Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 46
January 29, 2018
Writing Marathon
Last week I participated in a writing marathon with a writing group. The daily goals were broken down by word count and chapter revisions: Half-marathon: 1k words or revise two chapters Marathon: 3k words or revise five chapters Triathlon: 5k words or revise seven chapters My goal was a daily half-marathon with the hope that […]
January 28, 2018
The Healthy Writer by Joanna Penn and Dr. Euan Lawson
Four Stars I found several helpful tips for being, not just a healthy writer, but a healthy person. This is a resource to go back to for motivation and advice throughout life. I would argue that anyone with a sedentary occupation would benefit from the recommendations within this book. I gave it four stars only […]
January 26, 2018
Roughing It
Rough drafts are rough for a reason. There are grammatical mistakes, plot holes, and low word counts. I’m telling myself this today. I need the encouragement because I just finished the rough draft for my second novel. It’s bumpier than a dirt road layered with ice and snow. But, here is what I am reminding […]
January 25, 2018
The Perfect You by Dr. Caroline Leaf
Five Stars For this personality-type-enthusiast, The Perfect You by Dr. Caroline Leaf provides what few other resources do. It is a comprehensive, scientific approach to self-analysis based on the premise that we are created in God’s image. To some degree, we all possess the aspects of the seven modules described in this book. The goal […]
Writing Essentials
You know you’ve had a busy day when you are heading out the door again and grab your power cord only to leave your computer behind. Fortunately, I had my notebook and a green pen. I was able to write out another chapter from my novel between events. We might think so, but computers aren’t […]
January 23, 2018
Snow Days
Yesterday a blizzard blew through my area. It was a bit frightful to go outside, so I stayed in. What a great opportunity for writing! Weather can provide opportunities to write, but some forecasts are better than others for certain writers. Snow days keep us cozy inside pondering how to weave treacherous conditions into our […]
January 22, 2018
Green Pen!
The green pen and notebook did the trick!
Writing Sprints
Writing sprints are a great way to get words written down on a daily basis. Make it fun! I did sprints during the football halftimes on Sunday. Other times could be While waiting for kids to finish lessons or sports After putting dinner in the oven (the timer is already going!) During lunch or a […]
January 20, 2018
Switching It Up
I was bemoaning my lagging enthusiasm for completing the last few chapters of my next novel’s rough draft to my mom today. “Do you always write on the computer?” she asked. I do. But, lately I open the file and slump in my seat not feeling at all like writing. “What if you write in […]
January 19, 2018
The Address by Fiona Davis
Four Stars The Address by Fiona Davis is an historical romance-mystery. With The Dakota in New York City as the backdrop, it connects a family of characters with scandal and murder. Readers will appreciate the twists-and-turns of this novel that spans one-hundred-years. Violence, language, and historical adaptations aside, it is an engaging, well-written book.
