January 21, 2019: Unto everything, there is a season…and just like that, this season became my writing harvest. After not writing last weekend, I spent a good deal of BIC this past week and churned out some good work. Recently someone told me they are interested in writing and really wanted to pursue it. I asked what stage is your manuscript? She replied, “Oh, I haven’t written anything yet, it’s all in my head.” I replied, “Then you are not a writer…you’re a thinker.” Folks, get it on paper. In any format. In any length. In any stage. Remember the first rule of writing: You need a beginning, a middle, and an end. Start with an outline and build from there. On book three of the Baker Manor Series, it’s in the roughest draft form--basically, three sentences. I have a beginning, a middle (barely) and an ending that consists of seven words. Even that early stage is an outline. It’s minimal, I agree, but I know how the story begins, where it will go, and the big mind-blowing, I didn’t see that coming, ending. All that in three sentences. By the time I finish it, the word count will be closer to eighty thousand, but by that simple outline, I have a manuscript in the making. Whatever works for you, whether it is recording the outline on your phone, jotting down a rough outline with pen and ink, or (like me) creating a Word document, begin with action, end each chapter with a cliff-hanger, and by the end of the story, tell the reader who-what-where-when-and-why. Then, you’ll be a writer!

January 14, 2019: Week two of hearing great reviews from Blood Money, and while I’m enjoying the praise, I’m also feeling the pressure of finishing book number two in the series. Will it deliver? Will people come away feeling book two wasn’t as good as the first? Which came first, the chicken or the egg? But then, I digress…sometimes just to stop fretting over the fact I spent almost the entire weekend NOT writing. So much depends on whether or not Alex and whoever move forward with their lives (and no, I’m NOT answering any of your questions!) while leaving my readers feeling pumped and wanting more. The pressure is real, folks; but I need to take my own advice: BIC and Write The @#$% Book! Here are some hints I hope helps me do just that. The rule of threes: Set aside some specific time each day/week. Be committed to work on a specific number of pages each session. Get the story on paper, revise later. With that in mind, “I hope To Be Half-finished By Friday.” That could be the title of a hit song. Hmmm…maybe I’ll add song writing to my repertoire. (I told you I digress…)

 January 8, 2019:

Happy New Year to all! After a long hiatus, I’m ready to jump back in to writing and revising. My second book, Blood Money, came out December 10^th and I’m hearing great reviews, which is wonderful--what every writer wants. One lady told me she loved every bit of my book except one section…and wouldn’t you know that one section is my least favorite, as well. It’s the bit on PTSD-which is a sad and sorrowful backstory for one of my characters. I struggled over including it, but in the end, I did as a nod to our Veterans who still struggle with PTSD. Sometimes, you just can’t sugarcoat. Sometimes, the truth just needs to be told. Another friend told me she was unhappy with the fiancé. I assured her so was I. I also told her I talked to him several times about his attitude, but didn’t get anywhere. I welcome all comments from my readers, good or bad, and enjoy discussing the writing process. Throwing words on paper doesn’t even begin to describe what is involved in creating a worthy story--worthy of someone’s time to read. Every word is weighed, every scenario is analyzed, and oftentimes, huge chunks never make it to the final revision. My publisher recently asked for a one-liner about Blood Money and after much consideration, I came up with the following: I try very hard to write stories I’m not ashamed for my grandchildren to read. I realize that quote won’t go down in history as profound or life changing, but it is important to me to tell a credible story, to write about real situations that people want to read, without compromising my ethics. There is still an audience who appreciates less graphic language that leaves something to the imagination. I strive to be that author.