#mandi bean

Have you seen the new adaptation of Stephen King's THE STAND? Let's talk about it after you read, "On disappointing adaptations."

I think I’ve made it clear that Stephen King is one of my favorite authors of all time. Honestly, he’s probably my favorite. I read King and only King for y e a r s. I traveled all over New England to hear him read and speak about writing – to New York, to Connecticut, to Massachusetts. I stalked him in Maine. I mean, “stalked” seems like a harsh word, but I did end up outside his home, where I…

Photo by Leah Kelley on Pexels.com As you know, I’ve completed the manuscript for Lightning Strikes and I’ve been querying (and being soundly rejected by) literary agents ever since. I’m trying to stay positive and one of the best ways to do so, in my opinion, is to start working on a new project. I’ve done all the research so I just need to get writing. That’s the trick to all writing, isn’t…

Photo by Rodolfo Quirós on Pexels.com On this day six years ago, two literary agents requested full manuscripts of my novel Moody Blue, which ended up being published by GenZ Publishing. That publication journey took at least five years and that should be a lesson in patience and perseverance for me, but I’m still impatient and rejection still stings. I’ve sent 95 query letters to literary…

Miracle Maddie Maddie Girl completed her treatment at NeuroCytonix and we landed safe and sound just after 11:00am in Miami. It was a long, difficult month, but I’m sure it’s going to be all worth it in the end. Writing Life I recently was rejected by two more literary agents. BUT I wrote over 2,000 words for my new project. So I guess it’s really all about balance. I’m sorry this post is so…

In a week, I’ll be back on American soil and I’m really, really looking forward to it. Being in Monterrey for a month has not been easy. I’m not here on vacation, but for my niece to receive treatment for her severe, anoxic brain injury. Her mood determines everyone else’s mood. She’s been tolerating treatments well and there’s been plenty of laughs, but we miss the family. Everyday is the same…

April’s coming to a close and so is National Poetry Month. I wish I had done more to celebrate in my classroom, like a poetry unit or the “Poem in my Pocket” activity. I wish I had written some poetry. But, I am proud to say that I found a poem for My Favorite Friend. I thought long and hard about their favorite shows and music and decided to send: "A Paper/ A Person/ A Promise" by Dr. Earl…

I'm feeling restless? Is it because Spring is almost here?

I’m feeling restless. Maybe my transitory lifestyle for the vast majority of the last two years has made a permanent alteration to my brain chemistry. But as I’m too broke to travel at the moment, I think I’m ready for my next writing project. I have a couple of ideas percolating, so as I try to narrow it down to a single focus, I thought I’d share some great tips on getting started that I found…