Do you have any advice for writers?
First: Write as often as you can. It’s like learning to walk – there is no pill you can take, no perfect pair of shoes for the job, no ideal time and certainly no magical place to do it. The only thing that works? Practice, practice, practice. Not only will you learn to write well, with time you’ll gain your own special saunter.
Second: Get outside of your head. All writing needs help – whether it be through cuts, additions, or restructuring. Start by reading your work out loud. Does it flow? Then, consider sharing it with a trusted friend or at a local writer’s group. If you’re looking to publish your work and you’ve polished your writing to the best of your ability, consider obtaining professional feedback. I highly recommend working with Patricia Mulcahy. You can learn more about her services at Brooklyn Books.
Third: If you’d like to learn more, check out my extended Author Q&A, as well as my piece “7 Things I’ve Learned so Far” in Writer’s Digest.
Are you still cooking? I want to try some new recipes.
I am still cooking. But it’s mostly behind the scenes for family. Not blogging full-time is allowing me to go deeper as a cook, writer, and creative. Until my next published project, I invite you to sample the 675 recipes I shared on Global Table Adventure. There’s so many amazing recipes from every country on this blue and green rock – great meals ripe for the plucking!
What are you working on now?
I am writing poetry, making art and, yes, cooking!
What events do you have coming up?
Any upcoming signings or talks will be listed on my events page.
Can I subscribe to get email updates from you?
Yes! I send out a Quarterly Newsletter, which includes information about upcoming projects as well as excerpts from latest poems and other creative pursuits. To receive my quarterly newsletter, please fill out this form.
Will you come speak to my group?
I enjoy visiting with book clubs and other groups. I’ve been hired to speak at conferences as large as 3,000. I have a special place in my heart for working with foster youth. Reach out and let’s see if we can make something happen.
How can I get in touch with you?
The quickest way to find me (and get little updates from my life) is on Instagram. For longer messages and formal inquiries, feel free send me an email through the form below. Please know that I may not be able to respond to every email I receive, and if I do it may take a few weeks. My husband, Keith, calls this “living on island time,” but I find that it’s the only way for me to live a balanced life – one that gives me time to volunteer at my daughter’s school, make memories with family, be useful in my community, and work on my next creation.
