Vigilant Silver Fox

Many partners get involved in taking a document from a writer's imagination to an electronic or a printed page. Among the unnoticed participants are the beta readers.

Wikipedia defines a beta reader as those who read a written work, generally fiction, with the intent of looking over the material to find and improve elements such as grammar and spelling, as well as suggestions to improve the story, its characters, or its setting... Beta readers are not explicitly proofreaders or editors, but can serve in that context. Elements highlighted by beta readers encompass things such as plot holes, problems with continuity, characterization or believability; in fiction and non-fiction, the beta might also assist the author with fact checking.
These individuals are critical to the writing process. They help a writer get his or her head out of the story. The information provided to the writer is plentiful and nurturing to the book as well as the author. To insure a successful beta reader exp…

"Poetry is the echo of the soul. It is God speaking through us." Honor yourself and write a poem.” — Pat W Coffey



April celebrates an form of expression attempted by writers throughout the ages - Poetry.  My personal writing journey began with poetry. The first writing award I received was for a poem written in high school about the fear of graduation.  Poetry allowed me to write emotional events in a short hand of descriptions and phrases. No parameters, just thoughts, emotions, and words filling the page with adolescent fury.

Every human is capable of a poem because poetry offers multiple forms of expression, from a haiku to a sonnet. Poetry has something to offer for everyone. Take some time this year and awake the poet within your soul. Be still, listen, inspiration is all around you. Write a poem for your self. It will make you wonder what else you are capable of doing.

The following women are part of my writing network. We don't see each other on a regular basis, nor do we talk or text one another each day. When wee meet we shared our love of writing and support each other. This diverse group of women who are making history with their writing. Yet, they had time to answer an email or have a cup of coffee. These colleagues assisted me with my research, helped me conquer my fears, and gave me suggestions based on their experiences in the e-publishing and self-publishing world.         We all wonder if those conferences and meetings are worth it. Interacting with authors does pay
off.  Amy Jarecki ( Capture by the Pirate Laird (Highland Force) Volume 1)and The Highland Henchman (Highland Force) (Volume 2) and I met at my first Writers Boot Camp. She is an award winning writer with experience in the traditional and self-publishing world. She has been encouraging and helpful during my writing quests. She has strengthened and confirmed some of t…