Ciao, amici! Good news… I started book two of my new series this week, and I’m so excited about it. This one, I think, is going even better than the first. And I finally got to introduce a character who I think is going to become one of my favorites ever.

I realize I sound cryptic. My apologies. I haven’t really disclosed any details about this project yet, so a lengthier description would be pointless. I’ll start talking about it soon, though.

Until then, suffice it to say that this was a fun writing week for me!

Since I started a new project, I thought my quote of the week should reflect that. I struggled with which one to choose, then finally chose these wise words from Sylvia Plath:

Everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise.
The…

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

I primarily teach grad school online so much of my non-writing time is spent preparing for the classes, grading, or interacting with my students. Other than that, I do a lot of freelance work revolving around technology in education, writing for corporations, ezines, and other online websites

You’re invited to a dinner party are you:

Off in a corner talking to one or two people—I’m probably chatting with a few people but doing more listening than talking. I consider myself rather boring so enjoy digging into the interesting stuff others do!

What common traps do aspiring writers fall into?

Thinking they don’t need some sort of guidance with their writing is a biggy. I’ll give you an example. There are tons of genres in writing and each has a set of rules that make the genre what readers expect. One…

Ciao, amici! I have a treat for you today. Long-time commenter and first-time guest Julie Holmes is releasing her debut novel: Murder in Plane Sight. I’m super excited to read this one, but even more excited to introduce her here today. Please join me in giving Julie a warm welcome.

Julie, I’m so glad to have you here today. Now, take it away!

---

Staci, thank you so much for hosting me for my debut book
release!

So what does one write in book release posts? How I came up
with the story idea? Maybe why I wrote the story. Naw, already did that in
other posts.

What about my writing process? Naw.

Oh, how about my origin story. I mean, all superheroes—er,
writers have one.

Like most kids, I played my share of make-believe, from War
(I have 3 brothers) to adventures with dinosaurs. My imaginary pet triceratops
and…