Death, Rebirth, and the Easy Life
“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” Theodore Roosevelt Book ideas, like everything else in life,…
Read MoreSpring Break
Some weeks lend themselves to saying very little on the blog. My youngest son and oldest grandson are visiting on spring break, and I’m having so much fun with them. Nothing beats catching up with family, and spring is SW Florida’s busiest time of year. Yesterday we stood in line for 30″ just to buy…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Welcome Spring!
“You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming.” -Pablo Neruda Spring has sprung here in Florida — actually a few weeks ago — and I hope that you are least well on your way to the warmth and vitality of this season. Our lanai is filled with pots of cherry…
Read MoreA Writer’s Journey: Jenny Brown
The only writer’s group I belong to these days is Novelists Inc. Each member is a multi-published commercial fiction author. NINC has a fabulous conference every fall, and no matter how well-published we are as individuals, we always have much to learn. NINC also has a listserv, and recently the following post appeared there. I…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of the Irish out there, as well as those who are Irish in spirit. Since my Mother’s maiden name was Kelley, I’m certainly blessed with substantial Irish genes, and at this time of the year they love to come out and dance a jig or two. The photo above…
Read MoreThe List of Twenty
A quick glance at my latest publishing contract last week provided a shocker. While my next book isn’t due for more than a year, my proposal is due next month. Here’s a quick catch-up on what “proposal” means. In traditional publishing editors usually require authors to submit their ideas ahead of time if they’re already…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Happiness is an attitude
“Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.” -Carlos Castenada
Read MoreJazz Ramsey Speaks! (With a little help from author Kylie Logan.)
When my good friend Kylie Logan/ Casey Daniels told me the protagonist from her new mystery series, Jazz Ramsey, was gearing up to blog at the website Killer Characters this week, I asked if Jazz might like to introduce herself here, as well. Jazz Ramsey makes her debut in The Scent of Murder* on May…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Mardi Gras in New Orleans
“New Orleans is unlike any city in America. Its cultural diversity is woven into the food, the music, the architecture — even the local superstitions. It’s a sensory experience on all levels and there’s a story lurking around every corner.” — Ruta Sepetys Did you know that Mardi Gras — or Fat Tuesday as it’s…
Read MoreWhen Did “Feel Good” Become An Insult?
Did you stay up to see the Academy Awards on Sunday? The Academy Awards show is often a yawner. It’s so much fun to see the gorgeous clothes, the familiar faces, the bright lights and sometimes, the hosts. But it’s also unbearably long, so this year we planned not to watch. Of course we turned…
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