Are you familiar with National Novel Writing Month? It’s a chance to push yourself to write 50,000 words of your novel in one month. It takes place every November, which makes absolutely no sense. November is a busy month. And…
The Story Behind the Book
Every book has a story behind it. Or several. Because all books are born of an author’s life and experience and whatever path he or she walked for that book to be published. Sometimes those paths can be smooth, but…
Before anything else… words!
This is my new mantra. Before anything else… words. It’s possible I may have it tattooed on my arm, right where a wristwatch would normally go. Before anything else. Writing. Words. First. Because… time. It slips and slides away faster…
Onward and Upward
Happy Monday! It’s a foggy day here on the California coast and I’m feeling a little lost and giddy because this weekend I sent my completed, edited, all done, tenth book off to my editor! It’s a strange feeling when…
Writing a Book, One Step at a Time
Recently a few people have approached me on social media, letting me know that they want to write a novel, but the idea of writing an entire book scares them. And my first reaction is Yes, you should be a…
Keep Your Focus with an Editing List
I recently received my edits for my July book, Reunited with the Cowboy, the first book in my new Heroes of Shelter Creek series. The first thing I did was write an editing list. Why? Because every time I get…
Follow Your Inner Moonlight.
I love this quote. “Follow your inner moonlight. Don’t hide the madness.” I’m sure it can mean many things to many people. But it makes me think of all those nights in my late thirties, when I lay awake feeling…
Read, Listen and Write
Recently I came across this quote from Natalie Goldberg’s classic book, Writing Down the Bones. Have you read that book? It holds a place of honor on my writing craft bookshelf. Ms. Goldberg writes, “Basically, if you want to become…
My Free Harlequin Online Read!
Are you familiar with the Harlequin Online Read webpage? Online reads are short stories, usually divided into twenty tiny chapters. Each day, a new chapter is released, until finally the entire story is available. And each story is free! I…
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…