Category Archives: Goal Setting

This is Gary

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

Read how one Gary native is using her influence and resources to revitalize Gary, Indiana in a massive vision called This is Gary, Continue reading →

Posted in Goal Setting, history, Interview, Social Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Gary, Indiana Preservation Tour

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

I’ve always been interested in the history of my hometown. Even as a lifelong resident, I enjoy hearing the juicy factoids about the city’s past, and still feel the stories would make an historical tour not only possible, but interesting. … Continue reading →

Posted in Goal Setting, history | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Rugs and ADHD

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

Originally posted on Bob Moulesong — Author & Writer:
On occasion, I have been asked why I chose to write about a squirrel that bounces in place, runs in circles, can’t stand still, and occasionally yells “run for your life!”…

Posted in Goal Setting | Leave a comment

Steel Mills and Tommy Guns: Gary, Indiana and the Prohibition Era

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

Gary, Indiana doesn’t quickly come to mind when one thinks of the Prohibition Era in the Midwest. Chicago, Al Capone and the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre are more obvious choices. I’ve heard stories that Gary’s close proximity to Chicago gave those … Continue reading →

Posted in genre writing, Goal Setting, history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Suicide Squirrels and the Writing Retreat

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

  After a writing friend mentioned how she would use the winnings of a recent contest she’d entered to attend a writer’s retreat and reading about writing retreats in an issue of Writer’s Digest, I wrote about creating my own … Continue reading →

Posted in Goal Setting | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Integration Situation: The 1927 Emerson School Boycott

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

As a special education teacher, I said I would never write a story about teaching or schools. But in researching the history of my hometown of Gary, Indiana, I discovered rich–and sometimes infamous–stories about not only the city itself, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Goal Setting, history, Social Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

7 Steps to Creating Your Own Writing Retreat

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

While discussing my upcoming writing conferences with one of my critique groups, a friend mentioned how she would use the winnings of a recent contest she’d entered to attend a writer’s retreat. I’d love to do something like that. Imagine … Continue reading →

Posted in Goal Setting, Writer Conferences, Writing advice, Writing Technique | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

A Swift Kick in the Pants: On Considering Self-Publishing

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

I recently facilitated a local book launch event. I was honored to serve in that capacity because 1)I’m excited about all things literary, 2) the event was sponsored by my sorority, so of course, I said yes, and 3) I take … Continue reading →

Posted in Goal Setting, Publishing, Writing advice | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Boost Your Writing Creativity by Not Writing

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

The Indiana Writers Consortium recently posted a question on Facebook: What are the top five important pieces of advice to give someone to boost their creativity in their writing? I offered my five: 1. Read as many different genres as … Continue reading →

Posted in Critique groups, Goal Setting, Writer blog, Writing advice, Writing Technique | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Just Us

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Michelle McGill-Vargas

Originally posted on Short Fiction Break:
Getting Roger inside my house had been the easy part. The ethereal sweetness of a freshly baked lemon poppy seed coffee cake wafting through my kitchen window was all it took. Like every morning…

Posted in Goal Setting | Leave a comment