Reading, wRiting, and Roaming with Author Valerie Biel

In my journey through the steps of independent publishing, refining my writing skills, and most recently completing a successful agent search, I’ve come across some excellent information, tips, tools, and shortcuts that I think would be beneficial to any writer. Once a month, I’ll share the “best of” information and news from the publishing industry as well as feature other authors and writing instructors with tips to share. I am incredibly thankful for the assistance and advice given to me from writing and publishing professionals and am happy pay that forward.

At the end of April, Green Bay hosted the newly created “UntitledTown Book and Author Festival”. I was unable to go, but from social media posts attendance... Continue Reading

The strength of patience, gentleness, and intuitiveness.

She’s a badass. The phrase has become shorthand for describing female protagonists in books and on screen. The term has its purpose. It implies strength, power, and an ability to punch out opposing pressure, whatever form it may take. For me, however, the word “badass” and its masculine overtone has become overused; it’s jumped the shark. It made the leap when a fashion blog I read began describing every shopper-mom contributor as such. My question is this: What else is she? Further, what about her feminine traits? Why aren’t they highlighted? Does their... Continue Reading

It’s been twelve months since I’ve typed those words and shared an interesting travel experience with you. This little adventure to Spain also fulfills April’s “Never done THIS Before” Challenge. Initially, I expected my new experience to include viewing the Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions and relying on my Spanish to navigate. (I was attempting to use English as little as possible.)  But, boy-oh-boy-oh-boy, we got a little more “experience” than we expected.

Here’s the short story: 

STORMS > DELAYED FLIGHTS > FULL GROUND STOP IN ATLANTA > MISSED FLIGHTS > NICE AIR FRANCE PEOPLE > LOST BAGS > MISSED TRAIN > MEAN TRAIN PEOPLE > NICE HOTEL PEOPLE > CLOTHES SHOPPING > TEARS... Continue Reading

Are you the kind of writer who says, “Yay, editing!” or are you slightly less enthusiastic about the process? I think my main reason for enthusiasm, at least at first, is that I’m celebrating the completion of a rough draft.

I remember finishing the first draft of my first book. I was slightly in shock that I had actually written something that was book length. In fact, it was kind of long . . . at least 25,000 words too long, and I knew it was time for some editing. But I didn’t know where to begin. I knew I need to read through to search for typos and identify the sections that didn’t move my story forward, but I didn’t have a step-by-step approach.

Over the years and through five book-length manuscripts and... Continue Reading