How to Stop Facebook’s Shenanigans From Keeping You From Your Tribe.

I was talking to a friend today about Facebook’s crackdown on using personal pages for business. For those outside the writing community, I’m sure you may not think this is a big deal. But for every entrepreneur out there, it’s a game-changer. Last year, Facebook scaled back a business pages’ reach, meaning only a few people could see posts containing URLs … Read More

2018–The Year of Control

It’s once again the first of January. As you know, instead of creating a New Year’s Resolution, I take one word, one concept, and focus on that. I’ve been blogging about this since I started this writing journey eight years ago. (Holy smokes–where has the time gone?) If you’re new, here’s a rundown of years past: 2010 The Year of Courage. I … Read More

Symbolic Sunday–Why is Kailmeyra’s Moon Purple?

One of the most challenging aspects of making a different world is finding a way to infuse fiction into reality. Readers must be able to navigate through the story without being bogged down by unfamiliar places and lengthy descriptions. Weaving familiar images into fantasy serves as an anchor, giving the reader a visual they’ve experienced. When creating Kailmeyra, I wanted distinctive … Read More

Three Recipes That’ll Spice Up Your Life

I love spicy food, almost as much as the sweet stuff. The good news is there are a ton of recipes that have a little kick and are still good for you. Here are a few of my favs. Be sure to click on the pic for the original recipe. #1 One Skillet Chicken with Fiesta Cream Sauce Little Spice … Read More

The Artist’s Heart

I’ve found quality in the arts, no matter what form, have one thing in common–intent is the key to true expression. Those who want glory but aren’t willing to improve might have a level of success, but their art seems shallow and quickly fades. Those who become enamored with the arts are like star-crossed lovers. Their passion only lasts as … Read More

Suspended in Creativity

The stage lights serve as a barrier; they blind the performer from seeing the audience’s reaction, they protect them from fear. In that moment, they are Mozart’s Fiordiligi or Tchaikovsky’s Joan of Arc. Their mind is mute; instinct takes over, time is suspended in creativity–expression is life. I haven’t performed in years, but on rare occasions, my heart remembers, and I again am … Read More

Let Them Eat Cake

All right, all right. I know there’s a brownie in the featured image instead of a piece of cake. But I happen to love brownies more than cake, and who says “let them eat brownies?” My point is I’ve been sugar-free for a year, and I’m still eating cake … and brownies, as the case may be. It’s one of … Read More

When Words Fail

My great grandmother always said the more we love, the more we grieve. Damned if she wasn’t right. It’s the emotional equivalent of Newton’s third law (for every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction). Now, I feel things deeply. Love. Loss. Betrayal. It goes to the center of me, straight through, wrapping around my heart. I used to hate … Read More

What Inspires Your Muse?

I spent all day yesterday carefully crafting a post. After a few hours of intentional word choice, I had a pretty good piece … a hook at the beginning, compelling words, well written, downright insightful at times. The problem was, it sounded stuffy and pretentious, even to me. As most of you know, I’m a vocalist, and I started remembering all … Read More

Wilder Women Do, And They Don’t Regret It

It doesn’t seem possible that it’s already been a year since I first picked up Jasinda Wilder’s book Big Girls Do It Running.  If you don’t already have a copy, I strongly suggest you one-click that sucker. Not only am I over ninety pounds down, but all my blood counts are also within normal range, and I feel better than I have in … Read More