Setting: A library-based author event earlier this year. Time: The latter portion of "set up" time, prior to the doors opening to the public. An author who said she writes young adult novels walked up to my booth and picked up my display copy of Society of the Sentinelia. She read the back cover. Her face lit up.

What is a writer's pocketbook, you ask? It's what I call the pocketbook that's big enough to hold the book I'm currently reading, a small

One of my favorite late-December activities is shopping for a new journal.

When I sat down in a session at the SCBWI-Carolinas fall writers and illustrators weekend retreat, everyone around me was exchanging...

The Birkhead Wilderness, which is part of the Uwharrie Mountains in central NC, was the inspiration and setting for my Zahra of the...

The start of school had me overwhelmed and underproductive when it came to my writing obligations. During every spare minute, I was...

Nearly two months ago, I tried something new. I reached slightly outside my comfort zone and participated in a local open mic event....

My first summer break since returning to the classroom is over. It was a good break. I played, traveled, studied, wrote, read, and...

On a recent trip to visit my cousin in New York City, I was asked if I wanted to walk across a bridge. "Of course! Let's do it!" was my...

It was a chilly day. We were heading down the mountain where my son and daughter-in-law live. We had errands. About halfway down the...

The following is from my September 17, 2021 Facebook author page post: This evening I took a walk on the beach. The sun was setting. I...

We wear many hats in our lives. My collection includes mother, wife, aunt, daughter, caregiver, marketing director, mentor, friend, and...

My mom is a ham. She's sociable, funny, and dramatic. Could she have been an actor? After her recent stint in the recording booth, I...

Whenever I have the opportunity, I head to the coast. Whether for a weekend, a week, or just the day, my soul craves time on the sand at...

Every year since we installed the pool, I've celebrated Mother's Day by floating on the crystal clear water in a floatie chair. Whether...

In olden times, when I was on the brink of adulthood, parents like mine went through what was called Empty Nest Syndrome. It happened...

Now that it's December, I've been thinking a lot about Santa. He comes to our house every year, but we're in the middle of a pandemic. No...

Writing is certainly a passion of mine, but I also adore the editorial process. For six years, one of my duties with an advertising firm...

My first pen pal was my cousin. We were 4 years old. The content was simple—How are you? I'm fine. The process was magical—writing my...