Writing

I’m currently reading (or rather, listening to the audiobook of) The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick (it’s fantastic, by the way!), and a line I heard today really resonated with me and this journey I’ve been on for nearly a year: “We’ve got to start someplace. If we don’t, how is anything ever going to change?” The book follows a group of women, who form a neighborhood book club, during a pivotal time in history as they begin questioning their roles as wive

After 10 gloriously warm days with my family in Gulf Shores, Alabama for spring break, last night felt like a small gift. The air was warm and I could hear the birds singing through the screen door. The kitchen was clean and the kids were outside with their friends. I sat down at my computer with every intention of checking off a few lingering to-dos from the day’s list. But instead, I opened a manuscript I’d written in three sittings back in July. It was the first time I’d r

I'm still pinching myself! In under a week, Santa's Summer Vacation in Michigan officially became the No. 1 New Release on Amazon in Children's Travel and Children's Christmas Books. I know that those numbers will fluctuate and that rankings don't really matter. At least, that's not why I went on this #AuthorJourney. But, in this moment, I'm going to enjoy it. Let me tell you, watching those rankings are as addicting as watching stock prices! In all seriousness, a heartfelt

When you’re a child, you’re allowed to have big, outrageous, once-in-a-lifetime dreams. It’s expected – encouraged, even. But as you get older and real-life experience sets in, a more cynical reality has a way of intervening. You’re not tall enough, strong enough, fast enough to go pro in your favorite sport. You’re not a fan of math, so a future among the stars is out of reach – even though it would be incredible to be an astronaut. For me, becoming an author felt like one o

Time is funny—especially as you get older. A lot of people ask me how long I’ve wanted to become an author, and my automatic answer is that it’s been a lifelong dream. And that’s absolutely true. But the more I think about it, the more I realize this dream didn’t happen overnight. It happened in pieces. In years. In numbers that quietly added up: 1980 : The year I was born. Writing would become a quiet, thoughtful thread that ran through my life—especially helping me cope wit

Over lunch, my mom recently asked me why I hired a book editor when I’ve been writing all my life. Her question caught me off guard, because I never thought of it that way. Yes, I’m experienced. But I’ve never published or distributed a press release, social post or corporate response without getting another set of eyes on what I’d written. And that’s after several rounds of self-editing to make sure what I submitted was as polished as possible. After years of writing and r

Long before I embarked on my #AuthorJourney, I was inspired by those who dared to carve their own path – not because it was easy, but...

If you stay in PR long enough, you’ll inevitably be tasked with promoting a corporate marketing campaign. It’s just the way it is. The...

When I said that writing my first children’s book over the span of a decade was just the beginning, I wasn’t kidding. Earlier this...

I wholeheartedly believe in the transformative power of the written word. It informs, inspires, and ignites action. It builds goodwill,...