Writing Journal

January 13, 2025 

I've been writing for over forty years. Since 1993, I've written eight romance novels for practice. When Hallmark had a call for un-agented manuscripts in 2019, I decided to enter. Landing a book deal with Hallmark was a long-shot, but I went for it! Though Hallmark chose a different book, I took the plunge and, along with my childhood friend/editor, Heather (Thurber) Murata, self-published my first novel on Amazon. I'm so glad I did! 

BIG Dreams Inn a Small New Hampshire Town has been read and enjoyed by many. I appreciate the positive comments/reviews on Amazon, made about Cassie and TJ's journey to love. Set in Northwood and Portsmouth, NH, Cassie and TJ and their family and friends live turbulent lives that set the characters in motion during a snowy winter and the festive holidays.

In 2022, I published my second sweet romance novel, book two in the series. BIG Dreams Explode! Cassie and TJ's story continues as they realize an outlandish dream and make that dream come true. 

The lives of their close-knit families and friends intertwine and embolden the story. Of course there is a happy ending...that's what readers expect...but there are lots of twists in turns in the journey.

I wanted to create a book for my great-nieces and other children. So along with my long-time children's author and illustrator friend, Sandra Dodge, I wrote animal haikus and she drew line drawings. When we were done, I published the Animal Haiku A ~ Z Coloring Book. My great-nieces love it and highly recommend it to all.

        All my books are sold locally and/or can be purchased through AMAZON.COM

January 14, 2024

I took a little sabbatical from writing last fall, but with the new year comes new vigor and insights on how to proceed with my stories. 

BIG Dreams––Wounded Warrior's SHOT at Love: Last summer I wrote several chapters of the third book in the series. I had a nagging feeling that I needed to back up and set-up the story in a more vivid and emotional way. So last week I did just that. I wrote a Prelude that interjects the reader right in the middle of our hero's current situation. Nick is a solider serving overseas in a war in Afghanistan. FYI - the story takes place twenty-five years in the future. Now I can proceed...

What Went on at My House: A story of a young family's struggle told from a twelve-year-old's point of view. I'm excited about the beginning of the story and I know how I want to the story to end. So now I just have to brainstorm plot and that is one of my favorite activities. This story is set in my hometown of Nottingham, NH.

Love's Twists and Turns: What began as dream I had overnight, turned into a 1790's story that takes place in England. Two chapters in, I realized I would need to do a lot of research to have the story reflect life in the 1790's...I decided to just use my dream to be the backstory of the main character's great-grandmother. So I started over and have one great chapter written. I know where I want this story to go, now just need to flesh out my characters and steer them in the direction of the intended ending. However, I know too well that sometimes characters take over the story and I have to follow their lead. Either way, this story will span several years and have a diverse cast of characters. 

Working on these three novels will keep me busy...

April 10, 2025

BIG Dreams--Wounded Warrior's SHOT at Love: Three months later and the first draft is down, except for the final chapter. I want to go back and edit from the beginning and change a few minor things. Then when I've got all the loose ends tied up, I can relax and experience the beauty of the wedding and some intimacy afterward. I'm going to have Nick sing a sexy song to Lacy as they embrace near the wedding night bedside in their new house. Nick has crossed the bridge on his road to healing from his PTSD. And Lacy reaches the place where she lays her innocence aside as she has become the strong, sensual woman that a hero like Nick Springsteen needs and deserves. Heather says she can probably have the project edited and published before Christmas, which is my goal.

April 29, 2025

BIG Dreams––Wounded Warrior’s SHOT at Love: Yay! Not only have I finished the first draft of the novel (except I’m holding off the final chapter until I edit the complete) I have edited 22 chapters. Heather says she will copy edit beginning next week. This is great news. 

I’m adding in some details that will firm up the storyline and some important dialogue additions. Lacy is making greater personal growth in the story to align with the plot and get her up to speed with Nick’s maturity. 

Will contact Spencer to see if he’s willing to create the book cover. I’m thinking green/black camouflage with a flag in the background and soldier and woman in the foreground. 

I will definitely be participating in some upcoming vendor fairs when book three comes out! Having the complete set will be amazing! I wish everyone would share my joy! (In a perfect world…)