Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it!  I hope you have a wonderful holiday and that you're able to spend some time with family and friends sharing the season.

Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, Happy Holidays and enjoy the day, wherever you are!

Back at the Computer!

Who doesn't love writing the opening to a new story?  It's like the first, heady rush of falling in love.  I'm writing a short contemporary that's been in my head for a while, and it will serve as alternative gear switch when I'm not working on my New Adult work.  No details to share yet, as I'm still learning the characters, but I will have a few snippets for you once I've laid the groundwork.

Until then, have a happy holiday season!

2016 Calendar is Open!

My 2016 calendar is now open for scheduling guest blogs, interviews, workshops, or appearances!  If you're interested in hosting an event with me, just email me with your details.

Guest Blogs

I host guests right here on my blog, and you don't even need to be an author!  If you are an author, fantastic!  Just contact me for my short and sweet questionnaire, and be ready to provide a book cover, author photo, and links where readers can purchase your work.  If you are an environmental activist, I'd love to hear from you, too.

Workshops/Appearances

I have workshops for the beginning and intermediate writer!  Let me know which you're interested in - or if you're looking for a talk on a specific aspect of writing or publishing, I can tailor an appearance to your needs.

Taking a Break

I've had a long break since finishing FIRE, and it's been extremely helpful in resetting my creative energy.  I'll be on vacation from my day job during the holiday season, and I think that will be an ideal time to soak up some real R&R before going back to my newest project in earnest.  Let's hope 2016 is bursting with ideas!

It's been a whirlwind month for me, with doctor and dentist appointments for the whole family, as well as a couple of illnesses for me which were pretty heinous for a while, there!  I am glad to be able to take a rest.  You may have noticed my posts have been fewer since June.  I'm not ignoring you, honest!  It's just been good to recharge.

It's also a good time to look back on the year and realize how far I've come in my writing.  I can't believe I've finished off the Elemental Series.  (Look for FIRE in 2016.  When I have a release date, I'll announce it here!)  I had some great guest blogs, here and at other sites, and amazing book signings where I met some really cool people.  It gets me excited about writing all over again!

What about you?  Sit down for a few minutes and think about your year, and I'll bet you've done a lot more than you thought!  Have a great holiday season, everyone.

Happy Thanksgiving, USA!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the US!  I hope you have a great time with friends and family today, or if you can't be near your loved ones, that you're able to spend a little quiet time reflecting on the things you're thankful for in your life.

Enjoy the day and the beginning of our "official" holiday season!

On Bullies

I don't really use my blog to soapbox, but this is an issue that's pretty close to home, and I'm sure you'll all agree that it needs to stop.

In response to a parent's recent blog post about bullying, I wrote a little about my own experiences. Here's what I said in my Facebook response:

This one touched a nerve.

As one of the "out crowd" in grade school, I can say that being excluded from things DID hurt, but it taught me to face adversity (of which there is no shortage even after graduation). It stung when I was picked on for how I dressed (not glamorous) and because I was already very shy. Imagine being painfully shy, and getting teased or bullied. That doesn't exactly foster an outgoing attitude. Even my friends would tease me for being so shy. That was even worse.

To the picked-on and bullied kids (not just girls), I say this: You can get past these people. It's hard. It's damn hard. I ignored it for YEARS, or stuffed it down in a box. I waited it out, and it sucked. I developed a thick skin, and it sucked. In fact, it's one of the reasons I write. Art is a good vent for all that suck. Just keep getting up and being you, in spite of everyone else, because one day, all that suck won't matter so much, and what's left is what you made of yourself.

To the bullies, I say this: Stop talking and use your ears. Use your head. Use your courage. I know you're scared to stand out. I know you're scared to be the one person who doesn't go along with everyone else who piles on the unpopular kid. Use your popularity to change minds instead of destroying someone. It matters. It matters even more to KEEP TRYING to be that person.

To the parents, I say this: Your first and foremost obligation to this child you brought into the world is to teach him or her to be a good human being. Anything less than that most crucial of lessons is a disservice to your child, because it's the only way to be sure they will truly be, not popular, but LOVED.

Bullying stops with one person, the only one whose actions you can control: you.