Fun, Quotes, Writing

Research Life Hands On

While the Internet provides the virtual world at our fingertips, making it possible to do research for writing projects that we otherwise wouldn't be able to do, it's the hands-on research that benefits me the most. The times that get me out of my office and catapults me into the real world of experience. Of course, I… Continue reading Research Life Hands On

Fun, Quotes, Writing

RMFW Conference

This past weekend I attended the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer's (RMFW) Conference in Westminster, Colorado. This was my first--but definitely not my last--with this group. I was impressed and blessed from the moment I arrived to the moment I left. The sessions offered were exactly what every writer needs to know in order to grow, not to… Continue reading RMFW Conference

Advocacy, Quotes, Writing

Book Signing a Success

My book signing this past Saturday was better than I had even expected. The highlight, however, was not the books sold, but the 11-year old who visited my table. She loves to write and I could see the light dance in her eyes as she talked about it. I saw myself in that little girl and… Continue reading Book Signing a Success

Fun, Writing

Book Signing

This Saturday, September 5th, 1:00-3:00, I'm scheduled for a book signing at Welcome to the Bookstore. For those in the area, I would love to see you there! For those who aren't in the area, your positive thoughts and prayers would be immensely appreciated. I love people, I really do, and I'm always up for good conversation… Continue reading Book Signing

Fun, Gratitude, Nature, Writing

Hodge Podge and Update

I've been a bit of a slacker lately. Although, I guess slacker isn't an accurate term. Life has been exceptionally busy, but I'm so grateful that I've got a good life to live. My son was the passenger in a car that was totaled in an accident two days ago and he came out of it with… Continue reading Hodge Podge and Update

Advocacy, Alcoholism, Writing

Writing Communities

For a writer, deciding to belong to a community of other writers will be one of the best choices you make. Writers understand other writers and the struggles we all go through like no one else can. It's similar, I suppose, to any group of people with like interests. Cops can understand each other's black… Continue reading Writing Communities

Life Lessons, Quotes, Writing

Finding the Lesson in the Mistake

As I posted last week, my book Shear Madness was released. Yes, great news, but now for the not so great. When I was reading my Kindle version after it went live, I learned an extremely important lesson: ALWAYS read the manuscript, after the editor is done, and not just the parts that were edited, but the entire… Continue reading Finding the Lesson in the Mistake

Fun, Quotes, Writing

Shear Madness is now Available!

My second book, Shear Madness, is now available!  **Doing a little happy dance** Melanie Hogan is anything but your average beauty salon owner. She’s created a life for herself that’s an exact contradiction to that of her wanderlust, absentee mother who bailed on her when Melanie was four years old. She has gone above and… Continue reading Shear Madness is now Available!

Advocacy, Alcoholism, Faith and Spirituality, Family, Gratitude, Writing

Birthday Blessings

I've heard people talk about 50 as being "over the hill," "half of a century old," "on the downward slide," etc. When I woke up this morning, having turned 50 myself, the first thing that came to mind was: I AM SO BLESSED! I got out of bed, got dressed and headed out the door for an… Continue reading Birthday Blessings