As a child, I was sick every Christmas. Every Christmas! I had rheumatic fever. Scarlet fever — twice. Chicken pox. Measles. Pneumonia. The sniffles. The creeping crud. You name it, I got it. Every Christmas I was sick. Until I … Continue reading
It’s been five days since I’ve had the courage to pull up to my computer. Five days since I heard the news that things were getting close. Very close. Then … three days now of swallowing hard, wiping tears, finding … Continue reading
I used to be the silent suffering type. Thirteen years ago, I recovered from brain surgery on nothing more than Extra Strength Tylenol four times a day. I dragged myself from a wheelchair and flopped around in a freezing swimming … Continue reading
Yesterday I wrote of my father. Today’s thoughts are of mom. She was the one in the apron. The one who held us together with a spoon and a spatula. Mother knew how to knead. Her breads were beyond compare. … Continue reading
My father was an artist. A commercial advertising artist. I picture him often, standing at his drawing board, a pencil behind his ear, his teeth holding another pencil, while he deftly moved a third pencil over a large sheet of … Continue reading
Okay, here’s the thing. The scar from my surgery is clinging to my wrist bone like an alien face-hugger. It won’t let go! So, I’m in physical therapy three times a week, with self-manipulation of my poor, beleaguered wrist three … Continue reading
Here are ten things to do when your wrist screams, “No! Don’t make me type another word.” Read through your recent material and make hand edits as needed (using your good hand, of course). Go to the bookstore to find … Continue reading
I know now what happens when a writer can’t write. Said writer mopes. She whines. She fidgets and grumps through her days. She stares out the window and counts the flecks textured through the living room carpet. She cries great … Continue reading
I’ve just received my first rejection letter and I couldn’t be more pleased! Now, don’t get me wrong. Certainly I’m not happy to have received a rejection letter. But a rejection letter from a prospective agent isn’t all that bad. … Continue reading
I’ve just completed the final edits on the first draft of my second novel. With pleasure filling the back of my throat, and yet tears filling my eyes, I wrote the two words that every writer either looks forward to … Continue reading