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Five Years Later, We’re Still Listening to our Mothers
Five years ago, I met Ann Imig at Writers’ Institute, an annual writing conference held at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We connected at the coffee station in between sessions and decided to grab lunch at a little Mexican bistro called Chipotle. Ann was in a hurry, see. “I have go shopping,” she said. “My kids are with a babysitter and it’s my only chance.” Little did I know back then just how much Ann can accomplish while her kids are with a babysitter. What Ann needed to go shopping for that day was a dress to wear on stage as director of her very first Listen to Your Mother show–a…
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I’m Baaaa-aaack, for a Blog Tour
I can’t believe I haven’t blogged here in almost a year. It’s been a helluva year. Someday I’ll tell you about it or, more likely, I’ll write about it. But let’s just say that LIFE, with its highs and lows, has had me riding a pretty wild roller coaster since I last updated this blog. But I’m back this week to participate in the blog tour for the release of the LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER anthology, curated by my friend and fellow writing group member, Ann Imig! Stay tuned for more information later this week on the force that is Ann, the nationwide Listen to Your Mother show, and the…
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Check “Cover Girl” Off the Bucket List
BRAVA magazine chose VINTAGE as its literary salon selection for October 2014. In addition to holding an lovely vintage-themed author event at A La Crate Vintage Rentals, they interviewed me and did a photo shoot. It was a dream come true to show up and see racks of lovely vintage clothes and accessories laid out for me in my size! To read the interview on books, writing, and all things vintage, click here.
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No Excuses: My Writing Process
Last week I featured author Una LaMarche as part of the #MyWritingProcess blog tour. Now it’s my turn. But be forewarned: my process is not a series of creative steps I follow to finish a project. Rather, my process involves karate-chopping excuses not to write on a daily and sometimes hourly basis. Here are five of the most common excuses not to write and how I tackle them. Hopefully these tips will help some of you kick their asses, too. “I’m not inspired.” Here’s a secret: no one feels inspired all the time. Writing is a job that needs to be worked at steadily until it’s done. Would a carpenter say, “You know,…
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VINTAGE for Kindle is Just $1.99 Today
Today my publisher is running an Amazon Gold Box promotion of Book Club Favorites, each for $1.99 ($3.99 outside the US and Canada). Vintage is one of them! So if you have a Kindle, today’s a great day to grab a copy for just $1.99. The promotion only runs until midnight today (Saturday, April 26).
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Una LaMarche on her Writing Process
I’ve been asked to participate in the #MyWritingProcess Blog Tour, where writers from across genres and continents talk about how they write. Today I’m featuring the hilarious Una LaMarche, whose Sassy Curmudgeon blog was named one of Babble’s 100 best humor blogs of 2013. She also writes for the New York Observer. Last year, I read Una’s debut YA novel, Five Summers, and had a blast re-living my teenage summer camp days through the four main characters. Una has a new novel, Like No Other, coming out in July. It’s about forbidden young love–always a great premise–between a Brooklyn girl with a strict Hasidic upbringing and an awkward bookish boy. Today I’m posting…
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Vintage Launch Party Pictures
Last Saturday was the book launch party for my debut novel, VINTAGE, held at the High Noon Saloon in Madison. We had a great turnout, with most guests arriving dressed in vintage attire. Madison bookseller A Room of One’s Own sold over 100 copies of VINTAGE at the event. Thank you to all who attended! Click on any image to see a larger version.
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A Glamorous Vintage Giveaway
The launch day for VINTAGE is almost here! On Tuesday, March 25, it will hit bookstore shelves and e-reader screens everywhere. ***Pops champagne and sprays it all over everyone*** To celebrate the launch of VINTAGE, I’m running a Glamorous Vintage Giveaway this week for anyone who purchases the book. If you pre-ordered it months ago, it still counts, assuming you still have your receipt or other proof of purchase. The prize is a package including the following goodies, as pictured blow: A vintage Louis Vuitton “Looping” handbag. This is a mint condition item from my personal collection, shown in the picture at right. Classic brown leather with iconic monogram. Suede interior. Includes the…
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Goodreads Giveaway
As someone in the business of books, I often get asked for reading recommendations. I always direct people to Goodreads, where I keep track of everything I read and want to read in the future. I was thrilled, then, to hear that my publisher, William Morrow/HarperCollins, is giving away 30 free copies of my debut novel, VINTAGE, coming out March 25! The giveaway is going on until midnight on the morning of Thursday, February 6. Click HERE or on the picture at left to enter.
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Perspective from a Picture Book
One of the true delights of being a parent to a young child is reading picture books. It’s fun to read favorites from my own childhood like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Caps for Sale, and pretty much anything by Dr. Seuss. But it’s even more fun to discover new authors and illustrators. Yesterday I was reading a picture book to my small son. The book was the adorable and beautifully-illustrated RAIN! by Linda Ashman, which came out earlier this year. I love the book because it’s all about perspective. A grumpy old man sees that it’s raining one morning and complains that he has to put on his “blasted…
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