My writing has been up and down in the past few months. Life has interfered in a way it never has before. Outside voices have mixed with the inner knowledge that I am on the right path, scaring the hell out of me. 
Rupi Kaur’s poem came to me at just the right time. I’m slowly working my way back into the writing. But it’s completely different. I’ve gone from being able to make broad sweeping revisions at the same time as I make teeny specific alterations to only being able to fiddle with timelines or voices or snapshots of scenes. It’s frustrating and frightening that this has changed for me. I’ve even sat with the idea that maybe I am not cut out to continue writing. But that isn’t it. I want that work in my life. And I have to find a way to invite a reliable production patterns back into the process. Even if it’s different than it’s been the last 15 years, I have to believe the answer is somewhere near. I just need to find it.
The Kitchen Mistress At Work
*Love*Promises*Betrayal*Self-Discovery*
So much happens to Katherine on her journey as Violet Pendergrass’ Kitchen Mistress.
As readers of The Letter Series know, Katherine is an artist, a painter, a sketcher—an intuitive young lady. I found this painting on Ebay. As soon as I saw it I thought, Katherine would paint just like that. And so I had to have it.
As I rewrite Katherine’s tale I’d like to know—what do you want to know about her life?Coming 2016
Holiday Giveaway #1 Melissa Foster’s Have No Shame
Hello, Book Lovers! Looking for some extra Holiday Happiness during this busy and sometimes stressful time? Kathleen Shoop is giving away Melissa Foster’s NYT bestselling novel, HAVE NO SHAME, a sterling silver bracelet, and luscious chocolate treats to ease you into a few moments of blissful peace. 
HAVE NO SHAME is an incredible book. Foster’s unique, vibrant voice, the setting (during the civil unrest of the 1960’s) and a special character’s courage combine for a magnetic, engaging tale. Foster signed it and enclosed a handwritten note for the sweepstakes winner. The inspiring engraving on the bracelet (Charmed Elements Jewelry) captures Alison’s journey, “She stood in the storm, & when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.” Godiva chocolate truffles blend every bit of chocolate in the world (a teeny exaggeration) into little globes of cocoa heaven. Click the link below and enter to win today. Ends 12-4-15 at 11:45 PM EST https://woobox.com/esua7m
A Title Is Born…
Finally… A title for Katherine’s story! Now onto Tommy’s title and covers for all! Oh and the writing… there is that.
Bun in the Oven
While writing Katherine’s Story (still untitled) I decided I needed to bake some bread–the old-fashioned kind with yeast and sponges and rising dough that has to rest and breathe and get snuggly under a blanket before going into the oven. 
I used to bake a lot more but haven’t baked from scratch in a long time. And I am RUSTY!
As you can see from the beautiful photo of the finished product, the bread looks gorgeous. But in fact, the middle of it is dense and mealy. Yuck. Either my oven runs to hot or… well, something, I don’t know…
I could use the loaf for display in a store but to actually enjoy it? No!
I gave my bread taster @donna hanlon a wedge of the bread to try. She and her daughter, Danielle, confirmed it–crust was good, inside–thumbs down.
I am going to try more. I’ve done some more research and see that I might need some specialized baking tools. But then that just seems wrong to me because my mind goes back to the 1800’s when they didn’t even have temperature control on ovens and I think I’m making it way too hard… it has to be simpler than baking stones and cloches and special whisks.
But then I’m reminded of how many times we hear that the “old” days were simple and I 
recall all the Victorian life difficulties that my research has revealed and I know… nothing was simple then.
The one positive from this was that I did get the yeast to work. At one point I thought I either didn’t get it activated or that I killed it… yay, yeast was alive and kicking. More soon…
The Good Old Days…
The Doorbell Rings…
Hallow-win!
To celebrate Halloween and reading at the same time, I am offering you the chance to win these wonderful tales from past and present! 
Edith Wharton’s Ghost Stories, A collection of ghosty tales from 1800-1849, Stephen King’s Joyland and a collection of vintage Halloween postcards! All you have to do to be entered is to either show up at my book talk on Monday at Shaler North Hills Library or comment about the best costume you ever wore and share the post! I’ll draw the winner on October 23, 2015.
Join me at Shaler North Hills Library–October 19, 2015
I am part of the Meet the Author series at this wonderful library! It’s where I went for story time as a
small child, did research in high school and now spend time writing when I wait for my daughter at her Act One Theater School practices! Love this place and I would love to see you there! Great conversation and cool Halloweeny giveaway for you avid readers!
Searching for a Title…
As I rewrite Katherine’s story now that she is center stage in her very own book, I’ve found that most of it is done! But, I’m title-less for now. Because this book will now be book 3 in The Letter Series (The Garden Promise–Jeanie’s story–will be book 5 now) I think I should stay with the 3-word The ____ ____ pattern of the first two books. Will readers be confused if I stray from that? So much of success in writing stems from branding and making it easy for readers to recognize a book in a series, a book they want to read. Lots to consider…