In our relentlessly practical world, where efficiency and productivity are often prized above all else, fiction writing can sometimes be dismissed as a frivolous pastime—a luxury that serves no real purpose. But those of us who dwell in the realms of imagination, who spend our days conversing with characters that have never actually breathed air, know differently. Fiction is not merely important; it is vital. Imagine, for a moment, a world without stories. What would our existence look like without the tales of love, adventure, tragedy, and triumph that have been passed down through generatio ..read more

Last week, I was in an online discussion with a group of fellow writers, and a thought-provoking topic surfaced: Why do we write? What drives us to spend countless hours creating characters, crafting worlds, and subjecting these figments of our imagination to various trials and tribulations? The answers to these questions can be (and are) as varied as the writers themselves, but for me, the explanation touches something deeply personal and, perhaps, a little existential. Life is Short I write because of a profound dissatisfaction—a recognition and a resentment, really—that I only get to live ..read more

In writing a novel, there comes a pivotal stage that just about every author faces affectionately known as the “messy middle.” It’s that stage where the initial spark has dimmed slightly and the end still seems a long way off. During this phase, many writers find themselves questioning everything from their plot to their character development, often leading to a daunting and existential: “What am I even doing?” If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, rest assured, you’re not alone. It’s Normal to Question Everything The messy middle is a rite of passage for most writers. It’s where ..read more

Recently, I had a discussion with a client who is crafting a novel about a woman who experiences mysterious blackouts, waking up in unfamiliar places without any recollection of her whereabouts. The premise itself is intriguing, but our conversation took an interesting turn when we delved into the concept of challenging our protagonists with compelling conflict—something I’ve noticed many writers, especially woman writers (we’re far too nice), often shy away from. The Reluctance to Challenge Our Characters As writers, we create characters from the depths of our imagination, imbue them with q ..read more

A couple weeks ago, my son was on spring break and we went to see the Da Vinci exhibit at the California Science Center. It was an excellent exhibit. They basically hired a bunch of craftsmen to create the things that were in Da Vinci’s journals and bring them to life and then they ranked them all how well they actually worked. Some of them worked really well and some of them didn’t work at all. Some of them were just terrible ideas, but still fun to see brought to life. The thing that really struck me as I was walking through the exhibit was that this was a man who had time to just think an ..read more

In the quiet, early hours of the morning, or late at night when the world is asleep, many of us find ourselves indulging in the dream of writing that novel. You know, that one that’s been simmering in the back of our minds for years. We imagine our stories nestled on bookshelves between J.K. Rowling and Ernest Hemingway, touching the hearts and minds of readers around the globe. But how many of us actually take the leap from dreaming to doing? The Dream is More Common Than You Think I recently came across a report on a survey that said more than half of Americans believe they have a novel in ..read more

Used to be, I didn’t handle rejection very well. Used to be, this was what I looked like when I got a rejection letter. But it has gotten better. These days, when I get a rejection letter, I also get a high-five from my husband. Rejection as a Part of Life Last week, at the dinner table, I shared with the family that I got two rejection letters in one day. My husband held up his hand and I gave it a slap. My daughter, who is old enough now to understand that rejection is supposed to be a bad thing, asked why we were celebrating. We told her what we always tell each other: if you’re not gett ..read more

If you’re struggling to finish your novel, I understand. I’ve been in your shoes, and I know how challenging it can be to push through the obstacles and complete your manuscript. You are not alone in this journey. Many aspiring authors face the same challenges, but the good news is that there are proven strategies to help you overcome these obstacles and complete your novel. Join Our Webinar and Learn from a Published Author I’m excited to announce the return of our popular webinar series, “How to turn your half-finished novel into a completed manuscript.” Led by a published author with year ..read more

Three years ago, Kensington Books released my debut novel, “142 Ostriches.” It was February of 2020 and if you didn’t read any of the great reviews it’s probably because there was another story dominating the news cycle… Because of COVID I didn’t get to do my official book tour, but I met so many wonderful book clubs through Zoom. If you were among those early readers – thank you! Haven’t read it yet? Get your copy here! Today, as we celebrate the third anniversary of my first “book baby,” I’m thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter. From Page to Screen I’m delighted to share ..read more

In the labyrinth of creativity, every writer, at some point, finds themselves at a crossroads, staring down the branching path ahead, not sure which way to. It’s a place where words refuse to flow, ideas seem as elusive as shadows, and motivation is but a distant memory. In a recent conversation with a fellow writer in my Sit Write Here online writing community, a question came up: when I’m feeling stuck and need inspiration, what do I read to find my way again? A Surprising Answer The answer, surprisingly, isn’t rooted in a specific genre or a list of curated titles designed to unlock the m ..read more