Thinking Time

Thinking Time

Your book is written, edited, re-edited, polished to within an inch of its life. You’ve approved the cover design, the layout, the drop cap font and marketing blurb on the back cover. You’ve updated your blog. You’re done! It’s now in the hands...
Fun at the Fair

Fun at the Fair

NEWPORT BEACH BOOK FAIR was a blast! Books ranged from an ARVN fighter pilot’s first-hand account of the Vietnam war to Russian spy novels, wooly mammoth digs, and beautifully illustrated children’s books. A great time was had by all, including the...
1,000 Words a Day

1,000 Words a Day

WANT TO WRITE A NOVEL?  1,000 words a day. You can write that novel in 3 months. 3 months. Do it. The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. It won’t be, no matter how long you agonize over every sentence and word selection. You’re going to edit...

Summer Writing Groove

LOVING MY SUMMER WRITING GROOVE! Writing and living your life are not mutually exclusive. On this road trip, I set my schedule to 500-1000 words a day 5 days a week. Everyone knows to leave me alone once that first cup of coffee is in my hand. Up in Seattle this week...

Back in the Swing…

…or saddle or whatever! I’m back to work on Logan 2. Day jobs like mine (teaching 12 year olds) deserve a lot of my attention September to June. I owe it to my students to design and deliver premier learning experiences for them. I also owe it to them to...

Write First; Detail Later…

Every writer wants to paint details so real the reader forgets they’re not Stephanie Plum fending off Ranger; but home in bed with cookie crumbs on the covers and a book propped up on a pillow so they won’t wake up with a crick in their neck. To accomplish...