Amazing Differences

Isn't it amazing how different people and places are? Especially when it comes to customs, traditions, word meanings/connotations, and cultural distinctions, just to name a few. I think so. This past week I received an email from one of my beta readers/proofreaders. She'd read Drew's Hope, the first book in my Blackwood Brothers series. About … Continue reading Amazing Differences →

Are You Ready For Some Snow?

Photo by Artem Podrez on Pexels.com Okay, I know. Some of you have already been blessed with the white stuff in your neck of the woods. I even bet a few of you have had all that you need or want for the season, am I right? Been there on more than one occasion myself. … Continue reading Are You Ready For Some Snow? →

Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, I've been thinking about past holidays. One came to mind from my first year teaching. In October of that year (we won't mention the exact year), one of my student's asked if I wanted to take a chance on a turkey for Thanksgiving. Since it was to support his 4-H club, I … Continue reading Thanksgiving →

Featured

Twenty Years Ago

Yesterday, Friday, September 10, I was substituting in a high school graphic design class. At the end of the morning announcements, the young man on the loud speaker asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11. As the class and I complied, I was struck by the fact that the students standing before … Continue reading Twenty Years Ago →

Uncharted Territory Gratitude

According to the daily statistics, a third person in a neighboring county has succumbed to the Coronavirus. Yeah, I know, in the global scheme of things, three is a pretty small number. There are probably some who consider it insignificant, that it doesn't even warrant posting or that it doesn't even matter at all. Well, … Continue reading Uncharted Territory Gratitude →

AW – Anticipatory Worry

For all intents and purposes, I really don't consider myself a superstitious person, but I do have this annoying condition I refer to as anticipatory worry . Like, I'm always waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. Or I come up with these silly cause and effect scenarios in my mind as if something … Continue reading AW – Anticipatory Worry →

Rejections

In early December, I submitted three chapters of a manuscript (For the Love of Hope) and a synopsis to a Carina Press Open Proposal call. This particular book is the first in a series about four brothers. Being the quasi-pessimist that I am, a large part of me suspected the manuscript wouldn't get a nod, … Continue reading Rejections →

Frustration

For three weeks, I haven't written anything that wasn't primarily related to education. Semester exams. Emails to parents, counselors, fellow staff, and administrators. Constructive critiques on student projects. You know, teacher stuff. Sure, I made a few Facebook posts and wrote a few Christmas cards. But with everything going on - drawing first semester … Continue reading Frustration →

Revisions and Edits and Drafts, Oh My!

Last night, I was in a group chat with some writer friends (two of the ones mentioned in my inaugural blog). All three of us are doing the NaNoWriMo November challenge. For those of you unfamiliar with NaNo, it's a platform for writers to help them set a goal and work toward it. Then, each … Continue reading Revisions and Edits and Drafts, Oh My! →

I’ve Come a Long Way, Baby

For as long as I can remember, writing has been something I've always loved to do. Over the years, I've dabbled in a few things - poetry, a weekly column about our high school football team in the local paper, grants, educational curriculum, individual education plans, and a few other odds and ends. But even … Continue reading I’ve Come a Long Way, Baby →