I’m B-A-C-K to Blogging!
Life did that phenomenon where it swallowed me up whole, while beats of time strummed its tick-tock tune in the back of my mind.
Tag Archive for ‘#amwritingfantasy’
Still a Story Seamstress
I’m still a seamstress cutting and trimming and sewing the pieces of my story into something lovely and sharable.
Take on that Bogeyman of a Writing Challenge ~ NaNoWriMo
The Challenge? 50,000 words!
Possibility? Depends on your goal
Plan? Conquer your inner-bogeyman!
Book-Line-Love
A little book-line-love for Valentine’s Day! Writing inspiration comes from everywhere. It brushes my cheek on a wind-filled walk, warms my tongue in a sip of wine, and swirls the air with conversation and wood smoke from a summertime firepit. When I open myself to the world around, inspiration always comes. Though, that doesn’t always mean I know what to do with the bits and stirs of possibility, and sometimes […]
It Takes a Village to Write a Book
It takes a village to raise a child. That same village is also treasured in authoring and publishing a book. Upon reflection over the last several years of my writing life, I have many to thank. Seam Keepers, my YA fantasy will release this spring (2021), and what a ride! From my family and friends to my editors, to my beta readers and critique group, to the big guy upstairs, […]
Grateful for my Wriggling Writing Mind
Art above: Gosia Mosz I am reblogging this post from a year ago (https://stepsinbetween.com/2020/01/26/a-wriggling-writing-mind/) as it hits home on many levels for me now. I had been contemplating each thought and flickering idea somehow surfacing amongst the others in my creative mess of a mind. Today, only one year later, I am preparing to release my first fantasy fiction book, and my mind is blown. I am ever so grateful […]
Thoughts for January…
After March’s isolation slipped into a suspended summer, and then a forgotten fall, winter arrived and slowed everything down. I’ve been quietly pondering the erratic passing of time over the year 2020, as many people have. It went by fast and slow all at the same time. Finally, it’s 2021. A new year to start fresh…or as fresh as any new year can be while it’s still stuck in the […]
Holiday Breath of Writing
Have you ever wondered what your book characters might do for the holidays? Do they celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or something else? What family traditions have been handed down? Do they look forward to them, or do they find them old fashioned? Even if your story never takes place in the wintertime, have you ever wondered…if your characters weren’t in the creative chaos you’ve written into their lives…how they might […]
Taming Time (a writer’s ongoing grapple)
With a title like “Taming Time,” I imagine myself with a chair and a whip. I’m lunging forward and back in a dance with a wild lion. An old turn-of-the-century circus fades in the background. Time takes on a tantalizing golden mane, but also visible are its four long canines, ready to rip. What a dreadful image. Although I don’t know what’s worse…time itself, or me thinking I can tame […]
Desperately Seeking Sequel Advice
Sharing my journey as a writer also includes an occasional request. Today, I need your thoughts—from both readers and writers! After working with my editor on Seam Keepers, set to launch in 2021, it only makes sense to set aside my new book project, Life Song, to write the next book in the Keeper series. It’s reassuring to know that Life Song is still there, outlined, started, and ready to […]
Revising Clarity…Like Raking Leaves
I love a good metaphor. Similes make me smile. Describe, describe, describe! Isn’t that the expectation of a writer? My answer? To an extent. Sometimes I run with language too far in my manuscripts. This morning, as I peered out my window, the season called to me, and I listened. How timely that I am editing my book in October. Instead of combing over every sentence for mistakes, I imagined […]
Gleaning Wisdom (Virtual Writer’s Conference Confessions)
There’s a certain dazzle that surrounds me when I attend a writer’s conference. I’ve come far from my first experience in 2017, where I ate lunch in my car and sat solo in the back of every workshop. By 2019, I had made new friends through a PNWA writing class. And since then, many of my classmates and I still meet regularly in a critique group. As many authors tend […]
Writing Out Loud
Writing Out Loud – Take Time to Hear Your Words I used to write in the closet. My story idea hidden between the stored winter coats, a keyboard, and my mind. My family had no idea I was taking the plunge of authorhood. I surely told no friends of my plans to write and publish a book. Discreetly, I swept every piece of description and dialogue into a quiet corner, […]
Filter Flops in Writing
Filter Flops in Writing When I curl up to read a good book, I don’t want the author putting a safety glass between me and the story. I want to be right there in the action. I want to feel the frustration, the sorrow, or the zeal of each character. I am referring to filters, of which I did not realize I, myself, unintentionally add to my writing. Time to […]
Writing Renovation Celebration
September marks my three-year anniversary with my writing blog, Steps In Between. I am grateful for my readers, encouraged in my progress as a writer, and elated for the new year ahead. First on the list: a remodel! Maybe I’ve been watching too much HGTV this summer, but it’s time to update and renew. I am going to be reworking some of my blog and linking it to my brand-new […]
Happy Anniversary Colors Collected
Happy Anniversary, Happy Birthday, Happy Happy to my debut poetry book, Colors Collected, Poetry Inspired by the Hues of Life! One year ago, today, my chapbook of color poems released into the world. It was exciting to create a culminating take-away from the award-winning poetry series, Colors, where the book idea originally began. Colors was born after the amazing Channillo.com invited me to join their online series publication and within […]
Busy Writing ~ Matryoshka Mind
Often, I have wished for more time, or more of me to tackle the work and writing I must complete. Most writers, like myself, have a day job. Writing is something we generally must squeeze in between life. For most, that’s career obligations and family responsibilities. And when there’s more than one writing project to manage, time is split even further. I often feel like a Matryoshka Doll, those Russian […]
Pocket Sizing My Story
Pocket planning! That’s what I’m working on right now. With book two underway, and my mission to de-pants myself…ummm, what I mean is, curb my pantser-instead-of-plotting tendencies, I aim to become more of a planner. Of course, I am NOT a planner by nature, so I’m on the hunt, finding simple solutions to trick my brain into the idea. Could I be wasting time as a writer? Could this process […]
Poetry Explosion ~ Not Quite 4th of July
Happy July (even amongst the tattered reality of our season this year). It didn’t quite feel like Independence Day this time around, but I am hopeful to press on and not stop pressing until we can overcome and once again, gather together as family and friends, as humankind. I’m speaking out of isolation, out of racism, out of knee-deep misinterpretations and misunderstandings and misgivings and all kinds of hate…because underneath […]
Reader Advice: Same Walk, New Step (Squash the Creative Crunch)
Last week I shared real-life distractions blocking my creative pathway, even amid true inspiration. My readers delivered with caring advice, either through comments or private messages, and I am grateful. A few small suggestions helped me to make some slight alterations to my writing routine, which made all the difference. As a reference, please take a peek back at last week’s post: https://stepsinbetween.com/2020/06/21/creatively-crunched/ For starters, I took some time off […]
Creatively Crunched
Sometimes, as a writer, even when I know what to write, my fingers hover above my keyboard in a clutched-claw formation. I don’t know how to describe this state other than it feels as if my creativity is crunched. I am full of ideas and motivation, but I waver back and forth between projects hardly completing a thing. Meanwhile, my writing to-do list grows longer. Why, when I sit down […]
My Step Driven Action to Creating Characters ~ Step 2
Writing a book is a long and weary process. So, what did I do after accomplishing this great feat? I started in on the next novel. It’s a completely new story with new characters, new plots, new everything. But this time, I am tracking my steps along the way. This time I am hoping for more efficiency in my process. As this blog is my journey in writing, my new […]
A Prickly Word: Racism
I am finding it hard to write today. The first Sunday of every month is usually when I draw attention to my Wednesday Whims of Poetry Page, but not today. It’s difficult to think past all the inequities present in our world…today. After everything we know and hate about racism, it’s still headlining the news, and those are only the examples caught on camera. I guess I’ve always seen myself […]
Writing Road Trip Reflection (Exciting News)
I am a goal-setter. Although to be honest, I don’t always look back and reflect. Sometimes I just keep going, setting new or abbreviated goals along the way. But today, with the accomplishment of one very important goal that’s pushed me to drive through long nights and torrential downpours, I have found reason to reflect. And I believe it is important to share for all the writers out there who […]
My Step Driven Action to Creating Characters ~ Step One
With the book that’s held my attention for the last several years complete, and in the hands of an editor (and soon to be published, late spring 2021), I now have the time to focus on a new story idea that’s been brewing in the back of my mind. I believed utilizing what I learned from my first book to begin my second book would make story-writing easier. But it […]
Mother’s Day MasterClass
Flowers are a lovely gift for many celebratory occasions. But for me, I also like blooms of another kind. This year for Mother’s Day, my daughter gifted me a membership to MasterClass, and I am in love with this bouquet of possibility and growth. I cannot rate this program because I’ve only just begun, but after choosing my classes this morning, I have chills in anticipation. The reviews are quite […]
Writers–Check! (An Exercise)
Do I really need another writer’s checklist? I do. I’ve discovered it’s needed for my own growth. Only six years into writing for myself, and three years into writing more publicly, I am in great need of accountability and push-on-abilty. And, sometimes I forget the pure satisfaction in checking off an item on my list. Maybe I should add, celebrate checking off the checklist, onto my list. I find my […]
Change and Patience (A Forced Pause in Writing)
Change and Patience (A Forced Pause in Writing) Change—not a new phenomenon. We are all facing change every day of our lives. But recently, reaching out to any social media or news source, the vast change affecting all of us worldwide is apparent. COVID-19 is demanding attention, and yes…all regularly scheduled life activities have been paused. Where does this leave me? I’m hunkered down at home and feeling out of […]
My unPoetry Post ~ Still a Celebration
My unPoetry Post ~ Still a Celebration Happy first of March! Outside my window there’s sunshine, stripes of blue sky, and the trill of birds. While I’m breathing in the fresh breath of a new season, it’s unfortunately amidst a cloudiness of pressure still heaped on my back. The first Sunday of every month I always invite readers to visit my Wednesday Whims of Poetry page: https://stepsinbetween.com/poetry/. This monthly sharing […]
Writers Need Writers!
Writers Need Writers! Lunch with friends is always a joyful experience. When written on my calendar, it becomes a beacon of light to look forward to. And now I have a new “lunch with friends 2.0” to share: lunch with writer friends! Writers typically work alone. Isolation is required in the realms of creation, but sometimes we need to poke our heads out and interact with others. Yesterday, I had […]
Story Characters Take a Glimpse…
Merry Merry Writers! This one is a throw-back from December 2017: (https://stepsinbetween.com/2017/12/24/merry-merry-socks-or-chocolate/). I believe still applies today. It’s a fun exercise that can also help put character feelings and back-story into perspective. Give it a try during this holiday season, when writing time can be scarce. Happy Everything You Celebrate, my readers. I appreciate you! And…Happy Writing (because at least you’re writing), Celaine Charles, December 22, 2019 Image and Content […]
Writing Amidst the Mistletoe
I am writing in my fuzzy PJs, coffee swirling to my left, notes from my editor (and hopefully one day publisher) to my right. I’m planted at my desk, the place all good writing (and terrible, but I’m focusing on the positive) comes from. Imagination flowing like a crisp winter breeze? No, I’m caught up with seasonal shopping that isn’t going to find itself purchased and wrapped under my tree […]
Marketing-Shmarketing (A Writer’s Request)
Just because I’m a writer…author of my first poetry book…revising-expert of my fiction manuscript…and mostly nice human, doesn’t mean I have the business knowledge or wherewithal to market myself. This is the hardest part for me. More difficult than the writing itself; and writing is challenging. ***Side Note: At the bottom of this post you will find some links to marketing advice as well as a REQUEST for more resources. […]
CC’s November Interview: Christine Grabowski, 2019
November finds us with another “CC’s Interview Series,” where I share the thoughts and hearts of writers and creators. After last month’s poetic conversation with Ann Christine Tabaka, across the states in Delaware, today I’m nestled into the heart of my own hometown. Seattle is the setting and we’re shifting the focus to fiction. I am eager to introduce you to Christine Grabowski, a dynamic YA author, editor, and speaker. So, […]
Season Nuptials…November Poetry, of Course!
November Poetry, of course! If you follow me, you know I am overly inspired by fall. I apologize to my fiction writers out there, story-writing is also a passion of mine. But here we are in the heart of the season (and the first Sunday of a new month), thus I am sharing my poetry page (https://stepsinbetween.com/poetry/). I’ve even written a new poem for my readers…it’s at the bottom […]
Writing Feels Like An Ocean Today
Writing feels like an ocean today. Currants forcing deep swells instead of the gentle spume of a slow tide. Long past are the beachy days of writing to my heart’s content, although I will vacation again, intentionality is now my emphasis. And that’s okay. It’s time for me to focus on the author realities I’ve been dreaming about. I wrote a book. A story that wriggled its way from my […]
My Upcoming Writing Conference (the good, the bad, and the ugly)
My Upcoming Writing Conference (the good, the bad, and the ugly): The PNWA Writing Conference happens in less than a week in Seattle. This is a good news-bad news event for me. As eager as I am to soak in all the learning presented and meet other authors and writers, I still consider myself new in this writing world, and to be honest, I’m intimidated. Thankfully, my whole writing class […]
Live a Little, Write a Lot
Live a Little, Write a Lot! Story bits and poem parts bombard my thoughts on a regular basis…but only when I escape my writing desk and explore the world around, do they grow into full-fledged ideas. Part of my writing regime is getting out from behind the work and living. I used to believe I had to escape from life to write, an arduous task when I teach by day […]
Writing Waterfalls
A few days ago, I hiked Twin Falls with a friend. As breathtaking as it was escaping my writing desk to the great outdoors, I realized writing is like a waterfall. Of course, there’s the beauty of it: flowery words that drop like metaphors in brilliant sprays. But there’s also a powerful force that tempts my soul as much as it frightens. Let me explain… For me, writing begins with […]
Writing & Chocolate Carrots
I have found chocolate. Chocolate for people, like me, who are allergic to everything. This new chocolate tastes more divine than the typical chocolate I’ve devoured in past years. And now it’s the carrot to my writing. I’ve dealt with autoimmune issues for the last five years. After giving up a majority of enjoyable foods, rediscovering chocolate has been an unexpected gift. Unbelievably, it’s helped my writing in all kinds […]
Writing Through the Heavy
https://stepsinbetween.com/2018/07/29/writers-in-training/ Above is a link to a THROW-BACK post from last July, Writers… in Training. It just seems to fit with my writing mood today. Sore, but in a good way. The enormous weight of writing (internally and externally) can be trying, but somehow pushing through brings hope. It must have something to do with the unpredictable balance of exercise, discipline, and life. Take a look at the post, then […]
The Beauty in Failure – Writing Acceptance
A friend wrote about admiring my “…patience and attitude in this labor of love.” Her response to a celebratory post I’d made about completing my final revisions, before handing my manuscript over to my editor. She ended by reminding me, “It’s worth it.” I wonder about that. When I think of the five precious years I’ve worked on this story, all I can see is my heart brush-stroked across each […]
Ekphrastic at Easter
As inspiration stirred for this weekly post, my spirit also fell on the importance of Easter. I’m not going to discuss my personal ties to Christianity today, but suffice to know the layering of interpretations and meaningful significance in the two, for me, are great. Here’s the definition of ekphrastic from Poets.org: “Ekphrasis (also spelled “ecphrasis”) is a direct transcription from the Greek ek, “out of,” and phrasis, “speech” or “expression.” It’s […]
Writing Takes a Second Wind
Sometimes I come home from a long day at work d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g. I crawl up to my writing desk and pray for a spark of motivation to do my writing. But on other work days, just as long and grueling, I somehow catch a second wind. Those days take me by surprise, and always I am fortunate to accept and appreciate them. The commonality between both examples above? I put myself […]
April Poetry Surprises & Good News
Surprising poetry inspiration first, with a little GOOD NEWS in the end… Read on! It’s the first Sunday of a new month, and that means celebrating poetry: https://stepsinbetween.com/poetry/ The irony? My need… task… burden… joy… every tiny piece of my heart… needed to complete my novel rewrite has replaced my inspiration to write poetry. How did I solve this dilemma when posting new poems each week to my poetry page, […]
Messages Making Their Way – Keep Writing
Recurring messages have perfect timing. It may not feel like it when we’re flat on our faces, but they do know when to nudge. Growing up with parents who persevered to achieve everything their hearts desired, it’s probably in my bones not to give up. It’s the stubborn side of me that causes the long winding path that eventually gets me there. And, it’s hard work. And, it doesn’t always […]
January Writing: Wrapped-up Renewal
January has wrapped me up, and instead of snuggling down for my typical renewal time (see: https://stepsinbetween.com/2018/01/07/january-renewal-dont-resist/), it feels as if I’m spinning round and round in constant motion. This year’s cocoon isn’t for rest; it’s for growth. I happened upon a book from Priscilla Long, The Writer’s Portable Mentor, a while back (see: https://stepsinbetween.com/2018/11/11/creativity-and-age-inspiration-from-author-priscilla-long/) and recently began diving into her words of wisdom. At the same time, I signed […]
Halloween: A Scare Break from Real Life Writing
Halloween, early 1970’s, I was always a witch. My mask was made of plastic and attached with a long rubber string tied behind my head. Equally shiny with synthetic materials was my dress, not unlike the mask, tied behind my neck. The designs of the fabric simply printed on, to give the illusion of different fabrics and textures. Illusions. I’m wondering now if the illusions of fright during Halloween time […]
Growing Smaller: Write Through the Holes, Write Through the Homecomings
The day I dropped my first daughter off to college was the day I grew smaller. I used to be five feet-seven inches, quite an average height. Now in my forties, the doctors keep measuring me at just over five feet-six inches. Of course, they encouraged calcium supplements and I got serious about my Pilates classes (check out The Balanced Life, by Robin Long, contact below). But I know it’s […]
Steps In Between 