Live today is my brand-spankin’ new post for Writer Unboxed. This month I address the big questions that arise in writing fiction (and in other genres as well). For example, what is the difference between perception and reality? And my final question to my fellow writers out there: What is your motivation for writing? What questions are you asking?
Friend, contributor to The Lipstick Chronicles, and Publishers Weekly reviewer Melissa Mia Hall (MMH) has passed away. The terms of her death are extremely upsetting, as she died because seeing a doctor was beyond her financial means. As The Lipstick Chronicles writes,
“Melissa worked hard. She owned a home. She paid her taxes (late, but paid). She was trying to live a dream – the American Dream – that supposedly we as citizens are promised – the right to pursue life, liberty and happiness. For her, that couldn’t be achieved in a traditional job that came with the perks of health care. But does that mean she had to die?”
Melissa’s heart attack could have been prevented, and I think the full article speaks for itself (which you can read at The Lipstick Chronicle’s website). I hope you agree with me that health care is, as always, an issue in our country that must be a priority. She’ll be missed.
Live today is my latest blog post for The Lipstick Chronicles. This month, I write about the housing market in Salem, the superstitious implications of traditions, and my familial background and influence on “magic.” For a direct link to the entry, click here.
I’m delighted that The Capital Area District Library (13 libraries in the Greater Lansing, MI area) selected The Map of True Places as one of the Best Fiction Books of 2010. Thanks Lansing! You can see all of their picks here.
Live today is my new blog post for Book Club Girl. The blog is “dedicated to sharing great books, news and tips with book club girls everywhere.” Hear, hear! I was invited to write for Book Club Girl’s Holiday Open House, and am thrilled to take part. I wrote about Christmases from my childhood, always a fun string of memories to write about.
Many thanks to Jennifer Hart, who writes the blog! Here’s a link to the blog and my post.
Tomorrow, December 15, I’ll be at the Agawam Public Library in Agawam, Massachusetts. The event will take place at 7:00 p.m. My thanks to Agawam for being flexible and rescheduling this event when I was sick. Looking forward to meeting them (and I hope I see you there)!
A staff member at the Plumb Library in Rochester, Massachusetts picked The Map of True Places as one of the Top Ten Books of 2010. Thanks, Lisa! You can see the library’s complete list here.
The Book Worm’s Library wrote a very different kind of review of The Lace Reader. It’s worth a read. You can check it out here.
Holy moly, it’s getting cold out. I returned from Italy this week after a wonderful time there. It’s awfully shivery here in Salem. I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving and Hanukkah filled them with warmth and love. For those of you celebrating Christmas, doesn’t it always sneak up on you?
Though I’ve been away, I’ve still been writing, and this week I have two new blog posts out. Tomorrow, December 9, my new post for Writer Unboxed will go up. Then, on Saturday, December 11, check into The Lipstick Chronicles for my new post there. I hope you are all well, and find some time within these next few weeks to be present, and enjoy your time with loved ones.
Just posted today is one of my contributions to The Lipstick Chronicles, a blog I write for along with fantastic writers Hank Phillippi Ryan, Nancy Pickard, Elaine Viets, and others.
This week my post is entitled “Writing the Bad Boy,” where I speak of writing male villainous characters. Hope you enjoy!