While perusing the pumpkin “patch” (shelves) at my grocery store last weekend, this one struck me as the roundest, cleanest, most pumpkiny pumpkin of the bunch. In fact, I was so pleased with nature’s work that I considered leaving it alone and letting its bright orange hue be all the decoration I needed. So pretty. …
Melanie Hooyenga
When Do You Say When?
I sent my first queries for Flicker almost seven months ago. In that time I’ve had a couple full requests, a few more partial requests, and several handfuls of rejections. I’ve avoided talking about the process here because I choose to keep that out of the public eye, but I’m reaching the point where I …
What Lies Beneath
As much as I like pretty things, I’ve always prided myself at looking past the surface and really seeing what’s lurking beneath. I read the back cover of books, I make friends based on personality, and I think all dogs are adorable. But a recent change in my life has changed all that. You see, …
Repost: Being Authentic
I first posted this on March 10, 2010, and thought it was worth repeating. I wrote this while working on my second novel, so while that part is a bit outdated, the rest still applies. Do you ever have random words just pop into your head? Words that you rarely use but make you giggle, …
Unattainable
“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” “You can look but you can’t touch.” “We always want what we can’t have.” I’m beginning to think you should start calling me Jack Handy because I seem to be overflowing with deep thoughts. I guess that’s what happens when I’m not writing. …
A Different Pair of Shoes
This past Sunday was rough for me, but through the tears and what-ifs and despairs that strikes too easily at times, I took comfort that now my friend Craig will never be forgotten. Every 9/11 for the past ten years, I’ve done a little navel-gazing and thought hard about the kind of person I am …
Can a Letter Be Cursed?
Or more appropriately: That letter B is cursed! I’ve had a heckuva couple days, and I’m blaming it all in the letter B. Take note: Sunday morning I loaded up the car to take Owen to the dog Beach, and on the way I hit a Baby Bird. I’m talking POOF! Feathers everywhere. After a …
Creative Stuff
Writing has dominated my posts lately (which is ironic considering I’ve barely written a word this year) but I’ve been busy doing other stuff, too. First, I have a new blog header! Y’all on readers, come take a peek. I hated the previous one because I flipped the picture and I could never get used …
Just Do It
There’s a saying: “You know what you call people who wait until the right time to have kids? Childless.” This particular saying doesn’t apply to me, but the thought behind it does. All too often (always) I have ideas for things I’d like to do, but rather than take the initiative to just do it, …
Perspective
When you’re too close to something, it’s hard to see it for what it truly is. Whether it’s writing, a relationship, or a group of pictures you’re trying to hang on the wall and just can’t get to line up (they STILL aren’t perfect), taking a step back and looking at things from a new …