Red Room Where the Writers Are

To edit or not to edit -- that is the questionable! »

I just took on a new editing job, which isn't surprising because I have a writing and editing service called, you guessed it,

Day at Mother's »

On a Personal Note.... »

AUGUST 5th... Hello My Friends!Toast your tea cup, lift a latte, uncork that vintage red...

The Perfect Wedding Gift »

Just returned from a great trip to Carmel with my family for my sister's birthday.  We also went to a wedding.  My sister Cheryl, her husband and three children lived across the street from the Mont

A Surreal Moment for a Writer »

August 2004.

Snapper Stew »

My dad, like so many of us in the family, is a college teacher. Many of his students are adults, and some regularly give him food gifts. Much of this bounty he and my mom enjoy.

What a Short, Wonderful Trip It's Been * »

Twenty-two years and four months ago today, I delivered my first child, a beautiful, t

Five Reasons for a Book Tour »

1)  Ego. When somebody who's not related to me is willing to listen, I'm happy.

Deer Story »

The girls are asleep on Friday night when Maxwell injures himself, a deep accidental cut to the base of his left thumb with an Exacto knife.

Time »

This year is a banner year of big birthdays.  My younger sister turns forty, my older sister turns sixty, and my husband turns fifty.  My bank book turns to dust.  We are a party family, so there a

A Picture Perfect Vacation »

It is true that a picture captures a thousand words, but I recently discovered that many of my family snapshots are lying cheats.

Nothing To Do With Literature, But Funny Nonetheless »

I know this has nothing to do with writing, but I thought it was funny and wanted to share. Back to more serious writerly stuff tomorrow. 

Going global at home »

Airfares may increase, gas prices may go through the roof, but we're going global right at home!

Patience »

I know I said that I would write a long Blog the other day, but as is often the case, time slips away and I find myself occupied with something else.

Back tomorrow »

Took some time away from blogging, in order to think about my picture book situation. Now that my eldest is out of school for the summer, I will have even less time than usual to write.

An age of miracles »

We can't look back from 40 years later with the clear view of distance because we haven't got there yet.

Why? »

I have a problem with saying "no." I always have.

Back To Blogging »

Life stops when my husband doesn't go to work. Don't get me wrong, I love him to bits, but he completely ruins my routine.

A HUMAN BEING NEEDS ONLY HALF A MAT ... »

Oh, Canada! »

I need to get something off my chest. I'm all for Canadian pride, but Canadian Idol is an absolute embarrassment.

The Truth Is... »

The truth is, life as a writer is nothing like I imagined it would be. When I was in my teens I used to think that a writer's life consisted of excitement, romance and adventure.

Milestone Among the Masses »

As parents, we know there are moments, markers, that measure how the years are passing (whizzing past, actually). First day of school. First stitches. First lost tooth.

I Can Take the Joke »

"You find your home. And it may not be what you thought ... you know, the color's off, the style's wrong ...

EXCERPT OF THE WEEK »

Marjorie Williams died in 2005.  She was the exceptionally gifted wife of Slate Senior Writer Timothy Noah, and the mother of their two school-age children.  Her acclaimed best-seller THE WOMAN A

Fathers' Day and Flag Day »

This June brings my second Fathers' Day without a father. More importantly, it brings my second Flag Day without my particular father. 

If My Parents Ruled the World. . . »

By the standards of this case, most American girls would be murdered in their mid teens.

Birthday Party Mayhem »

Over the weekend my daughter attended a birthday party for a little girl she knows. My daughter just turned five a few weeks ago and this little girl was also celebrating her fifth birthday.

Finding Humor in Every Day Situations »

When you first start out writing, experienced writers tell you that you will find the genre that suits you, find your own style, and find your own voice.

Rest In Peace, Old Man »

I haven't felt like writing or blogging. There's been a death in the family, my father-in-law -- not unexpected.

Kids and Who They Leave Behind »

It's not like I didn't see it coming.

GABE'S HAIRCUT »

When he was growing up, my son, Gabe, always requested the same dinner on his birthday: lasagna and mashed potatoes.

Waiting Room »

Yesterday, for the first time in weeks, I got dressed in real clothes: my too-big jeans and a sweater. I put on boots and make-up.

The Joking to come back: My mom and Alzheimer's Disease. »

I'm in a room at some funeral parlor. My grandmom is in the casket (not looking like Lena Horne). I don't really know where I am. It is a strange place. Lots of 70's wood paneling.

Dos/Two »

A few weeks ago, I started writing a children's book, this one, like most of my books, deals with immigrant issues, and I called it "Dos/Two".