Tag: Writing Life
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Reflecting on witty banter, a dangerous hero, and a determined heroine
The City Beneath was the third book I ever finished, but the first I published. As my debut novel, the hero (Dominic Lysander) and heroine (Cassidy DiRocco) will always have a special place in my heart. Writing their witty banter was especially fun because Dominic is such a dangerous, dark character and watching the sparks…
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Meet Mischief! A Puuurfect Distraction to my Writing Life
Meet Mischief! A friendly neighborhood cat, this little dude has been visiting me every evening for several weeks, becoming a welcome distraction during the time I usually devote to social media posting after my daily writing walk. He’s so sweet, begging for treats and attention – I’m a sucker for needy fur babies and ripe…
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Sight Beyond the Sun is Nominated for Georgia Author of the Year Award
I’m thrilled to announce that Sight Beyond the Sun has been nominated for a Georgia Author of the Year Award in the Romance category! I’m in wonderful company with my fellow nominees: Jeanine Englert, Marilyn Baron, Pam Mantovani, Lauren Connolly, and Susan Carlisle. Wish me luck as they plan to announce the winner and finalist…
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Fingers Crossed For A Healthy Sago Palm Tree Family
Our poorly tended garden has, despite our neglect, sprouted three more sago palm pups! I so much as look at a plant and it croaks, so I typically try very hard not to look. But Derek bravely separated the pups from mama sago, and we are now crossing our fingers for a healthy sago palm…
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Fated by Fire: The Misadventures of Wrong First Impressions
Romancing the Holidays, Volume 2, features my Witchy Business short story, Fated by Fire. This romance was so fun to write because it explores the misadventures of wrong first impressions. My heroine is a psychic, but her visions of the hero are all doom and gloom and villainous. When she meets him in person, however,…
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Writing Race: 62K Complete & 28K More Remaining in Two Months!
I’m officially in a writing race with my younger self! In 2019, I wrote Beyond the Next Star in record speed (for me), clocking in a first draft at 89K words in five months. I officially hit 62K words in my WIP in only three months! Who thinks I can finish the first draft of…
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Master Class on Emotional Resolutions: Trilogies By Ilona Andrews
Another gorgeous day, reading at the pool! Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews is book 5 in their Hidden Legacy Series. One of my biggest challenges in my personal writing journey is finding emotional resolutions for my stories. I’m the queen of slow burn, so ramping up the tension is deliciously easy. Tying up my loose…
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The Art of Multi-Tasking: Writing, Reading & Tanning
Today was my first pool day of 2024! I love my community pool. The only thing that can compete with the sun, surf and sand of a perfect beach day is floating around my pool. I wrote in my WIP, finished another Ilona Andrews novel, and relaxed, all while working on my tan. 😎 I…
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Missing Hawaii: Playing Tititorea at the Polynesian Cultural Center
I miss Hawaii! One of the excursions we enjoyed while on Oahu was spending the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. While we “visited” the island of Maori (New Zealand) we played a stick game called tititorea, which was used to develop hand-eye coordination for warriors. I’d like to call attention to the fact that…
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Walking & Writing: Taking All the Luck I Can Get
A gorgeous sight while on my writing walk this evening! I’ll take all the luck I can get when it comes to finishing a first draft. This entire WIP has mostly been written on my phone in four mile increments while walking loops around my neighborhood! But I’ll take whatever works and run with it.…
Author Melody Johnson 