It is what made the football players sweat and nervously clear their throats when they sat in the university writing center with me. It is what makes my clients cringe and wring their hands. Hell, it even makes my palms sweat thinking about it.You probably can guess what I am talking about.Revision.When you first started…
When I was younger, I thought that I just had to write a book and then I could send it to an editor without even giving it a second look. I believed that the editor would receive the messy manuscript and make it magical. I was so wrong.While your manuscript doesn't have to be perfect before…
Last weekend, I went out to New Paris with a bunch of friends. I had really romantic ideas about the trip: shooting stars, delicious food, and beautiful fall foliage. All those things were there, and it was really wonderful. It was just missing one major thing: inspiration.You see, I always had an idealized version of how…
It was a moment that could only happen in D.C.My husband and I were sitting in the metro when two young men entered the car. This is not an unusual occurrence. What they said next definitely was.One of the young men announced, "We are here to make y'all smile with a dance performance. We are…
When I was at the National Book Festival, Angie Thomas mentioned how much hip-hop music inspired her writing. It got me thinking. Are there any musicians that have inspired my writing? The answer is a big resounding "YES!" The musicians that have an inspired me the most are amazing storytellers. I remember sitting in my parents'…
The National Book Festival is like Christmas for bookworms in Washington D.C.: there is a lot of anticipation to see someone who is known around the world. On a rainy Saturday, I went to the festival to see Sabaa Tahir, Marie Lu, Nicola Yoon, Roxane Gay, and Angie Thomas. Basically, I went to see my…
I am going to be honest with you: writing hasn't been easy lately. I wish I could say there was some fancy explanation, but I think it comes down to boring, old resistance. You know, where you stare at the blank screen and words don't come. You know, where all you hear is that inner…
I was sitting in a beautiful, wood-paneled kitchen in the Hamptons. I felt sick to my stomach, and I was pretty sure that sweat was starting to form on my forehead. What could cause so much anxiety in such an idyllic setting?I was about to read my writing out loud. As all you writers know, there…
Spoiler alert: Do not read if you are still watching Rachel's season of The Bachelorette.I sat there with my hands clutching my head, rocking back and forth. I was pretty sure I was groaning as I felt my fingers pull at my hair. A show had actually caused me to literally pull my hair out.My…
On Saturday, my husband and I went to a video game exhibit. Are we major gamers? No, not really, even though we do enjoy the occasional game (if the words "Final Fantasy" are in it, I am down to play it). We were there because I was conducting research for my novel (and, well, it…