In an effort to make my goal of finishing an edit of Calyn’s story by the end of November, I’ve neglected the blog.   But the additional focus on story has been helpful.  I’ve been able to find some transitions to link together the scenes that I’ve already established.  For me, such things have always been … More NaNoEdiMo Goal

Once upon a time, I used to do the combination grammar/spell checker with Microsoft Word on my middle grade novels and short stories.  I’d reach the end where I’d find that I was writing on the 12th grade level.  Well, it wasn’t a matter of dumbing things down.  It’s a matter of accessbility and meeting … More Lexile Score

Writers are magpies.  We can’t help ourselves.  If we see something interesting, we want to twist it into our plots, our settings, our characterizations.  Weaving these things into story can often be safe.  My extended family can’t help but notice little scraps of our lives turning up here and there in my books.  In SUSPECT, for example, … More Ooo! Sparkly!