How deep do I dig into my own experience, in my own voice, when crafting a story? If I go too deep, will the reader disconnect?Take The Fish Dress, where a mother caught in an abusive marriage tries to hold the family together for the sake of the child and in a needy way, the …
An experienced sailor knows what to do when a sudden strong wind hits straight on, threatening to take her off her desired course. Rather than abruptly turning away from the wind, the sailor turns the bow of the boat toward and through the mighty gusts. By doing so, the direction from which the wind blows …
Celebrating Black History Month: HOW FAR HAVE WE COME? The other day I was searching through boxes in my attic for a book. I didn’t find what I was looking for, but an old folded-up newspaper caught my eye. Yellow and tattered on the edges, it was an issue of THE HARTFORD TIMES, dated Tuesday, …
Celebrating Black History Month: HOW FAR HAVE WE COME? Read More »
When we moved to Maine in 1989 and my bi-racial son entered 3rd grade, I did not foresee that there would be problems in school, but it wasn’t long before I knew something was wrong. One morning, he hid under the bed covers, crying and saying he hated himself. Finally, he admitted that the kids …
Why Do You Call Me Chocolate Boy? – Lessons Learned Read More »
As writers, we use broad character types to show aspects of human nature that follow a pattern over time, place, and circumstance. It is natural to want to apply the same thinking to the seasons: Spring, the Innocent archetype with new beginnings. Summer, the Warrior, ready for empowerment. Autumn, the Transformer, turning obstacles into steppingstones. …
In early 2020, my publisher confirmed that The Fish Dress, my debut novel, would be released on October 27, 2020. I booked the perfect place for my launch event right away—near the ocean, in keeping with the setting of the book. I had worked hard on The Fish Dress for ten years and was more …
October 2020 is an unusual month, with its two full moons. The first occurred October 1st and is known as Harvest Moon, Fruit Moon, or Barley Moon. The 2nd full moon will take place on Halloween, October 31st, and is called the Halloween Blue Moon. This is not because the moon will actually look blue, …
I’ve been pregnant with The Fish Dress for over ten years. One day, while living in Maine, my sister and I were on a hunt for used dishes, books, and vintage clothing at the local thrift shop. I spotted a black and white dress etched with fishbones and mysterious symbols, and I had to have …