I read reference books but rarely read writing “how to” books. The this is how you must write stuff paralyzes me. The reference books I read deal more with specific subject matters. For example, if I were writing about a trainwreck I’d read a true account of a trainwreck and books about [...]

I’ve been reading some books from the Silhouette Romantic Suspense line. I’ve enjoyed all but one. One of the ones I enjoyed did have a plot point that still nags at me. See what you think…
The backstory goes like this: The heroine and hero dated in law school. They slept [...]

I hear all the time about other authors who fail to deliver books on deadline. Things happen that throw us off track. I get that. Other authors just suck at meeting deadlines, for whatever reason. I spoke with an editor at RWA who insisted this lateness craze has always been an [...]

I’ve been a fan of Lauren Baratz-Logsted ever since I read her book A Little Change of Face. I’ve followed Lauren’s career because, well, it’s sort of amazing. She writes across genres and age groups. Chick lit, YA, tween - you name it, she can write it. And she has all [...]

I’m feeling a bit better today. Thought I’d chat about the RWA Conference and some interesting tidbits I picked up:
1. Historicals are on the rise. Now, as someone who never bought into the dire historical romance is dead proclamations this was not exactly shocking to me. Really, have you seen all [...]

I’m a big believer in taking a short break between writing books…when possible. Not a long one. Nope. See, if I take a long one my latop becomes a vehicle by which I endlessly play that tile game and nothing else. Too much time away from writing makes it really hard [...]

There are a few things I would do differently if I sold for the first time today. One of those seems kind of basic. I’d make a character name chart. With eight novellas and five single titles written and turned in, I’m having the did I already use that name somewhere issue [...]

Yesterday was not a good day. Really. Not. Good.
Today is much better. It’s deadline day and the book is done - yay!!! I just sent it. For those who have been waiting and asking, there’s more good news!!! See, this one is Josh’s story. He’s the DEA [...]

Actually, Ian Fleming is dead. That’s not news. He died in the 60s. For those who can’t place the name, he’s the guy who wrote the James Bond books. His estate picked a guy to write a new Bond book. His name is Sebastian Faulks. He’s considered more of [...]

To all those writing memoirs or contemplating writing memoirs:
Stop. Please write something else. At the very least, understand that it’s unlikely every single moment in your life is worthy of being memorialized in a book. Hate to say it, but your life probably isn’t that much different from the lives of the [...]