on June 3, 2011
The reasons to attend a writer’s conference are as varied and compelling as writers themselves. Perhaps you want to meet other fiction-driven scribblers to celebrate and commiserate with, or to corner and dazzle your Dream Agent. Naturally, you want to attend informative workshops focused on honing your craft, learn the secret handshake along with tricks… Read More
on May 16, 2011
My name is Tracy Brogan and I am an over-packer. There. I said it. That’s the first step toward recovery, right? I hope so because I have some trips coming up and I’m tired of hauling along everything plus kitchen sink. But here’s the thing. What if I *need* all the stuff I bring? And… Read More
on March 28, 2011
March 25th started out just like any other Friday morning. Oatmeal with my kids, and a quick review of spelling words for their weekly tests. Me, getting slimed by the dog as I refilled her water bowl. Dirty laundry on the floor, dirty dishes in the sink, dirty martini in my hand. No, wait… make… Read More
on March 21, 2011
As an aspiring novelist, my job is to learn everything I can about the craft of writing, the art of pitching, and the idiosyncrasies of publishing. How do I format a manuscript? How do I pique an editor’s interest with a one-sentence hook? How do keep myself inspired when I’m out of coffee (or tequila)… Read More
on March 7, 2011
I remember my first time like it was yesterday. I was sixteen. Much too young to be doing what I was doing. But there was this smokin’ hot pirate who I simply couldn’t resist. I’m talking about, of course, reading my very first romance novel. Wait… what did YOU think I was talking about? Well,… Read More
on February 7, 2011
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I thougth it might be nice to repost a little somethin’ somethin’ about my Favorite Valentine. If you’ve heard this one before, forgive me but I think the sentiment deserves repeating. My husband is not a side-burned Wolverine, a dashing pirate who is secretly an Earl, a misunderstood vampire,… Read More
on January 28, 2011
How many of you have said that? Maybe not out loud. At least not to anyone except your grandma who thinks everything you do is miraculous. Or to your therapist who’s paid to convince you you’re not a worthless POS. But, come on, admit it. Haven’t you whispered it to yourself when the germ of… Read More
on January 10, 2011
Last week, I was convinced 2011 was The Year. The year I’d get published. The year I’d get rock hard. The year my kids would start making their beds. Well, the New Year is now nine days old. It’s noon and I’m still in my jammies. I haven’t met my daily word-count goals. My kid’s… Read More
on December 22, 2010
I was born on Christmas day. To hear my sisters tell it, our mother went in to the hospital for treatment of an ulcer and came out with me. She acted like I was beautiful and wonderful. She said they were lucky to have me and they should be happy. They were not. According to… Read More
on November 29, 2010
A recent news report revealed that happiness is directly related to gratitude. That makes sense. If you are grateful for what you have, you don’t waste precious energy wanting what you don’t have. And it’s that sense of want which makes so many of us grouchy, restless, and sad. So, in the lingering spirit of… Read More