Honesty is one of my key values. That hasn’t always been true. In the past, I was all about being less-than-honest with myself. Ignoring the truth. Sometimes I shoved the brutal truth in a closet, slammed the door shut, turned my back on the banging and kicking and screaming — Hey! Open this door! — and walked away. The essence …
In Others’ Words: Joy
My friend, Rachel, chooses joy. It’s just one of the many things I like about her — how she has determined in her heart to be all about J-O-Y! So now, whenever I see the word “joy,” I instantly translate that into the word “Rachel.” Words are so powerful … what we set our minds on … what we speak …
In Others’ Words: Second (Novel, That Is)
“It wasn’t that she didn’t have a satisfying life–an exciting life, even. It’s just that at thirty-six years old, she’d hoped for . . . more.” Kendall Haynes in Catch a Falling Star There are many stages to writing a book. The initial spark of an idea. The fast-draft. The rewrite — and all the edits after that, leading up to …
Taking the Challenges: The Letter “T” & Twenty-five Things about Me
I know, I know. This is a blog about quotes — not about me. And usually my blog posts are short. But I’ve been invited by other blogging friends to “list x number of things about yourself” — and never complied. I’ve always been too busy … pushed to the max by deadlines and “to dos” and … really? …
Contest: Where in the World is Daniel (Postcard #1)
Let the contest begin! Daniel Rayner, the hero of my debut novel, Wish You Were Here, is traveling again — but, of course, he’s sending Alli postcards. He’s given her — and you — a clue to his whereabouts today. Where in the world do you think Daniel is? Leave your comment below or on my Author Facebook page …
Wish You Were Here Litfuse Blog Tour: And the winner is …
My debut novel, Wish You Were Here, became a “real” book just over a month ago. I was with a group of close writing friends when best-selling author Rachel Hauck found the first official copy of WYWH at a Charleston, South Carolina Barnes and Noble. I appreciate each reviewer who participated in the Litfuse blog tour for WYWH, and hope …
In My Words: The Power of a Kiss
“The decision to kiss for the first time is the most crucial one in any love story.” ~Emil Ludwig (1881-1948), German author My debut novel, Wish You Were Here, hangs on the question: Can the wrong kiss lead to Mr. Right? Within the first 10 pages of the book, there’s an “oh no, we didn’t!” kiss between Allison, the bride-to-be, …
In My Words: Celebrating Friendships & My Debut Novel
Look carefully at that photo and you’ll see I’m holding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 stars! And while I’m committed to unhitching my wagon from the stars — not making my writing career about reviews — I will treasure those 5 stars forever. I am blessed — yep, blessed is the absolutely best word — to be part of the …
Wish You Were Here: Burnout and Dreams Come True
I am a huge fan of burnout. Four years ago, my writing want-to burned down to the faintest of glimmers of my former passion. What I didn’t know was that moment of “I can’t do this anymore” exhaustion would bring me to today: the launch day for my debut novel, Wish You Were Here. In the early days of burnout, …
Wish You Were Here: What’s Up with the Llamas?
So, let’s talk llamas. I know, I know. I write romance. I should be introducing you to the hero in my debut novel, Wish You Were Here. But the llamas — Kuzko, Pacha and Banzai — have have always attracted a bit of attention along the way to publication. The conversation usually goes like this: Interested person: So what’s your …