For many years, since somewhere in my mid-teens, I've hated New Year's Eve. I still do, but I've come to realize that it's the most abused of all holidays. Oh sure, Christmas, Valentine's, Easter and others have been bastardized by a strongly capitalist society, but what we've done to New Year's, particularly the western holiday, … Continue reading A (slightly atypical) New Year’s Letter
Books to Read: Stories by Black Authors
Within the past few days I've come to realize how much privilege I have as a white author. I've also realized that I need to do (a lot) more in supporting Black authors. Their stories are some of the most overlooked. Today I want to spotlight Black authors and the stories they tell. Buying their … Continue reading Books to Read: Stories by Black Authors
Book Review: The Haunting of Ashburn House
IS IT FRIDAYLIGHT THE CANDLE Synopsis: Adrienne, a down on her luck freelancer receives a miracle in the form of Ashburn House. The inheritance is a house she has never seen and comes from an aunt Adrienne thought never existed. But when Adrienne lays eyes on Ashburn, she remembers it from a terrifying night in … Continue reading Book Review: The Haunting of Ashburn House
7 Books to Read (to help keep your spirits up)
Let me be clear, I'm a hardcore introvert. But these days I'm madly in love with people. I'm in awe at the good that so many are showing right now, in the big and small ways. I might like being alone, but in this time of chaos, I'm so grateful to be human. I'm also … Continue reading 7 Books to Read (to help keep your spirits up)
Book Review: The Collector (and news!)
Before I get to the review, I have some news: It's been long overdue, but I've started a newsletter. On the second Tuesday of the month, The Ghostly Tome will come to your inbox offering you a plethora of various exclusives including process insights, current projects, and excerpts, among other things. Alright, enough of that, … Continue reading Book Review: The Collector (and news!)
New Year, New Projects
I've never been a fan of the "new year, new start" mindset. It's a holdover from when I was a child. Back then I believed that if you wanted to change something you should just do it. I still feel that way, although I've become a fair bit more lenient in this mindset. Sometimes, you … Continue reading New Year, New Projects
A Letter to the Readers About NaNoWriMo and Works in Progress
The first time I won NaNoWriMo I learned that I could finish something. The second time I won, I learned that writing is not something one can do in isolation, not successfully at least. The third time, this time, I learned that I don't have to give up on myself. It used to be a … Continue reading A Letter to the Readers About NaNoWriMo and Works in Progress
Of Growth and Noveling
In 2008, when I was some now forgotten grade in high school, I stumbled upon NaNoWriMo. If you haven't the foggiest what that is, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), is a month long challenge where you try to write the rough draft of a novel (50,000 words) in 30 days. If you hit that word … Continue reading Of Growth and Noveling
Book Review: The Haunting of Hill House
"Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within; it had stood so for eighty years and might stand for eighty more." While moving a couple months back, my thoughts lingered on the types of homes we encounter in fiction. Some are wonderful places we wish we lived in, others are … Continue reading Book Review: The Haunting of Hill House
Of Summer Heat and Surprises
July is simultaneously one of my favorite and least favorite months. For one, in the south, the heat is at its all time high, humidity is nearly a solid, and there is simply not enough ice to go into one's iced tea. But it's not all bad. July means we're deep into summer. I can … Continue reading Of Summer Heat and Surprises