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Hello! You’ll find posts here for readers, writers, and anyone interested in life. Check out the categories to the right for your favorite topics, or just start browsing. Sometimes I throw in a recipe or a poem, share my writer’s life, or tell you how I came up with one of your favorite characters. I’ll announce contests and share pics from events. Sometimes I delve into how to handle tough political, social or religious topics in your own books if you’re a writer, or share what I learn about the ever-evolving world of publishing. Whatever the topic, I promise to do my best not to waste your time. There’s enough clutter online without my adding to it.
I love to hear from readers, so feel free to comment on any post or write to me directly through the Contact page.
New Year’s Black Eyed Peas
ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT NEW YEARS DAY is enjoying a warm, delicious bowl of Southern Black Eyed Peas. Serve it with cornbread & greens and you're off to a prosperous New Year! There are many versions, start with this basic one and add ingredients you and your...
Writing Fuel
COOKING KEEPS ME OUT OF TROUBLE when I'm not dreaming up trouble for Logan to get into. With Fall and Winter in the air, I was craving baked apples. The best variety of apple for this is a Rome Beauty, but you can't find them in the grocery stores anymore. Apparently,...
I AM THANKFUL FOR everyone from my editor and designer to you, the readers, who keep Logan's adventures coming! Taking a break to enjoy family, friends, and of course, the Thanksgiving Feast! Hope you are doing the same. Back at my writing desk next week!
Who Knew?
THE THING ABOUT RESEARCH is the unexpected tidbit you learn along the way. Take my recent trip to the Cascade Raptor Center in Eugene, OR while researching a storyline for Book 8. The Executive Director, Louise Shimmel, arranged for me to spend time with several...
Owls, Mushrooms, and Music…Oh, My!
IN THE MIDST OF LOGAN'S NEW WORLD UP HERE ON THE OREGON COAST, I'm having a great time with background research for her ever-evolving story in Book 7. I am continuing to learn about mushrooms, of course, that were introduced in the last book. So far, I've only braved...
Happy Thanksgiving!
I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THANKSGIVING because of its non-denominational, universal nature. Every culture and religion encourages gratitude. I am grateful for so many things, I can't begin to list them here, but they include this amazing planet we live on, family, friends,...
Inspiration Alley
Creative writing from a strong sense of place. Moving my protagonist, Logan McKenna, from Southern California to the central Oregon coast was a natural fit when I relocated here several years ago. I am already discovering fresh, new story lines for Book 7.
Writing in the Clutch of COVID…
There is much to say about 2020, but for this post, I'm going to ask readers how they want us, as authors, to write COVID into our stories set in this year? Do you want total realism, realism with a bit of blur when it comes to shut downs, masks, and scary death...
Warm and Hearty Potato Soup
ALTHOUGH TODAY IS SUNNY, we had almost a month of rain here and it's cold outside! Time for soup! This is a tried and true recipe I pull out every winter to warm the tummy and the soul. It's fueled many a writing session and can be made from ingredients I usually have...
I Love What I Do!
TODAY WAS ANOTHER JOYFUL DAY in my life as a writer! I spent the day with a violinist who shared her love of music, her instrument and many of the ins and outs of being a musician and how individual and unique each musician is. Some compose, some play, some struggle,...
About Valerie
A self-admitted book addict, Valerie was the kid with the flashlight under her pillow. A life of travel with exposure to many different cultures led to a pervasive interest in people, with degrees & teaching credentials in Cultural Anthropology & English. Logan McKenna Series
