Category: Guest Posts

Muffy Morrigan: Editor-phobia

Muffy Morrigan

Editor-phobia is rampant among writers. I am noticing it more and more. I’ve been in the publishing business for many years and there has always been a little fear of editors—and in newspapers it is very understandable. The editor there can take a long story and hack it to one paragraph without even so much as a “by your leave.” Of course, books have a different editing process, but that fear is still there. More and more authors are completely removing the editor from the process and relying on a beta instead. There is a deep difference between the two, but both are valuable and needed to make a book the strongest it can possibly be. Continue reading “Muffy Morrigan: Editor-phobia”

Retrospective of a Novice Writer – Yolanda Washington

Author Yolanda Washington

December is usually the time of the year for reflection. With that thought, came the realization that I had an anniversary of sorts last month. I owe myself a present. I missed it because I was driving myself nuts to “win” my first go at NaNoWriMo. And yes, I did “win.”

Many of you are published and can look back fondly on your time as a novice (I hope). For me, though, I’m still in the honeymoon stage of being a writer. You know, that first year when you love every aspect of the craft and the job. I haven’t become jaded, yet, and I hope I never do. I love what I do. This is the best job ever. Continue reading “Retrospective of a Novice Writer – Yolanda Washington”

Author Jennifer Rainey Says Follow Your Heart

Author Jennifer Rainey

I’m usually not one for the inspirational, follow-your-heart, hug-it-out scene. It’s a little too fluffy to me. In fact, anyone who knows me personally knows it’s easier to hug a cactus than it is to hug me.

That said, today I’d like to tell you to follow your heart. Or rather, I’d like to discuss the importance of writing what you want to write, rather than what others want you to write.

It sounds like simple, duh! advice, but you’d be surprised how often that little bit of wisdom gets ignored in a world full of everyone else’s opinions. The importance of feedback is stressed constantly in the writing world. Now, I’m not saying the opinions of others shouldn’t be regarded. Absolutely not! You’re never going to get anywhere if you don’t have your writing edited and critiqued, but you’re also never going to get anywhere if you do nothing but listen to others. Continue reading “Author Jennifer Rainey Says Follow Your Heart”

Author Oana on her newly released book, The Healings

Author Oana

Author Oana’s Bio

Born in Bucharest, Romania, Oana lived twenty years under the grotesque dictatorial regime of Nicolae Ceausescu. After the fall of communism in 1989 she studied languages at the University in Bucharest, then received her Master’s at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. English is her third language.

She has worn many hats, working as a translator, as a teacher, and eventually caring for animals both domestic and wild. She volunteered and worked for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers both in the US and Canada. Continue reading “Author Oana on her newly released book, The Healings”