Category: Writing Process

• A Writer on Pause No More

  I’m a writer. But it’s not what buys the bread and puts kids through college. For that, I am also a teacher. But the best part of being a teacher and writer is, of course, summer. Summer is when I can hit the resume button and become a full-time writer again. I am at that…

  sassevn

  July 14, 2017

  Indie Author, Uncategorized, Writing Process

  novel writing, writing, writing advice, writing time

• Writing Progress isn’t Always Visible

  A month ago, I boasted that the first novel in my first trilogy was complete and the second novel is half-written. Today, I can boast that the first novel in my first trilogy is almost complete and the second novel is half-written. Wait. What? Am I moving backwards? It may feel like that. Writing has…

  sassevn

  July 4, 2017

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  editing process, novel writing, revision

• You Should Tolerate Bad Writing

  I’m not a perfectionist. As a writer, this can be a disadvantage. I’m confident there have been times when I could have improved a piece with one more revision or one more re-write. But I must admit, I become bored and just want it to be over so I can get on to my next…

  sassevn

  June 18, 2017

  Writing Process

  brainstorming, novel writing, writer’s block, writing advice, writing ideas, writing tips

• Writing a Trilogy, or is it a Three Part Story

  I’ve mentioned before how I am working on my first trilogy. My first five novels were standalones and I’ve always felt that standalones are more interesting reads because, well, they have a tight arc and a thrilling finish. I’ve never been one for built-in cliffhangers (let alone the ridiculous extra scenes that Marvel Studios has…

  sassevn

  April 28, 2017

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  novel writing, writing a trilogy, writing advice, writing fiction, writing ideas, writing inspiration

• Justify the … Idea. It’s How I Write

  In my theatre arts class, we play a game called Justify the Pose. I say ‘go,’ and everyone tears off around the room doing whatever they like. When I call ‘stop,’ they  must freeze in whatever awkward position they find themselves in, whether they are mid-step or standing on a desk. Then I call out…

  sassevn

  February 26, 2017

  Writing Process

  brainstorming, ideas, novel writing, writing, writing brainstorming, writing tips

• Was I Sleeping 4 Times Through This Chapter?

  Revision work never seems to surprise and frustrate me. I have been doing some fairly significant re-writes on my next novel up, and each revised chapter had its moments in the grinding machine of my mind, polishing and burnishing each one a little closer to the end result. And then yesterday, I came across a…

  sassevn

  January 10, 2017

  Uncategorized, Writing Process

  novel writing, tips for young writers, writing, writing tips

• “Not So Fast,”Book 1 says to Book 2.

  In a previous post, I talked about how I’m writing my first sequel, possibly series, and I keep discovering things which I am sure series writers knew in their kindergarten years of writing: slow down! The reason for the slow down is that I now realize that book 2 affects book 1, or at least…

  sassevn

  January 5, 2017

  Uncategorized, Writing Process

  novel planning, novel writing, writing planning, writing tips

• I Don’t Particularly Like Sequels, But I’m Writing One

  I have written five standalone novels. Novel six, which is complete, could have been another standalone, but I’ve decided to write a sequel for it. Here’s why. But first, why haven’t I written any sequels up to this point? First, Hemingway never wrote sequels, and I like Hemingway. Okay, that’s not a very  good reason…

  sassevn

  December 30, 2016

  Writing Process

  novel writing, sequels, series

• Is this satire? – Santa Sent for Counseling

  I can’t tell. I don’t think it is, but this article is so funny that I think it must be satire. And if it isn’t, it should be. Santa Sent for Counseling If you don’t want to click on the list, here’s the short version. A small girl asked a mall Santa who was on…

  sassevn

  December 19, 2016

  Current Events, Writing Process

  bad santa, Christmas, mall santa, santa claus, satire

• The Germination of Creative Thought

  I had one of those eureka creative moments this afternoon. They don’t come around too often, but I love them when they do unexpectedly overwhelm me. I get creative thoughts all the time. Most of them develop slowing, typically while I’m working on something. One thought will lead to another and the creative process will…

  sassevn

  December 14, 2016

  Writing Process

  brainstorming for writing, creativitiy, writing ideas, writing prompts