Tag Archives: writing

First draft

Posted on February 14, 2017 by ginachoward

I wrote for eight, nine hours a day, removed from distractions during a writers residency at the Weymouth Center for the Arts. When I emerged bleary eyed and triumphant, I left with the completed first draft of An American Terrorist. Continue reading →

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Why I am not writing

Posted on July 17, 2015 by ginachoward

An unseen hand dials back the blue, turning up the fuchsia and coral. Greens fade to black, impressionist trees against dusk sky. The bay basks in reflected glory. Like a besotted teen, I cannot turn away. At four, 14 and … Continue reading →

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It’s not about us

Posted on February 9, 2015 by ginachoward

The neat square of sunlight in their front yard was all the sisters needed to enjoy the false spring day. The younger girl sprawled on a blue beach towel, her head bent over the pages of her chapter book, a … Continue reading →

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Filling holes

Posted on October 20, 2014 by ginachoward

We were leaving our critique group last week, comments and suggestions duly noted, when one of the members began asking me more about my main character’s motivation. Easy questions. I had written her back story before I started the book, … Continue reading →

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Wealth of writers

Posted on September 29, 2014 by ginachoward

As I listened to the local authors read from their works in 27 Views of Charlotte, I was overwhelmed by the wealth of talent in my adopted region. We had gathered at Park Road Books last Saturday for the book … Continue reading →

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Sticks and stones

Posted on September 22, 2014 by ginachoward

We all know the power of words. They have incited revolutions, won and lost elections, galvanized movements, and begun and ended relationships. They have the power to cause incalculable harm and to bring restorative peace. Last week, Ken Burns’ wonderful … Continue reading →

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Heeeeere’s…..Father Francis!

Posted on September 15, 2014 by ginachoward

Poor Father Francis. Originally the opener, he’s been relegated to back-up player. Let me explain. I created Father Francis to provide an insider’s view of Clinton from an outsider’s perspective. Who better than a priest to know everything that’s going … Continue reading →

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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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