Just one long, hot, humid month standing between us and my favorite season of the year. Yes, August is really the February of summer. Welcome to August! The best, most popular, absolutely superb month of the year. Who am I kidding? August is the February of summer. Winter Winter starts off…

My evil doctor has inflicted a calorie-counting diet and exercise regimen monitored by an Apple Watch — proof that evil technology starves me. The first short story I ever published appeared in a literary magazine. That sounds impressive until you realize I’m referring to a summer program I attended in…

Author groups across social media buzzed last week about a proposal for reality TV for authors and a few thoughts popped into my head. Author groups across social media buzzed last week with the announcement of a casting call for the newest reality TV show- America’s Next Great Author. Yes…

Moving back to the mountains of North Carolina meant not eating my beloved Frogmore Stew, but then I made a discovery. For the uninitiated, I will clarify up front—I harmed no frogs in the making of this post. Also, no frogs are used in Frogmore Stew. The name comes from…

We comfortably share our home with many large, wild animals, but the scariest creatures in the woods are quite small. A very Happy Independence Day to all my American readers (and Happy Canada Day last week to Canadians). Based on the sheer number of tourists visiting Asheville this weekend, I’m…

The dog didn’t eat my homework, but exploding oatmeal and broken water lines sure interfered with my novel writing this week. The story idea hit me early one morning. I jolted awake, sat up in my bed, and looked around the dark bedroom. I can scribble little ideas on my…

We focus so much on epic events, but sometimes it’s the smaller things in life that are the truly important little stories. Thank you for your patience as I took last week off to focus on family. Thank you for the flood of notes, emails, and cards expressing your condolences…

Just when I was getting a good night’s sleep — a rarity — a 2 a.m. shriek shot me out of bed and into a night of frustration. The shriek pierced my dreams and ripped me from my slumber. Shrill. Urgent. Alarming. I pried open my eyes and scanned the…

As we honor the men and women who gave their lives while in uniform, my Memorial Day gratitude seems an insufficient thank you. Each day in my journal, I note things I am grateful for. Maybe a person helped me in some large or small way. A glorious sunrise started…