“The English language is very precise.” It’s a phrase I’ve heard many times from my father-in-law to my husband. Usually it is in jest and has now become a running joke. But it is completely true. I’m launching a new website that will host three separate publications at one place. The construction, introduction and application of this project has been far beyond what I expected. It has come down to conveying clearly what I intended. Thus, being very precise. The. English. Language. Is. Very. Precise. Precise. As writers, there’s nothing that describes our job better. We tell a story and it must be clear. If the reader gets lost, they’ll...
Review: From a Distance
Summary: What happens when the realization of a dream isn’t what you imagined… and the secret you’ve spent a lifetime guarding is finally laid bare? Determined to become one of the country’s premier newspaper photographers, Elizabeth Westbrook travels to the Colorado Territory to capture the grandeur of the mountains surrounding the remote town of Timber Ridge. She hopes, too, that the cool, dry air of Colorado, and its renowned hot springs, will cure the mysterious illness that threatens her career, and her life. Daniel Ranslett is a man shackled by his Confederate past, and he’ll do anything to protect his land, and his solitude. When an outspoken Yankee photographer captures...
the joy of layout and design…
A few weeks ago, I helped map out the story selection and layout for my college’s alumni newsletter. It brought me back to the days of newsroom banter and magazine mayhem. Those late nights of caffeine highs and echoing laughter are a close, fond memory. We’d spend hours on a single headline alone. Arguments over whether “brouhaha” was appropriate for a news story, front page. (The verdict was no.) Speaking in news-ese: “inches,” “art,” “spreads,” “cutlines…” It was a world of chaos and perfect synchronization. Well, on good days. There’s something unique about determining the perfect place for every story, photo and caption. Correcting every widow, checking every spelling. Working...
A note on revising
Revising. We all must do it. A writer’s work is never truly finished. Ask any author and I’m sure they’d agree. Lately I’ve been polishing up my manuscript from the NaNoWriMo. There is simply so much to do. However, with each new draft, each new word or phrase, the outcome is stronger. Some people might fear the “red pen” but I really do enjoy the process (even though I wish I had more time in the day to work on it!) My critique group is a wonderful group who have helped me immensely in my writing and story telling. All through their “red ink.” So on we go a-revisin’ and...
Review: Bonhoeffer
Pastor, Prophet, Martyr, Spy. That truly says it all. Out of a host of thousands upon millions of inspirational stories from those who defied Hitler during his reign of terror, comes the biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a man who was a constant student of life, religion and God. Dietrich came from a family of greats. His father was a world renown psychiatry professor and grandfather a high ranking judiciary official. His mother’s lineage boasted of political activists and theologians. Bonhoeffer’s brothers became lawyers or scientists, yet Dietrich followed the calling in his heart to become a theologian. The profession was not looked upon with respect among the higher-class circles in...