#amwriting

Stories To Share

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

As writers, we want to know our stories are being read and enjoyed by others. We love to see a comment or even a “like.”

For me, short stories are an excellent way to unwind and learn about the craft.  When I come across one I find particularly engaging, I like to share it – pay it forward. 

Here are some of the most recent stories I’d like to share with you -enjoy.  If you like them as much as I did – pass them on and be sure to reach out to the author.

  1. WOW Winter 2016 Runner-up: The Shower by Catherine Fitton
  2. Norwegian American Magazine – Lily of the Valley by Jessica Laine-Mork
  3. The Writers Newsletter – Dying to Meet You by Jane Risdon
  4. Every Day Fiction – Black Friday by Lucy Mihajlich

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Join the conversation. Talk to me or tell me your story. I’m all ears.

Another Great Tool for Writers

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 19 Comments

We’ve all used Google maps to get from point A to point B, but have you ever considered using it as a writing research tool?

Neither had I,  until reading the guest post on Writer Unboxed by Camille Di Maio.  

Remembering details is not my strong point. My brain seems to have more holes in it than a sieve, and my memory is worse than a gnat’s life span.

I didn’t inherit the sense of direction gene, either. I’d get lost in my driveway. So, as you can imagine, having access to the right tools can make all the difference. It’s the same when writing.

Whether the location and setting of your novel are imaginary or based on a familiar place, details do matter.

Think about the things you can do with Google Maps – Visualize streets, intersections, terrain, transit routes, lakes, and rivers and you can see all of it via satellite, live, or in 3-D. Now, we’re talking!

Let your imagination run wild; happy researching and be sure to check out Camille’s post, Google Maps the Writing Tool that No One Knows About

 

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Join the conversation. Talk to me or tell me your story. I’m all ears.

A Tribute to Mothers

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 16 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day!

It seems like only yesterday I was up every two hours feeding, diapering, and trying to coax by babies to sleep. Aww, those were the days! Who needed sleep?

Becoming a mother helped me discover talents I never knew existed. Here are a few of which, I’m sure, you can relate (feel free to add to the list):

  1. Learning to enjoy group bathroom time! They’ll find you every time!
  2. Acquiring supersonic hearing – “I heard that!”
  3. Discovering my hips had more function than sashaying-  “That child’s attached to your hip.”
  4. I didn’t need the gym – I could bench press a toddler, diaper bag, umbrella stroller, blankie, stuffed toy, purse, and a bag of groceries at once.
  5. Gained new language skills both in interpretation and expression – “No, Mommy did not say that word!
  6. Could out multitask any CEO! Cook dinner, wash a load of clothes, pick up toys, and play peek-a-boo while reading  War and Peace – a piece of cake!
  7. Discovered new uses for baby powder – who knew you could go a week without showering or washing your hair! Hello, Johnson & Johnson!
  8. Learned more about poop than I ever cared to know – including, that s&%t stinks, it won’t singe your skin, it floats, and is damn hard to get off the walls.
  9. Forgetting to answer to my real name – who the hell are you talking to? My name’s mommy!
  10. Secretly admiring the passion and tenacity with which those little bundles of joy pulled the strings – especially our heart-strings.

I’m exhausted just remembering. Mother’s are the hardest working humans on the planet. My hat is off to each one of you and to my girls, all grown up – you are my greatest treasure and every moment was worth it.

And, to all, you mother’s looking for a bit of reprieve or just a stroll down memory lane here’s a little tribute.

Happy Mother’s Day.