When another writer asked me if writing short stories was “worth it,” I realized it depends—as it does in so many aspects of life—on how you define “worth.” For me, it’s worth it for many reasons. But you may define “worth” differently. This week, I discuss this concept over on the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer’s […]
inspiration
Burnt Offerings – Hiking through a Wildfire-Ravaged Forest
Here I am, hiking through a burned forest. It’s been less than a year since the East Troublesome Fire tore through 193,812 acres of Colorado mountain forest, destroying 580 structures, 366 of which were homes. With 80-mile-per-hour winds, that fire ripped through miles-long swaths of Rocky Mountain National Park, roiled down mountainsides to the very […]
Inspiration, That Flighty Kitten
Inspiration, That Flighty Kitten by Kelley J. P. Lindberg Inspiration, that flighty kitten,is hard to keep to task.The world is so full, after all,of shine and color and ripplingsun-sparkles on fast-moving water,drawing all six sensesin every direction away.If I depend on her to getanything done, this page will remainopaque as white pixels.It’s up to me, […]
10 Ways Writers Celebrate Spring
In the spring a writer’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. And murder. And family drama. And history. And alien worlds. And vampires with a three-legged dog, an unfulfilling career, relationship woes, and daddy issues. Here are ten ways writers celebrate spring. It may not do as much for their house’s curbside appeal as, […]
Perfect Writing Conditions and Other Fantasies
It happened again. I looked out my office window this morning, and there was no sign of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, palm trees swaying in a salt-tinged breeze, or seabirds swooping over frothy waves. Instead, I was greeted by my normal view of my Colorado neighbors’ houses, fresh snow dusting last week’s old […]
12 Things Writers Should Never Tell Themselves
It’s still January. Yes, that longest of months (187 days, by my count) is still with us, dragging its heels through the snow like a remorseless kid being towed to the principal’s office. During January (and its partner in crime, February) it’s easy to give in to cold, dark days. Cold, dark thoughts. Cold, dark […]
