Category: Indie Author

• Don’t Gravitate Towards Sports Just Because Everyone Does

  I’ve seen it many times over my teaching career. Talented art-leaning students choosing sports because everyone does. And before you peg me as a non-sports person who doesn’t know … blah, blah. I understand. Growing up, baseball was my life. Quite literally. When I wasn’t playing on a team, I was throwing the ball against…

  sassevn

  February 15, 2020

  Indie Author, Life, Teaching & Education

  creativity, performing arts, promoting arts, sports and creativity, the arts, youth education and arts

• Thank you, beta readers

  It’s done. Novel #9 sent to my editor. More than any other novel I’ve written, the writing of this one has made me understand the true purpose of beta readers. Writers have blind spots. Or possibly soft spots. Maybe I get a little to sentimental at times and think a few chapters can get by…

  sassevn

  February 3, 2020

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  beta readers, editing manuscript, editing process, novel writing, Penang

• Be Willing to Make a Major Change in Your Writing

  As I’ve mentioned, I had sent novel #9 out to some beta readers for feedback prior to final draft and sending it to my editor. Two beta readers, whom I respect a great deal for their knowledge of literature and their ability to just tell me honestly what they think, said basically the same thing.…

  sassevn

  January 20, 2020

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  beta readers, editing, novel writing, tips for writers, writing advice

• … and What’s on Tap for 2020?

  A new year for a writer is filled with hopes and ambitions. Most of them swirl around the hope that any particular writer (me, in my case) will have enough time to accomplish all that is whipping around in their brain. If 2020 is an ideal year for writing, here’s what I hope to accomplish.…

  sassevn

  January 1, 2020

  Indie Author, Life

• Beta Readers: Choose Tough Ones

  I just heard back from my first beta reader concerning my newest novel MOSES THE SINGER. She’s ready to answer my questions. Am I terrified? Of course. She is the first person in the world to read this manuscript after myself. I have five other people working their way through it right now. Is it…

  sassevn

  October 26, 2019

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  beta readers, fiction writing, novel writing, writing advice, writing revisions, writing tips

• 50,000 for the 9th Time

  I’ve hit 50,000 words for the 9th time in my life. That means I’ve written 9 novels. Not sure how many people in the world could ever say that, so that’s pretty cool, I guess. Here’s the proof: That was last week, actually. It’s now over 77,000, probably on its way to 80k to finish…

  sassevn

  August 7, 2019

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  malaysia, novel length, novel writing

• Ironing Shirts & Writing Novels. What’s the Difference?

  I bought a new shirt. It came in a box cause that’s how shirt’s are made these days, right? It didn’t fit. I sent it back. Didn’t even need a box cause that’s how shipping is done these days, right? I ordered another shirt. It fit great. I liked it. But it was cottony and…

  sassevn

  July 22, 2019

  Indie Author, Life, Writing Process

  novel writing, writing inspiration, writing process

• Summer Writing & Smiles

  

  I smiled today. It was nearly involuntary. It emanated like a ray of light piercing through a small hole. That smile was summer. I’m finishing up my second year of living in Saudi Arabia and a whole two-month writing bonanza stares me in the face. Oh sure, there’ll be family and barbecues and fresh berries…

  sassevn

  June 15, 2019

  Indie Author, Life

  inspiration, novel writing, summer, teaching

• Looking for Story that’s a little Different?

  

  As the reviews of THE FORGOTTEN CHILD TRILOGY have started to come in, there has been a distinct trend. This book is unique. Take a look at a few snippets from reviews about this series: “once in a great while I run across something so different, so moving, that I am left astonished” “What a…

  sassevn

  May 31, 2019

  Indie Author

  forgotten child trilogy, Goodreads, new releases, reviews, trilogy, unusual reads

• When was the last time you … ?

  Think. What do you love to do but haven’t done it for a long time? I know. There are reasons why you haven’t done it. Everyone has excuses. I’ve done something this past week that I haven’t done in about a year and it’s been real enjoyable: guitar playing and song composing. I won’t go…

  sassevn

  May 24, 2019

  Indie Author, Life, Uncategorized

  guitar playing, hobby, inspiration, lyrics