I’m moving in February. This is good news–awhile back I blogged about how I don’t have my own writing space. After giving birth to Brennan #5, I sacrificed my den. My writing space moved to the living room and I ended up sharing it with my husband. Not good. I like my stuff. I like my stuff around me. I know where my stuff is, even if no one else understands my organizational system. My husband can’t work with a desk that has anything but a computer and keyboard on it. Needless to say, conflict. I started writing outside the… Read More

Before the RWA conference, I received an email from Ballantine that I won the 2006 Debut Author award from Borders. I was thrilled. The award was officially announced at an RWA luncheon, and a beautiful ad was in the program. I sort of forgot about it until yesterday, when the actually AWARD arrived. It’s lovely, and I can hardly wait to move into my new house–where I’ll have a private office–to display this beautiful acknowledgment of my debut novel. Seeing my book encased reminded me about the story itself and how I have grown as a writer since that first… Read More

Spyscribbler won a copy of any book from my backlist. Yeah! Please email me your real name and address and the name of the book you want. If you want to send a book to a friend instead, let me know! More on the loglines tonight . . . I gotta rush to church and then do last minute school shopping.

Robert Gregory Browne, a pal of mine from Thriller Writers whose debut novel KISS HER GOODBYE came out this year, posted over at Murderati yesterday about log lines. It’s definitely worth reading (but come back here when you’re done!) Rob posted this article a year or so ago on his own blog, and it resonated with me. Being able to pitch your idea in on sentence so that someone “gets it” is a valuable tool. I use loglines (though not as good as Rob’s!) to summarize all my books. However, after reading Rob’s lesson, I realized that what I thought… Read More

We’ve all done it. We’ve participated in the online quizzes we find on blogs and not only spent time filling one, but clicking through to a few others, and then suddenly, an hour has passed and we’ve accomplished nothing . . . except we know what kind of coffee drink we would be, what superhero, and if we were a Crayola crayon, what color we are! Human beings are constantly trying to find out more about themselves, either to validate their own drives and desires, because they have an ego (and we all do!), or simply because it’s fun. I… Read More

A couple weeks ago I asked a question of the guest author on the “Ask the Author All” loop. First: EVERYONE who has a good online workshop should donate a week of their time to the fabulous AAA-ALL or AAA-PRO loops. They are valuable to so many writers, particularly those who might not have the extra money for a plethora of online classes. I’m not going to give the responses verbatim because that would be against the rules. And, even though I was critical of the answer I received, most of the author’s advice was fantastic. My question was essentially:… Read More

Now for something completely fun! Last week I read this article in the Sacramento Bee about handwriting analysis. Ages ago, I’d read a book about the subject so I’ve always been loosely interested in the concept. Before we go any further, I want you to handwrite the following (it’s a line from one of my books): She’d called in every favor, stolen expensive equipment from FBI headquarters, and hacked into private companies all in what she feared was a futile effort to save Paige’s life. Okay, done? Good. So handwriting analysis is interesting–for example, a strong right slant says you’re… Read More

To continue the thread started by Jen on Monday (scroll down because I’m too lazy to insert the link), I’ve been thinking a lot about reader expectations. Apparently, there is a controversy surrounding one of my favorite authors. I haven’t read the new book, but from the discussion I guess I know what happens. (Will I still read it? Yes, when I have the time.) But I think that anyone critical of the book–even though I haven’t read it–needs to take a step back and ask the following questions: Is the book good? Is it a page-turner? Can you not… Read More

Over at my personal blog, I’ve asked people to ask me questions so I don’t have to come up with blog topics since I have a couple deadlines all about the same time and I’m brain dead 🙂 Susan Hatler, a friend of mine from the Sacramento Valley Rose, had a great question about proposals. And since it’s more craft/writing related I decided to answer it over here. Question: Since I’ve heard you’re not a plotter, is it difficult to write a proposal before you’ve written the book? How do you deal with writing the actual novel if the characters… Read More

Sorry, gang, I’m running late . . . I’m off to meet my mom at the mall to buy a dress for the Ritas 🙂 . . . I was going to wear this nice cocktail dress that I’d worn at the PASIC editor/agent reception, but Rocki (Roxanne St. Claire) threatened to disembowel me. Okay, not that harsh, but close! Part of the problem is that I haven’t lost the weight I wanted to lose. I don’t know why. I’m active. I don’t eat junk food. I guess I just like the good food too much! And I’ve had no… Read More