Driving home from the airport after dropping off our NYC grandchildren and their parents, I felt so sad that they had departed, and our Christmas visit was over. And then I reminded myself how lucky I was to feel that way! Advice columns are full of counsel on how to deal with difficult relatives during…
I loved interviewing K.L. Borges and discovering that I am not the only “Accidental Author” around! Below, Kathy talks about her debut cozy mystery and her writing journey. First off, congratulations on the release of your debut cozy mystery, MURDER IN THE CRAZY MOUNTAINS, the first in your Montana Animal Rescue Mystery series. Can you…
When my children were young, we used to pass a candle on Sunday nights and take turns saying what we were thankful for. On one of those occasions, our younger son announced, “Let me just start with my unthankfuls.” So, I’ll follow suit. I am unthankful for the current administration which has, within less than…
We often talk about how the best mystery authors tackle issues that go way beyond “whodunnit.” Elle Jauffret is a great example, as she releases the second book in her Suddenly French mystery series: First off, congratulations on the highly anticipated release of the second book in your Suddenly French mystery series, Cosplayed to Death.…
Having made the transition from writing nonfiction to fiction, I’m always fascinated by the experiences of other writers who’ve done the same. For award-winning journalist Gerri Lewis, it turns out that making up stories has been something she’s done all her life. Below, she talks about her latest release and her writing journey: First off,…
I’ve always adored mermaids, so Joanne Guidoccio’s HIPPIE MERMAID, is right up my alley! In her guest essay, she advocates for writers to take time to imagine and daydream, a good reminder for those of us who feel guilty when we’re not actively writing! All About Moodling by Joanne Guidoccio When I first heard the…
Years ago, when I was a dance teacher, I made a point of saving the notes and cards I’d received from appreciative students. Whenever I was having a bad day, I’d get them out and re-read them. They were a definite pick-me-up! I loved feeling that I’d made a difference in my students’ lives. I’ve…
I’ve always believed that writing is risk-taking behavior. We reveal so much of who we are and what we care about when we write. Approaching our daily work as writers with humor somehow makes it all less scary. Over the years, I’ve collected a few of my favorite fun quotes about writing. Here are…
We’ve all had those days and weeks as writers when nothing seems to go well. We get a slew of back-to-back rejections, our critique group is less than thrilled with our latest submission, and our work-in-progress is, well…stalling. Only that pesty compulsion to write keeps us going. Fortunately, there are other weeks when lots of…
Over the years, I’ve read essays by cancer survivors who’ve called their harrowing journeys through life-threatening illnesses a “gift.” Cancer, they report, afforded them a new appreciation of life and their loved ones. I do not have cancer. And yet, I think I finally get what these survivors were talking about. Last month, I had…