A couple weeks ago I sold my first suspense. I am beyond excited. This is the first book I started when I decided to try my hand at writing. It’s also the second book I completed. I still remember the rush of reaching the end and feeling so excited. Originally, this was a 85,000 word book. The editor who looked …
Supreme Court Ends with Landmark Case
When a case reaches the US Supreme Court, it has already traveled a complicated path. First, it usually has to survive to a hearing or trial. At a minimum the judge has made some sort of final decision that is appealable. Then the case has to travel through to a Court of Appeals. If one side still isn’t happy, and …
Revision Letters
I got my first revision letter from Steeple Hill yesterday. I know this is going to sound crazy, but I LOVED reading it. My editor has a fantastic reputation for pushing writers to improve their stories and characterization. If you want to learn to write, many authors have told me to write for her. After reading this letter, I agree. …
Review: Meeting Her Match
Debra Clopton has a wit and voice that sings across the pages of Meeting Her Match. This is the first book of hers that I have read, but won’t be my last. In Meeting Her Match, Sheri Marsh just wants to be left alone. But the Mule Hollow Matchmakers are bound and determined to force her over her broken heart …
Which Come First: the Story or Market?
I’m a Nebraskan at heart, and as I’m sitting here working on Sandhill Dreams — set in, you guessed it, Nebraska — I was doing some quick research on Nebraska authors to make sure their books were in print in 1943. As I did that I ran across this quote from Bess Streeter Aldrich. Some of you may have read …
Word Counts
Gina asked the other day how many words I try to write a day. My bare minimum when I am under deadline is 1500 a day or almost a chapter. I find that if I am able to focus and not get distracted by anything and everything, I can write 1000 words in an hour. And those words will be …
Random Thoughts of a Writer on Deadline
I should be set. The kids are finally in bed. The puppy has been run all around the yard. And the clock reads 9:38 p.m. Scratch that, Jonathan is up and out of bed…again. Sigh. You wonder when the books you read get written? Often in either the early hours of the morning — some of my friends get up …
Out of the Wellspring of the Heart
“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34) “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart” (Matthew 15:18) Little Jonathan likes to sing his heart out. As he sings, my husband and I often look at each other and grin. I’ll often whisper, “We must be doing something right.” Eric …
Review: Death of a Garage Sale Newbie
Sharon Dunn, author of the Ruby Taylor mystery series, is back and frankly better than ever. The Ruby Taylor series had a sassy, first person voice that was enjoyable, but I LOVED Death of a Garage Sale Newbie. I honestly wasn’t sure when I started the book, because what could someone find at a garage sale that would be worth …