novels of suspense, romance and intrigue
One of the most extraordinary gifts of human consciousness is the gift of imagination. It's something we don't foster or value much in adulthood, not the way we do in children, though it's a necessary tool of every storyteller from author to actor, teacher to scientist, musician to historian.
I think you could safely call it a slump. It's a nice descriptive word, slump. It sounds like what it is. Lately I've been somewhat underwhelmed with myself as an author, besieged by doubts. Who did I think I was, that I could really do this? At some point someone will catch onto the fact… Continue reading The Downsides of Writing: Underwhelm and Self-Doubt
The last few months have been busy in my life outside writing, which means that while I've put a lot of thoughts in my journal I haven't come up with any brilliant new ideas for books, have been stalled in any marketing efforts, just haven't felt like working on any of it. It's been a… Continue reading Downtime
Last night I was invited to give a talk about writing to a women's group, which was an honor and a pleasure. I so appreciate the attention and interest of those 25 women, who asked such intelligent questions and so generously celebrated my accomplishments. Following is the text of what I shared about myself. I’m… Continue reading Defining Who You Are as a Writer
The competitive publishing market highlights both benefits and challenges of traditional publishing versus self-publishing. While agents and publishers offer resources for success, many authors remain unpublished or face contract termination. Self-publishing is now affordable, allows for creative freedom, and provides full ownership of work and royalties, empowering authors to define their own success.
Many people express a desire to write a book, but are hindered by doubts and excuses. The only obstacle to writing is not doing it. Writing can be both challenging and fulfilling, regardless of external measures of success.
I love finishing a book. There's really no greater thrill than getting to those last pages, seeing the story form into a whole. Even with the looming task of editing (I really dislike editing) ahead, there are few more gratifying experiences in life than knowing the first draft of a book is complete. I'm not… Continue reading The Sticky Patch
I'm now well into writing the tenth book in the series. In June, my seedling of an idea blossomed into the beginning of a story, and I dove headfirst into the first half. Chapter after chapter flew down, characters took form and were brought to life. And then last Monday, I opened the 41,000-word file, scrolled to the… Continue reading The Plot Beast
I find myself at the edge of an idea, an idea that's slowly beginning to take root and wind itself through my imagination. I have 281 words written down and no more tripping off my fingers, but the idea continues its delicate, unhurried movement across my mind.Something new... Along the same lines as my other… Continue reading Beginning, Again
I just got back this week from a wonderful 18-day trip to Greece with my mom, which was entirely inspired by researching my last book. I'm happy to report that I didn't noticeably mess up any facts or details, though of course seeing a place is very different from reading about it. At some point… Continue reading Adventures in Greece
Over the last few months, I've become increasingly aware of how much I'm trusting, or not trusting, my instincts. In the past I wasn't all that great at it. I tended to think much more about what I "should" be thinking or feeling or doing or saying, rather than what I truly felt was right.… Continue reading Trusting My Gut
I haven't started a new writing project in months. I don't even have any ideas for a new story, at least none that I'm ready to dive into right now. And I'm trying to make peace with that. I love beginning to write a new book. Being barely halfway through and struggling with where the… Continue reading Inspiration Limbo
It's official—GREECE! I've made plans to travel to Greece for three weeks next spring, and am so lucky to have my stellar editor and dear friend, who also happens to be my mom, going with me. I would count it as a research trip and try to write off the cost, but since the book… Continue reading Can I claim this on my taxes?
Lately I've been thinking a lot about the importance of WHY. I can think of many circumstances in which WHY isn't all that relevant or useful, such as the age-old question "why doesn't X like/love/want me?" We can only guess the workings of other people's minds and hearts, so trying to figure that out can… Continue reading Asking Myself WHY
One of the craziest things about being published is that total strangers out there in the world are actually reading your books—and on top of that, forming opinions about them! This is very surreal. As someone just starting out in this whole published writer thing, it's a new experience for me. I've been surprised to find… Continue reading The Review Ride
Having gone through some pretty major life transitions lately, I'm feeling very in-between. It isn't a bad feeling, but it's uncomfortable in a lot of ways. I feel awfully rudderless, as if floating without a clear direction. I'm between writing projects, having finished #9, Murder in Santorini, with no ideas for my next book. I'm… Continue reading Being In-Between
I've been working hard on my latest book over the past month, and the end is definitely in sight. I hope to have it finished within the next week. Sadly, just as this new book is coming together, I've also had the heartbreaking experience of losing a very dear pet. He was ill for some… Continue reading Losing a Friend
I haven't been spending much time on my blog lately, because I've become deeply involved in writing my next book. What began as a tiny spark of an idea has turned into 42,000 words and counting. In fact, I'm raring to get back to it right now so this is going to be pretty short.… Continue reading The Deep End
It's beginning again: the itch. I've started to play around with a tiny baby kernel of an idea for a book. “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison When I say baby kernel, I mean there's no plot yet,… Continue reading The Writing Itch
I have wonderful memories of my hometown public library. The library in Davis, California, where I grew up wasn't especially big or showy. It's not an especially big town, and while the University library is both very extensive and very impressive, the local library was just an odd little building next door to the Veterans'… Continue reading Prowling Through the Stacks
