OK, I am still in the learning curve when it comes to independent publishing. I have a marginal background in marketing, having worked professionally as a book and magazine editor. But no formal training, and this whole online experiment is all totally new to me. So for the most part, we’re making this thing up … More What I know. What I don’t.
One of my students sent me a link yesterday that I have to share with you. I have already posted it on my Facebook page. The link is an 18-minute presentation by a fellow named Simon Sinek about what it takes for companies to succeed, specifically in the area of innovation. Of course, while I … More Passion, Vision and Faith: What Makes It All Work
I have told my writing classes many times that if you are serious about writing, you never stop being the student. And it’s true. My students think I am the Writing Master, but I am the first to admit that I still have a lot to learn about writing. And that, I think, is one … More The Student Becomes the Teacher
Sometimes it’s easy for us as writers to blur the lines between our writing life and real life. And there are many reasons why that happens. But there are also good reasons why we should not let that happen. My writing career really took off when my father was dying of cancer. It hit me … More Writing is/is not real life
Here’s a brief look at the first book in my Champion series, set to come out next summer: That night Harris couldn’t sleep, so after Katya was pleasantly snoring, he got up, got dressed and drove down to the church. He felt like Alice in Wonderland. The more he investigated, the more he looked for … More Excerpt from “The Champion”
I don’t think I am alone when I tell the truth that there was always something in me that wanted to change the world. However, you see the world–in need of God, unfair, abusive, frightening–I believe that everyone has a desire to change it. Writers are slightly different because most of us believe that one … More Changing the world…one story at a time
A day or two ago an author friend of mine on Facebook commented that she secretly enjoyed reading someone’s published work and then realizing that she could write better than they could. Well, Ingrid, you’re not alone there. Writing is a solitary, very often thankless, job. And we have to take joy wherever we can … More Secret Pleasures and Public Obligations
About six or seven years ago, I was asked to write a regular religion column for the local newspaper. It got me great local “exposure” and they didn’t care what I wrote as long as it was “religious.” The bad side of it was they didn’t pay me anything, and in the end, wouldn’t even … More Drivel
I spent the morning working on school stuff. Yes, school is over, but I am also responsible for the school’s website and the alumni magazine (what can I say? It’s a small school.). So I am trying to get at least the magazine “put to bed” this week so that my energies can be directed … More Loose ends
I’ve had many people tell me I am good at multitasking. I’m also pretty versatile. Both have come from a lifetime of (1) doing other jobs to pay bills while I feed my addiction for writing; and (2) juggling writing time with other responsibilities. I sincerely planned on doing nothing else this summer but work … More Time to Get Organicized
