Hello there, blog readers! It’s been a bit. A year and a half? Sorry about that. There’s a bit more of a writing update in my newsletter, which I revived a couple of months ago. Check it out here. But today, I’m heading back to the roots of this blog, which was all about book…
What I Read in 2024
Happy New Year’s Eve! It’s time for my annual reading recap! I’m never quite sure until I look over my reading for each year how it will stack up against previous years. It turns out 2024 looks pretty similar to 2023. As of this morning, I’m at 88 books, but I might eke out one…
What’s That Other Character in the Scene Thinking?
Happy September! Does it feel like fall yet where you are? Here in Missouri, we’re at the stage where it’s cool in the morning and evening, downright cold overnight, but still hot in the middle of the day. I’ve resorted to switching the HVAC from heat to air conditioning. September marks the third anniversary of…
The Comfort of A Familiar Story
How is it July already? 2024 sure is flying by! I’ve been on quite a reading binge lately. Currently I’m re-reading a series of ten adult historical romances that are all connected. It’s part of my effort to go through my existing catalogue of books and decide which I’ll keep to read again and which…
Coping with Rejection
During World Read Aloud Day, a student asked me: Have you been rejected before and how did you deal with the disappointment? First of all: Unfortunately, rejection is part of life as a writer. It’s extremely rare for an author’s first published novel to also be the first book they’ve written, particularly in traditional publishing….
The Character Cringe Factor (Or, Why Won’t They Just…)
It’s the second Tuesday of May, which means my newsletter is out! You can read it here or subscribe to ensure you never miss one. I often include subscriber-exclusive giveaways. This week I’ve been musing on frustrating characters. It started because my teen reader was venting to me about her most recent re-read–and the fact…
Why Characters’ Traumatic Experiences Sometimes Feel So Real
Imagine planning your vacation for months, counting down the days. You set your alarm bright and early, take an Uber to the airport, check your bags, and settle in to wait at the gate. The flight’s a bit delayed, but then you board. The pilot comes on and says, “Folks, there was a lot of…
I See What You Did There (With That Twist)
Happy Spring! At least it feels like spring to me, since spring break starts in about six or so hours. It’s a bit dreary here in Missouri at the moment, but if we wait a few days, that will change. Fortunately, I don’t have to wait for it, as I’m heading to Disney World! (Cue…
Choosing the Right Words for Your Novel
Happy February! Last week, I participated in World Read Aloud Day for the third consecutive year. For the unfamiliar, World Read Aloud Day is an annual celebration of the power of reading aloud sponsored by LitWorld and Scholastic. Authors offer free virtual school visits during this one day of the year. Typically the visits include…
What I Read in 2023
Happy New Year! I’m already a couple of books into my reading for 2024, but it’s tradition for me to recap my year here on the blog, so here’s a summary of what I read in 2023. My reading was up in 2023! I finished 90 books (versus 80 in 2022). I didn’t have a…
Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Writer/Reader
Happy Holidays! I don’t know about you, but every year I find it harder to put together a gift wish list for family members. It’s probably because I’m in that season of life where I’m mostly focused on my kids, so I’m not usually thinking about what I want for myself. And when there is…
So Many Ideas, But Which One Do I Write?
Happy November! It’s my birthday month, and all my favorite stores have already been making me feel special with an influx of coupons and rewards. If you’d like to do something nice as well, check out my November newsletter, out today, for a list of 10 ways you can support authors. I’d love for you…
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog, where I offer writing tips and share thoughts about reading, my writing journey, and other random stuff. If you subscribe, you’ll also receive news about my books and upcoming events. Check out the categories in the sidebar to narrow down some of my older blog posts, including book reviews, or if you’re a writer pursuing traditional publication, visit my Resources page for more targeted links. If there’s something I haven’t tackled on the blog that you’d like me to address—including questions about my books!—please contact me and I’ll do my best.
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