Tag Archives: writing

How Participating in a Writers Group Helps Shape a Historical Novel and Career

Gatherings like this were common in Lincoln’s time, when ideas and arguments were often tested in small rooms before they reached a wider audience. At writers group today I read another chapter of my Lincoln novel and received several helpful suggestions. After the reading we talked about something writers often wonder about–how books actually findContinue reading “How Participating in a Writers Group Helps Shape a Historical Novel and Career”

Researching Genealogy While Writing a Lincoln-Era Novel

This week I worked in several different realms of writing that all involved history. Chapter 7 of my Lincoln mystery is now prepared to the next reading at Scribes (tomorrow). Its an action chapter, and the tension between Lovejoy and those who oppose him is sharpening. Reading these scenes aloud to the group is theContinue reading “Researching Genealogy While Writing a Lincoln-Era Novel”

An Unexpected Historical Thread

This week, while working on family genealogy, I came across something I hadn’t known before–a distant connection to the events surrounding John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry. My great-great-great-grandmother’s youngest brother was an abolitionist living on the frontier. Hie cabin, known today as the Mayhew Cabin, still stands in Nebraska and served as a stationContinue reading “An Unexpected Historical Thread”

A Good Afternoon at Writers Group

Today’s writers’ group was larger than usual–eight of us gathered, which increased the energy in the room. It lifted everyone’s spirits after the long winter. I read my work and received some good comments to help me in my revision. So I’m feeling energized to get a lot more done. Several members, including myself broughContinue reading “A Good Afternoon at Writers Group”

Choosing the Next Story

Soon I will be doing this for both Ed and I’s work, but today I’m talking about Ed. This week I’ll begin rereading several of Ed’s stories to decide which one should be next for publication. I asked the Friends of Ed group for suggestions, but in the end, the decision rests with me. That’sContinue reading “Choosing the Next Story”

The Work of Refinement

It’s a quiet week in my world. A relief after the hustle of my week off work. Traveling There are no announcements, no finished chapters, no visible milestones. What there is, instead, is refinement. Tomorrow I’ll be revising Chapter 7 in preparation for reading at Scribes. Reading aloud is an important tool. It clarifies rhythm,Continue reading “The Work of Refinement”

Knowing the Characters

When I read at Scribes last week, I was amazed again at the response. It does my heart good. People respond as though the characters’ inner lives feel real. They ask questions about motives, tensions, and decisions as if these are living people rather than historical figures on a page. That tells me something important.Continue reading “Knowing the Characters”

What I Wish My Favorite Authors Had Shared

I’ve been thinking about blogging advice lately–especially the idea that you need to know who you’re writing for. That question became much clearer when I stopped thinking like a writer and started thinking like a reader. If I could read the blog of one of my favorite authors, I know exactly what I’d want toContinue reading “What I Wish My Favorite Authors Had Shared”

What I Learn From Revision

Today I’m back at my desk working through revisions and noticing the difference in pacing. Rough drafts and the first revision take a lot more time. It is more difficult for me to draft something from nothing than it is to polish it, even though I work from a detailed outline. Once I have theContinue reading “What I Learn From Revision”