The Making of a Novel (Announcing the release date for Circle of Nine – Sacred Treasures!)

The Making of a Novel (Announcing the release date for Circle of Nine – Sacred Treasures!)

I’m so pleased to announce that the official release date for Circle of Nine – Sacred Treasures will be November 16!! Just nine weeks from now! You all have been very patient and for that I am VERY grateful. And you should be glad that I didn’t write this book a year ago. Really! I had a completely different plot line in mind and let’s just say . .

Social Media for Authors and the 80/20 Rule

Social Media for Authors and the 80/20 Rule

The 80/20 Rule on Social MediaWhen I present sessions to writers about promoting their books, I necessarily include a section on social media. Rarely is anyone aware of the 80/20 rule. You’ve never heard of this either? It refers to the formula that 80 percent of your social media posts should be informative, educational, or entertaining.

2016 Writing Conferences

2016 Writing Conferences

In 2009, I attended my first writing conference—the UW-Madison Writers’ Institute. I didn’t know anyone or anything. I didn’t even know the proper way to format a manuscript. Since then, I’ve learned a heck of a lot (ha/ha). Now, I definitely know how to format a manuscript, a query letter, a synopsis, an e-book, a paperback . . . you get the picture. The majority of this I learned from writing conferences and a healthy dose of trial and error.

Blog Birthday – Remaining Dauntless

Blog Birthday – Remaining Dauntless

Two years ago I began this blog in anticipation for my debut book release later in 2014.  I won’t say the usual things. Where has the time gone? How can it be two years already? Because it feels like two years. In fact, sometimes it feels like five years or even a decade!

Most days, I still feel like Tris jumping into the abyss after joining the Dauntless faction. (Don’t you love this video clip?)

Where do our Christmas traditions come from? Yule be surprised!

Where do our Christmas traditions come from? Yule be surprised!

I grew up on a dairy farm, the youngest of six kids. Even though I am well into my 40s, my mother still refers to me as “the caboose.” (And I still roll my eyes.) My birth order position insulated me from some of the harsher chores, something my older siblings point out from time to time.

Novellas to Accompany "Circle of Nine"

Novellas to Accompany "Circle of Nine"

Yes, it is the end of the month. Crazy that June is gone already.

School Visits, Author Events, & New Books

School Visits, Author Events, & New Books

It has been a whirlwind spring of not enough writing, but a wonderful schedule of author events, including a visit to Toki Middle School in Madison with fellow teen author Angie Stanton. We spent the morning there and talked about our books with nearly 150 kids. They had great questions and started some very interesting stories using the writing prompts we provided.

The Perils of BIC or Butt In Chair

The Perils of BIC or Butt In Chair

If you’ve been to a writing conference – ANY writing conference, you will have heard the sage wisdom that the first step of getting that novel plunked out on your keyboard is BIC – But In Chair.  I would agree that is true, but it should come with a warning about “The Perilous Broadening of Butt In Chair.”  Additional warnings ought to include, the “Hazards of Mindless Snacking While Plotting Scenes” or the “Crazy Calorie Consumption over Character Development.” 

My Writing Quirks

My Writing Quirks

Hey, Everyone! I'm on tour right now. (Well - sort of.)

Join Me for NaNoWriMo

Join Me for NaNoWriMo

 

Pages