I have been blessed to meet and interact with many wonderful writers. I belong to several writers groups. Recently, the Pamlico Writers Group hosted their fifth annual conference. This is the third year I have been on the steering committee but I have attended all five conferences. Each year we try to have something to appeal to all writers at every level. We also try … Continue reading Learning from Other Writers 

If I were born black… If I were born black who would I be? If I were not white would I still be me? If I were born black, how could I stand beneath the overwhelming burden of those who died? Died in shackles, died in sorrow, died fighting that my life might be free? How could I live up to their expectations, do them … Continue reading If I Were Born Black 

What is romance? I could ask that question of a hundred people and get a hundred different answers. As a romance writer, my goal is to learn what makes the reader feel that ahh moment. You know that feeling that THIS is special.  Romance, for me, can be summed up as that feeling of being cherished. It doesn’t have to be a big gesture like … Continue reading What is romance?

Originally posted on Writing on the Pamlico:
It’s time, it’s time! Time’s gone by so fast, but this will be our 5th year for our annual PWG Writers Competition. Submissions opened on January 1st. Interested? If so, you still have time to submit your original work, but don’t wait too long because the last day to send in your prose or poetry is March 12th. Need… Continue reading Pamlico Writers annual Competition open for submissions

I love JAK! I’ve been a fan of Jayne Ann Krentz for years. I started reading her Amanda Quick books and then followed her throughout the genres. All of her books have one thing in common, amazing characters! They are amazing often in their simplicity, their ordinariness. They are people whom we can relate, whom we know, perhaps who we even see in the mirror. … Continue reading Taking the Ordinary to Extraordinary 

I was only five when she was born. I’d just started school. Mom would read to me at night to get me to go to sleep. Sometimes she would lay down with me. Often, she’d be to sleep before I was. Mom went into labor early. I’m not sure if I remember that or if I was told afterwards. Some of my memories are mixed … Continue reading Remembering my Sister or The Strength of an Old Fashioned Woman 

I am a perpetual Pollyanna. I believe if you look for good, you will find good but the same is true of evil. We bid adieu to one president and welcome an other. While I face today with a mixture of emotions, the greatest of these is hope.  Whether you voted for Trump or not, he’s what we have for the next four years. My … Continue reading Praying for Our Nation 

 When I was little I used to listen to my daddy’s recordings of comedians Brother Dave Garner and Jerry Clower, and balladeers whose names I cannot recall. Later I heard recordings of other comedians: Richard Prior and Red Foxx, Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall. I don’t remember hearing poets until much later. But the rhythm and fall of the words, the timing of the jokes, … Continue reading The Power of the Spoken Word

I just listened to Suspect by Robert Crais. I wasn’t sure how I’d like a story told in part in a dog’s point of view but hearing Maggie’s thoughts and reactions are vital to the story. She is as important a character as Scott, her new handler. The story is as much about their relationship and healing as it is about the detective work.  If … Continue reading How do you feel about an animal’s Point of View?