It Looks Like This …

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I’ve been told by readers, and some vicious but well-loved critique partners, that one of my strengths is description. I’ve also been told about my weaknesses, but I’ll save that for another column. Description: 1. a written representation or account of a person, object, or event 2. a sort, kind, or class of people or … Read More →

The Middle Muddle

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I’m currently embroiled in editing The Middle of my current work-in-progress. Yes. That third of the book where the characters have all been introduced, the tone set, the problem introduced, and now I’m throwing obstacles into the path of my protagonists like an irate Greek god. How about a flood? Whoosh! Maybe a creepy discovery. … Read More →

Why I Love Historical Fiction

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Authors pack a lot of baggage into their books. We’ve been influenced by friends, enemies, teachers, family, parents, public figures, and even strangers. We’ve read books we love. Movies. Places. We’ve lived through historic events: wars, catastrophes, political movements and social upheavals. As a kid, I didn’t realize the significance of these influences. Life centered … Read More →

Continuity: How to Get it Right

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As I finish up edits on MYTH RIDER, my new historical middle grade novel coming from 4RV Publishing, I feel like I’m having constant anxiety attacks. The manuscript has been through a critique group. It has been through editors. I’ve read and reread. Finally, FINALLY I think it is done — then I see on … Read More →

Digging ‘Taters

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I got the opportunity of a lifetime — not my lifetime — last week. I took my 4 and 5-year-old grandsons back to Oklahoma to meet Great Grandad, their uncle, great uncles and aunts, cousins, second cousins once removed … you get the idea. There’s a lot of family. We trekked from Grand Lake through … Read More →