Tag Archives: writing

Find me now on Substack

Writing, , ,

You may be wondering who I am. After all, it’s been a while since I’ve last posted. I assure you, at one time, you volunteered to receive my posts, which I sincerely appreciate. Perhaps it’s time to reintroduce myself.

That look? The Husband loves to take pictures of me taking pictures. I finally caught him at it. It’s also a look I seem to give a lot these days.

Back in 2013, I published Folsom’s 93: The Lives and Crimes of Folsom Prison’s Executed Men; ten years later, I’m working on an extensive rewrite with a new press. My editor politely, but firmly encouraged me to start using Substack, so now I am politely (sans pressure) letting you all know where you can find my posts these days. It’s free to follow along and all of my posts are free to read; check out How I got here, which provides a more extensive update on what’s been happening.

About two months before my last post in May of 2020, I had completed a first draft of a young adult novel but the uncertainty of those early months of covid zapped my creativity. A month after my last post, I went back to school and 22 months later, earned my degree in criminal justice, a topic I’ve been studying for about fifteen years. I guess I was ready to make it official. (And you know, covid, with all of its well, now what should I do? glory.)

I’m also back in Colorado after a couple of years in NYC and it feels pretty darn good. The “kid” is now the Twenty-Five-Year-Old and The Husband is still The Husband–the ageless wonder (albeit new shoulders and knees).

The first of many Guinnesses during an epic Ireland & Northern Ireland trip in the spring.

Anyway, if you’d like to continue to get reacquainted, read about criminal justice issues (past and present), and stay posted on the rewrite of Folsom’s, head over to my Substack–I’d love to see you there. As always, thanks for the support over the years.

Oh, and this is Frida, currently curled up with her hippo.

Who doesn’t like a puppy pic?

R: Riverside Park & Routine

2020 A to Z Challenge, , , , , ,

A to Z Challenge: My theme this year is NYC before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RIVERSIDE PARK: When I visited NYC for the first time with a friend in 2013, Riverside Park was the first place we went to. Our mutual friend, who at the time, lived on the Upper West Side, took us there. The scenic waterfront park runs along the Hudson River between 129th and 72nd Streets. It was a beautiful August afternoon with surprisingly low humidity and we walked from 91st Street all the way down, to Christopher Street, close to 4 miles.

At 330 acres, it’s a gorgeous park and you may remember it from the final scene of You’ve Got Mail. The park includes Riverside Avenue, a boulevard lined with trees, shrubs, and flowering plants.

Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park (just one of many) came up with the initial design for the Park and wrote in 1873, “[Riverside park] presented great advantages as a park because the river bank had been for a century occupied as the lawns and ornamental gardens in front of the country seats along its banks. Its foliage was fine, and its views magnificent.” Eventually, his vision for the park fell to the wayside after being ousted as parks superintendent. Other designers came in, but no single plan made up the park, prompting Olmsted to write, “in many important particulars the design had been mangled,” because of steep terrain hindering recreation, and many of the trees blocked views of the river. Olmsted’s offer to help with design was declined. For the next several decades, the park’s development faced numerous challenges from redesign, outdoor sewage problems, coal emissions from trains, garbage dumps . . . the list goes on. It’s had its ups and downs, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that things started to look up and cooperatives combined to create the Riverside Park Fund. It’s now a city landmark housing several monuments and other historical structures. From the park, you can take the riverfront Esplanade that extends for miles in each direction (and say hello to New Jersey).

ROUTINE: I like having a routine, so for me, it’s not a surprise that I’ve been trying to stick to one since being quarantined. Before all of this, my routine involved going to Ninth Street Espresso, my neighborhood coffeeshop, at around 8:00 a.m. and writing until noon or 1:00. It got to the point where I didn’t even need to verbally place my order of an oatmilk latte and pastry (alternating daily between the apple turnover and scone–talk about routine). After writing all morning, I would maybe do some drawing, or head over to a park to stretch the legs, or into the city to check out a museum. I really, really miss that routine. I miss seeing the usual coffeeshop crew and getting my writing groove on. I hope that not only does the coffeeshop survive this disaster, but that the employees and fellow regulars are doing well and that I’ll see them soon.

Without much else to do, I probably have more of routine now than I did before. During the week, I tend to workout in the morning to get it over with, then I make my latte (our espresso machine has never been so busy), and I write for a few hours, followed by some copy editing I’m doing for some friends. By late afternoon I’m sick of being in front of the computer, so I read or pass time working on a puzzle. Then I make dinner and we watch some TV. On weekends (after the latte and maybe a workout) The Husband and I might make a big breakfast, listen to some podcasts or music, and play a game like Rummikub or Yahtzee. (Note: if you’re looking to order dice, make sure you check the quantity. I don’t what happened, but we now have a bag of 100 die.) Anybody need some dice?

Because COVID-19 has taken a lot of things away, I refuse to let it steal something I can control. I want to be able to say I accomplished some things during this time, and without a routine, those things will never happen. How are you passing the time? Have you found it difficult to have a routine? Or is that the best part?

A Two-Year Update

New York Minute, ,

A recap of the last two years: played director for Northern Colorado Writers ; wrote very little; traveled some; sent a kid to college; traveled some more; sold NCW; and moved to Brooklyn.

There. You’re caught up.

Oh, and I’ll still be directing the 2019 NCW Conference this May 3-4, but after that, I’m done directing anything other than my writing and my husband.

After nearly 42 years in Colorado I traded mountain views for a Manhattan view.

Seriously.

I truly thought the biggest change in my life over the past few months would be switching from a PC to a Mac. (That really is throwing me for a loop.)

While I’ve been to NYC many times, and even spent October through December here last year, this lifelong Colorado lady has a lot to learn about city life; about apartment life. Going from 2700 square-feet to just under a 1000, was an adventure (Oh! the marvel that is Facebook Marketplace).

We’ve only been here a week and it took just a day to be called out as transplants. “Where you from?” the sales guy we had been working with asked. When we said “Colorado,” he nodded. “Yeah, I knew you guys weren’t local. You’re too nice.” And who knew water chestnuts aren’t a thing in Brooklyn? (Oh! the marvel that is Amazon Prime).

So you’ll be hearing from me a bit more regularly as I chat about my discoveries and insights as that Colorado bumpkin in 11E. I’ll also be working on my long-suffering YA manuscript that I hope to complete this year.

So anyhow, I hope you’ll follow along on my journey. I promise to keep my posts short and to-the-point, the New Yorker way. Look for my New York Minute posts–they’ll take a minute or less to read. Usually.

Northern Colorado Writing News

Conferences, , , , , ,

Registration for the 12th Annual Northern Colorado Writers Conference is January 9, and I couldn’t be more excited about this year’s lineup. This time last year, when I took over directorship of NCW, the only thing we had done for the 2016 conference, was a secured venue. About six weeks later, we had most of our faculty set, but I was minus a few brain cells. I was so jazzed about the 2017 conference, that I got to work early on it and once again, we have a stellar conference on our hands. It also allowed me plenty of time to continually annoy Chuck Wendig, until he finally agreed to be a presenter and our keynote speaker. Now, I only annoy him once in a while.

This year, attendees will have more opportunities to get their work in front of literary agents and editors because not only do we have twice as many industry professionals as last year, we’re offering a critique session in addition to pitches. I’m still working on a lot of details, but you can view the SCHEDULE and check out our FAQs page. We would love to have you join us!

Also, there are a few new classes NCW is offering in February. Chuck Barrett, a bestselling, self-publishing extraordinaire, will be spilling all his marketing secrets on February 7. Chuck gave an abbreviated version of this class at last year’s conference to a packed room of attendees. It was one of the highest rated sessions last year.

Yours truly will be offering a class on how to publish your family history or memoir on February 12. Publishing options can be confusing and intimidating for writers, so for those who aren’t writers, but want to leave their legacy, or that of a loved one, the process can be daunting. That’s where I plan to blow the cover off this whole writing thing and show it’s not that hard after all. (Well, you know, sort of.)

Rachel Weaver will be teaching Get Your Opening Chapters Submission Ready  (perfect if you’re ready to query or pitch to an agent) on February 26. This is a 3-hour workshop that will help you polish those opening chapters when an agent or editor requests to read more.

I’ll be adding a few more classes, so check the site periodically for updates. I also want to let you know about Ultimate Pitchfest, a one-day event in Denver where writers will have the chance to pitch to 24 different literary agents via video chat. This is a great event and had a pretty darn successful inaugural event last year.

Happy writing!

2016 Northern Colorado Writers Conference April 22-23

Conferences, , , ,

2016 Conference-Banner

I haven’t done a very good job of keeping this blog updated, but as the new director of Northern Colorado Writers, I’ve been up to my eyeballs in conference planning. Our 11th annual conference is around the corner, but you still have plenty of time to register. You can even register for one day, or just a separate Master Class. Our keynote speaker is bestselling author Grant Blackwood who will also be teaching a workshop—lucky us! And you! This two-day event will boast over 30 workshops taught by award-winning authors and industry experts from all over the country. Grant Blackwood

Plus, who doesn’t want to visit Fort Collins?! It’s the land of beer, bands, bikes, and books! (and quite a few beards, it seems) Come for the inspiration and chance to get your work in front of a literary agent then enjoy a local brew.
FTC beer

And look at this gorgeous program! 90 pages of presenter handouts and other writing information you’ll refer back to again and again.

Writing the Range

In other news, I’ll be at the Denver Woman’s Press Club Networking Event this Saturday, April 9th from 2:00-5:00. This will be a great opportunity for writers to hear from writing organizations along the Front Range and do some networking and mingling. Bring those business cards! You never know who you’re going to connect with. 
Denver Woman's Press Club Networking Event

Happy writing!

Bobbing on Sale

Book Promotion, Books, , , ,

Bobbing for Watermelons by April J. Moore

Check it out: Bobbing for Watermelons is on sale at Amazon for $10.95 (Kindle: $5.99). Want to try before you buy? Read the first four chapters for free. 

SAVE THE DATE: On January 9th, I will be joined by my fellow Hot Chocolate Press authors at Bookbar in Denver for a night of readings, games, and giveaways. (We all decided I will talk about my melons.) I’ll post more info soon.

Have a great weekend.

On the Rebound

Life Moments, , ,

According to Hindu philosophy, animals eventually will reincarnate into people, but only if the animal has no fear of humans. This can only happen if we are kind to them. How many times have we heard someone say that their dog or cat thinks it’s a human? Some Hindus will tell you that that’s because their pet is in fact, ready to be a human in its next life.

I can get behind that.

Last month, we had to say goodbye to our eight-year-old boxer after he sustained a sudden illness. I believe the only thing Moe felt differentiated him from a human, was that he took a heartworm pill every month. I have no doubt he will become a handsome and charming human and will love long walks on the beach. (Think Ryan Reynolds.)

So of course, we knew we’d miss his exuberance when we came in the front door; miss taking him for his daily walk; and miss his goofiness, especially when an exercise ball freaked him out. But as the days and weeks have gone by, I felt his loss is unexpected ways:

Nearly-empty jars of peanut butter get rinsed with water instead of being licked clean before going into the recycling bin.A dog and his peanut butter

Eating popcorn without being watched, feels unnatural.

The mail sits in the mailbox at the end of the cul-de-sac for days at a time now because we no longer go on an evening walk and often just forget to pick it up.

Bringing groceries into the house is anti-climatic because the excitement radiating from this child-with-fur whose waiting for a surprise out of one of the bags, just isn’t there.

The wood floor in the kitchen has an annoying shine because the dried drool marks are gone.

I never thought I’d miss dog farts, nose prints on the glass door, and floating dog hair in the air.

I knew it’d be lonely, but holy crap, I had no idea. The Husband and I work from home, so when he went away for a work trip, I wasn’t fully prepared for the deafening silence. Even a tank full of fish or a lava lamp might have helped. Or dare I say . . . a cat? My neighborhood is full of free range felines and I have found myself keeping a lookout for them. I’ve fallen for a beautiful black one with white paws and green eyes that actually showed me some affection.

I know he’s no good for me. I’m allergic. But would it be so bad to let him come in and walk around? Snuggle a little? I could wash my hands and use a sticky roller on my clothes later . . . I could take an allergy pill. I’m all about protection.

Yes, I’m on the rebound. I’d take in a squirrel if it showed signs of domestication.

I know, just get another dog, right? First of all, it’s too soon. Second, with our son likely leaving the nest in about two years, The Husband and I would like to do some traveling for months at a time, so having a pet wouldn’t be a wise decision.

But . . .

In 2007, Moe picked us out when we came to look at a litter of seven boxer puppies. I believe he did that because he knew we would be his best chance at becoming a human in his next life. There’s no guarantee we won’t get another dog sooner rather than later, because when a dog picks you, you have no choice but to scoop him up and take him home.