Novel Concepts

The themes and lessons so to speak, that show up in my books are more a reflection of my own deep and fundamental values, things that I feel are important, beliefs that I have that I need my characters to share.

Fly By the Seat of Your Pants

Plotters plot and pansters fly by the seat of their pants. I have done both in many genres of writing, including both fiction and nonfiction, and let me tell you–I will never be a pantser.

Proper Application

I have found, over the last nearly three decades, that technology is a double-edged sword.

We have a thousand programs and applications meant to make our lives easier, but how often do those programs and applications end up simply taking the time we would otherwise use to complete those same projects or chores?

Hello Rejection, My Old Friend

Well, this is it. This is the part of being a writer that sucks so much worse than the movies show. This part hurts.

Begin in the Middle

I think there are times when a prologue is helpful and times when it isn’t, and I know not everyone agrees. That said, you’ll want to keep some things in mind when starting with a prologue.

Now, Where’d You Learn How to Do That?

As writers, we are always striving toward a better understanding of the world and the people in. Whether that means we put ourselves into unique situations intentionally or that we are writers specifically because we are drawn to those weird situations, the end result is the same. Here are a few weird, wild and odd talents and skills I’ve picked up over the years.

The Peddler Cart

Making something out of nothing is my jam. It’s also the reason I keep and collect things for I’ll-get-to-it-later projects, why I gather bits and bobs for my photography feeds, why I have more stacks of muffin tins than I can fit in the oven all at one time.

Here at the top five odd, weird and fun things I collect:

Silence is Worth a Thousand Words [#MFRWAuthor]

For a blissful moment, all is silent. And then, as if the harpies of Hades have decided to torment the frustrated writer just a little bit longer, there is a scurry of nails. And another, until a full on squirrel orgy/disco/gladiator match is in swing in the rafters above my head.

Books Reflecting Life

When I tell people I write romance novels, I get myriad responses. By far, the ones I find most offensive are those people who ask,

Do you ever want to write real books?

Yeah. I do want to write real books. That’s why I write romance novels.

Reading and Writing Is Living

I sometimes wonder how I would react to true tragedy. As a Type A creative with a Gemini star sign and enough anxiety to power the grid at least for a day, I wonder this probably more than I should. But the answer is always the same–I would read my way through. I would write my way out.