Meet Betsy
Welcome to my virtual studio. As both a writer and designer, I’m driven by a curiosity about the world. In my studio, I take that curiosity and use it to create new worlds. I write for kids and adults as well as a good deal of freelance non-fiction. Explore to find out more about me, my books, and my thoughts on writing as well as the thoughts of friends who stop by the studio. If you’ve got something you’d like to share reach out to me through the contact form. I’d love to hear from you. Scroll down to read what’s been happening in the studio.
Writer’s Toolbox: Table of Contents Plug-In
If you think a Table of Contents app sounds like the finishing touch for your writing project you’re very much mistaken. This interactive document organizer is essential to how I build my drafts and manage my editing process.
Writer’s Toolbox: Slides & Number Generator
This is the first of a new series on writing tools and resources. In this, we highlight Google slides, number generators, and coin flip as tools for getting your ideas organized and flowing.
Practice Writing
Free writing, or practice writing as Natalie Goldberg refers to the exercise in Writing Down The Bones, is one of the best tools for writers of all levels from the person looking to write their first piece to the seasoned writer needing to break through an endless block and reconnect with their lost or forgotten muse. Timed prompt-writing never fails to jump-start one’s creative flow, lead a writer to discover their voice, or strengthen the voice already in place.
Pick Any Direction
“It doesn’t matter what you pick, just choose a definite direction and go with it until you realize it’s wrong. Then go in a different definite direction.”
If the idea of picking a direction seems obvious, consider the hours you’ve sat staring at a blank screen trapped between whether your main character opens the door to the basement or not, says yes to the date or slaps the guy, breaks down into tears or throws a plate at the wall. Maybe you try to do both and end up with something middling and half-baked. Maybe you chose, then waiver. You write a page, second guess, delete back, make the other choice, waffle, delete, go back to the first. Then you think of a third choice and the cycle begins again.