Category: Miscellaneous

Orphan & Widow Task
Miscellaneous

Orphan & Widow Task

Writing Sparkle1 Comment

Have you been trying to format your novel and struggling to figure out why there is a gap of space at the bottom of some pages where there should be text? I struggled with this when I formatted my first book in my Ember Files series. It was maddening trying to figure out why some… Continue reading Orphan & Widow Task

Double-sided page layout
Miscellaneous

Double-sided page layout

Writing Sparkle5 Comments

I learned a lot about Word while formatting my first self-published novel. One of those things involved paragraphs and how they look on the pages of a print novel. This is important so pages don’t look like they have a narrow column of text in the middle of the page; the margins around the text… Continue reading Double-sided page layout

The drop cap.
Miscellaneous

The drop cap.

Writing Sparkle2 Comments

The fancy first letter that differs from the rest of the text in a book has always been something I admire while reading a novel. I knew little about it, including what it was called or how it was done. When I started making formatting decisions for The Funny Side, I wanted to use that… Continue reading The drop cap.

This is not just a cover reveal.
Miscellaneous

This is not just a cover reveal.

Writing Sparkle6 Comments

From the back cover:Remember to laugh. Start with a smile and let it grow. Parenting is a full-time career with a boss who is a mini-version of you but who has an unstable mood and zero conformity to social and societal norms. It’s priceless, all of it. From heartwarming to smiles and laughter, The Funny… Continue reading This is not just a cover reveal.

Milestones: 50 Before 50
Miscellaneous

Milestones: 50 Before 50

Writing Sparkle4 Comments

I started drafting this list on my 37th birthday. You can view the original post: HERE. I was inspired by a couple of other bucket lists I was creating during the BlogAhead challenge. It inspired me to create a list specific to myself. I took a little time to create a list of well-thought-out things… Continue reading Milestones: 50 Before 50

Skilled users of words—writers, wordsmiths, and penmen—this post is for you.
Miscellaneous

Skilled users of words—writers, wordsmiths, and penmen—this post is for you.

Writing Sparkle1 Comment

Are you stuck on a writing project? Have you ever used a heuristic? Do you know what a heuristic is? Previous to taking a course titled Efficient Business and Professional Writing, I didn’t know what a heuristic was. The knowledge has had an impact. A heuristic is a great writing aid—creative, nonfiction, business . .… Continue reading Skilled users of words—writers, wordsmiths, and penmen—this post is for you.

Content, content, content—what works and what doesn’t?
Miscellaneous

Content, content, content—what works and what doesn’t?

Writing Sparkle1 Comment

I started phase one of my break from the traditional working world in 2023 with a slow slide into the world of freelancing—book coach, editor, author, and book reviewer. I was at a place where my passion for my traditional career had not just waned but vanished. The toll of staying stuck in a place… Continue reading Content, content, content—what works and what doesn’t?

Intentional Disclosure
Miscellaneous

Intentional Disclosure

Writing Sparkle5 Comments

The Ember Files is ending. I am releasing the last book in the series this summer. Today I want to share with you the cover for that book. By Shari Marshall - 2024 Cover image: http://www.bookbrush.comdarksouls1 from Pixabay and susan-lu4esm

Your success is my success.
Miscellaneous

Your success is my success.

Writing Sparkle

Do you think there is a relationship between progress and success? Do you think you can have one without the other? I believe progress proceeds success. For me, there is no success without progress—forward movement—and success is an ongoing journey. “Strive for progress, not perfection.” – AnonymousI would say write now; edit later. For an… Continue reading Your success is my success.