Category Archive

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 …

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. …

I love summer. And in a week, my summer will be lazy for the first time in a long time. Sure I have two book deadlines in August – Ack! But I’ll be done teaching a summer class at Purdue, and I won’t be at the law firm. The kids and I will have two months of hanging out and …

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 …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

I sent my editor a list of about 15 titles last night. From that list she narrowed it down to DEADLY EXPOSURE. I like that one! So you’ve heard it here first, folks. Check bookstores in June 2008 for a LI Suspense titled DEADLY EXPOSURE by yours truly. I have goosebumps! Now to find time to write more stories to …

Here are some suggestions I’ve received from creative friends of mine. Which ones do you like? Does it trigger ideas? Share em! Running From ShadowsGarden of Deception (because the gardener is the red herring, and this throws more suspicion on him.)Garden of Deceit (same reason as above)Inside Out (you said Dani finds her life turned inside out in a week.) …

I just learned today that Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense wants to buy Double Image, my complete suspense. Yeah!!!! God is so good! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with this new editor and to see this book in print. Now for the help: my editor would like some ideas for new titles. Double Image is about …