Let’s have a heart-to-heart about that deceptively misnamed monster: the “first draft.” It’s cute how we all pretend the first draft is an actual thing and not just a word soup we spill onto paper. My first draft is just me chucking my story down—like a toddler with a new paint set. Everywhere. On everything. … Read more
I once heard Denzel Washington give a speech where he said, “Fall down nine times, get up ten.” For any endeavor, I believe that’s true. Whether you fall ten times, five times, or once on your chosen journey, each time will be a learning experience. I like to refer to those moments as ‘school fees.’ … Read more
I get most of my writing done at 5 a.m. before I head off to work in the wonderful world of reality television. The advantage of getting up and writing at 5 a.m. is that no one else is awake. It’s just me, the blank page, and the keyboard. Even the neighborhood deer are asleep. … Read more
There’s a constant lament in my house – “So many books, so little time.” And in truth, there aren’t enough hours in the day to fit everything in and read all the books that seem to scream take me home. Whether it’s scrolling through Goodreads, perusing the stacks on the tables at Barnes and Nobles … Read more
Her tall, slender figure moved across the stage with grace, and her dark brown hair fell to her shoulders like waves of silk. Unable to look away, mesmerized by her almond-shaped eyes, she drew him in as she spoke her lines. The first time they rehearsed the kiss, his soul eased, as if it had … Read more
This is a scene from my manuscript This Time Around – a work in progress. It may or may not make it in the final version of the manuscript. “You ready? It’s nearly 6:30. Get a move on.” Janine steps into my office, bouncing on the balls of her feet, gym bag slung over her … Read more