January is traditionally a time to celebrate new beginnings, but what does that mean in a pandemic? What value does change have when nothing is the same anyway? Old West stories tell of pioneers coming across abandoned belongings from earlier wagon trains. Many of the items appeared to be heirlooms that the owners realized were now a burden. Perhaps that is how we as writers … [Read more...] about When Nothing Is The Same, How Do You Change? By Lani Longshore
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Good Advice and The Writer by Lani Longshore
Since we're close to the new year, I want to share the adages and advice that have seen me through the pandemic, and how I've adapted them. There's always one more SOB than you counted on. This was my father's favorite saying. I've found that it has many layers of meaning for me as a writer. There is always one more well-meant request for help than I practiced saying “no” … [Read more...] about Good Advice and The Writer by Lani Longshore
What’s On Your Page? by Lani Longshore
We inherited a recipe notebook from my husband's grandparents. Both were wonderful cooks, and they wrote down their favorite recipes in a stenographer's pad. The problem is, they knew exactly what they were doing, so they neglected to write down some details future generations might find useful. The recipe below, for instance, has the ingredients but no order of mixing or … [Read more...] about What’s On Your Page? by Lani Longshore
When Will I Read? by Lani Longshore
The first time I went to the doctor after the pandemic hit, the line outside the clinic reminded me so much of the airport TSA line that I felt guilty not removing my shoes. They took my temperature, told me to wash my hands, and gave me a hall pass. When I arrived at the doctor's office I was asked for a photo ID. We had a good chuckle as I pointed out that I'd never been … [Read more...] about When Will I Read? by Lani Longshore
Why Critique Groups Work by Lani Longshore
One of the benefits of joining Tri-Valley Writers is the availability of critique groups and the beta reader group. The time I have spent working with other writers has always been worth it. Aside from sharing a love of the craft, I get a chance to see how my peers address plot and character development issues. Whether I learn to recognize where I go wrong by seeing it in … [Read more...] about Why Critique Groups Work by Lani Longshore
Don’t Judge Your Story By Its Sales by Lani Longshore
I'm journaling every day because of the pandemic. I want to leave a legacy for future historians. Even if my notebooks are never cataloged, researched, or cited, I feel that I am contributing. Perhaps it is time to evaluate all of our work not by what it brings us but by what it contributes to a shared experience. My novels are not breaking sales records, nor is Asimov's … [Read more...] about Don’t Judge Your Story By Its Sales by Lani Longshore
COVID-19 and Character Development by Lani Longshore
When the shelter-in-place order came out, I decided to journal every day. I thought I would be doing my part to help future historians. What I discovered was that I was learning a valuable lesson in character development. While reading through the journal, I noticed that although I miss my friends, I'm not suffering from withdrawal. To be honest, I'm doing fine. That was a … [Read more...] about COVID-19 and Character Development by Lani Longshore
The Treasures You Are Creating by Lani Longshore
My husband just received another box from one of his brothers containing papers from their late grandfather. JFK Brown was a mining engineer who worked with the Canadian government in World War I and the US government in World War II cataloging resources that could be used for the war effort. The box we received included a notebook with resource information from the 1930s. I … [Read more...] about The Treasures You Are Creating by Lani Longshore
