What do your stories get up to?

January is the month of Janus, named for the Roman god of beginnings / endings and transitions. Depicted with two faces, he looks both to the future and the past. There is always some retrospection at the beginning of new things. As you embark on the first month of a new year, take the lessons of the past with you to promote meaningful growth. The difficulties you encountered can be building blocks rather than repeated obstacles. I am my own harshest critic, with a tendency t

Both the beginning of winter and the end of the year, December holds a lot of promise. It's full of holiday magic, hope for the new year, and quiet introspection. December is also Read A New Book Month! So after all the generous volunteering and hectic shopping for others, reward yourself with a written treat. Happy holidays to you and your loved ones! Holidays (offbeat, writing, and otherwise) to embrace this month: December 05 - Bathtub Party Day December 07 - Letter Writin

It's time! It's here! National Novel Writing Month has arrived! The original NaNoWriMo organization unfortunately shut down in April of this year, but the spirit of the 30-day writing event still thrives. If you need structure or encouragement, Nano2.org provides the same resources and support for your writing journey. Whether you're engaging with a community or using this month as a personal challenge, I wish you luck & prolific writing. Holidays (offbeat, writing, and othe

October is arguably my favorite month of the year. It is full of the colors, scents and sounds I enjoy, plus a bit of dreary atmosphere...

For many, inspiration doesn't simply arrive; we need to actively seek and be able to recognize it. It can be mined from everyday...

Finishing a story is one of the most difficult things for me, even when I have an ending prepared. Sometimes I get bogged down with too...

Have you ever asked someone you admire for advice regarding their craft, or about their method, and been disappointed? I haven't found...

Summer! True, not many jobs offer 'summer break', but the nine-year-old child in my heart still considers summer to be the most exciting...

As you've probably noticed by the holidays I highlight each month, I'm a nerd. I was thinking about the events I attend / the media I...

April is... Poetry Month! It's also National Card & Letter Writing | Humor | Frog Month. If you're keen to celebrate all four, I'm a fan...

The shelves of my local craft shop are loaded with pastel rabbits & ducks, so it must be Spring! My outdoor decorations took a beating...

Did you know that February is considered Creative Romance Month? If you're looking for an excuse to write something saucy, now could be...

Another calendar year has concluded! Now begins the struggle to correctly date materials, appointments, etc. with '2025'. Last year, I...

Though the art and enjoyment of letter writing may have fallen by the wayside for some in favor of more immediate methods of...

Are you ready for National Novel Writing Month? I'm a day behind because I ate leftover Halloween candy until I entered a chocolate coma...

October may be my favorite month. Our village has its fall colors branching over every road, my husband and I break out our multitudes of...

It's autumn in my house! Replacing seasonal decor helps me adhere to a cleaning schedule. It also raises my excitement for the activities...

The scene: Cleveland in August. The humidity increases with each scattered storm. Temperatures and temperments are high. People scramble...

Part of the appeal of writing fiction, for me, is imagining what it might be like to live another life. Social structures that would make...

Though none of the jobs I've held since high school have been seasonal, I've never outgrown the anticipation and excitement of summer....