I'd say, A Lot.  Feisty Family Values is the name of my novel and I wasn't sure I liked it as well as its predecessor (Feisty Fossils).  The problem, I loved Feisty Fossils but it doesn't apply to the story any more.  The three main characters aren't all in their sixties anymore, only one, and the other two are in their fifties (like me).  I already started the sequel Patchwork Family so I pulled Family out and incorporated it with Feisty.  Now, where did the "Values" come from you ask?  Brainstorming.  The story is about relationships, love, family, friendship, and the value you find in them.  It fit, but I still wasn't sure.So I ran it by the Teckno Books contact and she liked it. I ran it by the Book Doctor who helped me revise my story and she liked it.  While some of my writing buddies who've been on this journey from the beginning (2000) like Feisty Fossils better, I think it's going to work.  I'm curious, what do you think?
BD

Well, it finally happened.  My novel Feisty Family Values (formerly Feisty Fossils) is being acquired by Five Star Publishing, the Expressions Line.  It's very exciting.  Interestingly enough, Five Star is in partnership with Tekno Books (a distributor) and share the process of publishing and distribution of books they acquire.  Right now I'm waiting on the contract, so stay tuned.

Write on my friends,BD

I recently read a reprinted article by Sloan Wilson in "The Writer" about How to Become A Writer. 

This article struck a chord in me like none other I've read recently.  I will try to do his words justice.

Sloan stresses that the writer must "feel" emotion deeply, be honest in what he writes - warts and all - "and that learning to be a writer is 9/10th learning to think and feel fully."  WOW.

When you think about it though, he's right.  You can't tell a story adequately and hope to find an audience. You have to tell it passionately and emotionally so it will connect to the people who read it.   Sloan says that this is the ONLY person who has a chance of learning how to write.  He also notes that "One shouldn't try to be a writer any more than one should try to fall in love.  The only good way to do either is in spite of oneself."

So, fellow writers.  We have to put ourselves "out there" in every word we write, knowing that we haven't hidden or lied about anything, and someone will come along and say - Man, I know what that's like.  Only in relating to our readers will we be successful and build a life as a writer.  Scary? A little. But, an awesome challenge and exciting to anticipate.  Now we just need to do it

Write on my friends,
BD