RWA National: The Courageous Writer: Power Through the Fear

Posted by on Jul 19, 2013 in dish | 0 comments Considering my last couple of years have been like a tunnel, this workshop really hit the spot. Aspiring author Fae Rowen, debut author Laura Drake, and NYT bestselling historical author Tessa Dare shared a passel of wisdom about the fears that crop up in all stages of the writing career, how to face them, and how to get past them so you can be productive. Here are some highlights: “There...
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RWA National: Doing It All Over Again: Writing Novels in a Series

Posted by on Jul 19, 2013 in dish | 0 comments New York Times bestselling authors Eloisa James and Sarah MacLean and their editor, Carrie Ferron of Avon, delivered a solid hour of  information for those of us planning a series of novels. Although the thought of planning a series, like James’s Desperate Duchesses, and MacLean’s Scoundrels, seems daunting, it becomes less so when you consider the following: CONNECTIONS: What is it...
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RWA National: New Adult: Young Adult Books “Grow Up”

Posted by on Jul 18, 2013 in dish | 0 comments Subtitled “Everything You Want to Know About the Hottest Genre in Publishing,” writers Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cora Carmack, and Molly McAdams, agents Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency and Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary, and Avon editor Tessa Woodward discussed the emergence of the New Adult subgenre. Here are some highlights from their talk: New Adult focuses on the...
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RWA National: The Joy of Writing, With or Without a Contract

Posted by on Jul 18, 2013 in dish | 0 comments After the last year or two I’ve had, my writer self needed some TLC. Authors Dani Collins and Cathryn Parry presented several strategies to get yourself unmoored and productive. They provided a series of tools to tackle difficult writing situations. COPING STRATEGIES: If you’re struggling with self-doubt, ask yourself “Why do I write?” and “What is success to...
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Cast Iron Chronicles: Black Beans and Rice

Posted by on May 18, 2013 in dish | 0 comments This Florida girl really feels sorry for non-Floridians who have never eaten Cuban food. Ropa vieja, lechón asado with lots of garlic, boliche, empanadas, maduros, dulce de leche, and, of course, pressed Cuban sandwiches with a side of black beans and rice. Although South Florida is best known for its vibrant Cuban community, we have pockets here and there in Central Florida and some excellent...
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Something Wicked This Way Comes

Posted by on May 12, 2013 in dish | 1 comment One Sunday morning lo, these many years ago, I went to youth group at the church and met up with my friend Scott. We had horrifying news to discuss. Daddy had gone on a date the night before–with Scott’s MOTHER. After sharing mutual teenage ick over the thought of parents dating, one of us hazarded the unthinkable: “What if they GOT MARRIED?!” Well, they did. I inherited...
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