropping below freezing. To be…
January 29, 2026 -
Writing for YA
Lessons Learned to Last All Year
January arrives full of possibility, and the fresh, new year tinges the air with energy and hope. This always…
January 27, 2026 -
Book Proposals
Why Simultaneously Submit Your Proposal
Within the publishing world, in general, if you get a response from an editor or literary agent, it can…
January 26, 2026 -
The Picky Pen
How to Punctuate Dialogue
Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, you will likely use dialogue in your work. Let’s have a little…
January 22, 2026 -
Kids Lit
Post Launch
On September 2, 2025, my Christmas book, Just Enough Room for Christmas, was published. That means on December 26,…
January 8, 2026 -
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life
Scattered “New” Thoughts
Here I sit at the dawn of the New Year (by the time you read this, the calendar will…
January 6, 2026 -
Devotions for Writers
Keeping the Faith
“Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?” 2 Kings 6:33 NIV I recognized the disappointment in the…
January 3, 2026