I recently sent my fourth middle grade novel to my agent, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. Even if it never evolves into anything beyond a collection of pixels on my laptop, I’m amazed it exists. But now I’m in a book hole, debating which of several different writing projects to dive … More Cutting and Pasting the In-Between
[No one]: I wonder if Maria will ever make a new blog post. [me]: I’m so glad you asked! [Literally everyone in the universe]: [me]: I can feel your anticipation and enthusiasm. It’s electric! [Literally everyone in the universe]: [me]: For today is the day I shall post to this poor, neglected blog! Friends, a … More Pitch Wars Life
In the last couple years, I’ve become pessimistic about the future of humanity. Every day seems to bring something else to worry about, some new and terrible demonstration of man’s inhumanity to man. I know, I know. Even tens of thousands of years ago, people thought the world was coming to an end, and those … More How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Idea of a World Without Humans
I spent much of 2017 blissfully engrossed in a writing project, code named/acronymed WANA. Below are the first 15 of the 60 or so collages I made while writing the manuscript. I hope they make you smile. 1. Cara’s goal in life 2. Parents lounging in the hammock 3. A Knowledge Mine worker 4. Cara en … More W.A.N.A. Collages
There are times when you’re be-bopping along at work, getting things done, crunching numbers like a boss, and then you give your computer a command, and it’s all like, “Hmmmkay, Imma have to stop you right there.” “See, I was up all night with a crying software update, and you just keep asking me to … More The Lyric of my Wednesday
All of you musically talented people out there, listen up. This is not a joke and not a drill. Things are getting serious now. I know that your fingers might be sore and calloused from all that strumming, your vocal chords might be raw from singing, and that your heart may be heavy with discouragement … More A Call to Guitars
Warning: this post contains graphic descriptions of heavy metal and violent images that may not be appropriate for young children and vegetarians. To say that I dislike the music of Metallica would not be wholly accurate. I can respect their talent and abilities, but when I hear them, I can feel myself begin to change … More A Medal for Mysterious, Music-Induced Moods
My dad recently dipped his toe into the time-drowning ocean of social media, and the thing that seems to surprise him most is what some people share online. During our visit last month, as we talked about the things that get posted on Facebook, he asked, more than once, “Why would anyone want to put … More Merit Badge in Oversharing
Maria Linn 