Every writer creates a story in a different way. Some create the characters first (or they spring forth from the head fully formed like that Greek goddess). Some start with a plot idea and plan extensively before writing a word. Others write scenes and journals and pages and pages before finally discovering the story. [...]

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         We talked about rewards a few weeks ago. I thought this time, instead of talking about how important they are, I’d share some concrete ideas for rewards. That is where I struggle. Coming up with rewards I will actually give myself. For example, I’d love to get a hand massage [...]

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         My oldest son is in the military. That has been his dream for as long as I can remember. We have discussed military and weapons and tactics for years. One time, when he was 9 years old, he came to me upset that the children’s section of the library had no [...]

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         Goals. Resolutions. Objectives. Whatever you call them, they are basically the same thing. And January seems to be a time of year that incites people to make them, to put unrealistic expectations on themselves and then spend the next year (or 10!) beating themselves up for not succeeding. I’m not sure [...]

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         Many years ago I was given an assignment which radically impacted my view of my life. It was suggested that I write out my obituary. Write it as I wanted it to read. Describe the life I really wanted to have lived. Being a creative type who loves to “play pretend,” [...]

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         We’re done. All of us crazy writers who participated in NaNoWriMo are finished. (In more ways than one?) Many of us made it to 50,000 words. Many of us did not. As my blog partners and I talked about last week, you could be a winner even if you missed [...]

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Stephanie here with a note from all of us.
         I love this holiday! I’m not sure if it’s the food, the family or the fact that it heralds the beginning of a “holiday season” that I enjoy most, but this is one of my favorite holidays. What I love most [...]

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         That’s what I need to hear right now. That I’ve won NaNoWriMo. Or that I’m close to winning. Trouble is, I wouldn’t believe you. I am so far behind in my NaNoWriMo word count, I don’t believe there is a way to recover. How will I ever get 35,000 words [...]

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To start, I apologize for posting this blog late. I have excuses (my elderly dad and his issues, moved in with me this week, as well as a few other one-time events, all conspiring to keep me away from the computer), but I’m a professional. That means I make my deadlines. So, no excuses, just [...]

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All the NaNo WriMos are off and writing! Even those who started late, who had busy weekends or weekdays and have struggled and scraped for every writing minute have written something on their NaNo novel. I’m sure of it. You have, too, haven’t you? Haven’t you?
What? You aren’t sure you can do this? Sure you [...]

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