I bragged about writing in the dark-waking up at night and scribbling a few notes without turning on the light. Then I thought about other images that phrase conjures. Pushing myself through the writers block of the late afternoon, I struggle for the perfect ending to my story. The final paragraphs shimmer in my imagination, waiting for my fingers to catch up with my thoughts. … [Read more...] about Writing in the dark by Lani Longshore
Blog
Escaping writer’s block by Violet Carr Moore
I flip open my computer and touch the home row keys confident that words will flow. Writer's block, my adversary, assaults me like a wave of desert heat. I glance at my abbreviated notes. Blog, blogosphere and bloke stare back at me. Blog, the first word, is my scribbled reminder that I must write today. A blog, a late twentieth century writing tool, began as a personal … [Read more...] about Escaping writer’s block by Violet Carr Moore
Writing regime by Violet Carr Moore
I've sat in the glow of published authors-as much glow as fluorescent lights can cast in a meeting room. From first major breakthrough to New York Times (NYT) bestsellers, "What is your writing regime like?" is the most frequent question from the audience. Kathryn Coulter, NYT bestselling author of the Savage and Sherlock mystery thrillers, adheres to a disciplined early … [Read more...] about Writing regime by Violet Carr Moore
Random thoughts on my legacy by Lani Longshore
I read an article that said to be a successful writer I should never let anything interfere with my writing time, not even a simple load of laundry. My first reaction was that my family would head off to work in their birthday suits if I followed that advice. After some reflection (and a load of laundry), I realized the advice is sound. To be successful, I need to dedicate … [Read more...] about Random thoughts on my legacy by Lani Longshore
Unlikely source by Camille DeFer Thompson
I reconnected with a childhood friend awhile back. We had lost touch after junior high. The high school in our district had been plagued with vandalism and violence throughout the mid-60's as the Civil Rights movement escalated. My parents, their minds made up that it was not a safe environment for a mousy white girl, thrust me into the uncomfortable position of lying about … [Read more...] about Unlikely source by Camille DeFer Thompson
Second chances by Lani Longshore
So far this year there have been three contests that I almost qualified to enter. My novel is really a novella and didn't make the word count for one; my dream-come-true story didn't involve sky-diving or some other near-death experience for the second; my first page start was intriguing and quirky, but not exactly scintillating enough for the third. To top it off, I missed my … [Read more...] about Second chances by Lani Longshore
Commited to writing by Neva J. Hodges
I didn't realize how strong my commitment to critique group was until this past January. I had minor surgery on a Wednesday and figured I'd be at the meeting the next day. My doctor called me Thursday morning and asked me how I felt. I described the pain I had during the night but said I felt better. She said, "The lab work showed a fat cell on a polyp we removed. Something's … [Read more...] about Commited to writing by Neva J. Hodges
Cutting Stone by Lani Longshore
"Writing is not like painting where you add. It is not what you put on the canvas that the reader sees. Writing is more like a sculpture where you remove, you eliminate in order to make the work visible. Even those pages you remove somehow remain." (Eliezer Wiese, Nobel Peace Prize Winner 1986) So what if you're a sculptor who loves the marble too much to cut into it? You've … [Read more...] about Cutting Stone by Lani Longshore
