Self-editing is an integral part of any writer’s craft. Looking back over your work, writing specific paragraphs or sections over again can often be the only way to evaluate whether or not your writing is strong enough for publication. The problem is that self-editing can be tedious and time-consuming. Editing can be tough to look […]
Season 2, Episode 026: Cathouse
Guilliean reads her short story of the same name, based on the true story of her overhearing a neighbor complaining to their HOA about the existence of such a domicile in their family-friendly neighborhood. Stream it and read along with the text! The fried chicken clucked in Mr. Jackson’s stomach as he strode away from […]
Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale by Pamela Hamilton
I thought the book was well-written, but I wasn’t on board with the pace of how things happened. I get that this was a fictional telling of a real woman’s life, and it’s presented as so from the beginning. However, it was hard for me to keep the details straight. I couldn’t quite place where […]
Finding the Positive Tone
As someone whose job is to write things, it may seem odd that I’m offering this list. However, I’m not the type of person who looks for the negative in everything. Negativity always seems to find me, though. When you first start out, you have to carefully consider your goals with the story. What are […]
Season 2, Episode 025: She
I decided to test out an A.I. named Salli to read my story this week. Listen and let me know what you think. Stream it and read along with the text! It was the same room as yesterday. The day before that, the day before that. One single-paned window provided natural light. The sounds of […]
Words That Describe Light
“Light” is an important word to describe. Light is often an integral part of what you are describing; this is particularly true when describing colors or lighting effects. So, when writing about light, it is vital to use the word accurately. There is an infographic floating around, and I’ve included it in text form because […]
Be a J.E.D.I. Leader, Not a Boss: Leadership in the Era of Corporate Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion by Omar L. Harris
Although I haven’t read Harris’ previous book, The Servant Leader’s Manifesto (affiliate link), I would consider Be a J.E.D.I. Leader, Not a Boss a spiritual sequel. His corporate background informs his argument about where corporate interests can grow in a way that serves their employees and their stakeholders, and ultimately, themselves. As they say, write […]
Season 2, Episode 024: Call the Shots
Guilliean reads her original monologue of the same name. Stream it and read along with the text! Okay, so you think you know my story right? You think you know, but you have no idea. You see the stuff I post on social media that makes it look like I run this town. Couldn’t be […]
Narrating Sounds
As a writer, I spend a lot of time describing things, as I’m sure that you do. I’m always looking for new and exciting ways to do it. Through my research and experimentation, I have found that narrating sounds can be a powerful tool to describe a scene or set the tone of a work. […]
A House of My Own: Stories from My Life by Sandra Cisneros
I timed my reading of “A House of My Own” (paid link) by Sandra Cisneros so that I would finish it before I saw her speak via Zoom at the 2021 Las Vegas Book Festival for their NEA Big Read presentation. I ended up scoring a signed copy of “A House on Mango Street.” It’s […]