Working with volunteers can be the most rewarding experience or the most frustrating. Numerous non-profit organizations across the nation rely on volunteers to stuff envelopes, raise money, pick up litter, and donate their time to the cause. It isn’t always easy, but working without volunteers is a frightening possibility for many organizations. Perhaps due to hectic… Read more »
Big Ideas
The Pitfalls of Freelance Writing in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is home to lots of creative types! Freelance writing in Pittsburgh isn’t always perfect. In fact, it can be full of pitfalls. But what if there was a cushy landing waiting at the bottom? I love doing freelance writing in Pittsburgh. Over the past four years, I’ve enjoyed working the organizations like Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon,… Read more »
Tasty Buckets for Writers
My friend and fellow writer Beth Skwarecki attended the 2014 National Association of Science Writers Conference and returned with these notes as a souvenir. I’m sharing them unedited for your investigative pleasure. TASTY BUCKETS Define your “tasty buckets.” Not every project has to fill all the buckets, but on balance they should all get filled. MONEY… Read more »
Creative Writing Ideas
Some people have difficulty accepting input on their creative works, especially creative writing. I think they worry that if they incorporate someone else’s idea, the work isn’t their own. But I really love getting creative writing ideas from people, especially children, mine or anyone else’s kids. People new to writing often say, “I shared this… Read more »
Sexism in Kids’ Books
I read a lot of children’s books but lately I’ve been really angry to discover so much sexism in them. My second grader is now reading chapter books but he still wants me or my husband to read with him, so I get to check out of a lot of books I’ve never read before…. Read more »
Notes for NaNoWriMo (Write)
Started these notes on Nov. 7, one week into NaNoWrIMo. – Write. – Use those 15 beats. Write out several versions of the story you think you want to tell. – Work on those character descriptions early in October. Know those characters before hand and your story will flow. – Read great books all month…. Read more »
More tips for picky eaters!
Looking for more tips for picky eaters? If you have a picky eater in your family, you are probably familiar with the feeling that you’re in the middle of a food fight. You’ve prepared food but your picky eater won’t try a bite. Let the battle of wills begin! But I found that getting into… Read more »
NaNoWriMo 2014
It’s almost November! And you know what that means? NaNoWriMo 2014! NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month is only a few days away and I’m itching to get started. I had two ideas in mind for this month’s project. Project Ideas 1. “Sweetie” is a retelling of Hansel and Gretel set in Depression-Era Baltimore. -or-… Read more »
How to Find An Agent For My Novel
Earlier this year, I finished the first draft of my middle novel, Dare Club. Once the draft was done, I dedicated the rest of the year to revision and to find an agent for my novel. I knew that it would be tough to find an agent for my novel wasn’t going to be easy… Read more »
Too Many Critique Groups?
Are you a in a critique group? I am – actually three critique groups! I think critique groups are truly invaluable to any serious writer and not just for works of fiction. I meet regularly with a friend I met through NaNoWriMo (coming very soon!) to discuss non-fiction queries, article ideas and fiction ideas. We… Read more »