I thrive on writing novels because life is filled with pain and excitement, and I want to convey these aspects through my quirky, flawed, and yet, endearing characters. I like characters that beg you to consider them to be more than you had originally planned. In my two novels (Rain Song and How Sweet It Is), two characters asked me to develop them and let them run. I gave in; with the results, I couldn't be happier.
My son Daniel died in 1997 and from his life and death I have grown in my writing. He was only four when he breathed his last in my arms, but his legacy of courage and love shines on over the years. I suppose my novels will always include death because this is reality--as much as we hate to admit it.
In Daniel's memory, I gathered recipes from fellow-bereaved parents and siblings for two cookbooks--Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. These were published by Daniel's House Publications. I created this organization and for six years sent an ezine to over 1,000 subscribers.
Rain Song, my first novel, is now in bookstores! Bethany House is the publisher and I hope they are as excited as I am. Rain Song takes place in North Carolina, where I live now. The novel is an east-meets-west story of family, tradition, fears, devotion, and the unity that comes about when you whip up a batch of pineapple chutney.
My newsletter, Literary Lyrics, is free to sign-up for, and that can be done at my website. I send it out whenvever the mood strikes, so it's not going to clog your in-box often.
I teach Writing the Heartache courses, both online and at conferences. Sharing the value of writing with others is life-giving for me. As Alice Walker said, "Writing saved me." I agree.
About Rain Song from the publishers:
His words have unlocked a special place in her heart,
but he lives in the one place she vowed she'd never return...
Nicole Michelin avoids airplanes, motorcycles, and most of all, Japan, where her parents once were missionaries. Something happened in Japan. Something that sent Nicole and her father back to America alone. Something of which Nicole knows only bits and pieces. But she is content with life in little Mount Olive, North Carolina, with her quirky relatives, tank of lively fish, and plenty of homemade pineapple chutney.
Through her online column for the Pretty Fishy website, Nicole meets Harrison Michaels, who, much to her dismay, lives in Japan. She attempts to avoid him, but his e-mails tug at her heart.
Then Harrison reveals that he knew her as a child in Japan. In fact, he knows more about her childhood than she does! Will Nicole face her fears in order to discover her past and take a chance on love?
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