Category: A to Z Blogging

Zaffer
A to Z Blogging

Zaffer

Writing Sparkle10 Comments

Zaffer. This is a sneak peek word. What is zaffer? Google defines it as “impure cobalt oxide, formerly used to make smalt and blue enamels.” (sourced March 22, 2025) All I am going to say is that it has something to do with the magic system in the new fantasy series I am working on.… Continue reading Zaffer

Year for a writer
A to Z Blogging

Year for a writer

Writing Sparkle4 Comments

I attended a webinar: “Hit Your Author Goals in 2022: 4 Strategies to Transform Your Business and Book Sales.” This was the first time I heard anybody speak about setting author goals. Writing a business plan and setting author goals was presented as something many authors fail to do. I didn’t start writing a business… Continue reading Year for a writer

X-ray view or, in this case, a peak behind the scenes
A to Z Blogging

X-ray view or, in this case, a peak behind the scenes

Writing Sparkle8 Comments

As I settle into my office to write, I will share this picture of my workspace. This is one place where this writing magic occurs. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at my creative process for the new urban fantasy series I’m world-building. I set this series in a fictional location. However, my inspiration for that… Continue reading X-ray view or, in this case, a peak behind the scenes

Writing Milestones
A to Z Blogging

Writing Milestones

Writing Sparkle8 Comments

Google defines a milestone as “an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development.” (sourced March 20, 2025) Some writing milestones: The first completed piece of writing. Sharing a piece or pieces of writing. The first feedback. The first public sharing like an online publication. The first lengthy piece of writing is… Continue reading Writing Milestones

Upcoming events
A to Z Blogging

Upcoming events

Writing Sparkle4 Comments

I was hoping to share one of ProWritingAids’ online conferences, but they have nothing on the events calendar yet. I attended Fantasy Writer’s Week twice and Crime Writer’s Week and I enjoyed both. If you are interested, you can click the image to watch for these events. May:Intro to Copyediting in 2025 hosted by Editors… Continue reading Upcoming events

Tools and resources
A to Z Blogging

Tools and resources

Writing Sparkle8 Comments

Having resources while writing a book is a big help. When I first started writing, I didn’t have any, and I didn’t know where to look to find them. Once I found tools, I wasn’t sure which to invest in. So, these are a few of the tools and resources I found and tried. One… Continue reading Tools and resources

Recommendations (Books to read)
A to Z Blogging

Recommendations (Books to read)

Writing Sparkle8 Comments

Book recommendations could become a lengthy post. I will try to list a couple of titles in various genres, but this is not an inclusive list. Nonfiction  Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout & Sarah Corbett  The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Canadian Author Margaret Atwood Ann… Continue reading Recommendations (Books to read)

Quotes
A to Z Blogging

Quotes

Writing Sparkle7 Comments

“Quotes help us understand, inspire, motivate, clarify and show our approach to things around, this is why people and I love quotes.” – Takyou Allah Cheikh Malaynine “I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.”  – James Michener “A word after a word after a word… Continue reading Quotes