Arlene Hittle

Category: Stories

  • Choices: A chance for conflict

    My writing output seems to drop in direct correlation to any increase in blog reading. That’s a problem, I know — but if I don’t take the time to read a few blogs, how can I expect anyone to read mine? Besides, if I stopped reading, I’d miss out on gems like this one from […]

  • Vocabulary lesson

    The hero in my WIP, Cody, has a tendency to use big words and shrink-speak when he’s upset, angry or flustered. (There’s a reason he has a T-shirt that says “I’m fluent in psychobabble.”) It turns out Cody and I have that in common. Now that I’m writing fiction fairly regularly, I notice myself trying […]

  • Upping the ante

    We had a write-in/brainstorming session at Starbucks this afternoon before work, and I lamented the fact that I’ve only written about 600 words since the end of NaNoWriMo. I’ve had days when I want to write, but the simple fact is this: I’m stuck. The (finished) NaNo novel has been shelved, and I’m attempting to […]

  • Writer’s roller coaster

    An e-mail arrived in my inbox today with the subject line: “Your Submission: …” Since I was at work at the time, I had an argument with myself. “You can’t open that! You’re supposed to be working,” the me with the Midwestern work ethic said. (It’s the same me that never calls in sick because […]