Crack-Bang-BOOM! (A Writing Decision Celebration)
Crack—Bang—BOOM! How are you doing on your writing journey? I’ve decided to BOOM! Yes, it was a decision. If you start now, you might experience your own fireworks by New Year’s Eve!
Tag Archive for ‘#writinglife’
Finding my Writing Stamina: 3 Steps
Three small steps to rev up your writing stamina, even in a world of distractions, exhaustion, and overwhelm.
The Craft of Word Cutting
After carefully weaving my words and sentences into the final draft of a manuscript, cutting words away was the last thing I wanted to do! However, that’s exactly what my editor requested in my latest manuscript.
A Villainess Blast from the Past (Author/Villain)
Save this article for loads of resources about creating the perfect villain in your story–and yes, every story needs a good villain.
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.
Still a Story Seamstress
I’m still a seamstress cutting and trimming and sewing the pieces of my story into something lovely and sharable.
Poetic Cat’s Got My Tongue
Deep down, I wanted to write something longer…I could feel myself receiving more than just eleven words. But with limited creativity time, writing an Elfchen soothes the longing, and allows me to go back one day to extend my smaller poems further. They’re like treasured keepsakes I can take out to reminisce when the right time calls.
My Step Driven Action to Creating Characters ~ Step 3
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/ […]
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 […]
Poetry Reading Link for TONIGHT!
My dear blogging-world friends, I will be reading poetry and discussing my writing process on Quintessential Listening Poetry Online Radio tonight! Here’s the link: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/ql_p/2020/12/10/quintessential-listening-poetry-online-radio-presents-celaine-charles It’s at 5:00 Pacific standard time and 8:00 Eastern standard time. I hope you can join me! Cheers and Happy Writing (because at least you’re writing), Celaine Charles, December 9, 2020
Smoothed Out Pacing…Like Melting Chocolate
Have you ever melted chocolate over a double boiler? It happens slow and fast at the same time, much like the pacing in a novel. Patience is critical to success in both cases. Don’t walk away and assume your morsels (or chapters) are fine. They need constant movement. In the final editing phases of my book, Seam Keepers, I am randomly choosing chapters in which to read for the velvetiness […]
Halloween Poetry 1-2-3 (and a chance to win a book)
With Halloween on the rise, and three SPOOKtacular reasons listed below, I am reglogging my post from last year: https://stepsinbetween.com/2019/10/27/writing-in-the-almost-utter-darkness/ Three reasons and a book-drawing: This blog post from last year holds a few of my darker poems…how much fun is that in this chilling season? Only SIX days until Halloween! I have an upcoming virtual poetry reading TOMORROW night – October 26, 2020, at 5:00 PM (PDT). (https://www.facebook.com/events/511556159662316). I […]
Mesmerizing Fuchsia
Mesmerizing Fuchsia * Petal-pink ballgowns drape. They dance in cool winds, <p value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">stamen toes twirl magicstamen toes twirl magic for the spellbound onlooker. * Bough bound performers leap, plié amid the garden, provide bewilderment for evil ones, enchanted guardians of home. * It is said the fuchsia protects, first springing from the blood at the base of the cross, offering blessings to each new bride. * […]
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 […]
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 […]
I am a Story Seamstress
Lately, I am more than writing. I am more than editing. I am more than revising my manuscript. Instead, I am concise, and direct, and intentional with every word on the page. This includes every word trimmed from the page, as well. As a story seamstress, I am doing just that with my manuscript, Seam Keepers; I am hemming up every scene, every page, every paragraph. Less is more. I’m […]
Sunday Celebration for Wednesday Poetry (and a YOUR TURN PROMPT)
Somehow August has arrived, with sunshine and summer in tow. It felt so far away, back in March, when isolation started. But here we are. And after a long lull in my poetry inspiration, I’m back to writing more fluently again! Last month I wrote three poems for my Wednesday Whims page, plus a couple online workshop pieces, and a few others to hopefully send out for submissions (so I […]
CC’s Interview Series: Author, Dr. Tamara Miles
The world may seem to be spiraling, as of late, out of the grasp of creativity. But writers persevere. It’s been a while since my last interview, yet today, I have someone special to share. As unconventional and encouraging as ever, CC’s Interview Series is happy to welcome author of Earth Gospel, college professor, and one of my poetry mentors, Dr. Tamara Miles! I say unconventional interview because typically I […]
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 Play, with Pamela Hobart Carter
This morning arrived with joyful poetry play! Thank You to poet, author, and playwright, Pamela Hobart Carter for her most recent blog post, Make a Poem at Home: Poetry Lessons for Covid Times. (https://playwrightpam.wordpress.com/make-a-poem-at-home-poetry-lessons-for-covid-times/#like-841) As a fellow teacher of young children and a writer myself, I found encouragement and fun following her three creative ideas for writing poetry with young ones. I find these lessons appropriate for all ages! As […]
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 […]
Writing Through COVID-19
Oh, the possibilities of accomplishment in the extra hours of house arrest, due to COVID-19…or so it seems. I thought for sure I would be further along in my new book draft. I would submit poetry for publication every day. I would catch up on quality family time, organize my closet, spring clean my house…all in a Mary Poppins sort of way. With our world home-bound in mandated isolation, why […]
Poem In Your Pocket Day
Poem in your Pocket Day is April 30th this year, and the perfect send off to an unforgettable National Poetry Month. In some ways, perhaps more poetry was shared due to our isolation with Corona Virus. My hope, with all the sadness and anxiety, with the unfortunate souls lost to this pandemic, is that some how we manage to find reason and comfort within a string of words. This is […]
Fill Your Writer’s Well ~ STILL Delighting in National Poetry Month, April 2020
With April abloom, we are more than midway through National Poetry Month. If you have been following along with Steps In Between, you know we are reveling in this event by sharing poetry from writers all over the world. Their names are listed below, but read on for a quick bit of well-filling inspiration… POETS below in alphabetical order, their poems can be found at this link: https://stepsinbetween.com/2020/04/05/let-the-words-roam-national-poetry-month-april-2020/ Yvonne Brewer (Spring Sends […]
Let the Words Roam…National Poetry Month, April 2020
This year, our entire world is isolated and locked down during National Poetry Month. But I say, let the words roam! Let them “beat upon your head like silver liquid drops” (Langston Hughes, April Rain Song, 2)! Let them singe from your fingertips as you write and embrace your heart as you read. I say, fill this time of fear and instability from an enemy-virus with grace and hope and […]
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 […]
Join our “Community Garden” of Poetry
Happy earliest Spring since 1896! In celebration, come join our “Community Garden” of Poetry! This year March 19th marked the Spring Equinox, and with world-wide isolation and the stuffiness of staying home, I am ready to burst into something beautiful and colorful and flowerful! In less than two weeks April arrives signaling…National Poetry Month! So, let’s celebrate with a garden of poetry from everyone in my writing community! It’s “Community […]
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 […]
CC’s Interview Series: Pamela Hobart Carter (Writer, Poet, Playwright, Artist) February 2020
Welcome to another CC’s Interview Series, where once again I am settled in my own city of Seattle. This time I am honored (and quite honestly, ecstatic) to be with writer and artist, Pamela Hobart Carter. I was the luckiest of hopeful writers, back in 2017, when seated next to Pamela at the PNWA Awards Ceremony Dinner. A funny story she might not know, I had been sitting somewhere else, […]
A Wriggling Writing Mind
My writing mind wriggles during down time, up time, in between time. Honestly, it never really ceases in its pursuit to create. The doctors diagnosed it as ADD, and although it can be frustrating at times (in the middle of a Tuesday night with a morning meeting in wait), I find it illuminating. Ideas spark at the glimpse of bulb plants sprouting from the cold January ground, warriors against frost. […]
Winter Days Ignite Poetry
January has unveiled its raw winter-ness. For Seattle, that blast of snowy chill equates to a romanticized sense of wonderland…well, for the writer in me. Maybe because I grew up where wintery-season months matched splendidly with all the storybooks from my childhood…snowfall under lamp posts, icicle-clad roof eaves…and my dad bundled under the warmth of his red flannel shirt, shoveling the drive. A favorite memory, relived year after year in […]
Character Developing: The Story and the Author
After five-plus years of writing my finally finished book, Seam Keepers, a burning new story has sparked into life. Although I am still in the querying stage of my first book, I can’t seem to snuff the light from this new idea seeking passage to the page. And though Seam Keepers has a sequel in need of completing, this new story inspiration doesn’t seem to mind sharing in the limelight. […]
January Driven with 2020 Inspiration (writing update with poetry too)
I’m two scenes into a new story idea, and I can’t wipe the grin off my face. There are still plot twists to create and character arcs to build but ringing in 2020 with a novel writing goal seems like a decade-worthy decision. It’s also a fresh new year for my blog, Steps In Between. The first Sunday of every month I typically pull your attention to my Wednesday Whims […]
Steps In Between 