This year I'm participating in April’s #AtoZChallenge as well as #NationalPoetryMonth. This decision came about in a sleep-deprived stupor at 3:00 AM on March 31st. I was having trouble sleeping so I picked up a poetry collection I bought a few weeks ago in an attempt to calm my brain int…

Like most kids of my generation, my first poetry books were from Dr. Seuss. In grade school, I was introduced to Shel Silverstein and his legendary Where The Sidewalk Ends. I loved that book so much that I borrowed it from our grade school library all the time. When I went on to junior high, I …

I've come a long way with many miles left to go, I've traveled the land, both high and low. There is still so much I have yet to know, But what I've learned could only be learned as I go. I've tumbled and rolled in a tide's ebb and flow; I've climbed up steep mount…

To me, social media is like a party, a place to discuss inconsequential matters of the world, a billboard for all the wonderful celebrations of life, a worry-free zone to express whatever your heart desires. Photos of friends and family, political memes from all sides, humorous insights into hum…

Iraq, 2008 Whenever I think about my brother, I think of a goofy guy with the most infectious laughter. In our younger years, if I wanted to bug him I would just tickle him until he cackled, all the while laughing along with him. Anyone within earshot would giggle too. It was that kind of lau…

"Why are you still ignoring me?" Rebecca sits on my red barrel chair with her arms crossed, glaring up at me from under furrowed eyebrows. The colorful rainbow graphic on the front of her white shirt contrasts her angry demeanor. "Susan, I'm talking to you!" As I st…

Happy First Wednesday of October! This is your monthly post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group (IWSG) bloghop, created by Alex J. Cavanaugh . I'm co-hosting alongside  Dolorah @ Book Lover ,  Christopher D. Votey , and  Chemist Ken . For those of you who don't know about the IWSG…

A long time ago, back in 2013, I went to a Pitchapalooza contest in New York City and pitched my recently-finished novel, A Selfish Moment . I was hesitant, but my writer friend convinced me to go. It's easier to do these kinds of things with support at your side. It's a raffle from the p…

As Labor Day approaches, I lament the end of Summer and yet look forward to the coming Fall. But before the new season rolls in, there are a few things I'd like to celebrate about this past summer, both writing related and personal. One -- For the August 2018 Write...Edit...Publish (WEP) cha…

“There she is.” I point out the side of my classic 1964 Mustang at Kingsford's daughter, Annabelle, waiting at a bus stop. “She's beautiful,” he says in a low voice.  Long, wavy blond locks drape over her raincoat as she paces along the glistening cement floor. She twirls …

"Where do you get the ideas for your stories?" I can't tell you how many times I've been asked this question, usually by non-writers. I bet loads of writers get asked the same. For me, I get most of the ideas for my sci-fi and fantasy novels and short stories from dreams. &…

When will this meeting end? Chart after chart after chart -- sales projections, marketing calendars, product lineups -- this is the longest meeting ever. My coworkers and I are all sitting at this long, white conference table, dressed in bright white suits, scribbling away on our tablets or tappi…