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Notes from Norfolk
I’m in Norfolk, Virginia for the weekend for a booksigning at a Barnes and Noble and a visit with my stepdaughter, Alana, and son-in-law, Matt. Here’s a picture of me with Heidi Luong, the very first reader to arrive at the signing. Heidi only started reading my books a few months ago, but she’s dedicated! She…
Read MoreOutline Finished. . . For Now
Wow, these cool new post it index cards sure do make my outlines neater! Kind of boring, compared to my old cut and paste method (see a picture of me with one of my old outlines on my gallery page). I have to say, this method is far more manageable! So I’m now ready…
Read MoreOh Happy Day
I planned to work today, but I couldn’t tear myself away from the TV (from which John made this pic). From the celebratory inaugural concert Sunday, to the rare North Carolina snowstorm outside our windows, to Aretha’s singing of America the Beautiful, to the quiet, moving transition of power, to Obama’s inspirational speech and–most emotional for me–to the…
Read More"Your Characters are Too Nice"
I usually let John read outlines of my stories while I’m working on them, and he always has the same comment: “Your characters are too nice.” And I always smile sweetly and respond, “Yup. That’s the way I like ’em.” I don’t believe people are inherently good or evil. Some people are sociopaths. Some have,…
Read MoreIt's Up to the Writer
This week, I met with a local bookclub during their discussion of one of my books–something I try to do whenever I’m invited and my schedule permits. This particular group had read The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, and during the discussion, we got around to the topic of believability. Do the events of the story ring true or…
Read MoreStructure
Tomorrow I begin the outline for my current, as yet untitled, WIP (Work in Progress). I’m excited and nervous. Excited because I’m embarking on a new story with new characters, and nervous for the same reason. When you have the unknown stretched out in front of you–along with a deadline that’s mere months away (August)–it…
Read MoreFeelings. . .
This post will be of most interest to you new fiction writers out there. I’ve been revising my current synopsis for the past week, and today I did the part I love most: I wrote my “feelings essays.” As of this morning, the synopsis was in great shape. All the action was there and the characters’…
Read MoreHelp Me Celebrate Twenty Years!
Will you help me brainstorm? 2009 marks the twentieth anniversary of the publication of my first novel (the picture at the left is from one of my very first booksignings), and I want to celebrate with you, my readers, but I’m not sure what form that celebration should take. I’d love to hear your ideas!…
Read MoreSneak Peek!
I know the release of Secrets She Left Behind is still months away (last week of May), but I wanted to give you a sneak peek at the cover. I love it! Love the colors and the evocative mood. Secrets She Left Behind is the sequel to Before the Storm, but will easily stand alone for…
Read MoreUsing Real Disasters in Fiction
My current work-in-progress requires a disaster. Hurricane Katrina would work. So would 9-11. But I can’t bring myself to use those tragic events. I’m even uncomfortable using this image from Katrina. It simply feels too soon, with too many of the hurricane’s victims still in pain. I recently finished reading Wally Lamb’s wonderful new book, The Hour…
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