I’m currently researching a story due to release in 2021 that’s set in and around Hawk’s Nest, WV. I found a newspaper account of a 1931 celebratory dinner held at the Lover’s Leap club house at what is now Hawk’s Nest State Park. And like any good author, I bounded off on the rabbit trailContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – Lover’s Leap”
Category Archives: Writing
Appalachian Thursday – Brush Arbor Meetings
Churches were still hosting revivals when I was a kid. Often held all week or maybe over a series of weekends, they were big community events meant to appeal to folks who weren’t coming to church on a regular basis. Out-of-town preachers might come–sometimes they were even preachers with TV programs! There was LOTS ofContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – Brush Arbor Meetings”
Appalachian Thursday – WV Schools for the Deaf & Blind
When I decided to write a story about a deaf boy who discovers a dead body (The Right Kind of Fool–Nov. 3, 2020), I knew I wanted him to know sign language. But how would a 13-year-old boy in West Virginia learn sign language? Just a little research solved the problem! The creation of theContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – WV Schools for the Deaf & Blind”
When Silence is on Sale!
It might SEEM like this post is a day late, but something exciting is happening today and tomorrow and I wanted to share it with you in the moment! It’s rare for a recent release to go on sale, but that’s just what’s happening the next two days. The ebook version of When Silence Sings,Continue reading “When Silence is on Sale!”
Cover Reveal – The Right Kind of Fool
I’ve shared the GORGEOUS cover of my 2020 novel in just a few places, but now that it’s available for pre-order, it’s time to just put it out there! Ready? Go! I suggested a sunrise or sunset over my beloved Appalachian Mountains and the designers came through with flying colors–literally! The story is set inContinue reading “Cover Reveal – The Right Kind of Fool”
Looking Ahead – My 2020 Release
It seems like When Silence Sings JUST released and here it is time to look ahead to my new story for 2020. And I’m loving the title and the spectacular cover. I’ll start sharing the cover image more widely once the story is available for preorder, but in the meantime, I thought it would beContinue reading “Looking Ahead – My 2020 Release”
My Favorite (Secondary) Characters
It’s sort of required for an author to feel really attached to her characters. I mean, if I don’t feel strongly about them–why should you? So Perla, Casewell, Judd, Fleeta, Colman, Serepta . . . they’re closer than family. But what I didn’t expect was how attached I’d be to so many of my secondaryContinue reading “My Favorite (Secondary) Characters”
Looking Forward to Spring (Events)!
I just came in from walking Thistle on a COLD and BLUSTERY day. Ick. I love getting out for walks but not when the temperature is below freezing and the wind is standing my hair on wind. Which has me thinking about spring . . . Of course, I also have some great book eventsContinue reading “Looking Forward to Spring (Events)!”
Appalachian Thursday – Place as Character
If you haven’t caught on yet, I LOVE these Appalachian Mountains. And my hope is that when I write about Appalachia in my books the sense of place is so strong it’s practically its own character. I even go so far as to lead a workshop about “Setting as Character.” And I’ll be leading thatContinue reading “Appalachian Thursday – Place as Character”
Inside an Author’s Head
I’ve been working on wrapping up edits on my story for 2020 while brainstorming future stories. Which means I’ve been living inside my author head lately. And I thought maybe you’d get a kick out of taking a peek inside . . . When an author appears to be listening to you intently she’s probablyContinue reading “Inside an Author’s Head”
