Treasure Beach–Whose Story and Why
By now, maybe you’ve guessed who the major character of Treasure Beach is going to be. The first installment of the “novellini” went up on Tuesday, to be followed by many more. Each Tuesday, right through July, a new part will debut. Timewise the story fits snugly between Fortunate Harbor and Sunset Bridge, at the…
Read MoreTreasure Beach: Who, What, Where, How and Why
Note on March 8, 2012: If you’ve just discovered this post, you’ll find it provides the background for a novella I wrote for this blog entitled Treasure Beach, which debuted here with the following post and continued for every Tuesday all the way through July. You’ll see I announced midway down the page that I would…
Read MoreOut With The Old, In With The. . . Maybe Not
Since I’m between projects right now, the handwriting is clearly on my study wall. It’s time to clean off my bookshelves. Weeks ago I took a photo of my desk and posted it here. While some may accuse me of doctoring it, the truth it, the mess was really that bad. Papers stacked everywhere. Magazines with articles I was sure…
Read MoreParadise Lost? Be Careful, Or Your Library Could Disappear. . .
Recently I had the pleasure of driving through the neighborhood where I grew up. Trips into the past are always bittersweet. Show me a slide-show and I wouldn’t be able to pick out the tiny one-story house where I spent most of my childhood. Pink and gray shingles have been covered with dark wood. The back has…
Read MoreDrumroll Please . . .
Thanks to all who participated in my Favorite Things giveaway by commenting here at Southern Exposure. I really loved reading what you had to say. You certainly cheered up anybody who took the time to read about the things that make you happy. Random.org selected five winners and those readers will receive an autographed novel…
Read MoreSummer Winds and Winter Blizzards
Winter Blizzards I truly wasn’t expecting the storm that began last night. First, the Washington DC area, which has somehow managed to dodge all east coast blizzards this year, is suddenly under siege. We woke up to a white world, no telephone, television or internet. Our neighborhood was lucky, because despite that, we still had power. This…
Read MoreEndings and Beginnings, Careers, Novels and Quilts
Although I have never started a novel I didn’t finish, I have a host of quilts I’ve begun that are still waiting for their final stitch. I quilt because it’s fun. Not because I need warm covers on my bed or bright patches of color on my walls. The real reason I quilt is because it…
Read MoreNovels, Novellas and Novellinis
I’ve always loved writing novellas. I’ve written more than a few in my years as an author, most often in a collection as a holiday promotion from my publisher. For someone who writes long books, novellas are an odd attraction. Still, from the beginning, I found the format was a welcome break. While our practice as…
Read MoreSnowflakes That Stay On My Nose and Eyelashes. . . Really?
Right about now, many of you are dreaming about spring. What a winter. Blizzards, mudslides, floods. And it’s still only January. But let’s not talk about climate change. In fact it could be dangerous for me to mention. After all the Attorney General of my own fair state, a global warming skeptic, is currently trying to…
Read MoreSaying Ahhh. . . Dealing With Stress in Our Lives
I’ve begun a new tradition. When I wake up in the morning, I turn on the light and read for a little while. It’s a much more civilized way to face the day than to jump out of bed running, which was my old tradition. Lying in bed a few extra minutes has had a welcome…
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