For those writers who do not receive the daily email from QueryTracker, I want to share news of a new book just released and available at Borders and Amazon.com - THE WRITER'S GUIDE TO PSYCHOLOGY: How to Write Accurately About Psychological Disorders, Clinical Treatment and Human Behavior.

The author, Carolyn Kaufman, whose doctorate is in clinical psychology, is a former psychotherapist and currently a full-time psychology professor at Columbus State…

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Today I have to be in a "killing" mood. Sorry. That's just the way it is.



Good thing it's rainy and windy outside. Don't think a bird would have a chance holding its own. Even the squirrels and chipmunks have gone to ground.



The water is churning on the lake. Not a duck or loon in sight.



Perfect day to write a thriller scene - an entire chapter if I can stay in that place I have to go - see and feel that must be seen and felt. It may take days. For sure, there is… Continue

This past week has been a challenge with temperatures in the very high 90s. I will admit, 96, 97 degree days with or without humidity drains everything out of me, creativity, happiness, the ability to even sleep or desire to eat. (And that's a hard one to whip.)



Nights don't seem to bring any respite and so, upon rising I am even more tired, if possible, than I was when falling on the bed the night before. In truth, I can not imagine living in the deep south. Just watching old film… Continue

Ever have the phone ring right when you're in the middle of writing an inspired passage? Me, too. The benefits of caller ID helps decide if you're going to pick up the phone or let it go to voicemail. Telemarketers usually hang up when the voicemail starts up. (I really do not like telemarketing and in spite of registering with the "NationalDoNotCall List", they still call - usually during the dinner and national news hours.)



So yesterday, when in the middle of the current novel… Continue

The pilot program for MWA University (otherwise known as MWAU) was held at The Writers' Center on Walsh Street Saturday, August 14. Co-sponsored by MWA's national Board of Directors and the Mid-Atlantic MWA Chapter, I'm so pleased I was at the First MWAU. THIS was a learning experience unlike typical writers' conferences.



The presenters (and teachers) were Jess Lourey (author of Murder-by-the Month mysteries and a tenured professor of… Continue

This writer has often wondered at the irony of the conflict inherent in certain pat phrases we become accustomed to over time. Phrases like "Law and Order", "Peace Officers/Keeping the Peace and Law Enforcement", "Corrections and Rehabilitation" just for a few. Think about it.



The LAW is constant changing. ORDER is rather static. Maintaining Law and Order is not always compatible. It is somewhat like the age-old story of "the haves and the…

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The last several months I have been submitting large sections (50+ pages, double spaced) of the first of my Susan Edmonds series for review and critique to the Writers Group. This is quite an assignment for the group since those who don't write novels usually submit short memoirs or articles of no more than six pages double spaced. Writer #2 who also writes novels used to submit thirty or so pages but she now submits 50 or so pages. No one seems to object to the size of the weekly…

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