Writing

Characters just want to be liked!

Apparently there’s another round of chick-lit wars raging, if this Salon article, “What’s the difference between ‘chick’lit’ and literary fiction?,”  is any hint. Some authors embrace the term “chick-lit,” some authors, like Adelle Waldman, run from the label as if they’re being chased by lions on the Serengeti. I couldn’t care less what an author […] Read more…

Happy Father’s Day

My brother was one of the best dads I know. He died a little over a year ago, and I know his two children think of him every day. He was a great “dad” even before he became a father—I remember him as a teenager, playing with all the younger kids on the block, all […] Read more…

Stop worrying and get writing

Last week was a busy week here in London. The London Book fair was held April 14-17, and on Saturday I attended the Verulam Writers’ Circle Get Writing Conference. I think I learned almost as much from the questions as I did from the speakers. For instance, I was quite surprised to hear so many […] Read more…

Give your hero a job

I wrote a blog post for Rachel Firasek’s blog called The Professional Hero and Heroine. In it I talk about how important it is for characters to have careers—not just as background but as key parts of their characterization. No, not every novel calls for your characters to have exciting careers, but when the author […] Read more…

Deleted scene: How to make a keepsake box

During the last pass of edits on Temptation, my editor asked me to delete a scene that shows Jacob, an Amish woodworker, creating a keepsake box for Laura. Later on he takes the box to her, a last gift before she leaves the country to work on another film. The scene didn’t add anything to […] Read more…

Happy muddy Monday

Happy Monday, everyone! (I’m one of those weird people who actually like Mondays!) Aside from the mud here, it’s going okay. Over the weekend I noticed a great review for Temptation at Night Owl Book Reviews. Five stars, top pick! And today, I’m at Simply Ali guest blogging about the theme of Temptation. I’ve written […] Read more…

All is revealed! (And Amazon giveaway!)

You thought Richard III’s skeleton was the only exciting thing revealed this week? Think again. No DNA analysis needed for this revelation! At last, the cover of my debut novel, Temptation! How ’bout them apples, eh? You can read more about Temptation here, and soon you can pre-order! Temptation goes on sale on February 16. […] Read more…

There is no such thing as a perfect manuscript

If you had told me, before about 4 pm yesterday, that I’d mistake the word “bow” for “bough” I’d have laughed. I wouldn’t confuse two similar sounding words (known as homophones); that’s a rookie mistake. I know the difference between rein and reign (and even rain), navel and naval, throws and throes, reek and wreak. […] Read more…

Ten books that will help you write

From writing craft to writing fears, a few books I’ve found helpful in the writing journey. A friend recently asked for the title of a book I’d mentioned on the craft of writing—it turned out to be 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes, by Jack Bickham. (Not 28, as I’d told her—turns out I was […] Read more…

What Happens Next?

I’ve been stuck on my WIP (work in progress) for months now. Partly that’s due to the two rounds of edits and major revisions on previous novels that have taken up my time this summer and fall, but it’s mostly due to WHN. WHN is a form of writer’s block. It stands for What Happens […] Read more…

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