I’ve been researching a book set in London. Turns out, there are houses in London called “iceberg homes.” Iceberg, because most of the square footage is hidden. Underground. Some of the houses descend four and five stories. They have pools. They have media rooms. They have spas. They have bowling alleys. They have enormous garages. […]
Before I was published, back when a pair of rose-colored glasses were fused to my nose, I was sure my first book was a special snowflake. Everyone would fall in love with it. Maybe not everyone. Maybe not men (the first book I wrote was a romance). Maybe not women who read contemporary romance (the […]
As I write this, it’s pre-dawn, I’m under-caffeinated, and I’m thinking profound thoughts about how my life is like a river. For the last few months, it’s been meandering through a long stretch of winding bends, but now it’s picking up speed, heading into a series of whitewater rapids. Like I said, I’m under-caffeinated. I’d […]
This path—writing—it’s not linear. Sometimes the way forward is shrouded in mist. Sometimes a fork appears out of nowhere. And, sometimes, I follow the wrong trail. It would be nice if I realized the wrongness of the trail right away. I’m not that lucky. And so, I recently tossed most of a book. I won’t […]
Recently, I stepping into a recording studio. Well, I stepped into the comfortable production room outside the actual recording booth. All the Country Club Murders are on audio, but my input as to their production ended when I said, “Yes, I like her voice.” That voice, belonging to Callie Beaulieu, is now Ellison’s voice. Recording […]
I know there are writers out there with mad organizational skills. I am not one of them. I’m more the I-think-I’m-forgetting-something sort. The writer who lifts her gaze from her computer screen and wonders if the kids are picked up, the dinner is made, and dog is walked. No, no, and no. Which is how […]
So, this happened! That’s me in the November 12 issue of Woman’s World. I can safely say, this is probably the one and only time in my life I’ll be hanging out between John Grisham and Eleanor Roosevelt. The nice-women-don’t-toot-their-own-horns part of me wanted to say nothing. The that’s’-me-between-Grisham-and-Roosevelt part of me did a little […]
Here’s a truth—if you’re born and raised in Kansas City, red shoes are glittery and have the power, when clicked, to take you home. When I was in college, I dressed up as Dorothy for Halloween. The dress was easy. The shoes less so. Simple red shoes wouldn’t do; I needed ruby slippers. I […]
If someone were to ask me what the Country Club Murders are about, I’d tell them, “Women finding their power—and murder. Lots of murder.” Ellison Russell has spent most of her life being safe and protected. Now a single mother, she has the opportunity to take risks, to stand on her own, to own her […]
What is funny? To me, funny is Tim Conway with Harvey Korman in a dentist’s chair. Funny is physical and clever and the spectator at the US Open who yelled, “Dilly, dilly!” when Dustin Johnson teed off. Anyone who’s ever had a pet knows funny. Given enough time, the disaster stories (chewed handbags and shoes, […]