Camp NaNoWriMo (happening now ) completely changed the way I write. My first attempt I barely made it through two weeks. The main reason for my failure? I was a pantser.

I used to write snippets of dialogue and scenes as they came to me with no rhyme or reason. Writing this way meant that when I finally put it all together I’d written the story nearly three times. It wasted my time and energy.

Last summer I embraced plotting and the change was radical. I finished a complete first draft in a little under three weeks. Camp inspired me so much I wrote another first draft in August.

You’ll find me at Camp this month, working on a stand-alone. If you’re thinking about giving it a try I cannot recommend this experience enough. Even if you hate what you end up with you will be inspired by the enthusiasm and success of others.

I’ll keep a seat for you by the bonfire!

PS–Want to read my next book Tiny Island Summer for free?  Go here and nominate it and if it’s selected by Kindle Scout, you’ll automatically get a Kindle copy as a thank you!!!

in happily ever afters  (not just in books, but in real life too)

that you can never say ‘I love you’ too much

in doing things that scare me 

that happiness is a choice

in smiling at strangers and saying hello

that the wisest person says the least

in gratitude!  Thank you for following me on this new journey

I’ve been a life-long daydreamer. Since childhood, I’ve preferred to get lost in my own imagination over any other entertainment. I like to take a thought, a passing comment, a throw-away idea and turn it into something more, something fully developed.

Increasingly, my own family inspires me. My husband often sticks his foot in his mouth around me to hilarious results. I have taken a lot of his comments and worked them into my dialogue verbatim.

My sons inspire me, but not in the same direct way. Having my sons and raising them has reaffirmed to me that having dreams and working hard for them every day isn’t just important, it’s fundamental. I want to be a good role model for them; someone who loves her family unconditionally but also puts in effort and sweat and tears to make things happen. I want to teach them that while it’s nice to have the validation and support of people around you; you have to believe in yourself first and foremost.