Southernism of the Week: “Pretty as a spotted horse in a daisy pasture.” Also, “She had a butt like a forty-­dollar mule.” Before the tractor, farmers used mules to plow, and they wanted mules with muscular hinds. But is a $40 mule good or bad? Nowad...

Howdy from New Mexico where it's too darn hot! I hope your summer is going well and you're finding time to write, revise, query, or whatever your goals are  – as well as time to relax and read. I got another online writing workshop recorded and...

Voice recognition mistake of the day: “The building wasn't as old as the saloon where the founding fathers had made their last stand against Santa and his troops...” 🎅 Santa Anna, 'Santa and his'—whatever! That's from one of the billionaire cow...

Southernism of the Week: “Pretty as a mess of fried catfish.” How would you feel about that compliment? Did you know Felony Melanie and the Prank War is now available as an audiobook? Head back in time to the early 1990s for this laugh out loud...

Voice recognition mistake of the day: “His latest medical research led him to investigate firemen.” 😂 (He investigated thiamine. Some romance novels do suggest that hot firemen are good medicine though!)  I just turned in the manuscript for the...

Southernism of the Week: “Like a short dog in high grass.” In other words, lost.For more Southern summer fun, visit the Amazon series page for Felony Melanie: Sweet Home Alabama romantic comedy novels or find the links to other ebook retailers.It’s s...

It's getting hot enough in New Mexico that we'll need to head to the mountains for cooler hiking. But this spring I took friends out to the desert to see some "secret" petroglyphs – rock art that isn't part of a park or otherwise marked. I particular...

Southernism of the Week: “If I felt any better, I’d think it was a setup.” We hope you’re feeling well, and it’s not a setup! Doug, like all Hollywood screenwriters, is currently on strike. Here’s a picture of him on the picket line. For more informa...

Howdy, folks! I have a free class now available online (at your own pace with recorded videos). I’ve also been blogging about some tools that help me stay physically comfortable while writing and reading. Plus I have an article posted online. If any...

Voice recognition mistake of the day: "Amateurs will be in the low seventies with a breeze and a slight chance of rain." Or maybe temperatures. It's late spring in New Mexico, which means dramatic skies:Blooming cacti, including these ocotillo from a...