Lorraine Sigle

Photograph by jphilipson, PhilipsonPhotography.com

This is Our World; Let's Take Care of It

I love the environment. I've been reading a lot of books about Climate Change and write about what a future world might be like if we don't get serious about carbon emissions.

According to scientists' calculations, we need to keep our carbon emissions at 350ppm to keep our environment at a livable level. Unfortunately, it has already climbed to 400ppm. We are already seeing increased temperatures, severe storms, floods and drought - especially in the west.

A Little About Me and the Writing Process

Writing a novel is a messy business because I had only a vague idea of where the story was going and knew nothing about story structure. Fortunately I connected with a terrific editor, Teresa Crumpton.

If you are a reader who would like to become a writer, I suggest reading, Scene & Structure by Jack M. Bickham, and other books on writing. When you have written something you think is publishable, find a good editor like Teresa.

And be prepared to take criticism.

You may not always agree with your editor - it is your book after all - but give the suggestion careful consideration. You may even find that the criticism is correct, but you find a new approach that is not what your editor suggests, but it puts you on a new and better path.

My background is poetry which begins with words dancing around inside of me begging to get out. Once they do, I can use my intellect to shape them. It seems I need the novel to come out of that obscure place before I can shape it into something coherent.

My Mother used to quote poetry to my brother and me when we misbehaved. Of course we didn’t consider her recitation punishment. Mother had a throaty alto voice and the poems she memorized were interesting. Her repertoire included: The Pied Piper of Hamlin, The Highwayman, My Last Duchess, and parts of Evangeline.

It may have been those cadences that settled inside of me and initiated a love for words.

Writing is hard work, but immensely satisfying.

I'd love to hear from you. Write to me and I'll write back.

Here is a writing-craft book
I highly recommend!

Scene & Structure
by Jack Bickham

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