It’s no secret that I’m homesick. The kind of homesick that creates a distracted longing and often a despondent lack of motivation. It’s no secret that I miss the mountains, real mountains. I miss the fresh air and green of Valdez, and the cool, tourmaline waters. I miss the eagles and the glaciers, the peaks [...]

It’s not too late to register for Summer in Words at the Oregon Coast! I won a scholarship for tuition, so this will be my second year attending! I’m so stoked. Can’t wait to spend the weekend in Cannon Beach, talking about writing, words, story building and character with other passionate writers and creators. As [..

It’s been a rough and beautiful few days. While my heart is heavy with the tragic news of a death in our circle of friends, and the unrelated, but heart-crushing horrors of the tornado in Oklahoma – there is also news of a new pregnancy in our circle, an unrelated but very much anticipated engagement [...]

Proof of age gap…. Admiral Fubar: I finally found some jeans that were long enough, but get this? They didn’t even have a zipper – just these five stupid buttons! WTF? Me: Uhm. Were they Levi 501s? Admiral Fubar: Yeah! Just buttons! Me: Yeeaaahhhh, that’s because it’s a button fly. Admiral Fubar: So when did [...]

The highlight of the Tiki-themed birthday party was not the drinking of my first Jet Pilot, which took two hands to hold and was on FIRE. It wasn’t the whole pig roasting on a spit. It wasn’t the strange cast of characters dressed as mermaids, pirates or island explorers… No, the highlight of the party [...]

The opening scene from book two of The Pillars of Dawn is now up for review on Wattpad. If all goes well I’ll be pushing through beta reads this summer, and setting up a kickstarter in August to cover editorial, design, and marketing. Crossing my fingers for an October 2013 launch! A Scold of Jays [...]

When I mentioned to a co-worker that I am looking forward to my Dad’s annual Mother’s Day phone call (wherein he politely, lovingly, reminds me I’m his unwed/childless daughter, and my fertility window is getting smaller every year) she was horrified. I tried to reassure her that he does it with love, and a little [..

Admiral Fubar: I thought your first Jeep was green or dark blue or something. Me: Naw, it was that big black Jeep. The monster Jeep with the lift kit and big tires, the one that made everyone think I was a lesbian. Admiral Fubar: … you mean you’re not?….does dad know?…. I laughed for like [...]

The sun is out in Portland, which means everyone is wearing shorts and tanks and taking the tops off their vehicles to soak in some Vitamin D. Everywhere I look, the “Portland glow” is nearly blinding with the pasty pale skin of winter being bared all over town. I’m no exception. I practically had to [...]

Just a reminder for the Load Local Launch Party! Tomorrow, May 4th at Jacobsen’s Books and More! 4-7pm! Come join the shindig!    

Today I sent off my last submission package before summer. I’m gonna take a break from marketing and submissions for the summer and focus on cranking out the writing for book two and a couple of the short stories from Aria. Anyhow, the post office guy saw my package and asked, “Is this another book?” [...]

Howdy folks, I just wanted to invite you out to a Load Local book launch that will be featuring Murder of Crows as one of the local book options. It’s at Jacobsen’s Books & More 3rd anniversary party in Hillsboro on Saturday, May 4th from 4-7pm. Spread the word. They are one of the first [...]

It’s rare for me to see a bald eagle, much less in my neighborhood in Washington. It wasn’t unusual to see dozens of eagles when I lived in Alaska, a few even became regular fixtures around certain areas of town, as they return to the same nest every year. But surprisingly, there are three mature [...]

Admiral Fubar picked up new spark plugs and helped me change out the old ones on the jeep. Do I not have the coolest little brother on the planet?   Thank you, Admiral Fubar, my baby brother, for being such an awesome support. You’re a wonderful friend and I appreciate all that you do!!

I’m super pleased to be able to tell everyone that my friend Amanda Sartor, who did the brilliant cover illustration for ‘Murder of Crows’ will be having her amazing art featured in the next issue of Spectrum!! Pick up a copy! She’s truly fantastic and I can’t wait to keep spreading the news! CONGRATULATIO

Okay, Barnes and Noble, I draw the line at calling it non-fiction. Really??

Because I need the reminder….

I couldn’t figure out why my legs kept cramping up in the night. You know those legs cramps that wake you up when you stretch in your sleep? I added more salt, bananas and water to my diet to attempt to correct the sodium/potassium/water imbalance that usually creates those kinds of cramps. Then started stretching [...]

Dear Universe, I know it’s been a while since we’ve chatted, but I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for the very large serving of humble pie. Again. You’d think I’d be full by now, but alas. Last night when I went for a really long walk with you, and we just talked [...]

All day I was processing the chapter I’d work on when I got home. Then I drank too much coffee too late in the afternoon and by the time I got home I couldn’t sit. So – I made a chicken casserole, then started a giant crockpot of spicy sausage chili, then cleaned the kitchen, [...]

Why, yes. I did spend my power outage in the bathtub drinking rum and roasting mini-marshmallows over a bank of candles. Why do you ask? I’m reasonably certain I followed the ‘How to Behave Like an Adult When Your Neighborhood Transformer Explodes Handbook’ to the letter. I’ve been congratulating myself on having ea

Yay! My first author interview is up on the Howling Turtle. This book blog is run by a young woman in Portland who is starting her future in literature and book reviews early! Please stop by and leave a comment and check out her space. Feel free to spread the love!

I’ve been cracking myself up reading some of the collected comments folks have sent by Facebook or email about their experiences with ‘Murder of Crows’. One guy said, “Damn you. Now I see crows everywhere and they freak me out. A couple of crows were on my car when I went to leave for work [...]

I can feel the season shifting finally and I’m so stoked. Crocuses are coming up in the yard. The tulip greens are breaking ground, and I saw blossoms on a tree along the highway. We’re just a couple weeks away from the Portland cherry blossoms opening in full splendor along the west esplanade downtown. Crossing [...]

I’m still really backed up on responses. I’m sorry! Please hang in there, I’m burning through the questions as fast as I can. Current question: Why do you like writing? It’s strangely difficult to answer this question, because for me it’s like being asked “Why do you like breathing?” Th

Yep. When you’re right handed and you set your glue stick next to your chapstick… disaster is only a matter of time. I will now keep them in opposite drawers.

  I finally got the ink flowing on my new art journal for 2013 intentions. My resolution to live a more artful life is coming along fabulously. Voila! Do you keep an intention journal or an art journal? I’d love to hear how it’s working out for you!

I’ve been going nuts on Pinterest lately and a friend called to ask…. Her: You’re pinning an awful lot of pictures of kitchens and bathrooms and houses and stuff. Are you going through a nesting phase? Is this you telling the world you’re wanting to settle down with someone finally? Me: Naw, I’

Yesterday I was groggy in the morning, yet totally preoccupied with thoughts about the plot section I’m working on. I was thinking about Liam and Fable and the new twist coming in book two, and how to lay advanced threads so it’s not a surprise, but also not give too much away too soon. I [...]

  This shaped smash album was built for recipe cards, and kitchen notes.