About My Drabble
Self-doubt: An Authors Worst Enemy
Authors are plagued with self-doubt and worry over silly things. Harper Lee, for one, threw her whole manuscript for To Kill a Mockingbird out her NYC window while editing. Fortunately, her publisher made her retrieve and finish the book. See, Fling Manuscript From the Window. Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter, Rose, stated in a diary entry the …
I Am Officially an Award-Winning Author
“I am officially an Award-Winning Author!” I have to keep telling myself this so I’ll believe it. A while ago, I paid for Hungry Monster’s Review Service plus the cost of my eBook so the review would show as a verified purchase on Amazon. “But it doesn’t count if you pay for it!” Some would …
One Lovely Blog Award
It’s such an honor to be nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award (origin unknown) by the talented author, writer, and blogger, Patty Wiseman. When I first met Patty at the East Texas Writers Association meeting, she immediately offered her friendship and support. She has a heart for mentoring new authors and a genuine desire …
C. S. Lakin: Professional Help
While in the process of writing my first novel, I followed an agent’s blog who warned those wishing to query her not to, unless the manuscript had been professionally edited. She offered a list of recommended copy editors. From this list, I chose C. S. Lakin. From her website, Live, Write, Thrive, Lakin offers a …
Go Set a Wat…Chapter One Opinion
So, I just read the first chapter of Go Set a Watchman, by Harper Lee, that's trending all over the Internet as a promotion for the book release on the 14th of July. This was the original book she wanted published. Let go of expectations. Read it as if you know nothing of To Kill …
My Group Therapy
Joining a critique group brings an end to the arrogant delusion of, "I have written a great story." In fact, I'm discovering some hard, and down right scary, things about myself. Scary fact one: My main character lacks emotional responses to events and family members. Should I be in intense therapy? Why is this so …
Life is Messy…
Some days, you just have to spread everything across the floor and sort it out. My work in progress is a YA Historical Adventure, requiring abundant research notes, maps, and an accurate timeline for the plot. My head was about to explode. It reminds me of laundry day when my three, close in age, young …
Antagonists: Mr. Punch is Not Nice
I watched my first Punch and Judy puppet show on YouTube—the gritty, not for children, version. And I have to say, some days I wish I had a slap stick, which would make me someone's antagonist, but there are people in this world who need a good whack. Mr. Punch lost favor with parents through the …
Scrivener Brain Version?
Scrivener stores, organizes, compiles, and so much more. I use the Windows version and love it. Now, if only there were a brain version. I can dream... In the mean time, I'm enjoying the tutorial YouTube videos by Karen Prince. Happy writing!
Phyllis A. Still 