First Cup of Coffee – November 4, 2024

Thoughts on storytelling, why we tell stories, the definition of success and if after our deaths counts, Carrie Vaughn’s THE NATURALIST SOCIETY, the role of ARCs and critique, and how to know when to stop revising and send to an editor.



First Cup of Coffee – November 1, 2024

How I’ve been calming myself about the US election and voting with joy! Also, thoughts about the Uncanny Valley (unrelated), and what it really does and doesn’t mean to be a “bestselling author,” how the lists work, and the only metric that truly matters.



First Cup of Coffee – October 28, 2024

Sorting out why I felt so hurt by the author who slammed on the Romantasy genre as “amuse bouche” compared to her books, some experiences I’ve had with older female writers in fantasy, and thoughts on drafting vs revising.



First Cup of Coffee – October 21, 2024

Sorting reasons to be a writer, how you CAN make a living at it, and what it means to treat this profession like a business. Also, why age and dry wit isn’t an excuse to insult other authors and genres.



First Cup of Coffee – October 18, 2024

Several pieces of good news here, including that the Jennifer K. Lambert website is now live! Also, a discussion of being aware of changing social media expectations and why you don’t diss other authors’ books. Like, ever.



First Cup of Coffee – October 14, 2024

A continuation of my intensive breakdown of the language “coaches” use to entice you to spend your money, why their “guarantees” mean nothing, truth and lies about passive income, and sustaining a career as an author.



First Cup of Coffee – October 11, 2024

My very productive week, the problem with writing dialect, and the first part of an intensive breakdown of the language “coaches” use to entice you to spend your money and simultaneously erode your self-confidence.



First Cup of Coffee – October 7, 2024

How not to lose your mind about typos, proofing, and addressing corrections at various stages of editing. Also endorsement quotes, ARCs, and what the expectations are. Plus Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?



First Cup of Coffee – October 4, 2024

Breaking the gridlock of chronology in a story – when it’s a useful tool and why, and when it can be a crutch. Also, how process changes with every book, indicating a good stretch, and the ravages of book brain.



First Cup of Coffee – September 30, 2024

On celebrating and taking a break, and I’m sharing some great new endorsement quotes for NEVER THE ROSES! Also, internalized misogyny, Taylor Swift & Blake Lively, and why I’m shifting away from search engines and back to bookmarking websites like it’s 2004.

And yes, I realize I said “Age of Adaline” when I meant “It Ends with Us.” I watched both. I got confused. *sigh*