This morning’s sunrise was a lovely lavender-pink and the sky is the palest blue. The a.m. newscast featured images of the flooding in northern Washington and British Columbia–the aftermath of the ‘atmospheric river’ that has drenched this region. More results of climate change that so desperately needs addressing. But I’ll stop preaching because I’ve got […]
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Thresholds and Turning Points =Escalation & No Turning Back
Outside my window the massive Douglas firs are swaying in the wind. We’ve got a ‘pineapple express’ blasting through the region. It’s a weather system, or atmospheric river, churning in from the south Pacific bringing warm temperatures and downpours to the already rain-soaked Pacific Northwest. In fact, there are now flooding and mudslides happening with […]
Read the rest of this entry »Quick Take: What’s the Worst Thing That Can Happen Next in my Novel?
Here’s an easy-to-use technique especially helpful for anyone writing a first draft. I’m looking at you NaNoWriMos. Fiction is many things, with carefully placed underpinnings that form the structure and happenings–from bumping into an old friend to dodging-bullets-exploits–written in scenes. Scenes are where change happens. Fiction is a log of sorts depicting changes occurring as […]
Read the rest of this entry »Cheryl Strayed on Grit, Healing, and the Writing Life
I’ve used the word grit more in the past few years than I have in my lifetime. And, alas, in the past few months I’ve needed so much grit and resiliency that I’ve had to dip deep into my reserves. I dare not run low. If you’re also needing more steel in your backbone, read […]
Read the rest of this entry »Basics for a worthy protagonist {aimed at NaNoWriMo writers especially}
Thousands of writers around the world are getting ready to buckle in for NaNoWriMo, an accountability community and method for writing 50,000 words during the month of November. Fifty thousand words of a novel, that is. No matter your writing level, your story needs a kickass main character. Now, I don’t mean you need a […]
Read the rest of this entry »Merriam Webster adds 455 New Words
English, the ultimate mongrel language, is always evolving. And word geek that I am, whenever new words are added to the dictionary I’m fascinated and excited. How about you? For example joining the party: whataboutism, amirite, digital nomad, and dad bod. Many words reflect contemporary circumstances such as long COVID, super-spreader, and vaccine passport. There’s also […]
Read the rest of this entry »Interested in working with me?
Hey writers, I’m a developmental editor and have a rare opening coming up on my calendar, that is time to work on a new manuscript. If you’re interested drop me a line via my email at jessicapagemorrell at gmail dot com. Will be happy to explain the process, pricing, and edit a sample so you […]
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