One of the questions I get asked most often, by those who read my blog, is: “Veronica, why in the H do you hate Hemingway so much?” The answer to this question is as complex as my love of awkwardness. I hate him because I respect him. Also, because I feel like he probably never […]
In this business, the siren call of relatively vibrant plant life is a genuine and daily hazard. Ridiculous, you say. What does she mean, you ask? In laymen’s terms, we say “The Grass is always greener…on the other side of the fence.” Sounds simple, even silly. But in my opinion, it’s truly one of the […]
I saw this today while I was updating my personal Goodreads profile, and I was like “OMG I’m in the top FIVE!!?” And THEN I looked at the top part and I was all, “Oh. That’s only for reviewers posting from the tiny tropical island I live on. Riiiiiight.” (Fail.) This, children, is why it’s important […]
First of all, if you’re unaware of what I’m talking about, MSWL is publishing code for MS (or manuscript) Wish List. Created by literary agent Jessica Sinsheimer, this social media / multimedia phenomenon essentially turns publishing upside down, in a good way. Here’s how I would describe it: Instead of a bunch of writers sitting […]
This might be the greatest quote in support of romance as a genre that I’ve ever heard. Nay, not a genre. A lifestyle. Here is a link to the original post, which is SO worth reading.
Soul searching, Cannot find map. Legs have gotten tired, Eyes burning with unshed, Unwanted tears. How long was this road an hour ago? A year ago? Ten years ago? Am I really lost, Or am I reluctant? Am I tired, Or am I depressed? Am I wandering, Or am I listless? What […]
Today’s snippet is about those damn shiny, happy people. Via Writer’s Digest: Here’s the link to the entire/original post.
I had a friend in high school who used to live by the phrase, “Nothing good ever happens in August.” I really do mean that, literally. For one month during the summer, every single year, if you called her up and asked her to hang out…go to the movies…go camping, whatever, she would simply respond […]
In baseball, everything begins with a pitch. Based on the outcome of that pitch, you can usually begin to see the direction the game will take. Will the batter score a home run? Will he strike out? Will the first baseman catch the ball on a pop fly? After the pitch, anything can happen. From what I’ve […]
I was going to write a post about SEX. But then something came up. (No punnuendo intended.) And the something that came up so perfectly grasped the point of this post, (Definite punnuendo here) That I decided to combine the two. In the form of slam poetry. So. Here we go. *** Inspiration. Oh sexy, […]
CAUTION: Extreme Mush Alert!!! This doesn’t happen with me often. I promise. But since today is a special occasion, I’m gonna take a second to be wildly romantic (not to mention gooey) and post something that probably won’t appeal to most people. (I hope it doesn’t come off as braggy or obnoxious, but if it does I truly apologize. […]
So your story has ISSUES. That’s why you’re revising it, right? Here’s some expert advice on how to fix those issues of yours. Issue #2: STORY STRUCTURE What is it? In its most basic form, story structure has been described by many as “the bones” of your story. The skeleton, or the scaffolding, if you […]
So your story has issues. That’s why you’re revising it, right? Here’s some advice from the experts on HOW you can fix those issues. Issue #1: PACING What is it? Speed. Momentum. Getalong. The pace by which your story goes forward. What’s wrong with it? “A key ingredient of proper pacing is balance,” author MaryAnn […]
Welcome to my new(est) blog series, SEVEN QUESTIONS with SUPER INTERESTING PEOPLE! Today’s 7Q features debut autor Maryann Kempher V: Tell me about yourself. MK: My family moved to Reno NV, where Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder is set when I was 15. I currently live in Florida with my husband and two children, two dogs and one cat. […]
Disclaimer: It’s ridiculous how often I find myself equating writing with dating. But just when I think I’ve exhausted every clichéd romantic analogy, another one rolls up in an Oldsmobile Cutlass and camps outside my window, hoisting a boom box. (Sigh…) It’s futile, you guys. Writing and romance are inextricably linked. We’re just gonna have to GET […]
Remember when I said I’d never written a romance before? Well, I just recently realized (as in, earlier today) that I’m STILL not writing a romance. I’m writing a cationary tale. Here’s a little excerpt: Oliver kissed Dahlia with everything he had. Maybe because he was getting used to her pulling away, and he wanted […]
I was inspired to write this by a comment on the last post, wherein Jaye Robin Brown mentioned “second half of life intentions.” I’d been meaning to blog about this for a while, but well…in an ironic twist of irony, I kept putting it off. (Author’s note: sometimes when blogging, I am intentionally redundant. Just go with […]
I’ve never tried to write a romance before. In fact, I used to promise–quite vehemently–that I could never take myself seriously as a romance writer. Not because I don’t have a TON of respect for other writers in this genre, but because, well… I’m the kind of girl who’s never been able to watch a love scene […]
As most writers know, rejection is a very large–and very important–part of what we do. For me, it’s actually (and I know this is going to sound totally insane) one of my favorite parts. Not because I find it pleasant, (“how do I find thou lacking, let me count the ways….”) but because I’m one of […]
She wanted to lose it, and *spoiler* it got lost. I’m a bit dubious about the details, though. Sue me.
Inspired by Originality (Or lack thereof) Writers complain about a lot of things. Some might say that it’s an important part of what we do. Dickens liked to complain about class inequality. Hemingway complained about the improbability of lasting true love. Poe complained about some damn bird that wouldn’t leave him alone one night. All […]
Okay, so the title makes this sound a bit like a cereal ad. And I should probably mention that there isn’t really just ONE secret to writing a good query letter, or any letter for that matter. But here’s one thing I can give you that is practically GUARANTEED to take your lackluster, form-rejected query […]
Hey guys! Welcome to my new (sometimes) Sunday Blog Series, V Reviews Books and/or Movies in 20 Words or Less. (The title is a little unwieldy. I’ll work on that.) Enjoy! WARM BODIES review, by V: Expected nothing from the book. Expected little from the movie. Was pleasantly surprised by both. Brains.
This month, I’m embarking on a somewhat NaNoWriMo-like goal of completing my current WIP within a single month. MARCH MADNESS. This is like NaNo, in that it requires strict attention to time limits, but it is unlike NaNo in that there isn’t a word count, it’s not limited to just writing goals, and there are PRIZES. […]
VP Anderson 
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