For the past few years I’ve helped judge contests for new romance writers. And each year, I see so many similarities in the entries. So I thought I’d jot down a few tips for new romance writers, based on what…
Advice for New Romance Writers
Saying Goodbye to Superromance
Dear Readers, I am sad to learn that the Harlequin Superromance line will cease publishing in June 2018. I deeply feel the loss of my publisher and this wonderful line of books. My heart also goes out to the amazing…
Writing Contests
Many different chapters of Romance Writers of America offer contests. There are contests for published and non-published authors. There are contests for the best book cover, the best first chapter, the best hook, and the best meet-cute. And of course…
Writing Faster, Writing Better
In today’s competitive world of romance publishing, where many authors seem to put out a book every month, I am a slow writer. Not the slowest, I managed to put out three books of a four-book series last year. And…
Feng Shui Office
I’ve been feeling a bit blocked, creatively, these past few months. I am working on a story I was looking forward to writing, but the joy has disappeared, as well as a lot of my ideas. I know, logically, that…
When You’re Stuck, Jump Around!
I write in fits and starts. Everything will flow for a day or two and then boom. I’m stuck. Staring at the page, with no idea what to write next. At times I am unable to string any coherent sentences…
Unexpected Wisdom
I’m suffering from the post-book-release blues. I don’t know if you’re familiar with them. Here’s how they work, for me at least. I write my book. Then I work as hard as I can to revise and edit it. I…
What Makes a Great Western Romance?
I love reading western romance. Put a hero in faded jeans a flannel shirt and a cowboy hat on a book cover and I will very likely buy that book! But sometimes I end up feeling like the cowboy on…
Writing a Novel Takes Two
Before I wrote a novel, I had this image of writers typing away in their pretty offices during daytime work hours and then hanging out with their families at night. I thought writing was their job, and they did it…
Eastern Sierra New Year
I spent a happy New Year surrounded by the setting for my books. My family and I rented a house near Mono Lake. About an hour drive north of the house is the town of Bridgeport, which is the inspiration…
