I love the urgency of flash. “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid (published in 1978) is one of my favorite stories of any length. Even before flash fiction became trendy, the call of the concise fictional moment rang loudly. Writing, reading, and teaching about flash feel natural to me, but precision can be challenging. Which telling detail will say […]
Continue readingCategory Archives: Writing
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
I submitted a piece of flash fiction that I believe in to several journals and a contest. Nine months ago. Unfortunately, a well-written trendy novel with a very similar title was published five months ago. I received a rejection from one national market. I haven’t heard back from two others. I retitled the story and […]
Continue readingCreative Ideas Flowed at Writefest 2017
Writefest 2017 was a wonderful week packed with inspiring workshops and fascinating panels. Heartfelt gratitude to Layla Al-Bedawi and Holly Walrath for organizing the conference, and to all the volunteers who kept things humming along. I was honored to present an authors’ chat with flash fiction legend Kathy Fish! Skilled, modest, and creative, she offered […]
Continue readingMy Gratitude Book
The first collection that I have curated since becoming a working mom comes out in less than two weeks! I am thrilled! And I am also a little nervous, very proud and pretty gosh-darned tired. I can’t wait for y’all to read the four unique and suspenseful novellas in here. This book has been a […]
Continue readingGuest Blog: Birth of An Intriguing Novel
Spy novels? Aren’t they a bit macho? Until recently, that’s what I would have said if a woman writer told me she was excited about writing a novel about espionage. I would have thought of male characters and car chases. I would’ve noted the loyal male readers (like my dad). I would have argued that […]
Continue readingOngoing Passion: The Joys and Challenges of Writing A Series
What’s so special about writing a series? Today I sit down with a best-selling author to find out exactly that. Affable, talented and driven, Pamela Fagan Hutchins is a pro at writing best-selling romantic mysteries featuring engaging characters. Her fans can’t wait to see what will happen next to her feisty heroines. I gave my […]
Continue reading“Tides of Impossibility” is Fantastically Fun
Today I’m happy to interview C. Stuart Hardwick, the science fiction author and witty coeditor of the recently released fantasy collection, Tides Of Impossibility. (I’ve been writing about this collection lately because I am thrilled to be experimenting with this new genre and to be included in this diverse anthology.) C. Stuart Hardwick is an […]
Continue readingBack Cover Dreams
When I was a tween, mass was a mystical celebration, but the bookstore was my secondary church. The colorful displays of award winners and best-sellers, the crisp pages and new-book smell, I loved them all. I would enjoy the cover art, read the blurbs and then turn over the books to drink in the tempting […]
Continue readingBlessings of Book Release Month
The release month push for my ecollection, Trail Ways Pilgrims: Stories soon rumbles to a close. I hoped, I rejoiced, I worried, I focus-grouped, I advertised, I strategized, I thanked, I prayed, I pleaded, I danced, I worried more. I even faced down the rat hole of my “earnings” during tax time and agreed to […]
Continue reading