This is who I like to write about: people who don't have it all together, people engaged in a struggle, whether or not they acknowlege it at first. I also like reading novels that deal with such folks.  I just discovered on Amazon a little essay from Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn that precisely mirrors my […] Read More

Committed myself this afternoon to a new vehicle: a 2004 Honda Civic (manual gear shifting!) that used to live in Florida.  I used to live in Wilmington, so I can hardly object to a little beach wear and tear.  This little silver machine passed inspection from the toughest mechanics around, Auto Logic in Carrboro.  I […] Read More

I didn't choose Good Friday as the day for a novel about kundalini to come out.  But as a pagan Methodist and believer in the "perennial philosophy" that all religions have been built on the same universal truth, I think it's fitting. The post is supposed to be about "My Next Big Thing." Since my […] Read More

Last night sitting in the upstairs room where my writing groups meet, I noticed through the tall window opposite me, the huge fat full moon.  Starless black sky, a dark feathering of tree branches and that perfect moon.  As it happened, everyone had brought in especially good work.  And as it happened, I was only […] Read More

  The little red car died today at the age of 15.   My '98 Ford Escort. I'd like to say she served me well, but she didn't.  She is in competition for my most expensive ride ever. I thought I had a real bargaiin when I got this car.  And there was an interesting back […] Read More

Today I went to hear Husband Bob give a 2-hr presentation on clinical hypnosis at the UNC School of Social Work.  He'd worked really hard on what he was going to say and had been calling it his "valedictory speech."  Not that he's retiring; he continues his psychotherapy practice three days a week (and more.) […] Read More

It has already been quite a weekend here on Lake Halleluia.  Playboy Radio has invited me for an interview to talk about my novel, Cobalt Blue; Playboy, the magazine, has always run good fiction, you know. And my hometown paper, Wilmington's StarNews, has launched my season with this novel's first traditional review.  (A couple of […] Read More

On almost any day, I can feel the pressure of the parking brake dragging on my soul when I have my first look at my email inbox.  Then the decision-making process begins.  Which item will be easiest to take care of? Which will be quickest?  Which will be juicy and interesting? Which should I stare at […] Read More

  From Frances Schultz's blog, "Celebrating Beauty in Everyday Living," an admirable pursuit in itself.  Read More

When our dog Kaya recently executed a triple flip after hitting a moving car, landing unharmed, I mentioned this on Facebook.  And more people responded than is usually the case.  Lots more.  So I learned something about getting attention in the social media and it goes without saying that attention is good.  What I learned: bring in […] Read More