Growing up in the late fifties and early sixties, television was not the time consuming activity it is today. Even in New Jersey (western Jersey, y'all!) any household was fortunate to receive one channel clearly, let alone the hundreds of choices available today. As a preschooler, I had just settled into watching Howdy Doody and Roy … Continue reading The Demise of Books
Thoughts on Writing
It’s Time to Thank My Reviewers
With the Holiday Season there comes an urge to give thanks. In the Rolodex of my brain I can flip through many names of those who reach out regularly to help make my life and those of others better. As an author, I am particularly beholden to my reviewers. For readers, this is a brave … Continue reading It’s Time to Thank My Reviewers
History is an Artichoke
I am immersed in research. The project began over five years ago out of curiosity and has grown sufficiently to become the infrastructure for a historical novel, or maybe even a biography. History, I've found, is like an artichoke; a cultivated thistle with a flower of tough outer layers that protects a tender heart. My … Continue reading History is an Artichoke
Write Through The Holidays
The Holidays not only creep up on you, they devour you. Really, there are multiple holidays tightly woven into a short span of time. I am declaring Hallowe'en part of the Holiday Season. Admittedly there is no day off from work on that day and yes, we tend to think of it as more of … Continue reading Write Through The Holidays
Six Ways to Start Your Creative Juices Flowing
I share with you some of the my ways to overcome the curse of Creativity Deprivation. 1. Exercise. I run. Not every day, but frequently. And I find that plots and scenarios pop into my head unbidden as I jog along (I don't use an iPod). But I don't believe that creative resurgence is limited … Continue reading Six Ways to Start Your Creative Juices Flowing
The Value Of Research
I write fiction. I've published mystery thrillers. I've created the characters with the hope that they will take on a life of their own. When that seems to happen, as described by my reviewers, I feel I have succeeded. Fictional characters necessarily are born of traits familiar to me, whether they are part of me … Continue reading The Value Of Research
The Unsinkable Davy Brown
The Carriage house of the Santa Ynez Valley Museum was packed last night with people who came to hear about Davy Brown, a man whose greatest renown to most people is the appearance of his name on a bottle of ale from the Figueroa Mountain Brewery*. And that is the point. Although a campground, a creek … Continue reading The Unsinkable Davy Brown
For Whom Do I Write?
I've embarked upon a series of books. Not intentionally, but in response to my readers. When I read reviews asking "What's next?" for Zack Tolliver (my protagonist) I am buoyed by such enthusiasm and charged to respond to it. As a writer I am flattered when the characters I create take on a life of their … Continue reading For Whom Do I Write?
Getting Away
I've just returned from a week away from home. Not a vacation, as such. My computer and all that goes with it came along with me. And I attended to it every morning at the villa where we lodged. I may in fact have done even more work than usual. Yet it was refreshing simply to … Continue reading Getting Away
SIMPLE
I love Penny Sansevieri, the Book Marketing Expert of Author Marketing Experts, Inc., and I hope this mention brings her some business. Why do I love her? Because her advice makes sense. And because she stays on top of her game and does her research. And because she doesn't skimp on free advice. I've been … Continue reading SIMPLE
