It is rose season in my little desert town. Tonight I got out for a walk at sunset. And like Beauty’s papa from the fairy tale, I was sorely tempted to steal roses. This rose especially.

It smelled so good. Nothing like an heirloom rose. I could take it and say it was an accident. I was just reaching up to smell it, and I accidentally snapped it off. I don’t know my own strength. I am so sorry. I’m promise to give it a wonderful home on my table. It will be very happy in my prettiest bud vase.

I almost took the it with me.

But bad things happen in fairy tales when roses are taken without asking. So I didn’t take it. I breathed in deep. I took a picture. I walked on and thought about a favorite story from a new (botanical) angle.

Walking never fails to inspire me. I love clearing my head with a quiet stroll. Also love how plots untangle and scenes build themselves into place when I go for a walk. What do you do to push past a block or get the words going?

Hi there! So glad you stopped by. I’m Amelia. I wrote SMOKE, STEEL, & IVY. It’s a steampunk, fairy tale, myth, YA, fantasy, romance, and I am swimming through the deep waters of revision as we speak… Or, erm, read. I hope I get to share my revision in time for #AMM. Cheering me on …

I know for a fact that writers love gifts. And while some gifts (representation, publishing, abundant 5 star reviews) are beyond my abilities, a resource center of well tested goodies for writerly improvement is not. Last month, I asked some of my writing friends to recommend writing resources for the aspiring/querying writer. They had some …