Tanara McCauley

Culturally Imagined Stories

Tag: writer

  • Deleted Scenes

    Ever watch the deleted scenes of a movie? Better yet, ever watch the deleted scenes of an animated movie? If you’d asked me that question ten years and three kids ago, my response might’ve been an incredulous, “What on earth for?” Nowadays, however, it’s an all-wise sounding, “But of course.” In the world of writing (an…

  • With Eyes Set Ahead

    Writing is…well…hard. The temptation to quit lurks at the crosswalk of every failure, around the corner of any rejection, and along the alleys of each hard-to-write story. It’s not when the temptation confronts me, but when I actually entertain it, that I’m given a way out of the temptation with a message that speaks exactly to what…

  • NaNoWriMo: A Novel Goal

    Image courtesy of Just2shutter / FreeDigitalPhotos.net I’m amped. And not from pilfering candy. My blood is buzzing through my veins because, in little more than an hour, I’ll lay aside inhibitions, excuses–and a small portion of my sanity–and join thousands of writers around the world on a mission to write an entire novel…in one month.…

  • The Research Pill

    A novel starts off with an idea. If the idea is a good one, it takes root, causes a sort of anxious excitement that makes my fingers itch and stirs up feelings for these yet-to-be-developed characters. I can spit out the first chapter in no time. Maybe even plot out the whole story in a…

  • The Elevator Pitch

    I wrote this almost a year ago. Now that my story is finally ready for the pitching stage, I thought it appropriate to share again :-). The elevator pitch. In the writing world, it’s a short summary of your book that can be told to a prospective agent/editor/publisher in the time it takes to get…

  • Seven Books in Seven Weeks Drawing Results

    Thanks to all of you who followed along and participated in my Seven Books in Seven Weeks reading marathon! I had a great time and read some great books because of your recommendations. I also enjoyed your comments and some of the emotional turmoil we shared. All that was missing was the ability to share…

  • Three Sisters and the Clan at Four Sisters Café

    How to get eighteen people aged 5 months to 75 years well-dressed and smiling for a family photo? Feed them first. My dad raved about the new restaurant Four Sisters Café in Roseville, CA for months, telling my sisters and I, “Just wait until you taste their food. You’re gonna love it.” Despite the praise, which my…

  • Dancing on a Cloud…of Relationships

    Dancing on a Cloud. It’s not what I’m actually doing, just the name of the tea I’m drinking; and how I feel after spending a few weeks wrapping gifts, eating good food, reliving past times, and driving the open road. And though I love being home in Arizona, there’s a certain euphoria to zipping my jacket all the way…

  • And the Winner Is…..

    Thank you to everyone who participated in the Truth or Fiction Tuesdays Short Story Series! The votes have been tallied and a random winner has been electronically selected. Before I announce the lucky winner, here are the results of each story in order of appearance: Eyewitness Testimony: Fiction Starting Over: Fiction The Atheists, The Agnostic,…

  • Angel with a Gun – Truth or Fiction Story 7

    We’ve reached the last installment of Truth or Fiction Tuesdays! If you’re new to the series and would like to participate in the giveaway click here for more information. Angel with a Gun “Don’t worry, okay,” Kenny said, “Rod knows what he’s doing. We’ve done it before.” Sienna threw him a sideways glance then looked again…