In Honor of Domestic Abuse Month
When people ask me why I started writing, I lie. I tell them that I had an idea that wouldn’t let me go. And that’s true, as far as it goes. But it’s the reason it wouldn’t let me go that is the real story. I’m not going to bore you with all the backstory…
Read MorePreview!
Reading the first few pages of my March, 2022 release, The Road to Me:
Read MoreUsing Characterization for Conflict
I have a problem with conflict in my novels. Not big, overarching conflict, but micro conflict. If you want a page-turner, you should have conflict on every page. How do you do that in a natural, non-forced way?? An easy way is by giving essential characters opposite strengths, weaknesses and idiosyncrasies. Or, give them the…
Read MorePatience Practice – How to Get More of it
I was thinking back the other day, to when I decided I wanted a book with my name on the cover. I dreamed and imagined and wished…for the day when I’d hear the magic words, Here’s your contract! And the waiting would be over. Yeah, I hear you laughing. Hey, we were all naïve…
Read MoreA SALE!!!
I’m so thrilled to announce….I’ve sold two Women’s Fiction stories to Story Plant! More as I know it!
Read MoreA Fun Contest That’s Worth Your Time
I blame Sherene Gross for my addiction. She entered the NYC Midnight Contest a couple years ago, and kept me updated on her progress as she wrote, submitted, and advanced in their short story contest. Now, I don’t write short stories, or anything that I can’t use in a novel, but she seemed to be…
Read MoreThe Difference Between Romance & Women’s Fiction
I’ve been thinking about this lately, because I’ve written a women’s fiction that is in with an editor now (cross your fingers for me!). I’m very familiar with the subject, because I helped to found the Women’s Fiction Writers Assn. I’ve also published 11 romances. My first book, The Sweet Spot, I wrote as Women’s…
Read MoreBuilding a Writing Routine
rou·tine /ro͞oˈtēn/ performed as part of a regular procedure rather than for a special reason. Note, I didn’t use the term, ‘habit’. A habit is an impulse to do a behavior with little or no conscious thought. Not doing a habit feels uncomfortable, like not washing your hands after using the toilet or not flossing…
Read MoreFirst Page Critique
I’m currently teaching my First Five Pages class at Lawson Writer’s Academy (psst – you can still sign up!) I love helping writers strengthen their all-important openings. Joe Zarek is one of my past students, and has agreed to allow me to share his ‘before and after’ first page. Kudos to him for working so…
Read MoreGetting Busy – Remember How?
Okay, this is a weird post for me. Anyone who knows me will tell you – I am an organized person. I plan. I schedule. I get more out of a day than anyone. That used to be true. But then the pandemic hit. Our lives slowed. Shrunk. Plans went in the crapper. And now…
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