I grew up just a couple hours from Cedar Point, one of the largest amusement parks in the U.S., and when we lived in Florida, we were only a half hour from Orlando, plus we visited family there and I went twice with my high school band. I love roller coasters, but I am generally …
Today, my youngest turns four. As I always do on each of the kids' birthdays, I’m reflecting on the circumstances of his birth: when and how it started (pathetic, infrequent contractions the day after his due date); how long it took (4 hours of active labor); those final moments before we met him (in the …
Sometimes I’m on the fence about doing research for my historical novels. I absolutely love making discoveries that will fit into the books, but I confess to being a terrible nonfiction reader. It takes me forever to complete research, whether using primary or secondary sources, and I get distracted very easily. It’s a wonder I …
I am attending my first-ever writing workshop this weekend. And while I am learning a TON of valuable information, lurking in the back of my mind are the questions: “Why on earth is this my first one? Why haven’t I been doing these for 20 years?” We can’t change the past. But we all have …
I might not be done drafting my current novel, but that doesn’t mean I’m not mulling over the next one in the back of my mind. I’m really excited because it will take place during my absolute favorite time period: the 1700s. I’m going to have a heyday researching the Revolutionary War and colonial customs …
Never is a strong word. In fact, just this week, I was asked if that was really the word I intended to use, and I had to take a moment to think. The context: I said that when I write, the written words never come out as lovely as they sound in my head. I’ll …
Have you heard the term “meet-cute”? If you’re not into reading contemporary romance novels, you probably haven’t. I don’t mean the trade paperback romances, but a larger genre that has developed, consisting of full-length novels about heroes and heroines who often have dark or tragic pasts but find one another and a lasting, fulfilling relationship. …
Maybe it’s because I’m a Michigan girl at heart, but I have a lot of love for snow. Here’s why.
WARNING: Hopeless Optimism Ahead. During a conversation with my husband last night, he introduced me to the idea of “planning for margins.” He’s reading a book about time management and being busy, and he said it forced him to examine how he prepares to leave the house. He calculates the latest possible minute he can …
Isn’t it great when you’re talking with a longtime friend and you suddenly find something new that you have in common? This happened to me a few weeks ago when a friend and I discovered our mutual love for The Lord of the Rings. Many a Facebook chats were then filled with movie lines, book-movie …
Continue reading Saturday Six #11: One Obsession to Rule Them All
