Writing and editing updates as we head into February!
January Updates!
Blog
My Encounter with a Political Bully
I don't like the term "bully" because it's not strong enough for the tantrum that I witnessed first hand. There are plenty of terrible derogatory terms that are closer to the truth regarding this man's actions, but I want to keep it PG. I have been thinking about him a lot in the last week [...]
Spacebar: the Unsung Hero (and other more important updates)
The spacebar: I have a new appreciation for this unsung, overlooked hero of the writing world. My spacebar was driving me absolutely insane. About 10% of the time it either refused to enter any space at all, or it added two, which triggered autocorrect to add a period and capitalize my next word. I was [...]
Signed, Sealed, Delivered!
It's happening! I wrote a few weeks ago to tell you that Book 2 was done, but I hadn't submitted yet. Now I have! After submitting to my publishing house, we worked out the details and signed a new contract! What is the title? It's still top secret! I'll reveal it closer to release. Just [...]
Next Adventure: Editing!
Hey, friends! I have SO much to share with you that I need to split it into multiple posts. Look for an update next week on my newly-signed contract for Tales from Adia: Book 2! (Title is set but still top secret) I promised you some big news a few weeks ago, and then life [...]
It’s done! (kind of)
Before I get into anything else, I just heard the sad news that my junior high English teacher, who was the first to tell me I had a talent for writing, passed away this week. I'm so thankful for her influence, humor, and red pen. My last email from her (just before I signed my [...]
Hello, October!
Goodness gracious. It has been FOREVER since my last update, and there is a good reason for it! I have been spending just about every spare moment working on Book 2 of the Tales from Adia series, all while orchestrating a return to the dorms during a global pandemic (my "don't quit your day job" [...]
Organizing Your Story: Index Card Method
Sometimes I just have to get off my computer and use visual and tangible tools to get my brain organized. If you're anything like me, you have about 50 different drafts (all saved as "FinalFinalDraft27.ForRealThisTime-4"). Your characters have been running amok, and your spreadsheets of details are about 31% complete because you keep getting caught [...]
How to Build a World from Scratch
Hey, friend! Recently I've had a bunch of fellow authors reach out with their questions about the writing process. And I am LOVING it! I'm learning that I love sharing my resources just as much as I enjoyed researching and finding them. So, I'm going to use this space to discuss some of the most-asked-for [...]
Free Study Guide for Kingdom Above the Cloud
It's here! It's here! The study/discussion guide is ready for download (below). I'm excited to share this much-asked-for resource with all of my readers! Here are a few ways to use this guide: Personal Study - Use the questions as journal prompts as you think about your faith in relation to Tovi's.Book Club - I've [...]