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How Debbie Macomber Inspired Me
Last week, at the last minute, I signed up to join a Zoom call through the Baltimore County Public Library with author Debbie Macomber. It was the best thing I did for my writing career last week, and I’ll tell you why. If you don’t recognize the name Debbie Macomber, you may in a minute. She’s a bestselling author. Her genre is women’s fiction/romance. Her stories have been picked up by the Hallmark Channel (if you watched Cedar Cove, that’s Debbie’s brainchild, as are some of the Christmas movies on the network, including Trading Christmas, Mrs. Miracle, and Dashing Through the Snow). Her books can be found everywhere—at libraries, bookstores,…
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Podcast 6 – Joining a Writers Group
I did something new, you guys. I joined a writers group (and got new glasses…but it’s the writing group I want to talk about). It’s a blissful thought to me: a bunch of people who love writing talking about writing. Truthfully, I’ve wanted to join a writers group for a while, and the time has come for me. It’s time to be inspired by others, work with others, share ideas with others, and brainstorm with others who enjoy writing. Our first meeting energized me last night, and you may be able to hear the level of enthusiasm I’m feeling in today’s podcast. But we could use some help: if you…
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Books. Book Talks. Bookshelves.
I’m looking forward to this on Tuesday and to helping budding writers in any way that I can. I’ll have copies of my books for sale and tips for writers. Thanks to the Severna Park Library for inviting me to come! Additionally, I have been inspired by so many folks on Instagram who post photos of their lovely bookshelves. I cleaned up mine in the office early this morning, and am posting the outcome. I still want to do more organization by color, and I have more bookshelves in another room that I can combine with these. But it’s a start. Have a great Sunday, everyone. Enjoy the rest of…
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Book Vlog (I prefer to call it a chat) About My Books—Available for Book Clubs
When you have friends ask you what your books are about, you realize you have some work to do to better promote and explain the novels you’ve written. In this video, I give a short overview of my four published fiction books, including my most recent release, published just three weeks ago. (Sorry about the loud bang when I talk about the first one…still new at this thing…) I’m also available for book clubs, whether I come in person or call or Skype in–I’ve done both, so whatever works for your book club works for me. Thanks for taking a peek.
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Book Club Visits Benefit Authors – Truly.
** Last week I had the pleasure of attending a local book club meeting, and I had the opportunity to mingle with readers of my novel, Beneath the Mimosa Tree, the first of three novels I have written and published. From the book club side, the benefits of having an author attend your book talk is that you get some “behind the scenes” information about the book, its inception, back story, and inspirations from the author. Authors are typically willing to answer questions and provide additional insight into their books. I enjoyed meeting the women in last week’s book club, and had a great time interacting with them. They asked…
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Two Upcoming Book Talks & Signings
*** I’ll be taking Inn Significant on the road for a couple of upcoming books talks and signings. The first, to kick off the Summer Reading Program at the Broadneck Library in Annapolis, Maryland, I’ll be doing a book talk and signing on Monday, June 19 at 7 p.m. The Broadneck Library has scheduled me for all three books I’ve published–they are so dear. A special thanks to Shirley Lord for always being so kind. And Annapolis was the setting of my first book, Beneath the Mimosa Tree. We had a good turnout for Baseball Girl; hopefully, some of you will come and join the fun in Annapolis. The second…
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Let It Ring True
* * * Three questions I am asked a lot when I do a book talk are the following: 1. How much of a character is you? 2. Is it hard to let your character do bad things? 3. When do you write? I’ll answer these questions quickly. #1: There is a little bit of me and people I know in every character I write. Sometimes it’s a blend of many people, sometimes it’s based on one person. #2: Yes…I find it difficult to allow my characters to do bad things. In the particular “thing” I’m working on now, Joe does a bad thing. I have to allow him to…
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Wednesday Wisdom From A Pro
First: Today’s Wednesday Wisdom comes from a pro. Pablo Picasso’s work has been emulated and revered. Picasso was a sculptor and a printmaker, but was known for his talents as a painter. It has been noted that he created over 50,000 works of art in his lifetime, living to the ripe old age of 91. Moreover, he was responsible for creating innovative styles of painting, and his works have traveled the world, in addition to being featured in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. I’ve selected Picasso’s quote today because it applies to those of you working in a craft, whether it be art, acting, painting, writing, or whatever…
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Chestertown Book Festival — Talking Books!
Tomorrow I’ll be one of many authors at the Chestertown Book Festival on the Eastern Shore in Maryland. If you’ve never visited, tomorrow might be a good time to take a day trip. Click the link above to find out more information, and whether you attend or not, remember this great quote:
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Cookie Recipes from La Pancia Affamata
If you’re not familiar with La Pancia Affamata, let me acquaint you with it for a moment. In BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE, my novel, which is set primarily around the holidays, the main character’s mother owns a Pasticerria in Annapolis. The name of the Pasticerria is La Pancia Affamata—translation—The Hungry Tummy. It’s a bakery that makes cookies and breads. I’m hungry just writing about it. When I head out to do book talks, I bring one of my family’s recipes with me as a gift to the hostess and guests who have invited me to their talks. It is a plate of homemade cookies. Since it’s time to get into…
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Book Clubs & BookFest
Last night I spent a delightful evening with a group of women in Clarksville who’d read “Beneath the Mimosa Tree” as its book club choice. They couldn’t have been more lovely, supportive, and inviting. We talked a little about the plot, but mostly about what it takes to be a self-published, independent author. I told them the truth: It’s much easier to write it than it is to market it. I enjoy spending time meeting women around the area at book club talks. It’s such a great way to share a common thread: that we like stories and we like to read. Thanks for having me, ladies. * * *…
