Category Archives: fiction writing

Promoting Your Book

Posted on November 19, 2022 by cmwriter

The Friends of the College of the Desert Library hosted an Author Reception for me at the historic Shadow Mountain Golf Club in Palm Desert, California. For me, this meant talking about my short story collection Creek Songs. My time … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Books, fiction writing, International Book Awards, National Indie Excellence Awards, personal essay, Reading, short story | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Newspaper Article about Creek Songs

Posted on September 19, 2022 by cmwriter

The local newspaper of the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area is The Desert Sun. On Sunday, September 18, 2022, Creek Songs and I were honored to be the subject of an article in the Arts and Culture Section, written by reporter … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Books and E-Books, Creativity, e-books, fiction writing, Finding Ideas: The Creative Process, Inspiration, International Book Awards, Looking for Inspiration, National Indie Excellence Awards, personal essay, Reading, short story, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Good News

Posted on June 10, 2022 by cmwriter

I’m happy to announce that Creek Songs has been named a National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist in the “Fiction: Short Story” category.

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International Book Awards

Posted on June 5, 2022 by cmwriter

I’m happy and honored and humbled to announce that my short story collection Creek Songs has been recognized as a Finalist in the “Fiction: Short Story” category of the 2022 International Book Awards. There were thousands of entries from all … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Books, fiction writing, International Book Awards, Reading, short story, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“A Brief Interruption” Goes Live

Posted on May 23, 2022 by cmwriter

The Palm Springs Writers Guild hosted its Member Appreciation event recently featuring readings, books for sale, food, and fun. Mellow jazz played in the background as members and guests mingled, browsed the book offerings, and noshed on self-serve goodies and … Continue reading →

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Writing about Art

Posted on May 21, 2022 by cmwriter

A painting can inspire a writer to paint with words. This “word painting” could be a poem, a piece of flash fiction, a short story, or perhaps even a novella or novel. A painting by artist Marlis Gray brought about … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, fiction writing, Finding Ideas: The Creative Process, flash fiction, Inspiration, Looking for Inspiration, Reading, short story, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Valet Wisdom & Writing

Posted on February 22, 2019 by cmwriter

The other day while waiting for my car to be retrieved by a valet, another valet who was waiting for new arrivals engaged me in conversation. It was one of those quick philosophical talks about life, its whimsies, its tricks, … Continue reading →

Posted in blogging, fiction writing, Finding Ideas: The Creative Process, Inspiration, Looking for Inspiration, personal essay, Reading, short story, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Writers’ Workshops to the Rescue

Posted on November 8, 2018 by cmwriter

I’m continually looking for writing tips, techniques, and approaches. I’m forever searching for ways to become a better writer and be inspired. Sound familiar? As a result, I attend conferences and workshops, read articles and books on writing, listen to speakers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Creativity, fiction writing, Finding Ideas: The Creative Process, Inspiration, Looking for Inspiration, novel, Reading, short story, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Lucky Seven and Writers

Posted on April 2, 2018 by cmwriter

I’d never seen the word shichifukujin until I read author Dan Brown’s thriller Digital Fortress. Granted, there are many words I haven’t seen or read, but this one intrigued me. Brown simply revealed the shichifukujin were the seven deities of … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Creativity, fiction writing, Inspiration, novel, Reading, short story, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

When Your Story Setting Chooses You

Posted on March 4, 2018 by cmwriter

You may have visited or lived in a place you knew would become a setting for a story you had yet to write. A place that spoke to you in not only a visceral, emotional way, but also in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, blogging, Books, Creativity, fiction writing, Finding Ideas: The Creative Process, Inspiration, Looking for Inspiration, Reading, short story, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments