Category Archives: Blog

Will Smith did this awesome video about evaluating who your friends are.  It is so important for everyone, particularly young people as they learn to navigate the world.  I’ve been talking to my kids a lot about this over the last year.  Each of them has had situations where they needed to examine aspects ofContinue reading “Fresh Prince on Friendship”

I had a fun opportunity a couple weeks ago to attend a field trip with my fourth grader.  This year in school they learned about the pioneers.  We live in Utah and the pioneers who settled here are a big deal.  They overcame a lot and are an example of perseverance and hard work. TheContinue reading “Hands on History”

The Power of Storytelling.  That was the title of the lecture LeVar Burton gave at Utah Valley University on May 16th.  I was eager to hear his words and get re-energized about my chosen craft. As I waited with my friends for the lecture to start, the atmosphere was one of anticipation.  Excitement seemed toContinue reading “LeVar Burton Lecture”

I used to despise editing.  In my mind I separated it from writing.  Putting something down on paper for the first time is fun.  The thrill of not even knowing yourself what will happen next!  The feeling of inspiration. I edited anyways, but in hind sight I see that — in the beginning — I often did bareContinue reading “The Joy of Editing”

Tonight I am remembering a piece of advice that I will always be grateful for. My husband, youngest daughter, and I went to a book signing for Brandon Sanderson. My husband, Tod, asked him, “What can I do to help support my wife in her writing?” Brandon told him to give me at least fourContinue reading “Don’t Be A Warm Body”

With all my hand/wrist/elbow problems I figured I could share a few things that I’ve done to help minimize pain. Some of these things I wish I thought of before. I have no doubt I wouldn’t have ended up with a problem so quickly if I had been mindful.  So, perhaps reading this will helpContinue reading “Hand Adventures Part 2”

At the beginning of this year I made some very specific goals.  One was to finish the second draft of my newest novel by the end of February.  In my mind, I figured I could finish and send it out to beta readers, making it so I would get edits/input back by the end ofContinue reading “Hand Adventures Part 1”

It’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).  Most of my friends aren’t writers.  Not in the sense of “let me sit down and write a 50,000 word novel in a month.”  I get that. However, NaNoWriMo to me is simply about writing.  Getting thoughts down on paper.  Yes, technically it’s a goal of getting a fullContinue reading “NaNoWriMo – It’s For Everyone”

I have seen and heard the disdain  from some peers about games/gamers.  For contrast I give you this… I sat and watch my eleven year old daughter play a level in a game.  She played and failed. Then failed again and again and again.  At one point I asked her if she was getting frustratedContinue reading “A Non-Gamer’s Perspective On Games”

  Quite a few years ago I sat in my living room and watched a conversation unfold.  A friend was looking into a possible job opportunity and wanted my husband’s input on the matter. It was one of those “get rich quick”deals.  He said, “Pretend I have a million dollars and I’m willing to giveContinue reading “Sacrifice”