Today was a productive day at the retreat. Breakfast was followed by a group discussion. Then, our writer-in-residence, Jack Riggs invited each of the writers to spend some one-on-one time with him during the stay to talk about their writing journey, their current projects, and to answer questions they have about writing and the writing […]
Writers Unite at Santa Rosa Beach: Day One
Writing Writing retreats Writing tipsArrived at Santa Rosa Beach just before noon. The house couldn’t be more perfect for our week-long adventure with our small group of writers. Our cast of characters for the retreat includes writers from as nearby as Panama City and as far away as British Columbia, Canada. Yes, with Colleen’s application, we are able to […]
Write What You Know
WritingGuest post by author Victoria Allman. I’ve taken the advice of write what you know to heart. In Sea Fare, I write about my life as a yacht chef. For the past 12 years, I have been surrounded by water. I work on it. I live on it. Water has been my whole life since […]
5 Tips for Living a Writer’s Life
Writing Writing retreats Writing tipsGuest post by author Mike Jastrzebski For the past seven years I’ve been living the writer’s life as a full-time writer, although this is the first year I’ve earned any income for my endeavors. How is that possible you might wonder? To give you a little background, my wife, Mary, and I moved aboard our […]
How to Find a Literary Agent
Publishing WritingBefore the Internet, the world of the literary agency was like a secret little room somewhere far away to which very few held the key. I was constantly seeking the back door. I attended writer’s conferences where agents spoke on panels and I paid extra for one on one critique time. I practiced my pitch, the long […]
Must-Read Books for Aspiring Writers
What I'm reading WritingOne of my favorite books is Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird.” If you ever wanted to write, this is the book for you. Lamott’s guide through the writing process is funny and generous. If you read this book and you don’t put pen to paper…well…I just know you will-if you really want to write. Her […]
Inspiration by the Sea
Creativity Writing Writing tipsGuest post by author Christine Lemmon “Within me—within all of us—are creative idea as infinite as the waves of the whispering sea.” ~Christine Lemmon I’m often asked how I get ideas for my writing. In attempting to answer that, I laugh and switch the subject. Articulating it is hard, but I know exactly how I […]
This is where the magic happens.
Creativity Fiction writing Inspiration Journal writing NaNoWriMo Writing Writing retreatsWriting is a solitary thing. They don’t call it mental masturbation for nothing. That said, WHERE you write, is about as important as how often you do it. (okay, I am so going to get popped for all the sexual references, but, hey, that’s how I roll) Back to the subject. Writing now, is much easier […]
Sound the Retreat
Writing Writing retreatsGuest post by Author Ann Finkelstein I have attended several writing retreats and workshops. While they differed widely in style, location and content, each was valuable. When Gwen asked me to write a guest post on the benefits of writing retreats, I gladly accepted and listed some of the opportunities writing retreats provide. Show your […]
Best-Seller Blues
Fiction writing WritingGuest post by Author J. L. Miles. I started my writing career when our children left home and my husband insisted they weren’t coming back unless they needed money. Previously, I wanted to be a movie star, but when the mirror confirmed that my theatrical-clock had not only stopped ticking, it was at the cemetery, […]
