Spooky Season is officially upon us. I read a lot of horror and thrillers but especially around this time of year, without feeling the need to balance the dark with an occasional romcom. I’m intrigued by the mysterious and supernatural elements of course, yet perhaps the most compelling ingredient of these genres for me is…
Although I’ve never encountered one, the possibility of seeing or sensing a ghost has intrigued me since I was a child. After my father died, I could swear I’d just seen him on a crowded sidewalk. Or I’d think I recognized him in a store or on a street, talking to someone or briefly looking…
This weekend, at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conference in the Denver area, I’ll be sharing all my hard-won wisdom (?!) about how to interview anyone about anything to enrich your fiction. Many people may think of interviewing as something that writers only do for nonfiction, like articles, history books, or podcasts. Or you may…
Every editor and writing instructor will tell you how important the beginning of a book is. It sets the stage, draws the reader in, and likely influences whether the reader will buy (and read) the book at all. Lately I’ve been thinking about the importance of endings. My thoughts were drawn there partly because I’m…
So, COVID came to call on July 7. Initial symptoms passed quickly with medication and rest, but brain-fog and fatigue lingered for just short of two months. During that time, I ceased all writing activities–including this blog. Which is why I missed my deadline. During recovery, I couldn’t entertain more than one muddled thought at…