About Sarah

I am a communications specialist who dabbles in design, photography and seo.

One Girl’s Charcoal Grilling Adventure

How to Grill a Burger Without Your Guy, But Still Show Him You Love Him

Last night I lit a charcoal grill and cooked burgers for the first time ever. Now, I’ve helped with prep work before. But, the hubby has always been the one to get the grilling honors. In fact, he’s a bit of a mad scientist when it comes to his charcoal grilling or smoking techniques. Whenever we’re at parties or at the in-laws he’ll regale everyone in sight about his most recent grillin’ adventure.

This works out for me as I love to eat. He cooks. I clean. It’s a good arrangement as I’m OCD and he’s not. Sadly, however, my chef has been away on a business trip all week. Tuesday was the perfect weather for grilling. I thought about it, but didn’t. You ever have those days? Then, when Wednesday night turned out just as nice, I decided it must be a sign from the grillin gods.

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Middle Grade Author Margo Dill On Writing Historical Fiction for Kids

Cover for Finding My Place by Margo Dill

Cover for Finding My Place by Margo Dill

I’m excited to introduce to you middle grade author Margo Dill. Her historical middle grade novel Finding My Place was published by White Mane Kids this past October. In addition, she also has a picture book accepted by Guardian Angel Publishing and another by High Hill Press. She is also the memoir editor for High Hill Press. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her husband, stepson, daughter, and dog—Chester, a boxer.

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The Unexpected Rewards Gained From Crossing the NaNoWriMo Finish Line

If you’re anything like me, you’ve always wanted to give National Novel Writing Month a try. However, life just keeps getting in the way. Work. School. Family. To-Do lists. Vacuuming. Facebook.

Nanowrimo winner badgeThis year, I decided enough was enough. I gave myself permission to put writing first for 30 days. Five days ago, I crossed the NaNoWriMo finish line with 3 hours to spare and 1,214 words above my target.

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I was tagged in “The Next Big Thing”

Last week, I was tagged by Margo Dill to play a game going around the interwebs called “The Next Big Thing.”

Here’s her original post. Per the rules, I must answer ten questions about my current novel because it is the next big thing and then tag five other writers/authors. I was supposed to post this on Wednesday, but its late because I was busy attending my critique group that night and then Thursday was my birthday. So, here it is, now Friday.

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My Interview with Jane Friedman, former Writer’s Digest publisher

The interview I’ve looked forward to the most at the Missouri Writers’ Guild conference blog is finally posted! My interview with Jane Friedman, who has an assortment of publishing industry credits including former Writer’s Digest publisher, is posted!

Just while researching my questions, I learned so much. That caused me to worry, though. How was she going to add anything more to the interviews already out there. How was I going to think of questions that allowed her to add new thoughts to the conversation?

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‘Participating’ in a Children’s Writing Contest

I was recently asked to judge my writing group’s annual Children’s Contest for 3rd and 4th graders.

We received167 entries from children in St. Charles County schools. Thankfully, I didn’t have to read all the entries. My critique partner Camile Faye was the contest chair. She, a former college English professor, and two retired elementary school teachers read through the entries and then each sent me their top ten.

For three days I received new entries in the mail. Like presents wrapped in manilla envelopes. Those were three days of happiness. Then I realized I had to pick a winner. Great gnashing of teeth ensued.

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Behind the Books with Literary Agent Ann Behar

I recently did a Q&A with YA literary Agent Ann Behar with Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency, Inc. She receives mostly fantasy and scifi queries because she said of her agency’s track record of success with authors like Terry Goodkind, Arthur C. Clarke and Mercedes Lackey. However, she is interested in all good writing:

“…if a book is extraordinary, I don’t care if it’s about faeries, dragons or stamp collecting. A great writer can make any subject gripping.  So, a fantasy or science fiction novel would have to have three-dimensional characters that I come to care about immediately, a detailed, fascinating world that makes me feel as if I am a part of, and a tightly structured plot that holds my attention from the start to finish.”

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In the Interest of Fairness

I have decided over the past couple years that working a day job in Corporate America will better prepare you for rejection as an aspiring author. Especially if you’re a woman.

Last night, I watched a Season 3 House marathon while doing a marathon of dirty laundry and folding. The gist of House is basic: somebody gets sick, then House cures them while being a jerk. To keep the story interesting there’s always a subplot that runs over multiple episodes. The subplot over these episodes was a quarrel between Dr. Cameron and Dr. Foreman.

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