On an average day, how often are you criticized? Did you recoil a bit at the question? It’s not a fun thing, being criticized. It’s basically giving someone else permission to tell you why they don’t like something about you or something you’ve done. Even if you think you’re ready for it, there’s still a…
Have you had days where you get on your own nerves? I’ve had three consecutive days of that. If only I could get away from me. It all started when I decided to participate in a Pitch Wars contest, which also required me to join Twitter. I thought it would be a good idea to…
Thanks to a combination of Sudafed and Killer Queen running in an endless loop through my head, I couldn’t sleep last night. So I decided to whip out the ol’ Kindle and read a bit, comprehending an occasional paragraph when Freddie Mercury would stop singing long enough to allow it (notice I didn’t say shut up,…
I haven’t blogged since mid-April. Wanna know why? Well, I’ve been writing one book and editing another whilst critiquing other writers’ work and blah blah blah… Yeah, that’s all bullcrap. The real reason is I couldn’t find any good material. It was getting down to “Hey! Bread! I wonder if there’s anything there!” So I…
I find myself in an awkward stage of life. I have a book under contract, and another is going through the ruthless hands of an online critique group while I try to figure out its fate. I’m working on another new book that will be finished in a few months, with any luck. So, I…
About a week ago, I was talking to a dear friend of mine about how we perceive the world. She asked me something I wasn’t expecting her to ask: have you taken the Myers Briggs? I had, a long time ago, and the conversation that followed was an incredibly insightful exploration into why we each…
It’s November 25th, and I’m already over winter. Like, SO OVER IT. And it hasn’t even technically begun yet. I loved winter when I was a kid. I was lucky enough to grow up in a place that has seasons, so by the time winter came, my siblings and I had had our fill of…
I love my husband. We have a great relationship, and I’m not just saying that. We seem to have the partnership/mutual respect/roles thing figured out. We have our little disagreements here and there, and we haven’t had any major fights. That said, we have had the same recurring fight for years. I call it The…
Today was dental appointment day, that lovely day that comes twice a year when you’re fortunate enough to have dental insurance. I’ll start by saying I love my dentist and hygienist, just in case they happen to read this. Please don’t stab me in the tongue with something. Joking about a trip to the dentist is almost chiche.…
Anyone who spends five seconds on the internet knows there’s a ton of obnoxious crap out there. Most of it is harmless, but some can give your computer viruses or steal your identity. Everyday I see something that makes me want to punch a hole in my monitor, but that wouldn’t really solve the problem.…
Allison Maruska 