The Writing Life
When It Comes to Time, It’s All About Choices
As some of you know, I’m president of Derby Rotten Scoundrels, a chapter of a mystery writing organization, Sisters in Crime. One of our goals has been to expand our social media presence to attract new members. The other day, the newly installed group’s publicist inquired as to whether I was on Twitter. “Well, sure,”…
Read MoreThe Writing Life: Sometimes We Just Have to Keep Believing
Last month, I got the news that my recently released YA novel, LEISHA’S SONG, received the bronze medal in the YA mystery category from the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. The Moonbeam Awards are about “Celebrating Youthful Curiosity, Discovery and Learning Through Books and Reading.” To say that I was thrilled is the understatement of the…
Read MoreThe Magic of Libraries
Like so many writers, libraries hold a special place in my heart. From the time I was a little girl, a trip to the library meant entering a magical world filled with countless delights—all those inviting books that could take you to different places and lives, some similar to your own and some so different…
Read MoreComfort Food for Writers and Other Humans
The writing life has plenty of ups—those days when the words tumble out like Niagara Falls, the moment you type “The End” on a manuscript you’ve labored over for months, and that “yes” from a publisher. But there are also some downs—when it feels like your word faucet is on the fritz, or a rejection…
Read MoreEven Book Fairs That Are a Bust Have Their Benefits
At six AM last Saturday morning, I packed up my suitcase of books and SWAG (bookmarks, cookies, etc.), loaded my car, and travelled eighty miles to participate in a book fair. The fair coordinator told us authors she was expecting a big turnout. We needed to have at least ten copies of each of our…
Read MoreStory Ideas: Sometimes I Know Where They Come From, and Sometimes I Don’t!
With Leisha’s Song officially heading out into the world this week, I’ve been doing lots of thinking and talking about the book to wonderful writers’ groups: Kentuckiana Romance Writers, Women Who Write, and the Bard’s Corner Writer’s Group. I love hanging out with other writers, and it’s been fun to trace the development of Leisha’s…
Read MoreSending LEISHA’S SONG Into the World
When I became pregnant with my second child, the obstetrician asked me how my first delivery went. I said, “Frankly, I found it to be one of life’s more horrifying experiences.” His face dropped, and he cleared his throat. I’m quite sure he didn’t like my answer. But what he didn’t ask me was how I…
Read MoreConfessions of an Anxious Writer
Don’t get me wrong. I would never choose not to have gone to see my amazing NYC grandkids, followed by a Boston reunion with my super sisters. Getting to hug the people I love felt like such a gift after this year of not being able to be with them face-to-face. But like anyone who’s…
Read MoreThere’s Always More… And That’s What Keeps Things Interesting
Years ago during my dance days, I auditioned for a company in another state. In the post-audition interview, the artistic director said nice things about my dancing and concluded by telling me: “You’re such a finished dancer.” I thanked her for her kind words, but I knew this last statement was dead wrong. There is…
Read MoreHow You Felt Versus How You Appeared
I’ve been doing lots of reading about writing young adult fiction in connection with a talk I’m giving next week to my local Sisters in Crime chapter. Not surprisingly, one of the biggest pieces of advice is to avoid writing stereotypical, flat characters—the nerdy geek, the shallow blonde cheerleader, the macho jock, etc. For one…
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