I feel like I’m about to be loaded into a cannon. Launch day (pun not intended, but completely embraced) is just 18 days away. My walls are covered with gigantic, easel paper sized post-it notes which, in turn, look like they’ve been shotgunned with traditionally-sized post-it notes. Each note has tasks to complete before either … Continue reading 18 Days to Launch
Category: Writing
Winner, Winner! Chicken Dinner!
Y’all! One of you won my Preorder Giveaway for Her Dying Day! You wanna know who it is? First, please note that my children drew this name. On Mother’s Day. Unwillingly. “Hey, get in here!” “Why?” “I need you to draw a name?” “For what?” “Does it matter? It’s Mother’s Day and I’m asking you … Continue reading Winner, Winner! Chicken Dinner!
How Following My Dream Made Me a Better Parent
As many of you know, I not only write mysteries, I also write parenting advice articles. I guess it was a natural journey. What bigger mystery is there than parenting?Deciding to write a book--really write a book and get an agent and get it published--was one of the scariest things I'd ever done. But I … Continue reading How Following My Dream Made Me a Better Parent
Valentine’s Day is Over, but Romance is Year-Round
I used to scorn romance novels. Until I read one. WOW. They were not what I was expecting. Well, I mean, they were kind of what I was expecting. But they were also so very much more. I decided to give one a try after I'd heard an interview with a romance author on a … Continue reading Valentine’s Day is Over, but Romance is Year-Round
My Word for 2022
Wow, 2022 has come in smacking everyone six ways from Sunday, hasn't it. Snow, extremely cold temperatures for the East Coast, and I think everyday has see a celebrity that was an integral part of my childhood dead. Also, I'm "slimming" so I'm steadily working my way through a tub of salad greens and have … Continue reading My Word for 2022
Word for 2021
There are many words I could use to describe 2021. Fraught. Joyous. Ulcer-inducing. Satisfying. Awful. Perfect. It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. However, I'm writing today about my Word of the Year. It's a word with meanings and qualities I'd like to focus on or have as goals fro … Continue reading Word for 2021
Gifts for the Writers in Your Life
Everyone has a writer or an aspiring writer in their life. I was that person for my family for the last few years. Thoughtful writer gifts can help to lift the cloud of imposter syndrome that hangs over the heads of every writer who is struggling to get published. (For a little while anyway.) As … Continue reading Gifts for the Writers in Your Life
I was on the #AmWriting Podcast
You. Guys. I was on a podcast. Not just any podcast, but a podcast I've been listening to since I first decided I wanted to take this whole "writing thing" seriously. The #AmWriting Podcast with KJ Dell'Antonia, Jessica Lahey, and Sarina Bowen. The hosts are successful writers in their own right in different genres of … Continue reading I was on the #AmWriting Podcast
Copy Edit Season
One year ago this week, I began writing Her Dying Day. I'd flown to Bangor, Maine to participate in a writer's retreat. I'd never done anything like that before. I was nervous. As a mystery writer and true crime aficionado, part of my brain was telling me that trekking out into the woods where I … Continue reading Copy Edit Season
Writing the Book is Only Half the Job
This week, at the end of a marathon writing sprint lasting 3 days and producing over 9000 words (but the rough draft of Book 3 is DONE!), I was given some new, fun stuff to do by my publisher. I'm not talking about simple line edits. The first fun thing was an author questionnaire. It … Continue reading Writing the Book is Only Half the Job