In the South, whenever we get together you can bet food’s involved. Whether it’s meeting colleagues after work, social functions, or a night out on the town, any time a handful of friends meet, food is at the center of the affair. For someone who swore off sugar and processed carbs three years ago, it can be daunting. Not because … Read More
Just Write the D*mn Story!
Writing is a process, one that is multi-faceted and complex. Some writers love the beginning stages of creating a story. They have a million ideas that never make it to the page. Others love getting that first draft down, writing like they’ll be shot at dawn if they don’t get the thing on paper. Others love to revise, layer, create … Read More
Tone and Mood, the Powerhouses of Writing
Most authors will say the best way to write a strong story is to show, don’t tell. But if the tone or mood of all that showing doesn’t match the intensity of the plot, the story still seems weak. Having all three is the trifecta of great storytelling. The difference between Tone and Mood Tone defines the character’s attitude. Is … Read More
The Little Things
Last Saturday, I stood at the Cincinnati International Airport, confounded as to how I missed a flight that hadn’t even taken off yet. I mean, I got up a 3:45 a.m., was out the door by 4:10, and I made it to Cincy two hours before like a good little rule-follower. The first hurdle was the fact that CVG, the … Read More
2019–The year of Tenacity and Grit
It’s January, which means it’s time to concentrate on the road ahead. As you know, I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. Instead, I take one word, one concept, and focus on that. The themes of the past few years are here if you’re interested. As for 2018, it was the Year of Control. And while it was a great idea, it didn’t … Read More
Why We Shouldn’t Get Our News from Social Media
The other day, I had a friend compare Facebook to Walmart, saying it was the Social Media site where she could get everything in one place, like her favorite recipes, pics of her grandbabies, and news from around the world. She hadn’t said something I’d thought a thousand times before the 2016 elections, only now, the statement bugged me. If … Read More
Grab a Cuppa Joe, and Let’s Chat!
A few years ago, in an attempt to simplify my life, I completely overhauled the website and streamlined the thing like a sleek sports car. Gone was the front page that needed new graphics every month, and the blog turned into an iframe leading to my Tumblr account. To simplify life even further, I dumped Instagram and Facebook into … Read More