This blog will be quiet for the next few weeks because I'm going off to do things to blog about! First, I'm deep in the heart of revisions on my novel, BEACH GLASS, which will be out on Valentine's … [Read more...]
Does This Writing Make Me Look Fat?
April 11, 2013 By 1 Comment
I'm almost at the end of a three-month marathon spent revising a novel. As a palate cleanser, I wrote a short story before I have to move on to revising my novel BEACH GLASS, which will be out next February. I also have to finish reading a friend's cool murder mystery, another friend's short story, … [Read more...]
Buy the Book: The Paris Wife
February 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The paperback version of The Paris Wife by Paula McLain fits right in with my pursuit of real pleasures. The edges of the paper are deckled, which just sighs with old-fashioned elegance, and there are lovely inner flaps not usually found in paperbacks. Nice going, Ballantine! Thanks for spending the … [Read more...]
My Not Enough Time Book List
August 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Book lover? I'm past that; "book junkie" is more accurate. Paper or digital makes no difference. I'll take my tomes straight up new, borrowed with a twist, in an ARC, second-hand, Kindled, folded, spindled . . . I just want to read. My favorite and most anguish-inducing episode of The Twilight Zone … [Read more...]
The Single Most Important Rule of Writing
July 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
"Ass in the chair."--Nora Roberts, on the secret to her success Above is Nora Roberts' simple, one-step process to writing. She should know; she's currently working on her 204th book right now. (She'll probably be done with it before you finish reading this blog.) Best-selling authors Stephen … [Read more...]
Set Your DVR for “Guilty Pleasures”!
July 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Every four seconds, a romance novel is sold somewhere in the world. Every four seconds. And they (who are "they" anyway?) say publishing is dead. Romance novels, the people who read them, and the authors who write them are the subject of what looks like a totally delightful documentary called … [Read more...]
6 Musts for Your Writing (That Have Nothing to Do With Writing)
July 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
"Life doesn't happen behind a computer screen," said my friend Sherri Rifkin, the novelist. This was the kind of proclamation that was destined to become a quote, and not the vague, new age-y kind you see stitched on needlepoint throw pillows. This one actually resonated. As a writer, I have a … [Read more...]
Writing, part 3: Slay the cliché
January 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
"'Her hair felt like silk slipping through his fingers'? Let me kill it!" How many times have you read the following worn-out sentences? She padded down the hall in her bare feet. His eyes were wide with horror. He cupped her breast. She fisted her hands by her sides. Fisted? … [Read more...]
Writing, part 2: The “blank page” stage
January 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I've taken a while to get back to this subject because I wanted to think very carefully about what to say. Which means I've been staring at a blank page for a while. This is NOT where all writing begins. It is, unfortunately, where some writing dreams end. You have an idea for a story. … [Read more...]
Peach Blueberry Cobbler, STAT!!
August 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Q: What is the result of the following, seemingly unrelated events: My sister is preggers; it's the hottest summer on record; I have extremely productive, creative insomnia; forgetfulness. A: A very fast peach blueberry cobbler. I'll try to explain without rambling (a challenge pour moi). … [Read more...]
