On Being Gentle

Last week, while tidying up my house, I came across an artifact that looks pretty ordinary, but reminds me of an important idea. It’s one that we hear all the time, and one that all too often falls by the wayside. We’re in a hurry, we’re distracted,...

My Big Reveal: The Next Bayou Sabine Book is Here!

I’m super excited today because the fifth book in the Bayou Sabine series is almost officially out in the world. It took a long, twisting road to get to this point, but it has been an amazing experience. I never expected my first novel to grow into a series, but...

Writing Tip #17: Sometimes You Have to Walk Away

A plate from Audubon’s Birds of America. Not my mystery bird, but he’s awfully cute. Last week I had the good fortune to have a week alone in cabin at a writers’ retreat. Every year I try to carve out a week to spend at a place like this that cuts me...

Slowing Down Means Time to Grow

Sometimes the hardest thing about writing is just finishing the dang book. I recently read an article where the author argued “If it takes you more than a year to write a book, then you’re doing it wrong.”   My boyfriend said, “You should be...

Writers, Find Your Superpower

This post originally appeared over at bluecrowpublishing.com, in a slightly different version. Caution: Excellent publishing advice ahead. A couple of weekends ago, I was pleased to be a part of the NC Writers’ Network Spring Conference in Greensboro, NC. This annual...