Reaching One Single Reader
I about cried last night. My proof copy of the Big Inch came to my door. (Thank you, Mr. Chumley, my UPS driver.) Seeing the beautiful cover, the text all lined up like little soldiers, and feeling the heft of it was poignant. I’ve been writing for 20 years, and this is my debut novel. […]
Excitement Builds
The details of my debut novel, The Big Inch, are coming in like confetti. From book cover designs, to marketing materials, to endorsements, to release party plans, all things that give me both cause to celebrate and a splash of cold water. (This really is my first rodeo.) I don’t want to miss a moment. […]
Editing isn’t for wimps
The editing process for a book is better suited for those that enjoy details. And more details. And details that come back to bite you. Because I’m writing historical fiction, it’s important to not only nail the structure, grammar, and spelling issues, but also the physical accuracy of an era. As one who like big, […]
Painful editing
Today is the day I’ve dreamed of, and dreaded. My publisher’s proof copy of The Big Inch arrived yesterday and I’m reading it today much like I might any novel I’d purchased. Except, I know every plot twist in advance. Not only do I see errors that must be corrected, but I also find that […]
writing and family, a potent cocktail
If you read the acknowledgment page in most books, you probably won’t see the phrase ‘this novel almost didn’t happen for all the intrusions, complaints, tears, and burnt pages courtesy of my family.’ No, all you see are thanks, heartfelt support, and absolutely no mention of the nanny. My acknowledgment page won’t either. In part […]
I went Insta
Instagram, oh how you’ve corrupted me. I’d been on a high horse, reviling social media as the ilk of all of cultural ills, until October. I picture Insta like a handsome charmer, sweeping in and while I gulped a breath he offered me a can’t lose proposition. Insta is only pictures, minimal text, and there’s […]
Midnight Post-Its
Many people have their best ideas come to them at night, in a dream, or as a result of some problem that just won’t let them sleep. For me, inevitably, a midnight wake-up is my subconscious reminding me that I’ve made an error. Like, say, writing a cliffhanger into a chapter and then realizing that […]
Taking the Plunge
It’s been my lifelong passion to write compelling novels, you’ve guessed that based on your visit to this site. The reality though has been a rather different story. Passion and imagination are bedrock to the writing process, but equally so is perseverance. I’m on the blog today to tell you that through circumstances that could […]
Firefly Island
Lisa Wingate is not only a delightful person, she knows how to tell believable and charming stories. Firefly Island is third novel she’s located in the fictional community of Moses Lake, in central Texas. Taking two very definite non-Texans and throwing them into the mix of local characters (familiar from previous books) and adding a […]
The Marseille Caper
Oh, the many pleasures of reading a Peter Mayle novel. If a book could be a mental vacation, this author has it down to first class. The Marseille Caper is second in what may become a series about a LA investigator and his adventures connecting him to France. The first, The Vintage Caper, was about […]
