For my final blog post of 2025, I wanted to share a snippet of the #WIP I've been talking about for over a year now. This is still very much a work in progress, but it's in good enough shape to share among friends. The snippet below is from Chapter 2. I think. Happy New … Continue reading A Sneak Peek: The Professor of Eventide
Introducing “Dreams and Departures”: A New Loving Husband Short
Hello Friends: With Christmas right around the corner, I wanted to share a holiday gift with all of you. Next year, 2026, will be the 15th anniversary of the publication of Her Dear & Loving Husband. Even as I write those words, I can hardly believe it. To celebrate, I've been writing short stories set … Continue reading Introducing “Dreams and Departures”: A New Loving Husband Short
Books To Curl Up With This Winter
Since I’ve been in a Victorian mood lately, with working on my literary scholarship about Dickens and researching the Victorian era in general, I wanted to focus on winter books with some of the same themes you’ll find in Christmas at Hembry Castle, stories about love and loss, memory and redemption, the pull of history … Continue reading Books To Curl Up With This Winter
A Candlelit Christmas: More Holiday Traditions in Victorian England
From the New York Public Library Lately, as I’ve been engrossed in my annual reread of A Christmas Carol, I’ve been finding myself drawn once again to that glowing, sentimental vision of Christmas Dickens gave us. The Victorians, with their love of family, storytelling, and beauty, didn’t just celebrate Christmas. In many ways, they invented … Continue reading A Candlelit Christmas: More Holiday Traditions in Victorian England
The Creative Power of Humor: Writing Lessons from Dickens
Charles Dickens was more than a social critic—he was a master of humor. Discover how Dickens used comedy to build characters, balance dark themes, and connect with readers, and what modern writers can learn from him.
Remembering Gratitude: The Secret Weapon for Every Creative Soul
Discover how gratitude can transform your creative practice. Learn why thankfulness isn't just feel-good advice—it's a powerful tool for overcoming blocks, sustaining motivation, and deepening your craft as a writer.
Who Are You When You’re Not Writing?
When I wrote The Swirl and Swing of Words in 2024, I was coming off of a writing hiatus, one of several that I’ve taken over the 25 years that I’ve been a published writer. I had hopped from one project to the next for 13 years; beginning in 2009, when I began writing Her … Continue reading Who Are You When You’re Not Writing?
My Bookshelf Aesthetic: Why I Keep Murakami, Morrison, and Thoreau Next to My Penguin Classics
Explore the bookshelf where Haruki Murakami meets Toni Morrison, Thoreau, and Penguin Black Classics. Discover the aesthetic and philosophy behind mixing surreal fiction with literary tradition.
Author Update: The Latest on My Upcoming Book and New Stories From Old Friends
I love sharing what I’ve learned about writing with everyone, and I’ve been enjoying sharing the process posts while I’ve been studying my own writing process in depth as I’m working on my latest novel. I also love sharing snippets from my historical research. This week, I wanted to share an author update since I … Continue reading Author Update: The Latest on My Upcoming Book and New Stories From Old Friends
The Evolution of Vampires in Fiction: From Monsters to Mirrors
Fans of the Loving Husband Series know that I’ve written about a vampire or two. Maybe three. Four? To be honest, I still don’t read anything bloody or violent since I’m not into the horror genre. I won’t go into how I came to write Her Dear & Loving Husband (it’s here if you’re interested), … Continue reading The Evolution of Vampires in Fiction: From Monsters to Mirrors