Writer's moments
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Sunday Snippet: The Words Sometimes Come Hard Edition
I’m in a weird place with this new work-in-progress. I like the story, I like the characters, but somehow I’m having a problem getting them to move along. I have more notes about this first story in my new series than I did starting out any other River’s Edge series, mostly because a lot of this story happens away from River’s Edge. But I also have more word notes, more conversation notes, more scene notes than any book I’ve ever written. It’s almost as if I’m writing the book in my notes, but when I get to the computer, the words are coming hard. Funny thing is, I know this…
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Author Spotlight: It’s Me with Some Fun Stuff for You
Congratulations, Debra and Linda, you two are my winners of a $5 Amazon gift card and a free e-book ARC of Made to Love You. I’ll get those right out to you! Yup, today I’m in my own Spotlight, which happens now and again. I hope you forgive my shameless self-promotion, but I confess this blog sometimes does that. It is snowy here in the Midwest, which is okay by me. The world is white and quiet and the snow sparkles in the sunlight. The brisk cold sorta takes your breath away, but it’s wondrous to watch from inside my warm cozy house. Here’s a little something to warm your…
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Sunday Snippet: The Imposter’s Ah-Ha Moment Edition
Have you ever heard of impostor syndrome? Basically, it’s “the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills.” I suffer from this, and I think a lot authors do. We are all pretty much people who are writing, not for the kudos for finishing a book, but because we have these characters in our heads begging to have their stories told. It has never occurred to me not to write, but I struggled with the idea of trying to get what I write published. Would it be good enough? Would people want to read it?…
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Author Spotlight: Elle Douglas Brings the Christmas Joy!
Cheri J, you are Elle’s winner of the mouse ornament and an ebook; Roseann McGrath Brooks, you are Elle’s winner of a $10 Amazon gift card. Ell will be in touch with you both! Thanks to everyone who stopped by! We love our readers! I’m so happy to welcome fellow Tule author and fellow Christmas romance author Elle Douglas to the Spotlight today with her new holiday novella, Wish Upon a Christmas Star. Is that the most gorgeous cover or what? Elle Douglas writes small-town contemporary romance for lovers of warm, feel-good stories that are on the sweeter side. Her novels feature strong, relatable characters living in tight-knit communities, with…
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Author Spotlight: C’est Moi!
We have a winner! DeeAnn Kraft, your name was chosen at random as the reader who will receive the fun prize! Thank to everyone who stopped by! So delighted to share the magic of Christmas with you! I’m in the spotlight today with Christmas magic and a bunch of fun! I know it’s only October, but I’m ready for the holidays and so is River’s Edge. Today is release day for Made for Mistletoe, book 3 in the Walkers of River’s Edge series and we are all about the holidays! This one is Cameron Walker and Harper Gaines’s story and it is full of emotion and heart. I cried while…
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Sunday Snippet: The It’s Officially Autumn Edition
I read an article a few years ago that talked about Autumn resolutions–how they’re much easier than New Year’s resolutions because they’re inner resolutions. A fall renewing of your spirit and determination. I like that idea—just a quiet resolve to do better. The worrying thing will need work this fall–the knot in my stomach is back, I think mostly because of politics. That whole situation terrifies the tar outta me, but outside of voting, what can I do? I need to do something, so I’ve volunteered to work the polls for the first time in at least 20 years. Otherwise, I’ll just live my life, love my family and friends,…
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Sunday Snippet: The Post-Retreat Musings Edition
I’m in a post-retreat haze. It happens every year after Liz and I get back from our semiannual (it means twice a year, I looked it up!) writing retreat. We do one in January in a little town in the hills of Southern Indiana and we do one in October, usually somewhere in Michigan. At every retreat, we write and talk and eat and drink wine and write and process and talk endlessly and write… Oh, and did I mention that there’s always great wine and chocolate and lots of good food? (I think I might have, but it bears repeating.) We don’t do restaurants quite as much as we…
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Sunday Snippet: The It’s Not Christmas Yet, But…Edition
It is only September, but for me, for River’s Edge, it’s almost Christmas! When I write a holiday-themed romance, it’s usually during the gray days of February or the cool rainy days in early April. That’s because for a book to be released during the holidays, it has be done and ready for production by May. So am I feeling the holidays at those times? Not so much. I’m just over the holidays at that point. But I sit down at my desk, close my eyes, and take myself back to River’s Edge in December. The shops are all decorated with twinkle lights and green and red garland. Carly has…
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Author Spotlight: Welcome Back, Katherine Garbera!
Beth Reimer, you are Kathy’s winner! She will be in touch! Thanks to everyone for stopping by and joining in the fun! I’m so pleased to welcome author Katherine Garbera to the Spotlight! Kathy is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 115 books. She is celebrating her 27th year as a published author in 2024 and is still thrilled to bring stories of happily-ever-after to her readers. Her books are known for their emotional impact and sizzling sensuality. She lives in the midlands of the UK (a.k.a. not London) with her husband and sweet miniature dachshund. Her newest novel, How to Charm a Nerd, released from Harlequin on…
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Sunday Snippet: The Confluence Edition
Confluence: noun; a coming or flowing together, meeting, or gathering at one point I am at the confluence of finishing a book, starting a new book, and promoting a new release. It’s a weird place to be, particularly when I’d rather be somewhere quiet where all I have to do for a whole week is read for pleasure, take long walks along a lovely lake, and simply breathe. I think I might need a vacation… That said, what a wonderful feeling to be able to type “The End” at the finish line of a long arduous writing experience. Aren’t they all? Some more than others. This one wasn’t quite as…