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.
Tag: writing
The Sticky Patch
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
The Plot Beast
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
Beginning, Again
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
Inspiration Limbo
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
Asking Myself WHY
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
The Review Ride
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
Being In-Between
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
Coming Soon: Paperback Edition of Book 1!
I just sent the first draft of book 9 to my editor for her first read (yay!), and while I know it's going to need a lot of work in the editing process, including a title, I can safely say that for the moment it's DONE. (I need it to be done, otherwise I keep… Continue reading Coming Soon: Paperback Edition of Book 1!
Losing a Friend
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
The Deep End
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
The Writing Itch
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
Prowling Through the Stacks
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
The Unread Book
On Wednesday I handed my newest book to two readers. They're my favorite readers, such extremely generous friends, who have enjoyed and promoted my previous seven books. I wouldn't say I was exactly worried that they won't like my eighth, or will tell me it's total crap. Well, maybe I am a little bit! It's… Continue reading The Unread Book
Looking Back, Looking Forward
It's a good moment to look behind and ahead, at the turning of the year. Accomplishments, failures, lessons learned, goals achieved — and new goals and hopes for the months to come. I've never really made New Year's resolutions, but from the time of the solstice to the changing of the calendar, it does seem like… Continue reading Looking Back, Looking Forward
An Unforgettable Summer
Though each of the books in my series has meaning for me, the next installment, "The Night Ferry," available for Kindle December 1, is especially dear to my heart. I wrote most of it in about three weeks, it just poured out. And then I got stuck in the complicated plot maneuverings at the end,… Continue reading An Unforgettable Summer
“Thankful” Just Isn’t a Strong Enough Word
A lot of bloggers will be posting about Thanksgiving in the next week, giving thanks, counting blessings and good stuff like that. I don't mean to be unoriginal, but I can't help but jump on the gratitude bandwagon and say how intensely grateful and humble I feel this year to have achieved my longtime dream… Continue reading “Thankful” Just Isn’t a Strong Enough Word
The Joys of Editing (Or Maybe Not)
After the wonderful wild rush of happiness that comes with finishing the first draft of a book, I'm always eager to begin the first read-through. After all, didn't I just spend months researching and creating and pushing myself through writer's block and worrying that it wouldn't all come together?
First Draft DONE!!!
I just finished the first draft of my latest book, the eighth in the series and my first completed writing project in nearly two years. I'm done. And it feels AMAZING! Next comes printing the thing out and reading it, which isn't nearly as much fun as writing, though I'm occasionally pleased with something I… Continue reading First Draft DONE!!!
One Week to Go!!!
I'm thrilled to announce that Book 3, Enemy at the Wedding, will be released for Amazon Kindle on September 1. The next installment in the Strangers on This Road series finds Lainey attending a wedding with her boyfriend, Aiden Kinnear, on her first visit to England, meanwhile stumbling into another mysterious crime. This book was… Continue reading One Week to Go!!!
