I admit, I’ve been nervous about book reviews. Who wouldn’t be after reading the horror stories about authors who refuse to read their reviews … authors devastated by one-star—or, worse, no-star—reviews … Putting my books out there, in the world at large, wasn’t hard. I’ve wanted to be a writer, to Read more…
I know, I know. You don’t need me to tell you Christmas is a mere nine days away. Countdowns are everywhere, inexorably ticking off the days, hours and minutes. With no children of my own to make holiday magic for, I don’t find the holiday season quite as hectic as Read more…
I have so many things to be thankful for in 2013, including discovering this cornucopia photo on Wikimedia Commons. I find old advertisements like this, described as a “propaganda poster to get immigrants to move to California” (circa 1876), fascinating. Did you note how California is “a climate for health Read more…
… No, not “Catching Up with Depeche Mode,” although that disc had most of the essentials from DM’s early years. I’m talking about catching up with my busy, busy author self. The days—has it really already been a month?—since DIVA IN THE DUGOUT‘s release have been a whirlwind. That’s probably Read more…
My debut novel, DIVA IN THE DUGOUT, which comes out in less than a week, has its cover. Isn’t it a beauty? No, wait. That’s book two, BEAUTY AND THE BALLPLAYER, which is coming out next March. (Sorry. Couldn’t resist.) I love it! The stadium and baseball glove in the background Read more…
Scrolling through my Feedly feed yesterday, I came to Copyblogger’s interview with bestselling author Hugh Howey, who wrote and self-published Wool. It was a Q-and-A, and one question in particular caught my eye: Do you believe in “writer’s block”? If so, how do you avoid it? Howey’s answer: “Other people say Read more…
I’ve never liked the number 13. And I’m not alone. According to Wikipedia, the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, N.C., estimates that 17 to 21 million Americans are affected by a fear of this day, making it the most feared day and date in history. “Some people are so Read more…
The power of love is a curious thing. Make a one man weep, make another man sing … — Huey Lewis and the News, “The Power of Love” Like my man Huey, I believe in the power of love. That particular song was in the movie “Back to the Future,” Read more…
I was a reader of romances long before I started writing them. I remember plowing through the stacks of Harlequin and Silhouette books Mom would bring home from the library, secured with a rubber band. (Apparently, the library thought bundles were more appealing.) My couch potato self spent many a Read more…
You’ve probably heard the saying “Drummers do it with rhythm” — or some variation thereof. A quick search of Google revealed “Geologists do it in the dirt,” “Writers do it until their hands cramp” T-shirts and other products emblazoned with “Ham radio operators do it with frequency” and “editors do it Read more…