No more chaos, I'm exhausted:
Confession: I lettered this February’s chalkboard early because I felt compelled to take January’s off the porch before the month even ended. January’s message was … Continue reading >>
Here it is!
When the Regal House design team showed the cover to me, I felt something settle. The envelope. The house. The solitary figure walking toward what she doesn’t yet understand. It … Continue reading >>
Author’s note: This post was first published in 2011. I’m revisiting it after learning that Gee Gee Rosell, the owner of Buxton Village Books, has passed away. She left a lasting impression on me … Continue reading >>
Time, Tension, and the Art of Story Structure
Think of time in a story as an escalator. Where does your character step on—and where do they get off? On each floor, the world will look a little … Continue reading >>
When I was querying agents and publishers, I found this distinction incredibly helpful, if only because deciding what to highlight in a query letter can feel impossible. Understanding whether your … Continue reading >>
What's the craziest reason you stopped reading a book?
Three pages in and the female narrator is getting hot and sweaty in a dingy bathroom stall with a random guy while saying she's never done … Continue reading >>