Allie Potts's Blog, page 3

Editing Tools For Writers

Writers, whether they pursue traditional publication under the writer-agent model, publish under their own name, or sign with a smaller imprint, need to edit their work prior to submission. However, while some authors believe their background makes them a grammatical expert, the truth is no one should rely on a single set of eyes. Unfortunately, … Continue reading Editing Tools ForWriters

Empty Chairs

There will be two empty chairs at our table this year. One, left just as the party was really getting underway. While the other wouldn’t have surprised me had he stayed well past closing time. Someone new will have to carve the turkey this year. Another to be among the first to nurse a glass … Continue reading Empty Chairs

Getting back into shape

I make no secret of the fact that I have a day job in addition to writing my novels. Some in the publishing community say it means I don’t take my dreams seriously enough. My children, however, have told me once or twice that they enjoy eating. As their voices are typically loudest in my … Continue reading Getting back into shape

The Book That Almost Broke Me

I did it. I wrote another book. Ok, in fairness, I wrote another manuscript. The book part will be a few weeks longer yet as it still needs to go through early reads, professional edits, and formatting. But I wrote another book. So what, you might be saying. You’re a writer — a novelist — … Continue reading The Book That Almost Broke Me

Invention of the Year: Kids’ Motion Sickness Goggles

My family has logged an inordinate number of hours this summer on various US highways, byways, and the occasional gravel trail. We’ve gone from the mountains to the sea and several places in between. I wish I could say all this travel was for fun, but sadly that’s not been much of the case. However, … Continue reading Invention of the Year: Kids’ Motion Sickness Goggles

Life is a beach

It’s been a while. I could explain, but I won’t. At least I won’t/can’t today. Taking a break from the heat (and maybe a few other things I am beginning to associate with June) I went to the beach with my family and my sisters’ families for some much-needed rest and relaxation (or as much … Continue reading Life is a beach

The Outdoorsy App: A Non-Review Review

The best part about the kids being in a scouting program is the excuse it gives us to get out into the great outdoors. The worst part about scouting is then sleeping out there. After a series of shivering through near-freezing nights and huddling under nothing but a thin piece of treated nylon during thunderstorms, … Continue reading The Outdoorsy App: A Non-Review Review

The one thing you can trust about SPAM is it never spoils

I made a promise. It was a promise I thought would be easy to keep. I was wrong. I told a friend that I’d wait to see Avengers: Endgame with her, and then she went and got sick, so now I’m having to go to some extreme lengths to avoid spoilers – like actually reading … Continue reading The one thing you can trust about SPAM is it never spoils

I Managed to See a Movie! (My Shazam Review)

A 30-second preview was all it took to convince my ten-year-old son that Shazam was a movie we absolutely, positively, had to see. It didn’t take much to convince me. I love superheroes. My other half… well let’s just say that the heroes he prefers to watch on the big screen typically prefer military fatigues … Continue reading I Managed to See a Movie! (My Shazam Review)

Oh, the joys of home ownership

Some writers prefer music in the background, saying it helps to get them in the proper mood. I’m not one of them. I get distracted enough by the random deer that walks by my window or hawk that lands in our new trees, so when one of the smoke detectors began chirping a few days … Continue reading Oh, the joys of home ownership