Every 92 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child.Meanwhile, only 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison. (Statistics from RAINN.org) Let’s talk a little bit about what those numbers mean … like only 0.5% of the perpertators will wind up in prison. Or to put it another way, 99.5% … Read More
The Journal of Angela Ashby: A Fresh Look
Every once in a while, there comes a time when you need to give things a fresh new look. Though The Journal of Angela Ashby has not even been out a year as yet, my publisher and I discussed whether we should give Angela a slightly new look, and agreed we should. I love the original cover created by Mister … Read More
Speak No Evil: Music Therapy
Music is a powerful force. It taps deeply into our core and speaks to us on a level without words. It is layered, emotionally evocative, and is woven into our daily lives. If you don’t believe me, try to imagine a world without music of any kind. It’s frankly something I don’t even want to contemplate. Life would be sterile, … Read More
7th Grade Revolution: The Tag-alongs
When I started writing 7th Grade Revolution, I knew I’d be working with an ensemble, so it took me a bit to get to know some of the characters. I knew Dennis and Rhonda right away, but the one who made himself known next was Spencer Jackson. Spencer is the kid in every class who is quick with a comeback, … Read More
Speak No Evil Cover Reveal
I am so excited to FINALLY be able to share the fabulous cover for my upcoming Young Adult novel, Speak No Evil. The cover artwork is by Marcela Bolivar, and she has perfectly captured the concept of silence which is the ruling force behind Speak No Evil. And the fantastic title treatment is by Michael J. Canales of MJCImageworks. Just … Read More
YWS: The Importance of Knowing Your Characters
Characters are an exceptionally important part of any story. Their actions and reactions to the circumstances in which they find themselves is what drives the story forward. Some authors write detailed character profiles to help them get to know the character better. Others might “sit down” with the character and conduct an interview. I tend to do a lot of … Read More
Speak No Evil: The Red-Tail Hawk
When I see a hawk soaring in the sky, a wistful feeling washes over me as I think about how free it looks gliding overhead. Free from Earthly obligations, charting its own course, with the appearance of no worries. How wonderful would it be to soar like a hawk? Except all of that freedom I imbue to the hawk may … Read More
The Face of Rape Culture
I am incensed and saddened by the news about Shane Piche, who pled guilty to raping a 14-year-old girl. My heart is shredded and crying on behalf of the girl. Her life has been turned upside down by this man who will not see one day of jail time. Maybe if I knew all the facts, I’d have another perspective, … Read More
The Journal of Angela Ashby: The Malachite Skull
When Angela and her best friend, Mallory, visit the fortune-teller tent, Madame Vadoma gives each of them a gift. While Angela receives the journal, Mallory is given a malachite skull. In the first draft of The Journal of Angela Ashby the malachite skull was simply referred to as a crystal. And as the book went through the revision process, the … Read More
Along Comes the Nautilus
Yesterday, while sitting in a chemo chair having an IVIG treatment*, my agent, Italia Gandolfo, chatted me and asked whether I could talk. I gave her my usual smart aleck response that I could talk, as long as she does most of the talking and doesn’t mind monosyllabic responses from me … or in another words a fairly normal conversation … Read More
Does Nessie Have An Irish Cousin?
Just in case you think that Scotland, with the Loch Ness, has a lock on aquatic monster sightings, it simply isn’t so. Ireland boasts its share of sightings as well. One of the earliest sightings, dubbed the mystery of County Clare, occurred in 1850 where the beast was described as “sunning itself near the Clare coast off Kilkee.” Does a … Read More
7th Grade Revolution: Bats
Bats usually get a bad rap. They are linked to vampire lore and are accused of sucking blood. Even vampire bats don’t suck the blood … they lick it. While licking blood is still creepy, it lacks the horror of sucking. They tend to go after cows rather than humans anyway. 🙂 And contrary to popular belief, they don’t want … Read More