I have read almost all writing books available; attended conferences; paid for writing classes; and taken my favorite books apart–looking for character arcs, plot, pace, and even punctuation (especially early on). I attended college for nursing and worked. It was the stories that the patients told that intrigued me. I worked in elder-care.

Just like writing; nursing required more than nurturing and caring for people. It was forms, paperwork and left little time for what I really wanted to do-make a difference. I am disabled now and all I have left is “my words”. I get frustrated trying to do all the things a writer is supposed to do besides write and hone craft. Anyway, I wanted to encourage all those who feel like they need or failed because they did not get a degree in Journalism (technique is not like fiction writing), English or Creative Writing. Today is all you and I have-so learn something. Anything.

I’m reading about plant foraging for food, the craft of making buckskin, tracking and snares and traps. Why? I have a YA book that I am working on-a new project. Even though it will be dystopian fantasy-I want to know more about primitive survival.

Okay Coffee break! Peace!