When People Ask: "How do you write all that?"

I've often been asked by families, friends, fans and people sharing my jail cell, "how do you write so much?" Then the person goes into how they struggle to write a paragraph, a letter, a note in a card or their papers in high school and college. They don't 'get me' and I don't 'get them' because we view writing in a different way. They see it as difficult or chore; it give me freedom, enjoyment and it comes natural to me. If a non-reader has to find just the right book, I wonder if someone who doesn't enjoy writing has to find the right muse.

I've always written. I filled my unlined journals with stories until my aunt gave me more, I wrote long letters to a pen pal in California for over a decade, I wrote long love notes to my best friend in junior high (until an evil music teacher snatched, read it all the while shaking her head). I've written 40 page research papers, although it wasn't as fun as fiction or social writing.
So far, I've managed to tell you that I love writing but haven't explained how I write so many words, pages and books. I guess loving what I do explains a lot. Once I sit down to write, my fingers move across the keyboard as my thoughts come to me. Rarely, I use an outline. Although having an outline has helped me to stay organized in my writing.
I just write. I'm transported to that setting, in the characters' heads and I just write. Most of the time, I don't know what's going to happen next. That keeps me hooked to keep writing until I don't know what my characters are going to do next or until someone or something in my world stops me from writing. (Usually my dog wants attention or my boss would like me to show up for work.)
I love writing without having to worry about a number of pages or words. It's when I'm limited in the amount of words I can use that slows me down. I get hung up on giving brief descriptions of my book to be put on Amazon or a few paragraphs for the dedication page of my book.
It's the difference between hiking with plenty of food and water with no time constraints versus hiking with little provisions with a place to be at a certain time.
Some people like that kind of writing. One of my kids had the hardest time writing an essay about "What he did this weekend". If you told him to write about his winning goal in soccer,  or about how his dog almost caught a rabbit, that was specific enough that he could be successful.
Now that you and I have come to the end of this post, I'm not sure we have learned anything. I JUST write, I just do it. I have a lot of technique to learn but it comes natural and I'm absolutely in love with it. It's the one thing in my life that has stayed constant.

In Sickness, Health & Superpowers

Yes, I've taken that scary step into the supernatural. I don't think it's half-bad. Readers/fans have reviewed it as "supernatural writing that keeps the characters realistic." I'll take that as a compliment. Fun trivia fact for when I'm more famous. . . the working title of the book was Liv & Dalton. This now means nothing to you because I changed the character's names too. Although I've veered from my contemporary lesbian fictions, at the heart of this book is a lesbian love story. It also has sequel potential, depending how well it sells and its reviews.
Please check-it out and email me your thoughts.

Writer's Conference

I'd be lying if I said that I don't have a list of things I'm bringing and what I'm wearing at my first writer's conference this summer of 2016. I haven't been this excited to be surrounded by so many people with "like" interests since I went to sleepover, basketball camp in high school. I have visions of multiple writers pulling up with I'd Rather be Writing or Reading is Sexy bumper stickers.

The reality is that I need to realize that all my visions in the past has gotten me into trouble. In high school I lived, slept, ate and breathed basketball. I was hoping to meet all girls who's love matched mine. I found girls who half-assed drills and who's highlight was hanging-out in the dorm or the café at the end of the day. So, as I write this blog, I'm trying to put a leash on my expectations. I won't go as far as to say I won't have any expectations for this conference.

Here's my current expectations:

1. Learn Some Writing Techniques.
2. Network and make connections with authors.
3. Meet publishers, agents and editors.
4. Come out of the Conference with a list of writing goals.
5. Trade Books with authors.
6. Gain a better understanding of the writing industry and how to become full-time writer/author.

As the weeks and months pass this list might grow but I'll continue to try to color my expectations realistically. That way I won't be disappointed when I'm at the court alone and the rest of the girls are hanging at the café.

Hey Kids, Here's a Book Dedicated to You

My writing has reached into new areas. I published "A Dozen East". It's my first attempt at YA and my first non-lesbian book. Thus the first book my three kids could read. The three of them are bigger readers than the average American 11 & 13 year old.
My 13 year old Emily is a feverish reader. She devours three, lengthy books at a time. My two 11  year old boys are a few steps behind Emily. Ty reads more than Eli and nips at Emily's heels in amount of books written on our family book chart. Eli reads when the fancy strikes.


Since Emily was such an avid reader and has no aversion to being blunt, I was most worried about her assessment of my book. To my delight, she stated that she loved it. Ty brought the book to school and bragged to all his friends that his step-mother wrote it. He opened up the dedication page to prove it. Eli on the other hand... probably lost it somewhere next to his baseball glove and iPhone (that for the record, I did not buy him or pay the bill).

Either way, it's mighty nice to be able to share my writing with my kids. I left the book on a cliff-hanger and set it up for a sequel. They are begging me for more... but the list of my other ideas for books are calling me. Someday, I'll write a sequel. Until then, Eli look for the book and answer my texts.

Thawing Hearts: On the Virtual Bookshelves

I'm not sure if it is one book shelf or many book shelves... either way... Thawing Hearts is now available to buy from Amazon Buy It Here.

This book has more danger than my first book Trail Swap, has a witty sister-in-law, an annoying brother and adorable twin nieces. There is also a scene where lesbians compete for a date that is nothing like that show on TV where they give the roses. It's much better.


Here is the summary: (Jae helped put this together.)

After being left by her girlfriend, Libby Hollis was prepared to spend a lonely Christmas Eve with Chinese food and apple pie. She didn’t count on getting stuck in an ATM booth with Keva McKie, a special-forces soldier trying to make it home from leave.

Once freed, Libby decides to take Keva to Boston, where she meets Keva's family. As they spend the holiday together, romantic sparks start to fly until Keva abruptly has to return to duty.

Keva knows she should focus on her dangerous missions, but she can’t get Libby out of her mind. Libby can’t deny the bond between them either, even though she has been badly hurt by her ex.

Will careers and past heartaches keep them apart, or will love thaw their hearts?


A comment was recently left by one of my readers that said that the story sounded familiar and then she realized that she had read the short story ("Cashing in on Christmas") from which it derived. So many fans, hundreds I think, or was it five? Anyway, so many fans suggested that I turn it into a book, so here it is.

So I should sell at least five of these suckers. I feel extremely lucky that I already have sold more than five and currently Thawing Hearts is #5 on Amazon's Top Seller List in the category of lesbian, romance fiction. That's not too shabby.

Check it out!

A Great Mate for a Writer

Some professions more than others require some patience from their partners. Firefighter, policeman and military personnel need partners who accept that their spouses lives are in danger on a daily basis. Celebrities partners have to put up with paparazzi and fans. Other partners have to account or adjust to partners who have careers with long hours, little pay or travel.

This leads me to the big question of who are good partners/spouses for writers?

Support & Interest
My writing career began with a gentle, loving nudge from one of the loves of my life, Laura. Laura found some writings of mine, read them and said she loved them. She urged me to keep writing, engaged me in conversations about the characters. She even once ordered Chinese food and put it under Farryn (a character from Trail Swap).

A Reader
Can a writer ever be in a successful relationship with someone who does not read? To add to that, can a writer ever be happy with someone who does not read their books? I understand if I wrote a nonfiction medical book or about the insects of Texas, not everyone is interested in that. I would think, however, that a spouse should read a book general fiction book.

I've had the horrible experience of my wife (now ex-wife but not for this reason alone) would not read my book. I begged her. She stated that she didn't like reading. It crushed me to think that my wife would not read a book that strangers took the time to read. My first book was about hiking and travel. She liked both of those things. I couldn't fathom the idea and then I slowly just accepted it. When I told friends, co-workers and future partners about this, they were in awe. I feel comfortable about writing so candidly about this because she won't read this.

Inspiring
I have found that my writing is at its strongest when I am with someone who is inspiring. Right now I am dating someone who is different from any other person I have ever met. She isn't leaping buildings in a single bound but close. She reads, she's smart, she's passionate, has interests and is stimulating intellectually. It does help that when I'm with her, my soul and creativity comes alive.

Helpful
I will give credit where credit is due... my ex-wife was good with computers. At times I need help technically. Other times I just need some help with ideas. I have been known to blurt out things like: name an alcoholic beverage, name and animal, what should my character wear, somewhere to go for a date. Now my kids are good at ideas or this and they are very creative. There are times that I have the answer before I even finish my question, but sometimes it helps to brainstorm with someone.  It helps if I'm just not met with a blank stare.

Respectful of Time for Writing
One of my ex's once planned a surprise getaway and packed my journal. It's important to be with someone who respects that you have to set time aside for writing. Even better if you date someone who enjoys watching you type away your creations.

Understands the Hunt for Characters & Ideas
When I'm out in public, watching television, at work, etc I'm constantly foraging or hunting for new stars or plots for my books. It's great to be able to say to someone, "That's a great idea for a book." It's even better when the person comes home from work and tells you a story that sends you rushing to a computer or a notebook.

I'm sure there are other important qualities for a writer's partner to have, but these are the first that came to my mind. Writing is hard enough work and it's only made harder by being partnered with someone who doesn't understand it, read it or support it.

What other qualities do you think is important?
How does your spouse or partner support you?

Hope & a Canoe- Newest Published Book

Buy on Amazon HERE

On December 23rd Hope & a Canoe hit the virtual book shelves. It's the story of two 18 year old girls who meet while camping with their families at a Maine family campground. It's a lesbian summer romance that is not all that simple. It involves escapes, shed tears, slips, supportive dad, toxic grandparents, laughs and two counts of insurance fraud.

The idea came to me in July when I was vacationing with my family. We were staying in a family campground and I wished that my family had taken me camping when I was younger. I watched the teenagers at the campground flirting with each other. I found myself thinking about lesbian summer romances.

I was supposed to take a break from writing on this vacation. I didn't even bring my laptop. Yet, I found myself stealing moments to write in my journal the first half of  Hope & a Canoe.

It's different from Love's Autograph in that the main character Grace and Tember are younger and neither of them have kids or are a rock star. It also taps into young lesbian love in a sweet innocent way. It made me think of the first time I thought I was in love. Tember has not felt much love in her life since he was eight and has a hard time even recognizing that she is in love. She has no idea what love is.

My favorite character of the book is Jeremy. He's Grace's father who is more like an immature, big brother. He's very endearing and so supportive of Grace being a lesbian. Okay... I'm going to stop writing before I tell you too much about the story.
Check it out on Amazon!