The dog and I went to the park this morning. She sniffed each square inch of ground as if she were reading War and Peace. I tugged on her leash, hoping to move her to a sunnier spot, but she was adamant. This particular patch of grass must be explored, and she was the dog to do it. Such is the author-reader relationship. If I am lucky when I'm reading I'll come across … [Read more...] about Reflections on Walking the Dog – by Lani Longshore
Blog
Percolating, by Camille DeFer Thompson
Chatting with a friend over coffee one morning, I was sharing my progress on a piece I was working on. “It’s finished,” I said. “But I’m going to put it aside for a day or two before I submit it. I need to let it…” I paused, unable to come up with the right word to finish my thought. “Percolate?” Penny said, before taking a bite of her scone. “I know what you mean. … [Read more...] about Percolating, by Camille DeFer Thompson
Writing Down the Dates, by Lani Longshore
I was a history major in college. Most of my roommates were, too, and we threw dinner parties to commemorate important dates. The Chicago Fire, the invasion of Poland, Pearl Harbor Day, Armistice Day - anything that came close enough to a free weekend so we had time to cook. Dates and food are still important to me - I made Cheesehenge Fondue for a summer solstice - but as a … [Read more...] about Writing Down the Dates, by Lani Longshore
Insuring an Audience for the Future, by Sharon Svitak
Most writers, and indeed all good writers, are avid readers. We all learned to love reading when we were children. I earned my first library card when I was five years old and could print my name. That was the requirement for a library card in San Francisco in 1950. I wasn’t always a good reader. That didn’t happen until third grade, when I was tutored in phonics by a teacher … [Read more...] about Insuring an Audience for the Future, by Sharon Svitak
A Reluctant Techie by Neva J. Hodges
Even though I own a smart phone, laptop, have a Facebook page, website and blog, I fear irreversible errors I might make in the upkeep of these devices. My brain works in big picture creative mode, not in the minutia of technical detail. The first time I heard a guest speaker at a Tri-Valley Branch meeting promote the value of social media I felt overwhelmed. Fear enveloped me … [Read more...] about A Reluctant Techie by Neva J. Hodges
Keeping a Collection of Characters by Lani Longshore
Anyone who writes fiction knows this dilemma. You write a memorable character who is so realistic your friends swear they know who it is. They're right, and they're not pleased. Admit it, sometimes friends and family do the most interesting things. You want to include their exploits in your novel, but you know they won't be flattered. My great-great grandfather, for … [Read more...] about Keeping a Collection of Characters by Lani Longshore
Awakening the Muse by Camille Thompson
When I read the post from Karl, our website coordinator, I felt that familiar tingle. Not that tingle. Karl was soliciting blog posts for the TVW website. I meant the sensation I feel when my muse is awakened. Inspiration. Writing has been a passion for as long as I can remember. I never cease to be surprised by what inspires me to write. Like that time on the drive home … [Read more...] about Awakening the Muse by Camille Thompson
Social Media Group’s Inaugural Meeting: by G Karl Kumfert
We had our first meeting of the social media group last week. Here's a quick breakdown of who attended, what we did, and what we're going to do moving forward for the October meeting. I had prepared a questionnaire in advance, which we used that as a meeting agenda and organization notes for me. The group currently lists at twelve members -- nine who attended our inaugural … [Read more...] about Social Media Group’s Inaugural Meeting: by G Karl Kumfert
