Fave Photos: #onthetrail with Sloan

Posted on July 11, 2017 by SloanParker

In the past year and a half, my wife and I have become obsessed with trail hiking. It’s a peaceful, quite time for us to rest our minds, take in the beauty of nature, and even have important life chats when we’re in the mood to discuss something that’s been on our minds. Being out more often in nature has also boosted my creativity and productivity. I can’t recommend it enough for writers or other creative types. It’s a wonderful way to fill your creative well.

Here are some of my fave photos from our trail journeys, in no particular order:

I love seeing deer.

A woodchuck hanging out on the rocks.

One of my favorite trails.

Video I Love: Pin-tastic Portrait

Posted on March 9, 2012 by SloanParker

This week at my publisher’s group blog, Loose Ends, I blogged about this wickedly cool video (below), the common questions I get asked by non-writers, and what I celebrate about being me. Stop by and share what you celebrate about yourself.

They saw a swing set. I saw a dinosaur.

Here’s the video if you just want to check that out:

Or you can watch it at YouTube

Have a good weekend!

Brainstorming Retreat – I needed this!

Posted on September 24, 2010 by SloanParker

I just finished working with my editor on Breathe, and we’ve sent it off for line edits and proofing. Perfect timing too because I’m spending today and the rest of the weekend at a writing retreat with a group of fellow romance writers who are some of the most creative, fun people I’ve had the privilege of hanging with. Today we are all writing and doing a bit of brainstorming. Tomorrow is our meeting and a full day of brainstorming to help each other with plot points and new story ideas.

I need weekends like this. I spend a lot of time in my writing cave, and it’s good for me to send time with others who know what it means to be a writer. Who get why I’m crazy sometimes. Who get the need to spend hours working on rewriting chapter 1. Who understand my dreams and disappointments.

Here are a couple of quotes already heard during the first half of the day:

“I can’t help it if your crack was in my face.”
“artificial immaculate insemination”
“We should have brought a blow up doll.”

I’m getting a little worried. Who knows what will happen once we dip into the booze.

Have a great weekend!
Sloan

Quote I Love: Plotting is like sex

Posted on September 22, 2010 by SloanParker

“Plotting is like sex. Plotting is about desire and satisfaction, anticipation and release. You have to arouse your reader’s desire to know what happens, to unravel the mystery, to see good triumph. You have to sustain it, keep it warm, feed it, just a little bit, not too much at a time, as your story goes on. That’s called suspense. It can bring desire to a frenzy, in which case you are in a good position to bring off a wonderful climax.”

– Colin Greenland