The Greatest Jewelry Salesman in the World — Guest Post by Stephen Parrish

I’d like to give a warm welcome to Stephen Parrish, a writing friend whose debut novel, The Tavernier Stones, comes out May 1st (although rumor has it you can already get it online and, as Stephen puts it, “in courageous bookstores everywhere”). Stephen has helped me in the past when I was working on my …

Crafty Arts & That Indescribable Connection

I spent a large part of last weekend working on my best friend’s wedding invitations. She had the basic design figured out when I arrived Friday evening, and by 11pm Sunday night we had ribbons cut and glued, hundreds of pieces of paper trimmed and stuffed into envelopes, and at least 100 labels adhered to …

Two Birds

My wip has a pivotal scene that takes place in the local hospital and circumstances have come together that will allow me to do a bit of research: my dad is having knee surgery. I haven’t set foot in this hospital for almost twenty years so my plan is to explore the ER while he’s …

Red Velour Track Suit

While I haven’t been writing much, I’ve been thinking about writing almost constantly. My characters are alive and kicking and just waiting for the moment I can put an obligation or two aside and sit down with them again. (It’s looking like that will happen tomorrow when I have to wait with my dad for …

Time

Where does it go? Yes, I realize I moved and I have a lot to get settled, but it’s beyond frustrating that after a month I’m still not getting the things accomplished that I want to get done. I’ve barely touched my novel, I’ve hardly written any articles, and I have a plethora of things …

Flashback Friday

As promised, here’s my short story* from my senior year literary magazine (the one I placed in the centerfold). I fought the urge to edit, so instead I’ll share my thoughts at the end. Enjoy! The Mail Room The man furtively glanced over his shoulder. A woman was walking through the door to the opposite …

Outlining 2.0

I know, I know… not everyone outlines. Even the people who DO outline all tend to have completely different definitions of an outline. My outlines are really more of a guide. I don’t follow a numbering system, I write in paragraph form, and I summarize the action. It guides me from point A to B to …

Flashback Friday

I don’t plan to make this a regular feature unless I unearth my old writing folders. And even then there may have to be some editing. I found my high school literary magazine–which has two pieces I wrote (I’ll post the second one next week)–while searching for samples for my design portfolio. I also designed …

How to Write Good

I borrowed — not plagiarized — this from Megan Rebekah — who I believe borrowed it from someone else — so you may have seen this by now. Enjoy! How to Write Good 1. Always avoid annoying alliteration. 2. Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do. 3. Employ the vernacular. 4. …