Progress

Purging, Packing, & a Bark Scorpion

Moving is always a great time to take a breath and assess your belongings before flinging them into a dumpster.

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Novel Synopsis & Upcoming Move

I'm revisiting early versions of my synopsis to revise it in preparation for querying the now-completed novel.

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Novel Edits Complete & Next Story Brainstorming

I've officially completed all of the minor edits for the now-completed novel, and I'm moving on to the next step: querying.

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Nighttime Tarantulas & Novel Next Steps

It's so hot during the day here in Arizona that going outside feels like walking into an oven.

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Early Beta Reader Feedback & Monsoon Rainbow

I've gotten some feedback on my novel WIP from a few beta readers already, and it's been overwhelmingly positive.

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Beta Readers & Busy Lives

I finished working through the latest revision notes from Tae, and I've sent off the novel to a small group of beta readers. 🎉

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Baby Lizards Harassing Cats & Novel Revisions Update

So, apparently, it's baby lizard season here in Tucson, Arizona.

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Novel Revisions & Creepy Dolls

I'm about halfway through the revision notes from Tae.

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Tae's Notes & the Difficulties of Blurbing

About two weeks ago, I finished the third draft of the novel WIP. I handed it over to Tae to go through it with her keen eyes.

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Novel Update & a Well-Deserved Rest

It's a strange feeling to have finished the latest draft of the novel WIP.

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Novel WIP Milestone & Abominable Party Spider

Early Sunday morning, after staying up all night, I completed a full set of revisions (third draft) on the novel WIP, from start to finish.

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A Nocturnal Snake & Four Chapters Remain

Tae and I were walking a few nights ago and stumbled upon a little snake.

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Philosophical Razors & Why You Should Always Take a Flashlight on Nighttime Walks in Arizona

I'm a big fan of philosophical razors. Recently, Tae stumbled across a new one to add to my Big Bad Toolbox of Very Sharp Things™.

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On Story Endings, Lumberjacks, & Heresy

I've been in a book club for years, and I often like to ask how people would change the endings of books. It's fascinating to find out how a book's end can change one's opinion of the entire work.

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Kids Do the Darndest Things

Kids leave traces everywhere!

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Becoming Dated at the Speed of Smartphones

Tae and I are watching the old seasons of Dexter. Nearly everything on the show feels current, like it could be unfolding right now.

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Spot the Wolf Spider & Sharpening My Mallet

Obviously, these things are related. A quick update on nature and tools.

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A Scrambling Gecko & I Forgot Cheetos

Those two things are unrelated, I think.

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Don't Forget To Take Breaks

With everything going on in your life, it can sometimes be tough to remember to take a break. Luckily, Mother Nature is out there constantly setting up signposts for us.

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Bananas don't have memories.

Is it just me, or does it constantly seem like the world is falling apart? Wars, natural disasters, disease, famine, murder, poverty—the list goes on and on.

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On Revising, Editing, Storytelling, & Characters

On novel drafting, I made it past revisions on a pivotal scene that had been stuck in my head for a while. It needed...something. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, and I had to let it sort of percolate within the broader story.

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Brown Widow Spiders & Online Ads Everywhere

Apparently, brown widow spiders are everywhere in Tucson now. They set up webs and actively hunt down other spiders, including black widows.

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Arizona Doesn't Do Daylight Saving Time & I Rescued a Spider

The horrors of Daylight Saving Time, an eight-legged friend, and writing updates.

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