Writing – Page 3 – Jan Sikes

October 28, 2018

Unsolicited Advice for Writers

I saw this in a Facebook post and thought it was so appropriate that I had to share. The author is unknown, so I can't give proper writing credit, but it was shared on Tamara Saviano's FB page. 1. Keep your eyes on your own paper. Do not ever, ever, ever, ever compare yourself to …

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October 24, 2018March 3, 2026

Writing-Marketing: The Balancing Act

I didn't write this post, but it was such a GREAT one that I absolutely had to share. There was not a re-blog button on The Book Designer's blog page, so I did the next best thing. I hope you get as much from this as I did. We all struggle with this balancing act …

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September 2, 2018

Taking a break?

Or is it? Are you like me and feel that you have to work like a Trojan workhorse every day, day in and day out? But what happens when we do? I can only speak from my own personal experience. Creativity all but comes to a screeching halt I find it hard to shut my …

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September 8, 2017March 3, 2026

CD Review – Sam Baker

CD REVIEW SAM BAKER – LAND OF DOUBT Independent Release Central Texas music artist, Sam Baker has released his fifth album, Land of Doubt, produced by Neilson Hubbard. What you’ll hear on Land of Doubt is stunning, beautifully arranged strains of chords and melodies with lyrics deeper than the roots of an old oak tree. …

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July 7, 2017

Family – Broken pieces

We all have issues within the makeup of our families that don't always play out the way we'd like. This seems especially true with adult children and spouses. But, in the story I'm writing, my character, at the age of twenty-six, discovers the man who raised him and whom he believed to be his father, …

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February 18, 2017March 3, 2026

Do what you love!

I am thrilled it when inspirations come out of the blue. I have a feeling I will get lots of them living in my new place. But, I digress. The thought I had was this, "Do what you love. Love what you do." "How?" you ask. We all have to do things in life to …

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December 24, 2016March 3, 2026

HANDS – A #Christmas Story

A heavy blanket of snow covered the city. The commute had been brutal and after finally arriving at my office building two hours late, I hurried across the street to the front door.Homeless people are not an uncommon sight in the city. We become immune to them after a while. Why don't they just get a …

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October 12, 2016

How many ways can you say ____?

I am super excited to present this workshop to the Panhandle Professional Writers Group in Amarillo, Texas next month. Bi-Monthly Meeting November19th Jan Sikes How Many Ways Can You Say ____? “He walked.” Really? Do you know there are over 115 ways to describe the way a person walks? Why should you limit …

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