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*



First Cup of Coffee – September 27, 2024

On the story structure that utilizes characters that represent heart, mind, and body. Also, how to know when to listen to critique and then making the judgment call of folding information into a story without slowing pace.



First Cup of Coffee – September 23, 2024

How sometimes we stop caring about things that were once meaningful and that it’s okay to let them go. Some insights on my Achiever and Intellection Clifton Strengths, celebrating wins, and connecting with friends.



First Cup of Coffee – September 20, 2024

Some tough love today! I explain how no one will ever care about your writing career as much as you do and how other people will always be happy to suck up your time and energy. Also, exciting news on NEVER THE ROSES!




First Cup of Coffee – September 17, 2024

My appliance-drama-filled weekend, pet-drama-filled Monday, a happy resolution to previous pet-drama, my great character flaw, and how a robust backlist not only is the best marketing, but continues to provide income in lots of ways.



First Cup of Coffee – September 13, 2024

A story about how an indie bookstore cheated me (if you didn’t see it on Threads), my friend who died and people trying to dig for scandalous information, plus my excellent progress this week!



First Cup of Coffee – September 10, 2024

An exciting sneak peek of the interior design of NEVER THE ROSES! Also, a deep dive into author finances, how to manage income by maximizing tax-deductions, promoting your work, and when to DIY vs. paying an expert.



First Cup of Coffee – September 6, 2024

Why so many authors end up “trunking” their first novel, why it’s often not only a good idea, but inevitable – and how to know if you should. Also, garbage data, The Fall, and The Riddle Master of Hed (and why I think I bounced off of it as a kid).