The Saturday Edition – What We’re Writing and Reading

Welcome to a new feature here on Live to Write – Write to Live: The Saturday Edition – What We’re Writing and Reading.

We’ve had such a great time getting to know you that we thought it was high time we shared more than just our thoughts on the craft and business of writing. So, starting today, we’ll be taking a little detour on the weekend to share some of what we’re up to with our writing (when we’re not here) and what we’re into with our reading (around the web). We’ll also pull back the curtain a little to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what went into a piece.

We hope you enjoy this little diversion and encourage you to share your own posts and picks in the comments.

Happy writing! Happy reading! 

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 Jamie Wallace: 

What I’m Writing:

In 2007 I started blogging at a little site called Maya’s Mom which was bought by Johnson & Johnson and became part of their top parenting site, BabyCenter. I blogged there for a couple of years alongside a lot of wonderful and very talented mom writers. Today, I’m the head writer and editor-in-chief for Fans of Being a Mom. This week, I posted Nooks and Crannies. I wrote it at the local coffee shop while waiting for my daughter who was at karate class. After a few false starts, the piece just sort of tumbled out of me – a nice trick when it works.

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I also write a column for my local paper. These short essays are some of my favorite pieces to write because my lovely editor gives me free reign with my topic selection. I wrote this piece during the blizzard a few weeks ago. My daughter wanted to go out and play which got me to thinking about how snow looks through the eyes of a child vs. the eyes of an adult. The piece I wound up with is The Transformative Magic of Snow.

Finally, I had the pleasure this week of writing a post about happiness for my friend Jayme Soulati. The piece is part of her Happy Friday Series and asks the question, “Should life be serious?” Too often we equate seriousness with intelligence when, in fact, a good sense of humor is often the best predictor of a person’s smarts.

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What I’m Reading:

•  8 New and Necessary Punctuation Marks via @CollegeHumor – Fabulous and fun grammar geek humor. 
• Melanie Writes: My Journal is my Secret Weapon via @MLConklin – Loved this behind-the-scenes peek at a middle grade/young adult author’s writing process.
• 3 Reasons for Writers Blog & 3 Reasons Not To by @Aliventures & @seotraining via @thecreativepenn – Hello, reality check!
• Seven Ways Writers Can Build Online Authority with Google+ by @demianfarnworth via @copyblogger  – If you’re checking out Google+, this is a great resource.
• The Shackled Writer by @TheJackB – Real, honest, asking important questions. Loved it.

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Lisa J. Jackson:

What I’m Writing:

A recent new endeavor is writing for the American Express Business Center about aspects of owning and running a small business. Two articles published to date are Creating a Robust 2013 Budget, and Using and Implementing RSS Feeds. I’m always posting new author interviews at my Reviews and Interviews blog. And because of my 2013 commitment to a critique group, I’m breathing air back into a mystery novel I started a few years back. Feels great!

What I’m Reading:

Fiction: I’m getting up-to-date with J.R Ward‘s paranormal books. Just got current on her Fallen Angels series as I wrapped up reading the latest, book 4, “Rapture,” and 1 more to read this weekend in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series, “Lover Unleashed.”

Non-Fiction: I’m about to start “Editor-Proof Your Writing: 21 Steps to the Clear Prose Publishers and Agents Crave,” by Don McNair. I’m reviewing the book and then hosting him as a guest at The Writer’s Chatroom in April after the book releases.

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Diane MacKinnon:

What I’m writing:

I post weekly to my life coaching blog, Healing Choices. Recently, I posted Not My Business, and Perfection is Impossible. One of my favorite posts is one I wrote back in October, 2011, (when no one was reading it!) so I’ll post the link here, in case you’d like to read it.

I’m also working on a number of longer writing projects. I’m really focusing right now on a short story for a contest and (possible) publication. I’m excited about it because I’m working with a great critique group now and I have a lot of what I hope are good ideas for the story.

What I’m reading:

Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, by Robert Emmons.

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed To Be and Embrace Who You Are , by Brene Brown

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Susan Nye:

What I’m Writing:

I do a lot of food writing, including my blogAround the Table. Every Tuesday I share a story and recipe. The stories vary from memoir to advice, musings or tips. This week I share the ins-and-outs and a recipe for Traditional Cheese Fondue. I lived in Switzerland for many years and early on I learned certain rules apply when eating fondue. On Thursday or Friday I incorporate the recipe in a seasonal menu with links to more recipes. Just in case you’d like to throw a Fondue Party, I’ve got you covered.

My column – Kids in the Kitchen appears every month for Parenting NH. I just finish the April installment. In the meantime, you can read the March edition. It’s all about Maple Syrup and Maple Weekend as well as a few sweet recipes.

What I’m reading:

Among other things, I like to follow food and philanthropy news and regularly check in with the Huffington Post. Coffee addict or not, you might find the first in a series on How Coffee Can Change the World interesting.

One of the students in my memoir writing class recommended Citizens of London by Lynne Olson. I’ve just started it but recommend it as well. Well written and researched, it tells the behind the scenes story of London during World War II and three American expatriates – former NH governor John Gilbert Winant, industrialist W. Averell Harriman, a railroad baron and journalist Edward R. Murrow.