After literally years of hard work and preparation, my debut novel MOTHER OF PEARL releases next week. Finally, the story of my heart will be in the hands of readers across America. Barrie Graeber’s journey will unfold, absolute truths and convictions will be put to the test, and readers will cheer for this brave mother as she recognizes her own …
When the Heart Breaks
I started (and stopped) this blog post several times. You see, I’ve had a bit of a hard week. I lost something I loved very much. And, writing is hard when your eyes keep tearing up. Last Thursday, my 2.7 pound Yorkie slipped into our pool and drowned. My husband found her. We were both devastated. While not on the …
A Race Almost Finished
Despite my earlier blog post about not liking the Olympics, I admit to being captivated by a few late night news stories featuring successful athletes stepping into their moments of glory. Everybody loves winners. Isn’t it fun to watch faces beam with pride as winning contestants take their places on the podiums to accept their medals? But, I also …
Let the Olympic Games Begin (or Not)
Unlike most people, I hate watching the Olympics. When I recently expressed this view at dinner, my friends gasped. How could anyone not like the Olympics? “That’s just plain un-American,” they claimed, with frowns painted across their faces. Let me explain. I’ve never been a person drawn to athletics, preferring to bury my nose in a good book over …
The Glamorous Life of a Novelist
After weeks of writing guest blog posts, filling out interview questionnaires, working with my publicist on promotion materials and ideas, I finally broke down and cleaned house today. You see, I’m normally a tidy person. I don’t care for clutter. Hate walking barefoot across dirty floors. So, it’s quite unusual for me to let my housework go for any length …
Let’s Pretend
Don’t you love this photo? Who doesn’t want to be a fairy princess? I grew up on a sheep ranch in southern Idaho. Often, my busy mother would shoo my sister and me outside to play. A heavy list of chores needed done without us around her feet complaining, “I’m bored.” Didn’t take us long to come up with ways …
An Author’s Stress Relief
Today hits the eight-week mark prior to when my debut novel, MOTHER OF PEARL, lands on store bookshelves. After months of writing the manuscript, negotiating the contract, edits, cover design, promo videos, website building, blogging . . . now the real work starts. The M word. MARKETING. Thank goodness I have one of the best publicists in the business …
God Bless America!
Tomorrow is the Fourth of July and our family is gathering to celebrate. Doesn’t get much better than an Independence Day potluck picnic and BBQ! I’m taking a Watermelon with Feta and Mint salad I found in my Paula Deen magazine. Thought I’d share the recipe. Looks SO good, don’t you think? Ingredients 1 (5-pound) watermelon 1 Vidalia …
Goodbye Ann Curry
I’m ticked off! Something deep inside my spirit wants people to obey the golden rule of fairness. Like many, this morning I watched Ann Curry’s announcement that NBC was moving her into “another position.” My heart quivered as this beautiful, smart and dedicated news anchor fell into tears and apologized on air for letting viewers down. What gives? The …
Sweet Summertime!
Summer is my all-time favorite season. Maybe the notion is a carry over from elementary days and the end of the school year, but I still thrill when I rip the month of May from the wall calendar and anticipate what the months ahead will bring. Here are the ten things I like most: Watermelon and corn-on-the-cob. I eat a lot …