How I Work
Now, this is downright spooky. In this morning’s email, I received questions from two separate people asking me where the post (below) could be found, since it helped them in their own writing process. It was part of my former blog and I was going to simply send the inquirers to that link, but then a third email…
Read MoreNew Book (Non-)Announcement
Every day I receive email asking when my next book will be out, so it’s time I updated you on where things stand. Let’s just say it’s been an interesting year! What is certain is that I’ll be staying with my wonderful publisher, Mira Books. There is not a nicer group of people in publishing…
Read MoreSkink in the House!
Look at this beautiful little guy! My housekeeper, Delilah, was vacuuming when this baby skink hopped on her hand. Here he is on her index finger. I don’t know how he got inside, but we put him back in the front yard where the grown up skinks can take care of him. …
Read MoreThe Licker
I have a behavioral problem with Jet. He’s an obsessive licker, truly orally fixated. He’s very sweet and friendly, so people initially love him, but once he starts licking their legs, their arms, their hands—any explosed patch of skin, he loses favor with them. My youngest stepdaughter, Caitlin, has been visiting from California for the last few days.…
Read MoreMy Brother's Story
My little brother, Rob Lopresti,–mystery writer, songwriter, university librarian and a few other things–has a new story on the web. I laughed out loud reading it. It’s sci-fi. . . kind of. . . but I still got a kick out of it.
Read MoreRemicade Day
Every six weeks, I spend half a day at my doctor’s office receiving an IV infusion of a drug called Remicade. Remicade is in a newish class of drugs that have made a huge difference in the lives of people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (and also, Crohns Disease). I have a love-hate relationship with it. I love…
Read MoreDo You Need a Smile Today? For Fellow Dog Lovers
This is my FAVORITE online video clip. It makes me smile and also brings a tear to my eye because of the trust and joy in the dog’s face. The dancers are Carolyn Scott and her gorgeous golden, Rookie. When you get to this page, click the link to “download the wonderful video of Carolyn and…
Read MoreEditors are our Friends!
Sometimes writers, especially early in their careers, view editors as adversaries. With my first book, I was so proud of every word that when my editor suggested changes, I balked. It takes a while to realize writers and editors are on the same team. I’m thinking about this right now because I’m excited to be working…
Read MoreBeloved by Toni Morrison
The first time I read this book, many years ago, I didn’t like it. It’s a tough read. Morrison’s language is so dense and packed with imagery and symbolism that the reader must allow herself to be consumed by it. There’s no other way to read this book, and I must have wanted to rush through…
Read MoreI am, Like, so Totally Out of It
Scrunchies are out and have been for a long time. I just disvoered this by watching a rerun of an old Sex and the City in which one of the characters is grossed out by a woman who wears scrunchies. Then I read in a ‘what’s hot and what’s not’ column how scrunchies are definitely O-U-T.…
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