Okay! Let’s see if I’ve mastered this new blog format well enough to add pictures. I’m in Bellingham, Washington on my semi-non-working vacation, where my niece, Susan and her fiance, John, were married on Sunday. It was such a treat to be part of their special day, since I live 3000 miles away. The weather was incredible,…

My web designer and I apologize for the problems some of you have been having with my new blog. We’re working out the snags. We’re trying to make it so you don’t have to register in order to leave a post–if you respond to this and future posts, for  example, you should not have to…

As promised a couple of posts ago, here are some photos from my recent research trip to Topsail Island. I mentioned the wonderful pre-release dinner Glen Pierce hosted for me at Sterling Bryson’s sound-front home. Here I am with my new friends on Sterling’s porch. L to R, Craig and Dawn Brannon, Fred Beasley, John Brock,…

Soon I’ll have this on my blog and new website so you won’t have to click on youtube to watch it, but I absolutely couldn’t wait that long to share it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZxpvYigMxE

 Jean Beasley, the founder and director of The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital in Topsail Beach, gave John and me a private tour of the hospital yesterday. Jean is a dynamo, and the turtles are her passion. I’ve heard about the hospital for years, but this was my first visit and I had to share it…

Just a quickie post. I’ll elaborate later. I’m staying in a friend’s fabulous little cottage on Topsail, where Before the Storm is set, doing some final research for After the Storm. I just have a few days and wish I had much longer. I’ve met so many wonderful people down here over the last year…

  I’m working with Circle of Seven Productions on a book trailer for Before the Storm. Have you ever seen a book trailer? I thought I’d keep you abreast of the process, which I’m finding intriguing. I can’t wait to see how it turns out First, of course, I gave the C of S people…

It was an amazing week, full of brainstorming and writing and games and friendship. Two days ago, we were down to just Sarah, Bren and myself, seen here with a couple o’ pirates at a restaurant. Arggh. Yesterday, we were down to just Bren and myself–and we’re both nightowls. We stayed up till nearly 3:30…

What a gorgeous setting! I’m down here at Holden Beach with the scribblers (Mary Kay Andrews, Margaret Maron, Sarah Shaber and Brenda Witchger) and we’re getting tons done. That’s mostly because Mary Kay is a very firm task master. Every morning we set our goals for the day and check in with our progress in…