have been auctioned, and the cows are awaiting the birth of their new calves.
summer days wane. Soon the fields will again be disked and prepared for planting in anticipation of winter's life-giving rain.
Labor Day signals my vacation is over; it is time for me to go to
work on a new novel. For inspiration, I am reading Practical
Tips for Writing Popular Fiction by Robyn Carr. This enjoyable writing guide advises: read extensively, gain a working knowledge of written English, write what you love to read, write what you know and what fascinates you, and invest time in learning to write well.
All good advice.
Of course, there is no magic formula. No amount of reading how-to books will improve writing skills. That only happens by writing, by searching for the right words to describe a scene or reveal a character’s inner turmoil, by being open to critique, and revising. The challenge to write a good story with great characters takes work and is often frustrating. Yet that’s what hooked me on writing. No matter how many books I write, stretching my skills to create outstanding characters and interesting stories is what makes writing engrossing and fun.