I recognize attitude when I see it, a teenager’s eye roll, a cat’s saunter, a waiter’s dismissive shrug. So, I received an unpleasant surprise when I evaluated my year-to-date writing progress. Instead of a completed novel, I found a big pile of ATTITUDE. I’ve written several posts about finishing my novel. (See here and here.) …
To Increase Word Count, Lose the Attitude Read More »
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I reset my clocks on Saturday. A simple action that added an hour to my week. If I did that daily, I might complete my annual goal list, the uber-ambitious January plan. Instead, Halloween has already crept by, and Thanksgiving is lurking outside my front door. (That’s Christmas skulking on the street corner. Don’t believe …
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I did. When the Mega Millions jackpot climbed over one billion dollars, I pulled two one-dollar bills out of my wallet, fed them into the machine, and tucked that ticket into my…let’s just say a safe place. (I won’t divulge the details. I may stash another ticket there in the future.) Did I win? Of …
Did You Catch Lottery Fever? Read More »
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My phone beeps, so I check the message. Package delivered! I hurry to the mailbox and scoop it up. I know what’s inside. After all, I did place the order. Still a rush of Christmas-morning-like anticipation flows through me. (It can’t just be me. You get that too, right?) I tear open the mailing envelope …
I Will NOT Return These Socks Read More »
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On a scale from novice to expert, how would you rate your technology expertise? Are you a Neanderthal or Einstein? Although I’d never be mistaken for a software genius, I’d peg myself a few notches above clueless. I’ve learned to download an app, send a text or an email, and navigate social media. I love …
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The best friend is one of my favorite characters in any love story. A good sidekick can act as a confidante or an advisor, provide a shoulder to cry on or a swift kick in the pants, serve as comic relief or sentimental foil. I don’t know about you, but I don’t live on a …
What type of friend are you? Read More »
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This morning when the alarm rang, my bedroom was dark. Pitch dark. I got up before the sun bothered to rise. It’s not because my wake-up time changed, it’s because autumn arrived. According to the calendar, it’s the correct time for the fall season. After all, as George R. R. Martin points out in Game …
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Every gripping story features a villain. It could be a human bad guy, a hostile environment, an oppressive regime, or a life-threatening illness. I wouldn’t necessarily describe my life story as “gripping”, but I have identified an antagonist. My nemesis is me. This thought came as surprise-at least to me. Others may have already suspected …
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Vacation. What image does that word conjure in your mind? A sun-drenched beach, an exotic foreign city, or a wilderness retreat? Vacations are highly recommended to give us a break from our ordinary routine. Depending on your choice, they may refresh, recharge, or relax. We step out of our everyday life and examine our priorities, …
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Some days ideas pop up around me like speech bubbles in a cartoon. A news item or media post might trigger a cascade of possible plot complications, a list of future blog topics, or intriguing areas for additional research. Most often my problem isn’t a lack of ideas, (read this post) but an inability to …
Where Do You Find Your Ideas? Read More »
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