My favorite summer treats aren’t the usual ideas of summery fun. I did get to the beach this summer, and I’m adding a pic on the right of our last day there, where we caught the sunrise. You can’t see them in the picture (because I chose to enjoy the moment, rather than try to capture it and miss it), but dolphins were playing everywhere that morning. Back to my unusual summer treats; my favorite thing about summer is that my kids are home. (Mostly, if they’d stop visiting all the grandparents.) I know that part’s not so unusual. Lots of people enjoy that. TheRead More →

I haven’t done one of these in a while. For one thing, I’ve been busy writing! I finished all three of my fifties novellas (and I’m in the middle of editing them right now), I’m just (like this weekend) finished with second round edits on my novel, Infamous, contracted with The Wild Rose Press, and I’ve started the second novel to follow-up Infamous. I’ll have lots more info for you on all of that in the coming months. But for now, what I’m digging this month. First, we have to talk about Game of Thrones. In my opinion, it was the best. season. ever. In fact, it wasRead More →

I know it’s the end of May and, shockingly, I’m as disorganized as ever. Still, I’m trying to add some personal essays, along with the random picture post, and (my most popular) writing posts. I know I mentioned a post or two ago, I’m no longer working. That’s a story I’ll share (eventually), but not today. Today (circling back to May / Mother’s Day masterfully) I want to share about my grandmother who gave me a deep, passionate, abiding love of reading. Growing up, my grandmother always had a Harlequin on the table beside where she sat. It was as certain as the sun risingRead More →

I’ve been doing some revising and apparently, my mom grew impatient with how long I was not doing whatever it was she wanted me to do. Mom: Should it take that long to revise a chapter? Me: Yes. How many chapters have you revised? (I got a little salty, which is one of those phrases I heard my teen say and I’m probably using incorrectly.) Mom: None… But I’m pretty sure it doesn’t take that long. Respect the process, lady! Oh, and Happy Mother’s Day!Read More →

So, I’m one of those people who have conversations with other people as I’m waking up. Sometimes they can be quite ridiculous and result in said people (aka my family) laughing at my expense. You might as well join them. A few days ago, my husband was trying to wake me up. Me: Stop being mad at me! Husband: Baby, I’m not mad. I’m just trying to get you up. Me: You put it on Twitter! At this point, my husband and oldest daughter start laughing hysterically. I get defensive. Me: It’s in the timeline! My husband doesn’t even use twitter and I can’t imagineRead More →

Today I signed and returned my publishing contract with The Wild Rose Press. I’m super excited to work with such an amazing group. I’ll update as I get more information but I can’t wait to share Justine and Sawyer’s story with the world. <3 (If you’ve already seen this on my Facebook, I’m sorry. I promise, this is the last time I’m going to say it. Out loud. I’m going to periodically say, “Oh my God, I actually got a publishing contract,” in my head over and over.)Read More →

I know that last time I was here, I discussed my surgery and apologized for being MIA. Well, just as I was making my comeback, I became septic. Not to be too dramatic, but I was in the hospital for eight days and nearly died. For real, I’m not exaggerating for effect. However, I’m well now and finally starting to get my bearings physically as well as mentally and emotionally. I’m back, for real. Tomorrow I’ll post my writing tweets since last time, and then I’ll continue doing so weekly. I’ll also be blogging on the third Friday monthly and I’m very excited to beRead More →

Please forgive me for being absent this month–I promise I had a really good reason. I had surgery on December 5th. I’d prefer not to go into detail about it, but let’s leave it at “major surgery” with a significant recovery time. I’m feeling much better and I experienced no major complications, so I should be tweeting and writing again post-haste. xoxoRead More →

It’s a brand new month! Well, it’s the end of a brand new month, but I have new faves this month, all the same. (I  misspelled that bran both times, as if I’m feeling irregular or something.) I finished my second 1950s novella and I’m plotting my third (and final) one to hopefully pound out during NaNoWriMo. There’s this awesome new website called One Stop for Writers. It’s by the maker or Scrivener and the writers of the Emotional Thesaurus. It’s so amazing, you guys. Setting thesaurus, idea generators, Color and Pattern Thesaurus, Positive Traits and Negative Traits… I could go on and on. I won’t, but IRead More →

Actual thing I just had to say: Don’t do wild jazz hands while your sister is trying to do math. Math and jazz hands do NOT go together.Read More →