Archive for May 2009
What Really Goes Into a Novel–Researching for Fun and Profit
Sometimes I can’t believe my own good luck. I have a built-in excuse to do the strangest things without one smidgen of guilt. Yesterday, for instance, in the middle of writing a chapter that does NOT want to be written, I got the urge to bake a pie. So I did. Without feeling the least…
Read MoreWho Does Emilie Read? Diane Chamberlain For One
Inevitably during every interview I’m asked the names of authors I enjoy. Inevitably Diane Chamberlain is at the top of my list. Diane and I became more than mutual admirers when I moved to Northern Virginia a decade ago and found she lived here, too. We began to get together to chat, then to brainstorm,…
Read MoreUnexpected Reminders–the Other Side of Memorial Day
Sometimes little miracles are easy to miss. Luckily my son saw these and warned us before we pulled on our boots for a hike into Central Virginia woods this holiday weekend. Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have passed from our lives. These tiny eggs were a reminder of new lives about to be…
Read MoreLive Long and Prosper
I am a Trekkie. I don’t go to conventions, and I don’t dress in costume–although I once made a complicated Star Fleet uniform for one of my sons. Now that he’s well into his twenties, I’m sure he would prefer I not discuss how cute he looked as Captain Kirk.
Read MoreWish You Were Here
Right now I need a slice of Wanda’s Key lime pie. You haven’t yet had the pleasure of Wanda’s company. She’s one of the women of Happiness Key. Wanda bakes pies when she’s stressed. She bakes pies when she’s happy, too. In fact Wanda bakes so many pies, she’s always on the lookout for friends to give…
Read MoreHeading Off Into the Sunset: Happy Endings and the Critics Who Hate Them
Have you stopped by Goodreads? Goodreads is a networking site like Facebook for book lovers, a comfortable place online to hang out with other readers and discuss books. As an author, I have a profile page, with information about books I’ve read, friends I’ve made, and reviews I’ve written. Shelfari is similar. Both sites are worth a…
Read MoreYou Can Make a Difference–Brenda Novak’s Diabetes Auction
Mother’s Day–another excuse to be happy
Some words are loaded with emotion. “Mother” is one of them. If you’re reading this, you had a mother, whether you knew her or not, loved her or not, appreciated her or not. Some of you may have recently lost your mother. Some of you may just have found her. Some of you may by…
Read MoreHope (not) to Kiss a Pig
My Hands are Tied
I love my email. First of all, most of it is positive. Overwhelmingly. Going to the computer every day to write a novel takes either a certain amount of ego or a complete absence of good sense. Often a positive email gives me the necessary ego boost to start work. Sometimes it blunts what good sense is left after…
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