Four Books At Once: Multitasking Ain’t For Sissies
This has been an odd week in an odd profession. Every day I’ve been frantically multitasking, and my desk shows it. (Don’t worry, the next line on my ridiculous to-do list says “For heaven’s sake clean off your desk!”) Four different books are the culprits. First there’s From Glowing Embers. From Glowing Embers is now free for readers…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Release Your Goddess
Buying Girl Scout cookies this week I was reminded what a great organization this is, despite warnings in the press that somehow this one and others like it are encouraging our girls to think for themselves. Personally I support all girls and women thinking for ourselves and not letting men do the thinking for us,…
Read MoreTurning My Backlist Books into eBooks
The months after finishing a novel are spent catching up on a million things that were left undone. For me this has meant, among others things, making decisions about turning my backlist books into ebooks. Here’s a quick lesson about publishing. When an author accepts the offer of a traditional publisher, she or he gives that…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Atticus Finch
The rest of this quote from Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird is: “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” Harper Lee died yesterday at the age of 89, but her character, Atticus Finch, will hopefully never die. He was one of…
Read MorePromoting a Novel, Then and Now
“What should I blog about tomorrow?” I asked Proman (short for project manager and not coincidentally, my husband.) “I’ve spent the past week working on my BookBub ad for From Glowing Embers. Nobody wants to hear about promoting a novel.” “Of course they do,” he said. And whether he’s right or wrong, you’re about to. First…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Mature Love
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. So what is this day all about? For many it’s an opportunity for some special attention, and for others it can be painful and lonely. Remember Erich Fromm? The Art of Love was one of my favorite books in college because he had such a deep understanding of the dynamics of…
Read MoreWho Am I To Criticize Downton Abbey, But. . .
Do you find yourself in front of your television set on Sunday nights, all set to watch Downton Abbey on PBS Masterpiece Classics? If you do, imagine me sitting in a similar seat, cup of tea in hand, ready to join you. ***Spoiler alert: If you haven’t seen Downton Abbey recently and don’t want to find…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: The Spirit of Mardi Gras
Yes, Mardi Gras is almost here! Fat Tuesday is only two days away, and if I was still living in New Orleans that would be all everyone was talking about. Carnival Season actually begins on Twelfth Night and ends on Mardi Gras day with Lent closing the partying down after midnight. The excitement and parties…
Read MoreFive Characters Readers Hate
Do you love coming home after a vacation? No matter how much you enjoyed yourself? I’ll confess no matter how good my trips, I miss my dog, my house, my bed and the birds and alligator who regularly visit my backyard. I’m always glad to get back to them. I’m even glad to get back to…
Read MoreSunday Inspiration: Friendship
I’m returning today from a week-long Caribbean cruise with my husband and three couples who have become good friends. I so much enjoyed the tropical beauty, the delicious food, the entertainment, and the peace and quiet. But best of all was the joy of being with my friends. Perhaps a useful definition of friendship is enjoying a…
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