So here’s the thought process: A friend recommended I change the name “Maisie” of Maisie’s List to something a little easier on the ear. Viewing a list of popular names around 1980, when the character was born, I came across “Christy.” I have a friend named Christy whom I love a lot, and who serves…
I always worry that my novels are too short. Soul Lost is my longest at 81,000 words, but Megan is much shorter, only 47,000. A book that has not yet seen the light of day, The People of the Green Hills, is more epic in my mind, but on paper it is only 67,000 words.…
One of the things I love about my sons as adults is that they are now the teachers, and I truly enjoy learning from them. Currently my younger son is teaching me about alternative rock, and I’m loving it. Context: I’m working on a new book with a working title of “Maisie’s List.” The protagonist is…
I saw Beauty and the Beast yesterday, and–Wow!–I love it. I have to say that as immersed as I was in the story, periodically I was reminded of Harry Potter, and I wondered if Emma Watson noticed the similarities as she was making the movie. The castle (particularly the castle. Didn’t it look like Hogwarts?), the…
I have changed my page design again because here in Atlanta winter is over and has been for some time. While I love the snow and I am always dreaming of a white Christmas, it is now March and so it is time to move on. What, you may well ask, is my connection with…
I am a firm believer in making the most of each moment of your life. Being a person who spends a lot of time in imaginary worlds, this is a trait I work on consciously with varying degrees of success. I said I believe it. I didn’t say I was good at it. Anyway, I…
I am editing Soul Lost for the umpteenth time, trying to finally–three years, for God’s sake–get the print version published. I have discovered a new characteristic that I had not previously uncovered in my quest for self-awareness. Whereas I lack an attention to detail in nearly all things, when it comes to editing I am…
