Dear Kids and all Readers, Years ago, I started collecting cookie cutters. I now have cans and bags of them for every season as well as some evoking the seashore, the farm, fruits and vegetables, and miscellaneous activities and objects. Long before I had grandchildren, I envisioned making cut-out cookies with them someday to create…
Dear Readers, For better or for worse, we live in an age of identity and accountability. How often have you started to log into a site only to hear or read, “Let’s be sure it’s really you”? Next, you receive a text or email with the magic code to enter and confirm you are you.…
Dear Kids and All Readers, I am a member of Blackbird Writers, a group of mystery, suspense, thriller, and crime fiction authors scattered across the U.S. Our motto is “We flock together to bring mystery and mayhem to the world.” Each member is tasked about once every five months on a rotating basis with writing…
Dear Kids and All Readers, I set a goal for January 2023: On New Year’s Day, I would begin writing Book 5 in my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series. The day came and went. For various reasons–still in a holiday mood; more research needed; hot chocolate is ready?–I had not written one word of Chapter…
Dear KIds, Authors, and All Readers, Today, I’d like to share a tidbit from my upcoming Book 4, Saffron Street: Island Danger. It releases this fall. We authors often borrow from our own real-life experiences to bolster our storytelling. I am no exception. Here is the backstory behind the story: First, the story: In Book 4, Botanic Hill…
Hey, Kids, and All Readers of our Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries, “This is Moki, the funny, foodie detective. We’re on a new case. At least, we were. It seems our creator, the author, has gone missing!” “I’m Lexi, the arm-squeezing detective, and Moki’s right. We haven’t seen her in a couple weeks. Usually, she drops…
Dear Kids and all Readers, I’ve misplaced my four main characters! I’m talking, of course, about our Botanic Hill Detectives. Last time I saw Lanny, Lexi, Moki, and Rani–which was about THREE WEEKS AGO (Ugh!)–they were enjoying the surf, sand, and sun on O’ahu while also working seriously on their next case. I know what…
Dear Readers, February is the month when we celebrate Valentine’s Day and true love. We, of course, know that in real life as well as in literature, some of the most intriguing romances have a dark side, maybe even a tragic ending. This type of literature is called Dark Romanticism. Dark Romanticism falls within Gothic…
Hi, Kids and All Readers, We are living in extraordinary times. Sheltering at home, socially distancing, trying to stay healthy, and looking for a silver lining in the dark cloud of this Pandemic. Yes, that’s what I said–a silver lining. In other words, focusing on the positives! For example, now’s the time to learn what…
Dear Readers and Gothic Horror Fiction/Film Lovers, Many writers, especially in their earliest works, will create one or more characters like themselves. Admittedly, all four of my detectives have at least one of my traits. Here are some my head detective, Lanyon “Lanny” Wyatt, and I share; and, yes, there is a Gothic horror tie…
