Writing to sell can be complicated. Obviously you want your book well-written and thoroughly edited. Obviously you want to have a sense of rising action, climax, and payoff. Obviously you want consistency in both character and action. However, there's something I've noticed as a reader and I don't think the implications to writing can be avoided, unfortunately. … Continue reading Chapter Length

Well fans, we've had a launch party (incredibly successful), a sale event (somewhat less so), and plans for more on the horizon. I've gone through one whole shipment of books (I've been ordering 30 at a time), and am on to the second. I held an intimate launch party for around a dozen family and … Continue reading Sales, Events, Writing

Anybody who knows the town where I grew up will recognize Graycliff as a close relative immediately. The city is primarily defined by two features: Graycliff Ridge, a granite shelf that runs north-south just west of the bulk of the town, and the Zephyr River, which loosely defines the town's eastern boundary. Graycliff and its … Continue reading Let’s Talk Setting: Graycliff

Becky was the last character of Tamed Hearts to take shape. But she's arguably the strongest, both as a narrative character, and in terms of what she can do. The simplest shorthand term to describe her is probably 'action heroine'. ('Ice queen' also has some applicability.) Becky works with Cassie, and they've recently begun an … Continue reading Let’s Talk Characters, Part Four: Becky