Day 4 was actually yesterday and I wrote a post last night but got kicked off the internet before I saved it. Grrr. I was suggesting a couple of good books for fiction writers. THE WRITER’S PARTNER by Martin Roth:  I carry this one to the Opium Den each day like some people carry their…

Unbelievable! As of yesterday, John and I have lived in North Carolina for a year. The decision to move here was even smarter than I thought. It’s been a super twelve months. Here’s what I love about the Raleigh area: being ten minutes from my grandson and his parents (and his soon-to-be sister or brother),…

Today I asked Pippa to tell me more about herself, since she’s been  trying to steal the show. I figured she just wanted attention, but I was in for a surprise. She gave me a first chapter. A tentative first chapter, but wow. When I want to know a character better, I have her write…

Tess Gerritsen has a wonderful blog and her essay entitled ‘Legume Literature’ really hit home with me. I hear from many readers who tell me they hadn’t read anything since childhood until discovering my books. They thank me for getting them reading again. Tess addresses why so many adults have lost the joy of reading.…

First, he’s still alive, so don’t worry! On July 19th, I posted a link to a video clip of golden retriever, Rookie, and his owner, Carolyn, dancing together. Rookie is retired now, and 13 1/2 years old. The Musical Dog Sport Association put together this touching tribute to him. I’m still wiping my eyes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlKTYyjDwnI

Yes, I only got in half a day’s work on the WIP because of the events reported in the previous post. But it was a good few hours. I’m still playing around with nearly every aspect of the story. And I have some names. The fifteen-year-old boy is Andy, subject to change of course. Andy…

Most published authors I know are only able to write about fifty percent of their working hours. The rest of the time they’re involved in some form of promotion. That surprises non-writers I speak to. They think our publishers promote us, and I guess that was true in the olden days. Not any more. Every author I…

Ahhhh. . . four wonderful hours at the Opium Den this morning. Me, all curled up in a cushy purple chair with a maple oat nut scone, too many cups of coffee, and a fresh pad of yellow lined paper. Heaven.  I’m serious! My subconscious and I work so well together sometimes! Since I am…

I left one thing out of my previous post: We also shopped for a sectional. Do you guys like either of these? Whoops, I mean do y’all like either of these? I really have to let some Carolina into my speech! Anyhow, this one is black leather, but we’d get it in a milk or…

What a great day! It began with singing in the choir at my new church. It’s so much fun to sing at this church because everyone in the congregation looks so happy and it fills me up with joy. Then we spent time (hours, really) at two bookstores. A two-bookstore day is a very good…