I met her at freshman orientation. She and I had both circled a long list of identical activities from a series of opportunities designed to help us explore our new university campus. We wanted to see all the same things. It was a sign. (I love looking for signs!) She told me, over lunch a few days later, that she felt we’d known each other…
It's a calm contentment, this feeling inside. (That isn't exactly the vibe my picture is giving you. I was striking a confident pose at the time) The calm contentment comes later, now that the emotional confetti has settled from the air. The third novel waits alongside its brothers in my home's Harry Potter closet (we have a fantastic cupboard under the stairs!) nestled in its box,…
Fireworks and trumpets! The day has arrived when I get to share this new book with you! By way of introduction, I thought want to share the mosaic of my life experiences that helped compose this story. My main character, Liam Finley, is a boy looking for his courage, trying to do what's right, and growing to understand what it means to be a man. Events in my…
This woman had a tough job when the world ended. Seriously. I have the honor of interviewing the main character of the novel SUGAR SCARS today. I met Travis Norwood through our mutual fate as writers in Orson Scott Card's Literary Boot Camp. Travis has gone on to publish his first novel since then. I read it, enjoyed it, and wanted to do something fun with…
I'm pleased to share my blog with author Terry Persun today. Terry is is in releasing GARGOYLE his fourth book in his Doublesight fantasy series, and today he shares with us a bit about his love for his villains. For those of you who may remember my post Pearl from last year, Terry was my friend who hugged and encouraged me. You can also enter the…
Once you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, the most terrifying thing you can imagine is losing that person. I know this. I remember when I was a newlywed, I had a daily paralysis of fear that would hit me every time I thought of losing my husband in some fatal accident. It's a real fear and a real…
I was hardly prepared for the weekend that just passed. I have a habit of being revved up and excited before a writer’s conference (and grumpy, exhausted, and burned out, after one), but this excited pre-conference state is understandable, right? It’s like being a candy shop of learning that’s jam-packed with people who are just as crazy as I am about how to tell a good…
I have a special place in my heart for archaeology adventure stories like Indiana Jones, The Mummy, and Romancing the Stone. While I was envisioning the universe of Forecast, and where it would be fun to explore more story history, I realized I needed to tell the tale of the Peruvian door, the first door Tobias Randolf encountered, the door that was the first domino in a…
I'm tougher, stronger, and better from my week in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was hard, but good. The five-hour flight into Atlanta followed by a five-hour drive up to Greensboro, NC was no picnic with my 11-month-old son in tow, but we survived! I managed to fold up my wallet into George's stroller, and then shove the whole think in the trunk of my rental. What…
Do you remember the last time a friend asked you for help? I often find myself replying "Of course! I'd love to!" because I care about the person and want to help them reach their goals or find relief in a tight situation. But then when it's my turn to ask for help, I want to do anything but ask for it. I'd rather stay up…