Recently, I read an insightful article titled, "The Key Elements of Writing a Good Memoir" by author Adair Lara http://writersdigest.com/article/elements-of-an-effective-arc/. The author's approach to creating a narrative arc simmers in my mind as I seek to craft my memoir: "The first step in drawing an arc is to answer this question: What did you (as the …
Becoming your Own Best Friend
My best friend lives far away. And although we talk to each other several times a week, both of us feel the pain of not being able to sit across the table from each other sipping a cup of Joe while discuss the day. We often sigh and dream aloud, "What if we lived in …
The Bewitching Hour
The bewitching hour, I strongly suspect, occurs between 3:00 and 4:00 am because that’s when I’m waking up with all kinds of oddities on my mind. Art by Elya Moline Sleep falls gently, tucking expectations snugly under chin…until the early morning hours when, I am convinced, the creative fairies spring wide-awake. During these 3 o'clock risings, phrases …
Memoir Check
"God, keep me in reality!" My former Twelve-step sponsor used to pray these words every day. She knew her mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being depended upon staying "denial-free." Also married to a recovering sex addict at the time, I embraced her wisdom and chanted the same mantra in hopes I, too, would retain my …
AuthorizeMe Seminar
This past weekend, I attended an AuthorizeMe Seminar designed and presented by author Sharon Norris Elliot. Her unique process helped me to grasp the process of brainstorming and storyboarding a book idea. This storyboard is then used to create a nonfictional book proposal. While working on my storyboard, I looked up and realized I was placing my sticky notes on …
Lingering in Adolescence
Last night I visited the blog of a dear online friend, Cheryl Smith. We met quite serendipitously through The High Calling Blogs website. She a Welcome Editor and me a wide-eyed new blogger, our paths seemed eerily similar and so the kindred heart exchanges began. She, too, was a former ministry wife who lost her …
The Answer
I'm signed up for a working writers' conference this weekend in which I'm suppose to bring a fresh idea for a book. The objective is to storyboard the concept and craft a book proposal. Days pass and here I sit with a bushel of half-finished projects. I cannot justify starting another one. My best friend insists …
Floating down the river of Denial…
Who wouldn't choose a mental float down the river of denial rather than drudge through ankle thick mud of reality? Self-preservation rationalized not posting on a critique forum when I read the ruthless (yet insightful) comments made about other writers' work. Before this mental exit, I did a lot of book soul-searching in an attempt to decide which manuscript to bring …
Tips for the Digitally Challenged
“Keeping up with the Joneses” is not a problem in my life. Keeping up with emails is. I don’t have time to worry whether my neighbor’s purchases or lifestyle preferences trumps me. On evenings and weekends, this emerging writer has chair in one hand and whip in the other trying to tame the email beast. …
JoDee Luna Art 