What do salt breezes, palm trees, sand outside the door, and the Santa Ana winds have to do with turn-of-the-20th-century Brooklyn? Not much—only my introduction to Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a defining moment in my life. (This is a revised post from 2014 and contains affiliate Continue Reading
Writing
“Oldie Friday”: Noble Pursuits
Once upon a time, an aspiring author was writing about a young college graduate who inherited her sister's eight children. It was the first time the author had attempted to write in about fifteen years. I tell you this, because it goes to show just how much said author didn't know about herself AS Continue Reading
Noble Pursuits: Re-edited!
Thirteen years ago, with my newborn son sleeping in his Moses basket beside me and my other children doing schoolwork, playing, or otherwise engaged in doing kid stuff. I'd been working on my first book--Aggie's Inheritance (Now Ready or Not)--and had a new idea. I'd read something once. I think Continue Reading
Ready or Not! Here 2013 Comes!
We're getting close on so many projects! It's unreal! I'm absolutely amazed at how much is coming in such a short time! What's with the exclamation points! I feel like I'm in Jr. High! All I need to do is italicize everything and man!!!! ;) This week Deceptive Appearances got a new title. Continue Reading
Why Do Your Characters Do What They Do?
People ask me often, "Do your characters hold the same convictions and preferences that you do?" The answer: No. Not even close. My characters do things I heartily disagree with, don't have the guts to do, are exactly what I'd like to do if my thoughts and preferences were all that mattered Continue Reading
Fairy Tales Can Come True…
Even if you're the world's shyest prince. My first foray into the realm of fairy tales was what you might call, "accidental." Once it was finished, I immediately had several other ideas. I even began two sequels (of sorts). Rupert's story and the story of a princess in "Congolia" that fits Continue Reading
Unusual Fairy Tales & Things
Once upon a very long time ago, in a land so very far away, a very unusual princess lived. And so goes the tale of a princess who is a little tired of being a princess. Paisley's majority ball is coming, and well, she's in the minority as to the excitement of that day. She'd like to forgo it Continue Reading
Where it All Began…
Once upon a time, a home school mom of nine heard the question, "How do you do it all?" one too many times. Every time someone asked her the question, she would say, "Well, you get them one at a time. They all don't show up at once. You add experience before you add the next kid or stage." Then Continue Reading
F
Not words. Sheesh. Get your mind out of the gutter. No, I mean names. I discovered something about myself this year. Every time I go to name someone, when I get to their last name, I instinctively type, "F." No, really. I do. It goes something like this. From a battered purse that had Continue Reading
How & Why I Make Reading a Huge Priority in My Life
So many books, so little time. I'm one of those voracious readers who tends to inhale books rather than savor them. Though I try to learn to stroll through the pages, take my time, enjoy the journey, I can't always do it. In fact, the longer it's been since I've read a book, the more starved I Continue Reading
Q & A & Stuff
I've had a few questions via email, in person, online, chatting, etc. So, I thought I'd share them for the rest of the folks too! Q: What is Everard? When will it be available? A: Everard is my second in the Not-So-Fairy Tales Collection. It is started, planned, and it's unlike any fairy Continue Reading
Readers Ask Questions: Part 4
This post has been updated! The original was for a contest that is long gone, but I thought you might enjoy the questions and answers. Original post date was Independence Day of 2010!!! Sharon B- Do you enjoy reading your books? Is it full of myself to say yes? What I don't enjoy is seeing Continue Reading
