Writer's moments

  • Sunday Snippet: The I’m Older and I’m Okay Edition

    Yes, I’m going to talk about aging today, so if you’re sick and tired of hearing about people (read me!) getting older, I’d suggest you go do something else. Watch YouTube or Netflix, scroll on your phone, or read a book on your Kindle. Seems like I keep hearing that people I know or who are part of my worldview have died–Bonnie Tyler, Sam Neill, Catherine O’Hara, Robert Duvall, Peabo Bryson, David Clayton-Thomas, Neil Sedaka, Sophie Kinsella, Rob Reiner, Eric Dane (Dr. McDreamy)… and closer to home and less recently, my mom, my sister, Kate, my best friend, Dee, and other cousins, friends, and contemporaries. Kate would’ve turned 75 in June,…

  • Sunday Snippet: The July Memories Edition

    It’s been a weird week for me–full of joy and nostalgia and even a little bit of sad. We got to spend some extra time with Son and Grandboy up at the lake since they stayed past the weekend (sadly DIL had to split to get back to work). Both Son and I worked, of course, because that’s how we roll even at the lake, but after work, we swam and shared suppers and just enjoyed each other’s company. On Wednesday, Son and I swam for over an hour, just the two of us (Grandboy was developing a damn summer cold, so he stayed in their cottage), and that was…

  • Sunday Snippet: The In Between Edition

    Good Sunday morning, mes amis. It’s a gorgeous day here at the lake. Grandboy is sleeping in my guest room, Husband is out on the deck basking in the morning sun with a cup of coffee, and I’m here in my lake “office.” (Read bedroom with a card table and wooden chair.) We had a lovely evening with Grandboy while his parents went out to celebrate their 24th (!!) anniversary. He regaled us with tales of Scout camp shenanigans and told us about the badges he earned. The kid is interested in everything and just a fun storyteller. We love every moment with him. He’s already claimed his spot on…

    Comments Off on Sunday Snippet: The In Between Edition
  • Sunday Snippet: The June Memos Edition

    It’s time for more memos, don’t you think? It’s been awhile, June is nearly over, summer has truly started … it’s time. So, without further ado… Dear Summer, Welcome back. The first part of June was as wet and chilly as March and I began to wonder if you were ever going to show up. But you are here … temps in the 90s next week, hot sunshine, and real Midwest summer weather. Already sweltering, Nan ~*~*~*~ Dear People in My Head, I know you are all waiting anxiously for your storis to be told–and they will be told. But I just wrote THE END on Levi and Zoey’s story,…

  • Author Spotlight: Sheritta Bitikofer Is In the House!

    FL Chen1, you are Sheritta’s giveaway winner! Congratulations! Sheritta will be in touch with you. Thanks for coming by the blog–we love talking to our readers! I’m happy to welcome Sheritta Bitikofer back to the Spotlight! Marked by the Alpha, her first paranormal romance with Tule Publishing’s Muse imprint released June 11. Shifter fans, have you discovered it yet? Sheritta’s here to share her journey to this new novel… Sheritta Bitikofer writes paranormal romance with a particular fondness for wolf shifters and witches. Her stories are driven by one guiding belief: love inspires courage. Through fierce romances, unbreakable pack bonds, and the magic of covens and family, her characters fight…

  • Sunday Snippet: The Yup, Nan’s Got Nothin’ Again Edition

    Yeah, again, I’ve got nothin’ this morning. Life has been a little bit overwhelming this week as I’ve tried to decompress from RAGT26. We headed to the lake, which always helps because life seems less burdensome here, but I still have to write and work on editing gigs no matter where I open my laptop. So, I’m writing like a fiend trying to finish this book by deadline, as well as editing like crazy on two projects. Writer bestie Liz says when you have nothing, make a list. I thought about a list, but then I remembered that I have a list–“A Year of Journal Prompts.” Why wouldn’t that work…

  • Sunday Snippet: The RAGT26 Edition (A Quick Post!)

    Hi, Peeps! I’m very late today, but I wanted to do a quick post for you. I just got home from RAGT26 (Reader Author Get Together 2026) in Cincinnati. Met so many great authors and so many wonderful readers! What a trip! Carol Light and I were roomies for this 4-day event and we had such a good time together. We got to meet and talk to readers in our Boardroom on Wednesday. Our luncheon on Thursday was a low-key, but lovely event, and our Dinner with an Author crew was simply delightful! Lots of laughter and fun and so so many new friends! Big love to Jane Porter and…

  • Author Spotlight: Welcome Melinda Curtis!

    I’m always delighted to bring you one of my own favorite authors and today is special because bestselling author, Melinda Curtis! Melinda Curtis is the USA Today bestselling author of light‐hearted contemporary romance, romantic comedies, and women’s fiction. Her book Dandelion Wishes was made into a TV movie – Love in Harmony Valley, starring Amber Marshall. She lives in Oregon’s wine country with her husband – her basketball-playing college sweetheart. While raising three kids, the couple did the soccer thing, the karate thing, the dance thing, the Little League thing and, of course, the basketball thing. Now when Melinda isn’t writing and Mr. Curtis isn’t watching college basketball, they do the DIY thing. Website…

  • Sunday Snippet: The Who Is My Best Self Edition

    This morning during my daily meditation, the guide asked us to consider that question: “Who am I when I’m at my best?” Who am I when I’m at my best? Wow, what a question. I think we, okay I, don’t stop my life to consider who I am, who I want to be, who I should be. I just push through…working, writing, doing laundry, making meals, being horrified by the state of our government, yet loving my family and friends and just trying to get through each day. Always behind everything I do or think or say is the knowledge that my heart isn’t working as well as other hearts…

  • Author Spotlight: Welcome Author Lynne Marshall!

    I’m so pleased to introduce y’all to author USA Today bestselling author, Lynne Marshall. She is a writer after my own heart, being an inveterate day dreamer and storyteller. She tried to retire during Covid, but discovered there is no retiring from one’s own imagination! Lynne used to worry she had a serious problem with day dreaming, until she discovered she was supposed to write those stories. Now traditionally published for many years with over thirty-four books as a category romance author, she has also gone hybrid. She is a Southern California native, has been married to a New Englander for a long time, and has two adult children of…