Writer's moments
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Sunday Snippet: The Writer as Procrastinator Edition
I think I’ve mentioned it before but in case you don’t know, I’ve become a world-class procrastinator—I can do something else better than anyone anywhere. I’ve passed amateur status and have just recently gotten my professional standing. Don’t even try to take me on this one, I’ll beat the socks off you every time. For instance, yesterday, after we drove home from the lake, I procrastinated beautifully about cutting back the last of the pampas grass. I found something more important to do (read “sat on the sofa reading for pleasure” here) until it was time to start supper. The to-do list I made while we drove home was really…
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Sunday Snippet: The And We’re Off… Edition
Liz and I are headed out this morning for our twice yearly writing retreat. She’s allergy sniffly, I’m at the end of a wicked sinus infection that still shows up as a headache now and again. We should be delightful company for one another. Fortunately, we’re both pretty hardy souls and we’ll make it just fine. Retreats are our time for writing, processing out loud, sharing story, and giving opinions. I can count on Liz to tell me if something is going to work or if I’ve gotten completely off-track. I do the same for her. It’s our sister-writer time and we’re pretty protective of it. This spring we’re going…
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Author Spotlight: Romance Author Jana Richards Is Here!
I’m so happy to welcome my fellow Word Wrangler, Jana Richards to the Spotlight today! When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily-ever-after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the…
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Wednesday Drop-In: Results of the Cover Survey
Bonjour, Mes Amis, Just dropping in real quick to let you know the results of the cover survey that I sent out to folks a few weeks ago. My friend who put the survey together sent the results of the data she collected. Here’s what the data tells us about the ideal book cover to appeal to the broadest possible audience: The winning formula: A photographic or richly illustrated cover, dominated by bright and vibrant colors, featuring compelling imagery that’s clearly related to the story — with mostly visuals and minimal text. Breaking it down by category: Style: The top three (photographic, illustrated, bold & graphic) are nearly tied, all hovering around…
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Sunday Snippet: The March Lists Edition
When I’ve got nothing, which is the situation as I sit here in front of my computer this morning, pal Liz always recommends doing a list or two. I figure why not? I was thinking maybe favorites books lists would be fun. What do you think? I’ll start. Five Favorite Childhood Books (Too easy, but also fun to think about): The Bobbsey Twins books by Laura Lee Hope–I often pretended I was Nan, the oldest girl twin. The Nancy Drew books by Carolyn Keene–I loved her sporty little convertible and dreamed about a boyfriend like Ned (FYI, he’s fiction). The Jennifer Wish by Eunice Young Smith–amazing stories about a family who…
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Sunday Snippet: The Another THE END & a Cover Reveal Edition
What a wonderful feeling to be able to type “The End” at the finish line of a long arduous writing experience. I have another novel done—really, truly done! And my critique partners are on-board, one even said, “I love this story!” That is high praise indeed from a person whose writing I’ve admired for years. Help Wanted, Cowboy is out to betas right now, and I’ve been going through it in preparation for sending it to my editor next week. Since I got to THE END, how about I do a cover reveal for this book? The amazing Lee Hyat has given me another wonderful cover for Help Wanted Cowboy,…
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Sunday Snippet: The Red Boots and Style Edition
I’ve been working on becoming more confident and seeing myself in a new way. Clothes are part of this very slow transformation–wearing them, buying them, choosing them… knowing what best suits me. In the daybook Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach talks about finding clothes that fit your lifestyle. That assumes I have a lifestyle, which I’m not entirely sure I really do. I’m a writer and editor. I pretty much live in comfort clothes–yoga pants, T-shirts with a sweater tugged over the top of them or a sweatshirt if it’s really cold outside. Slippers or socks and I’m good to go for the day. There are even days, I confess,…
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Author Spotlight: Welcome Back Mystery Writer J.C. Kenney!
We have a winner! HiDee Silverwood Ekstrom, you are J.C.’s giveaway winner! Thanks to everyone for stopping by! Nothing makes this author happier than welcoming great writers who also happen to be good friends to the spotlight. Today it’s my real pleasure to welcome mystery writer and fellow Tule author J.C. Kenney to join me here on the blog! (Confession? I’m in love with Elmo Simpson!) J.C. Kenney is the Agatha award winning and bestselling author of The Allie Cobb Mysteries, The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, and The Elmo Simpson Mysteries. He’s also the co-host of The Bookish Hour and Bookish Moment webcasts. When he’s not writing, you can find him…
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Sunday Snippet: The Five Fun Facts Edition
William Harris and Julie Syers, you are my e-book winners! My publisher will be sending you both e-books of The Cowboy’s Comeback. Thanks so much for coming by! Okay, right off, I confess I’m truly down-to-my socks tired. Between book release promotion and heading to THE END on Book 3 in the Juniper Falls Ranch series, and working on editing gigs, my brain is basically mush today. Sometimes, that happens on Sundays–whatever intellect I have left goes into hiding and even remembering how to use my new coffeemaker is a reason to stop and pause. (I remembered and I now have coffee–yay!) When that brain drain happens on a Sunday…
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Author Spotlight: Welcome Dakota Harrison–She’s stepping into the World of Cozy Fantasy
I’m so delighted to welcome author Dakota Harrison back to the Spotlight. She’s been here before with her contemporary romances with our favorite publisher, Tule Publishing. Today, she brings something new to the spotlight–cozy fantasy. I had to look that one up, and wow, is the concept ever intriguing. Google told me that “Cozy fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy focused on comforting, low-stakes stories set in magical worlds, emphasizing warmth, community, relationships, and everyday life over epic battles or high-stakes conflicts. It offers a relaxing escape with feel-good vibes, gentle pacing, and charming, often domestic, details like tea, food, and found families, making it a popular genre for readers…