Cartography--the study and making of maps. When I began the Wynnewood series, one of the first and most important things to me was to have a proper "fantasy map." After all, what is a fantasy book without a good map, right? Finding my amazing illustrator, Craig Worrell, was a gift from God via Continue Reading
W-hy
It's not a question I hear often. Usually people ask what I write or how I do it. They ask where I write or when (either time of day or time period). However, few people ask "why?" I wondered about that. Wonder. That's another word. I'll get back to it. So, when someone asked recently why Continue Reading
V-alimar
I have a five book series planned for my next fantasy saga. The series is called Guardians of Valimar. It took forever to find just the right name for this land I've created in my mind, but while my husband was in the hospital and I spent so much time sitting alone at tables in restaurants, I Continue Reading
U-nctuous
I'm planning a book for this summer. It's going to be a 30 day project. Already it is very well plotted and ready to go, but I have one character that I need to work on a bit more. In an allegory--Pilgrim's Progress perhaps-- her name would be Unctuous. In case you don't know which definition I Continue Reading
T-ennyson
No, not the poet. My character. I was sitting here wondering what I'd do with T when I remembered a very short opening to a book idea I had and the main character's name was Tennyson. So, I thought I'd just post that little opening. Funerals are seldom jolly affairs. Movies like to depict Continue Reading
R-oana
Hidden Hollow is home to several interesting characters. Sevrin, Alydia, Bernar, and of course, Roana. I love her. For one thing, I've made her beautiful. I don't do that often. It's too cliche. Sorry, but I get tired of drop-dead gorgeous heroines who are perfect in every way. Ugh. Sorry Continue Reading
P-lotting, Plodding, and Publishing
Whoever would have thought that I'd be one of those obnoxious writers with a "How to write a nove with three easy steps?" Not me. Yet, as I stare as the plan for this blog post (all in the mind... don't freak out. I'm not that organized or forethoughtful), it occurs to me that this is really what Continue Reading
O-blivious
Sometimes I wonder if that's what I am. Oblivious. I don't consider myself the next great American author. Come on. Please. I am not that arrogant. But I do wonder sometimes if I am more arrogant than I think I am. Well, ok I know I am. Aren't we all? You know what I mean. I don't think Continue Reading
N-ovel
Inspirations. Thought I'd give an update on where I am and what I am writing about these days. Here We Come- I was stunned at the sales for Here We Come. They were much higher than I expected. I'm not sure why, but I kind of thought I'd sell fewer of them, but I think I sold more than I Continue Reading
Winner!
On Friday, I was supposed to draw a name for a winner from the blog post about "F". I did. Check it out... I almost fell over. Another F-word. I almost hit the thing again just because it seemed so unbelievable. But, another word I love is serendipitous. So... I kept it. This totally felt Continue Reading
M-ovies
I love them. Always have. They're not as good as a book, but they have an advantage that books don't have. See, I can watch a movie and write a book. I can watch a movie and sew a dress, pay bills, help a kid with her doll dress, and cook dinner. I can do all kinds of things while watching a Continue Reading
L-ists
You know, I think most people are list makers. Some use complex organizers, others notebooks. Some like post-it-notes, and some are more techy types with smart phones, iPads, and laptops. I have a daughter that puts everything into her iTouch. From what to buy at Burger King, to when to switch Continue Reading
