Southern Fried Chicas

If I was an accountant, I wouldn’t ask a client permission to do a client’s taxes. Nor would I ask to do my job if I were a doctor, lawyer, shoe salesman, or garbage man. So why as a writer, do I feel like I need permission to write? I have had jobs before, if [...]

My boys made their lists for Santa the other day (okay, yes, I have a 15, 13 and 11 yo, but I have an 8 yo too who is still enamored with the jolly fat man).  I could have guessed 90% of the items on there–the boys are nothing if not predictable. But there were one [...]

Two days until Thanksgiving (U.S.). The kids are home the entire week… When we moved to the school district I thought this was a bonus–I mean, when I was in school, we got out the Wednesday before. Those two extra days were heavenly, until I remembered: I am already home all day so it doesn’t [...]

I am not a big proponent for change—in my personal life. I like things to be neat and orderly and I have a schedule, pretty much for life. And when that schedule deviates it’s a little bit of a “deal” for me. I don’t know if it’s from having a family of six and trying [...]

I live in a house full of dudes. One hubby and four sons (two of whom are teens) and we have enough testosterone to last forever… and then some. Often times the conversation will sway to, “Oh man, she’s hot”—especially if it’s Megan Fox. I don’t get the appeal of her, granted I’m a thirty-muffled-something mom [...]

So the other day I was talking to my mom. She’d just finished reading THE COWBOY PLAN. She kept telling me she just couldn’t understand how I could write from beginning to end book after book. “How do you come up with so many ideas?” In my mind, I’m thinking how does someone NOT. I [...]

When I submitted my ghost story to Cobblestone Press in August, I never expected it to come out in time for Halloween. There is nothing like a little murder and a haunting or two to get you in the mood for All Hallows’ Eve (and a little kiss and nuzzle don’t hurt either). Ghost of [...]

Over the last seven years that I have been “in” the writing world, I have heard any number of authors speak on their processes. Everything varies from one to the next. Nonetheless, they do have a procedure that stick to to degrees. And character sketches are a no-two-authors-are-alike process, but it gets done—right?.?. For me [...]

I think most writers have a book or two that just writes itself. They may be few and far between, but when they come you have to take advantage of the words just rolling out and type away like there’s no coffee until you finish. I do wonder though, what makes those write-themselves books? I [...]

The other day we were at the dh’s dads house. ALL the grown-up McDonalds were there and most were sitting at the table playing a game. I was sitting on the floor (I hate losing and often do at that game so I completely altruistically let the SIL play in my stead) and had my [...]