Category Archives: My posts

The lonely profession

Posted on September 8, 2014 by ginachoward

It gets lonely out here. Writing, by its very nature, requires us to work alone. Even those of us working in corporations, nonprofits and academic institutions have to shut ourselves off from our colleagues to do our jobs. Those of … Continue reading →

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The work of writing

Posted on September 1, 2014 by ginachoward

Writing is both a labor of love and a lot of work. A Charlotte Writers’ Club author said in a recent club newsletter that the more time she allows to elapse between writing sessions, the harder it is for her … Continue reading →

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Ramping up the tension

Posted on August 25, 2014 by ginachoward

Some people thrive on conflict. I am not one of them. Actual and imagined confrontations leave my stomach in knots. Although conflict avoidance can make the real world more pleasant, it is the kiss of death in fiction, which requires … Continue reading →

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Endings

Posted on August 18, 2014 by ginachoward

Ah, the possibilities of beginnings!  Smorgasbords of plot potential and crackling climaxes. Endings? Necessary evils – often awkwardly awful termini, wrap-ups rushed like the “Sixty Minutes’” second hand ticking to the hour’s end. Endings tend to be as problematic in books … Continue reading →

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Departure

Posted on August 11, 2014 by ginachoward

Dark clouds on my horizon creep in with summer’s heat. Weighing me down, making me sluggish, Like July’s humidity.   Encompassing blackness looms inexorably closer. Dragging my soul, consuming my thoughts, As oppressive as August.   Hatless officers sowed seeds … Continue reading →

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Feast of words

Posted on August 4, 2014 by ginachoward

I love the sensory sensuality of words. All those anticipatory Ts standing at parade rest in attentive. That D bumping into the G in nudge. Euphoria just dares those outnumbered consonants to hold down its vowels. And there’s something inherently … Continue reading →

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In defense of failure

Posted on July 28, 2014 by ginachoward

The author of a recent New York Times opinion piece postulated that writers are “the real professionals” when it comes to failure. To support his premise, Stephen Merche ticks off writers such as Fitz-Greene Halleck, widely praised in their own … Continue reading →

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Characters writing themselves

Posted on July 21, 2014 by ginachoward

After my critique group gave me a not-too-subtle push to get on the stick and write, I did. My first chapter is finished (first draft, anyway), and I started the second. It feels good. One of the most enjoyable things about … Continue reading →

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Back to work

Posted on July 14, 2014 by ginachoward

I got some tough love from my critique group last week. After making suggestions on how to improve my submission, they gave me their strongest comments: No more work on the house, no more trips, no more slacking off. Get back … Continue reading →

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No sunglasses required

Posted on June 24, 2014 by ginachoward

Thoughts walking the beach on a cloudy, cool day We are the seekers. The stone skippers looking for one more hop to shatter the lake’s glass. The hunters after increasingly elusive Petoskey stones. The pilgrims yearning for respite, refreshment. We … Continue reading →

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