About

Small headshotI’m Monica, a New York bred, D.C.-based lawyer trying to write a novel. It all started here (although I explain the whole thing a little better here).  I have very strong opinions about how women and minorities are portrayed in books, television and movies and discovered that blogging is a great way to express those opinions.  So I would say Illegal Writing posts are split between that and my noveling struggles.

I also am a regular contributor for The Write Practice, where I blog every other Monday.

In 2014, my unpublished novel Lessons from Robin was chosen as a Marlene Award Finalist by Washington Romance Writers and an Abalone Award finalist by the Cultural, Interracial, and Multicultural Special Interest chapter of the Romance Writers Association.

Finally, if you’re wondering who drew my awesome cover photo, the answer is the extremely talented Ross Boone, a friend I met during a retreat hosted by The Write Practice.

To reach my non-legal writing self, please shoot me an e-mail at illegalwriting@gmail.com (I’m checking it now!!)

12 thoughts on “About”

  1. Hi! I stumbled on your blog when I was researching what exactly a scene was, and though I haven’t quite figured it out yet, I’m grateful for that frantic google search. Your blog is amazing! I am a junior at university in New York preparing for law school and an avid reader and writer. Before your blog I always wondered if I could do both law and creative writing or if I’d eventually have to choose one, and now, thanks to you, I see that it is possible to do both!
    I am too working on a novel and am having such a hard time writing, I’ll definitely be turning to your blog for help!
    great job and good luck to you!
    Destinee

    Reply

    • Aww, thanks for the note!! Yes, I think you can write a novel while being a professional (in fact, I think it’s good to be exposed to different people, fields, etc) BUT novel + first year of law school is probably impossible lol. 2nd year maybe- 3rd year probably. Good luck!!

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  3. Hi Monica! Just came by your blog by way of The Write Practice. I’m a writer that lives in the DC area too so just wanted to introduce myself. You have a nice blog. I read your post about being interested in Chick Lit…have you ever read 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter? It’s one of my favorite Chick Lit books (I think it’s chick lit at least 🙂 ). I also really like Anna Maxted. I’ve been slacking on my blog, and in the midst of redesigning it so no judgement lol but just wanted to pop in and say “hi”.

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  4. I’ve recently graduated from Law School and I’m currently studying for the bar. I find your blog interesting, but I was wondering if you could post more about juggling a legal career while trying to get a writing career off the ground. As you have mentioned, their are a lot of lawyer writers, but no blog out there is addressing how these two jobs work together or against each other. I think you have a good platform to do that and I’d be interested on your take.

    Just a thought,
    Regular Reader and Bystander.

    Reply

    • Oh thanks! Now that I’ve been more in the waiting stage than the writing stage it hasn’t been as much of an issue so I haven’t written about it as much lately. I definitely had to be more disciplined to get the first drafts and edits in. I sorted my posts that discuss lawyering under “lawyering” category (or legal stuff- something like that). You may find some posts there. Generally, I look at t like exercising. An outlet that I sometimes dread doing but I try to stick to the routine because I always feel better after! Lol

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  5. Hi!! I’m a NYC educator, writer, and entrepreneur. I stumbled on your blog as I was searching for reviews of the Snowflake Method software. I was excited to read your review and to confirm that it is a purchase worth having. I then went and read some of your other posts. I appreciate your time and effort you have put forth with this great blog. Thanks!! Dianne 🙂

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