This is my first ever awards eligibility post—not because I’ve never written anything award-eligible before, but because I felt unworthy and for a long time I was naive about how nominations work. Even deep into middle age, impostor syndrome looms large. This, at least, changes now; I hope to make an annual habit of this…
Nearly two months ago, I submitted an application for a writer’s retreat scheduled for later this year. I put a lot of thought and effort into that application, even though I wasn’t sure at the time how much I wanted to attend the retreat. And then I forgot about it, for a month or so….
It occurs to me that today marks seven and half years since the daily headaches began. I’d had headaches before 19 November 2014; I just hadn’t had them every day before then. It’s been a difficult, ugly journey. However. I think I’ve finally found something that helps. After trying so many different prescription medications, vitamins,…
On October 5, my latest novel, Crooked Curse, will be available. This is the first book in a new paranormal cozy mystery series—Haunted Coast—set in the same literary universe as the Rune Witch urban fantasy books. It’s also the first book I’ve published in nearly three years. I’m not so much thrilled about that part….
“It’s just an article,” she said to me on the Zoom call. “Just because it’s posted on the Autism Speaks website doesn’t mean they wrote it or that it’s objectionable.” The fight had nearly gone out of me. This was a scheduled appointment with a resource specialist in my therapist’s office, and it was the…
There’s the often repeated advice to keep writing, because no one can tell your stories the way you can. I have no idea where this wisdom originated. It felt like pablum to me when I was a younger writer and had these words of encouragement directed my way, but I’ve since said the same to…
“Help me to love myself more.” Last night, I surprised myself by whispering these words into the darkness. It’s not unusual for me to murmur words of encouragement, request, appreciation, or hope like this. Call them little prayers if you want to, or personal affirmations if that makes more sense to you. It’s one small…
