When a couple has been together 35 years, they develop a sort of code for sharing opinions. For example, when I tell my husband that his guy movie is “hilarious,” he knows I mean idiotic. (Think anything with Chevy Chase.) Likewise, when he remarks that a book is “literary” or “poignant,” what he really means is too descriptive and boring. If it’s overly long or slow paced, he says “thick” in a drawn-out flat tone.
When it comes to certain books, I tend to agree with his code.
Too often, writers, editors and publishers label esoteric manuscripts with more pages of descriptive prose than plot as “literary.” Yet, literary is the adjective form of literature; and literature is defined by Merriam-Webster as “written works having excellence of form or expression and dealing with ideas of permanent interest.” That definition applies to books of every length and every genre.
In a recent article for Women Writers, Women’s Books, I shared practical tips and examples for using literary tools that take your writing to the next level – creating engaging page-turners with literary chops. Read the full article here.
My latest article at WritersDigest.com highlights why neurodiversity adds richness to literature and life, with tips to creating authentic characters on the autism spectrum.
The article also highlights the Arizona Author Book Festival taking place in Phoenix, April 27, 2025. I volunteered to coordinate the festival to help raise awareness and funds for SEEDs for Autism, an education, social skills and vocational training programs for young adults on the spectrum. Learn more at the festival website, save the date, and join us!
Post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” His distinctive technique consists of bold brushstrokes and contrasting colors to create a bigger picture of vibrant intensity and emotion.
Big is wonderful. Yet, big is often overwhelming. Small is less intimidating. Small is doable.
Taking small steps toward a bigger goal is a proven technique for success, whether you’re painting a masterpiece, training for better health, or writing a book.
“I can’t tell you how many times I don’t feel like training and tell myself, ‘I’ll just do one set and see how I feel.’ You would think it would stop working at some point, but I almost always end up doing the whole workout,” wrote James Clear, author of the best-seller Atomic Habits. “Just start. Do a little and see what happens.”
Clear’s trick works for writing, as well. When I don’t feel like writing, I tell myself, “I’ll write for 15 minutes, even it’s just random thoughts.” Inevitably, once my fingers get moving on the keyboard, my brain gets moving, too, and I end up writing for much longer.
You can do great things with a series of small things. The key is to “just start” and see where it takes you.
Image: Vincent van Gogh’s “Irises,” oil on canvas (1890, courtesy of Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
What’s your puzzling behavior? Mine is much like my writing behavior. Once I begin a jigsaw puzzle or writing project, I am compelled to finish it – no matter how difficult, no matter how long it takes. Recently, I worked on a puzzle that taught me an important lesson about letting go. Letting go is not the same as giving up.
We often have a puzzle in progress on our dining room table. We work on it as a family. A few pieces now and then in passing. Several pieces during a longer sitting. Our individual obsession with the puzzles often depends upon the images. My son enjoys our Nintendo- and sports-themed ones. I like the nature- and book-themed ones. My husband enjoys pretty much all of them. As a result, we always complete the puzzles.
Until last month.
Last month, I brought home a new puzzle featuring a book stack illustration that included several of my favorite novels and authors (Amor Towles, M.L. Stedman, Toni Morrison, Tayari Jones, to name a few).
The bright colored, unique spines and title fonts tricked us into thinking it would be easy. (I should have known, when it comes to completing a book, it’s never easy.)
As a rule, we assemble the puzzle’s edge first, then complete the inner portions until the whole picture is complete. My novel-writing process is similar. I create an outline, then fill in the big picture scene by scene, piece by piece.
This tried-and-true process didn’t work for our book puzzle. The outer portion was solid white, and so many of the white pieces were nearly identical. So. Many. Pieces.
We adjusted our approach and completed the puzzle book by book. It was fun. The puzzle was lovely. But, once we were left with only white pieces, we were stuck. The pieces were so similar, they often landed in the wrong spot – until we completed a small section and realized that one piece in the middle was incorrect, and thus all the surrounding pieces were incorrect, and we had to deconstruct an entire section and try again. And again. And again.
My son was the first to recognize the insanity of it. My husband was the second. After a couple of weeks of this maddening process, the futility of it finally hit us all. Finally, I let go. I packed up the puzzle and put the box in the cupboard.
I’ve often heard writers talk about “the manuscript in their drawer,” the incomplete or unpublished book. I never understood how someone could spend so much time on a project, only to quit so near the finish line.
Now I understand. It’s OK to tuck a project away, if completing it proves maddening. It may sit in that drawer indefinitely. Or maybe, if the time is right, you can pull it out again and see it through to completion. Either way, sometimes it’s OK to let go.
I’ll be discussing the relevance of neurodiverse characters in historical fiction at SEEDs for Autism in Phoenix on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.
The Historical Novel Society – Arizona Chapter (HNS-AZ) is partnering with SEEDs to host the free public event for anyone who appreciates historical fiction. Both readers and writers will find something of interest in the presentation, including details about my writing and research process and examples of books that feature neurodiverse characters, including my novel Peculiar Savage Beauty. Set in 1930s Kansas, Peculiar Savage Beauty’s main characters include Woody, an autistic savant born in an era long before any medical diagnosis would explain his peculiar ways and unique talents. Publishers Weekly called it a “gripping, atmospheric novel [that] meshes a seminal event in American history with a suspenseful plot and insightfully etched characters.”
SEEDs provides a path from “learning to earning” for teens and adults with autism through education, vocational training, and social development. The organization hosts events throughout the year to foster community and raise autism awareness.
Event admission is free, though attendance is limited, and reservations are appreciated. Complimentary light refreshments will be provided by HNS-AZ.
The gift shop will be open, and my novel will be available for purchase and signing; 100 percent of book sale proceeds will benefit SEEDs.
Recently, I sat down with the folks at ASU’s Piper Center for Creative Writing to talk about writing and revising, and the challenges and joys of writing historical fiction.
Click links to view previous segments of the interview:
Recently, I sat down with the folks at ASU’s Piper Center for Creative Writing to talk about writing and revising, and the challenges and joys of writing historical fiction. Here is part 3 in a 4-part series from that interview.
Question 3: How conscious are your choices regarding language and diction? How do you use it to create the right tone in your work?
Recently, I sat down with the folks at ASU’s Piper Center for Creative Writing to talk about writing and revising, and the challenges and joys of writing historical fiction. Here is part 2 in a 4-part series from that interview.
Question 2: What challenges are particular to writing historical fiction? What inspires you about these challenges?
