How many breakthroughs do you experience as an author? Foolishly, when I began this writing journey, I assumed it might be every now and then, or once in a blue moon. However, the deeper I dive into this world of authoring, the more I find myself regularly STUCK! Why? I’ve successfully published three books. When does this process get easier? But the more I follow other authors, the more I […]
Wading between the muck and magic of writing contests and submissions can be a messy job. Which ones are legitimate and which ones should we toss out? But thanks to Lana B. over at queryletter.com, writers now have a resource that has already been researched. (https://www.queryletter.com/post/writing-contests-and-competitions) I haven’t investigated every link on this list. And, as our world today is filled with unexpected surprises, I would encourage writers to delve […]
Who needs a little encouragement to start off the new year ahead? I do…did! Every year I reassess where I’ve been, how I’ve grown, and then set new goals for the year ahead. Here are the 3 easy steps that keep me focused during New Year’s Resolution time: Reflect, Celebrate, and Plan!
The Challenge? 50,000 words!
Possibility? Depends on your goal
Plan? Conquer your inner-bogeyman!
Hello fellow bloggers! My fantasy novel, Seam Keepers, is launching May 12, 2021 (The Wild Rose Press). I am eager to set up some upcoming blog tours and will happily reciprocate. I’ve always said writers need writers, and I will forever stand by that. So, if any of you would like to host me and my book on your blog for a little “spread-the-news-promoting” soon, please contact me at celainecharles@gmail.com. […]
Writers, how many steps does it take to bring your characters to life? For me, three! In previous posts I’ve covered the first two steps in this process. Step 1: Re-Research (I went back to the experts, read books on characterization) https://stepsinbetween.com/2020/05/17/my-step-driven-action-to-creating-characters-step-one/ Step 2: Paper Dolls (I sketched out my characters on paper; flat, with brainstormed hopes about his or her traits, behaviors, responses, hopes, dreams, obstacles, truths, lies…) https://stepsinbetween.com/2020/06/14/my-step-driven-action-to-creating-characters-step-2/ […]
Writing is an ebb and flow of energy-boosted ideas. Sometimes the flow is in rhythm with ideas and the writer can pour their thoughts onto the page with inspired ease. Other times, even if the energy level is low, the ideas can still be strong enough to keep the writer going, regardless of exhaustion or depletion. These times tend to lend themselves to three-in-the-morning explorations and other odd behaviors but […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Steps In Between 