My fictional story opens in a “progressive” world which believes religion of any kind is the root of all evil. It’s the First World in which Lyra, my protagonist, grows up, and the one in which she naturally accepts the anti-religious views … Continue reading →

“Set a schedule,” they say. “Writing is your priority,” they say. “If writing is important, fit it in,” they say. They. The infernal they. The online advice gurus, the well-meaning “how-to” hacks. They all say that you set aside time to write and … Continue reading →

I’m taking the plunge! I’m quitting my job to write full time! Ummm, ok, slight exaggeration. I’m dabbing a toe into the warm waters of the shallow end. I’m taking a one-semester leave of absence to write full time, starting … Continue reading →

Drumroll please… Phoenix Cells by Jen Braaksma (Yeah… I like how that sounds 🙂 ) I always liked the idea that my title should relate to Lyra’s super cells, but I never liked the phrase “super cells”. I always hoped … Continue reading →

While I wait (impatiently) for feedback from my beta readers, I’m starting to work on my query letter. It’s a one-page “sell” of my book that I will submit to literary agents or publishers in hopes of catching their eye. It’s … Continue reading →

“I loved it, Mama, I thought it was perfect.” Yay! Somebody likes my book! Yes, ok, I know it’s my own 12-year-old daughter, but still, she was my first beta reader–a person who reads through a manuscript to see if the whole … Continue reading →

I’m done! Draft 3 (or 33 or 333)… The point is, I’m done revising the plot points, character voice and descriptions–the major components. I’m on my final draft (yeah, let’s go with that…) Now I’m onto a satisfying task: I’m … Continue reading →