“Level Up Your Writing (Life)”
In this regular column for Writer's Digest Magazine, I share a craft tip for a writing technique, and then relate that tip to how writers can get the most out of their writing lives. Occasionally, I write other pieces about the joys, challenges, and craft of writing. Samples:
Managing Point of View (Part 1 of 3): Mythbusting
Managing Point of View (Part 2 of 3): Emotional Distance
“Vectors of Forgiveness”
This personal essay appeared in the Winter 2018 issue of Jabberwock Review, the literary journal of Mississippi State University. The essay was also listed in Best American Essays 2019 (edited by Rebecca Solnit) as one of 2018's Notable Essays.
“Media Kits for Authors: The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of Creating a Media Kit”
Published by Sisters in Crime, this anthology collects essays by mystery writers about their experiences and tips on promoting one’s work, specifically crime fiction.
“Avoiding D.O.A.: How to Pace Your Mystery
so the Reader Doesn't Check Out Early.”
Fifteen successful Midwestern authors contributed essays on the basics of writing mystery novels to this book. Writing Murder shares their insights on fiction elements: setting, characters, point of view, dialogue, plot, and research. In addition, they offer insight on the genre, how to build suspense, point of view, the circle of openings/endings, and marketing your manuscript. My essay was on pacing in fiction.
“Last Mow”
This short story appeared in Flights, the literary magazine of Sinclair Community College, in the 2017 issue. Page 62
“Sharon Short on Harriet the Spy, by Louise Fitzhugh.”
For this anthology, the editors asked 100 published mystery writers: "Did a mystery set you on your path to being a writer? Is there a classic mystery that remains important to you today?" The answers are in this collection.
“Crosses”
This poem was published in Flights, the literary journal of the Department of English at Sinclair Community College, in the 2013 issue. Page 119
“Kits”
This poem was published in 2014 in Slippery Elm Literary Journal.
“Free Wood”
This short story was published in 2018 in Chagrin River Review.