Writing
Questions from a Reader
I did a live Google+ Hangout yesterday during which several of my readers participated. One of my readers, Amy Feld, was unable to hook up with the Hangout (it was a technological challenge, for sure!), so she sent me her questions separately, and I thought I’d answer them here for everyone to see. (Here’s the…
Read MoreToday's Pub Day for Necessary Lies!
I’m inviting you to join me in 1960 rural North Carolina, where a fifteen-year-old girl named Ivy Hart wants only two things: to hold the tattered remnants of her family together and to one day marry and have children with the boy she’s loved since she was a little girl. I’d like you to see…
Read MoreStory Weekend: Resilience (and a contest)
I know you thought I disappeared from the blog for good! My deadline had to take precedence, and I’m still not finished with my work-in-progress, but I’ve missed my blog readers so here I am for the weekend! I’ve been dealing with deadlines, all sorts of great promotions for Necessary Lies (which just happens to…
Read MoreIt's Pub Day in the United Kingdom for Necessary Lies!
For once, my UK, Irish and Australian readers get to go first! For those of you in North America, your turn will come soon: September 3rd. (That’s the UK cover on the left; the North American cover on the right). I’d wanted to write this book for many years and I’m thrilled it’s finally seeing…
Read MoreMidweek Questions from My Readers: Part 3
On Facebook, I asked for some questions that were a bit out of the ordinary and received plenty! So here’s part 3. Feel free to answer any of these questions yourself in the comments if you like! I’m trying to alternate “personal” and “professional” questions, so here goes: Q. When you were young, did you…
Read MoreMidweek Questions from my Readers Part 2
On Facebook, I asked for some questions that were a bit out of the ordinary and received plenty! So here’s part 2. Feel free to answer any of these questions yourself in the comments. Q. If you had to live in one of your books with the people and in the community, which one would…
Read MoreMidweek Questions from My Readers (and a Giveaway)
On Facebook, I asked for some questions that were a bit out of the ordinary and received plenty! I may make this a feature on my blog for a midweek pick-me-up. Here’s the first set (and then it’s your turn…): Q. What is your favorite breakfast food? A. I have breakfast nearly every morning at…
Read MoreStory Weekend: Housework (and a giveaway)
We have a problematic porch. First, it has ratty old carpet on the floor (blue) which has probably been there for decades. Second, we live in an area that gets thick yellow pollen every spring and although I cover all the porch furniture prior to pollen season, the stuff still coats the screens and the…
Read MoreThe First Lie: Writing a Short Story inspired by a Novel (Plus a Contest!)
The First Lie, an e-original short story, is available today! It’s just 99¢ in the United States and 99p in the United Kingdom. I had a blast writing it, though it was a challenge. I wasn’t sure I could “write short” after writing novels for so long. I knew I wanted to come up with…
Read MoreStory Weekend: "Born out of Wedlock"
Okay, it’s a weird topic for Story Weekend, but I bet everybody has some kind of story inspired by those four words. I look forward to hearing yours. This topic is inspired by the fact that my e-short story, The First Lie, will be available Tuesday (99¢ in the US and 99p in the UK),…
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