Writing

Call Western Union

In the past couple of weeks, we saw four relatively recent movies. All within the past couple of years, at least. Only one of them–Black Panther was in the theater. One, Spotlight, we downloaded on our tablet to watch on our anniversary cruise. The other two, Logan Lucky and Breathe we rented with my grandparents. All very different stories. And…

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Writing

Newsletter, Anyone?

After years of knowing I need to, I’m finally going to force myself to set up an author newsletter. I hear it’s the number one thing for a professional author to do, but I’ve just put it off time and again for two reasons: 1. I’m completely and totally overwhelmed at the idea. I don’t like doing new things in…

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Writing

Yes, But Why?

Show, don’t tell. It’s been hammered into our brains through every English class, creative writing course, and book for aspiring novelists. Always they tell us “show, don’t tell” until we can’t unhear or forget the words. Until they become mere sounds and we discount them due to familiarity. Like when someone says “eat healthy” or “Jesus loves you.” Sometimes we…

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Writing

Don’t Write What You Know

Anyone who’s ever turned their hand to writing knows this this adage, as well as most who haven’t. “Write what you know.” There are many great writers who have followed this advice. Charles Dickens, for instance. Nearly all of his stories had autobiographical elements, and most of them took place in the nineteenth century London where he lived out his…

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Life, Writing

When You’re Feeling Dauncy

“I’ve been feeling real dauncy.” “Dauncy?” “Yeah, that’s a word my grandmother made up for when you aren’t really sick but you just feel lousy.” ~ Lucy and Ethel, I Love Lucy I’ve had a chest cough for about a week now. I’d like to blame it on staying out all night in the cold last Tuesday to be an…

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