Female Friendships Are Powerful

One thing all my novels have in common, whether superhero stories or historical adventure novels is that they have strong females with strong female friendships. And since it’s Women’s History Month, it seems like a good time to post this. Female friendships are powerful. Five Little Reminders to Being a Good Friend Listen supportively without giving advice on personal matters unless you are asked. Walk by their side through the hard times when there’s nothing to do but be present. Help them laugh when they are discouraged. Catch them when they fall. Remind them of all the wonderful and admirable things about them when they’ve been hurt. Lead with curiosity not condemnation when you think you might have differing opinions…Read More

Fight For Your Dreams! There are so many great quotes from Robert Kennedy about the power of dreams, and following your dreams, but he is also the one who said, “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” Which is my note for today. It’s easy to say, dream big or go home. Dreaming is the easy part. It’s the doing that’s the scary part. Achieving dreams takes action—sometimes daring action. But there are also practical steps you can take to ensure your goals get a little closer within reach. 1-Knowledge: Become an expert on your dreams. Figure out what you need to know. What is your subject? What is required? What’s going on in the field…Read More

12 Days of Pre-Christmas: Gift Eight For Your Writer Friend

Let’s face it, staring a computer every day can take a toll on your eyes. Or maybe you are a reader, editor, proofer, or reviewer – how are your poor eyes doing? Are you starting to experience a light blur even when you make the text bigger on screen? It might be time for the somewhat dreaded, reading glasses. Funky Reading Glasses or Magnifying Accessories: What they are: A specially treated glass that makes type and other stuff look bigger. Why they’re great: Funky reading glasses are much more fun than a plain pair you pick up at the drugstore. They make you look stylish and feel uber smart. And you can tilt your head to glance over your glances and…Read More

The difference between a character's need and a character's goal.

Other writers and teachers may differ, but this how I explain it. A need is an internal, emotional driving force for a character, inherent to who they are. A goal is a short term, outward objective that drives the action, and in best of stories, is linked tightly to the character’s inner need. A character “need” is something that is part of who the character is in life – the thing that defines their purpose. Even when I study my family and friends, I can see how all their decisions are driven by that need, and through that filter. It’s not necessarily the only filter, but as an individual, there is usually a very strong one for each of us. In my last…Read More