Snippets

(Art credit goes to my wonderful sister-in-law Kate Chapman, thanks so much for this!) I hope I picked the right spot. It’s a nice sunny day out, a little chilly at the moment. The moon is waning, hopefully it’s been long enough since it was full. There are a few college students milling around the campus, but they’re staying away from the little park I selected. The grass is still lush, and benches are a damp. I’m off to the side, so hopefully we won’t be interrupted.  I’ve somehow managed to juggled two travel mugs of tea, and my lap top (please God, don’t let my battery die). A tall, striking Latina woman is headed my way. She must have parked her car down the street. I set everything to the side, and stand, wiping my palms against my jeans before extending one in greeting. “Hi, I’m Jen. Gretchen, right?” “Yes.” She shakes my hand with a firm grip. “I brought tea. Chamomile lavender, with a little lemon and honey.” I pick up blue UMF mug and handed it to...

I wanted to tell you all about the event I'm participating in February 11th-15th. A kind of "getting to know you" for Indi authors of all genres. You can attend here: https://www.facebook.com/events/206705409792190/?ti=as A writer I very much admire and look up to, has expressed her disappointment in the Indi author world. The problem? Writers are giving their blood, sweat, and tears away for free. "Now what's wrong with that?" you might ask. "Everyone likes free stuff!" Well, yes, of course we like free stuff, the problem is readers now feel entitled to free stuff, even going so far as to demand free books from their favorite writers. Maybe because they can't afford them. Maybe because "that's just how things are done." But it's not. You pay for your coffee. You pay to see a movie. You pay for your music. Why one Earth should writers be expected to give away their work for free? They have to pay for cover artists, ...

I’ve talked about networking. I’ve talked about writing. I’ve talked about my love of books, in general. Now it’s time to talk about what I’ve been reading this year. I had every intention of writing a little something up, every time I read and reviewed a new book. Needless to say, I’m behind. Looking back on my reading challenge on Goodreads, I’ve read 30 some odd books so far this year, not too shabby! Though I’d like to have read more… But there was Dr. Who, Sherlock, and Supernatural. Damn you Netflix, for sucking me in! I’m kidding, of course. I have little regrets for watching good shows. For the sake of this blog, I’m just going to include the indi & small press that I’ve read. The first was a short story collection. Echoes of Winter, which featured short stories from 13 separate authors. All the stories featured Christmas and/or winter. Here’s a link to my four star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1456149905?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=...

When I first discovered ebooks, I hated the idea. Why would anyone want to trade beautiful paper and ink, for cold hard technology? I’ve always loved the weight of a book in my hand, the feel of the pages under my fingers, the smell of paper, old and new. There’s a certain romance in a hard cover, or paperback, that has nothing to do with any physical relationship. There’s a comfort in opening the worn cover of a book you’ve spent so many hours with before. Just look at these beautiful paperbacks! I hated the idea of the digitalization of words. One day, four or five years ago, I got a Nook for Christmas. I used it a little. It did fit nicely in my purse, and I didn’t have to worry about wrecking the lack of pages. I decided it was all right, but it still wasn’t my favorite. And then I gave birth to my first child. Yes indeed, children change your life. They certainly take a lot of time, and you’re always concerned for their safety. Physical books were now a dang...

There are many of us “aspiring writers.” Some dream of one day starting that dream project. Some don’t tell a soul what they’re up to. Some are convinced that they know what they’re doing. I’m a ways away from publishing. Editing takes time and concentration. Those two things don’t always exist in the same space. I’m making an attempt to do it all, be a mother and a writer. Some days are better than others. Currently, I’m piecing together chapter ten, out of twenty eight. When I’m not writing, or editing, or actively wrangling children, I read & review. A majority of what I’ve been reading has been independently published, or published through small press. I’ve made some pretty awesome connections, over the last couple of years! I’m learning by watching what these more experienced writers do. I love that they take the time to interact with their readers. I hope to be as inspiring as they are, some day. So why am I presenting myself to the world as a writer, before there’s ...

I've discovered that the first draft of a novel is very much like building a new house. I had an outline, to guide me through. I'm not too sure there was a blueprint for the construction of my house, however. A remodel was definitely in order. My husband has been busy knocking down walls, putting them back up, mudding, taping, and painting. Disorder reigns. There are screws next to the toothbrushes. We have yet to get railings for the stairs. The stairs, themselves, are unfinished. The insulation in the third floor is exposed. Our bedroom is currently in the living room, instead of the daylight basement, where we want it. My second draft feels quite the same. There are pieces of chapter fifteen, in chapter two. After chapter three, comes chapter eight. Someday, we'll get all the trim up around the windows and doors. The furnishings will come out of storage. I will have a bedroom with a door. I can't wait! Someday, my manuscript will become a cohesive whole. Ever...

Writing with children is hard. If you have them you know. If they are the tiny toddler verify, you really know. While killing (wasting?) time going through emails, my tiny tot spit a large mouthful of milk everywhere. All over the monitor. All over the keyboard. All over my cell phone. Somehow, she managed to miss herself. Kids can be talented like that, sometimes. Instances like this are why I avoid writing, while children are awake. When I write, I get into "the zone." While in that place, I can't hear, see, or smell the trouble these tiny people create. So writing after dark, it is! Children are why God created caffeine. Thank you, God! It's gives us parents the ability to stay up late, then get up the next morning. I used to think that writing with children was impossible. I thought my dreams were over. Then I learned, if you really want something, really love something, you'll find the time. I found the time.