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My Next Project, Part 1
For longer than I care to admit, I haven’t had a new project. Producing unique and interesting posts for blog tours for three releases this year kept me busy. As I was writing posts for the Whippersnapper blog tour, I realized how hard my first three novels had been to write. Setting all three in a real place…
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Release Day Jitters
Release Day Jitters begin early in the first draft of a new novel and continue for three-to-six months after the big release. Anxiety builds with each completed step, from finishing the novel, signing a contract, and working with editors to arranging cover reveals and release tours. By release day, I’m an optimistic wreck. Could this…
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No More Romance for Me
Since my first novel was published in 2012, finding the right shelf in the bookstore for my stories has been a challenge. I’m talking, of course, about genre. Turns out, my stories don’t fit in any particular genre. Genre is a handy label to give readers an idea of the kind of story they’re about…
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Back to Windows
Four years ago this month, I switched from Windows to Apple at home and at the office. I love the way all three devices (iMac at work, Macbook Air at home, and an iPhone wherever I may be) worked together. Life was good. I’m still happy with my iPhone. When I switched wireless providers (that half-price…
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My Dreamspinner Family
Dreamspinner Press held their annual Authors Workshop the first weekend in March. For the second year in a row, I was able to attend. What a great weekend! During the drive down to Orlando last year I realized something new was up with my vision. The macular degeneration in my right eye progressed from dry…
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TTFN, Luke Tanner
I’ve been not working on my current work in progress for several months. “I haven’t been” sounds like maybe someone or something else is to blame. “I’ve been not working” puts the responsibility where it belongs. Months ago, I wrote the first three chapters of the first book in the Luke Tanner, Private Eye series.…
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Best Laid Plans
Like most people, I’m a busy guy. No doubt, countless others — like any working mom with young children — are busier. Frankly, that’s a contest I have no desire to win. Less busy is my goal. Being an author is a full-time job. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to give my writing career the attention it deserves —…
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My Work Here is Done
My dear friend has been in rehab for almost five months now. After 90 days in the program, he earns a four-day pass every month. For both his October and November passes, he came to stay with me. Given the way things turned out in the weeks he stayed with me prior to entering rehab,…
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A Real Time Change
Over the weekend we switched back to Standard Time. Few things mess with my head more than a time change. Frankly, setting the clock up or back does little more than piss me off. Everyone talks about gaining or losing an hour. Whatever. In the end, we still have just twenty-four hours in a day. No…
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My Backyard
Outdoor spaces where I’ve lived over the years haven’t been very functional. I blame myself. Once the gardening bug bit, I viewed each potential new residence more for garden potential than anything else. Functionality never entered my mind. The garden I abandoned three years ago contained more than 600 varieties. When I bought the place nearly two…