Psalm 39:4-5

Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.

You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.

I am so glad that I have no…

How in the world do you describe a 102,000 thousand-word novel in less than 500 words? It’s the hardest thing in the world for me to do. Since The River Keeper is my fourth novel, I’ve written three other synopses, but for some reason I can’t seem to “hit the mark” as my editor says on this one. I thought if I drafted a post about writing a synopsis then I might learn something from myself. 

By the way, a synopsis can be anywhere from one page to twenty-five pages…

I can’t believe it’s June already. Last year by this time I’d probably caught thirty or forty fish out of the New River. Finally this past Saturday I had the opportunity to spend the day floating down the New. I only snagged five Bass, but one of them was the biggest I’ve ever caught. I know you’re all wondering how many my husband, Jerry caught because he always beats me. Well, I can’t lie. He reeled in twenty! Yes, that’s what I said, twenty. But it wasn’t my fault; someone had to keep the…

Recently I attended a four-day festival/flea market. The event was a forty-five minute drive from my home and I had to be on site at 7am. Needless to say I am not a person who rises before the sun. Oh yeah, I already told you that in a blog a few weeks ago. Well let me say it again: I do not get up before 7 in the…

I know. I’ve slipped through the cracks the past couple of weeks. Sometimes a girl just needs to fall off the radar. I’ve been on what some call “Holiday.” Webster’s Dictionary says holiday is a day of rest from work. Well, I beg to argue. Just because you’re not at work and on “Holiday” doesn’t mean you’re not…

It’s a strange feeling not having a living mama on Mother’s Day. I heard a preacher speak on the radio the other morning. He said to let your mother know how important she is to you if she is alive and if she’s gone on, cherish the memories.

The preacher went on to say that some mothers do not fit…

A few days ago I finished the second re-write of my third novel, The River Keeper. Now for the final read through. I love this part. To be able to simply read the story without fixing plot holes and grammar. On August 22, 2011 the first words were written. It took me one year and eight months to write and edit this novel. How do these famous authors spit out three and four new books a year?

I know these people are rich and have house cleaners and nanny’s to pick their…

Proverbs 17:6

Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

Thirty-four years ago this week a miracle was born unto me, a baby girl with curly brown hair and a smile that will light up the remainder of my days.  Happy birthday to my only child Wendy, I am so thankful that God knew best, and blessed me with you.

Born twenty-five years later this same week was my one and only grandchild. Just…

Hebrews 13:2

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Once in a while you run into a person that lights up your world. I met such a lady this past weekend while strolling up a path beside New River. Her name was Mary, but she said her special friends call her Bunny. Not Bonnie, but Bunny. That’s what her Daddy nicknamed her when she was a little tike.

Mary was looking for somewhere to pull her teardrop…

I am excited! Last week I picked up The River Keeper, my fourth novel from my editor. The second edit is finished. Now it’s my turn to get to work. I love doing revisions and this second round doesn’t look too bad, not nearly as many marked up pages as the first re-write. However, it will take me a few weeks to get through all 467 pages.

During the next month or so I may become a bit slack writing my blog. I plan on putting all my creative energy into The…

I do believe that the world is going to “H” in a hand basket. What in the dickens is going on in our schools, cursive writing not included in North Carolina Public Schools curriculum? When I heard this the other day I was shocked. Texting, Twitting and the keyboard are taking over the creative part of our minds. Not to mention making us lazy.

To me learning the art of cursive writing is as much a part of growing up as loosing your baby teeth. I have to think what it would be…

Spring is officially here. Or, that’s what the calendar says anyway. I’m afraid Mother Nature has a mind of her own though. I woke to sleet pelting the tin roof over my head Sunday morning after spending our first night of the season at our camper on New River. And the forecast for Independence, Virginia for the next three days is highs in the thirties, lows in the twenty’s, with snow.

There are many things in life we can change. Our hair color, our clothes, we can lose…

Last weeks blog has stirred something up in me that is kin to a burning desire to find those who have vanished into the days, weeks, and years since their passing. I want to clip down the over grown foliage, mend the broken markers and fence out the cows. I have only begun my journey.

Thank you to all who sent me messages and especially to my friend Janie who emailed me some interesting links. I have barely skimmed the surface of those lives that are six feet under the sod on…

“O youth, thou hast removed one grief only to add another grief; but now, O my friend, where is she; and where is the mausoleum wherein lieth the wounded slave?”

The Book of The Thousand Nights And A Night

On a hillside within sight of my house, hidden from view by thorny orange bushes, briars and two drooping Cedar trees is the resting place of…

After safely dropping off my third novel, “The River Keeper” to my editor a couple of weeks ago I’m experiencing an entirely different lifestyle than I’ve been used to as of late. Since last October I have been revising and critiquing my new work. The first draft grew from 87,000 words to 101,000. The characters have become more colorful and complete. I can now actually see the lines in their faces and smell their surroundings. So while I wait for “The River Keeper” to return what…

While watching American Idol the other night I appreciated the advice of the judges. They told the singers to sing from their heart. And, if they didn’t they were just giving a performance. I knew exactly what the judges were saying. I could tell when one of those singers was really feeling what they were crooning. Even if they didn’t have the best vocal range, watching and listening to them was so much more pleasing when they believed the words they were singing.

As…

Once upon a time on a cold winter’s night in a land not so far away two ladies were engaged in separate battles. One a beautiful princess lay dying of a terrible disease. She knew she would not see the light of morning. The princess longed to find comfort and give in to the pleas of the death angel. He was beckoning her to let go and come with him. But how could she? To do so would mean leaving her teenage daughter, son, mother, father, sisters and brothers. The princess did not know how to…

Today’s blog is going to be very short and to the point. Instead of reading my words I want you to listen to them. All day today, Monday, February 11, 2013 I will be featured on “The Christian Author’s Show.” Today, will be the only day you can hear the interview between Don McCauley and myself.

It was certainly an honor and privilege to be featured on this nationally known show. There are 446 million pages in the Google index for 'author radio' and "The Author's Show" is…

I celebrated my 54^th birthday this past Saturday. I’m hoping more inner wisdom will come with the added year. At least then I’ll have something better to show for living twelve more months than additional gray hair and a rounder middle.

This year I hope to pick and choose the most important things and discard the petty stuff I don’t enjoy doing. What’s really important in life? To me many things: My faith, family, writing, watching my only granddaughter grow up,…

 Recently I had several fellow writers call and ask me for advice. Yes me! One of the questions asked was, “Do you think having an editor is that important?” My answer, “Well it might not be for you, but it certainly is for me.” 

I’ll never forget the feeling I got when I flipped through my first novel after my editor finished the initial edit. My heart started racing. Dry palms grew sweaty and I had a massive hot flash. What are all these red marks? Is she crazy? How can…