I’m a huge fan of storytelling. My mother used to read stories to the children at my elementary school, my parents read nightly to me growing up, and I read to my own [...]

So I’m back in the grocery store yesterday afternoon (because I can’t organize a week’s cooking menu to save my life) and I’m navigating the extremely crowded aisles at the Harris Teeter. They’re [...]

Well, school started back this past week here in North Carolina. I have to admit in many ways I was glad. Don’t get me wrong—I love my children and love spending time with [...]

As you know, I had a good-sized revision to make on my manuscript. But—ta-da! I finished it and now have resumed my favorite activity of picking my project to death before I email [...]

As promised, I’m reporting in on my book club appearance from a couple of nights ago. I have to say I was really impressed with the group. Favorite parts of the evening: In [...]

I’m not the most flexible person in the world. I like sticking to a plan whether or not it turns out to be a good one in the end. I can abruptly shift [...]

This evening I’m speaking to a local book club. I know writers who do quite a few book club appearances, but I’ve only spoken to a few. Galen Kindley wrote a great blog [...]

I’ll admit I have a hard time with face-to-face promotion—unlike other members of my family. Are you a natural promoter? Visit me at Inkspot today and share your ideas on making the process [...]

I’m really fortunate to have some wonderful writing friends—both online and in the flesh. It was my Sunday on the Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen blog to host a mystery-writing guest. Jim and Joyce Lavene–who [...]

Hope you’ll join me this morning over at the Blood Red Pencil where look at review snips. You’ve got some good reviews….now what do you do with them? [...]

We all like to make sure our books are shown in the best possible light. But when we send our new release out into the world, things can get ugly. What if someone [...]

Okay, y’all. It’s Thursday, and…as usual…that means it’s heart-attack on a plate day! Please visit me on Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen for a recipe to send summer off in style. [...]

It was my my husband’s and my 16th wedding anniversary on August 7th. We decided to go out for a nice dinner to celebrate. We choose a fancy restaurant in South Park Charlotte [...]

Saturday, I was fussing at a garden hose before finally asking my husband to reconnect the hose to the spigot. He found a wrench. “With this,” he explained, you’re stronger than the strongest [...]

Today is Awards Day on Mystery Writing is Murder. Look around you—see all the celebrities in evening clothes, the multimillion dollar bling the stars are wearing, the hilarious Master of Ceremonies, the orchestra? [...]

I noticed something the other day and wondered if other writers felt the same way.  My favorite music is heavy on storytelling–by singer/songwriters like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Jim Croce, Joni Mitchell, Gordon [...]

I’ll admit I’m a real fan of imperfect protagonists. If I’m reading a book and I can’t identify with the main character because they are just too sweet, then I’ll put the book [...]

I love reading novels where characters’ faults or virtues play a role in determining their fate. Take me, for example. I did something stupid on Wednesday that could have taken my day on [...]

Please join me today at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen for a little Southern comfort food—a little dish I like to call “Breakfast for Supper.” Yes, it’s a breakfast casserole and highly adaptable. Please pop [...]

Today my interview on Lesa’s Book Critiques posts. Honestly, I’ve been more excited by Lesa’s review than anything I’ve gotten from Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, or Mystery Scene. That’s because of Lesa’s occupation and [...]

Hi everybody.  Today Pretty is as Pretty Dies  is being featured on Lesa’s Book Critique blog.  I was really excited by Lesa’s review.  She’s a library manager and professional reviewer and reads a [...]

I thought I’d share with y’all a little about my Memphis, TN research trip. I needed to make the trip to put the finishing setting touches on my Memphis barbecue mystery (book one’s [...]

Happy Sunday morning, everyone! Today I’m being interviewed at the Author Exchange blog: a great place to find out more about your favorite authors. And now, it’s also a great place to post [...]

I was asked (or….maybe I should say my dog was asked to be interviewed for the fun site, Coffee with a Canine.  It’s a fun place to promote a book because your appearance [...]

I love mysteries. I always have. I started out with those Encyclopedia Brown books in first grade. I thought it was so clever the way Encyclopedia solved one case by realizing the reflection [...]

We were on I-40 on Sunday, driving back to Charlotte from my research trip to Memphis when my husband drove up on a completely-stopped line of cars on the interstate. Obviously, there’d been [...]

I’m researching Memphis for my Memphis barbeque series and just returned from a 5 day visit. One of my Memphis discoveries? Red beans and rice (not the Creole version, but the Memphis one.) [...]

Getting your book onto library shelves means you’re reaching a wider audience of readers. For my thoughts and tips on library marketing, please pop over and visit me today at Alan Orloff’s blog, [...]

Having a book released is almost like having a baby. Pop over and visit me at Routines for Writers today to find out more. Some of you have asked me how the release [...]

How do simple things change our (and our characters’) perspectives on the world? Please visit me at InkSpot today to find out. [...]