I'M BACK!

The beginning of every new year, I set goals I’d like to accomplish. Many are the same year after year—exercise, lose 10 pounds, declutter. Occasionally, I throw something new out there.

 In 2021 I published my first book. It wasn't a great book by any means but I did it. A dozen or so picture books followed as well as a couple of middle-grades. I scratched out the plot of a new chick lit novel, then it took waaay longer than expected to get it ready to release. 

I had dry spells where the characters decided they didn't want to talk to me anymore. They sat around looking at their nails, avoiding eye contact, and meeting in secret while I slept. I grew weary of staring at my laptop screen and having nothing come forth from my fingertips, so I cranked out a couple more picture books out of spite.

 In the meantime, I drove to a writer’s retreat in another state and hung out for a long weekend with romance and fantasy authors. I absorbed knowledge like a sponge from these talented women. I experienced a youtube opera of sorts, hiked in beautiful scenery, ate amazing food. 

An elderly gentleman owned the soccer field behind our AirBnB, his own home located directly across from us. We were given firm instructions to stay off the field. 

Always up for a challenge, another retreat attendee and I went around the block to meet this soccer field owner. Let’s just say, we became fast friends with the gentleman and he offered to let us walk across his field back to our rental.  

And that's what it took to open the floodgates, so to speak. My characters decided they'd given me the silent treatment long enough, but they had demands. They insisted that I change their names, their hair color, and add a whole different sub-plot.

I like challenges and goals. They push you out of or keep you from getting stuck in the proverbial rut. Since that retreat last fall, my characters and I came to an agreement. If I listened to their new ideas, they would provide me with the words to finish my book. I allowed them to steer the story. 

Hanging out with romance writers may have had a little influence. But maybe my characters wanted to tell a story I didn't know about yet. So, here we go. Cover reveal, finally, of my new novel. 

It will be available from Amazon, this website, or from me directly if you live close by, later this month. I hope you are entertained by my story because that’s what it’s for. Pure enjoyment. And if you want to share your opinion about it, I love Amazon reviews. 

Happy reading!