Sunday Inspiration: We Are Here

OK, summer’s gone bye bye. Get over it! At least that’s what I tell myself. But it’s hard letting go of the long sunny days, chatting with good friends and family, and the relaxation — oops! — not so much on the relaxing since I’ve been writing all summer. But I’ve had some good porch…

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Publishing Today: Traditional Publishers

While I’m preparing for my annual trip between houses I thought you might enjoy a brief trip through publishing today. We’ll start with traditional publishers. With all the talk about independent publishing are you confused about what these changes mean for you as a reader? Do you wonder what’s going on when another author is listed…

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Sunday Inspiration: Your Work

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with…

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A Visit to Harlequin Headquarters

                    We’re enjoying a few days with good friends in Toronto. After writing for Harlequin for decades (hard to believe) I finally made it to the headquarters for a warm welcome and tour yesterday.  I met my new editor as well as the head of the…

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Sunday Inspiration: Jazz & Life

“I’ve always told the musicians in my band to play what they know and then play above that. Because then anything can happen, and that’s where great art and music happen.” – Miles Davis It’s Jazz Week at Chautauqua, and the music is fabulous. Wynton Marsalis and his Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra are blowing away…

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Is It Time to Write Your Own Book?

Our wonderful neighbors across the street gave a “new book” party several weeks ago. And, no, while everyone in our neighborhood has been unfailingly supportive of my writing career, this one wasn’t for me. The author was Keekee Minor, who just published her memoir, A Minor Odyssey. Keekee told us two years ago that she had…

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Sunday Inspiration: Saved by Love

Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must he saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we are saved…

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What Writers Can Learn From The Olympics

There they were, beautiful female athletes from the wide world over, mounting the balance beam at the Olympics to do their routine in front of an arena of fans plus, well, everyone, everywhere, who was watching them. “Whoops, the judges will subtract a point for grabbing the beam that way.” (To keep from falling off and possibly…

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Sunday Inspiration: “No one’s enemy”

May I be no one’s enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and abides. May I wish for every person’s happiness and envy none. May I never rejoice in the ill fortune of one who has wronged me. May I, to the extent of my power, give needful help to…

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Writing Anxiety and Ways to Subdue It

After writing for much of Thursday I finished another chapter of The Swallow’s Nest, next summer’s new release. I followed this with an attack of writing anxiety. I’m not sure if this book’s going slower than my usual. I do know that it’s a tough one to write, and it’s competing with so many other…

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