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Wonder Woman & The Rise of Empowerment
Anyone else ready for empowerment to be the new normal? I saw Wonder Woman this weekend, and it ignited a chain-reaction of thoughts I’m continuing to process. My hope is this movie and all it stands for will increase the surge of empowering stories already emerging, and encourage an inner-strength in women worldwide. Like the Marianne Williamson quote says, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?” One of…
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The Beauty of Saying “No”
What a great writing prompt! I’ve come a long way with being able to say no, but it’s been a steep climb. Before, I was afraid to say “no” because I strove to please. I’m sure this was programmed into me as a child. How can I belong if I don’t bend over backwards to do others’ wishes? Oh, right. The belonging comes from being myself, and having healthy boundaries is essential to knowing who I am. Now, as a mother, saying “no” to my children means I have to get creative, often not using the word at all. “No” can be a gentle deflection, an invitation for tomorrow, or…
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WILD HORSE HEART: Giving Back
“If your dream includes just you, it’s too small.” —Ava DuVernay This quote is especially true these days, in this chaotic world where so many are hurting, so many people and animals struggling to survive. The thing is, if we work together, that struggle for survival can transform into a thriving planet. I don’t just want to publish a book, I want my life and creations to add to this dream of interconnectedness where people choose love, choose kindness, choose peace. So, I’ve decided to donate a portion of the proceeds from WILD HORSE HEART to programs that rescue and protect wild horses. Helping animals has always been a priority for me. I’ve adopted many…
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WILD HORSE HEART Cover – Check out this beauty!
AHHHHHH! I’m so excited. Here’s a cover reveal of my upcoming romance book, WILD HORSE HEART. But first, a little story for you: I went to art school, mostly because none of the other options interested me career-wise (read: I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life). I self-majored in video editing, and have done relatively little work as a graphic designer since. That is, if you’re counting paid work done for other companies. For myself, I’ve used my design background over and over again. Art school turned out to be a good choice for this Gemini. My latest adventure in digital art? The cover of…
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Cloud Blood by Ani DiFranco (or, why I don’t tidy before playing guitar)
I had the pleasure of seeing Ani DiFranco perform live, many years ago, at Jazz Fest, in New Orleans. I maneuvered my way to the second row, behind a number of other girl-fans thrilled to be that close to Ani, and swooned over her blend of honest, soulful, funky music. And then the woman in front of me turned around, smiled, and pushed me into the front row. Suddenly, I loved her as much as I did the musician playing onstage. Ani DiFranco has definitely been one of my biggest inspirations as a musician, and her music has carried me through all kinds of turbulent times in my life. So…
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GONE GIRL Messes With My Mind
I was up till 1 a.m. reading Gone Girl the other night. Then I was up another two hours thinking about it. Note to self: don’t read a psychological thriller before bedtime. My unsettling dreams included someone trying to strangle me with my braids. But, wow. Gone Girl. Yes, this is the first time I’ve read this book. Yes, I’m aware it’s pretty much required reading for writers. Yes, I totally get why. The writer in me is enthralled with the genius in Gillian Flynn’s craft. Writer-me admires how the characters are scary-real, the voice intimate-conversational, the story constantly unfolding with so many secrets it’s hard to keep track. This…
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Finding Humility in a Discussion on Diversity
I had a huge learning experience yesterday in a discussion about diversity, and how people of colour want to be represented/respected in the writing world. And even though I feel dense for not having gotten it before, I’m grateful to now have a better understanding. After speaking out in confusion on Twitter, I was subject to the opinions of marginalized and non-marginalized writers alike. In some ways it was a public lashing, but it was the best thing that could’ve happened. It helped me gain clarity. Though the initial onslaught of comments brought me back to the days of being bullied in school, I kept my ears open and, in the end, thanked them all—especially…
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Whatever You Do, Keep Writing
Some writers are blessed with muses who continuously chuck ideas at us. I’m glad to be that kind of writer. That doesn’t mean it’s easy—the more I learn, the harder I have to work at it. And, sure, I struggle sometimes, but that usually means I need to go read someone else’s writing for a while. Right now, I’m working on a series that flows from one trilogy into another. The first trilogy is something I’ve revised so many times I had to step away from it for a year. Wow, am I glad I did! There’s nothing like revisiting an old project to see how far you’ve improved your craft as a…
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Freelance Editors & Food for Thought
Editors are Part of an Author’s Education The freelance editors I’ve worked with have been an invaluable part of my education as a writer. I like some people’s approach better than others, but that’s a personal preference. Every time I’ve paid an editor to critique my writing, be it query, pages, or a full manuscript, I’ve invested in myself. The evolution of a writer’s craft is an ongoing discovery. Sometimes it hurts. Rejections from agents can be downright depressing, and receiving feedback is often akin to having one’s soul crushed. Which leads me to my next point: When it Comes to Feedback, Keep an Open Mind An editor’s job is not…
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The Satisfying Torture of Query Writing
I remember my first attempt at a query. *snicker* We won’t talk about that. In the last month, I’ve had four different people help me with my current query. Four. Professionals. None of whom I’ve worked with before. Because, no matter how hard I tried, I still wasn’t satisfied with the thing. Maybe it’s because I’ve learned from each editor along the way, or maybe she just speaks my language, but the final person I’m working with has helped me see possibilities I haven’t until now. This has me all excited for a number of reasons: Being able to explain my story clearly and simply is crucial. That’s what a query is…
