Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “On Writing”
Okay, so the most common email subject I’ve received since Steinbeck released is…When is Alan ding-dang Martin going to get caught?
Now.
Or at least…the HUNT for Alan Martin starts now, with NORTH!
This book. You guys. This book was SO FUN to write. First—North and Selah’s story has been hovering in the background since Jake Silver’s book,
Happy Friday!
I dunno about you, but I’m looking forward to a nice looong Memorial Day weekend…
Full of yard work, and painting and maybe, if I’m lucky, steaks on the grill.
But I deserve it because I’ve been wildly busy since returning to Minnesota, starting with spending most of last week at a publisher’s conference.
I’m in snowy North Carolina today, with these lovely people, brainstorming projects for 2026. I’m surrounded with fabulous story ideas.
As I’m writing this, I believe Minnesota is under a blizzard warning, and we’re currently brainstorming a “trapped in a snowstorm” story.
(I love a trapped in a snowstorm story…and by the way,
So, lots of stuff in this newsletter, so keep reading. It’s full of free stuff, and giveaways.
A thing happened.
This thing:
I can not believe that I’ve hit my 100th book. And it all started with this one…
My hubby gave me this watch 20 years ago when my first book came out.
Happy Friday! I *just* sent a project off to my amazing editor, and I’m headed into weekend mode…looking at tonight’s menu (pumpkin soup, steak sandwiches, and crustless pumpkin cheesecake)!
(Here’s a pic of last week’s Friday night feast…)
But also…
I’m realizing there was a missing picture in the last newsletter!
So recently there’s been this trend where authors show their workspace. And to be honest, I’ve been a little shy to do that because in the raw truth…
I’m more of a horizontal organizer.
And I’m not a minimalist.
And I’m also a bit of a DIY gal…
So anyway,
Let’s start with a little Tapas.
These are Potatoes Bravas, a treat from Catalonia (Barcelona) that my husband is perfecting. Tapas are “small plates,” aka appetizer-sized meals. Tasty morsels of goodness to share with friends.
I promise this has a point.
So yes, I finished a book in four days.
My house is quiet once again. Alas, all my people have gone back north, which means that in the silence, my characters have started to chatter, getting ready to throw themselves out of my brain/heart and onto the page.
I am not unaware of how blessed I am to have this job—I get to make up awesome people,
It’s not Tuesday.
You probably know this.
However, I woke up today and thought…What? I missed ANOTHER Tuesday? (In my defense, I did manage to hit the last two Tuesdays, but things are falling apart quickly without my assistant! She comes back in two weeks, so we’re hangin’ on by our tootsies,
Just dropping a quick post today—I’m spending time with five brilliant authors this week whom I affectionately call “The Minds.” It’s a group of super brilliant women. (I’m still trying to figure out why I’m included… Oh, wait, I remember now. It’s because I’m in Florida and I feed them. Just kidding—they cook too! )
Anyway,