It’s amazing how a little bit of appreciation can brighten your day. You’ve heard it said before, but this time I have a story of how even a herd of goats can show their appreciation when someone goes out of their way for them. Goats? Really? Goats. And appreciationContinue Reading
Great news! I have received notes from my editor at Dzanc Books for Loreena’s Gift, my literary novel. That means I’ll be working hard over the next six weeks or so to polish up the book in preparation for the galleys. I’m excited that things are moving forward on thisContinue Reading
I have fond memories of shopping for school clothes with my mom. Usually sometime in the month of August, she would help me go through my closet to see what clothes still fit, and we’d separate those from the ones I’d outgrown so we knew what I needed for theContinue Reading
My younger brother and I have a running joke between us. He’s a pilot in the Air Force. He’s got five more years to give back to the service before he can decide if he wants to stay in and retire or leave and work in the commercial sector. He’sContinue Reading
Can you learn things from the characters in your stories? I have. Take Adrienna Vedica, for example, the main character in Rise of the Sidenah, my young adult fantasy. Even as a child, Adrienna is drawn to sculpting things. She uses wood, as that’s the only raw material she canContinue Reading
I have a stray chicken in my yard. I live on about an acre of land surrounded by agricultural fields. You could say I live out in the country, though the town is only about fifteen minutes away and the land around me is all cultivated into wheat, potato, corn,Continue Reading
I’ve attended several writing events this year. Conferences, awards dinners, signings, etc. At every one, without exception, I heard one thing: writers complaining. It’s an easy habit to fall into. This isn’t a cushy career, by any means. We have a number of challenges in front of us, from theContinue Reading
Colleen’s work in progess, The Beached Ones, was named 3rd place unpublished novel in the 2014 Arizona Authors Literary Contest. She has completed a cross-country road trip as part of the research for this novel, and is now back to work on the second draft. (Read more about her tripContinue Reading
Colleen was named one of eight finalists in the 2014 PNWA International Literary Contest with her novel-in-progress, The Beached Ones. She has completed a cross-country road trip as part of the research for this novel, and is now back to work on the second draft. She plans it as aContinue Reading
Situation: I’m in the second draft of my work in progress. My characters travel across country, from Iowa to California. Dilemma: I’ve either a) never been to the locations where my characters stop along the way, or b) it’s been so long the places are dim in my memory. SolutionContinue Reading