Happy Holidays

Here's wishing my encouragers, my supporters, and my readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah!

What a year it has been!

Soon, I will be talking about everything I want to accomplish in the new year, but for now, there is a crackling fire in the fireplace, carols playing in the background, a beautiful tree waiting to be lit, and gifts to give to make my loved ones smile.

There will be turkey to eat, cheesecake with raspberry sauce to enjoy, chocolates, and party crackers, and stockings to open. And don't forget the stories and memories of Christmases past with loved ones we have lost over the years.

We wait all year for this magical day. Enjoy it from beginning to end, and bask in its magic and beauty.

Fun after Turkey Day!

 Sure, Turkey Day is right around the corner -- a day to give thanks. And I have so much to be thankful for this year, including my third novel out there in the world.

But right after Thanksgiving, there is so much fun to be had. I'm talking about the Makers Market at the Buffalo Historical Museum. I look forward to this show every year. Why? 

First of all, there are such wonderful vendors at which to shop. It's an artisan show, so these are top-notch products. Things you'll really be proud to give as holiday gifts.

Second, the venue is the beautiful, turn-of-the-century museum built for the Pan-American Exposition as the New York State Building. Shoppers get the added fun of scoping out the exhibits and the architecture.

I know this is a time for lots of craft and vendor fairs, but try to make time for the Makers Market. It really is a unique show, and I'll be there selling and signing my novels!

A Huge Thank You!

I had a wonderful time this weekend at the Buffalo Historical Society's Maker's Market! A huge shout-out to friends Laura, who showed up for moral support, and Ann and Jay who traveled great distances to support my efforts as well. So great to see them!

It was a great venue, and the folks who run and volunteer at the museum are the friendliest!

What a super time meeting so many people -- young and old alike -- who were interested in Relic and Eye of the Peacock, their story lines, themes, and inspiration. I had some great conversations! This was my first big signing since Covid hit, and meeting potential readers is really the best part of being an author. Writing is a very isolated craft -- you're really kept company only by the characters you create. But when you do a signing, you get to connect with people who are interested in those characters that you have become so close to. 

So many people out there like to read -- and write. If you bought a copy, I thank you. If it was a gift, I hope they love it. Please feel free to contact me here. And don't forget to write a review on either my Amazon or my Good Reads page. Friday and Saturday let me also talk about this blog and the writing tips I've been offering. I hope you all visit and take advantage! It felt so good to be back in the saddle again!

My Next Author Signing

The excitement is growing! 

As you know, Covid shut down so many of our enjoyable activities, and they are just now starting to gear up again. In that vein, I'm preparing for my first author signing in quite a while!

Nov. 25 and 26 I'll be signing and selling books at the Buffalo Historical Society's Makers Market. You can find me on the third floor!

There should be some excellent Christmas shopping there as well, as there are over 30 artisans and authors at this juried event!

The Historical Museum will also be open so you can peruse their educational displays as well! What a wonderful time of year to get reacquainted with the Historical Society.

Happy 4th!

I am sitting here staring at a beautiful summer sky. I have just gotten out of my pool, I have eaten my grilled hot dog, and I am waiting to see the fireworks. 

As I was doing this, it dawned on me that we are celebrating this great American holiday because of a piece of writing.

It is a piece of writing that could have gotten its signers arrested for treason. It was, and remains, a source of discussion and debate.

The Declaration of Independence is everything a good piece of writing should be. It made people of the time very uncomfortable. It was and still is very controversial. And it continues to stir conversation.

I thank my lucky stars – and stripes – that a piece of writing is so important to my country’s history.

Happy Independence Day!

2018 Surprises

Happy New Year!

I have to chuckle to myself at the possibilities a new year springs on you!

Just a few days ago, I wrote about how the pieces of my Eye of the Peacock project were pulling together. I am very excited about the cover ideas that will be coming soon.

Or so I thought!

My cover designer, Aaron La Porta, is first and foremost the head designer for the Buffalo Bills football team. Here in Western New York, we don’t get too excited about the Bills’ playoff possibilities. We hope and we cheer, mind you, but, well…. So, as the season neared its end, I was confident that Aaron might have a bit more free time on his hands.

But lo and behold! Not so! The Bills’ have broken 17-year playoff drought!

So as I cheer for the Bills, along with the rest of Western New York, the peacock will just have to wait a bit longer! Here’s to more surprises in 2018!

Happy New Year!

I love a clean slate. My resolutions for 2017?

1.    To blog on a more regular basis, and therefore catch you up on all the things that have been happening

2.    To stick to my 20 minutes of writing a day, which will undoubtedly lead to my next resolution

3.    To finish Eye of the Peacock, so that I can begin drafting the third book that is plaguing my brain

4.    To unclutter my life, which I hope still allows me time for resolutions 2 and 3!

I wish you all health and happiness in the new year along with, of course, great ideas for writing!

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope all the mothers out there had a great, relaxing day.

I received great hand-made presents from my girls. Those are the best. My oldest, wrote me a beautiful card and it made me remember the power and beauty of hand-written notes. I will cherish it forever.

Remember to hand write someone a letter soon.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

There are so many chances for new starts, and I count Easter as one of them. Spiritually it means a lot to me, but also here in the northeast, there is more sunshine, longer days, and plants are starting to come alive. It all feels like a new start, especially with such favorable plans on the horizon for Relic!

So, eat a chocolate bunny ear, and take in all the smells and sounds of nature. Remember the impact on all your senses, store them away, and use them on your next writing day!

Happy New Year!

As a rule, I don’t like making New Year’s resolutions.

I think they are a curse.

I do have goals for the new year, though:

• I want to make great strides on Eye of the Peacock, to the point where maybe Beta Readers are reviewing it by the end of September.
•  Along with this, I want to have the cover for Eye of the Peacock designed and ready. My cover designer, Aaron La Porta, wants to be involved in the process earlier this time. We both learned a lot the first time through. Summer will be a great time to get photos ready for him.
• I want to have had at least three author signings by the end of the year. And as part of that, I want to be able to talk to people, especially kids about writing and publishing.

I have other goals pushing into the back of my mind, but I need to stay focused on the most important ones. So, at least for tonight pull out that pickled herring, hold on to that quarter, and toot your noise maker! Let's see 2016 in in style!

Merry Christmas!

I got almost everything I wanted this holiday…a wonderful husband; two beautiful, sweet daughters; a comfortable home.

Peace on Earth was still missing, but at least it’s here in my corner of the world. And if we each achieved that, think of the overall effect!

Take some time to revel in your gifts, and of course, get in some writing time while the kiddos sleep in. I know I will be.

I hope you got everything you wanted for the holidays.