Final Touches on the WIP

After numerous reader critiques in-house and a conference call between agent and editors, the  comments and concerns were compiled and made ready for presentation to the writer – me.   I got the call early Monday morning and already knew what to expect.  Too long.  Needs major cutting.  This seems to be a common thread in …

Read more

Editing

“If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.  If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.”                                                                                 Proverbs 15:31-32   “Commit yourself to instruction; attune your ears to hear words of knowledge.”                                                                                 Proverbs 23:12   “Be strong …

Read more

Dealing with Editors

I’ve been writing for over thirty years and still get nervous when I turn in a manuscript.  Have I succeeded in bring the characters to life?  Will the story comfort, encourage, challenge readers?  Is there any “take away” value?  While waiting, I tend to go into a reading frenzy, enjoying the books I’ve been stacking …

Read more

What’s happening?!

I remember this line from “Poltergeist” years ago when the teenage daughter was standing on the street as an entity was wreaking havoc inside the house and everyone was fleeing.  I’m beginning to feel that way when I read the newspaper and wonder.  Is the “affordable” health care program going to help?  I have a …

Read more

John 15:13

“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” 

POW Reunion and Memorial Day

My brother and sister-in-law stopped for a night with us on their way south to attend the Vietnam POW Reunion at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum that coincides with the 40th anniversary of a White House dinner hosted by President Nixon to honor their sacrifice.  Finally, after so many years, these survivors who …

Read more

Post-Project Blues

I’ve just spent three months working five to six full days a week, sometimes late into the night, to finish revision work on my current work-in-progress.  After a conference call and some brain-storming, I knew what I needed and wanted to do.  What started out as a few changes and tweaks turned into a major …

Read more

Proverbs 20:27

“The Lord’s searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.” 

Oh, if only!

 “Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.  And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn …

Read more