Tag Archives: amwriting

Because of 80,000 words: A new novel excerpt

Today I hit 80,000 words on the first draft of my novel manuscript.  This is a big deal, y’all. My kids are 9 and 6. The last time I hit 80,000 words on a novel manuscript was over a decade … Continue reading

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Weekly Lines: “A Freeing and a Clutch”

These new lines from the very first, very rough draft of my historical novel-in-progress are told from the point of view of Gamble, my modern protagonist. For more info on what I’m writing, check out my Work in Progress page, … Continue reading

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First Book Love, Book Clubs & Tea Towels

I believe I’ve mentioned before my undying love of book clubs. Since my debut historical novel, Keowee Valley, was published waaaayyyy back in 2012, I’ve met with dozens of book clubs to talk about it. These “meetings” never fail to … Continue reading

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New scene–with coffee!–from my historical novel-in-progress

Hi, folks. Here’s a sneak peak at a scene from the VERY rough, very first draft of my historical novel-in-progress. Just to whet your history whistle on a Wednesday morning. The scene came about because of the very unusual hot … Continue reading

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A sneak peak at my novel-in-progress

Hi, folks. It is a wild, woolly, rainy Wednesday here in the mountains of Western North Carolina. 30-something degree rain is just downright depressing. It should be snowing. That being said, in the spirit of livening things up, I thought … Continue reading

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Happy Valentine’s Day from my family to yours! (Plus a column.)

Happy Valentine’s Day from my family to yours! Even though it’s not a real holiday, and the historical origins are dicey (and possibly a bit murderous). Still. This day reminds us that, really, all we need is love. Today I’m … Continue reading

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New column: “Remembering a poet who wrote in the ‘vernacular of humanity'”

Earlier this year, the United States lost one of its best beloved poets, Mary Oliver. Oliver’s words have reached an innumerable amount of people, all across the world, and from all different backgrounds. Oliver was one of those soothsayer writers … Continue reading

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New column: “The greatest gifts to give, receive”

What can we give each other–all of us–for Christmas this year? I have some ideas. To read my newspaper column this week, click here.

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New column: “Goofy, scary, Halloween hijinks? No, thank you”

I’m a chicken. I don’t like to be scared. Watch a horror movie? Visit a haunted house? No, thank you. But it’s Halloween, or almost, so this newspaper column’s for those of you who do enjoy terror. And fright. And … Continue reading

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New column: “The not-so trivial pursuit of ‘useless knowledge'”

My newspaper column this week is about the interesting people born in, and events that occurred, over the years in October. What can I say? I am a pursuer of trivia. A keeper of “useless” knowledge. It’s fun to know … Continue reading

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