A lot, it turns out. Like it or not, names are often our first impression, especially when dealing with the written word. They color how we see someone. Admittedly, depending on how a character is written, those impressions can be
An Infestation of Ceiling Turtles
I can’t help it. I haven’t been this amused with a made-up animal since the Sky Shark. ### Landsquid took his mug of cocoa and his box of Cheez-Its and padded over to the kitchen table, ready to have a nutritious breakfast. He
Beloved Characters
Think about it. Throughout the years, there’s been characters that you have adored, whether you’ve identified with them or just thought they were wonderfully bizarre. I can name a handful off the top of my head. As a writer, it’s
Creating the Right Atmosphere
Perhaps you’re the sort of person who can write anywhere – even at the dining room table while your offspring scream bloody murder and beat each other with foam swords. You are a lucky person. For the rest of us
The Trope of Destined Lovers
You know the tale. Two people, through whatever circumstances, are thrown together and discover there’s a spark. But it’s more than just that – there can be no one else for them. Fate has brought them together. It was meant
Year of Doing Things: Picture Book Challenge
I have friends – and I’m sure you do too – who have yearly resolutions to try new things. I have a few that want to do a new thing every month, or even every week. I am nowhere near
The Year of Doing
I feel like I should get my act together. Sure, I’ve sold a good amount of shorts in the past year (I sold one today, hoorah) but I’m starting to think that I’m using them to procrastinate my real goals
So Goes the Kitchen Ceiling
I wish I could claim I had a nice, inspirational, well-thought-out post for you, Squiders, but I have spent the last hour scrubbing paint off of my floors because, despite the gazillion drop cloths, my husband still manages to get
Looking Forward to 2012
Well, Squiders, now that we’ve got the year-end administrative stuff out of the way, we have a whole glorious new year in front of us, full of potential and hopes and dreams. I’d like your feedback on what you’d like
Determining New Year’s Writing Goals
2012, it looms, Squiders. Soon people will be after you for your new year resolutions, and perhaps you are thinking about changing up some of your writing goals or trying out some new habits. It’s always tempting to start out
