A lot of you know that I’ve been writing the Adventures of Dixie Dandelion for years now. Dixie came to me while I was penning my first novel, Soldiers From the Mist. She came in so forceful that I had to write her words. However, because I broke one of the “rules” of writing and pitched Soldiers to a New York agent before I was finished with the book, I panicked and dropped Dixie until Soldiers was done. Before I could get back with her, a fantastic opportunity came my way to write a paranormal romance for the Wild Rose Press. Alas, Dixie, again got put on the back-burner so that I could write The Rook and the Raven. After this I fully intended to get back with the fiery Dixie, but Bethany Ann from Daughter of the Howling Moon dropped on me like a spring tornado. Once again, Dixie…

I saw a post on FaceBook yesterday on living life to the fullest so you wouldn’t have any regrets.  Of course when I went back today to find the actual quote to interject into this blog I couldn’t find it.  Figures.  But you get the idea.

I agree 100% with this philosophy. I have often said I don’t want to be 95 years old, living in a home, sitting in a rocking chair, regretting not doing things. However living life to the fullest has gotten me into some deep do-do.

For one thing, I have credit card debt up the wazoo.  I’m really good with money. Honestly. My ex-husband even called me cheap. Frugal is a better word. I try to save as much as possible and spend my coin wisely.  Then wham! An opportunity rises up to bite me.  Most of the time it’s travel: a writing retreat at…

This weekend I attended the quarterly meeting of the Ozark Writers League in Branson, Missouri. The theme of the conference was Women in Writing. The keynote speakers were August McLaughlin and Paris Afton Bonds, both very successful and strong women. However, there was a second theme swirling around this meeting as well.

Passion.

I’m not talking about physical passion between two people but rather passion of the heart; the passion for life, work, family, career, and creativity.

This emotion is the gravy on the potatoes, salt on the carrots, and the icing on the cake.  It’s a writer’s secret weapon.  Passion keeps us at the computer to wee hours in the morning, back and neck screaming at us to stop. Eyes heavy with sleep. It burns white-hot and is never yielding. Passion to write the story negates the rejection letters. Keeps us hoping and believing in our craft. We’d write…

Change can be scary.

The older I get, the more this becomes true. I’m comfortable doing it the old way. I’m a firm believer in, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But there are times when change must occur. The recent happenings with the Ozark Writers League in Branson, Missouri is a prime example of this. In case you haven’t heard, after 30 years of meeting every quarter at the College of the Ozarks, OWL (Ozark Writers League) got kicked off campus. Two weeks before our meeting for February.

The campus at the College of the Ozarks is beautiful. A large pond complete with fountains and swans meet visitors as they come through the gate. A peaceful atmosphere settles over you as you drive the quiet streets. College of the Ozarks is a private-funded, Christian-base school.

Just what does Christian-based mean? I suppose everyone who attends must believe in…