Are you familiar with Mystery Readers Journal? It’s a wonderful publication that’s been around for a long time, and it’s a staple for people who love to read and write mysteries. I was honored to have my story about how I came to write Incident at Cougar Creek published in the Northern California Mysteries Vol. 41, […]
Mystery Readers Journal Article Read More »
With such a lot going on in the last half year: a shift in US political structure marked by Trump’s inauguration to a second term, culture wars and global wars, an uncertain economy, plane crashes, escalating climate change, LA burning, and well . . just the holidays, I haven’t felt much like putting myself out
Fiery New Year Gift Excerpt ~ an early pre-publication look at the book Read More »
The goal of fiction is to entertain. Commercial fiction readers want an exciting, absorbing story. And for some readers, it’s is all the better if the story is subtly infused with an important and timely social issue. As an author drawn to writing stories about social justice and the consequences of climate change, I constantly
Science, Truth, Social & Environmental Justice, Fiction, and Entertainment Read More »
My new novella, The Byrd River Flood, was just released by Paper Angel Press. Inspired by the true story of the 1995 Pajaro River flood in Watsonville, California, The Byrd River Flood is an adaptation excerpted from my eco-thriller, Fruit of the Devil. It portrays the social, emotional, environmental, personal, and political causes and costs
On September 18th, I finished the first draft of Chapter 4 of my new cli fi novel. Enjoying the Research – what rocks are used for various colors in cave painting? “A sudden light revealed Delfina’s surroundings. Delfina’s mother stood before her, holding a candle. Behind Ramona was an alcove in the rock wall of
Cave Painting: Incident at Cougar Creek Read More »
This month may be the most crucial month in the history of the human species. if Trump gets another four years, the devastation he and his thugs will cause to democracy, civil society, social justice, and the environment will be irremediable for generations to come—possibly forever. NOW is our last chance for a Free and Fair Election in the USA. Now is the time to pause your “business as usual” and put your whole self into SAVING the WORLD from Trump. Volunteer today!
Election Season in the USA Read More »
A Short History of the annual Native American Alcatraz Island Un-Thanksgiving Sunrise Ceremony This is a “rough cut”—an excerpt edited out of my novel, Fruit of the Devil, due to the fact that it was deemed too “history heavy” for a fictional read. It is important that we study history so we don’t repeat our
Rough Cut: Indigenous Thanksgiving Sunrise Read More »
When my editor told me I should find ways to give my protagonist more agency, I wasn’t sure what she meant. I didn’t recall ever having heard the word agency applied to a quality a character should have, although I imagined everyone else must know exactly what it meant for a character (person) to have
It took me three years to write the first draft of my novel, Fruit of the Devil. Writing was ecstasy—the story poured out of me as if it were being channeled. The characters came alive. Then I found out the horrible truth—that “writing is rewriting”—and I embarked upon what has now become five years of revising, editing,
Rough Cut Resurrected: Watsonville Peace & Unity March Read More »
Here’s a nice song to listen to if you don’t mind having a second window open while looking at the slides. I am an American Citizen. A Patriot. My family has lived, worked (mostly as coal miners, farmers, and teachers), loved and died on American soil for over 400 years. I love my country. I’m
March for Science ~ Washington D.C. Earth Day, 2017 Read More »
After the Women’s March, Women are Still Marching On Some say the WOMEN’S MARCH, which took place world-wide the day after Trump’s inauguration, marked a global transition in the consciousness of women and in the men who love and respect women. The Spirit of Standing Rock woke many to this new consciousness, to the realization
I’m Stepping back, to gain a little perspective. Please listen with me to “From a Distance”. (audio file) (Seriously, I mean really CLICK on the audio link above and listen to the song while you read) Breathe. Shortly after the election, gasping for air, feeling as if I were turning to stone like the woman
Gaining Perspective: “From a Distance, You Look Like My Friend” Read More »
“On the Day of Trump’s Election, spontaneous protests broke out across the United States. People saw the danger represented in Trump’s politics and refused to comply with business as usual. Out of those protests, a nationwide call has gone out for a General Strike on the day of the Presidential Inauguration, January 20th.” the
General Strike Called Nationwide for January 20th Inauguration Day Read More »
December 1, 2016 Standing Rock, North Dakota Dear Friends and Relatives, In late August I responded to an utterly compelling, impossible-to-refuse Call from Spirit to go to Standing Rock, North Dakota. Since I’ve returned home, everyone I’ve met has expressed a deep hunger to better understand the current situation at Standing Rock and to know
Standing Rock Insiders Urgently Request Help as Violence from DAPL Mercenaries Escalates Read More »
Is Your Child Being Exposed to Dangerous Pesticides? U.S. EPA Chief Pruitt just gave the okay to Chlorpyrifos, a brain harming pesticide the agency knows to be extremely dangerous to children. Want to know what else is your child is being exposed to? HERE’S HOW TO Become a CITIZEN RESEARCHER. “Kids today are sicker than
CITIZEN RESEARCHER Read More »