The Writing Process

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I’m often asked when my novel will be published or why it isn’t published yet. Many people don’t realize that the writing process is a lot more involved than simply sitting at a keyboard and writing.

Before deciding which publishing options to pursue or beginning to search for editors or agents, a writer must first have a high-quality product to offer. Many writers overlook the importance of the writing process in their eagerness to get published. Not adhering to the process actually kills a writer’s chances because, without it, they are unable to produce a salable manuscript.

The writing process involves four phases: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. Following these steps will help, but experienced writers know that problems which arise during drafting, revising, or editing, can send them all the way back to step one, where they must develop and expand an idea. As my NaNoWriMo ML is quick to remind me, “You will enjoy the process, God damn it!”

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It’s Official: SFCC Pullman has Moved!

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Sasquatch is on the move in Latah and Whitman Counties . . . In the days following the SFCC Pullman Center’s move to the Washington State University campus, Bigfoot was sighted in nearby Latah County where a motorist swears she saw Bigfoot chasing deer along the highway just north of Potlatch.  Perhaps Skitch invited a few friends over to check out his new digs and they tried grabbing some food on the way.

Skitch’s new stomping grounds will be the Math Annex located on the WSU campus.  Approximately 200 students will start classes in the new building on April 3, 2017.  Being on the WSU campus will expose SFCC students to university life and enhance their college experience. There isn’t enough classroom space in the Math Annex, so some students will have classes across campus in Krugal Hall. Continue reading →

It’s Springtime on the Palouse, 2017

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I was available to photograph the Palouse River as it crested this morning at just over 17 feet.  The pictures are below.

 

 

I’ve Been Offered a Book Contract

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Exciting news!  A publisher has offered me a contract for the trilogy.  I wanted to wait to share the news until after it was signed and I had a publication date, but the person I’m working with had a family emergency.  His mother has been hospitalized, so he’s taking time off to care for her.  Also, many of the authors I’ve contacted say it can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to work through negotiations.  I don’t think I could keep quiet that long.

I’ll be sure to post an update as soon as the details are worked out and all responsible parties have signed.  Here’s to hoping everything works out.

Book Review: The Book Of Polly

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The Book of Polly, a novel by Kathy Hepinstall.
Set for release March 14, 2017; $26.00 US ($35.00 CAN)

After unwrapping the plain brown packaging, I looked with trepidation at the cover of the next book in my Blind Date with a Book series.  A blurry image of a perfectly appointed southern woman holding a garden trowel and sporting a falcon on her shoulder stared up at me.  I’d been burned on blind dates before and feared I was in for another scorching.  Figuring I may as well get on with it, I opened the book to page one and began to read.

By page seven I was hooked, laughing so hard that tears came to my eyes, eager for more.  As the book progressed I was introduced to hazards of Havens family, their personal shortcomings, and neighborhood feuds.

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Book Review: Blood in the Snow

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The Guardian: Blood in the Snow, a novel by MJ Kobernus.
$14.99 Paperback.

Blood in the Snow is the second book in the Guardian series and was a fast paced read that kept me engaged and eager for more.

Philip Entwhistle is desperately attempting to settle back into his comfortable and boring life as a university history professor.  Unfortunately, all hopes for a quiet English life are shattered when his girlfriend leaves him and he is forced to flee the country to avoid being arrested for a crime he didn’t commit.

Arriving in Norway, Philip is determined to stay one step ahead of the detectives eager to arrest on suspicion of arson and murder, and win back his girlfriend’s affections.  In the process he uncovers an ancient mystery hidden in a Viking Age burial located on his girlfriend’s family farm, which has left her father cursed.  The only clues to saving him are scribbles in margins of a little studied saga.

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An Econ Lecture for the Curious

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I created this lecture for my micro class this quarter because I have an out-of-town conference later this month. I apologize in advance for the sniffling. (It’s January and I have a cold.)

Many Americans have trouble seeing from another person’s perspective. Even more hear something and think, “Oh yeah, that’s right,” without considering all of the implications of what their elected officials are promoting. The point of this lecture is to examine one topic from multiple viewpoints.

https://youtu.be/FZCpwEYuUBw&w=640

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Yuletide Greetings

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‘Tis the season to make an ass of yourself.  There is nothing like proclaiming the love of Jesus that brings out the downright-nasty-not-niceness in Christians each December.

Spiteful memes show up in Facebook feeds stating, “It’s Merry Christmas, say the fucking words, damn it!” “Stop the War on Christmas,” “Put Christ back in Christmas!” and my personal favorite, “When someone wishes you ‘Happy Holidays’ remind them that ‘Holidays’ are HOLY DAYS!”  The problem with the holy days proclaimers, and the majority of Christians, is that they fail to realize there is more than one holiday in December and most of them pre-date Christianity.

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