Choosing to see the wins instead of the losses — Impostor syndrome is one of the big things we struggle with as writers. It is the dark voice inside us who keeps telling us our ideas are bad, our writing sucks, or we should just give up. I call it the little troll and I keep beating it over the…

Or what I learned after my existential writer’s crisis — Language is how we communicate, whether in written or spoken word. It’s how we, as writers and authors, express ourselves and paint the picture for the reader. What happens if we fail to capture their interest and give them a clear picture? …

Ending the Self-Censorship Cycle — There’s a topic circling around again within the writing and book communities about negative book reviews. Everyone has an opinion about what opinions you should share as an author or reader who reviews books. …

Or, what I learned when I couldn’t wear a ring I always wore — I have a ring I’ve worn on my right thumb since 1993. I remember when I got it — before the height in popularity of them (at least in my little corner of the world). I specifically looked for something flat so that it stayed out of the way, but…

Or, stop this thing, I want to get off even if I’m the one powering it — The spin cycle. A merry-go-round. A roller coaster. What do they have in common? They are all ways in which I’ve described impostor syndrome. Every week, I write a journal post where I try to be as honest in where I’m at in life and as a writer as possible…

Why I disagree with readers who reject urban fantasy purely based on the world-building or other issues — I’ve noticed during my foray on social media that in specific Fantasy forums, when a reader asks for recommendations, there’s always that caveat of ‘but no urban fantasy.’ I’ve also noticed that any posts about books, Fantasy bingo, or responses to someone asking for book recommendations even without the warning…

My husband once said that I wasn’t a writer, even though I’ve always wanted to be one. My response to him was, “You don’t get to decide that. I do.” But his statement was accurate. For someone who claimed that their dream was to be writer, I sure didn’t write…

I am a gamer. I played Atari as a kid — I loved Pitfall and the noise it made when you got stuck on a highly pixelated log. I also spent every Saturday morning at the bowling alley. When my league finished their rounds, I either played arcade games or…

Seven days ago, the rain pounded down on our house as Hurricane Ida passed overhead. It rained longer and harder than we’d ever seen; rainwater splashing up so high, it appeared to be reabsorbed into the deluge from whence it came. Around midnight, I noticed my neighbors were still awake…

How to be a successful author, or at least how to figure out the best path for you based on your purpose for writing and how you write — A Twitter poll circled a while back, asking people who they write for: themselves, the readers, or fame and fortune. The answer came back, as these things do, a mix. …

How to prepare yourself for the emotional roller coaster of sharing your work and receiving criticism — Anyone who follows any social media with writers or authors in it knows that the author ego is fragile. Impostor syndrome looms large at the most inappropriate and unexpected of places. It is a constant struggle not to feel like you couldn’t write yourself out of a paper bag. On…

Why are we and should we be? — Every writer has heard of the ‘rules,’ and I’m not talking of your basic grammar rules, either. I mean the dos and don’ts of writing: adverbs are to be avoided upon pain of death, what POV is the ‘right’ one, head swapping is bad, prologues are out, etc. Look at…

My husband once said that I wasn’t a writer, even though I’ve always wanted to be one. My response to him was, “You don’t get to decide that. I do.” But his statement was accurate. For someone who claimed that their dream was to be writer, I sure didn’t write…

Why are we and should we be? — Every writer has heard of the ‘rules,’ and I’m not talking of your basic grammar rules, either. I mean the dos and don’ts of writing: adverbs are to be avoided upon pain of death, what POV is the ‘right’ one, head swapping is bad, prologues are out, etc. Look at…

How to prepare yourself for the emotional roller coaster of sharing your work and receiving criticism — Anyone who follows any social media with writers or authors in it knows that the author ego is fragile. Impostor syndrome looms large at the most inappropriate and unexpected of places. It is a constant struggle not to feel like you couldn’t write yourself out of a paper bag. On…

In my debut novel, The Deep Space Between, there is a character who is my protagonist’s aunt named Tristana Evans Lastra. Seraphina, my protagonist, calls her Aunt “T”; her aunt’s best friend calls her “T.” This is for a very good reason. It’s a nod to my own Aunt T…

It is so much more than a description or a definition. It is the title to my debut novel. The rift between my protagonist’s wants, needs, dreams, and nightmares. The space between herself and the voice in her head, between books and knowledge, happiness and sadness. But it is more…

How music infiltrates my life, my memories and my debut novel — Growing up, I always thought music was the language my family spoke. Or at least it seemed that way to me when I was ten, jamming out to Chicago, Journey, Pat Benatar or Queen with my dad. Or singing harmonies with my sister along to my mom’s music of ABBA…

It was a much longer journey than I thought it would be — One of the first things I did before I started writing my soon-to-be-released novel, The Deep Space Between, is write my inspiration story. My why-I’m-writing-this-book story. This is what I wrote. I’m sharing it because it says a lot about me, the writer, and the journey I’m on. It also…

When I was single, I had a euphemism for that moment when you’re dating someone new and somehow you miss the opportunity for sex. The euphemism is that you missed the boat. And I wondered if the same applies to the creative life. …