A Sense of Direction

Many people who know me know I have a poor sense of direction. While we sometimes refer to our older son as "the human map," I am pretty much the opposite. When I am finding my way in a strange place (without the benefit of GPS), whether on a street or in a building, it's … Continue reading A Sense of Direction →

Almost There, With Gratitude

Before A Better Life was published, just over three years ago, I began work on my new manuscript, which I called A Thousand Secrets. When people ask how my writing is going, if I have another novel yet, “I’m working on it,” I respond. “Making progress,” I say. And I have. And now, after countless … Continue reading Almost There, With Gratitude →

Looking Ahead

I was never one to look ahead too much, if at all, when it came to writing stories. I believed in letting things unfold moment to moment, and that planning beyond that would somehow stifle the writing with expectations or burden it with constraints, that it would evolve into my story instead of the characters' … Continue reading Looking Ahead →

Patience

On my desk I have a tiny frame given to me by a student my first year of teaching third grade. Two fairies surrounded by flowers float around the edge and in it is a reminder I typed for myself years ago. I first framed my mantra when I had stacks of correcting, first in … Continue reading Patience →

I’m Not Sure

A few weeks ago, I gave a friend a ride home from our writers' group. Three of us had met and shared our writing and talked about experiences and processes, joys and challenges. One of the challenges we talked about was how it was difficult sometimes to just sit down and write, to move forward … Continue reading I’m Not Sure →