This image of Vespasian isn’t anywhere else and probably won’t be. Yes, I bought an image that would ordinarily be used for a book cover to use for my own inspiration. Seriously. How could I not? What drew me to this image is one word. TORTURED. That is how I view Vespasian, and what I sensed in this image. I would have snatched it up just as quickly if he’d been fully clothed. Yes, really.   Now, you might think I only...

I have been asked whether Harry Potter  and its fandom influenced the creation of The Fury Triad. Really! Why would you even imagine that Snape influenced This Crumbling Pageant’s villain, Mr Jones, aka Vespasian Wyllt? ::blinks innocently:: Wait. Am I being coy? I am being coy. Enough of that piffle. You wouldn’t be the first to notice. The review that spelled it out with the most detail came from Author Ashlyn Macnamara, whom I...

Be a writer they said. You don’t have to wash your hair, put on makeup, and leave your dogs, they said. But they didn’t say anything about writers’ conferences. I’m not complaining. In fact, I can’t wait. DFWCon is an amazing conference for writers at every stage of their career, from just beginning to best seller. I will be at DFWCon speaking on these topics: Writing With Passion is More than Opening a Vein Forget...

A writer’s studio. What a stunning image. I love impressionism and the colours in this are so saturated and glorious! Some writers say that windows and views distract them. In my case they help create a creative ambiance and are less likely to distract me from writing than many other things. Of course this sunset or sunrise? Would distract in the very best way. I have described sunrises and sunsets in my books and sometimes the words seem...

“Warm sun and robin’s-egg skies were inappropriate conditions for sending one’s uncle to a lunatic asylum.” This year is turning out to be stellar.  I keep discovering fabulous books to read or listen to, but I have neglected to share the goodies. So, let’s begin to catch up. The book I need to share with you first? The Dark Unwinding, by Sharon Cameron Not only has Sharon Cameron provided us with a fabulous world...